Blood Brothers at The High School Dublin

From 19 to 21 November, Form 5 preformed the award-winning play, Blood Brothers at The High School. The play was an overwhelming success and everyone enjoyed it. Every night was packed-out and the crowds gave us a great reception. The play had been organised over the last few months by the pupils from Form 5 and nurtured under the watchful eye of Ms Browne, Mr Milofsky and Ms Lyons. Blood Brothers, written by Willy Russell, and revolves around the story of twins Mickey and Eddie who were separated at birth. This production was tackled head-on by a talented cast of actors and fine directors who took to the play with great enthusiasm. The set design was spearheaded by a team of talented pupils who made sure that Blood Brothers was a sight to behold. The Hair and Make-up Department made sure we all looked presentable on stage. The Chair Committee made sure everyone was comfortable and also served refreshments. The people in charge of sound, the ticket sellers and the stage hands were all crucial to the performances' success. Praise is also due to the four stage managers, Sophie Haynes, Emma Taylor, Ellen Galvin and Joe Prendergast, who made sure that everything worked properly and ran smoothly. We also have to commend the Communications Directors, Musa, Tim and Dylan for their hard work and to thank our sponsors. Finally, we must give our thanks to the heads of security David Donnelly and Ronan O’Byrne and all those who played their part in the play's success. Naoise Law (5GF)


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The Girls in Red and Black

More pictures from the Senior girls as they get ready to play Mount Sackville on Saturday at 11am in The High School. Then next weekend they will play their final league game against Holy Child Killiney. After Christmas we will have the League qualifiers and Cup. Fingers and toes crossed for the girls in red and black

What has been going on at The High School this week...

High School Boys Playing for Leinster at the interprovincials

Leinster U16s beat Munster 3-1. The U 18s beat Munster 4-0, vice captain Conor Empey (HSD) scoring 3 of the goals! Ulster beat Leinster 1-0 in both U16 and U18 games. 
U16s - Leinster drew 0-0 with Ulster, who have just won competition.  
Congratulations to the players in freezing Cork!
#HSDBoysHockey

Team Hope at HSD

The Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal is finished for another year. Transition Year volunteers took in 118 gift-filled shoeboxes; these will be sent to children who may not receive any other gift this Christmas. The destination of our boxes is as yet unconfirmed, but will be known within a couple of weeks. Thanks to all students who contributed to the project!

High School Boys' Hockey - Interprovincials

Good luck Harry Lynch at the Hockey Under 16 Interpros from 2nd Years.  Also the best of luck to Alistair Empey, Andrew Canning, Jake Pillow and Conor Empey.

Bird Food - Brown Bag Animation Talk

Form 4  enjoyed a talk by Richard Keane, director, writer and animator of the wonderful 'Brown Bag' production, 'Bird Food'.  Thanks to Ms Beamish for organising the talk and for Richard for giving up his time to share his experience with our pupils.

Blood Brothers - 5th Form Play

This Thursday 19 November is opening night for The High School Senior Drama production of 'Blood Brothers'.  The show begins at 8pm and tickets are available at the door.

If Thursday doesn't suit, the show continues on Friday and Saturday nights too. Come along and meet your friends.  Don't miss it!

Well Done! Red Cross Appeal

Well done to everyone who helped raise money on non-uniform day for the Red Cross Migration Crisis Appeal Your donation of €1,440 will make a huge difference to people escaping conflict or persecution. Your kindness and humanity mean such a lot to people who have risked everything in search of a new life.

The High School vs Wesley TY Semi-Final

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The High School TY team beat Wesley 23–17 on Saturday morning in the semi-final of the TY league. The conditions were harsh . High School dominated the game from the very start with hooker Kyle Butler stealing possession from The High School’s first kick-off, setting the tone for the rest of the game. A great team effort led to a try from Loris Nikolov, giving The High School an early lead. The High School continued to take control with Eddie Meredith scoring a penalty to bring the score to 8-0. Great patience and precision was shown by the High School side, leading to two more tries; the first from Matthew Barlow after a quick pass from scrumhalf Stephen Landy, the second from full back Jamie Ukagba with a clinical finish to a well-rehearsed play.

The score going in at half-time was 18-5.  A great turnover and quick thinking from The High School side led to Dylan Walsh making a break and assisting Eddie Meredith for a try. Unfortunately, The High School then lost Eddie Meredith to injury. Wesley then upped their intensity, putting The High School on the back foot. Organised defence from The High School opposed Wesley enough to finish the match 23-17. The TY team is now preparing for the league final against St Andrews in Donnybrook stadium.
By Jamie Shaw , Dylan Walsh and Stephen Landy

First Cap for HSD Teacher!

Congratulations to High School Maths teacher Ms J Deacon, who earned her first cap at the weekend, when the Irish Women's Rugby Team took on England at Twickenham.  We couldn't be more proud!

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels in the Rathgar area are currently looking for volunteer drivers and cooks. They operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from Christ Church in Rathgar.

If you are in a position to help out please contact Suzanne Ryan on 086 3611527 or send an email toannesley2006@eircom.net  giving details of the day that suits you, whether you are interested in cooking or delivering

Concern Fast

The nationwide Concern fast is taking place on Thursday, 26. 3RN are undertaking the fast as part of their CSPE action project and are inviting anyone who might also like to take up the challenge to join them. 

The fast will commence from the start of school on Thursday, 26 of November and end with breakfast on Friday 27 November.  The High School canteen will host a special breakfast at 8:30am Friday morning for anyone taking part.

If it is not possible to undertake a food fast, there are other things that people might consider 'giving up' for 24 hours such as using a mobile phone, computer games, sweets and treats etc.

To sign up, please see Ms. Bennett.

High School Pupil Makes International Youth Climbing Team

Bouldering is rock climbing without ropes (using crash pads).  Lead climbing is roped rock climbing were you clip the rope attached to your harness into carabiners as you climb up.  In both disciplines you are scored on how high you climb up the problem (bouldering) or route (lead).

Tommy Myles, a Form 2 pupil at The High School came third in the Youth Climbing Series All Ireland Final 2015 and represented Ireland in the Grand Final of the competition in Ratho, Scotland last April.

He is currently on the Irish Youth Climbing team and compete in both national and international competitions. He climbs at least four times a week for about two hours in Gravity climbing centre and Awesome Walls in Dublin.  Tommy loves climbing outdoors and goes trad climbing in Dalkey and Glendalough as well as bouldering in Glendo. 

This Summer he went bouldering in Fontainebleau, France with my climbing club and he's going to El Chorro in Spain this Christmas.  Good luck Tommy!

1st Years v Kings Hospital Away

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 s 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 King's 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 King's Hospital.

Form 2 Ski Trip

The annual 2^nd Year ski trip will take place this year, during the Easter break, from Monday 21^st March until Saturday 25^thMarch. This year we will be going to the resort of Prata Nevosa which is in the North of Italy.

Our ski trip is suitable for students of all abilities, from beginners to more accomplished skiers. Students receive tuition every day from qualified instructors and in the evening time are fully supervised by High School teachers, with an array of activities organised, swimming, DVD evenings and a junior disco.

Students will stay in a 3 star hotel in the resort area (Hotel Mondole) where they will be given breakfast and dinner. They will also receive their lunch on the slopes each day.

Students will also be able to avail of snowboarding if they wish, though there will need to be a minimum of 10 students to make a snowboarding class.

The approximate cost of the trip will be €790 and this will cover all flights, transfers, accommodation (including full board), insurance, ski fit (helmets are compulsory for all students), ski instruction and evening entertainment. The price is based on the total number of students travelling so this may fluctuate slightly.

If you would like your son/daughter to attend this trip, please sign the consent form below and send it into the school, along with a deposit of €250 by Monday 16^th November.

Contact Mr L McBride for further information.  

The Session

This week's tunes are 'The Dawning of the Day' and 'Britches full of Stitches'.  Click the links to play along with easy YouTube video/lessons and we'll see you on Friday! 

Form 5 - Tickets on Sale Soon!

The Form 5 play this year is Willy Russell's "Blood Brothers", “which will be performed at The Reynolds Hall on Thursday 19 November, Friday 20 November and Saturday 21 November at 8.00 pm.

Tickets will be on sale during breaks and lunch times outside the Reynolds Hall next week at a very reasonable €7 for pupils and €10 for adults. This will undoubtedly be a great night’s entertainment - don’t miss it!
Mr J Milofsky and Ms M Browne

Zion Parish Book Fair

There will be a book fair this week and next at Zion Parish National School -  Friday,13 to Wednesday,18 November, with hundreds of new children’s books to browse and buy. 

  The Book Fair will be open for parents and children to purchase books at the following times:

   *  Friday 13th     - 8:20 to 9am

   *  Monday 16th  - 8:20 to 9am

                             - 1pm to 2:30pm
  *  Tuesday 17th  - 8:20 - 9am

                             - 1pm to 2:30pm
  *  Tuesday 18th  - 8:20 to 9am

Confirmation Classes at HSD

The High School will host a series of confirmation classes given by the Revd Stephen Farrell beginning in the Library on Wednesday, 25th November at 7.30 pm and continuing for the following eight weeks with a break for Christmas.  All pupils enrolled at The High School (including those who have no links with a particular parish) are most welcome to attend.  The Most Reverend Dr Michael Jackson will confirm candidates at Zion Church on Sunday 21st February at 2.30 pm.  If your son and/or daughter is interested in attending these classes (which last roughly 45 minutes) or if you wish to make further enquiries please contact Margaret Healion (Parish Administrator) at zionparish@gmail.com and she will forward all the necessary information to your home address.

Remembrance Week 2015 at The High School Dublin

At the unveiling of The High School Great War Memorial window, on the third anniversary of the Armistice, 11th November 1923, all those gathered there made a promise that The High School past pupils who died in that war, should always be remembered by successive generations of pupils.  This Remembrance Week, as we remember those who fought and died in conflicts around the world, we remember one soldier in particular.  Harold Thorne Speares was a High School past pupil who, we have just discovered, died in The Great War.  For some unknown reason, his name was not recorded on the High School Great War Memorial.  We were contacted by a member of the Orders and Medals Research Society, last week, who purchased Harold's Next of Kin Memorial Plaque at an antique fare and did some research on the soldier it commemorated. Luckyily for us, the researcher, Mr Gary Whitley, found our HSD War Stories website and got in touch.  

Harold was only 20 years old only when he died in 1917, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), a native of Rathdrum, County Wicklow.  He has no known grave, nor, as stated previously, is he commemorated on The High School Great War Memorial.  We will now rectify this situation and Harold's name will be added to our records and a plaque bearing his name will be placed at our school Great War Memorial. He is forgotten no more.  
To read more about Harold and his war, go to www.hsdwarstories.com

Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution 2015

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Congratulations to all pupils and past pupils who received prizes and awards at the annual Parents' Evening and Prize Distribution; many thanks to all who were involved in preparing and running this successful event.  Our guest, Rory Montgomery, Second Secretary-General, Department of The Taoiseach, spoke about his own links with The High School and how being a past pupil of the school had an important impact on his life, especially his time as Ambassador to France.  The evening was filled with music and discussion, celebrating the talents and endeavours of current and past pupils, in the areas of academia and sport; and praised those who have made a helpful contribution to school life, for debating, for organising events,  and for completing the Gaisce-President's Award, amongst other things.  A wonderful evening was had by all.

Santa's Little Helpers!

Form One pupils were delighted today to finally take home their newly made wooden trucks. They made these beautiful wooden vehicles entirely by hand, and don't they look just perfect? Thanks to their teacher Mr L. Middleton in  'Materials Technology - Wood' class, for all his help and for taking this lovely photo for our school blog!

IMTA Excellence Award for HSD Pupil

Congratulations to recent past pupil Séamus  MacLochlainn who is to receive an award from the Irish Mathematics Teachers’ Association following his outstanding performance in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate at The High School in 2015.

