Vol 27 No 25     06 May 2022

Junior Drama Success

Junior Drama is for pupils in Forms 1 and 2, and is run by Ms Browne and pupils from Form 4.   We were really looking forward to doing a live performance this year as it was the first Junior Play since the pandemic began.  This year's play was called “ A Grim Night for Hans Christen Anderson.”   We had a wonderful time trying lots of different acting games like changing channels and many more in rehearsal.   We started rehearsing at the start of March and we performed the play to pupils, teachers, and family members on 7 April.  It was a really good night; all the cast loved taking part in it.  Everyone received positive comments about the play.  It was really fun and enjoyable and I am already looking forward to next year's performance.  
Benjamin Conn

East Leinster Athletics Championships

Over two days in recent weeks the Athletics team headed to Morton Stadium for the East Leinster Athletics Championships with Ms Fallon, Ms Hutchinson Edgar, Mr Irwin, and Ms Jones. The day started with an impressive display from Nathan Priestley in the Senior Boys hurdles, after rushing to the start line straight from the bus. We had many athletes competing in the 200m races from all age groups.  We had several athletes progress through heats, semi-finals and take a coveted spot in the final 8.  A notable performance was Daniel Martin who finished 5th in the Junior Boys 200m final out of 64 initial competitors.

Aidan O'Connor won High School's first medal of the day, finishing third place in a very fast Junior Boys 800m race and earning himself qualification for the Leinster Championship. Alex Anne Kennedy put in an incredible performance in the Junior Girls high jump to finish 4th having jumped for over an hour in the medal decider. In the shot putt there were many big performances two notable ones being that of Michael Dreyer 4th place in the U16 Boys Shot Putt and Harry Ted Ikolo 4th place in the Junior Boys Shot Putt both missing out narrowly in the medals. The final races of the day were the relay finals which always set the stadium alight.

The race of the day was no doubt the final race of the day which was the Senior Boys 4x100m relay race. The High School team of David Aigboboh, Seán Winslow Nathan Priestley, and Sean Aigboboh had run well in the heats to earn a place in the final.  The team knew that a medal of any colour would come down to smooth baton changes.  With teams from each of the finalists stacked with past All Ireland sprint winners the High School boys knew they had to run their fastest 100 metres to date.  With all the High School athletes spreading out around the track to cheer on the final team of David Aigboboh, Seán Winslow, Sam Maxwell, and Sean Aigboboh the boys did not disappoint.  Sam Maxwell handed the baton over in second position onto the final leg runner.  It was all down to Sean Aigboboh running that infamous anchor leg.  He hunted down the Blackrock runner closing a gap of 5-7m to win by a metre.  It was a brilliant way to end the day The High School winning the Senior Boys Relay team for the first time ever!

Day 2 saw once again many High School pupils progress into finals.  Sean Aigboboh kept up his winning form with an impressive silver medal win in the Inter Boys 100m race against the current All Ireland Champion.  Cian Lynch came agonisingly close to a bronze medal in the Minor Boys 500m.  He showed great strength and endurance to run a heat and a final so close together.  David Aigboboh ran a fine 100m final finishing fourth in the Senior Boys race.  Jake Priestley closed off the final day of competition with an amazing performance in the Junior High Jump taking home a silver medal.  All pupils who won medals have quaified for the Leinster championships.  Thanks to the teachers and coaches for all their support in preparation for the competition.  We look forward to the Leinster Championship where The High School will be competing in four different events.
Daniel Tallon

Form 2 Physical Education

Pupils in Form 2 recently enjoyed a day at Blessington Co Wicklow as part of their Physical Education course.  They spent several hours working in teams and undertaking numerous challenges such as rowing, archery, ziplining, climbing, and survival skills.  There was an element of gentle competition at times which helped generate positive team spirit and ensured pupil engagement.  The activities were designed to build pupils' social skills and give them an opportunity to enjoy some experiential learning, teaching them to be assertive, and also learn leadership qualities, and problem-solving skills and techniques.  It was a fun, worthwhile day and pupils went home feeling happy and energised to face the last few weeks of the school year.

TCD Foundation Scholarship

Congratulations to recent past pupil Siobhan Trimmer (HSD, 2014-20) who was elected to a Foundation Scholarship in Medicine at Trinity College, Dublin.  We offer her and all recent past pupils of The High School our warmest congratulations on their achievements and wish them every success in their academic careers.

Feis Ceoil Gala Concert

Congratulations to The High School Orchestra who performed at the Feis Ceoil Gala concert recently in the RDS Concert Hall.  Our talented musicians won this year's Feis Ceoil Post-Primary School Orchestra Competition.  The leader of the Orchestra was presented with the Dorothy Mayer Foundation Cup for 2022.  The music was wonderful and everyone enjoyed a fantastic performance: click here to listen.

ISTA Competition Winner

High School pupil Gary Meaney won the Senior category of a national  photography competition run by ISTA (Irish Science Teachers Association). His winning photo is below. The title for the competition was “Energy in Today’s World”.  

Hockey Ireland Representation

Congratulations to High School pupils Ella and Ben Pasley who represented Ireland in the Under-18 hockey teams in England recently.  The siblings travelled to Lilleshall in April where they competed against The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and England in a five-nations competition.   Congratulations also to past pupil Conor Empey (HSD, 2010-17) who will play on the Ireland men’s panel in the summer months as groundwork begins for the Paris 2024 Olympics.  His selection comes after a great season in the Dutch league where he was named the top Irish goal scorer. 

Science Club

This week Science Club visited the new High School bee hive and identified differences between bumble and honey bees, wasps, and other flying insects.
Mr Langrell

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Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator