Vol 29 No 05     29 Sept 2023

HSD Debutante Ball - Class of 2023

Last week our most recent graduates, parents, and teachers joined together for the HSD Debutante Ball.  This event is a very special one, marking the end of six wonderful years at The High School.  Pupils took a break from their hectic lives to gather one last time as the Class of 2023, dressed in their finest attire and looking radiant.  They spoke of new courses and new friends, and how much they missed The High School.  Some were studying here, some abroad, and others were still weighing their options and taking a gap year.  All were in high spirits and looking forward to a night with old friends, a bitter-sweet last hurrah for the Class of 2023.  We wish them happiness and good health, and whatever their futures hold we hope that they remember us fondly as we do them for many years to come.
Ms Burrowes

National Ploughing Championships

On 21 September pupils in Form 5 and 6 Home Economics, Agricultural Science, and Geology classes together with pupils in Form 4 who had just completed Junior Cycle Home Economics set off to the National Ploughing Championships 2023 in Ratheniska, Co Laois.  It was a great day out where we explored many informative stands, watched exciting demonstrations, and enjoyed lots of great food.  First, we fought our way through the crowds swarming the sponsor's tent in order to get the number one ploughing souvenir  - the blue cowboy hat.  Inside we enjoyed a range of quality Irish foods such as succulent strawberries and traditional baked ham, and listened to a traditional group playing and singing some timeless classics.  We also got the chance to watch a cooking demonstration by the one and only Neven Maguire.  Neven cooked a three-course meal while answering questions from the crowd which included people all the way from Donegal to Cork.  In close relation to the Home Economics course, Government bodies such as Bord Bia and Origin Green had set up stalls around the grounds.  Here we were able to learn about the action the Government is taking in regard to food sustainability and agriculture.  We collected many flyers which will be of great use for furthering our knowledge on the topic.  All in all, the Ploughing Championships was an amazing (and educational)  trip for all involved.  We would like to thank the teachers Ms Gray, Mr Langrell, Mr O'Brien, Mr Miller, and Mr Terzioglu for taking us and especially Ms Bergin for making it all possible.  Ask any pupil who went and they will say it was a great experience to learn about their chosen subject while also having fun.  We went home with a bag full of goodies, wellington boots covered with mud, and a smile on our faces.  We will definitely be going to the ploughing for many more years to come! 
Jennifer Burns, Helen Farrell, Emma Fitzpatrick, Ella Meleady, and Kate Taylor  

International Karate

Asha Reen was competing at the Karate Scotland International Open Grand Prix last week where she won gold in kumite in the open weight category and silver in her own weight.  High School pupil Christopher Wong Lye also won a silver medal in kata and bronze in kumite.  Well done, everyone!

The Secondary Education Committee (SEC) grant makes significant funding available to children from a Protestant faith to attend a second level school of their ethos.  The SEC relies on parents knowing about the grant and applying for their children.  Applications for the 2024/25 SEC Grant will open at the start of October.  All existing applicants will receive an email from the SEC with a link to the registration form at the start of October.  If the applicant is a new applicant who just recently accepted a school place, they should request the registration form from the school and submit it within two weeks of accepting a place.  If the applicant is already in an SEC school but didn’t apply last year, they should request the registration form link from your school and register before 30 October.  Information on how to apply for the grant is also available at www.secgrant.ie and our contact details are on the website and included on the advert.
Claire Leonard
Senior Grants Office, SEC

International Day of Peace 

This year Eoin Kelly (Head Boy) and Jake O'Loughlin (Deputy Head Boy) attended the Dublin City Interfaith Forum's seminar entitled on 'Making Peace and Keeping Peace' to mark International Day of Peace at the Mansion House, Dublin.  The event was very interesting and included contributions from speakers actively involved in peace projects as well as academics and interfaith practitioners.  Eoin contributed to the second panel sharing insights and asking questions about his Leaving Certificate Religious Education project on the topic Injustices must first be removed before true peace can occur.  On the panel alongside Eoin and a member of the Dublin City Interfaith Forum was Jude Lal Fernando assistant professor and coordinator of the MPhil in Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies program at Trinity College, Dublin.  All in all it was a really worthwhile day with both pupils learning a lot and getting a wonderful opportunity to get further insights into the issue of peace and taking away the motto of the Community of Sant’Egidio: “Peace Is Always Possible and Everyone, Really Everyone, Can Contribute to It.”
Ms Hutchinson Edgar

Student Council

It’s still the beginning of the new school year and we’re all getting back into our routines.  However, a big part of each new school year is electing the new Student Council. The Student Council is a collective body of pupils coming together from each year to work together to benefit the school community.  The student council is extremely important for the voices of pupils to be heard.  Because of this, Student Council members are vital to bringing forward ideas and concerns from the school community.
Pupils in each class in each year group put themselves forward as a candidate for the Council on an annual basis.  They will have to say a few words in front of their class.  They might say why they wish to be elected, why their classmates should vote for them, and what they will add to the Student Council.  The class will then vote for the two candidates who they believe are fit to represent them.  At the end of the election process there will be approximately ten members from each year group.  They will now attend Council meetings and bring forward anything from their peers and/or any ideas they have themselves.  The Council will also hold its own elections to establish who should be each of the year representatives, the President of the Council, the Vice-President, and the Secretary.
So as the next couple of days roll on and members start getting elected, make sure to find out who represents you on the Student Council.  If you ever have any concerns or wishes or ideas, it’s your duty to put them forward to the Council so that our school community can grow and prosper.
Mia O'Mahony (Head Girl)

Form 2 Hockey

The Minor team have got off to a great start to the year winning two out of their two matches.  We won our first match against The King's Hospital 6-1.  We won our first league match 2-0 against Sutton Park School keeping a clean sheet and playing well.  We are looking forward to the next league matches against Kilkenny College and to a successful season. 
Matthew Delaney 

Form 1 Hockey 

Form 1 hockey boys enjoyed playing in a blitz against Sandford Park School last week.  They face Kilkenny College and Wesley College next week.  Good luck to our new HSD hockey players!

Form 1 Rugby Success

Everyone was really excited to play our first rugby blitz for The High School.  The air was electric with excitement as we boarded the bus.  We arrived 40 minutes early and began warming up.  Then we were split into two teams each playing one game at a time.  After one team played they would get a break and then the other team took a turn.  We won or drew all of our games: we had a great time.  We scored dozens of tries and celebrated with a trip to a restaurant on the way home.  I cannot wait for the next rugby blitz!
Ellen Oldrey

Form 2 Rugby

Pupils enjoyed an active rugby training session after school on Monday.  Remember, playing a sport or getting involved in any extracurricular activity is a great way of meeting new friends.  Join in!

P.S.  If you have some information or news that you think we could feature in our school newsletter, please let us know.  Click here to get in touch.
Ms Burrowes 
Communications Coordinator