Vol 26 No 04     25 Sept 2020

Leaving Certificate High Achievers

A selection of The High School's high-achieving Leaving Certificate candidates from 2020.  Left to right: Harry Lynch, Anna Lyons, Frederick Loose, Enya Mak, Nathan Hutchinson-Edgar, and Siobhan Trimmer.  Congratulations to all pupils on their excellent results. 

Form 4 Excursion

As Form 4 pupils arrived into school there was a sense of excitement in anticipation of our first excursion of the academic year.  A thick fog covered the mountain as our bus made its way up the mountains to Kippure (the highest point in Dublin).  Though our fingers were freezing and the rain beat down on us, we hardly noticed as we hiked together to the summit. As the bus made its way down the rugged hills, we set our sights on Killiney beach.  The fog began to clear as rays of sunlight burst through and the chill of the summit was forgotten.  We cast our fears aside and dived into the Irish Sea, our friends and teachers soon followed.  But all good things must come to an end and soon enough we were back on the bus making our way home and thinking what a great day it had been!
Sam McLuskie, Georgia Gough,  and Jessie Needham 

Leinster Hockey Panel Selection

Congratulations to these High School pupils who have been selected for the Leinster Under 16 and Under 18 interprovincial panel.  Congratulations are also due to Ella Pasley who has been selected for the Leinster Under 18 panel.  Well done to all on this fine achievement.

Senior Rugby

The Senior 1st rugby team played its first competitive match against The King’s Hospital last Wednesday.  It came as a surprise to most of us to have a game so early given COVID-19 restrictions and it seems that we were very lucky to have had one.  Our overall performance was below par but may have been an effect of the restricted training regime we have had over the past month and a half.  We only had a couple of full-contact training sessions before the game and we had to be split in pods of 15 when training.  This hindered our ability to bond as a team.  We had a vote for captain and vice-captain recently - pictured above - and I am proud to undertake the role of the former.  We hope we can pull our team together during these challenging times. 

Form 1 Poetry 

Down by the water, down by the river
Where the most beautiful flowers do grow. 
Roses and buttercups, sunflowers too
All that is coloured and bright is on show. 

The sun gleams down on the children playing
Chasing their friends and having so much fun
Having football games outside the playground
Where the smallest ones just sit in the sun. 

The bees are buzzing among the flowers, 
High up in the trees the birds are taking flight. 
A fox sneaks around, it is out of sight,
It would have given someone an awful fright.  

At the end of the day, the sun goes down, 
The owls hoot among the chilly breeze. 
The children told to go to sleep do frown. 
As the stars appear high above the trees.

Congratulations to Jack Rowe in Form 1 who composed this beautiful poem
inspired by a nature walk in The High School grounds.  The phographs were taken by Form 4 pupils in Media Studies lessons. 

Solas Project Charity Cycle

On Saturday 12 September I joined in a charity cycle. The event was in aid of the Solas Project, an organisation set up by my late uncle, Revd Graham Jones, a past pupil of The High School. The charity works with children living in the inner city of Dublin. After school care, prison programme, and social enterprise are three of the many programmes offered by Solas Project. You can find out more at https://solasproject.com. The cycle was from Mizen Head to Malin Head.  I joined in on the final day to do the last leg of 80 km.  It was a great experience to be part of a team that completed such a feat for a great cause. 
Samuel Maxwell

Form 4 Culinary Skills

Pupils in Form 4 have been baking some tasty treats as part of their Culinary
Skills class.  Here they are with their chewy, crunchy cookies.  Well done, everyone!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Here at The High School we are very fortunate to be surrounded by 23 acres of open spaces, bordering the river Dodder and local parks.  During recent weeks teachers have been making the most of this resource, adapting their lessons for outdoor teaching and learning.  This has enabled pupils to see the faces of their teachers and friends, helping to build rapport and develop important relationships.  We hope that the good weather continues into the coming weeks and our pupils and staff can continue to enjoy the fresh air and wide, open spaces. 

Lost Property

Lost property is situated on the B Floor and will be open at 3.55 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If pupils wish to recover lost or misplaced items they should attend at these times.  
Ms Quinn

Calendar Update

Swimming and table tennis are cancelled for the next two weeks due to recent Government health restrictions.  Basketball will be held outdoors.  Also, the scheduled Activity Day for Friday 25 September has been postponed due to current restrictions. It is hoped this event will be rescheduled for a future date in this academic year when conditions permit.  Please remember, it is not permitted for parents and/or guardians to visit the school without prior appointment until further notice.  We thank every one for their cooperation dealing with unexpected changes in such uncertain times. 

Form 6 Parent-Teacher Meeting

Please note a revised date for the Form 6 Parent-Teacher Meeting.  It will now take place on Monday 19 October and will be held remotely through MS Teams.