Vol 25 No 09     22 Nov 2019

Stand-Up Week at The High School

Last week was Stand-Up week for the LGBTQ+ community.  At The High School, we ran a special awareness campaign to support standing-up against homophobic bullying.  We began the week by handing out colourful lollipops to pupils as they came in to school. During breaks we encouraged everyone to express themselves by playing dance games.  On Tuesday pupils performed a song with a positive theme to spread the importance of self-expression.  During lunch pupils and staff signed our rainbow artwork to show the school’s pride and support for the LGBTQ+ community.  At Wednesday’s Assembly pupils performed another musical piece with a positive theme and in the evening we had a charity screening of 'Love Simon' in aid of BeLonGTo.  On Thursday pupils sang 'Dancing on My Own' to highlight the isolation of LGBTQ+ young people.  During lunch everyone demonstrated their support with colourful face paint.  Finally on Friday pupils performed a popular song with a theme of acceptance which helped us to appreciate how fortunate we are to be living in an era of positivity.  Later, the whole school came together to dress in the colours of the rainbow to make a human pride flag.  It was a wonderful week of celebration.

National Viola Competition

Congratulations to past pupil Fiachra de hOra (HSD, 2011-2017) who was among three violists to reach the final at the Dutch Viola Festival's 6th National Viola Competition at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in The Netherlands last weekend.  His performance of Brahms Viola Concerto (arr. Berio) Op. 120 was awarded the Audience prize.  Earlier this year Fiachra spent a week at the National Concert Hall playing at their inaugural master class course with renowned soloist Maxim Rysanov.  He was awarded a valuable bow for his viola which was donated to the course and presented to Fiachra for life.  He attended the Clandeboye Festival in County Down, taking part in their young musicians programme and gave his own recital at the Westport Festival of Chamber Music.  Fiachra came second place in The Flax Trust Music Awards in Belfast recently playing the Walton Viola Concerto with the Ulster Orchestra.  This is an exciting competition for exceptionally talented young musicians who have completed or are completing their secondary education on the island of Ireland.  Our past pupil is currently studying viola under the tutelage of Japanese classical violist Nobuko Imai at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.  To sample some of Fianchr'a beautiful playing click here. 

Team Hope Shoebox Appeal 

A number of pupils from The High School volunteered at the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal warehouse this week. We processed the numerous boxes donated and checked the contents.  It was interesting to see how the boxes were checked and sorted and to learn about where the boxes are sent.  I think many of us were surprised to learn how little some children have at Christmas and what a big difference the shoeboxes make to them.  I would strongly encourage my fellow pupils to volunteer for the Team Hope project during Transition Year.
Laura Cole 

Senior Art Gallery Visit

Form 5 and 6 pupils enjoyed an excursion to the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology and the National Gallery of Ireland.  It was a real treat to see many of the artefacts we have studied in the National Museum, notably the beautifully-crafted lunulae and torcs as well as the brilliant display of the bog bodies.  We visited 'Sorolla: Master of Light' in the National Gallery and had fantastic guided tours which really brought the works to life.  Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923) is known as Spain's foremost Impressionist.  He painted various subjects ranging from portraits of his family to the maritime culture of Valencia as well as traditional Spanish dress and customs.   We also saw the Zurich Portrait Prize exhibit and Joe Caslin's installation as part of his body of work entitled 'Finding Power'.  It was a very enjoyable, successful excursion. 
Ms Rogers and Mr Hanan

HSD Cashless System

From Monday 25 November the canteen will no longer be accepting cash.  Instead, The High School is introducing an online payment system.  This means that you can top-up your child’s canteen account through our secure online system, by credit or debit card, keep track of payments paid, and print off a receipt.  When paying in the canteen pupils will enter their PIN number and their photograph will be seen by catering staff on the till.  We will in due course roll this out to allow you make other sundry payments online.  In order to encourage you and our pupils to use the new system a credit of €20 has been put on each child’s canteen account at no charge.  Tuition fees will not be payable through this system but should be paid by direct debit or transfer in the normal way.  If you cannot use the online system please phone the Bursar for assistance.
Keith Poole
Finance and Estates Bursar  

HSD Basketball Semi-Final

This has been an exciting month for The High School Senior Boys' Basketball team with players earning a place in the All Ireland Championship as well as the Dublin League and National Cup semi finals!  We wish the team every success in future competitions.

Junior Debating Success

The Junior Debating Club has reached the third round of the Junior Schools' Debating Competition at UCD. This competition is open to secondary school pupils in Leinster in Forms 1 to 3.  Each team of two pupils prepares a debate on a given motion and receives feedback from the Adjudicator in their room. The atmosphere is electric in each debate room making it a very enjoyable experience. It also provides pupils with the opportunity to research and write a structured debate.  Jake O’Loughlin and Eoin Kelly won their motion of “This House regrets the rise of reality TV shows” in the most recent round of the competition.  So for lively and topical discussions come along to Junior Debating in the Library on Tuesdays at 1.35 pm.
Jake O’Loughlin

Business Woman of the Year Awards 

Congratulations to past pupil Carla Piera FitzGerald (HSD, 1999-2005) Brand Manager of Siel Bleu Ireland who has been shortlisted for Business Woman of the Year in the Social Enterprise Category of the Image Business Woman of the Year Awards.  Siel Bleu is a not-for-profit organisation who provide life-enhancing exercise programmes to older adults and patient groups.  Carla co-manages the entire organisation.  After leaving The High School Carla attended the Dublin Institute of Technology where she graduated with a BSc Business specialising in Retail and Services Management.  She started at Siel Bleu Ireland in 2011 as a volunteer and worked her way up to take over the running of the organisation with a colleague in 2014.  Since then, their number of weekly service users has increased from 900 to over 6000.  They are 96% sustainable which is nearly unheard of for a social enterprise.  This is Carla's second time to be shortlisted for this award.  Siel Bleu Ireland has been nominated for a Charity Impact Award in the Social Enterprise Category. Voting closes on 29 November.  We wish Carla all the best in the competition. 

HSD Parents' Association Donation

Many thanks to The High School Parents’ Association for their kind donation which enabled the Library to purchase new board games for pupils to enjoy.  All pupils should remember that the games are available for breaks and lunch times particularly on Thursdays during the lunch break at 12.35 pm.