Vol 30 No 03     13 Sept 2024

Message from the Senior Prefect Team

When we learned that we were going to be Senior Prefects this year, we were shocked, to say the least.  Everyone has been excited in the lead-up to the selection, but it's safe to say that neither of us expected it to be us!  We are honoured to represent our school and serve as leaders for this academic year.  Our goal is to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages people to reach their full potential.  Whether it is in the classroom, through various extracurricular activities, or on the sports field - which we are both very familiar with - we believe that everyone has something valuable to offer.  We are excited to work alongside our peers, teachers, and staff to make this year memorable.  We encourage everyone to take full advantage of the opportunities available, challenge yourselves, and to support one another - especially Form 1 pupils.  We want to make the most of this year and cherish the time we have left with our fellow Form 6 pupils!
Grace Beatty (Head Girl) and Isaac Lindsay (Head Boy)

Leinster Women Visit HSD

Last week our school had the honour of hosting the Leinster Women's Rugby Team.  The visit was a remarkable experience for both pupils and staff, as they witnessed firsthand the dedication and skill of these talented athletes.  During their time with us, the Leinster Women's Rugby Team had the opportunity to meet with our very own award-winning girls' rugby team.  They participated in the warm-up and joined the team in a circle for a sing-along at the start.  It was an inspiring moment for our young players to interact with such accomplished role models in their sport.  Our school's excellent pitch provided the perfect setting for this special occasion.  Watching these elite athletes in action not only motivated our players but also demonstrated the commitment and hard work required to succeed in rugby at this level.  We extend our thanks to the Leinster Women's Rugby Team for visiting our school and inspiring our young athletes.
Mr Mc Dermott

Form 4 Outdoor Pursuits

Last week, pupils in Form 4 went on two outdoor excursions.  Both groups visited Russborough House and Killiney Beach where pupils participated in two hikes.  At Russborough House, we engaged in multiple activities such as a water filtration lesson, fire making, outdoor fort building, and plant identification. This was followed by a two-hour hike through the beautiful forest surrounding the estate. Pupils hiked on off-road terrain and saw Russborough's serene lake.  The trail tested our perseverance due to the rocky landscape and obstacles like river streams and narrow winding paths.  The second hike at Killiney Beach exceeded everyone's expectations.  The hike took place in the mountains; pupils left early in the morning for the two-hour hike.  Both mornings were foggy and wet but unlike the trail at Russborough House, this trail was paved with a steady incline reaching an elevation of 800 metres.  Afterward, we made their way to Killiney Beach where pupils had the option of swimming in the sea.  Overall, both trips were an ideal introduction to the challenges presented to Form 4 pupils by the Physical Education syllabus at The High School.

Swim Ireland National Championships

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our pupil who competed in the Irish National Age Group Swimming Championships in Limerick over the summer.  She participated in six events over the course of four days, impressively reaching three A finals.  Her dedication and hard work paid off as she secured a Bronze medal in the 100m Backstroke competition.  Congratulations on this outstanding achievement: this success is a testament to her commitment and skill in swimming!
Ms Jones

Leinster Hockey Representation

We are incredibly proud of our pupil Pippa Beatty for her outstanding performance representing The High School on the Leinster U16 hockey team recently.  The Leinster team achieved an impressive 6-1 victory over Connacht with Pippa scoring a fantastic goal!  She displayed remarkable skill and her contribution was instrumental to the team's success.  It is a tremendous achievement to represent Leinster at this level and we are thrilled to see her excel in the sport.
Mr Fitzpatrick

Bystander Intervention Training

Over the last two years The High School has been delivering a new educational initiative entitled Bystander Intervention Training to our Form 4 pupils to address the issues of sexual consent, harassment and violence. This programme was developed by University College Cork and is supported by Government. The programme is currently co-ordinated and delivered by Deputy Principals Mr Tobin and Ms Connolly. In 2022/2023 a pilot module was delivered to a selected Form 4 class to assess the suitability of the programme. The following year Bystander Intervention training was facilitated for all Form 4 pupils. In the same year, eight teachers from The High School participated in facilitator training to develop capacity for delivery into the future.

This programme has proven popular with pupils and has now been updated based on the initial pilot projects. The programme is now entitled All Right All Night. The core objectives of the programme are to:

1.   Introduce participants to the concept of an active bystander.

2.   Educate participants to understand and identify acts of sexual hostility, harassment, and violence and recognise the dangers of the normalisation of abuse.

3.   Empower and upskill participants to safely intervene and demand a safer school and society.

4.   Develop a school culture which stands against unacceptable behaviour and abuse.

The delivery of this updated version of the programme has now commenced with current Form 4 pupils.  
Mr Tobin
Deputy Principal

Argentinian Visiting School

On Thursday we had the excitement of hosting a visiting team from Argentina!  We couldn't wait for our second match this season and our first opportunity to play against international opponents.  We brought our A-game, eager to show off our skills as they had travelled so far to play us.  Our hard work paid off with a 2-0 victory! It was an unforgettable experience to play against girls from the other side of the world.  Our team demonstrated some amazing skills and teamwork, marking an early highlight of the season.  We are thrilled to come away with a win and would like to thank our visiting friends for making this such an amazing event. 
Ciara Morton

Drop Everything and Read

The High School held a Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) event this week.  During a 40 minute period pupils and teachers alike paused their regular activities to immerse themselves in the world of books.  It was heartwarming to see the entire school community come together to celebrate the joy of reading.  As Dr Seuss wisely said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
Mr Griffin

Simon Community Home Run

Form 1 Home Economics

Our Form 1 pupils had a fun and creative time in Home Economics making colourful cookies recently.  Each pupil showed great enthusiasm and attention to detail as they crafted their tasty treats.  Well done to all for their hard work and creativity in the kitchen.
Ms Bergin 

Form 5 Chemistry

Our Form 5 Chemistry class had a productive and creative session on Thursday as they crafted their own periodic tables.  The pupils demonstrated great understanding and effort in assembling these detailed representations, reinforcing their knowledge of the elements and their properties. 
Ms Finnegan

Girls Hockey

Our Form 1, Minor, Junior, and Senior teams faced St Gerard’s School this week in an exciting series of matches.  All teams showed great effort and determination throughout, representing the school with pride.  Well done to all our players for their hard work and commitment on the field. 
Mr Fitzpatrick

Boys Rugby

The High School enjoyed a fantastic day of rugby on Wednesday with impressive performances across all teams.  Our Form 1 pupils participated in a blitz playing eight games in total.  They secured six wins, drawing one, and losing one—an excellent result for the day.  Meanwhile, our Form 2 team had a strong victory over Temple Carrig School, showcasing their skills and teamwork.  Both the Junior and Senior Cup Teams also delivered outstanding performances, defeating The King’s Hospital in hard-fought matches.  Well done to all our players for their dedication and effort on the pitch!
Mr Mc Dermott