Vol 28 No 13      02 Dec 2022

Model United Nations Success

On 18 and 19 November The High School Model United Nations (MUN) team had a very successful venture at RADMUN, a MUN conference in a local school. Throughout the two day conference The High School represented the delegations of Ghana, Germany, Egypt, and Indonesia.  At the conference pupils became delegates of their countries and discussed many different topics ranging from rising sea levels to combatting brain drain to food security in conflict zones. The High School enjoyed great successes over the weekend.  Two resolutions (a document solving an issue to be debated and discussed) written by The High School pupils were debated at the conference’s most important platform, General Assembly.  The High School also received many accolades including three individual Distinguished Delegate awards and a Commended Delegation award to the Ghana delegation.  This is a huge achievement and is a first in my time at MUN.  Congratulations to all who attended and to all those on the delegation of Ghana! If you are interested in joining MUN meetings take place at Junior Lunch on Mondays in A7 and after school on Thursdays in P2.   
Jake O’Loughlin 

Geography Week 

Last week was Geography Week at The High School.  Pupils studying Geology attended a Geothermal Energy Workshop from the Geological Survey of Ireland on Sustainability - Ireland's energy use and how we can move to renewables.  It consisted of a productive discussion along with an informative PowerPoint presentation about sustainability in Ireland.  The talk focused on how Ireland can benefit from accessing geothermal energies and other sustainable solutions to fossil fuels.  We were told the benefits of geothermal energy in Ireland and the accessibility of it.  It is a feasible option which is already in use at TUD’s Grangegorman Campus where facilities are fully heated by geothermal energy.  The discussion took place about the economic, social, and environmental impact of using geothermal energy in Ireland.  The workshop was beneficial as it was highly relevant to topics in Geology and Geography and was very engaging for everyone involved.  
Aadya Vig

Form 6 Art Excursion

Recently pupils in Forms 5 and 6 visited The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology as part of our coursework in Art.  After spending some time drawing the surrounding architecture and statues at our meeting place we went inside the museum.  There we saw many of the familiar pieces that we study in Art History like ‘The Broighter Hoard’ and the ‘Ross Lunala’.  It was amazing to see these arefacts in person as many were much smaller than I had expected and we could see details that can be overlooked in our textbooks.  We completed a treasure hunt to find all the pieces that we study in class and then walked down the street to The National Gallery of Ireland.  Here we saw the ‘Turner: The Sun is God’ exhibition - which included a timeline of the artist's work as well as various wonderful paintings and sketchbooks.  ‘The Rainbow’ is just one of his paintings that was on display and many of us chose to redraw and write about it as one of our tasks on the excursion.  We had a lot of fun and I highly recommend visiting both The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology and The National Gallery of Ireland as the art and artefacts that they display are beautiful, interesting, and inspiring. 
Leah McGrath

Form 6 Physical Education 

On 17 November Ms Jones' s Form 6 Physical Education class were given a singular opportunity for a new and different style of physical education in the form of a rebound class.  Rebound is a type of aerobic exercise involving cardio workout on a mini trampoline.  As most of us had never been to a rebound class before many were unsure about what it would entail.  There were some feelings of trepidation beforehand but any nerves were soon put at ease by our friendly and hospitable instructor, Linda.  Linda was not only professionally expert in her field but also encouraging and infectiously enthusiastic and soon we were all feeling the exhilaration of flying through the air on our trampolines.  Every one of us thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt the tremendous benefits of the class.  We should like to extend our warmest thanks to Linda and Ms Jones for organising the excursion. 
Tirzah Hutchinson Edgar 
Deputy Head Girl

Form 4 Business Enterprise

Pupils in Form 4 are selling HSD hats as part of their Business Enterprise module.  The hats are on sale for €5 each and can be purchased during lunch breaks at Reception.  You can pay in cash or by tapping a card.  They are hugely popular and selling fast so make sure you get yours today!
Ms Scott

HSD Christmas Cards

HSD Christmas cards are now on sale. They cost €2 each, but a pack of five costs €6, ten cards cost €10, and a pack of twenty cards cost €18.  The cards are being sold in aid of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and are available for purchase during lunch breaks outside The Reynolds Hall.

School Examinations

Last week Form 1, 2, and 5 pupils at The High School completed their Autumn Term examinations.  Ever since teachers have been busy marking scripts and writing reports.  Parents can expect reports to be shared with them online before Christmas.  We wish our pupils every success in this process. 

Form 6 Study Skills

Last Friday Form 6 pupils enjoyed a Study Skills Wellbeing morning in preparation for our upcoming mock and Leaving Certificate examinations.  We participated in a variety of activities and talks throughout the morning, including a talk on communication in Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) 
with Mr McCaughey, how to register for the CAO, how to study, and effective techniques that we can use including the Cornell method.  We also had a mindfulness lesson with Mrs Murdoch.  The class helped us to develop techniques that we can use if we are feeling overwhelmed and stressed in school as well as things we can do every day to de-stress ourselves and improve our mental well-being.  Having Ms Whelan to guide us through the registration process for the CAO was helpful as it ensured we all knew exactly what to do.  The Study Skills Wellbeing morning was beneficial to all of us and we are grateful for the willingness of teachers to share their expertise with us during this busy time. 
Moya Quigley  
Head Girl