Vol 32 No 02    11 Sept 2026

A Message from The Senior Prefect Team

Welcome or welcome back to The High School! We hope you all had a restful and exciting summer holiday. With the school year back in full swing, we hope you are all adjusting well to school. We were delighted over the summer to find out that we had been selected as Senior Prefects. We are looking forward to collaborating throughout the school year with teachers, the Senior Management Team, school staff, and students.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new Form 1 pupils as they get acquainted with this welcoming community. The four of us are distinct individuals; what we have in common is a love of sports and extracurricular activities. To all new pupils, our main piece of advice is to get involved in any sport or club, whether that be hockey or Model United Nations, Student Council or rugby.
Prefects are senior pupils available for anyone to ask questions or talk about any problems or ideas they may have. Please do not hesitate to speak to any of us! The four of us are eager to see what the year ahead brings for the school community. Having watched five years of Prefects graduate during our time at The High School, we hope to, like them, embody the values of kindness, integrity, and respect, and to be the role models we once looked up to ourselves. All the best for the year ahead,  

Olivia Leonard (Head Girl), Táin Kracen-Wallace (Head Boy), Imogen McCreery, (Deputy Head Girl), and Edward Li (Deputy Head Boy).
Senior Prefect Team 2026-2027 

Appreciating Librarians on International Literacy Day

The High School,
Zion Road,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.
8 September 2026

Dear Ms Wiggle,
This International Literacy Day I want to thank all librarians for the work they do, but especially you, Ms Wiggle, for providing such an amazing resource for the entire school community an essential part of the ecosystem. I have spent countless hours in the Library by either reading, meeting my friends, the Student Council, at clubs, attending classes, finishing homework up until the very last minute, frantically spending those final terrifying moments before an exam desperately trying to remember all I studied. You have provided a library for everyone as the definitive place to go - a staple within the school ecosystem. After all, where else do you go before school? Where else do you finish your homework? Where else do you start reading the book your friend has been pressuring to read for half a year and actually will enjoy? Where else, where else, where else -  the W.B.Yeats Library is always there if you want to take out a book, relax into a chair/beanbag, and (I would urge you to give that a try). The selection of indulgences for you to enjoy is quite impressive, so a huge thank you from the readers, the introverts, the extroverts, the homework procrastinators, the studiers, the confused First Years, the bored Sixth Years -  we are all hugely grateful for the excellent space you create of comfort and knowledge, of fantasy and fact. The passion and effort really shine through.  So, on behalf of the whole school community, thank you! 

Oisín Gabbett O'Kelly
Junior Journalist, HSD

Ten Thousand Bottles!

The entire Transition Year group is making a massive difference for both our planet and our community. The High School’s Recycling Bottle Project, driven by the passion and teamwork of the entire TY year group, has officially become one of our school's most impactful initiatives.

Last year, this hard-working group achieved the phenomenal milestone of collecting over 10,000 plastic bottles for recycling. Instead of ending up in landfills or polluting our oceans, those thousands of bottles were properly processed and repurposed.

But the environmental impact is only half the story. Every single cent collected from this recycling initiative goes directly to charity. Through their effort and your trash, the Transition Year students are raising vital funds for those who need it most.

The TY team is eager to keep the momentum going this year, and they need your help to shatter last year's record. If you have plastic bottles cluttering up your home, don't throw them away! Bring them into The High School and drop them directly into the special red bins located around the school. The project members will gladly take them off your hands and facilitate the recycling process for you. Remember, more bottles means more money for a great cause.

A massive well done to all the Transition Year students and staff involved in this brilliant project. Your hard work, environmental stewardship, and charitable spirit set a wonderful example for our entire school community. Keep up the amazing work!

Ireland Squad Selection

Congratulations to Doireann Langley on her selection for the Hombu Dojo Karate  International (HDKI) Cup in Japan! We are thrilled to share that High School Doireann Langley has been selected to represent HDKI Ireland at the prestigious 3rd International Cup and Seminar in Gotemba, Japan, from September 13th to 16th, 2026. Doireann has been a dedicated and consistent member of the national squad, training vigorously at the Hombu Dojo. Her hard work, commitment, and excellent competitive performances have earned her this incredible opportunity to compete on the world stage. The event brings together top athletes and senior instructors from multiple countries for a high-level international seminar followed by the tournament. The entire school community wishes Doireann the very best of luck as she travels to Japan to represent Ireland.

Ad Astra Music Scholarship

We were delighted, though not surprised, to hear the news that recent past pupil Marco Gonzales (Class of 2026) has been awarded a prestigious Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholarship for music at University College Dublin (UCD). Throughout his time at The High School, Marco has brought us so much joy with his countless performances. I remember him once bringing his cello to English class in Transition Year and leaving everyone dumbstruck with a moving rendition of Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G major. 
But we were not the only fortunate ones. Marco was very generous with his talent and performed countless times over the years with The High School Orchestra and various ensembles at annual events. You can listen to his wonderful performance at last year's Advent service at Zion Parish Church.
The UCD Ad Astra Academy supports exceptionally talented students, allowing them to develop their skills while pursuing their university degrees. Marco, an accomplished cellist, was selected for this highly competitive programme based on his outstanding musical talent. We are incredibly proud of Marco's achievement and wish him the very best as he begins his studies and musical journey at UCD.

The Dance World Cup 2026

During the summer break, high school student Maria Donnellan proudly represented Ireland at the Dance World Cup 2026. The finals were held at The Convention Centre Dublin from 8th to 18th July and welcomed more than 10,500 competitors from 70 countries. Maria delivered three solo performances and also took part in group dances with WestSide Performing Arts. Her outstanding efforts earned her seven medals in total, including three golds. What an incredible achievement, Maria! Her dedication, talent, and hard work have truly paid off, and this success is a wonderful reflection of her passion for dance and commitment to excellence.

