Vol 23 No 30    011 May 2018

East Leinster Athletics Championships

The High School competed in the East Leinster Schools Athletics Championship in Santry last week.  Fortunately, the weather was wonderful which made the two-day event all the more enjoyable.  We has a very successful championship with The High School bringing home a total of 19 medals: 4 gold, 2 silver, and 13 bronze.  We had fifty pupils competing - the culmination of months of training and hard work.  There were many events to choose from such as high jump, long jump, shot putt, javelin, all track distances, and relays.  It was great to represent our school and to participate in a competition where the standard was so high.  Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and I cannot wait to go back again next year. 
Ella Maxwell

Croke Park Cultural Tour

Last week pupils from Form 4 enjoyed a two-hour guided tour of Croke Park as part of Irish cultural education.  They watched short film about the history of the stadium and learned more about Ireland’s unique national games.  With a capacity of 82,300 this magnificent stadium is actually the third largest in Europe.  The pupils walked through the tunnel in the footsteps of Gaelic games legends and emerged onto the historic pitch where the fastest field game in the world – hurling - and Gaelic football are played at the highest level.  In the stands they learned about the events of Bloody Sunday in 1920 which was very moving. The guides brought pupils to the interactive museum where they played simulations of hurling and Gaelic football.  The visit ended with a trip to the restaurant and souvenir shop.  

HSD PPU and IHL Success

Last weekend saw the climax of the Irish senior club hockey season with Loreto (Rathfarnham) and Three Rock Rovers both emerging as Irish Hockey League (IHL) ladies and mens’ champions, respectively.  The IHL championship is the top prize in Irish club hockey and both teams will now represent Ireland in European competitions in 2019 as a result of winning the Irish championships.  The Loreto team was coached by Mr Fitzpatrick and included no fewer than four past pupils, naely - Alannah Carragher (HSD, 2009-13), Nicola Daly (HSD, 2001-06), Mia Jennings (HSD, 2011-17), and Alison Meeke (HSD, 2003-09) .  Having beaten current champions and top seeds UCD 1-0 through an Ali Meeke goal following a tactical masterclass in the semi-final, the Rathfarnham side went on to beat Cork Harlequins 2-1 in the final with the goals scored by Nicci Daly and Mia Jennings.  To cap the weekend from a High School perspective Ali Meeke was presented with the Player of the Tournament award.  The Three Rock Rovers team was captained by Mr Hosking and included recent past pupil Conor Empey (HSD 2011-17) - both players picking up their second Irish senior hockey league medal in two years.  At the end of a pulsating final on Sunday Mr Hosking scored the match winner against Glennane with less than a minute to go on the clock.  The Glennane team was captained by past pupil, Ireland international, and Rio Olympian, Shane O’Donoghue (HSD, 2008-11).  Congratulations to all staff and past pupils on their outstanding achievements. 

Home Economics Fun

Pupils from Form 1 who study Home Economics recently enjoyed a delicious, home-cooked breakfast in class.  There is nothing as nice as fresh pancakes topped with chocolate and strawberries first thing in the morning.  Pupils made a healthy mixed-berry smoothie too, which proved to be very popular with the entire class.  What a great way to start the day!

Change of Date

Form 1 Vaccinations will take place on 24 May.