Vol 25 No 21     13 Mar 2020

Interschools Music Festival

Last weekend pupils from The High School participated in the Interschools Music Festival.  We are delighted by the unprecedented success of the performers listed here.  Ten out of seventeen entries were placed in the top 5 of each competition.
The High School Orchestra: 2nd place by a single mark (90/100)
The High School Chamber Orchestra: 2nd place by a single mark (89/100)
Michael Binchy: 2nd in U14 strings
Kayla Kennedy: 2nd in Over 16 strings
Beth Flynn and Aideen Cassidy: 1st class honors in U15 popular duets
Ailbhe Smith: 1st class honors in U17 popular singing
Laura Cole: 1st class honors in U16 popular singing
Patricia Zhang: Highly commended in Over 15 classical guitar
George Britten: Highly commended in Over 17 classical singing
Beth Flynn: Highly commended in U14 popular singing
At The High School we encourage pupils to express themselves through music and to perform at Assembly, school events, and the annual Summer Concert.  All are welcome to join the Orchestra and Choir at weekly rehearsals.  We wish to congratulate all participants of the Interschools Music Festival and we wish them every success at An Feis Ceoil which takes place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April.

150th Anniversary Gala Concert

The High School 150th Anniversary Gala Concert at the National Concert Hall takes place on Tuesday 5 May.  Tickets are on sale from Monday 16 March.  They can be purchased directly from the NCH box office and online here.  Adult tickets cost €20 and pupil tickets are €5.  There is a family ticket available for €40 (2 adults and 2 children).  There will be performances from an eclectic group of musicians featuring a broad array of musical styles: classical, jazz, traditional, and contemporary.  The High School Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Choir will be performing as well as numerous past pupils. It promises to be an unforgettable evening of musical entertainment.  All are welcome to attend.   

All-Ireland Lego League Final

Congratulations to those pupils who represented the school at the All-Ireland Lego League Finals last weekend.  Fresh from their success at the Leinster competition, The High School Lego team competed in the First Lego League All-Ireland Championships. The theme this year was “City Shaper” so all the robot’s challenges and the innovation project were designed with that in mind.  We won the Bechtel Award For Safety for our consideration of the community and local eco-system in our innovation project which is a machine that cleans rivers.  We are delighted with our wonderful success and we look forward to participating again next year. 
Barry Kennedy

International Women's Day

Our pupils celebrated International Women's Day by making this video which focuses on the Each For Equal campaign - a theme that was hugely popular on social media.  The theme is drawn from the concept of 'Collective Individualism.'  It espouses that we are all parts of a whole and that our individual actions, conversations, behaviours, and mindsets can have an impact on wider society.  Our pupils are passionate in their belief that each of us can help to create a gender equal world. 

Rathfarnham Parish Fundraising Event

There are only two performances on Saturday 4 April:  matinee - 2.30 pm and  evening - 7.30 pm.  Tickets are available from the following: The War Memorial Hall on Sundays 4.00 pm, reception at Rathfarnham Parish National School, Washington Lane following Sunday services in Rathfarnham Church, or Ms Missen at The High School.  Tickets are €20 for adults and €10 for under 15s.  If purchasing tickets from Ms Missen pupils should bring an envelope with name, exact money, and number of tickets required to C7.