Vol 28 No 18      03 Feb 2023

Mock Interviews

Last week at The High School pupils in Form 5 had the opportunity to participate  in mock interviews.  These were organised by Ms Lowry and Ms Whelan and were a great success.  Everyone completed a Curriculum Vitae as well as a corresponding cover letter.  We selected three areas that we might be interested in pursuing as a career and the Guidance Counsellors did their very best to align us with an interviewer in a similar field of expertise.  We prepared well and dressed smartly for the occasion.  Our excitement and anticipation grew but soon each pupil was called upon to be interviewed.  Classrooms were set up to create an interview-like environment.  Despite the nerves, we were quickly reassured as the first pupils came back talking about their experiences.  The interviews themselves were a very helpful experience.  We learned what is involved when going to an interview: how to prepare, what to wear, how to conduct ourselves, and what type of questions interviewers might ask.  Overall, this event was a great experience and we are very grateful to everyone who gave up their evening to take the time to come to The High School and participate in the mock interviews this year.
Thomas Boucher

Dublin Schools Badminton Victory

Congratulations to members of The High School U19 Boys' Badminton team - namely, Ryan Boyd, John Kelly,  Evan Loftus, and Elliott Sparks - who were victorious in the Dublin Schools Division 2 championship.  We warmly congratulate the team on its achievements in 2022-23 and wish them every success in future competitions.
Ms A Rugg

Senior 1 Girls' Hockey 

On 25  January The High School Senior 1 team travelled to Greystones to play Temple Carrig School in the quarter finals of the Plate competition.  It was a sunny day and spirits were high on the bus journey.  It was a very intense game played at a high standard.  The fixture started off strongly with both teams pushing hard to get the game going in their favour.   As each quarter passed without any goals, the atmosphere grew more and more tense.  It was 0-0 with 7 minutes to go.   We knew we had to score and pushed really hard in the opposition's circle.  Chloe O'Neill successfully scored with a flick just past the keeper's legs.  Unfortunately, the opposition levelled with two minutes remaining.  The match ended 1-1 which meant it was going to go to 1v1s.  Both teams stood in silence waiting.  Sarah Smyth saved incredible shots as goalkeeper while captain Coco O’Donnell and Grace Beatty scored goals for HSD.  It was an equal score after five players so the competition went to sudden death.  HSD was up first and sadly we missed the first shot.  Our team waited patiently for our opponents' response and unfortunately for us they scored.  Everyone played a great game and fought very hard until the end.
Esmé Donaghy

Ireland Rugby Squad Selection

Senior Mathematics Quiz

The Irish Mathematics Teachers Association (IMTA) Team Maths quiz was held last Friday.  It is a Mathematics table quiz with eight rounds based on Leaving Certificate Mathematics.  Round 1 to 6 had two questions to be completed in 6 minutes, and round 7 and 8 had four questions. The High School entered two teams this year: the first team consisted of Arthur Feeney, Jessica Needham, Tirzah Hutchinson-Edgar, and William Wu.  Andrew Farrelly, Davide Cammarano, Fergus Kelly, and Gary Meaney were on the second team.  Even though we didn't win both teams came very close.   Many thanks to Ms Thorp and Mr Wilkinson who organised the event.  This was a great experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  We are really looking forward to particiating again next year.
William Wu

Holocaust Memorial Day

The High School marked Holocaust Memorial Day this year during Assemblies on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 January.  The 27 January 1945 was the day that Auschwitz Concentration Camp was liberated.  At our Assemblies the importance of remembering and listening to the stories of survivors was highlighted.  Jake O'Loughlin read some words from witnesses, including survivors, and there was music from Michael Binchy for us to reflect on the suffering inflicted on people during this dark period in European history.  It is essential we are all educated on the Holocaust and able to refute the lies of Holocaust deniers and those who seek to distort the full horrors of Nazi genocide.  Sadly, racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism are still serious problems, and the dangers of people using social media to circulate misinformation is something we all need to highlihgt and refute.  This year at the annual memorial in the Mansion House, Jake O'Loughlin (as one of last year's Mary Elmes prize winners) gave one of the readings.  Tamami Gill was also one of the winners invited and she also attended the event.  This is a very important commemoration held each year and included a keynote address by the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, as well as speeches from the Lord Mayor, Caroline Conroy, and from survivors of the Holocaust who have made Ireland their home. 
Ms Hutchinson Edgar 

Volleyball Quarter Final

Congratulations to the Senior Volleyball team who have qualified for the quarter finals of the Senior Schools Cup.  Well done to the team and we wish them the best of luck as they progress through the competition. 
Mrs Murdoch

Form 4 Culinary Skills

Pupils in Form 4 have been enjoying baking this week.  Just look at these delicious cookies.  Well done, everyone! 
Ms Toolan

Form 2 Classics

Pupils who study Classics in Form 2 have been enjoying making Trojan War practical projects, including this clever ‘Iliad’ version of Monopoly, which proved really popular with her classmates.  Well done to everyone who participated!
Mr Milofsky

Form 6 Poetry

It wasn't always like this in the forest.
Long gone are the days when birdsong 
Flitted through the trees
Now silenced
Withered in their sorrow.
No longer would they sway in the breeze
Leaves all a flutter.
For the people had come 
And humankind is unforgiving.
by Poppy Hall

The bespoke artwork accompanying this poem was created by Form 4 Media Studies pupils using Artificial Intelligence Technology. 

W.B. Yeats Anniversary

This week we remember High School past pupil William Butler Yeats (HSD, 1881-1883) who died on 28 January 1939 in France and reflect on the words inscribed on his tombstone in Drumcliffe cemetery: "Cast a cold eye on life, on death, horseman, pass by."

Zion Parish Fête 

Mock Timetable 2023