The High School Weekly Newsletter
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Vol 22 No 27 27 April 2017
Visiting China - Journey of a Lifetime!
Over the Easter break a group of 40 High School pupils went on a cultural tour of China. The first city we went to was Beijing; here we saw the Forbidden City, temples and palaces, Tiananmen Square, and walked the Great Wall of China. We got to experience a tea ceremony, peking duck, and a variety of Chinese food. After a rickshaw tour of the Hutong area, we went for dinner at a family home where we were served a traditional meal and heard a piece of music played on a Chinese violin.
We took a bullet train to Shanghai and went straight to The Bund. Here we saw the tallest building in China. The next day we went to a silk centre, Old Street, and the French Concession. We visited the Jin Moa Tower which is 88 stories high. On the last day we went to the Shanghai museum and then spent the rest of the day haggling in China's biggest market.
Later that night we took our 17 hour flight home. We will never forget this journey of a lifetime!
Mia Comerford McKenna and Erica Macari
Celebrating Diversity
Form 1 pupils have been working on the ISPCC Blue-shield anti-bullying project. The group hosted Diversity Week from the 3-9 April to celebrate our similarities and differences. Various events were held every day to get the whole school involved. On Monday a map was put up and people could pin the country that they or their parents were born in. The map was then left up for everyone to marvel at. We all come from so many different places, we couldn't believe it! On Tuesday people left their painted thumbprint on a shield to signify that despite our differences we are all the same. On Wednesday prayers in different languages from world religions were read in Assembly. On Thursday a bake sale was held with desserts from around the world.
Finally, on Friday pupils wore colours of the rainbow to highlight that when we stand together as a school community we can create something really special.
Laura Cole
'Mapping The High School' video created by Shona Carey
The High School Rowing Ireland victory
The High School came first in the Junior 16 4+ race against Regina Mundi. The four consisted of Aine Ryan in stroke, Daisy O'Toole in 3, Alison Daly in 2, Sarah Daly in bow and Hannah Vance Cronin as the coxswain. As soon as the umpire called go, we pulled away from Regina Mundi. Hannah kept the boat straight and called power 20 after power 20 until we had a clear lead over Regina Mundi. Regina Mundi were looking worse for wear at the 1,000 metre mark. Hannah kept us in check by making sure we were getting the oars in sharp. But, with less than 500 metres to go, the crew from Cork weren't going to give us an easy win and went on the attack. They increased the rate and went for a few power 10s. We could hear the distant shouts coming from the people on the
bank and with this in mind, we put the pressure on the oars and tried to keep it as neat as possible. The shouts from the crowds grew louder as we came closer to the finish line only stopping when we heard the horn blow and we knew then that we hadn't disappointed the people who put so much effort into our preparation. The High School also came second in J15 2X. The double consisted of Alison and Sarah Daly. We were leading for 1,250 metres before being overtaken by the double from Coleraine Grammar School in the last 250 metres.
Alison Daly
Readathon Competition
Some say that reading is the key to happiness and that is certainly the case for the pupils who took part in the 2017 High School Readathon competition. Special mention must be made of the enthusiastic Readathon winners who are photographed here!
Zion Church Service
A special service for pupils and parents of those facing examinations this year will be held at Zion Church on Sunday 7 May at 5.00 pm. All are welcome!
HSD Radio
Pupils in Form 4 recently enjoyed a special day scripting and recording radio programmes in an outdoor mobile recording facility. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Events on the day were recorded by Transition Year pupil Shona Carey who produced this wonderful video for us.
Sizzler Shout-Out
It’s nearly time for our Summer Sizzler event on Friday 19 May so we’re making sure you can add the date to your calendars nice and early. We’ve got an evening of Music, Dance, Food and Entertainment planned, kicking off at 6.00 pm, with the annual Parent vs Teacher cricket match. Last year’s event was a great success so we’re counting on your support again. Come on out and enjoy yourself, meeting old and new friends!
Tickets are €15 each, including food and a complimentary drink.
Tickets can be purchased in 2 ways:
- In person from any member of the Parent’s Association
- Online at Eventbrite - High School Summer Sizzler Tickets
Gael Linn Prize Winners
Congratulations to these pupils who were awarded special prizes for effort in Irish from Gael Linn, consisting of vouchers for a residential week in the Gaeltacht at Coláiste Gael Linn, Bun an Inbhir, Gaoth Dobhair. The Irish Courses Manager at Gael Linn, Mr Rory MacManus, popped in to The High School to present the awards. Maith sibh!
Great Gear for Minor Champions
To mark the Minor A hockey team's historic win at the All Ireland Championship, the Parents' Association kindly presented the boys with these fetching commemorative training tops each featuring a list of the players on the reverse. Thank you to the Parents' Association for their generosity and support!
Dates for your Diary
- 28 Apr 17 - May Day public holiday begins, 11.55 am
- 1 May 17 - May Day bank holiday
- 2 May 17 - May Day public holiday ends, 8.55 am
- 3 May 17 - Sport photographs, 9.00 am-1.00 pm
- 6 May 17 - Academic scholarship examination, 9.30 am-3.30 pm
- 8 May 17 - Sports Day - school closes, 3.55 pm
