Friday, 4 April 2025
All Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships
Thursday, 3 April 2025
Recommended Reading for Easter
Senior
-
Adichie, N.C. – Americanah
-
Barnes, Jennifer – The Naturals
-
Barry, Sebastian – Days Without End
-
Brooks, Nick – Promise Boys
-
Clack, A.J. – Lie or Die
-
Dawson, Juno – Proud
-
Donoghue, Emma – Room
-
Gautreaux, Tim – The Next Step in the Dance
-
Herman, Charles – The Devouring Gray
-
Jackson, Holly – A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
-
Keegan, Claire – Foster
-
Mathias, Tracey – Night of the Party
-
Ness, Patrick – Monsters of Men
-
Rawsthorne, Paul – The New Boy
-
Ribay, Randy – Patron Saints of Nothing
-
Ryan, Donal – The Spinning Heart
-
Sharma, Nisha – My So-Called Bollywood Life
-
Sheppard, Alexandra – Oh My Gods
-
Talley, Robin – Pulp
-
Thomas, Angie – On the Come Up
-
Watson, R. & Hagan, E. – Watch Us Rise
-
Young, Suzanne – Girls with Sharp Sticks
Adichie, N.C. – Americanah
Barnes, Jennifer – The Naturals
Barry, Sebastian – Days Without End
Brooks, Nick – Promise Boys
Clack, A.J. – Lie or Die
Dawson, Juno – Proud
Donoghue, Emma – Room
Gautreaux, Tim – The Next Step in the Dance
Herman, Charles – The Devouring Gray
Jackson, Holly – A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Keegan, Claire – Foster
Mathias, Tracey – Night of the Party
Ness, Patrick – Monsters of Men
Rawsthorne, Paul – The New Boy
Ribay, Randy – Patron Saints of Nothing
Ryan, Donal – The Spinning Heart
Sharma, Nisha – My So-Called Bollywood Life
Sheppard, Alexandra – Oh My Gods
Talley, Robin – Pulp
Thomas, Angie – On the Come Up
Watson, R. & Hagan, E. – Watch Us Rise
Young, Suzanne – Girls with Sharp Sticks
Junior
-
Balen, Katya – The Space We’re In
-
Black, Holly – The Prisoner’s Throne
-
Christo, Alexander – Into the Crooked Place
-
Clarkin, Amy – Who Watches This Place
-
Cole, Steven – Shoot to Kill
-
Collins, Meabh – Freya Harte is Not a Puzzle
-
Crossan, Sarah – The Weight of Water
-
Duggan, Helena – A Place Called Perfect
-
Griffiths, Elly – A Girl Called Justice
-
Higson, Charlie – By Royal Command
-
Holland, Sara – Havenfall
-
Hyder, Liz – Bearmouth
-
Montgomery, L.M. – Anne of Green Gables
-
Noelle, Marissa – The Unadjusteds
-
O’Donoghue, Caroline – All Our Hidden Gifts
-
Price, Tirzah – Pride and Premeditation
-
Roumani, Rhonda – Tagging Freedom
-
Rudden, Dave – Knights of the Borrowed Dark
-
Siggins, Gerard – The “Rugby” Novels
-
Tolkien, J.R.R. – The Hobbit
-
Tweedie, Trudi – The Pure Heart
-
Watson, Sarah – The Last Ones Left Alive
Balen, Katya – The Space We’re In
Black, Holly – The Prisoner’s Throne
Christo, Alexander – Into the Crooked Place
Clarkin, Amy – Who Watches This Place
Cole, Steven – Shoot to Kill
Collins, Meabh – Freya Harte is Not a Puzzle
Crossan, Sarah – The Weight of Water
Duggan, Helena – A Place Called Perfect
Griffiths, Elly – A Girl Called Justice
Higson, Charlie – By Royal Command
Holland, Sara – Havenfall
Hyder, Liz – Bearmouth
Montgomery, L.M. – Anne of Green Gables
Noelle, Marissa – The Unadjusteds
O’Donoghue, Caroline – All Our Hidden Gifts
Price, Tirzah – Pride and Premeditation
Roumani, Rhonda – Tagging Freedom
Rudden, Dave – Knights of the Borrowed Dark
Siggins, Gerard – The “Rugby” Novels
Tolkien, J.R.R. – The Hobbit
Tweedie, Trudi – The Pure Heart
Watson, Sarah – The Last Ones Left Alive
Monday, 24 March 2025
Nickel Boys - A Film Review by Adam Geraghty
The film follows two young African American boys sent to a reform school called Nickel Academy during the Jim Crow era in the South. It depicts their experiences at Nickel and the systemic racism that shapes their lives. The story is based on the 2019 novel by Colson Whitehead, and what makes the film truly special is its unique first-person perspective.
The Nickel Boys is shot entirely through the eyes of its protagonists, Elwood and Turner. The cinematography focuses on their sensory experiences, making us feel as if we’re living their lives alongside them. This technique is used consistently, immersing us in their reality. The only exceptions are old recordings and scenes set in the future, which are shot in a more traditional third-person, over-the-shoulder style. This approach is rare in filmmaking—I can only think of one or two movies that come close, but even they don’t quite match this aesthetic.
