Vol 23 No 13    8 December 2017

HSD League Table Success

We are delighted that The Irish Times has ranked The High School as one of the top 3 mixed feeder schools in Ireland making it the leading school in its sector in 2017.  This follows a recent ranking by The Sunday Times which classified The High School as one of the top 5 mixed fee-paying schools in Ireland.  The High School has established a strong track record in a variety of league tables over the last number of years.  It was ranked as the best-performing school in south Dublin by The Irish Times following 103% entry to third level education in 2012.  The school recorded an average progression rate of over 100% to third level education in 2013, 2014, and 2015.  It was placed 4th in the ranking for mixed feeder schools in Ireland and 2nd for entry to Trinity College, Dublin making it the leading school in its sector in 2015.  The High School recorded a 100% and 110% progression rate to third level education in 2016 and 2017, respectively.  It was ranked among the top performing fee-paying schools in Ireland by the SundayIndependent making it the leading school in its sector in 2016.  There have been significant improvements in examination performance at The High School in recent years which reflects the professional excellence of our teaching staff, the determination and hard work of pupils, and the dedicated support of parents and guardians.  I should like to congratulate all our pupils on their outstanding results and to thank my colleagues who have worked tirelessly on their behalf throughout their time at The High School.   

Mr G A Forrest
Principal

Drop Everything and Read

Last Friday, at the beginning of the day, everyone at The High School stopped what they were doing and picked up something good to read.  What a relaxing and productive way to begin a busy day!

UCD Awards

On Tuesday we went to University College Dublin for a Business Studies outing for all who achieved an A in the Junior Certificate last June.  It began with a meal followed by three talks on various Business courses that are on offer at UCD.  We  learned a lot about the Business School at UCD and it made us consider studying Business at Third Level.  It was a great outing which was topped-off with a nice goodie bag.  
Harry Lynch

Form 6 Study Skills

On 30 November, pupils from Form 6 attended a study skills and mindfulness course.  The aim was to help us to discover new ways of improving our time management and to make our study time more produtive.  We spent some time considering our mental health and how exam stress can be relieved through exercise, breathing techniques, and yoga.  It was a very worthwhile day.
Edward Meredith

HSD Rowing Success

On Saturday, two High School pupils participated in the Head of the Shannon All Ireland Rowing Competition - Under 16 Junior Women Coxed Eight and Under 16 Junior Women double scull competitions.  Alison Daly (HSD) and her partner registered the fastest time in the double sculls beating Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and taking the pendant from them.  For the next race Sarah Daly (HSD) stepped-up into stroke.  Despite the stiff competition from Enniskillen, Coláiste Iognáid Rowling Club, and Galway Rowing Club we set out to win.  We started off strongly, putting on the pressure, and keeping the rate at 30 strokes per minute.  Only 200 metres in and our rivals Enniskillen misjudged a bend and crashed straight into the weeds.  We kept going with our eyes now set firmly on Galway's eight and although it seemed an impossible task, our cox encouraged us to go for it.  We also kept a close eye on Coláiste Iognáid's eight that was 3 boat lengths away.  With the pendant in arms reach, we put on the legs and continued forward.  We were halfway done and had made the gap between us and Coláiste Iognáid's eight 5 boat lengths.  The lactic acid and fatigue had begun to set in but our cox shouted to keep the catches sharp and the finishes strong.  We couldn't give up now; our coaches would be counting on us to win this.   We had just passed the houses indcating that we were on the home stretch.  Our cox took the bend sharply as if it was a Formula 1 race.   The faint screams of the crowd told us to up the rate and the pressure.  Our cox was now shouting at us to go for the finish line as we had caught up on Galway's eight.  We filled our lungs with air for the last time as we were about to go for the line, knowing that this next bit would be anaerobic.  The shouting of the crowds grew louder and with that we upped the rate and the pressure, going crazy for this final stretch.  Galway saw this and tried to increase their speed, but we were already overtaking them and managed to do so in the last few meters before the line.  With the final sounding horn, we stopped abruptly needing to take in as much air we could.  When the results came out, it was clear that we had beaten the other crews by a few minutes which is substantial in rowing.  We went home happy that we beaten the other crews, the result of hard work and persistence.  
Alison Daly