Vol 28 No 10      11 Nov 2022

Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution

On Wednesday 26 October the annual Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution  ceremony returned to The High School's Gymnasium with a fresh round of talented recipients.  The Orchestra opened with a powerful performance before giving way to the guest speaker - Reverend Professor Anne Lodge, director of the Church of Ireland Centre at DCU.  Her address was a moving (and humorous!) celebration of the positive character traits, like kindness and compassion, displayed by pupils.  She stressed their importance and how they equal that of academic ability or sporting prowess.  This was a refreshing and fitting message on an evening dedicated to rewarding pupils for their positive contributions to school life and the wider community.  We were then treated to a wonderful display of musical talent from both the Orchestra and Choir before the prize distribution itself.  We extend heartfelt congratulations to each and every pupil who was awarded a prize and hope they feel proud of their commendable achievement.
Gary Meaney
Head Boy

All Ireland Schoolboys' Hockey Championship Final

On Friday 28 October  a group of tired but excited senior pupils boarded a bus to Cork at 7.30 am to watch our Senior 1 hockey boys in the semi-final stages of the All Ireland Schools (Boys) Hockey Championship for the second consecutive year. 

Our first stop was Ashton School to face fellow Dublin opposition The King's Hospital in the semi final.  The bus on the way down was filled with a surprising amount of energy and chatter for such an early hour, face paint was handed around, and by the time we exited the bus at 10.30 am in Cork we were all covered in red and black. 

The first game was a very close affair; the only score separating the teams was a brilliant penalty stroke converted by captain Ben Pasley in the second quarter.  The first quarter was mainly dominated by the opposition but The High School pulled back taking over the second with the score remaining 1-0 at half time.  The High School dominated the third quarter and were unlucky not to score several more goals.  In the final quarter the opposition started strongly, throwing everything at their last chance to make the All Ireland semi-final.  However, despite their efforts thanks to brilliant defending and goal keeping The High School managed to keep them at bay until the final whistle.  Relief was felt all around and the anticipation began to grow for the All Ireland final.  After waving goodbye to our Senior 1 players the group of supporters headed to the Marina market in Cork's harbour for some well-earned food and rest after all of our cheering.  Voices were beginning to get hoarse but we did not let that stop us as we boarded the bus again at 2.30 pm, refuelled and ready to go to UCC for one last big game.  

The atmosphere on the bus was one we will never forget; every single person was both proud and excited to get to see yet another game of incredible hockey.  We exited the bus with banners and music in tow and firmly positioned ourselves against the fence of the pitch and began to cheer on the boys as they warmed up. Our opposition was the Senior 1 boys team from Banbridge Academy, a very strong team from Northern Ireland.  Banbridge started well and went 1-0 up after just 5 minutes. At the end of the first quarter the score was 1-0 to Banbridge.  In the second quarter Banbridge scored again but just a few minutes later The High School pulled one back through Ben Pasley making it 2-1 at half time.  Despite Banbridge dominating the first half The High School team were not deflated.  Cheered on ecstatically from the sidelines they came out fighting in the second half with every single player giving their all although they were exhausted from their intense qualifying games.  They put their bodies on the line and earned themselves a well deserved goal through a short corner from Charlie Beatty.  

With the score at 2-2 tensions were high but The High School were well on top and the supporters cheered as the boys continued to throw everything at the game. Despite several efforts and brilliant defending especially by Sam Maxwell as first runner in the short corners we were unable to score a third goal.  A short corner for Banbridge in the last two minutes created a moment of fear for The High School supporters but goalkeeper Luke Stevens pulled off an incredible save to keep us in the game.  The full time whistle went with the score at 2-2 and the game went to 1v1 shuttles.  Despite some brilliance from Adam Hearne as goalkeeper and great goals from Alex Lynch and Tom Whelan Banbridge emerged winners.  