The film evokes a sense of memory, making the past feel vividly real. Even for those who never lived in that world, the experience is palpable. That said, the narrative itself is arguably the film’s weakest aspect. While it fits the style well and explores powerful themes, the plot is fairly conventional. However, the visual storytelling is what lingers in your mind far more than the script. The film almost limits its story to maintain a sense of realism. Elwood and Turner feel like real people, with their own interests and inner lives, making their struggles all the more affecting.
Nickel Academy itself feels lived-in, authentic, and distinct. The school is based on a real reform institution in Florida, and through excellent sound design and production choices, the film constantly envelops us in its world.
If I had to sum it up, I’d say The Nickel Boys feels like nothing you’ve ever seen, yet instinctively real—like the recreation of a faded memory brought to life. It’s a film that deserves to be experienced.
Thursday, 13 March 2025
Engineering Week at HSD
John Philip Holland was an Irish engineer and inventor known for his pioneering work on modern submarines. Born on February 24, 1841, in Liscannor, Ireland, Holland’s education in math and science at the Royal Military Academy in Dublin laid the foundation for his future contributions to naval engineering. In the 1870s, Holland became fascinated with submarines, which at the time were underdeveloped. Moving to the United States in 1873, he worked to gain military support for his ideas.
In 1878, Holland built his first submarine, the "Fenian Ram," but it faced design issues. Undeterred, he refined his concepts and, in 1897, completed the "Holland I," the first successful submarine with a gasoline engine that could submerge and surface easily. In 1900, the U.S. Navy bought the design, commissioning it as the USS Holland (SS-1), the world’s first modern submarine.
Holland's innovations revolutionized naval warfare, making submarines a key part of naval fleets in the World Wars and beyond. He passed away on August 12, 1914, but his legacy continues through submarines used by navies worldwide. Holland’s vision and determination greatly shaped the future of naval technology.
Daniel Burrows
HSD Library Book for Seachtain na Gaeilge
Here is a suggest reading list for Seachtain na Gaeilge. All titles are available in The High School W.B. Yeats Library:
Liosta Léitheoireachta Seachtain na Gaeilge
“Cúpla” by Ógie Ó Ceilleachair
“Charlie agus Monarcha na Seacláide” by Roald Dahl
“Hurlamaboc” by Eilís Ní Dhuibhne
“Dialann Dúradáin” by Jeff Kinney
“Harry Potter agus an Óochloch” by J.K. Rowling
“Fuadach” by Áine Ni Ghlinn
“Bithiúnaigh” by Peadar Ó Cualáin
“An Triail” by Máiread Ni Ghráda
“Dhá chorp” by Cora Harrison
“Danny seamipín an domhain” by Roald Dahl
“Samson” by Brian Ó Gráinne
“Tubaiste ar an Titanic” by Máire Zepf
“Goimh agus scealta eile” by Re Ó Laighleis
“Vaimpír san Áilear” by Orna Ní Choileáin
“Motherfoclóir” by Darach Ó Seaghdha
“Lámh Chuidithe”
“The boy in striped pyjamas” by John Boyne
“Small things like these” by Claire Keegan
“Artemis Fowl” by Eoin Colfer
“Rugby warrior” by Gerard Siggins
“The Snapper” by Roddy Doyle
“Home stretch” by Graham Norton
“Girls play too” by Jacqui Hurley
“The great Irish science book” by Luke O’Neill
“Dhá chorp” by Cora Harrison
“Black & Irish” by Leon Diop & Brianna Fitzsimons
“Brooklyn” by Colm Tóibín
“Oh my God, what a complete Aisling!” by Emer McLysaght & Sarah Breen
“Ghost light” by Joseph O’Connor
“Boys don’t cry” by Fiona Scarlett
“Freya Harte is not a puzzle” by Meabh Collins
Ms Wiggle
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
Puttin on the Ritz - HSD Orchestra
Recently the orchestra took part in the Interschools Music Competition, it was a great day out and we all had a lot of fun. Ms Phillips picked a fun upbeat song called ‘Puttin on the Ritz’ and we had been practicing for the whole week before hand to perfect it. The nerves started kicking in before we had to go on stage but once we were called on we took a deep breath and soaked in the moment. As we set up our music people were eagerly awaiting, we were introduced by the announcer and before we knew it Ms Phillips was raising the baton and we were off. The song ended and we stood up and bowed. It was so nice to see that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed it. There is just something so satisfying about seeing how all our hard work came together and everything we had worked so hard for came to life. It was a truly magical day and we look forward to our next performance together!
Monday, 10 March 2025
Music Success!
Both orchestras had worked tirelessly in preparation for this moment, determined to achieve success. As the time approached, each minute felt like a ticking bomb, anticipation building with every step we took toward the stage.
The moment the first note rang through the hall, the audience was captivated. We loved every second of it, the crowd loved it—but what about the adjudicator?
With bated breath, we awaited the results—and to our delight, she loved it too! In the end, the Chamber Orchestra secured 1st place and a trophy, while the Junior Chamber proudly earned 2nd place.
Thanks to everyone's dedication and hard work, we pulled it off—just as always!
Olivia Liao