Vol 31 No 16    16 Jan  2026

Form 4 Charity Challenge

Congratulations to our fantastic Form 4 pupils and their dedicated teachers who took part in this year’s Helen Kane Memorial Charity Challenge. Participants braved December temperatures to complete two demanding feats - a swim at the Forty Foot and a climb of the Sugar Loaf.

Despite the cold conditions, the enthusiasm and spirit shown by all involved were truly inspiring. In fact, on the journey home, some participants were already declaring that they would happily take on the challenge again next year!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the school community, an approximate total of €5,500 was raised -  one of the best totals ever achieved. Proceeds from the swim will be donated to St Luke’s Hospital, while funds raised from the walk will support Barnardos.

Well done to everyone involved for their courage, commitment, and generosity in supporting these wonderful causes.
Mr Malin

Vinnie Murray Cup

The High School Senior Cup Team started the game superbly, scoring two tries in quick succession through Leo Dodd and Elliott de Lacy. Our opponents, The King's Hospital responded just as quickly, crossing the line twice before half time to level the score.

At the start of the second half, we were relentlessly knocking on the door, with the opposition holding us up over the line on two occasions. A try from Sean Cleary put us 17–14 ahead, but unfortunately we were unable to hold on. The opposition scored two late tries, leaving us heartbroken as the game ended 24–17 in their favour. It wasn’t to be on this occasion, but we now turn our focus toward success in the Vinnie Murray Plate competition.
Ury Spain
Captain

All-Ireland Indoor Schoolboys Hockey Championships

The High School indoor hockey team put in an excellent performance at the All-Ireland Indoor Schoolboys Championships. They were narrowly beaten in the semi finals by the eventual winners Newtown School 2-1 in a closely fought match, finishing fourth overall in this highly competitive annual tournament. The HSD team is coached by Mr Howard and managed by Ms Gray. Congratulations to all involved on a strong national performance and for representing the school so well.

Fr Godfrey Cup Success

Congratulations to members of the Junior Cup Team who registered an excellent victory against Ardscoil na Tríonóide in the first round of the Father Godfrey Cup last Thursday.

The High School had no prior experience of playing Ardscoil na Tríonóide and were unsure of the strength of their opposition. However, once the game kicked off, it quickly became clear that this would be an intense and competitive match. Alex Dodd opened the scoring with a try in the fifth minute and shortly afterwards Harry Gibney crossed the line to extend the lead to 12–0. Following the restart, Finn Kiernan scored an incredible try, running from deep inside his own twenty-two all the way to the opposition try line. By half-time, The High School had established a commanding 31–7 lead.

The second half began with Alex Mellon scoring the fifth try of the game. Harry Gibney went on to add three more tries, bringing his total to four for the match, while Alex O’Sullivan and Euan Sykes also added a try each. In the end The High School secured a convincing 62–7 victory, advancing to the second round of the Father Godfrey Cup where they will face Catholic University School on Thursday, 15 January. Congratulations once again to the JCT on an outstanding performance against strong opposition and we wish HSD the very best of luck in the next round.
Jasper McSweeney

Creative Geography

Geography classes have been especially creative recently, with pupils from Forms 2 and 5 using plasticine and chocolate to illustrate Geographical features and systems. Form 5 Leaving Certificate pupils got competitive building meanders with plasticine, with the challenge of ensuring their model illustrated key features like point bars, river cliffs, pools, riffles, concave banks, and fast currents. Pupils also got their hands dirty learning the Rock Cycle. Melted, grated, solidified and softened chocolate were used to create the 'Choc' Cycle, illustrating the key elements of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock creation.
Well done to all involved!
Ms Wilson

Minor B Success

Congratulations to The High School Minor B hockey team who defeated Kilkenny College 5-0 in the League recently!  
Ms Jones

Leaving Certificate Mock Oral Examinations

We would like to wish all Form 6 pupils the very best of luck as they complete their Mock Oral examinations in Modern Foreign Languages this week and next. These mock examinations are an important milestone in their preparation for the Leaving Certificate, providing a valuable opportunity to practise their speaking skills and build confidence. Well done to everyone for their hard work and preparation to date and encourage them to approach each examination with confidence and positivity. 
Ms Roullet

Mock Timetable 2026