Vol 28 No 18      27 Jan 2023

Happy Lunar New Year!

The Lunar New Year day falls on a different day each year and this lunar year started last Sunday.  It is celebrated in many cultures across the world, but in all of them, it is a time of reflection, hope, and rest.  It is the most significant event in the year in the Chinese tradition when families often travel thousands of miles to meet and celebrate. There is no festival without a feast and on New Year's Eve fish is eaten to bring wealth into the following year.  Red is worn and firecrackers are set off to ward off the legendary beast Nian.  
William Wu

Photographs (and meals) by HSD parent Mrs Sheila Lindsay

A Message from the Head Boy

If you are in Forms 3 or 6 the mock examinations have surely been on your mind a lot recently.  It's a good time to remember that the mocks are, by definition, only a practice run, and they're here to help you improve!  Lots of you will have recently handed in projects that go towards your final grade - well done!  It's a weight off your shoulders, and I'm sure your hard work has paid off.   A heartfelt thanks should also be given to all the supportive parents working behind the scenes who always have our backs no matter what.  In any case, know that regardless of the grades you get int these examinations, you can be proud of yourself - completing the mocks is an achievement in itself! I hope these words have helped ease any nerves you might be feeling and I wish you all the best of luck!  You can do this.
Gary Meaney
Head Boy

Careers Fair

On Thursday 19 January pupils in Form 6 and their parents were invited to The High School Careers Fair.   This event consisted of a number of top univerisities - such as TCD, TUD, UCD, Maynooth, and DCU - attending the event to answer key questions on any of their courses.  The school also welcomed a selection of Post Leaving Certicifate (PLC) colleges such as Ballyfermot, IATD, Rathmines College, Sallynoggin, and Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute.  In addition, a number of recent past pupils kindly volunteered their time to give a talk about their university experiences and courses of study.  The Careers Fair was a huge success for the school and we hope to make it an annual event. 
Ms Lowry and Ms Whelan 
Guidance Department

Form 6 Talk

Recently, past pupil Leah Merriman (HSD, 2013-19) came to talk to Leaving Certicate Art pupils about her portfolio and what it is like to study animation in the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT).  It was a chance for pupils to learn about the animation course and about the industry in general.  She presented her portfolio and showed us some of her work, ranging from live drawings and storyboards to animatics and group animations.  Leah is a fantastic artist who is inspired by old Irish folktales.  She likes to explore mediums like ink, prints, and bleach!  She also talked about the Art industry, including employment opportunities in the field of animation, how to obtain local commissions, and useful tips on the best way to connect with clients.  This talk gave me a glimpse into the world of the professional artist and what it must be like to work in animation.  I found it inspirational and it solidified my aspirations to pursue a career as an animator.
Tynashe Chichindua

East Leinster Athletics

On Wednesday 26 January a team of 17 pupils headed to the Phoenix Park with Ms Fallon and Ms Hutchinson Edgar to compete in the annual East Leinster Cross Country Championships.  It was a fast, flat course this year on the fields opposite the Papal Cross.  The day began with ideal, dry conditions but inevitably it wasn’t long before the rain began and the first High School pupils were tackling the mud to cross the finish line in the Junior Boys race, having worked together to finish strongly as a team.  Excellent performances were given from the team of five Senior Boys over the longest race of the day before an exciting Intermediate Boys race in which Aidan O’Connor finished 16th after a quick sprint finish amongst tough competition.  The final races of the day attracted the most competitors as always with more than three hundred Form 1 pupils competing across A and B events.  The High School teams gave it their all in both the Girls and Boys Minor A races leaving everything on the course just as the older age groups had done all day. 
Daniel Tallon

Form 4 Media - Artificial Intelligence

Pupils in Form 4 Media Studies class have been using Artificial Intelligence technology to generate visual content with a High School theme.  It was a very enjoyable part of the course and produced some striking results.  Well done, everyone! 
Ms Burrowes

Form 1 Home Economics

Pupils in Form 1 who study Home Economics enjoyed a boost to their wellbeing this week when they cooked a delicious brunch complete with healthy smoothies, American style pancakes and crispy bacon.  What an important life-skill not to mention a delicious treat!
Ms Bergin

HSD Basketball Success

Congratulations to pupils in Forms 1 and 2 who won both of their basketball games against Coolmine Community School this week.  Well done, everyone!  Anyone interested in joining basketball should contact Mrs Murdoch.  Training takes place on Saturdays at 12.00 pm.
Mrs Murdoch

HS&D PPU Annual Dinner

Mock Timetable 2023