Vol 30 No 17     10 Jan 2025

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year to everyone in our school community.  We are looking forward to another busy and successful year together at The High School.  As we return, let us restate our commitment to teaching, learning, and the pursuit of excellence. Our mission is to help each pupil develop their full potential while emphasizing values such as honesty, integrity, kindness, and respect.

We encourage all pupils to get involved in extracurricular activities which are a fantastic way to make friends, develop skills, and fully enjoy The High School experience.  Let’s embrace the year ahead with enthusiasm and continue to grow as a responsible, informed, and thoughtful community!

Carol Service

Staff and pupils gathered at Zion Church to participate in the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on the last day of last term.  There we enjoyed music performed by the school choir and orchestra.  Pupils from various form groups read prayers and poems that shared the spirit of Christmas.  It was the perfect way to end the Autumn term. 

Form 4 Charity Challenge

Congratulations to our Form 4 pupils and their teachers who took part in this year's Helen Kane Memorial Charity Challenge by swimming at the Forty Foot and climbing the Sugar Loaf.  December temperatures did nothing to dampen the swimmers' and hikers' enthusiasm and on the journey home some even declared that they would do it again next year!  All money collected will be donated to St Luke's Hospital.

Form 4 Charity Collection

Form 4 pupils recently presented Nora with a generous collection of food and clothing for homeless individuals and families in need at Christmas. This thoughtful gesture highlights the spirit of giving within our school community.

We also want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who recycled bottles in our return bin! As a school we have collected over 2,000 bottles raising €345 to support important causes while making a positive impact on the environment.

With your continued support we look forward to helping even more charities in the New Year. Keep up the great work!
Mr Malin

Vinnie Murray Cup

This week, The High School Senior Cup Team faced Catholic University School in the first round of the Vinnie Murray Cup at Donnybrook Stadium.  Despite the bitterly cold conditions, our team showcased determination and skill throughout the match.  While the result didn’t go in our favour, we commend the players for their efforts and wish them every success for the remainder of the season.

Form 4 Sustainability

The Form 4 Sustainability Module class is excited to announce that a Clothes Swap will be taking place in the Demonstration Theatre on 21 January.

A clothes swap is an event where people trade clothes they no longer need for clothes they want to use.  It’s a fantastic way to reduce waste and environmental impact by giving clothes a second life.  Any clothes left over after the swap will be donated to local charity shops, supporting organizations like Oxfam, SVP, and Vision Ireland.

We kindly ask pupils to bring in donations of clothing between 13 to 20 January which is the week leading up to the swap.  Clearly-marked boxes will be available at Reception for pupils to leave their donations.  Let’s work together to make a positive impact!
Olivia Leonard

This Scouting Life

A fabulous New Year has started at The High School and with it begins another exciting chapter for 31st Rathfarnham Scouts in 2025. The High School and 31st Rathfarnham share a strong bond and a rich history in our community, one built on close partnership and tradition. Numerous pupils, both past and present, have been members, as well as Scout and Venture Leaders. Membership extends not just to pupils but also to teachers, staff, and management. Links between The High School and 31st Rathfarnham date back to the very foundation of the troop in 1917 and have only grown stronger since then! Read more...
Leo Shorten

Belong To Quality Mark

Quality Mark Parent/Guardian Survey-We need your help!

As part of our anti-bullying and child protection obligations, The High School is currently seeking accreditation for the nationally-recognised LGBTQ+ Quality Mark. 

The purpose of the accreditation process is to nurture a LGBTQ+ safe and supportive school that includes:

• Ensuring that staff are equipped to support LGBTQ+ pupils
• Creating a supportive, LGBTQ+ inclusive school culture and environment
• Encouraging pupils to share their opinions and ideas on how to create a safe and supportive school
• Developing and implementing effective school policies and plans
• Implementing a curriculum that supports diversity and respect
• Working with parents, community organisations, and other local LGBTQ+ youth projects or groups to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion

As part of the process we are required to survey the whole school community at the beginning and end of the project.  Each survey will assist us in planning. There are a lot of things we already do well.  However, we are always able to find ways to improve.  We appreciate you taking some time to complete the first survey.  Your views are important to us as we continue on our journey.  

LGBTQ+ Quality Mark Project Group

Form 6 Careers

Recently the Guidance Department hosted a HSD Past Pupil careers event when recent past pupils spoke to our current Form 6 pupils.  The past pupils included Helen Farrell (Applied Psychology, IADT); Emma Wilson (PLC entry into Clinical Measurement Science, TUD); Sean Aigboboh (Athlete and Gap Year); Tirzah Hutchinson Edgar (Film Studies and Music, TCD); Ella Meleady (Geography and Geoscience, TCD); Sophie Donnan (Fashion Design, NCAD); and Eleanor Wright (Commerce, UCC). 
Ms Lowry

Junior Hockey

This week the Junior A girls hockey team travelled to Newbridge College to play a very close fixture.  After a hard fought game we came out ahead to win the match 2-1. It was a great match and we can’t wait for many more this year!
Ms Jones

Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator