Vol 29 No 02     08 Sept 2023

Leaving Certificate Results

I am delighted to report that Leaving Certificate examination results at The High School in 2023 were the best recorded in the history of the school.  In summary, 96.8% of the papers taken at higher level achieved H5 or above; H8 or less was not recorded on any 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.  Our past pupils were awarded two Entrance Exhibitions to TCD and nine Entrance Scholarships to UCD in 2021.  It was ranked as one of the top 5 mixed feeder schools in Ireland by The Irish Times in 2022.  Our past pupils were awarded three Entrance Exhibitions to TCD and fourteen Entrance Scholarships to UCD in 2022.

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 4 and 5 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.  The weather was perfect for outdoor activity.  We also completed other activities such as orienteering and hiked through the surrounding forests.  The 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.

Ireland U15 Squad Selection

Congratulations to Airmid Devitt O'Byrne on her selection to represent The High School on the Ireland U15 touch rugby squad which played in the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup tournament hosted by the Federation of International Touch in July.  We wish her continued success as she competes for further honours at provincial and international age grade level this season.

International Karate Championship

Congratulations to Asha Reen who has been selected to represent Ireland in the European Karate Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia in February.  We wish our pupil every success in the competition.

Leinster U16 Rugby Selection

Congratulations to Maya Neely who has been selected to play for Leinster this coming Saturday. We wish her every success in the competition. 

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 7 October 2023.  Each year pupils and staff from The High School 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.

Form 1 Geography

Congratulations to this Form 1 pupil who delighted his fellow Geography pupils when he baked a colourful cake to represent the layers of the Earth.  What a delicious homework task!
Ms Jones

Boys' Hockey

All The High School boys' hockey teams played a series of friendly matches this week against Wesley College and The King's Hospital.  Well done, everyone!

Rugby Round Up

Fresh from their preseason tour to the south of France the Senior and Junior boys rugby squads returned to match action over the past week, while our Form 2 and 1 boys' rugby squads returned to, or started on, the training pitch ahead of games to come.

In weather that was not unlike the heat they experienced in France the 1st XV played Temple Carrig School at home on Wednesday afternoon. Despite falling behind early on the team fought back with tries from Sam McNamara, Elliott Walsh, and James Cox to lead for much of the match. Temple Carrig were no push overs though and regained the lead late on, only for a James Cox intercept try to seal the match, and his hat-trick.  Congratulations to Ted Duke and Leo Kilroy from Form 4 who played their first match at 1st XV level.

The 2nd XV also had a good win against Temple Carrig School in similar fashion, leading for large spells only to be behind as the game neared an end when a late surge of tries sealed the much deserved win for HSD.  Playing running rugby the French would be jealous of throughout, the highlight of the game was undoubtedly a Lucas D'Arcy crossfield kick that he put on a sixpence for Charlie O'Neill to catch and run in for a try.  Congratulations to Ury Spain for becoming the first Form 4 pupil to score for a senior side this season, bagging himself a brace of tries.

Due to a couple of games falling through the Juniors didn't get to play another school but instead played an inter squad 15v15 match.  It was a great game with lots of top class scores. With the Form 3 pupils that had such a successful season last year keen to carry on in that vein, and Form 2 pupils involved making their presence felt, the coaches will have a welcome headache selecting a squad for the upcoming friendly match vs The King's Hospital.

The Form 2 pupils have been training hard every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the 4G pitch with Mr O'Sullivan.  They will look to emulate the success of the senior panel when they play Temple Carrig School next Wednesday.

There have been lots of excited new Form 1 pupils learning the foundations of the game faces with Mr Malin and Mr Kingston.  We cannot wait to see the boys play their first blitz in school colours in the coming months.  New faces are always welcome: the next training session is Monday after school meeting at the Pavilion.

Sports Activities 2023-24

Recreation Activities 2023-24

Calendar Change

Please note an important amendment to the school calendar.  The HSD Parents' Association AGM will not take place on 18 September as previously published.  No date has yet been set.

Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator