Vol 28 No 12      26 Nov 2022

Science Week

Science Week has returned to HSD, undoubtedly more action-packed than ever before!  Thanks to hard work from the Science teachers, each day saw new and exciting events.  Who can throw a paper airplane of their own design the furthest? Who can guess the number of seeds in a sunflower?  Who can guess the identity of teachers based only on a photograph of the animals they own?  All these questions were answered in Science-based competitions.  Pupils also got a chance to get up close and personal with amazing creatures.  Mr Langrell brought in a menagerie of Madagascar hissing cockroaches - huge, armour-plated bugs which grow up to 7.5 cm in length!  They are so named for their incredible hissing sounds, produced by forcing air out of specially-adapted breathing holes (spiracles).  Hisses mean the cockroach is distressed, aggressive, or looking to attract a female!  Another highlight of the week was the ISTA Senior Science Quiz in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute.  It was attended by sixty teams from schools all around Dublin, including two teams from The High School.  Despite getting off to a rocky start, The High School team managed to climb all the way to sixth place overall after eight nail-biting rounds.  This secured us a place in the national final which falls on 3 December.  We can't wait!
Gary Meaney
Head Boy

Stand Up Week

Last week was Stand Up Week to help raise awareness and support for LGBTQ+ teenagers.  The week is an opportunity to make schools a safe space for everyone.  We had several fun activities running throughout the week such as Form 5 hosting SPHE classes for pupils in Forms 1 and 2, fun face-painting challenges, and two days with lunchtime Open Mic sessions.  We also had a walking debate in Thursday and Friday Assemblies and a very informative video made by pupils.  Overall, it was a wonderful week full of love, support, and awareness.  Thanks to everyone who took part!
Emily Breslin

ISTA Science Quiz All Ireland Final

Congratulations to The High School Senior Science team comprising of Gary Meaney, Arthur Feeney, and Davide Cammarano which has qualified for the national final of the ISTA (Irish Science Teachers' Association) quiz following a strong performance in the regional rounds held at Trinity College, Dublin.  The pupils answered a wide range of challenging questions in the subject areas of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as well as fielding a number of topical Science questions.  We wish our pupils every success in the final stages of the competition.
Dr C Whitford

Mountaineering Ireland National Champion

High School pupil Thomas Nickels will be travelling to England this weekend to represent Ireland in the Grand Final of the Youth Climbing Series competition.  Tom qualified for the event after finishing in first place in the Irish Youth Climbing Series run by Mountaineering Ireland which was staged over four rounds in Dublin, Belfast, and Limerick.  The event includes both bouldering (free climbing) and climbing with ropes.  The top three from each category qualified for the Grand Final to be held in Swindon.  Tom will be competing against the winners of the equivalent Youth Climbing competitions in England, Scotland, and Wales.  Good luck, Tom!

French Film Festival Excursion

Last Monday a group of Form 6 pupils who study French and possess an avid interest in becoming connoisseurs of French cinema attended a screening at the Irish Film Institute Festival du Cinéma Français pour regarder un film classique inspiré par l’idée de fraternité; Trois couleurs: Rouge.  On est gâtés!  It was a fascinating watch dealing with human connection and the trip offered unparalleled academic and cultural benefits.  Nous nous sommes très bien amusés cette soirée inoubliable et nous devons dire un 'Merci' énorme à Madame Roullet pour l’organiser!
Tirzah Hutchinson Edgar 
Deputy Head Girl

Form 4 Business Enterprise

Pupils in Form 4 are selling HSD hats as part of their Business Enterprise module.  The hats are on sale for €5 each and can be purchased during lunch breaks at Reception.  You can pay in cash or by tapping a card.  They are hugely popular and selling fast so make sure you get yours today!
Ms Scott

Spanish Café

Spanish Café is the perfect opportunity to practise your Spanish language skills, listen to Spanish music, and see videos or play games in Spanish.  Join us during Junior Lunch on Monday in M1 or Senior Lunch in B26.  Hasta luego!
Ms Maher

Form 2 Wood Technology

Form 2 Wood Technology recently finished their Mirror project just in time for Christmas.  The work involved creating multiple hand-crafted joints with an added challenge of fitting mirrored Perspex and ring hooks.  What a great time to reflect on everything they have learnt so far?  A lot of hard work was put into these projects - well done, everyone!
Mr Kingston

Junior Rugby

Congratulations to the Junior Girls' Rugby team who have made it through the qualifying round of the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup.   We wish them every success as they progress through the competition.
Mr Sullivan