I think if you asked anybody at that game they would tell you that The High School could not have given more of themselves to the tournament.  From the very first game every single player did everything they could for the team and brought so much joy to all of us who were lucky enough to watch the matches.  Hockey has given all of us so many great memories in school and on behalf of Form 6 pupils I would like to thank all of the boys for all of the joy they gave us watching those games.  It was a special experience get to see the boys we have grown up with for the last six years making us so proud on such a massive occasion. 
Moya Quigley
Head Girl

Frank Maher Classical Music Awards Victory

Congratulations to the leader of The High School Orchestra who won the 2022 Frank Maher Classical Music Awards.  She was one of six finalists at the competition night on Friday 28 October at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin.  The Award's aim is to showcase outstanding young musical talent in Irish schools and the competition is open to sixth year post-primary students of strings, woodwind, brass, and piano.  The €5,000 top prize must be used to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad, or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent.  Radio presenter Marty Whelan was Master of Ceremonies for an evening of outstanding teenage musical talent at which our pupil performed two pieces – ‘Gavotte en Rondeau from Violin Partita Lo.3 in E Major, BWV 106’  by Johann Sebastian Bach and ‘Valse-Scherzo in C Major, Op.34’ by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.  Commenting on her win, she said “It was a fantastic night. I am very grateful and honoured to have won and I plan to use my prize money to attend masterclasses and auditions in Ireland and abroad.”  Past winners have gone on to attend some of the world’s most prominent music colleges including the Juilliard Performing Arts Conservatory in New York City, Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de Danse Paris, Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Music and Arts University (MUK) in Vienna.  

Volleyball All Ireland Semifinal

On Monday 6 November the newly formed Senior Volleyball team at The High School travelled to Bettystown to play two games against Colaiste na hInse and St Patrick's Cathedral Grammar School.  We split into two squads for the games as we have a large group of players with each squad playing a at least set in each game.  We were up against Colaiste na hInse in the first game.  Our first squad won the first set followed by a respectable victory from the second squad in the second set with both squads showing impressive skill and great teamwork.  Next we played St Patrick's, playing in the same way with each team taking a set.  Unfortunately our second squad despite another brilliant performance was unable to win in the second set which resulted in a tie breaker which we narrowly lost.  Luckily, we still had a chance and we stayed to watch the game between Colaiste na hInse and St Patrick's to support Colaiste na hInse as a win for them meant we would advance.  We were not very hopeful as it was evident that St Patrick's were a better side.  However, with the immense support of The High School volleyball squad they managed to confidently win and send us through to the semi-finals of the All Ireland competition. The whole team is very grateful to Mrs Murdoch whose efforts made this all possible.  The High School Senior Volleyball team have won a place in the Volleyball Ireland Senior Schools Competition All Ireland semi-finals.  We wish the players every success as they represent our school.
Jack Barlow

ISSU Election Success

Last month myself and Ella Meleady - our Student Council secretary, Mia O'Mahony - our Form 5 representative, and Leo Shorten - our Form 4 representatve attended an Irish Second Level Students' Union (ISSU) gathering in UCD.  The ISSU is a registered charity since 2008 with over 500 member schools.  It is pupil-led and aims to create better environments in schools and to develop safer communities that provide support for those in unprecedented circumstances.  They were very influential in appealing for predicted grades for Leaving Certificate pupils during lockdown.  They want to further uplift our voices, enhance school diversity, inclusion, and infrastructure, and fight for support for those with mental health issues, disabilities, and learning difficulties.  At the event that day there was an election for Regional Officer to oversee South County Dublin.  I had to make a one-minute speech, bringing forward what my heart felt, sharing my passion to bring about change.  I am delighted to say that along with two other young people I was elected as ISSU South Dublin Regional Officer where I will be using my voice to make a difference.
Sophie Donnan

Wildlife Photography Competition

As part of Biodiversity Week we ran a Wildlife Photography competition for pupils, parents/guardians, and staff.  There was a great response featuring all sorts of wonderful flora and fauna.  It was a difficult task to select the winner, but ultimately the winning photographs emerged.  Matthew Whyte's stunning photograph of a fallow deer silhouetted by golden light is the winner of the pupil category.  In the parent/guardian category Mrs Daphne Deacon claimed first prize with her striking close-up photograph of a bat.  The winner of the staff category was won by Mr Prodgers' impressive photograph of a gray heron.  All winners will receive a pot of High School honey.  We would like to thank everyone who sent in their photographs for consideration.  Here are just some of the runner-up entries submitted by our talented pupils. 

