Vol 31 No 24    20 Mar 2026

Seachtain na Gaeilge

An tseachtain seo chaite, bhíomar ag ceiliúradh Seachtain na Gaeilge ar scoil. Bhí seachtain den chéad scoth againn gan amhras, agus rinneamar a lán gníomhaíochtaí éagsúla. Ag tús na seachtaine, d’imríomar cluiche peil Ghaelach amuigh san aer úr ar an bpáirc rugbaí agus bhí am iontach againn. Ní h-amháin sin ach rinneamar an puc fada freisin. Bhí comórtas beag againn chun a fháil amach cé a bhí in ann an sliotar a bhualadh is faide agus fuair na buaiteoirí duaiseanna beaga a bhaineann le hÉirinn, mar shampla gabhálas gruaige le bratach na hÉireann. Bhí tráth na gceist ag na daltaí i ngach bliain freisin. Chuir na múinteoirí ceisteanna orainn faoi ghnéithe difiúila de chultúr na hÉireann. Ní bhfuaireamar morán freagraí chun an fhírinne a rá, ach bhíomar sna trithí ag gáire faoi dheireadh! Ba é an céilí an eachtra is fearr liom, gan dabht. Chuamar go léir go dtí an Halla Reynolds agus rinneamar línte. Mhúin na múinteoirí an damhsa dúinn agus ansin thosaigh siad ag seinm an ceoil. Tar éis cúpla babhta, thángamar isteach ar an ndamhsa agus bhí an-chraic againn! Bhí sé saghas deacair ach faoi dheireadh, bhí cúpla steip againn ar fad. Chonaiceamar roinnt dáltaí ag seinm ceoil beo sa Tionóil freisin agus ba léir go bhfuil an-tallann againn sa scoil! Bhain gach rang an-taitneamh as Seachtain na Gaeilge san Ard Scoil i mbliana agus ceapaimid (na daltaí) gurbh é an seachtain is fearr in ár scoil. 
Ms Quinn

South Dublin League Champions

The journey that the Minor B Girls team has experienced this year has been full of wins and amazing matches. This team has really bonded during this hockey season and we have really enjoyed playing together. Getting to the final was an achievement for all of us and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Between conversations on the hockey pitch, during training, and on the buses, this team has grown to know each other well and now have some unforgettable memories because of this hockey season. After winning the South Dublin League final 3-0 we all cheered and hugged each other. To celebrate we took a team trip to McDonalds. Lastly, we want to thank all the coaches - Ms Jones, Ms Delany, Marcus, Luke, and Ella - for everything that they have done for us this season, including training and coaching us in the rain, getting up early to help us with a match, and just being there to help our hockey. This team is great! I really enjoyed playing with them and I can’t wait to see what we achieve next year. 
Aoife Mountford

Form 4 Berlin Tour

From 14–17 March a group of pupils from The High School travelled to Berlin for an exciting educational excursion. We arrived early on Saturday morning and began a guided tour of the city, visiting famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and the Topography of Terror. We also explored the Checkpoint Charlie Museum before settling into our hostel.

On Sunday, we visited the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial and the Olympiastadion Berlin. That evening, we enjoyed dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe Berlin and took in the incredible views from the Berlin TV Tower. Monday included a tour with Berliner Unterwelten, a visit to the Berlin Dungeon, and a trip to Tropical Islands Resort, which was a highlight for many.

After an early start on Tuesday, we returned home with many memories from a trip that combined history, culture, and fun. Berlin is a city where history is visible everywhere—from the remains of World War II to the path of the Berlin Wall. Landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate now symbolise unity, while powerful memorials remind visitors of the past, giving the city a unique and unforgettable character. 
Eva Lei

Form 2 Geography

Recently our class met with Frances and Victoria from the Dodder Action Group. We went along the River Dodder to down to Dartry Park where we stood on the river bank and assessed the water quality by doing a kick test. A kick test is where you kick the bottom of a riverbed where the invertebrate live then collect a sample and sift through it to find what's living in the river. Depending on what you find will depend on the quality of the river water, as some invertebrate need cleaner water than others. The invertebrates that we saw that indicate cleaner water were flattened mayfly, green caddisfly, and stonefly. Thankfully, we didn't see any leeches and slugs which indicate poor water quality. We found a lot of freshwater shrimp which ate the other invertebrates. After this we did a river bank clean-up using litter pickers and bin bags. We collected 4 bin bags full of litter for Dublin City Council to dispose of. It was a very fun and interesting way to learn more about rivers.
Oisín Gabbett-O'Kelly

Olympian Visit

On 11 March we were delighted to host a visit from Irish Olympian Jack Raftery. Jack, a record holder in the 400m sprint and a member of the relay team for the Irish mixed team, visited as a reward from the Dublin Simon Community for our remarkable fundraising efforts back in September during the Home Run event. In the morning, pupils received certificates from the Dublin Simon Community and Thea Nesbitt was awarded a special prize for being the top fundraiser. A representative from Dublin Simon provided information on the homelessness crisis and explained their ongoing work. They highlighted how even small amounts of money raised can have a significant impact. Following this, Jack Raftery shared his experiences as an athlete representing Ireland, discussed teamwork, training routines, and motivation with pupils. He also conducted outdoor training sessions providing tips and warm-up drills. Having an Olympic athlete visit our school was truly exciting and pupils found him to be very inspiring. We take great pride in our fundraising efforts for the Dublin Simon Community and are eager to continue supporting this important cause.
Ms Hutchinson Edgar

Careers Fair

The evening of Thursday 12 March offered a wealth of knowledge for Form 5 and Form 6 pupils who attended The High School’s career fair.  Featuring stands for twenty four educational institutions as well as ten speakers covering areas from theoretical physics and radiography to music and film, there was certainly something to pique every pupil’s interest.   

Pupils had the opportunity to speak with representatives from third-level institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Ulster University, Maynooth University, and the University of Galway. The talks took place from 6:35 to 7:50 pm and covered various discussions on courses and pathways into institutions and professions such as radiography, public health sciences, Post Leaving Certificate courses leading to degrees, theoretical physics, primary school teaching, National College of Art & Design, engineering, political science and social policy, as well as music and film. Following the talks, pupils could engage directly with former students enrolled in these courses or pursuing related careers.

In the course of the career fair, pupils were offered an extensive insight into their career prospects.  We are grateful to Ms Whelan and Mr O’Sullivan for organising the event, and to the Form 4 pupils who helped facilitate it on the night.  
Olivia Leonard 

Form 5 Careers

Last Wednesday Form 5 pupils were invited to take a tour of Technological University Dublin’s central campus in Grangegorman. We first gathered in the courtyard in front of Rathdown House which is located at the heart of the campus. This area was particularly striking due to its blend of historic and modern architecture. Preserved buildings, such as St Lawrence's Church, stood in contrast to the university’s more contemporary and expansive facilities.

We were then brought into the Central Quad building, where we attended an informative presentation outlining the wide range of courses, facilities, and student life at TUD. One of the most interesting aspects of the university is its structure. Rather than operating from a single campus, TUD is made up of five distinct campuses, each with its own area of specialisation: Aungier Street, Blanchardstown, Bolton Street, Grangegorman, and Tallaght. Despite this, students have access to facilities across all campuses, regardless of where they are based.

Following the presentation, we enjoyed a guided walking tour of key areas within the Grangegorman campus. We began outside the Central Quad, where our guide highlighted the Academic Hub and Library. We then visited the Optometry Centre, which provides students with valuable practical experience as part of their studies. Our final stop was the East Quad building, home to the TUD Conservatoire and a vibrant hub for the arts, creativity, and media. This part of the tour offered a real insight into college life. We were particularly impressed by the artwork, music performances, and creative projects on display. The modern interior design of the building further enhanced the atmosphere, creating an inspiring and dynamic environment.

Overall, the visit to TUD provided a valuable and engaging insight into one of Dublin’s leading universities. It will undoubtedly help to inform and shape our future plans as we approach the next stage of our education after the Leaving Certificate.
Edward Li

Form 4 Belfast Tour

On 4 March Form 4 pupils set off bright and early for an exciting trip to Belfast. We gathered at Connolly Station in the city centre at 8.20 am and boarded the DART at 8.50 am arriving in Belfast at approximately 10.50 am. Upon arrival, we made our way to Queen's University Belfast, where we were warmly welcomed by student ambassadors. While waiting to begin our tour, we were delighted to receive a generous gift bag, for which we were very grateful. This was followed by an informative and engaging presentation about the university, giving us a valuable insight into courses, campus life, and student opportunities.

We then enjoyed a guided tour of the university campus, which allowed us to experience the atmosphere and facilities first-hand. Afterwards, we visited Belfast City Hall, where we had time to explore the area and enjoy some food before regrouping at 4.20 pm for a headcount. Once everyone was accounted for, we returned to the train station and boarded our train home at 5.00 pm. After a busy and enjoyable day, we arrived back at Connolly Station at 7.15 pm and made our way home.

A sincere thank you to the teachers who accompanied us: Mr Langrell, Ms Garland, and Mr Milofsky. We also extend our thanks to the SNAs, Ms Delaney and Ms McClean, and to the Guidance Counsellors, Ms Whelan and Mr O'Sullivan for organising and supporting such a memorable trip.
Eva Lei

Junk Kouture Awards

Junk Kouture is a recycled fashion competition which challenges pupils aged 13 to 18 to design, create and model high end couture made from 100% recycled material! The competition takes in elements of fashion, design, engineering and environmental sustainability and transforms them into a creative contest. Form 1 pupils Rebekah Gahan, Ella McConnell, and Ellie Alymer took to the stage at The Helix to show off their design piece "Teardrops by Denim" in the Junk Kouture Regional Final 2026 on Tuesday 10 March.  

We were inspired to design an outfit that would raise awareness about 'fast fashion' and the effects it has on our climate and marine environment. We focused on cotton and denim as they both use a significant amount of water in the production process. The objective is to encourage people to reuse and recycle these materials and other items of clothing, like the outfit today. We were absolutely delighted to compete at the regional competition as only 180 out of nearly 2000 people get selected. It was a long 13-hour day at The Helix, Dublin, but we had an amazing time and got to meet many incredible people.

The team has worked so hard on this design with the help of Ms Campion since September and it was a massive achievement to get so far in the competition. It was an incredible experience for all of us and a fantastic way to celebrate and promote sustainable fashion.
Rebekah Gahan, Ella McConnell, and Ellie Alymer 

Form 1 Rugby

Congratulations to our Form 1 team on their fantastic success at the blitz hosted by Wilson’s Hospital School on Wednesday. The team delivered outstanding performances, securing impressive victories over both Wilson’s Hospital and Wesley College. Their skill, teamwork, and determination were evident throughout, and they represented the school with great pride. Well done to all involved on a superb achievement!
Ms Garland

Form 1 Hockey

Our Form 1 girls narrowly lost on 1v1s in the final round of the annual First Year Blitz tournament at Sandford Park School. Some great hockey was played, and memories were created.
Ms Jones