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Vol 27 No 19 04 Mar 2022
Happy Days at The High School
It's the little things that make all the difference. From the moment we arrived at school on Monday morning we were greeted with faces - smiling, curious, happy faces. It may seem unimportant but for the pupils and staff at The High School it was momentous. Some of us had never seen our pupils without face coverings, and they had never seen their teachers without masks. There were a few double takes and people tried not to stare as we had to reprogramme our brains to recognise faces we already knew but didn't. Some chose to keep wearing masks too - having the choice makes everyone feel comfortable in our shared spaces. And then there was the reverberating sound of excitement in the school - laughter less muffled, conversations less muted. The familiar aroma of freshly cooked chicken curry
wafted from the dining hall as pupils lined-up for hot meals and sat in groups as they enjoyed indoor dining again. The corridors were busier as younger pupils scurried here and there guided by pupils from Form 4 in search of their long longed for lockers. Then came the serious business of figuring out how to master the lock and move-in. Joy was written all over their faces - such a little thing - but lovely to see. Soon it will be the turn of Form 6 as they return to the Senior Common Room later in the month proceeded by the teachers' return to their subject classrooms. The unravelling of restrictions takes time but we are returning to normality - one joyful step at a time.
Ms Burrowes
Claudia Tierney Cup
Well done to the Senior 1 hockey team who made it into the semi-final of the Claudia Tierney Cup. After a hard-fought campaign with some very dramatic highs and lows the trophy proved to be elusive. Instead the girls walk away from this tournament with their heads held high having won the respect and admiration of the entire school. Their prizes are the priceless memories and friendships gained that they will cherish in the months and years ahead. We could not be more proud of this team who have dedicated so much of their time and energy to the sport at The High School.
Lockers
This week pupils in Forms 1-3 got to use our lockers. I am incredibly happy because now it feels like school. My bag will now be exceptionally light with no big books and my back will have some rest. The lockers are very spacious and the locks are quite easy to use. I am excited that I can now use my locker and I am also happy that things are slowly going back to normal.
Breanna Samuel
Shrove Tuesday
Form 1 pupils made delicious pancakes in Home Economics class this week in time for Shrove Tuesday. Their happy faces said it all. Well done, everyone!
Form 5 Art
In Art class we are encouraged to keep a sketchbook to help develop our drawing skills. I have been sketching my classmates documenting a time when masks were compulsory in school. During this period we could not see our friends' faces completely and so eyes suddenly became an incredibly important means of expression. This really interested me so I decided to enlarge the eyes in many of the sketches. I also noticed how difficult it was to make people recognisable just from their eyes, hair and face shape, and also how different face shapes were affected by the masks. It was an interesting study and I hope you enjoy the collection.
Leah McGrath
Form 4 Drama Excursion
On Tuesday evening the Form 4 Drama class went to see Samuel Beckett’s Endgame at the Gate Theatre. We all enjoyed the night and the captivating story on stage. The play stars only four characters: the tyrant Hamm and his servant, Clov, and Hamm’s parents, Nagg and Nell. It is set in a uncaring, apocalyptic world. After the play we were lucky enough to meet Gina Moxley who played Nell. It was great to be back in the theatre and to watch live performances as a group.
Emily Breslin
Humanitarian Donations
Pupils in Form 5 are organising a collection of humanitarian aid for the beleaguered people of Ukraine. Medical supplies are urgently needed, especially first aid kits. Can you help? We are collecting items such as disposable gloves and face masks, sterile dressings, tourniquets, corn removal plasters, and regular and elastic bandages. There is a labelled box at Reception for donations. Alternatively you can donate to the Red Cross or unicef by clicking the link.
Form 5MB
Table Tennis
Table tennis is a fun sport which anyone can pick up and play. It's on Mondays and Thursdays in The Reynolds Hall after school. We have multiple table tennis teams which play in a league. We have our 2022 club championship coming up which is a tournament in the school that anyone can participate in. Table tennis is really enjoyable because it's easy to learn, fun to play, and you get to play indoors which is great because of our inclement weather!
Jake Walsh
Dates for your Diary
- 7 Mar 22 - Form 4 work experience (two weeks)
- 11 Mar 22 - Staff Consultation Day - school closed to pupils
- 14 Mar 22 - Form 1 (2022 intake) parents and pupils' meeting, 7.00 pm
- 17 Mar 22 - St Patrick's Day - public holiday begins
- 21 Mar 22 - Diversity and Inclusion Week begins
- 22 Mar 22 - St Patrick's Day - public holiday ends
- 22 Mar 22 - Junior Cycle Training Day - school closed to pupils
- 31 Mar 22 - Form 3 parents' information meeting - Junior Certificate arrangements
- 6 Apr 22 - Junior Play dress rehearsal, 2.30 pm
- 7 Apr 22 - Junior Play, 7.30 pm
- 8 Apr 22 - Spring Term ends, 11.55 am
- 8 Apr 22 - Lenten/Easter Service - Zion Church, 11.00 am
- 25 Apr 22 - Summer Term begins, 8.55 am
- 26 Apr 22 - Form 2 outdoor pursuits excursion, 8.55 am
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
