Vol 30 No 20     07 Feb 2025

Happy Lunar New Year!

Lunar New Year is one of the most widely celebrated festivals globally, marking the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar.  While it is most famously associated with China as the Spring Festival, many other countries also embrace the holiday with their own unique traditions.  In Vietnam, it is known as Tết, where families gather to honour ancestors and welcome the new year with special foods and festivities.  South Korea celebrates Seollal, a time for family reunions, traditional games, and paying respect to elders.  Mongolia observes Tsagaan Sar, focusing on family gatherings and feasting. 

Other countries with significant celebrations include Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, where large Chinese communities take part in vibrant parades, dragon dances, and fireworks.  Even outside Asia, places like the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Ireland hold Lunar New Year events, particularly in cities with strong Chinese and East Asian communities. 

No matter where it is celebrated, the Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, family, and good fortune for the year ahead! This is the Year of the Snake.  In Chinese mythology snakes are also known as little dragons, and the skin they shed is known as the dragon's coat symbolizing good luck, rebirth, and regeneration.  The snake also symbolizes the pursuit of love and happiness.  We wish everyone a Happy New Lunar Year!

Form 1 International Dance Success

Form 1 pupil Lucy Walsh recently registered an incredible achievement on the international dance stage, representing Ireland as the captain of the international Dance Inspirations competition in Blackpool.  Competing against dancers of all ages—up to 18 years old—she showcased her exceptional skills and brought home first place in Hip Hop, Lyrical Solo, and Acrobatic Solo.  Captaining the Irish team at so young an age is an extraordinary achievement.  

Her passion for dance began at the age of three and she now trains for approximately 10 hours every week. Her dedication, hard work, and commitment to perfecting her craft has clearly paid off with her outstanding performances earning her well-deserved recognition.

The future is bright for this rising star as she now sets her sights on an even bigger challenge—the Dance World Cup in Spain this summer.  This prestigious event will see her captain the Ireland team and compete against some of the best young dancers from around the world. We have no doubt that she will continue to impress on the international stage.

We are incredibly proud of her achievements and wish her the very best of luck as she prepares for the next competition. Well done and best of luck in Spain!

Leinster Schools Junior Cup

Congratulations to The High School Junior Cup Team who qualified to compete in the final of the Leinster Rugby Schools Fr Godfrey Cup for the first time since 2010.  The High School also qualified to compete in the Leinster Schools Junior Cup.  The first round of the Junior Cup was played at Donnybrook on Wednesday 5 February against Castleknock College.  Although the result did not go our way, it was great experience for the team and impressive too as it has been over a decade since HSD played in the Leinster Junior Cup.  The team still look forward to two finals: the Cup and the League.  We encourage all parents and families to come along and support the team at our upcoming games.  Your presence on the sidelines makes a huge difference, boosting the players' confidence and creating a fantastic team spirit.  So, bring your enthusiasm, wear the school colours, and join us for the next games —we’d love to see you there!  Finally, we warmly congratulate the team on the significance of its achievements in 2024-25 and wish all members of the squad continued success this season.
Mr M McDermott

Senior Cup Team Win

The High School SCT delivered a phenomenal performance in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup against St Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross at Tullow Rugby Football Club. 

From the very first whistle New Ross came out with intensity scoring a try and a conversion within the opening two minutes.  At that moment we knew we had to dig deep and "lock in” and that’s exactly what we did.  Our forwards bulldozed through tackles gaining crucial yards.  Meanwhile, our backs executed with precision, displaying quick hands, seamless off and on the ball play.  Every hit, every carry, and every pass was a statement of our grit and determination. 

Leah Murdock kick-started our comeback with a great try, setting the tone for what would become a dominant display. From there, the momentum shifted and we took full control of the game. Amelie Cree was unstoppable, scoring four incredible tries.  Chloe O’Neill and Navya Nayak broke through their defence with ease, adding beautifully executed tries of their own.  Siobhan Layte showcased her skills and strength with a try in the corner. Elisa MacGabhann scored three tries in total.  Grace James’s brilliant display of counter rucking and poaching of the opposition's ball as well as Siobhán Layte’s management and determination in the back line saw them both awarded Players of The Match.  Maya Neely was on fire with the boot, successfully converting 9 out of 11 tries, a performance that kept the scoreboard ticking over in our favour. 

