Vol 29 No 15     08 Jan  2024

Happy New Year

Illustration by Robyn Saunders Form 1

Happy New Year, everyone!  The first term of this academic year flew by, and it’s safe to say we were all truly ready to welcome the Christmas break.  What a busy, exciting term it was at The High School.  To the newest members of our school community, especially all of our Form 1 pupils, we hope that your first term in secondary school was exciting and enjoyable, and that you are looking forward to the next two.  We wish everyone a happy New Year! 
Eoin Kelly (Head Boy) and Mia O'Mahony (Head Girl)

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

It was golden beneath the rafters.  Midday light streaming through the stained-glass windows seemed almost to reflect their images in the pews below.  Each time the organ did break the silence, it seemed to pour through the whole church. The music was broken up by a series of readings in both English and Irish.  The school’s orchestra and choir led the music, filling the walls of the church with a host of old and familiar Christmas carols. Near the end of the school term, the Christmas spirit was already trembling in the air, and with each carol it seemed to course even stronger.  One personal highlight was “The First Nowell” a favourite of mine that was given a fantastic rendition by the choir and the orchestra, likely to spark images in anyone’s mind of the timeless story of Christmas.  Numerous other classics were to be found across the service, from “Once in Royal David's City” to “We Three Kings” and many housed in between.  As the Autumn Term raced towards its end, the service made us all a little more ready for the Christmas holidays to come.
Luca Farrelly

Leinster Schools' Rugby Finals

The High School Senior Girls rugby team qualified for the final section of the Leinster 10s league.  They had to win two out of their three pool games to make it through to the final.  The first pool match of the day was against St Andrew's College. They were a physical team, making it a very tight match. Siobhan Layte scored the first try of the game, followed by two tries by the opposition. Going into the second half, our opponents were ahead by one try, but in the last minute, Airmid Devitt
O’Byrne scored the match-winning try, and Zoe Sargent converted it, bringing the score to 12-10.

For the second pool match, we played Newbridge College, whom we had never beaten before, as they are a very skilled team. In the first half, we were ten points down. But in the second half, Siobhan Layte scored a try, followed by Chloe O’Neill scoring in the last minute, bringing the match to a draw with the score at 10-10.  In the third pool game, we played Wilson’s Hospital School.  In the first half, we were up 19 points to 0, scored by Siobhan Layte, Maya Neely, and Elisa MacGabhann and two conversions from Zoe Sargent.  In the second half, Wilson’s scored their only try, making the score 19-5, but we fought back, scoring another try by April Lyons, bringing the game to an end at 24-5.

We were through to the final after winning  two of our three games.  In the final with us was Newbridge College.  Going into the first half against them, we were down by two tries, but we fought back, and Amelie Cree scored a try.  Chloe O’Neill scored the second High School try, bringing the score up to 10-10, but in the last couple of minutes our opponents scored the last try and converted it, winning the match 17-10.  Overall, The High School team had an amazing day, making it to the finals and winning second place in the Leinster 10s league.
Maya Neely (Captain)

Form 4 Christmas Fair

Walking through The Reynolds Hall on Thursday at 9.40 am, you would never guess the festive wonderland that it would be transformed into in less than an hour's time.  I found it hard to believe myself, despite being involved in its imminent transformation.  However, despite my disbelief, it happened and the first customers were greeted with a myriad of sights, colours, sounds, and smells.  "Bienvenue!" one person cried, hoping to entice someone over to sample their food, and just like that, the floodgates opened.   Calls of "Hallo!" and "Feliz Navidad!" filled the air.  Laughter and joy were almost tangible in the wonderfully festive atmosphere.  The tables lining the sides and up the middle of the room almost bowed under the weight of all their wares.  The smell of fresh crepes wafted around, enticing people to find its source.  Baked goods lined the tables as far as the eye could see.  There were even games for those bold enough to try their luck.  The tables and even some of the people were fully decked out in the bright red and green that are so characteristic of the holiday season.  Antler hairbands twinkled and Santa hats shone in the mid-morning sun that streamed in through the windows, bathing The Reynolds Hall in a golden light.  However, as quickly as it started, it finished, but not before spreading joy and cheer throughout the school to students and teachers alike.  The event raised almost €1,000 for the important work of UNICEF. 
Isobel Kearney

National Concert Hall - Sound of Music

This Christmas, the National Concert Hall was graced by a unique musical fusion as Beth Flynn and Rhys Brennan joined forces in the enchanting production of "The Sound of Music."  Form 6 pupil, Beth met Rhys when he was in her Prefect group on the Form 1 orientation day in August and they bonded over their love of musicals.  Then they performed in The Sound of Music together!  Performances ran from Wednesday 27 December to Tuesday 2 January.  It was an unforgettable musical experience that captured the true spirit of Christmas!

Form 6 Irish 

On Friday 8 December, the Irish performance group “Caith Amach É” came to the school to give a two hour presentation on the Leaving Certificate Irish syllabus.  Form 6 pupils went to the Demonstration Theatre to watch this performance.  In the first half of the show, the two men depicted humorous recreations of the twenty sraith pictiúr that are on the Irish syllabus.  They involved the audience, and made it memorable and funny for all of us.  In the second half of the show, the group discussed the Leaving Certificate course itself, and ways to prepare for the examinations. We learned a lot of information to help us in our upcoming exams, and we are all very grateful for Caith Amach É for coming to our school. Bhí an-craic agus spraoi ann! 
Marcus Geraghty

Form 1 Wellbeing

Like elves, they crept along the empty corridor, their arms filled with tiny packages stuffed with treats to delight and surprise.  Hiding behind pillars and in doorways, they waited until the clock struck quarter past the hour and then their mission was go!  Elf hats on, jingle bells quivering, the youngest pupils stepped bravely forward to knock on classroom doors where the Form 6 pupils were hard at work.  One by one they disappeared into the darkened classrooms, while the world held its breath.  And then, just as suddenly, they returned - their eyes smiling, faces bright.  Their mission was accomplished just as the mid-morning bell rang out and it seemed for a moment that a thrill of happiness ushered the children on their way, and the spirit of Christmas filled the air at The High School, thanks to a random act of Christmas kindness, and the tiny elves in Form 1GL. 
Ms Burrrowes

Leinster Cup Rugby 

The Senior and Junior Cup Teams will play their first-round matches at Donnybrook Stadium in the first week after the Christmas break.  First up is the SCT, who will face St Andrew's College on Tuesday 9 January at 3.30 pm.  The High School emerged victorious when these two teams met in the league.  Despite trailing at half time, HSD managed to keep St Andrew's College scoreless in the second half and came back to win the game in a dramatic fashion.  It is expected to be an exciting match since both sides were top scorers in the league!  Captain Sam Neely and his team would greatly appreciate all the support they can get for this fixture.  Please note that travel to the game is strictly limited to school-organized buses only and tickets can be purchased for €2 during lunchtimes. QR codes required for entry into the stadium can only be obtained through this link.

The JCT will take on The King's Hospital on Thursday 11 January at 1.15 pm. These two sides have had one win each so far this season. Despite facing challenges with injuries to key players throughout their tough league campaign, the JCT enters this game with high spirits after defeating St Gerard's School and Presentation College, Bray in the past week.  Captain Sean Cleary and his team are eagerly looking forward to their cup campaign and would love a large HSD crowd cheering them on throughout.  Travel arrangements are restricted to school-organized buses only and tickets can be purchased for €2 during lunchtimes.  QR codes necessary for stadium entry can also be obtained through this link.
Mr Brennan

P.S.  If you have some information or news that you think we could feature in our school newsletter, please let us know.  Click here to get in touch.
Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator