Gaeltacht Trip October 2015

A group of 6th Form pupils and teachers recently hopped on the school mini buses and travelled to Coláiste Uisce in Mayo to spend a weekend practising oral Irish.   We arrived on Friday evening and were split into 4 teams for the weekend.  Over the course of the weekend we took part in body boarding, pier jumping, raft building, bench ball, archery, climbing and more.  We even had a céilí on our last night!  A great weekend was had by everyone practising Irish and taking part in fun activities. We’d like to thank our Irish teachers, Mr. Flynn and Ms. Quinn for organising the trip and giving up their time to bring us. We’d also like to send a special word of thanks to Mr. Rankin who drove us there and even though he is not an Irish teacher, made a great effort to speak Irish all weekend.  As they say “taithí a dhéanann máistreacht”. 
By Michaela Rynne 6DT

HSD's Boys' Hockey Team at the All Ireland's Tournament 2015

Just before midterm, the Senior Boys’ hockey team headed off to Belfast to play at the All Irelands. They played four matches: they won one, drew two and lost one. The boys managed a draw against Bandon Grammar School (who got to the semi-finals), thanks to their captain Conor Empey who slotted two last minute goals into the top right hand corner.  
A big thanks too to the coaches and members of staff who helped the team prepare and also to all the supporters, including dedicated parents, who travelled all the way up to Belfast to cheer the team on.  Here's to a return next year!
By Ross MacWilliam

HSD Victory: SCT vs De La Salle League Quarter-Final

Superb play from the Senior Cup Team today at The High School.  The team faced De La Salle on their home ground in Rathgar, in front of a crowd of eager supporters.
The High School took an early lead against their rivals and despite De La Salle's resurgence in the middle of the game, there was never any doubt that High School would win the day.
After half time, De La Salle came out fighting and it took all of The High School's determination to hold them back.  The insistent, rally-cry of Ronan O'Byrne reminded the lads what was at stake and the tide began to turn in The High School's favour.
As tempers began to flair, and the tries began to mount for The High School, both sides pushed themselves to the limit, but undoubtedly, the High School proved themselves to be the better team, dominating at the end of the second half and ultimately the game.
Final score, 28-10 to The High School, giving them a well-deserved place in the League semi-final.



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HSD Girls' Hockey Hopefuls - First Years V Kings Hospital

1st years v Kings Hospital away - 1 win and 1 loss (Wednesday 14th)
The first years had a great trip away to Kings Hospital. We arrived early and the girls got a tour around the grounds and school, the special highlight seeing the swimming pool. Some of the girls were playing with the Minor As so we didn't have our 2 full strength squads out. One group set about playing with structure, style and composure - even with a player down. They came out on top in the 2 halves. Unfortunately the other group came up against a very squad Kings Hospital team that were able to play the ball around us. We improved as the game went on by using our skills to defeat the opponents and got some goals back. It wasn't our day but it was a fun day out in Kings Hospital. 

Maths-Orienteering for Maths Week!

To mark this year’s “Maths Week” which took place from 10-18 October, each Form 1 Maths class took part in a fun Maths/Orienteering crossover event on the Hockey pitches, organised by their teachers.  Each class was split into teams, and were given a starting location. The answer from one question gave them the location of their next.  Not all routes were followed successfully, but all teams were active and found the fun in the novelty and in the solving of the problems!

HSD Past Pupils- Continued Sporting Success!

David Aspil, who you will remember as Captain of the HSD Senior Cup Team last year, is going from strength to strength in the world of sport. While he still is involved with our school, coaching High School Rugby teams, he is currently attending National Group Training Camp with Leinster in advance of Ireland trials in December.

Last month he played his first Senior Provincial game for Leinster A against Munster, a fine achievement in itself. That same month he played his first Senior Club game in the All Ireland League Division 1B for St Marys RFC Senior Vs Blackrock RFC. We wish David every success as he takes is place amongst the best and brightest sportsmen in the province.

Meanwhile other High School past pupils are also continuing their

Abigail Donnelly playing for Leinster.

love of sport. Emma Murphy and Abigail Donnelly, both left HSD in 2014 and play for Railway Union RFC.
Emma is currently playing for the Irish Women's Sevens team, here in Ireland, while Abigail, who played for Leinster U18 when she was in The High School, is playing and coaching rugby at Purdue University, Indiana, where she is studying Building Construction Management until the end of the year.

Robert Styles coaching Seattle Reign F

But rugby isn't the only sport continued after The High School.

Past pupil Robert Styles left HSD in 2012 to study Sports and Exercise management in UCD,
concentrating on coaching.  He was awarded an academic scholarship and offered a job coaching the women’s 2nd team in UCD, which allowed him to be assistant to the first team, which had 3 full Irish internationals, and a host of junior internationals. He then got the opportunity to do a semester abroad, in the United States. He went to the University of Tennessee, which is a massive sports college.

That summer, he moved to Seattle to do an internship with Seattle Reign FC, the professional women’s team, as the coaching intern. Three of their players actually won the world cup this year, Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe, and Sydney Leroux, with another playing for Japan in the final, Nahomi Kawasumi.

While there, they won the NWSL league title for the first time in the clubs history. When he came home, he returned to the UCD Women’s team, and they went on to win their first intervarsity championship in 17 years.

Rob is now taking master's degree in sports coaching in Loughborough University, and was also given an academic scholarship. He is currently the head coach of one of the university men’s teams, and they’re competing at the top level of British university sports, and is in the application process of his UEFA B license.

Starting the Day in a Musical Way

We are very lucky to regularly start our day at The High School to the sound of music, played by or very talented and dedicated young musicians. At assembly, this Thursday, we enjoyed a double bass duet, featuring Alex Felle and Ritchie Burbridge, from Form 6, playing Bottesini's Andante Gran Duetto no. II.

Then on Friday morning, a brass ensemble, featuring Rob Whyte, William Le Bas, Nathan Timmins and Gerard Colman played the theme from "Jurassic Park", composed by John Williams and arranged by William Le Bas.
On both occasions the result was transformative, and the audience drifted off to class, all the better for it.   Many thanks to all involved.

HSD Senior XV - Superb Victory

The Senior XV took on St Patrick's Classical School on Wednesday, 14 October 2015.  It was obvious from the beginning that High School were in for a hugely physical match against a big St. Pat's side. Nevertheless, The High School didn't flinch. An outstanding defensive performance from The High School disabled St Pat's from putting points on the board.  Man of the match was Oliver McCluskie.  Final score 43-12.

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Nominated World Player of the Year Visits HSD

Last week, senior pupils were treated to a talk by  DCU’s Rugby Development Officer, Sophie Spence, who has been shortlisted for the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2015. 

Sophie played a key role as Ireland claimed a second Six Nations title in 2015 and was named Women’s Player of the Year at the recent Rugby Writers of Ireland awards.  She spoke to our pupils about Rugby Scholarships in DCU and Academic and sporting life at the college.
A big thank you to Mr Malin for arranging this stimulating and inspiring talk.   

Senior Drama at The High School Dublin

This seasonal and spooky version of Dracula thrilled and terrified audiences over its three night run. The Form 5 production team created memorable sets and costumes, while the actors and musicians gave first rate performances.  Who could ever forget Ruby McLoughlin's portrayal of a lost little girl, or Nathaniel O'Leary's (aka Dracula) sudden, shock appearance from his coffin! Watch this fun video montage at your peril!

European Youth Parliament

Congratulations to all the TY and Form 5 pupils who participated in this years European Youth Parliament (Dublin Session) at St Michael's College, Ballsbridge recently.  The theme was Rediscovering Europe: Leading the way to an effective Union  
It  focused on team bonding activities, giving students the opportunity to get to know students from other schools who were on their committees.  Saturdays opening ceremony was attended by local TD's and Councillors and a successful day of lobbying and debate followed. 
General Assembly was  a great success and High School pupils Aela O'Flynn and James Kinsella made a valuable contribution to the discussion.  Well done to all involved!!

The Crocus Project

The Crocus Project is a programme in which the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland distributes flower bulbs to schools across the country.  On the 7 October, Form 4D planted a brown paper envelope full of bulbs outside the school, as a conclusion to our history module on Auschwitz, taught by Ms. HE. The bulbs will grow into flowers, and by late January, the front of our school will be dotted with yellow crocuses, just in time for Holocaust Memorial Month. The crocuses are in commemoration of the 1.5 million Jewish children who died in the Holocaust or Shoah, at the hands of the Nazis. The yellow colour represents the star of David that Jewish people were forced to wear in concentration camps.

For the past six weeks, our history class has been learning about the Holocaust; the discrimination Jewish people faced, from ghettos, to concentration camps, to their eventual death at the hands of the Nazis. This information was disturbing at times, and our class was upset by some of the

documentaries we watched which had graphic images of the starvation, abuse and illness Jewish people were forced to endure.  Learning about this was very saddening, and its possible to see how people would want to forget about the Holocaust and man’s capacity for cruelty.

However, to quote Elie Wiesel, ‘’To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time’’. However horrifying, the Holocaust can educate us on the horrors of prejudice, and the danger of remaining silent in the face of adversity. When planting our bulbs in turn, our class had time to reflect on how the flowers will grow into yellow crocuses which will remind us of the Jewish children who were killed in the Holocaust, as well as the importance of tolerance, and the preservation of human dignity. ‘’For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.’’ 
By Grace Gageby

Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution

HSD Open Evening - Great Success

Our thanks to all of you who took the time to attend our 'Open Evening' last Wednesday.  It was lovely to see the bright, young faces of our future pupils and to get to meet the parents and guardians who accompanied them around the school.
The corridors and rooms were teaming with people, smiling and chatting, all taking tours of the school, meeting teachers, pupils and seeing our facilities.    It was an evening to remember.  Thanks to the teachers and pupils who were there: you did a wonderful job.
Special thanks must me offered too to our catering staff, who somehow managed to cope with the larger than expected numbers and to our porter and ground staff, who, as always, made the evening go so well.  Until the next time!




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Special Cake to Celebrate Book Blog Launch

To celebrate the launch of their new book blog, '2R Awesome Reads' this lucky Form 2 class took to the library to eat cake and do some research on their next novel.
Giulia Guastalla, baker extraordinaire, kindly supplied the delicious chocolate-biscuit cake, baked using her father's own secret recipe and topped with a tasteful red and white icing book, opened and bearing the class name: 2R in red; as close as possible to The High School colours.
Of course, English teacher, Ms Burrowes, school librarian, Mrs King AND Form teacher Ms Rugg were there as voluntary food tasters and gave the delicious fare a unanimous thumbs-up!

Every two or three weeks, pupils in 2R read a new novel, then blog about it on their class website.   So, if you are looking for a great book to read, why not check out the 2R Book Blog yourself? You are bound to find something of interest that will inspire.  Their next report is due this week, so log on to their site to read their latest book reviews; more posts will follow the week after mid-term.

Why not Follow what they are reading by subscribing to their page!

N.B. - Winter Uniform Reminder

Dear Parent/Guardian

Uniform is worn at The High School to encourage a sense of community, pride, and identity.  It also has the advantage of removing undesirable competition in dress standards.  We have traditionally started the academic year in summer uniform.  However, we expect pupils to wear full winter uniform to school, in school, and on the way home from school from Monday 12th October as announced in Assembly this week.

Uniform must be worn neatly.  In the interests of the maintaining the highest standards this includes:

· Waterproof black or red outer jacket with school crest supplied by The Uniform Warehouse for all pupils in Forms 1 and 2; this version will be phased in for all pupils by 2018.

· Plain black, red, or red and black outer jackets with no other logos, slogans, or decorations for all other forms.   

· Sweaters worn for Assembly, at break and lunch time, and while moving between lessons.

· Ties worn neatly covering the top button of a closed collar so that the knot is fully visible when worn with a sweater.

· Shirt fully tucked into skirt or trousers.

· Cuff and shirt buttons closed.

· If it is too warm in a particular class pupils may ask the teacher for permission to remove their sweater while in that classroom only.  However, sweaters should always be worn when moving between lessons and around the school.

All items should be clearly marked with the name and form of the individual pupil.  Please note that a range of sanctions will be applied for contravention of the Uniform Code; pupils in persistent breach of uniform rules and regulations will be placed in detention or sent home.  The decision of the Year Head in consultation with the Deputy Principals is final in all matters of appearance.  We look forward to your full co-operation and support in preserving and enhancing the public image of The High School by ensuring that the way your children dress and behave as they travel between school and home is of the highest possible standard.

With thanks and best wishes

Yours faithfully

Mr G A Forrest

Principal

The High School

FAI U15 Ireland Trials

Congratulations to Form 3 High School pupil, Alex Aspil, who has recently completed two selection trials for the FAI U15 Ireland International team. This is no real surprise for those who know Alex, as he was also selected for the FAI – Emerging Talent Programme.  This is both the pool of the best players (in 11 FAI centres around the country) from which the International schoolboy teams are selected, and an FAI intensive coaching and strength and conditioning camp held once per week for whole season.
Alex also plays club football for Cherry Orchard FC (COFC), who this year won the Dublin District

Schoolboy League (DDSL) Premier Division (regarded as the best/toughest schoolboy league in the country). They won this league without losing a game and having only drawn 1 out of 18.
This successful team were also Runners-Up in the FAI All-Ireland Cup. This is a countrywide, 4 province tournament with in excess of 200 of the best schoolboy teams…and involved trips to play away fixtures in Kerry and Cork.  Aspil's dedication to the sport over the last 12 months has taken him to Brentford and Fulham in the UK for trials-fixtures with imminent club trips to both Hearts (Edinburgh, Scotland) and Eindhoven (Holland).

Letter to The Times - History Repeats

Subject: A parallel between the current refugee crisis and the Evian Conference of 1938, by a pupil of Leaving Cert History Sir, - I am a 6th year student studying History for my Leaving Certificate in June 2016. One of the main reasons I chose History as a subject is that I believe it is a subject of critical importance, I believe that the most important lesson that can be drawn from this subject is that we must learn from past wrongdoings and that we cannot let history repeat itself. In July 1938 the leaders of 32 nations assembled in Evian, France, to discuss the situation of Jewish refugees. The leaders in attendance all expressed concern about the dangers that the Nazi party posed towards German Jews. However, none of the aforementioned leaders felt obliged to take in any more Jewish refugees than they had already granted asylum to. For the majority of countries, this was none. Our Taoiseach at the time, Eamon de Valera, cited overcrowded professions and the emigration of Irish people as reasons not to open our borders to the refugees. In the following seven years, one of the most large-scale, efficient and systematic attempts of genocide this planet has ever witnessed was carried out. The result? The deaths of six million Jews and other persecuted parties. The Evian Conference may not have been the opportunity to prevent the Holocaust. However, had decisive action been taken, countless innocent lives would not have been lost. Furthermore, Hitler noted how “astounding” it was that, although condemning Germany, the surrounding countries did not open their borders. Ultimately the Evian Conference gave Hitler the signal that foreign countries would not interfere with his anti-semitic policies. As the leaders of the European Union meet to discuss the modern day refugee crisis, will they “condemn” IS or will they open their borders to what could be 9 million helpless people. As citizens of the EU, will we “condemn” IS or will we take action and force our governments to help these people. Seventy years ago six million people lost their lives as world leaders did not take action. We must not let history repeat itself. - Yours, etc, OISÍN McEVOY,
The High School Dublin Rathgar, Dublin 6.

It's Time! - Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

The Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal is a campaign to bring joy to children in poverty who don’t receive any presents for Christmas. We encourage students to bring a shoebox wrapped in Christmas paper containing gifts as well as €4 for transport.

For more information visit the website or contact the TY team. If you are interested in submitting a shoebox, please bring it to the staff room by 23 October.

Click here for more information.

Calculators at the Ready - Maths Week!

This week from 10 to 17 October is Maths Week.
 Maths Week Ireland is an all-Ireland celebration of Maths and is a partnership of over 50 groups - universities, institutes of technology, colleges, museums, libraries, visitor centres, professional bodies - any group that sees the importance of maths and the importance of promoting maths.

Maths Week Ireland promotes, awareness, appreciation and understanding of maths through a huge variety of events and activities. Check out www.mathsweek.ie for maths related games and activities. And here's a few pictures made from numbers to whet your appetite.

On Shankhill Beach - Geography Field Trip

On the 5 and 6 of October, the Form 6 Geography classes went on their field trip to Shankhill beach. We carried out multiple experiments to test the processes affecting the way in which a beach is formed. This involved us standing in the sea, and for some unlucky people falling in. 
We would like to thank Ms Fallon, Mr Rankin, Ms Wilson, Ms Gray and Mr Barry for accompanying us on the trip and for a great day. 
By Alistair Ridyard and Clara Devine

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Fun at Larch Hill - Form 1 October Trip

On the 2 October 2015, all the Form 1 classes went to Larch Hill. We were split up into seven different groups. We played in the playground until all the buses had arrived. Then the activities began. There were many different activities including Paintball, Survival Skills, Grass Sledging, Team Building, Archery, Wall-Climbing and a very exciting obstacle course. They were fun and interesting activities as many of us had never done them before and even the people who had done the activities before still had great fun.

The only complaint was that we couldn't stay longer. We would like to thank Ross, Danny , Ciaran, Nathan, Paul, Rike and James and all of the staff at Larch Hill for leading us and helping us through all the activities. They really made the day great. Also a big thank you to all the staff at HSD who brought us and organised us.

By Mia McCulllough, Éle Ní Chonbhuí and Bevin Dixon.
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Simon Community Fun Run '15

The Simon Community Fun Run is one of the biggest charity events that our school gets involved in every year.  Teachers, staff, pupils, parents and siblings, all turn-out to run in aid of charity.  2015 was no exception.  Deputy head-boy, Jack Scollard,was the pupil who ran the quickest race, while Mr Giles wasn't far behind him, winning the fastest teacher crown!  A great day was had by all and lots of money was raised for this deserving charity.  Well done everyone!

The High School Dublin - Education For Life

The High School Dublin - Education for life.

Model United Nations Conference

Model United Nations is where students represent a country discussing global issues affecting the world today. It’s a great way to make new friends and improve public speaking. Last Saturday, the 26th of September, 16 students from The High School alongside Ms. Wilson attended the annual TERMUN conference in Terenure College, representing Austria, Chile and Italy. Students from schools such as Wesley College, Blackrock College and St. Andrews also debated. All delegates from The High School participated in one of the 6 committees; Political 1, Political 2, Ecology and the Environment, Health and Youth, Disarmament or Human Rights, where they spoke on topics such as The Status of Women, The Right to Secondary Education and The Right to Euthanasia.

Congratulations to A. O’Flynn, I. Akinsuli, S. Hayes and J. Cosgrove who won ‘Distinguished Delegate’ awards for their excellent debating skills in their respective committees. MUN is on after school on Mondays and/or Thursdays in B1. Contact Ms. Wilson for more details.

Backstage Preparations for 5th Year Play

Backstage preparations are well underway for the production of this year's 5th Year Play, 'Blood Brothers'.  Rehearsals take place every Tuesday and Friday, 4.00pm - 6.00pm, unless Mr Milofsky announces otherwise.  It is extremely important that all cast members attend these rehearsals, but should attendance be impossible, cast members are requested to inform Mr Milofsky in advance.
In the meantime, we must wait until the end of November until we can enjoy the finished production.  Good luck to all involved!

And just as a reminder of all the fun that is coming our way, here is a short video clip of last year's production of 'Bugsy Malone'.

The High School Dublin Open Evening 2015

The High School Dublin 

invites you to our

Open Evening

Wednesday 7 October 2015

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

Allow us to show you the wonderful work going on at our school.  

Address:  The High School

Zion Road

Dublin 6

Registration starts at 6.30pm.
Welcome address by the principal will take place at 8.00pm.

Refreshments will be served in the Dining Room throughout the evening

Enjoying European Language Week

This week was European Language Week. Ms Ennis and her team did an interactive assembly, while students of German read a poem and the Senior Chamber Group played Beethoven's 7th Symphony 2nd Movement (Allegretto).

The library had a range of activities and decorations up for the occasion. As well as the wide range of multi-cultural flag bunting, the library has a range of quizzes and magazines for students to enjoy.
By Ellen Tracey-McGee (3W)

The Library Committee - Did you know..?

Firstly, for those who don’t know about it, the library committee is a group of First, Second and Third year students who help Mrs King to do things in the library. We set displays up, run weekly competitions and organise events. If you haven’t joined the committee and would like to, new members are still welcome.
The new library head for this year is Nathan Hutchinson Edgar, the deputy head is Callum O’Dwyer and the secretary is Ellen Treacy McGee. The library committee is an enjoyable thing to join.
Finally we would like to say thank you to Mrs King for all she does. The library committee would not exist without her so thank you to her.
Nathan Hutchinson Edgar (2H)