By half time, we had established a solid 27-17 lead, a 10-point advantage that set the tone for the second half.  When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 69-24, a true reflection of our attacking dominance and defensive resilience: this wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. Every single player stepped up, exhibiting heart, teamwork, and an unwavering drive to succeed.  This victory has secured our spot in the semi-finals and we are more determined than ever to keep this momentum going. 

A massive congratulations to all the girls for their outstanding performance and a big thank you to our coaches.  Let's keep pushing forward: next stop, the semi-finals!
Elisa MacGabhann

UCD Entrance Scholarships

We are delighted to have been advised by the President of UCD that five immediate past pupils of The High School have been awarded Entrance Scholarships in recognition of their high levels of performance in Leaving Certificate examinations.  The awards are made to first year students who have achieved 500 points or more in their Leaving Certificate examination.  In 2024, Marcus Geraghty, Eoin Kelly, Barry Kennedy, Jake O’Loughlin, and Daniel Tallon (all HSD, 2018-24) achieved this notable distinction and were awarded Entrance Scholarships.  We offer them and all recent past pupils of The High School our warmest congratulations on their achievements and wish them every success in their academic careers.

Form 1 Art

Form 1 pupils have been busy in Art class crafting a stunning collection of ceramic cakes and pastries, now proudly on display in The W B Yeats Library.  These beautifully detailed creations look so realistic that you might have to remind yourself they’re not edible!  From delicate cupcakes with intricate icing swirls to perfectly delicious cheesecake and mouthwatering doughnuts, each piece showcases the pupils' creativity, patience, and artistic skill.

The ceramic treats are completely calorie-free but they are sure to set your tastebuds tingling! The pupils carefully shaped, painted, and glazed each dessert to capture the rich textures and tempting colours of real cakes and pastries.  Their attention to detail—from the glossy sheen of an iced doughnut, to the soft, sponge-like appearance of a slice of cake—makes these works of art truly impressive.

We encourage everyone to visit the Library to admire this deliciously deceptive display. Don't miss the chance to see these charming, lifelike creations before they disappear!
Ms Rogers

IAMTA Junior Problem-Solving Competition 

We arrived at Oaklands College at about 10.30 am There was about twenty other teams there from about six to eight different schools.  We sat down at a table marked for us and listened to the instructions on how to do it.  There were six rounds each with four questions.  We had eight minutes for the first four rounds and ten minutes for the last two.  We briefly scanned the questions and allocated one to each person.  Once you did yours you could help someone else if they needed it.  It was good fun, though unfortunately we didn’t win.  Hopefully, we’ll be able to do that next year. 
Karl Findlay 

Junior Cup Team Success

Last week, the Junior Girls triumphed over Loreto College Mullingar by a score of 20-17 semi-final round of the Leinster Junior Cup.  Joanne, Jane, Eve, and Sophia scored outstanding tries during the match.
Ms Garland

Form 2 Hockey

The Form 2 hockey team advanced to the quarter final round of the Leinster Cup following a 5-1 victory against St Kilian's School.  The team delivered an impressive performance.  The quarter-final match is scheduled to be played against Temple Carrig School at 3.30 pm on Friday 7 February at The High School.

TCD STEM Courses

Trinity Walton Club offers secondary school students a unique opportunity to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) through hands-on activities and interactive learning at Trinity College Dublin.

Beyond STEM, participants develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, research, collaboration, and critical thinking. They will learn to analyze challenges, work effectively in teams, communicate ideas clearly, and make informed decisions. These skills are invaluable for school, careers, and everyday life.

If you're eager to enhance your STEM knowledge in a fun and engaging environment, find out more about the TCD Easter and Summer Camps by visiting Trinity Walton Club’s website.

Mock Timetable

Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator