Vol 30 No 28     16 May 2025

Feis Ceoil Triumph

This year marked an incredible fourth consecutive win at the prestigious Feis Ceoil competition for The High School Orchestra. We performed three pieces: Puttin’ on the Ritz by Irving Berlin, Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. After a final rehearsal we travelled by bus to the RDS and set up before taking the stage. Four orchestras competed this year and we performed third. It felt like our strongest performance yet and the result—first place—felt truly well deserved. 
Matthew Whyte

Board of Management

Dear School Community,

Following the recent publication of the school inspection report, the Board would like to express our sincere appreciation for the thoroughness and professionalism demonstrated during the inspection process by our school community. Your commitment and dedication during this time have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the effort put forth by everyone involved.

The Board welcomes the identified opportunities highlighted in the report and can confirm that a series of engagements are currently underway within the school body. These discussions will address the report and help us determine the appropriate set of actions in response to the WSE/MLL findings. We believe that the findings will significantly contribute to our school’s 10-year strategic planning work, which the Board is currently undertaking.

Thank you once again for your time, effort, and continued support. We look forward to sharing future updates in the autumn term.

With best wishes for the summer term, and we appreciate your valued and ongoing support of our school.

Warm regards, 
Dr Duncan Cole.
Chairperson Board of Management

PEXpo 2025

On Thursday morning a group of pupils from The High School travelled to the National Indoor Arena to take part in Physical Education (PEXpo) 2025.  We were met with a vibrant atmosphere on arrival as pupils from schools all over the country explored various interactive sports-related stalls and exhibits.

A highlight of the day was a talk by Olympian Philip Doyle and Paralympian Orla Comerford who spoke about their journeys in sport and the importance of resilience and dedication. We also had the chance to hear from Olympic boxing champion Kelly Harrington who shared her inspiring story and gave helpful advice on handling nerves.

Following the talks, awards were presented for various student projects.  It was a brilliant day and we hope to return next year!
Ellen Oldrey

Water Polo Cup

Congratulations to Rachel Quinn and Carla Millar who won silver medals at the Irish U15 Water Polo Cup held in Galway recently. Representing Half Moon Water Polo Club, both girls played brilliantly throughout the tournament. Well done on this fantastic achievement!

Form 4 Gaisce Hike

Last Thursday almost three dozen Form 4 pupils travelled to Kerry to complete the final challenge of their Bronze Gaisce Award — a hike up Mount Brandon. After a scenic bus journey and a quick shopping stop in Limerick we arrived at our hostel where friendly puppies and coastal views welcomed us.

Friday morning began with blue skies as we set off with our guide, Jimmy. The climb was steep in places but the views were worth it — from the Dingle Peninsula to the Kerry Coastline. After a rewarding day on the mountain we returned to the hostel for a well-earned dinner prepared by the pupils.

Tired but proud we set off back to Dublin on Saturday stopping at the Barack Obama Plaza for lunch. A huge thank you to Mr Rankin, Ms Delaney, Dr Budd, Ms Garland, and Mr Barry for organising such a memorable experience!
Rosalyn Waghorn

Form 4 Croquet Victory

It was a perfect day for a game as Form 4 pupils visited Carrickmines Croquet Club for a friendly match against Deansrath Community College. Under clear skies and in great spirits, pupils enjoyed learning the finer points of the game while engaging in some healthy competition. It was a wonderful opportunity to try something new and enjoy the outdoors, and especially pleasing because The HIgh School won the day!
Ms Jones

Form 5 Careers

On Wednesday 30 April Form 5 pupils embarked on an inspiring and insightful visit to Maynooth University, one of Ireland’s leading institutions for higher education. The day offered pupils a valuable glimpse into university life and broadened their horizons as they begin to consider their future academic journeys beyond Dublin!

The trip began with a warm welcome from the university’s student ambassadors who provided an engaging overview of Maynooth’s wide range of undergraduate courses, including Arts, Science, Engineering, Business, and more. Pupils learned about the flexibility of Maynooth’s modular system, the diverse range of subjects on their Arts degree, and the introduction of Nursing and Medicine in 2026 and 2027, respectively. 

A campus tour followed, led by current Maynooth students who offered first hand insights into daily university life. The tour highlighted key facilities such as the state-of-the-art library, the new science building, the historic South Campus, and student accommodation. Many pupils were struck by the vibrant atmosphere on the day at the Student Union! 

Overall, the day was a great success. Our Form 5 pupils returned with a clearer understanding of university life, greater confidence in their future choices, and an excitement that will undoubtedly fuel their efforts in the months ahead as they begin to complete their CAO application.
Miss Lowry

HSD PA Summer Event

Join us for The High School Parents' Association end of year social! Come for an evening filled with fun, food, refreshments, and tunes at our Summer BBQ on Friday 16 May. Don't miss this chance to connect. Save the date now!

When: Friday 16 May at 7.00 pm

Where: The High School

What: Catered BBQ with a pay bar (one meal included per ticket) and DJ

How: Tickets are €25 each and available here.

Rathfarnham Parish Fête