Vol 25 No 07     08 Nov 2019

All Ireland Schools (Boys) Hockey Champions

The rain was relentless, the pressure potent, and the tension taut.  On a grey and grim afternoon in the Dublin foothills, The High School Senior 1 boys’ hockey team made history.  The Tasmanian Shield was finally ours, a shining beacon of polished maple clenched in the hands of our captain Ross Howard.  Across the green expanse of the low-lying St Columba’s College pitch, walls of noise ricocheted, reverberated, and rumbled. The St Andrew’s College crowd, a sea of blue and white, arrived in their droves but we were not concerned.  They could chant and roar but all would be fair on the field of play.  From the first whistle we were pushed up against the ropes by a menacing wave of orange and blue. They were out of the blocks like a shot and our players seemed to have no reply.  One would be forgiven for thinking that the inexperienced HSD team was wilting on the clay.  After a frantic arm wrestle of a first half, the St Andrew’s team had a 2-0 lead and all hope seemed to be slipping away. But where there is a will, there is a way and as we huddled in in front of the dugout, not a single head was lowered in defeat.  A brilliant tactical decision to move from a four to a three at the back turned the tables in our favour. Down but not out, The High School players ranged forward with determination and menace.  A short corner was created and then converted into a goal from a diving Ross Howard rebound. Our foot was in the door as we clawed our way back on top in a battle of wills. The game rumbled on with ceaseless intensity, the rain-soaked astroturf pitch a canvas to the dashing clashes of players punctuated by the precious white ball. It was a race against time for The High School boys as the fourth quarter started with a deficit of one remaining goal with fifteen minutes to decide our fate. There was nothing to be left on the field; it was ours to win and theirs to lose. Time marched on with the goal still to score. The voices of the undaunted supporters rose ever louder until in a twist of brilliance a goal was scored by Evan Jennings.  With just minutes left to play it was a fight to keep the resurgent St Andrew’s attackers from regaining the lead. A more vibrant defensive effort was never seen as the hopes and dreams of High School’s daring defenders rested on each tackle. The final whistle brought the epic battle to a halt.  A deathly silence descended on the sunken cauldron of excitement.  It was time for 1v1s.  Five players from each team lined-up to take their turn. Their hearts were pounding as the misty rain-filled air seemed to stand still.  St Andrew’s were the first to crack with a brilliant save from Ben Whelan. The High School missed with their fourth as goals were scored all round.  It fell to sudden death and - after another fantastic save - to Ross Howard to seal the historic victory.
Patrick Ryan

Parents’ Evening and Prize Distribution

Congratulations to all pupils and past pupils who received prizes and awards at the annual Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution; many thanks to all who were involved in preparing and running this successful event.  Our guest was the Most Reverend Patricia Storey, Bishop of Meath and Kildare.  She  gave an insightful and informative talk to everyone gathered in the Gymnasium. The evening 
celebrated the gifts and talents of current and past pupils in the areas of academic and sporting endeavour.  There was music and song; a wonderful evening was had by all.

Hockey Ireland qualification success 

Congratulations to all members of the Ireland Women's hockey team who have successfully qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and especially to past pupils Nicola Daly (HSD, 2000-06) and Alison Meeke (HSD, 2003-09).  We wish the team every success in the lead up to the Olympic Games.  

Cricket Ireland Retirement

Congratulations to past pupil Amy Kenealy (HSD, 2000-06) on an amazing career in sport.  She inspired many players and was a true trailblazer for cricket at The High School.  Amy made her debut against West Indies Women in 2008 at her club cricket home ground in Rathmines.  Since then she has played 72 times for the national team, claiming 45 wickets at an average of 32.84.  She achieved her career-best bowling figures of 4-32 against Bangladesh in 2016 and is the Ireland Women’s 12th highest all-time wicket-taker.  We wish Amy every sucess in her retirement from the sport. 

Form 1 Excursion

Form 1 pupils recently enjoyed a fun day of team-building events at Larch Hill participating in several activities including archery, orienteering, grass sledging, and an obstacle course.  It was a lovely day; the weather was great.  Everyone was cheerful and helped each other complete the tasks.  It was a fun-filled day that pupils won't soon forget. 

HSD Golf Team

Congratulations to our pupils from Form 3 who recently represented The High 
School at the Irish School Junior Golf competition in Delgany Golf Club.  Any pupil interested in playing golf at The High School should contact Mr Walker.

Form 6 Geography Fieldwork

Pupils from Form 6 completed their Geography fieldwork recently when they visited Shankill Beach to observe beach formation. The practical fieldwork involved in Geographical Investigation and Skills is an important part of Leaving Certificate Geography and the written project will be completed after the Mock Examinations in February.

Senior Play

The High School Senior Play this year is West Side Story.  Performances will take place in The Reynolds Hall on 17, 18, and 19 December so save the date in your diary!

Green Schools Initiative

The High School is going plastic free!  Sue Adams, esteemed environmentalist who was a key figure in helping schools such as Newpark Comprehensive School and The King’s Hospital go plastic free, has teamed up with the HSD Green Schools Committee to help tackle this massive task.  A few weeks ago, Sue came into the school to run a plastic free workshop.  She helped us map out our plan for the coming weeks and presented us with some stark facts about plastic pollution.  For example: by 2050 it is predicted that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.  The Green Schools Committee will be encouraging pupils to say goodbye to single use plastic - so keep your eyes open for plastic free alternatives!  

Christian Aid

On Wednesday 9 October Reverend Bob Kikuyu, Global Senior Adviser to Christian Aid, came to our Form 1 Religious Education class to speak to us about poverty in Kenya.  Beforehand, his colleague Michael explained to us what Christian Aid is about.  Christian Aid started at the end of World War II when churches came together to help people that were affected by war.  A few years later they named their organisation Christian Aid after those churches.  Most children in Kenya leave school in Year 8  (Sixth Class here) because their parents cannot afford to pay for further education.  The children spend the rest of their lives working.  Most children begin to start families at the age of sixteen.  These children run 13km to school and home every day.  When they get home they must complete all their chores. When they are finished it is too dark to do their homework.  Christian Aid gives these children solar lights so that they can do their homework.  Shockingly, a family with seven or eight children can sometimes live in a house a quarter of the size of our classroom.  We found this a very valuable experience and think that Christian Aid is a very worthwhile charity. 
Ciara Morton and Enaya Samaranayaka 

HSD Parents' Association

A huge thank you to all who supplied cakes and biscuits and served hot drinks during our hosting of the recent All Ireland Schools (Boys) Hockey Championship. The quality of the HSD hospitality was remarked upon many times and was very much appreciated by both visiting and home supporters.  We will be presenting Pieta House with a cheque for over €230 thanks to your generosity and kindness.
Linda O'Connor (HSD Parents' Association)

Hallowe'en Haiku 

Congratulations to Patricia Zhang who composed the overall winning Haiku at this year's High School Hallowe'en poetry competition in the Library.  Here is the poem in question:

No one will suspect
That this is not a costume
Tonight, I blend in.

Other winners were Barry Kennedy and Nathan Hutchinson-Edgar. 
Emma Hajaji, Fiona Rutledge, Thomas Boucher, Eoin Kelly, Robyn Nolan, Jack Darmody, and Daniel Fiala Li were all highly commended.  Thanks to all who entered the competition.
Ms Wiggle