Vol 25 No 16     30 Jan 2020

Leinster Hockey Association League Final

The Junior A hockey team played in the Leinster Hockey Association league final against St Andrew's College on Wednesday afternoon.  The beginning of the game was end-to-end but our opponents broke the deadlock with a goal from a short corner 15 minutes into the game. Then 10 minutes into the second half they scored again also from a short corner.  However, at 2-0 down The High School started to turn the game around by winning multiple short corners and creating many goal-scoring opportunities.  Eventually, we pulled one back with a great deflection from Marcus Empey.  Then, a few minutes later Charles Beatty scored the equalizer with just a few minutes to go.  However, the limited time remaining was just enough for the opposition to score a winning goal in the final seconds of the match. The HSD Junior A team fought well for the entire game and were unfortunate not to come away with a gold medal.
Darragh Sullivan

150th Anniversary PPU Gala Dinner

Last weekend, over three hundred former pupils gathered to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of The High School at a gala dinner hosted by The High and Diocesan School Past Pupils' Union.  Attendees were entertained by the journalist, author, and comedy writer Paul Howard (best known as the creator of the cult character Ross O'Carroll-Kelly) who was the guest speaker.  There was plenty of music and conversation as people reconnected with old friends and welcomed new members to the Past Pupils' Union.  It was a highly successful occasion and a wonderful start to the year-long series of events which will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the school.   
HSD 150th Anniversary Committee

Father Godfrey Cup

Despite the cold temperature, bus loads of happy High School pupils travelled to St Mary's Rugby Football Club to watch the HSD Junior Cup Team take on Catholic University School in the semi-final of the Father Godfrey Cup.  Sprits were high and the team worked well together despite the early lead taken by the opposition.  Our team fought hard and had numerous opportunities to strike back but none came to fruition.  The excitement never waned and we were hopeful until the end but this time the odds were not in our favour.  It was a great pleasure to watch the squad play throughout the season and we look forward to seeing them play again next year. 

East Leinster Cross Country Championships

On Tuesday 21 January the East Leinster Cross Country Championships took place in Avondale, Co Wicklow.  The High School had athletes from across the year groups participating in what was a thoroughly competitive field.  Congratulations to members of the Senior squad who were awarded bronze in the team event and qualified for the Leinster championships on the 12 February.  A particular mention should be made of Patrick Tallon and Patrick Ryan who both qualified individually.   
Scott Dunne and Nathan Hutchinson Edgar

Leinster Lego League Final Success

Last weekend members of The High School Lego Club participated in the Leinster finals of the Lego League.  The created a 'River Cleaner' lego project designed to collect rubbish from the River Dodder.  They eagerly displayed their design but also helped a pupil from another school who had to present a project single-handedly because the rest of the team were absent due to illness.  Our pupils spent their free time helping their opponent to present the project resulting in an award of the Core Values trophy for their collaboration and positive attitude during the competition.  We are very proud of our pupils for being so kind and helpful but also because they earned a place in the All Ireland Finals of the Lego League which will take place on 7 March in Santry.   Well done to our Lego team!  Mr Deane

Senior 1 Hockey 

Senior pupils gathered on the lower hockey pitch on Wednesday afternoon to play one of their last games of the season against Wesley College.  For some it marked the culmination of six years representing The High School and wearing HSD colours.  For others it was was a new experience having finally earned a place on the Senior 1 team.  The squad was cheered on by a band of enthusiastic supporters and family members who have loyally supported the team from the sidelines for many years.  The game was tough with our opponents scoring their one and only goal from a short corner. Again and again, our players brought the ball into our opponents' half, a ceasless onslaught that unfortunately brought us no closer to victory.  Yet there was no shortage of high drama and close calls making this a thrilling game until the very last moment.  Well done to everyone on the squad. 

Home Economics

Pupils from Form 5 enjoyed baking delicious yeast tear-and-share bread and pizza in Home Economics recently.   Well done, everyone!