Vol 22 No 16     2 February 2017

LHA Schoolboys Senior League Final

Has there ever been a more hard-fought final in the history of the Leinster Hockey Association Senior League than yesterday's game that saw The High School face St Andrew's College?  The match was ended in a 3-3 draw that remained scoreless in extra time forcing the teams into a sudden death situation.  The tension was unbearable for the players, coaches, and gathered crowd who looked on helplessly in the pouring rain as stroke after stroke clocked-up on the scoreboard.  But something had to give.  In truth, the game could have gone either way but only one team can win and this time luck was on the side of our rivals.  The final score was 14-13 to the opposition.  Our players left the field disappointed but proud of their courageous performance and with their eyes already firmly on the Senior Cup which they will play for later in the year.  

East Leinster Athletics Success

The East Leinster Athletics championship took place on the 26 January in Avondale, Co Wicklow.  It was a long distance, cross-country event with lots of schools competing. The High School brought approximately 20 pupils to participate.  The races stretched from 1000 to 5000 metres with age groups from Form 1 to 6.  We were delighted with the performance of The High School teams. 

Materials Technology - Wood

Materials Technology Wood (MTW) is one of the technology subjects offered to High School pupils at Junior Cycle.  Pupils learn to design small projects and develop the skills required to use tools and equipment to make chosen designs.  This term Form 1 pupils completed a project to manufacture cleverly-designed key stands.  The sense of accomplishment can be clearly seen on their faces.  Well done to our MTW pupils!

Senior 1 Girls' Hockey 

The High School Dublin faced off against pre-tournament favourites Loreto Foxrock away from home on Tuesday 30 January and for much of the game it was The High School that looked to be the far better outfit.  A goal early in the first half was the reward for High School’s early pressure on our opponents.  The opposition piled on the pressure in the second half with a remarkable accumulation of short corners.  However, The High School rear guard seemed impenetrable and soaked up this extraordinary pressure until a goal-ward shot was illegally blocked ten minutes from time.  The resulting penalty flick was scored and the game was levelled.  A final foray was made by the other side and as their attacker moved to the by-line a foul was drawn: a penalty flick had been awarded.  The final score was 2-1 to our rivals.  We had witnessed a fine performance from a young team which has great potential for the next few seasons.  As for the Form 6 players they can now retire their black jerseys which they have worn with great honour and pride over many happy years at The High School.

Form 4 Hill Walk

Last week, as part of An Gaisce - The President's Award, a group of enthusiastic Form 4 pupils gathered together for a refreshing hike on Lugnaquilla mountain.  We met up at The High School at 9.30 am, got a bus to the mountain, and then the climb began.  It was very foggy and the rain was relentless, but so was the chat.  Our friendly banter helped the time fly by even though the walk took about 6 hours all together.  We got back to the High School later than we expected.  It had been a tough walk but we were delighted by the sense of accomplishment that we all felt.  These walks are in preparation for the big event - when we climb the highest mountain in Ireland, Carrauntoohill, in April! 

Readathon at The High School

The Library and the Well Read Committee are running a Readathon at The High School.  The challenge is to read up to five different books from a selection of genres and authors as suggested by the Librarian, for example, a book with a blue cover, a dystopian novel, or a book of non-fiction.  Please call up to the Library to collect your Readathon sheet to get started on the challenge.  Sheets should be handed back into the Library (even if you haven't completed all five books) by Friday 7 April.  There are prizes donated by the Parents' Association to be won!

Parents' Association News!

• Parents' evening/talk with Prof Donal O'Shea "Healthy Eating and Active Living in 2017' - Tuesday 28 February at 8.00 pm in The Reynolds Hall

Professor O’Shea qualified from University College Dublin in 1989 and then moved to Hammersmith Hospital in London.  He established the first hospital based multidisciplinary treatment unit for the management of adult obesity in Ireland.  He is a member of the Department of Health special action group on obesity established in 2011 and chaired a group carrying out a health impact assessment on the potential benefits and harms of a tax on sugar sweetened drinks.  He has presented to EU Ministers for Health and the Director General of the WHO on the importance of prevention of childhood obesity. 

• Parents' evening / talk with Dr John Sharry "Helping your Children Make Good Choices about Alcohol, Drugs and Sex' - Monday 3 April  at 8.00 pm in The Reynolds Hall

Dr John Sharry is a social worker and family psychotherapist  with over 25 years experience as a child and adolescent mental health professional. He is co-developer of the award-winning Parents Plus Programmes as well as the best- selling author of fourteen  positive psychology and self-help book for families including Positive Parenting, and Counselling Children Adolescents and Families.