Form 5 Design Communication Graphics

Form 5 Design Communication Graphics class creating some festive Halloween pumpkins using CAD software.   CAD software is 2D and 3D computer-aided design software often used by architects, mechanics, inventors, engineers, and designers.  After 3D modelling each pupil was tasked with designing a spooky face for their pumpkin.  Well done all!
Mr Kingston

Foreign Language Assistants

We are very fortunate to welcome two Foreign Language Assistants (FLAs) this academic year.  Ofelia Berna Serna is from Murcia in Spain and Katharina Högy is from Germany.  The purpose of the Foreign Language Assistant Scheme is to encourage pupils to view a foreign language as a living language and not just a subject that is taught in school.  FLAs transform language teaching through conversation, songs, games, and activities with pupils.  They also help pupils prepare for oral examinations and practise their speaking skills especially pronunciation and intonation.  They also introduce pupils to aspects of their culture.  We wish them both a very happy year at The High School!  
Ms Roullet 

SCT League Win

The High School SCT played Ardscoil na Tríonóide last Wednesday in their first game of the League.  We were made to wait as our first round against Gorey Community School was postponed due to bad weather.  The game got off to a great start and The High School quickly scored their first try of the game.  The first half was all High School but finished with only three tries to show for our effort.  A score of 19-0 up at half time left us with more to do in the second.  In the second half we kept up the hard work and continued to score some great tries.  As the game wore on it came to a bit of a standstill and Ardscoil managed to get a try of their own.  The full time score was 53-7 - a good start to our League campaign.
Andrew Farrelly

Form 6 English 

Last month Form 6 pupils enjoyed a live webinar from The National Library of Ireland on the poet W.B. Yeats (HSD, 1881-83).  The talk focused on the influence of Irish folklore on his work.  Pupils enjoyed a close reading of poems such as 'Song of the Wandering Aengus' and 'The Stolen Child', popular poems with a distinctively Celtic influence.  It was an interesting presentation with cross-curricular links to Irish, History, and Art History.  It was a beneficial and enjoyable lecture on a former High School pupil who is on the Leaving Certificate English curriculum for this year's Form 6 pupils.

Form 2 Biodiversity

Pupils in Form 2 have created a fence surrounding the bee hives.  We also started the beginnings of a compost heap and contributed to the raised beds.  The fences were made using posts, cut sticks, and wire.  The posts made from rough white deal were placed at regular intervals with a coil of wire wrapped along another string of wire (which was connected to the posts) to hold them in place.  The result is not only a functional fence, but an elegant one too, and it was great to get outside for a group activity to learn a new skill!
Olivia Leonard 

MUN Lunchtime Club

Model United Nations is coming to Monday lunchtimes!  MUN is a brilliant extracurricular activity for developing confidence, public speaking skills, and meeting new people.  At MUN pupils become “delegates” representing a country and must discuss how to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues.  From wars to climate change to nuclear disarmament and everything in between MUN will undoubtedly teach you more about the world we live in.  If any junior pupils are interested in finding out more, there is a new pupil-led club at 12.55 pm on Mondays in A7.  This will teach you everything you need to know while also having some fun!
Jake O’Loughlin

Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

It is still not too late to create a Team Hope Christmas Shoebox for vulnerable children overseas.  Boxes will be collected from The High School on Tuesday, so don't delay!  Alternatively, you can build a box or donate online.

Hallowe'en Haiku Competition 

Congratulations to Fíona Rutledge who won the Library Hallowe'en Haiku competition.  The runners up were Emma Mulligan and Hollaí Quinn.
Ms Wiggle

Death or constant fear, 

Come on, play the game my dear, 

Your choice. No regrets 

Fíona Rutledge