A New Academic Year Begins at The High School

Vol 23 No 1 7 September 2017

Welcome back!

New Teachers: Back row left to right: Mr O'Sullivan, Ms Lee, Mr Deane, and Mr Mak,
Middle row: Ms Kilpatrick
Front row: Ms Scott, Ms Murphy, Ms Love, and Ms Garland.

Welcome to The High School for the academic year 2017/18!

It has been a pleasure to welcome Ms Hearne back to her position. We thank Ms Packham, Ms Bennett, Ms Hilliard, and Mr Sheehan for their excellent service and wish them all the best for the future. Mr McCaughey will serve as acting Deputy Principal for the coming year.

We welcome the following new staff to The High School - Mr Deane (History/Religious Education); Ms Garland (Resource); Ms Kilpatrick (Resource); Ms Lee (Music); Ms Love (Religious Education/English); Mr Mak (Geography/Economics); Ms Murphy (Art); Mr O'Sullivan (Technological Subjects); and Ms Scott (Science/Biology) - and wish them every success in their respective appointments.

There have been a number of important projects completed during the summer including the refurbishment of the staff room, toilet blocks, and the installation of new doors in all classrooms as well as the upgrading of the school wifi. We have reconfigured the viewing area for the main hockey pitch and put in a drinking water fountain along with new drainage at back gate to stop rainwater gathering. The Reynolds Hall floor has also been refurbished and the hall painted. We are most grateful to the Grounds and Property Committee (as well as the Finance and Estates Bursar and ICT co-ordinator) for managing these improvements to the teaching and learning environment.

I am delighted to report that Leaving Certificate examination results at The High School in 2017 were once again among the best recorded in the history of the school. In summary, 90% of the papers taken at higher level achieved H5 or above; H8 or less was recorded on only 2% of all papers. I should like to offer my warmest congratulations to all candidates on their individual achievements.

In conclusion, I should like to wish all members of the school community every success in 2017/18.

Mr G A Forrest
Principal

Ireland and Leinster Hockey Success

Congratulations to Peter Lynch and Alexander O'Regan as well as to Harry Lynch who were selected to compete with the Ireland U18 hockey squad and Ireland U16 hockey squad, respectively against Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and England in the Six Nations Invitational Tournament during the summer. We wish our pupils every success as they compete for further honours at international level during the 2017-18 season.

Congratulations to Jake Pillow, Alistair Empey, and Harry Lynch as well as to Evan Jennings, Ethan Flynn, and Ben Whelan on their recent selection for the Leinster U18 hockey squad and the Leinster U16 hockey squad, respectively. We extend best wishes for success to our pupils as they compete for team selection in the forthcoming interprovincial competition at these age grades.

In addition to these achievements, our recent past pupil Conor Empey (HSD, 2011-17) was selected for the Ireland U21 hockey squad which played against Germany, Austria, and Belgium in the EuroHockey Junior Championship in Valencia. He met Mr Fitzpatrick who was helping to coach the Ireland Women's U21 hockey team at the tournament. We are delighted that past pupils Nicola Daly (HSD, 2000-06) and Alison Meeke (HSD, 2003-09) were selected for the Ireland squad which competed against England, Scotland, and Germany at the European Championships in Amsterdam. We wish our past pupils every success as they compete for further honours at international level.

Debating Club

All pupils interested in Senior debating please see Ms Hutchinson- Edgar in A22 at lunch time on Monday. Junior debating for Forms 1 to 3 takes place in the Library with Ms Walker every Tuesday from 12.55 pm-13.15 pm. Debating is great fun and helps develop public-speaking skills and confidence. The school has a great record of participation a range of competitions, so do come along and give it a go. Beginners are always welcome.

Simon Community Fun Run

The annual Simon Community Fun Run will take place on Saturday 7 October. The High School has been awarded the trophy for raising the most of any school in this event for the past six years! We need as much participation as possible again this year. No previous running experience is necessary. This fun event is for everyone: you can walk, jog, run, or skip. So get fundraising for this important cause and sign up today! Please see Ms Hutchinson-Edgar for details.

WRWC 2017

It is not every day that a teacher and coach from The High School represents their country in the World Cup, so we were incredibly proud when Mathematics teacher Ms Deacon donned the green jersey in the recent Women's Rugby World Cup (WRWC) tournament. Her dedication and professionalism - as well as that of the entire team - inspired staff and pupils alike.

International Cricket Success

What a great summer for High School pupil Orla Prendergast. Not only did she sit her Junior Certificate examination, but she spent the rest of the holidays playing cricket on the Ireland Under 17s and 15s team and was named captain to boot!

Deputy Head Girl, Ellen Ridgeway also played on the Ireland Under 17s cricket team in Scotland this summer, and enjoyed playing on the Under 19s in a tournament in England where they won three out of four matches. We cannot wait to see what the coming year holds for these gifted cricketers.

HSD PPU Golf Event

The annual HSD PPU Golf event will be held on Friday 15 September at Rathfarnham Golf Club. This popular event is open to all members of The High School and Diocesan Past Pupils' Union and their guests with entry fees as follows:
Playing (with dinner) - €55.00
Rathfarnham GC members - €35.00 Dinner only - €25.00.
You can click here for further details and entry forms which should be returned with the appropriate remittance as soon as possible.

Foundation Day Awards

The Foundation Day awards are prizes awarded to pupils in Forms 3 to 6 who have shown particular initiative in a whole-school context. To be eligible for consideration a pupil (or pupils) must be nominated in writing by two others. The nomination should include a short statement listing reasons for further consideration. The closing date for receipt of nominations by the Principal's Secretary is Friday 22 September. The awards will be presented to pupils at the Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution on Wednesday 25 October.

Rowing Ireland Success

The High School enjoyed a wonderful summer of rowing with Oliver O'Toole representing Ireland in the Under 18s squad at the Home International Regatta in July in Scotland, Caroline and Áine Ryan along with Daisy O'Toole and Abigail Nolan winning bronze medals at the Irish National Championships, and a great win for Sarah and Alison Daly in the Junior 15 coxed quad competition. We cannot wait to see how our excellent team of rowers will perform in the months ahead!

Guitar Lessons

Guitar lessons are available for High School pupils. Those interested should make contact with Ms Shaw in the Office or Ms Bourke in the Music department. Guitar lessons will be taught during school hours on a rotating basis. An additional fee of €140 for group lessons or €230 for individual lessons will be charged for a 12-week term.

Supervised Study

Supervised study at The High School commenced on Monday 4 September at 4.00 pm in the Demonstration Theatre. The cost for 4 weeks is:

1 day per week            €15
2 days per week           €30
3 days per week           €45
4 days per week           €60

You can click here for a registration form; alternatively, obtain one from Mr McDonnell, Mr O’Brien, or the Office.

Senrior 1 Hockey Success

The Senior 1 hockey team achieved joint 3rd place in a pre-season tournament last weekend. It was great to see past pupils Saoirse O'Donoghue (HSD, 2009-15), Shane O'Donoghue (HSD, 2008-2011), and Jennifer Rynne (HSD, 2006-12) there to offer their support.

Making a Splash!

Congratulations to Isabel Feeney who has been selected to represent Ireland at diving in the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh in October!

Winter Sports Programme

Playing sport is a great way to meet new friends, learn skills, and stay fit. There is something for everyone to enjoy at The High School so why not give it a try?