Karate World Championships

Our school community is incredibly proud to announce that student Asha Reen has been officially selected to represent Team Ireland at the 14th Karate World Championships (Cadet, Junior & U21) in Bielsko-Biała, Poland. This prestigious global tournament will take place from 12th to 19th October 2026. Asha will be competing at the highest level in the Junior Female Kumite -59kg category. Her selection comes directly from O.N.A.K.A.I., the National Governing Body for Karate in Ireland, which is fully recognised by both Sport Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland. To be chosen to don the green, white, and orange on the world stage is an exceptional honor that highlights Asha's world-class talent, intense discipline, and dedication to her sport. The entire school extends its warmest congratulations to Asha and wishes her the absolute best of luck as she travels to Poland next month to represent both our school and our country!

Weekend Wellbeing

~Make time to do something nice for yourself
this weekend~

Leinster Post-Primary Schools Competition

Our golf teams are teeing off in the upcoming Leinster Post-Primary Schools Competition across multiple dates and courses this season.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Thursday, September 24th: Stackstown Golf Club

• Thursday, October 1st: Carrickmines Golf Club

• Monday, October 4th: Milltown Golf Club

We wish all our student golfers the very best of luck as they represent the school on the course. Play well and enjoy the competition!

Sport4Her – Your Choice, Your Move, Your Voice 

If you are looking for a way to get active that isn’t all about competition, teams, or being the best, the Sport4Her school programme offers the perfect, pressure-free opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, try something new, and find an activity you actually enjoy. Running every Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:15 pm in the GYM, this inclusive initiative features dynamic six-week activity blocks where you can build confidence and choose from a fresh mix of options, including Rebound Fitness, Dance (Zumba, Hip-Hop, K-Pop, and Choreography Workshops), HIIT for Beginners, Circuit Training, Boxercise, Core, Conditioning & Pilates, Obstacle-Course Challenges, Team Challenges & Fitness Games, and Self-Defence. Because being active should be fun, tailored to your choice, and for everyone, the programme gives you a direct voice to tell organisers what you want to try next - so whether you are already active, haven't exercised in ages, or just fancy a change, please see Ms S Jones for further details.

This Week in Home Economics

First Years had a lovely time baking with Ms Toolan in Home Economics this week. Just look at the delicious creations that they made!

Visiting Author and Book Signing

Acclaimed baker, content creator, and past pupil Alice Kelly - widely known online as Back to Scratch - has confirmed an upcoming visit to host an exclusive talk and book signing in the School Library during Junior Lunch on Thursday, 16 September. While junior students are welcome to pop by and say hello, any senior pupil who wishes to attend must get permission from their subject teacher and immediately secure a spot with Ms Burrowes or Ms Power if they have not already done so. Alice will also have a limited number of books on sale for €30 which she will be happy to sign - just remember that sales are strictly first-come, first-served, and you must bring cash!
Ms Power and Ms Burrowes 

Culture Night 

Celebrate Culture Night 2026 with us on Friday, 18th September, for a fantastic evening of local history and live music on Zion Road. Begin the night at The High School with a rare public opening of the Erasmus Smith Schools Archive from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 
Usually only open by appointment for researchers, the archive invites visitors who want to know more about this charity that has grant aided over 250 schools and contains a very unique snapshot of Irish history.The archive contains records for over 250 schools grant aided by the
charity as well as the records from The High School, founded in 1870.
The collections of the archive offer a unique perspective on Irish history from the Cromwellian campaigns through to the early years of the Irish State into modern Irish education.
Afterwards, why not head just up the road to Zion Parish Church at 6 Zion Road, Rathgar, from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM to enjoy a beautiful live performance by our incredibly talented senior musicians, The Last Rose String Quartet. Admission to both events is completely free and open to all students, families, and neighbors, so please come along and support our school community!

Girls Hockey

Girls hockey has gotten off to a fantastic start this term, with high-energy matches against Wesley College and King's Hospital taking place both during the week and over the weekend! On Saturday, the Senior Girls played their first friendly match of the season against Loreto College Beaufort, featuring a unique highlights: three sets of sisters took to the pitch together! The momentum continued on Wednesday as our 1st Year girls headed to Sandford Park School for an exciting hockey blitz, enjoying some brilliant teamwork under the beautiful sunshine.  Well done, everyone!

Winter Sports Schedule 2026-27

To see on the school website click here

Extracurricular Activites

Health and Safety Reminder

A friendly reminder: The High School is a nut-free zone to help protect students and staff with severe food allergies. Please do not bring any nuts or foods containing nuts to school. Be sure to carefully check snack and lunch labels before packing them. If you need a spread, please choose sunflower seed butter or another safe alternative instead of peanut butter. Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and healthy!

Want to be a HSD Senior Student Photographer?

Do you have a passion for photography and a great eye for capturing the perfect moment? If so, we want to hear from you!  We are looking for student photographers from Forms 4-6 who can use a DSLR camera to join our media team and document life at our school. You will get to shoot action shots at sports matches, cover major school events, capture daily activities, and see your work featured in various school publications. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain real-world experience, and showcase your talent.
If you are interested in becoming a school photographer, please get in touch with Ms Burrowes via MS Teams chat or drop into room A3.

Lost Property

Ms Quinn, who is responsible for Lost Property at The High School, has informed us that the lost property store room is currently full of unnamed items. If you have misplaced any personal belongings, please contact Ms Quinn via Teams as soon as possible to claim them. Moving forward, we kindly remind all students to clearly label all belongings with your name to ensure that any lost items can be easily and quickly reunited with their owners.