A Busy Start to December 2016

The High School Weekly Newsletter

Vol 22 No 12 3 December 2016

HSD SCT Leinster Schools Final

A total of five buses packed to the brim with High School supporters set out to watch our senior rugby team face their old rivals in the league final. Wilson's Hospital took a substantial lead of 19-3 despite our players putting up a valiant defence. But it wasn't until the second half that our boys showed their true mettle; and the crowd lapped it up. Parents, teachers, and pupils - past and current - filled the stands, chanting The High School songs, bedecked in The High School colours. As the numbers on the scoreboard began to rise in our favour, the excitement at Donnybrook Stadium began to soar: it was going to be close. For what seemed like an age, the digits remained frozen: 22-22. It was unbearable. And then the time was up. For a dreadful moment there were uncertain whispers in the crowd until we were put out of our misery and a draw was declared. Tim Dolan, Adam Rufli, and Jack O'Gorman scored the tries, the latter being named Man of the Match. We had come to see our boys win the league final and now we faced a rematch. Could The High School go through all that again? Certainly! The good thing about a rematch is that it gives the supporters one more chance to paint the stadium red and black, one more chance to sing the songs, and one more chance to show our total support of this tremendous High School team.

Form 4 French Christmas Market

Form 4 French pupils held a festive French Christmas Market at The High School yesterday. With rows of stalls, games, and delicious food we were simply spoilt for choice. It was difficult to tell if the chocolate fountain or giant chocolate chip cookies were most popular, but pupils had fun giving both a try. Some people set up arcade games, like bottle flipping, or guessed how many sweets were in a jar. All of the buying and selling was done through French and the stalls and food were French-themed. Thank you to our French teachers, Ms Roulett, Ms Rugg, and Ms Lally, who made it all possible. It was such a success - we are already looking forward to next year's event. Joyeux Noël!

Olympian Lunch for HSD Past Pupils

Last week, The High School and Diocesan Past Pupils' Union, staff, and parents came together for a special commemorative lunch to celebrate The High School's most recent Olympians - Annalise Murphy (HSD, 2002-08) and Shane O'Donoghue (HSD, 2008-2011) - fresh from their success at the Rio Olympic Games. We'd like to thank everyone involved who helped make this event such a memorable one.

HSD Library Goes Digital

The High School Library is now fully automated using the Scooter Library Management System. The catalogue is now online and all books will be issued electronically. The Library has also had a complete upgrade of its Junior and Senior fiction collection so there are now lots of brand new books to take out and read. All are welcome to come up and look, and to take out a lovely new book to read over Christmas!
Ms P Wiggle
School Librarian

Ireland U18 and U16 Hockey Trials

Congratulations to Alistair Empey, Alex Flynn, Peter Lynch, and Alexander O'Regan - as well as to Harry Lynch - who have been selected to represent The High School and Leinster in trials for the Ireland U18 hockey squad and theIreland U16 hockey squad, respectively. We extend best wishes for success to all our pupils as they compete for international selection at these age grades.
Mr P Fitzpatrick

Ireland Rugby Sevens Selection

The Ireland Women's Sevens squad will compete at the first stage of the 2016/17 HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series in Dubai on December 1-2. In the forwards is High School past pupil Emma Murphy (HSD, 2008-14) who set to win her first full Sevens cap in Dubai. We are very proud of our former pupil and wish her all the best in the forthcoming tournament.

The High School Christmas Fair

There has been much interest in our upcoming
Christmas Fair which takes place on Saturday 10 December, 10.00 am - 12.30 pm. in aid of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland. So whether you love homemade crafts or bakes, are looking for some plants, jewellery, or simply enjoy soaking up the festive atmosphere

there is bound to be something for you at The High School Christmas Fair. Stall highlights: ProU Yogurt, Wild Icing, Urban Plant Life, and many more.

Film Club News

Due to phenomenal demand Film Club has had to relocate. Our new locations are as follows: Tuesday junior lunch in room A22 and Thursday junior lunch in room C3. The next film is the crime caper 'Now You See Me'. All junior pupils are welcome!

HSD Green Schools Ambassadors

Congratulations to Fields Chung and Joy Sherwood on their selection as Green Schools Ambassadors. They will represent the school at county and national level throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for both the pupils and The High School and I'm sure they will do us proud. Well done!
Ms R Lyons

Buy One Get One Tree

You can tell it is Christmas time when the scouts begin selling their trees. Many of our current and past pupils, are involved with the 31st Rathfarnham Scouts, who, each year, provide beautiful, fresh Christmas trees to so many families in the area. The trees are on sale at the War Memorial Hall, Rathfarnham from 9.00 am - 9.00 pm daily. And if you live within a 2-mile radius from the Memorial Hall, the scouts will happily deliver the tree on foot!

High School Carol Singers

If you like carol singing, then perhaps you might like to join The High School Carol Singers next week to raise money for the Habitat for Humanity trip to India. We will be meeting at 6.00pm next Tuesday, just outside The High School front door. Dress warmly and wear something colourful!

Drop Everything And Read

On Monday morning the entire school participated in a Drop Everything And Read period. Pupils and members of staff brought books, magazines, and articles to school, and enjoyed a quiet, peaceful forty minutes of reading for pleasure.

Honorary Fellowship Award for Past Pupil

The Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) has conferred an Honorary Fellowship on our distinguished past pupil Lenny Abrahamson (HSD, 1973-1983). He is pictured here with former classmate, Dr Andrew Power (HSD, 1977-1983) College Registrar and President of IADT, Dr Annie Doona.