Ernest Glorney WWI Pilot

Séamus also was awarded the Glorney Exhibition and Cup at the recent HSD Prize Distribution Evening.   The Glorney Cup was originally presented to the school by the Glorney family, whose son, Ernest, a pilot in WWI, died when his plane crashed over England while returning to France.
Lieutenant Ernest Edward Glorney's family named an educational foundation in his memory: The Ernest Edward Glorney Scholarship in Earth Science & Engineering, which is still funding research today. But in The High School, we remember Glorney each year, when the prestigious cup is presented to  an especially high achieving pupil.  A prize richly deserved Séamus!

Student Clodagh Curran Classical Music Awards Finalist

Previous HSD winner, Rob Farhat.

Congratulations to Clodagh Curran who has been chosen to perform at the Father Frank Maher Classical Music Awards.

 Each year seven exceptional, and highly talented, young musicians from all over Ireland, perform in front of an invited audience in a bid to win this award. Clodagh will perform at the Father Frank Maher Classical Music Awards, sponsored by Top Security, on Thursday 12 November 2015 at The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. We wish her every success on the night!

Senior Girls' Hockey - New 'Away' Kit

As you can see, this new 'away' kit is really popular with the senior girls. Hopefully it will prove a lucky new addition to their school wardrobe!  #GoHSDGirlsHockey!

Science Week at High School Dublin 8-15 November 2015

There will be displays, quizzes and competitions in the Library for Science Week, and also a Senior Cycle Competition available from the 5th and 6th Form Science teachers.

Various Junior Cycle classes will be attending the Library throughout the week to take part in the activities, which will also include a film of Prof Chris Bishop from the Royal Institution in London entitled 'Chemical Curiosities and Dramatic Demonstrations.

The deadline for all competitions is 4pm Friday 13 Nov.

Senior XV League Semi-Final

The Senior XV were hosted by Wilson's Hospital School in the semi-final of the league campaign. There was a big build-up to the occasion, but no signs of nerves were shown by either side.


The High School took the lead early on with a superb try by David James Donnelly. But, only minutes later, Wilson's put a try on the board. Some controversial penalties by the referee gave Wilson's a larger lead further into the first half.

Louis Huggard gave The High School another try just before half time, making it 16-12. Not long into the second half The High School team achieved a well worked team try, scored by David James Donnelly. But, yet again, Wilson's responded with two consecutive tries. With 6 minutes to go, The High School scored another fine fashioned try finished by Matthew Barlow.

Unfortunately, The High School couldn't retain the ball in the dying minutes, the final whistle blew and the match finished 28-24. A superb performance matched with an unjust result. Tries scored by; David James Donnelly (2), Louis Huggard and Matthew Barlow.

Man of the match was David James Donnelly.

Classics Theatre Trip

On Tuesday the 20 October, a group of Sixth and Fifth Year classicists assembled in the foyer of the Abbey Theatre to see a production of Sophocles’ play Oedipus. There was excitement in the air asmost of us had already studied the play and, were interested to see director Wayne Jordan’s take on the classic tragedy. The drama has been highly influential in many aspects of modern literature and psychology, such as Freud’s “Oedipus complex”, and was a fascinating text to have studied.  Jordan’s adaptation was hugely successful in capturing the true essence of the play, but like all good productions, elements of it divided opinions within our class (like the singing chorus!) The night was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and we would like to thank Mr. Milofsky and Ms. Browne for organising the outing.
By Alistair Ridyard and Ellen Downey (6DT)

The High School at The Royal Russell School London MUN

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Royal Russell School London MUN Coming off the back of a hugely successful Terenure Model Untied Nations Conference, the High School delegates were ready for an even greater challenge; debating, internationally at the esteemed Royal Russell Model United Nations conference in London. The delegates enjoyed some fine food, particularly a barbeque on the second night, along with breakfast every morning in the Premier Inn.

This paired with fun activities such as the discos every night and the X Factor competition ensured that a truly memorable and great time was had by all. However it was during the conference committees themselves that the delegates really shone.

Every delegate of The High School showed off their impressive debating skills, with the school eventually coming away with a distinguished delegate award, in reward for the hard work put in by everybody on the trip.

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