Vol 29 No 10     10 Nov  2023

Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution

The annual Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution ceremony took place on Wednesday, 25 October at The High School. This year's event showcased a new group of talented recipients who were recognized for their outstanding achievements. The evening commenced with a captivating performance by the Orchestra setting the stage for what was to come.  The Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable was our distinguished guest speaker.  We were treated to an exceptional showcase of musical talent from both the Orchestra and Choir. Their performances left us in awe and added an extra touch of magic to the evening.  Finally, it was time for the highly anticipated prize distribution ceremony.  We should like to extend heartfelt congratulations to each and every pupil and immediate past pupil who received a prize on this special occasion. Their commendable achievements deserve recognition and we hope they feel immensely proud of their accomplishments.

All Ireland Hockey Tournament

Over the past few months, the Senior 1 Boys hockey team has been diligently preparing for the All Ireland Schoolboys Championship held in Banbridge. This highly anticipated tournament spanned across three days and took place at four different venues. Our first match was a nail-biter, but our team emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win against a formidable Midleton College side. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on our side during the Thursday morning game against Friends School Lisburn as they managed to secure a 2-1 victory over us.  Nevertheless, we persevered and concluded the group stages with an impressive 2-2 draw against the talented Royal Belfast Academical Institution team.  To cap off this thrilling journey, we triumphed over Sullivan Upper School with an impressive score of 4-2 on Friday - a fantastic way to end these action-packed three days. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the supporters who made their way up north and stood by us until the very end. Additionally, we extend a huge thank you to Mr Howard, Ms Gray, Mr Fitzpatrick, Ms Rugg, and Ms Morrissey for their invaluable assistance throughout the entire tournament.
Sam Kelly

HSD Class of 1968

It was a delight to host a heartwarming reunion for the Class of 1968 at The High School Archive recently.  Our esteemed archivist, Alan Phelan, graciously guided our past pupils on a delightful journey down memory lane as they explored the impressive collection of captivating photographs and documents that our archive holds. The air was filled with nostalgia and pure joy as they fondly reminisced about their cherished days at The High School during this momentous occasion which marked their remarkable 55th reunion.

Holocaust Memorial Crocus Project

The High School takes part in the Crocus Project every year to remember the 1.5 million Jewish children who died during the Holocaust and thousands of other children who were victims of the Nazis.  The initiative, which is an Irish one, is now carried out in over ten European countries. This year pupils planted the bulbs inside a wooden Star of David which was kindly made by Mr Langrell.  We hope that when the bulbs bloom in late January they will bring some colour to the school while also reminding us of the devastation of racism, especially antisemitism, and that we will stand against such discrimination and injustice.  One pupil when asked why planting the bulbs was important said the following: "Planting the crocuses is such an important act of remembrance.  When we see the crocuses bloom, not only are we reminded of all of those we have lost, we are also reminded of the importance of peace and harmony - seen so clearly in nature." 
Shuna Hutchinson Edgar

UCD Engineering Awards

Last week, a prestigious awards ceremony was held at University College Dublin to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic accomplishments of students in the Engineering Masters courses. The event aimed to honour those who had excelled in their respective fields and highlight the high standards maintained within these programmes.  Two exceptional past pupils from The High School Edward Meredith, former deputy Head Boy and former Head Boy, Dylan Walsh (both HSD, 2012-18) were among the recipients of these distinguished awards.  Edward received recognition for his remarkable achievements in Engineering with Business while Dylan Walsh was honoured for his exceptional performance in Computer and Electronic Engineering.  These awards not only acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Edward and Dylan but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring engineers. They demonstrate the calibre of talent nurtured within the Engineering Masters programmes at UCD while also highlighting the commitment to academic excellence upheld by The High School.

Form 2 French

Pupils in Form 2 recently enjoyed a truly delightful and culturally enriching experience – a traditional French breakfast.  They had the opportunity to indulge in a scrumptious morning meal that transported them to the heart of France, where the aroma of freshly baked croissants and the allure of pain au chocolat captured their senses and taste buds, offering a genuine taste of French gastronomy.  This immersive breakfast allowed our pupils to not only enjoy a delightful meal but also to appreciate the cultural nuances and culinary delights that make France so renowned.

Rugby Success!

The Senior and Junior rugby teams participated in a rugby blitz prior to the half term break.  The Seniors proved their prowess by emerging victorious in their league match demonstrating exceptional skills and teamwork.  This impressive win has secured first place for them in the overall league rankings.  On the other hand, despite a narrow defeat of only two points in the final match, the Juniors exhibited remarkable determination and sportsmanship throughout.  Their commendable performance earned them the runner-up position in that leg of the league.  It is worth noting that despite this loss they still maintain their lead in the overall standings.  

Fundrasing Update

We enclose the correct link regarding Ms Jones's fundraising efforts for her nephew, Eben, who is battling muscular dystrophy here.  We send our best wishes to Eben and his family, and we extend our congratulations to Ms Jones for her successful fundraising endeavours.

P.S.  If you have some information or news that you think we could feature in our school newsletter, please let us know.  Click here to get in touch.
Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator