Vol 30 No 18     18 Jan 2025

Young Scientist Exhibition

Last Friday a group of Form 4 pupils joined HSD pupils in Form 1 on a very exciting excursion to the Young Scientist Exhibition.  I was part of a team from The High School who put forward an entry, but we did not get beyond the heat stage this year.  Still, we were determined to enjoy the day.  When we arrived we all dispersed and explored everything the exhibition had to offer from viewing the incredible projects to exploring the Exhibit Hall and enjoying a plethora of events.  The part that resonated with me the most was the “Sustainable Outer Space 3D” . This was an enlightening experience that addressed the issue of how anthropogenic activities have distributed debris and rubbish throughout space threatening our capacity for open space exploration.  Overall, the Young Scientist Exhibition is an extraordinary educational platform that exhibits the capability of Irish students to bring their curiousity and knowledge to life and I would like to encourage HSD pupils from every year group to participate in this nationwide science competition!

Junior Rugby Success

Last Thursday, The High School faced CBS Naas in the first round of the Father Godfrey Cup.  It marked our fourth encounter with the opposition this season, having experienced a loss, a win, and a draw previously.  The game promised to be closely contested. We started strong as No 8 Ruairi O’Luanaigh Hall scored after blocking an attempted clearance following a deep kick off.  Full back Cormac Kilroy's successful conversion put us ahead by seven points.  Our opponents responded swiftly with a try in the corner, narrowing our lead to two points due to an early injury to our fly-half. Despite this setback, we persevered in attack and earned a penalty near the try line from a powerful rolling maul which O’Luanaigh converted into another try from close range before half time, with HSD leading 12-5 at the break.

The second half began poorly with mistakes allowing the opposition to score again in the corner.  However, they missed the conversion leaving us with a slim two-point advantage.  Both teams engaged in intense exchanges until we found ourselves defending fiercely within our own 22-metre area where solid defence by our forwards and an important interception by winger Charlie Knox Hendrick prevented us from conceding any more points.

Regaining possession, we controlled play through forward dominance for the final minutes of the match.  With time running out, we secured a crucial penalty and kicked it out to secure victory and advance to the next round of competition.
Ben Shenton

Form 6 Art

The mock Leaving Certificate examination in Art is a comprehensive process that encourages creativity and critical thinking.  Over several weeks Form 6 pupils develop a workbook that explores visual investigation and creative possibilities. This workbook, which holds more marks than the final piece, allows pupils to experiment and design their work in preparation for the practical examination.

In the five-hour practical examination, pupils bring their ideas to life executing a piece based on their prior research and planning. This combination of exploration, design, and execution is a testament to the creative journey undertaken by our pupils. Well done to all involved!
Ms Killane

T20 International Cricketer of the Year Nomination

Pembroke all-rounder and High School past pupil Orla Prendergast (HSD, 2014-20) has been shortlisted for the T20 International Cricketer of the Year award.  The 22-year-old enjoyed all-round success in T20 cricket, taking 18 wickets at just 11.94, as well as scoring 473 runs at 39.42 at an impressive strike rate of 132.87.   Her overall figures for the year saw her play 30 matches, taking 30 wickets at 15.93, with a best-bowling effort of 4 for 22.  She was also Ireland's leading run scorer making 904 runs at an average of 36.16 (4 fifties, 1 hundred).  Orla is currently playing in the Ireland Women's India Tour, and has also been nominated for Young Athlete of the Year in the Her Sport Awards.  We wish her all the best in the series and going forward in the sport. 

HSD Hockey Success

In December HSD pupil Hollaí McNamara Quinn went with the Irish All Stars to South Africa to play in the PSI Under 16 indoor hockey invitational tournament.  The other teams were from South Africa and Namibia.  After completing group matches the Irish All Stars were placed 9th out of 16 in the top division.  As a result of this tournament Hollaí was selected for the African All Stars to play in The Netherlands and Germany in January 2026.

Hollaí McNamara Quinn and Ciarán Lyons played for the Irish Senior Development indoor squads in Denmark in the Mason Cup.  The girls' team came second and Hollaí was the top goal scorer; boys' team came fourth.  Well done to all concerned with these achievements.
Chloe Morris and Emily Kyle

Form 4 Geography

This week in Geography class each of us had to prepare food from a culture that had influenced us.  One pupil chose to make a traditional Bengali dessert called Halwa which is a cake made from lentils, spices, and sugar.  It was incredibly enjoyable as we explored the diverse culinary traditions of various cultures all of which offered delicious dishes.  Pupils indulged in brownies, pizza, nachos, flapjacks, chicken, and soup!  Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity to relish learning about the varied cultures across the globe.

Cloaked In White

The world is cloaked in white, a soft embrace,
A gentle hush that soothes the weary mind.
Each flake descends with unassuming grace,
A fleeting gem that time can never bind.

Beneath the snow, a quiet passion stirs,
Its brilliance hides, yet warms the heart anew.
Each crystal sparkles like a whispered verse,
A tale of love eternal, pure, and true.

The frost may bite, yet beauty lingers still,
A world reborn in winter’s tender glow.
Its fleeting kiss ignites the heart’s deep will,
To cherish moments brief, as soft as snow.

For though it melts, its memory will stay,
A love that’s pure, untouched by time’s decay. 
Saigen Pollard

Mock Timetable

Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator