Vol 29 No 01     01 Sept 2023

Welcome Back!

I hope all members of the school community enjoyed a restful and restorative break during the summer months.  We have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming your sons and daughters back to The High School and wish them every success for the academic year 2023/24.

It has also been a pleasure to welcome Ms Lyons back to The High School in a full-time capacity.  Mr Davies and Dr Whitford have retired; Mrs Sharpe and Mrs McPhillips have resigned from their positions as at The High School.  We thank them for their excellent service and wish them all the best for the future.  We welcome the following new full-time staff to The High School: Dr Aghdam – Geology;  Mr Daly – Special Education Teacher (Mathematics); Mr Dempsey – Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator; Ms Dietz – Irish; Ms Donlon – Special Education Teacher (with Music); Ms Hennessy – Irish; Mr Lenehan – Chemistry/Science; Ms Martin – Special Education Teacher (Mathematics); Ms Patton – Mathematics; Ms Rawle – English; Ms Sosa-Dias – Mathematics, Science, and Physics; Mr Terzioglu – Geography; Mr Whiteside – Irish; and Ms Young – Biology/Science.  We are fortunate in having the services of an excellent staff who are fully committed to providing the highest standards of academic and pastoral care for all pupils attending The High School. 

I should like to take this opportunity on behalf of all members of staff to thank parents and guardians for the kind messages of support and encouragement received by my colleagues in 2022/23 which were greatly appreciated by all concerned.  We look forward to sharing the benefits of another happy and productive year with all of you during 2023/24.  

Mr G A Forrest
Principal
The High School

Rugby Pre-Season Training Camp

On Friday 18 August, both the JCT and SCT squads headed off for Soustons in France for a rugby camp.   After a slow start due to flight delays, we arrived in Bilbao before getting a coach to Soustons.   After a much-needed night's sleep, we had a great training session before a day of high wires and paddle boarding for seniors and surfing for the juniors.  We ended the day by watching Ireland beat England in a nearby restaurant.  The next couple of days included more training sessions as well as a trip to Biarritz.  We got to see the whole town and some people even met members of the Irish rugby team.  The following day we made our way back to Bilbao for a flight home.  I should like to thank all our coaches Mr Barnard, Mr Mc Dermott, Mr Walker, Mr Howard, and Mr Brennan for making this trip possible.  We hope it is the foundation for a great season for both teams.

Athletics Ireland Representation

As the summer draws to a close, the time for competition is over and it is now time to reflect on what was easily my best season so far and what I have achieved during it.  I went unbeaten domestically in the U20 age category of the 100m sprint and won the following competitions: East Leinster Schools 100m, Leinster Schools 100m, and the National Schools 100m.  I also became the Dublin U19 and National Junior champion.  I won my second consecutive senior national title in the 4x100m relay and was selected to travel with two Ireland squads to the Mannheim Junioren Gala in Germany and the European U20 athletics championships in Jerusalem.  I ran two personal best times and capped off the season by becoming a European finalist. On reflection it is clear to me that I achieved a lot under a new coach and a training group consisting of Ireland's best sprinters, but the job is far from done and it is time to get back to work.  I could have all the talent in the world but there’s an old Latin phrase that goes: Labor omnia vincit improbus and it essentially means, hard work conquers all.  So in short, the 2023 season was great, but on to bigger and better things in 2024.
Sean Aigboboh

Ireland Touch Rugby Success

Airmid Devitt O’ Byrne and Sam Neely were selected to represent Ireland in the Atlantic Youth Touch Rugby Cup in July, competing against teams from China, USA, France, England, Wales, Scotland, Cayman Islands, Belgium and South Africa.  Sam represented the Boys U18 team who secured a bronze medal.   Airmid represented the Mixed U15 team which lost marginally by a try against Wales in the bronze medal final leaving the U15s in 4th place.  Well done!

Ireland U16 Squad Selection

Congratulations to Hollaí McNamara Quinn on her selection to represent The High School and Leinster on the Ireland U16 hockey squad which played in the 8 Nations tournament hosted by Spain in July.  We wish her continued success as she competes for further honours at provincial and international age grade level this season.
Mr P Fitzpatrick

Concern Debating Competition Finalists

Five members of The High School Senior Debating team were lucky enough to travel to Belgium and The Netherlands over the summer as a result of being finalists in the Concern Worldwide All-Island Debating Competition.  This wonderful prize was an all-expenses paid five-day trip in which we did some sightseeing, sampled local cuisine, and even took part in some important meetings!  On 17 July we flew into Brussels where we spent two days seeing all it has to offer. We started off by taking part in a lovely walking tour of the city, as well as visiting some very interesting museums including the European Parliament Visitor Centre and the House of European History. We were also lucky enough to be permitted access to the European Parliament Building itself, for a meeting with Irish MEP Barry Andrews. As well as that we attended a meeting with representatives from the organisation ‘Alliance’ in which we learnt a lot about the important work the organization does. We also had a fascinating meeting with the Irish Permanent Representative to the EU. Of course, before leaving Brussels we also had to try some famous local delicacies such as mussels and Belgian waffles!  After our two jam-packed days in Brussels we took a train to The Hague in The Netherlands to spend another two busy days there. The Hague is commonly referred to as the ‘International City of Peace and Justice’, and from our time there I can say with confidence that it lives up to its reputation!  We spent time visiting International Peace Institutions in the city such as the Peace Palace (the home of the International Courts of Justice), as well as the International Criminal Court.  As well as visiting these brilliant, historic places we were lucky enough to have a meeting with representatives from the Irish Embassy to the Netherlands.  We also got to spend some time on the beach and in the sea in The Hague.  After our time in The Hague we spent a day in Amsterdam. We saw the city and learned about its rich history and culture in a novel way, by taking a boat tour of the city along its hundreds of canals.  What a way to end the trip!  The entire debating team really enjoyed this trip of a lifetime and we would like to say a big thanks to Ms Hutchinson Edgar as well as Concern Worldwide for making it all possible!  
Eoin Kelly

Ireland U18 Squad Selection

Congratulations to Alex Lynch (HSD, 2017-23), Samuel Maxwell, and Ben Pasley (HSD, 2017-23) who were selected to represent The High School and Leinster on the Ireland U18 hockey squad which competed in the EuroHockey U18 Youth Championships in Krefeld, Germany in July.  We extend best wishes for success to our current and past pupils as they compete for selection in future provincial and international competitions.
Mr P Fitzpatrick

Ireland U15 Squad Selection

Congratulations to Robert O'Brien (Captain) and Ethan Clarke on their selection to represent The High School and Leinster on the Ireland U15 cricket squad which competed in the Celtic Cup competition in August.  We wish them continued success as they compete for further honours at provincial and international age grade level this season.
Mr A Malin

Winter Sports

Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator