Vol 31 No 23    13 Mar 2026

International Women's Day

International Women’s Day which takes place on the 8 March every year was marked this year at The High School from 2 to 6 March. Ahead of the week, a team of pupils from Form 5, with some teachers, planned a week of events and displays. Our overarching theme was ‘Amazing Women’. We had themes for each day which included women in science (to coincide with engineering day), important women, women in the arts (to coincide with World Book Day), and finally women in sport. To celebrate women in these various fields, pupils created portraits of famous women and displayed these in the school, while we had a wonderful display of famous women in history in the Reception area. We also had pupil-led Assemblies, including performances of music by female composers; there were also craft workshops at lunchtime and posters were put up around the school.  

On Tuesday morning on the way into school pupils were given information on the achievements of some incredible women, while on Friday morning pupils learned some of the facts about the reality for women throughout the world. For example, some of the facts that the UN published just last summer, including the following:  

Peace lasts longer when women are at the table. But between 2020 and 2023, 8 in 10 peace talks and 7 in 10 mediation efforts had no women involved. Despite proven impact, women remain shut out of peace processes. Globally,  women still earn 20 per cent less than men for work of equal value. The wage gap remains a reality for women, driven by structural inequalities such as job segregation, caregiving penalties, and ongoing discrimination. Climate shocks could drive 158 million more women and girls into extreme poverty by 2050. Only 28 per cent of environment ministers are women, despite clear evidence that women’s leadership leads to more effective climate policies
(Source: UN women, July 2025) 

On Wednesday 4 March we had two important events. Before school we had a visit from the Ivana Bacik TD who spoke to our Student Council about issues facing women in public life as well as discussing amongst other topics the issues of social media and AI. It was a very interesting conversation with lots of great points made by our pupils and some interesting insights from Deputy Bacik. We were very grateful that she gave her time to come in to talk with us. Then in the evening we held our annual Solidarity Walk. This has become a yearly event and one which encourages all of the community to consider the issues of gender-based violence and that we all need to come together to help each other and work to create an environment where women and girls can feel safe and are able to walk in public spaces. We finished the walk with some delicious refreshments and a lovely sense of friendship and community.  

Finally on Friday as we came to the end of our week celebrating International Women’s Day, we held our raffle. This was a pupil-led initiative which brought in much needed funds for Women’s Aid, and the pupils involved arranged two lovely hampers as prizes. We were delighted to deliver these to the winners. We also carried out a survey in the school to see what pupils have learned and to ask for their voice on things that might be done going forward. All in all, this year’s International Women’s Day was marked in some very significant and educational ways. The team enjoyed bringing information to pupils and celebrating amazing women, including some of our own former pupils, as well as sportswomen, artists, writers, scientists and leaders, that were local, national and international. As the theme of this year was ‘Give to Gain’ we would ask everyone to consider how we can all give support to women, inspire inclusion, forge visibility of women, call out gender stereotypes and help every day to make it a more gender-equal world. That is the way for everyone to gain.  Happy International Women's Day!
Ms Hutchinson Edgar and Ms Missen

Leinster Schools Senior Cup Final

Congratulations to all members of the Senior Cup Team who secured a fantastic 29–17 victory over Loreto College, Mullingar in their semi-final of the Leinster Rugby Girls Schools Senior Cup. The team delivered an outstanding performance, showing determination, teamwork and skill throughout the match. Tries were scored by Esmé Fowler, Chloe O'Neill, Navya Nayak, and Jane Aigboboh helping the team to build a strong lead and ultimately seal a well-deserved win. It was a superb team effort, with every player contributing to an exciting and hard-fought contest.

This excellent result means the team now progresses to the final which will take place at Donnybrook Stadium on Thursday 26 March. Reaching the final is a tremendous achievement and reflects the hard work and commitment the players have shown all season. We wish the team and their coaches the very best of luck in the final and look forward to cheering them on as they aim to bring the trophy home to The High School.
Ms Garland

Vinnie Murray Plate Final

The Senior Cup Team are preparing for an exciting fixture in the Vinnie Murray Plate competition as they take on Wilson’s Hospital School on Thursday 19 March. The match will be played at MU Barnhall Rugby Football Club with kick-off scheduled for 2.00 pm. After a strong season of training and competitive matches, the team will be eager to deliver a determined performance in this important stage of the competition. Support from the school community is always greatly appreciated, and it promises to be an exciting afternoon of schools rugby. We wish the players and coaching staff the very best of luck as they represent The High School and look forward to a great contest.
Mr McDermott

Student Council

On Wednesday 4 March, the Student Council had the privilege to receive Ivana Bacik TD ahead of International Women’s Day to discuss an array of topics, the primary focus being on women in politics.  We heard her thoughts on how to achieve a more equal representation of men and women in the Dáil, how she was threatened with imprisonment in the nineties for providing women with information on abortion, and about her activism through her career on women’s issues.   

Her visit was a part of many activities organised for International Women’s Day last week, including Assemblies focusing on women in music, sport, and history, badge making, and the International Women’s Day walk.  The walk has become an annual occurrence, originally suggested by pupils following the murder of 23-year-old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy five years ago.  We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet Deputy Bacik, for a fascinating conversation, and for her time.   
Olivia Leonard 

Form 2 Excursion

Pupils in Form 2 recently enjoyed an engaging school tour to the Butlers Chocolate Factory and Pavilions Shopping Centre. During the visit to the chocolate factory pupils learned about the process of making chocolate and how different products are created and packaged. A highlight for many was the opportunity to decorate their own chocolate creations, a fun and creative activity that proved very popular. At Swords Pavilions, pupils had the chance to explore the shopping centre while completing worksheets on sustainability and fair trade. They also carried out research on where everyday items such as food and clothing come from, helping to connect classroom learning with the wider world. Overall, the trip was a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience for the second years. It combined learning, creativity and social time, making it a memorable day for everyone involved.
Aoife Gannon and Ava Macdougald

IMTA Senior Maths Quiz

Last Thursday myself and the other aspiring Senior Maths Quiz hopefuls made our way on the school minibus to Alexandra College, to participate in the Irish Mathematics Teachers' Association (IMTA) Senior Maths Quiz. We made it to the quiz just in time to sit down on our teams of four and make a game plan, each round was only six minutes so this planning was crucial. In the first six rounds we had to answer two questions in each round, so there was quite a bit of collaboration.

We then got a break to come together and discuss with other teams how they had found it and help ourselves to the generously provided refreshments. The real challenge came in rounds seven and eight when we had to answer for questions per round, so strategy was really essential. Unfortunately, none of our teams made it through to national finals. However, I am confident that we each gave it our all and made a good showing all round. All I can say now is good luck to the teams participating in the Applied Mathematics quiz this week!
Isobel Kearns

Leinster Cup Semi-Final

We are so proud of our 1st Year A boys' hockey team for reaching the Leinster Cup semi-final. Unfortunately, it was not our day as we were defeated 3-1. There is more to come from this team as we get ready for the Sandford Cup and League semi-finals. Well done, lads!
Ms Gray

Form 5 Mock Interviews

Last Thursday afternoon our year group suited up and participated in a series of mock interviews kindly set up by the Career Guidance team here at The High School. And what initially sounded like a daunting prospect quickly became an experience that we all agreed to have been both engaging and worthwhile. 

What made the experience especially valuable was its authenticity. The questions kept us on our toes because they required thoughtful reflection rather than rehearsed responses. We were encouraged to articulate not only what we hope to achieve in the future, but why. I think we often think too much sometimes about grades and deadlines, and this process asked us to consider our broader direction in life. It was a reminder that preparation for the future involves more than academic performance it requires the ability to communicate and present yourself. 

I found that confidence is not only a personality trait but also a skill that can be developed with more exposure to events like this. Many of us realised that habits we hardly notice speaking too quickly, overusing filler words, or underestimating our own achievements can shape how we are perceived. Fortunately, this setting allowed us to learn those lessons in an environment designed for growth rather than consequence. 

Beyond technique, however, the greatest benefit of last Thursday’s interviews is the experience itself. Having now completed a formal mock interview, we can carry forward a sense of familiarity. Now, when applying for part-time employment, leadership positions, university courses, or apprenticeships, we will not be encountering the process for the first time. There is a quiet confidence that comes from being able to say, “I have done this before.” 

I believe it marked an important milestone. We were challenged to step slightly outside our comfort zones, to speak with intention, and to consider our futures with focus. While there may have been a few nervous moments and the occasional overthought answer for some, the overall outcome was growth, as well as a handy little insight into the working world and how it behaves. 

With this experience now firmly under our belts, we can now move forward better prepared, more self-aware, and increasingly confident in our ability to meet the expectations of the wider world. Last Thursday may have lasted only a short afternoon but I believe it’ll stick with us for a long time to come. 
Samuel Sheedy

Form 3 Science

In Science this week, Form 3RP made board games to help each other learn about Common Gases. One pupil remarked: "It helped us show off our knowledge of the topic and to test each other while having fun."
Adam Killcullen and Luke Farrar
Photographs by Luke Farrar

Form 5 English 

In English class during the run up to International Women's Day, we analysed an article by former U.S. First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, published on ForeignAffairs.com. We paid especial attention to the importance of persuasive rhetoric in modern politics. In the article, Clinton, who is Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University,  begins with a shocking statement: 'Autocracies now outnumber democracies, and nearly three-quarters of the world’s population lives under authoritarian rule.'  She goes on to argue that women’s rights are closely linked to the strength of democracy around the world. Clinton explains that leaders who seek to undermine democracy often begin by limiting women’s freedom and restricting their participation in public life. She highlights how this can involve denying women access to education, limiting their opportunities for employment, preventing them from participating fully in political life, and restricting their bodily autonomy. By imposing these controls, such regimes are able to consolidate their power while reinforcing traditional social hierarchies that keep authority concentrated in the hands of a few.

Clinton uses emotive language to evoke empathy among readers and encourage them to reflect on the issue. Clinton highlights the suffering of real people whom readers can relate to. For instance, she references issues such as domestic violence and forced marriage. These examples make the issue difficult to ignore and persuade readers to reflect on the need for change. Clinton also demonstrates an effective use of repetition throughout her article “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” because it reinforces the central message that the status of women is a 'canary in the coal mine' for democracy: when women lose rights, democracy itself is under threat. 

In addition, Clinton strengthens her argument by referring to several real-world examples from different countries. She discusses the situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban, where women’s rights and freedoms have been severely restricted. She also highlights Iran’s treatment of women protesters, where women have faced punishment and violence for challenging strict laws. In addition, Clinton refers to Hungary’s nationalist policies, which emphasise traditional gender roles, and Russia’s promotion of “traditional family values,” which has been used to justify limiting women’s rights and political participation. By drawing on these international examples, Clinton demonstrates that the suppression of women’s rights is a global issue rather than one confined to a single country.

Overall, Clinton’s effective rhetoric helps to persuade and engage the reader, reinforcing her central message that protecting women’s rights is essential for the health of democracy worldwide. Analysing this article was very informative, and we learned a great deal about the power of persuasive language in modern politics.
Leah Murdock

Form 1 Hockey

Congratulations to the Form 1B girls hockey team on their fantastic victory this week against St Columba's College. It's wonderful to hear that they enjoyed the sunshine and emerged as 4-0 winners. Keep up the great work, girls! 
Ms Jones

JCT Victory

On Wednesday 11 March, the Form 3 boys’ rugby team were delighted to welcome Royal School Dungannon from County Tyrone for an exciting fixture. After an intense few months for the squad, including their campaign in the Father Godfrey Cup earlier this year, it was a welcome change to face an unfamiliar opponent in a more relaxed setting, following a demanding season of competitive rugby. Both teams were eager from the outset, which made for an entertaining and high-quality match. The High School Dublin produced a strong performance, scoring six tries and finishing the game with a well-earned 36–17 victory. With the rugby season drawing to a close, the match provided an excellent opportunity for both sides to showcase their progress. The players now look ahead with excitement to the challenges and opportunities that await as they move up to Senior Cup rugby.
Jasper McSweeney

All Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to these two pupils who ran in the All Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships in Belfast. One finished 21st and the other finished 28th in their respective races. Both ran superbly with 100 plus competitors of the top athletes in Ireland in each of their races. We are extremely proud of both of them here at The High School.
Ms Fallon 

Creative Writing - Now That I'm Older

It was raining outside.
I could see the drops running down the window. I remembered, as a kid, sitting in the car on a rainy day watching the drops roll down the glass. I used to choose one and hope it got to the bottom first. To anyone else it was just a raindrop, but to me it was the greatest Formula 1 race ever. Now I’m older, driving in the rain is more about making sure I can see the road and trying to remember if my son had his raincoat this morning when I dropped him off at school. I continued looking out the window of the small café we used to come to every day after school. We chose this one as it was equidistant from school and our homes. They also used to do the best pancakes, but now it’s a Starbucks. The small, family-run diner just couldn’t survive. Read more...
Ivar Hay-McGrath  

Form 2 Assembly

Form 2 pupils took part in a unique Assembly during International Women's Week at The High School. Ms Missen, Ms Connolly, and Ms Campion engaged with the Form 2 girls, while Mr Langrell, Mr McCaughey, and Mr Sullivan interacted with the boys to talk about gender stereotypes and social media. They discussed the importance of supporting each other and lifting each other up.
Ms Connolly

Junior Drama - Sold Out