Vol 28 No 25      05 May 2023

HSD MUN Conference

HSDMUN 2023 took place on 28-29 April, the first event of its kind at The High School in five years.  We welcomed more than 200 delegates over the weekend.  On Friday we made our final preparations: a team of pupils and teachers put the finishing touches in place so that our visitors would feel welcome and everything would run like clockwork.  Taking extra time to prepare and plan really made all the difference.  The atmosphere at the event was absolutely spectacular.  The debating itself was of a very high standard and every school sent teams who were well-prepared and well-versed on multiple topics.  Saturday brought even more fruitful debate as well as a lots of laughs.  Everyone was dressed to the nines and had a great time!  MUN is special because it is one of the most welcoming communities that I am part of.  We really hope this will become an annual conference: it was so much fun and conferences will only be easier to organise from here on.   I think I speak for many delegates when I say it was an amazing way to end a very successful MUN year.
Katie Millar

Form 4 Tour to Germany

I feel the excitement filling the air while the anticipation grows as we get closer and closer to our destination.  Cologne, Germany- what a city!  The hustle and bustle of the streets fill us with energy after fighting a 3.00 am start for the flight that morning.  I look out the creeping top floor window at the new land in front of me.  As we walk across the bridge to the local shop, the lit-up high rise buildings and beaming streetlights catch my eye.  We stand mesmerized at the sights in front of us. 
I’ll never forget the steep, incessant, strenuous walk up those old, winding stairs to reach Marksburg Castle.  Words cannot describe the sense of astonishment and utter bewilderment I felt looking out at the extended view in front of me.  I could smell the soft, delicate, inviting flowers and watch as everyone hurriedly scurries outside for the best seat on the bus. People feeding off one another’s energy as we think in elation and enthusiasm regarding the day ahead.  The warm glow of the radiant, dazzling sun hits our skin as we stroll through taking in the mouth-watering, ambrosial smells off the food stalls.  Adrenaline kicks in as we patiently and eagerly wait in the jam-packed lines.  I can hear mixes of screaming, laughing, and crying in the mist of the clanking ride chains and whooshing noises.  As I went to sleep that night it felt like I was still on the ride.  
The 6.00 am wake-up call on our final day meant our journey was coming to an end.  A feeling of fulfillment and happiness overcomes everyone.  As we pile on and off the bus and onto the plane, I glance at the people surrounding me, struggling to keep their eyes open and maintain balance to stand up.  I think the plane journey back home was the quietest part of the entire trip.  It showed what an action-packed, activity filled school trip can do! We’ll never forget our time in Germany and we are so grateful to all of our teachers who organized and monitored the trip.  Tschüss! 
Anna Buckley

Form 4 Tour to Italy

Last weekend, a group of pupils in Form 4 went on a cultural excursion to Italy.  First we visited Venice, arriving by boat, seeing the floating city as we approached.  We entered St Mark's Square, the sun bringing a warm glow to everything before us: live bands playing classics from Frank Sinatra, the walls of the square towering above in majestic beauty.  The basilica was spectacular, with religious murals painted on the alcoves above the grand doors.  The Bridge of Sighs connects the basilica to the prison, named after the prisoners who would sigh as they walked to their executions.  I think Venice was the highlight of the whole trip, it was simply unforgettable. The following day we set off to Gardaland.  We entered and heard the shrieks from the rollercoasters overhead, already my heart was racing with excitement.  We went on rollercoasters that flipped us around and upside down and high and low.
After this we took the bus to fair Verona.  We entered the tall walls of the city, it was later in the afternoon and there was a glow across the city.  The light brick buildings, the crumbling amphitheatre, Juliet's balcony, everything was so inviting. After we visited Verona we went bowling and on our last day we checked out of the hotel and went to Lake Garda for a boat tour.  We journeyed around Lake Garda, listened to music playing in the breeze.  We sang along not caring when our clothes were splashed now and then.  Afterwards we ventured into a small town where we dined on gelato, bruschetta, and pizza; our last taste of Italy before heading home.
Ava O'Brien

Form 2 Science CBA

Pupils in Form 2 studying Science spent the last three weeks completing their Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) which involved researching, trialing, and completing reports on science experiments.  Pupils were free to select the science experiment of their choice which meant that there was an impressive number of biology, chemistry, and physics experiments taking place in class at the same time.  It lead to an exciting, creative atmosphere in class and pupils got a real sense of what it might be like to work in a busy science labratory.  Pupils embraced their curiosity about the world around them and used science to answer questions and produce findings, learning much in the process.  Well done to all who worked so diligently planning, designing, and completing their Form 2 Science CBA.
Mr Langrell

Senior Hockey Challenge

Pupils in Form 6 thoroughly enjoyed the annual Senior Hockey challenge match last week.  Spirits were high and both teams enjoyed some energetic, lively performances on the pitch, demonstrating considerable skill and teamwork.  It was tremendous fun and the large crowd of supporters cheered on the players until the very end.  Well done to all the players who attended and for all their dedication to sport at The High School over the last six years.

Form 2 CBA Woodwork

This year Form 2 Materials Technology (Wood) pupils experimented with new tools to make a working lamp.  We used a wood turning lathe to craft the body of the lamp.  Then we were all introduced to wiring and got to choose our preferred oils and finishes for our projects.  It was a very worthwhile process; we learned so many new skills and ventured into the world of product design and electrical engineering!
Zara Deacon

Irish Schools Climbing Victory

Last week The High School newsletter featured an article on pupil Thomas Nickels who represented the school in the final of the Irish Schools Climbing Competition.  We are delighted to report that Thomas came first in the competition.  Well done, Thomas and the very best of luck in all future competitions.  You can read his article from last week's newsletter here. 

Form 1 Tennis

Congratulations to pupils in Forms 1 and 2 who won their tennis blitzes against St Joseph of Cluny, Killiney this week.  Well done to all the players.
Ms Jones