Vol 26 No 18     12 Feb 2021

Chinese New Year

Illustration by Annie Sun Form 6

Happy Chinese New Year from everyone at The High School!  It may seem a little late to be celebrating the New Year two weeks into February, but if you follow the Lunar Calendar, 12 February marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox and calls for the celebration of the “Spring Festival” (春节), as the occasion is alternatively known.  The Lunar New Year is not unlike Christmas, though instead of gifts, red envelopes filled with money are exchanged (red envelope etiquette should ideally be observed).  In addition, there is the Chinese zodiac following a 12-year cycle with a different animal for each year (2021 being the hard-working, dependable ox).  It is said that people born in a particular year take on the characteristics of their zodiac animal.  For most families, the first thing to be done on the morning of the 11th is to decorate the house with the “福” symbol, meaning “blessing” or “luck”, to welcome a year of good fortune. New clothes are also worn (red if it is your zodiac year – red is most auspicious in Chinese culture), and the house is thoroughly cleaned to sweep the bad luck away and make way for the new year.  Spring Festival celebrations would not be complete without fireworks.  Unfortunately, firecrackers can no longer be set off in major cities but anyone can tune into thrilling and spectacular firework shows on TV.  Then a busy day of preparation follows for the greatly anticipated “reunion dinner”(年夜饭).  Of course, what’s prepared and consumed varies greatly from family to family, but fried foods, dumplings, and hotpot (as well as all sorts of delicacies only made during the Spring Festival) can be found.  Each family has different traditions and customs, but one thing is certain – the Lunar New Year is a time of union, for families to come together, and hope for a better future.  If the start of 2021 hasn’t gone as well as expected then don't be concerned because the year has just begun.  With that in mind, here's to a happy Year of the Ox - 祝你新年快乐，恭喜发财！If you would like to discover more about Chinese culture, here is a list of Chinese books, films, and music that you might like to explore. 
Patricia Zhang

Heart of Hong Kong

Someone once told me a city is most beautiful in the morning.  Today I view that as nothing but the truth.  Imagine. 5am.  Middle of the Summer.  Heart of Hong Kong.  It’s the time of the day when most of the city still lies in slumber.  If you step outside past the threshold of your door into the empty streets, the first thing you notice is the air.  It isn’t fresh, open, and dewy like you might be used to.  No, Hong Kong air is smothering.  It’s thick with pollution and heavy, almost suffocating. You feel it, you smell it, and if you squint, maybe you can even see it.  It envelopes you in a bouldering cloud of heat that will take getting used to.  Later in the day, that heat will become almost painful, but the sun has not yet climbed above the mountains and after a few days you will come to view the morning air as a comforting hug.  Read more...
Daimee Ng

Art Competition

HSD invites you to create an artwork based on the theme ‘Life Interrupted’.  The finished piece can be produced in your choice of media and should be A5 (height: 21cm, width: 15cm approx).  All entries will be exhibited in an virtual gallery online.  Original artwork should be retained for a future exhibition to be held in the school.  There will be a prize for the winning entry which will be used to illustrate the cover of next year’s school journal.  Submit your entries to art@highschool.ie by Thursday 11th March.
Mr Hanan

Virtual Book Club

Do you love to talk about your latest read?  If so, then this initiative might be right up your street.  The High School Librarian has started a Virtual Book Club for those pupils with a keen interest in reading.  It meets remotely on Tuesday from 1.30-1.50 pm.  All pupils in Forms 1 and 2 are welcome.  If you would like to join please contact the Librarian.
Ms Wiggle

Activity Week

It’s a good opportunity to pause and take stock as we approach the half-term break.  One of the key themes of feedback to date is the challenge that exists in achieving a healthy balance between continued active engagement with learning and promoting wellbeing for all. With a further period of remote learning ahead of us, the school community is now focused on the issue of sustainability. Some changes have already occurred to date with SPHE and PE classes now designated as non-screen learning activities. Additional changes will be put in place after half term to offset the demands of remote learning.  However, a sense of fun and connection with school friends is also essential.  The Student Council have launched a schedule of weekly optional non-academic activities that includes a physical challenge, a virtual film club, a virtual book club, mindfulness, and Friday quiz night.  We would encourage all pupils to engage with these and other activities being organized by departments over the next weeks.  Parents are also most welcome to join in our Thursday mindfulness class with Michele.
Mr Tobin

Black History Month

The High School Library contains many great books by black authors.  To celebrate Black History Month The High School Library is exhibiting some of these wonderful books and is encouraging all of our readers to explore the wealth of literature written by people of colour.  If you would like to learn more about these books or would like to suggest additional titles the Librarian would love to hear from you.  
Ms Wiggle

SPHE Challenge

Pupils in SPHE class in Forms 1, 2, and 4 have been expressing themselves through the medium of film. The were asked to recreate scenes from famous movies using everyday materials found at home.  Pupils then had to guess which scenes their friends had created.  It made for fun, creative, and engaging classes.  Can you name the films that inspired these photos?
Mr Milofsky

Form 1 Home Economics

This week in Home Economics Form 1 pupils learned all about healthy eating.  They learned that they should try to eat more vegetables, salad, and fruit - up to seven servings a day and limit the intake of food and drinks that are high in fat, sugar, and salt.  They also looked at the food pyramid as part of studying a balanced diet.  Then it was the turn of the pupils to get creative in making their own food pyramids at home using the contents of their kitchens, replicating the shelves of the food pyramid with some impressive results.  
Ms Rynne

SPHE Screen-Free Activities

It is recommended that pupils and teachers take regular breaks from the use of screens.  Pupils in Form 1 enjoyed baking as part of SPHE off-screen activities.  One pupil noted, ' I made enchiladas for my family, to help my Mum with making dinner.  They turned out to be really good and tasty.'  Well done, everyone!
Ms Phillips