Gaisce Award Success

Recently a group of Form 4 pupils travelled to Kerry to complete the Carrauntoohill hike as part of the Gaisce challenge.  It was a long and tiring hike, but very rewarding once we reached the top. Despite the poor visibility, we managed to appreciate the magnitude of our achievement.  Not only did we conquer the heights of Ireland's highest mountain, but we finally completed the bronze section of The President's Award - a fine achievement indeed!

Geology Field trip

On 16 May the Form 5 Geology class set off for Windmill Hill Quarry in Rathcoole.  After attending a talk regarding safety procedures we were introduced to Dr Robbie Goodhue, a professor of Geology in Trinity College, Dublin and a group from the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences who were assisting us on the tour.  We then walked into the quarry where we saw the processes involved in production and we were given time to try and identify the rock type by using various different tests. The trip was a fantastic way of seeing the practical side to geology.

Beat The Blues

Kevin McManamon - four times All- Ireland Football Champion - representing the organisation  Aware, delivered the Beat The Blues mental-health and depression awareness programme to Form 4 pupils on Friday and Monday last.  Pupils learned how to identify mental health issues like anxiety and stress using a coping triangle process.  Aware seeks to provide support to people who suffer from mental health problems as well as providing information to their families and friends.    

Squash International 

Congratulations to Scott Gillanders, Captain of the Irish U17 Squash Team to be the first Irish Team to get to the Final of the European Championships in any age group.  Scott has been very busy with squash during Transition Year and achieved notable success in competition.  His performances currently place him number three in the European rankings and number six in the Irish Senior rankings.

Ireland Selection

Congratulations to immediate past pupil Christina Lynn (HSD, 2010-2016) who has been selected for the Ireland Ultimate Frisbee Junior Women's team.  She will be competing for Ireland in the European Youth Ultimate Championships in Veenendaal in the Netherlands in August.  She is currently vice captain of the DIT team where she is attending college.  

HSD PA Donation

Thank you to the HSD Parents' Association who kindly donated smart red and black rugby training jerseys in recognition of the Senior Cup Team's fine achievement this season.  The players' names are listed on the reverse which has proved very popular with the squad.