Vol 28 No 02     09 Sept 2022

Leaving Certificate Results

I am delighted to report that Leaving Certificate examination results at The High School in 2022 were among the best recorded in the history of the school.  In summary, 95.8% of the papers taken at higher level achieved H5 or above; H8 or less was recorded on only 0.6% of all papers.  I should like to offer my warmest congratulations to all candidates on their individual successes which were achieved in challenging circumstances.

There have been significant improvements in examination performance at The High School in recent years which reflects the professional excellence of our teaching staff, the determination and hard work of pupils, and the dedicated support of parents and guardians. This trend led to The High School being ranked by The Irish Times as the best-performing school in south Dublin following 100% entry to third level education in 2012.  The school recorded an average of 105% entry to third level education in 2013, 2014, and 2015. 

In 2015, 55% of this overall cohort were admitted to undergraduate degree courses at Trinity College, Dublin and University College Dublin - the highest-ranking universities in Ireland - where recent past pupils of The High School were awarded six Entrance Exhibitions and two Entrance Scholarships, respectively.  The High School recorded a 100% and 110% progression rate to third level education in 2016 and 2017, respectively.  Our past pupils were awarded two Entrance Exhibitions to TCD and eight Entrance Scholarships to UCD in 2016 followed by three Entrance Exhibitions to TCD and five Entrance Scholarships to UCD in 2017.  In 2019, The High School recorded a 111% progression rate to third level education.  In 2020 The Sunday Times ranked The High School as the top co-educational school in its sector in Ireland.

I should like to congratulate all our pupils on their outstanding results and to thank my colleagues who have worked tirelessly on their behalf throughout their time at The High School.   

Mr G A Forrest
Principal

Form 4 Trip to Kippure

On 5 and 6 September Form 4 pupils went to the Kippure Estate in Wicklow for a day of adventuring activities.  We were split into groups to build shelters out of sticks and whatever else they could find on the forest floor.  Then we lit fires to cook our own food.  We also completed other activities such as orienteering and hiked through the surrounding forests.  Kippure Estate stretches for 250 acres and is surrounded by a view of the Wicklow Mountains.  It is located 40 minutes from Dublin city and opens up into Wicklow National Park.
Luca Farrelly

Argentinian Visiting School

On Monday we were lucky enough to have pupils from St Gregory's College in Argentina visit us.  We enjoyed listening to their orchestra perform in The Reynolds Hall at break time and senior pupils played matches against them in both hockey and rugby.  The Senior 1 girls played two games against them; the first team lost to a strong and talented Argentinian squad.  However, we were able to pull together as a team and it was a great opportunity for us all to make new friends. The Senior 2 girls' team had an excellent 1-0 win over St Gregory's. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for all of us and we would be delighted to welcome St Gregory's College back to The High School in the future.
Moya Quigley - Head Girl

The High School vs St Gregory's College

We were fortunate to play St Gregory’s College from Argentina on Monday 6 September.  It was the first game of the Argentinian’s tour so they were eager to start well and showed great determination throughout the fixture.  Although St Gregory’s came close to scoring an early try, The High School snatched a lead with two quick tries coming from Charlie O’Neill and Fergus Kelly to put the game at 12-0.  That didn’t knock the St Gregory’s spirit as they soon scored a try of their own.  Before the end of the half The High School made sure to end with a flourish when a kick was gathered brilliantly by James Cox and finished off by Fergus Kelly once again.  A fierce first half was matched by the second with St Gregory’s refusing to give up the contest. The High School created great opportunities but failed to follow up. Eventually a swift attack saw Noah Heslin run in for High School’s fourth try.  A killer blow came when Thomas Taylor intercepted a pass to seal a great performance.  None the less, St Gregory’s College made sure to leave their mark by never backing down.  They were rewarded for their determination when they scored the final try.  The game finished 31-12 but it was not over there as afterwards there was a presentation ceremony where we exchanged jerseys with one another.
Andrew Farrelly

Irish National Rowing Championships 

The National Rowing Centre is located on the Taiscumar Reservoir at Farran Wood near Ovens in Cork and that is where myself and fellow rowers from Nepture Rowing Club found ourselves early this summer, competing in the J15 Men’s 4x+  at the National Rowing Championships.  We were in a quad, a boat with 4 rowers and a coxswain.  I was in the bow position which is at the back of the boat.  It was a 1km race - the Rowing Ireland 1K Classic.  There were six other boats racing against us.  When we reached the start line the sun was beaming down on us. The umpire screamed “Attention… Go!” and suddenly all nervousness disappeared.  We started off behind the other boats which gave us a lot more work to do, but by 400m it turned into a race between us and one other crew, St Michael’s from Limerick.  By the 900m mark we were neck and neck with the other boat.  At this point our fore arms were aching from holding the oars too tight, our hands were bleeding from blisters and cuts and our legs were sore and cramped.  Ten strokes later when both boats hit the finish line at the same time every rower felt relieved that it was over but neither crew knew who had won.  As we gently rowed back into the slip we saw other club rowers and supporters run down towards us telling us we had won and we were all in complete shock.  We were All Ireland Champions!  We had gone into the season inexperienced and not expecting much but thanks to our coach and the determination of the boys we emerged from the competition as a successful crew and really good friends. 
James Arthur 

Leinster Hockey Representation

Congratulations to Hollaí Quinn who played for Leinster U16 Girls Hockey team against Connaught this weekend, scoring two 2 goals in a 7-0 win.  We also wish to congratulate recent past pupils Zoe and Katie Dunne, who played their first match for Leinster last weekend, joining fellow High School past pupil Ella Pasley on the U21 team to win against Connaught 1-0 cheered on by former Ireland international, past pupil, and hockey coach, Alison Meeke (HSD, 2003-09).

Simon Community Home Run

The Simon Home Run is a fun and challenging five-mile race through our capital’s beautiful Phoenix Park taking place on 1 October 2022.  Each year High School pupils and staff come together as a community to challenge themselves and help raise essential funds for Dublin Simon Community.  If you would like to participate this year, please contact Ms Hutchinson Edgar in A22.

Winter Extra-Curricular Programmes 2022-23

Calendar Change

Please note an important amendment to the school calendar.  The HSD Parents' Association AGM will not take place on 19 September as previously published.  

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