No images? Click here Vol 27 No 05 08 Oct 2021 Hockey Ireland RepresentationCongratulations to Conor Empey (HSD, 2011-17) who received his first Senior cap for Ireland in a game against Malaysia in which he scored two goals to secure a 3-2 victory. He follows in a line of recent past pupils from The High School who have been selected to represent Ireland including Shane O'Donoghue (HSD, 2008-11), Alison Meeke (HSD, 2003-09), and Nicola Daly (HSD, 2000-06). We wish our past pupil every success in his international career. Investing in WellbeingThanks to the generous support of The High School and Diocesan Past Pupils' Union a sensory pod and room was installed over the summer which is now fully operational and very busy! The High School is the first secondary school in Ireland to install this important facility. As part of our ongoing implementation of the NCSE Inclusive Education Framework we are committed to creating and nurturing a learning environment in which all our pupils feel welcome and can flourish. This creative, calming, and interactive resource provides an educational and therapeutic space that allows pupils with additional educational, personal, and emotional needs to self-regulate, develop new skills, and manage sensory and emotional over-stimulation that can occur often within the busy school
environment. A big thank you to The High School and Diocesan Past Pupils' Union for funding this initiative! STEM DevelopmentThe 3D printer is a new addition to the Graphics and Design and Computer Graphics (DCG) facilities in the Technological Subjects department. It has the capacity to print molten plastics into various shapes, colours, and sizes. We are currently trialling a new Transition Year module that will hopefully become an option for next year. This module is focused on Product Design and Innovation through the medium of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software such as TinkerCAD and SolidWorks. Pupils will be fully immersed in everything that CAD has to offer and see their product come to life using the 3D printer. The 3D prints will allow pupils to fully interact with their design and carry out much needed tests on the product before it gets the final seal of approval! Art Equipment UpgradeThe High School Art Department took delivery of a new kiln this summer. It is has an increased capacity and is made by German manufacturer Nabertherm. We have a rich tradition of ceramics at HSD and our new kiln will allow us to maintain the craft at the heart of our syllabus. It will be especially important in firing and glazing 3D artworks for the State Examination. At present Form 2 and Form 4 pupils are in the midst of Ceramic projects and we cannot wait to see the results of their hard work! Leinster HockeyCongratulations to Charles Beatty, Alex Lynch, Samuel Maxwell, Ben Pasley, Ella Pasley (Captain), and Tom Whelan as well as Anna Hoey, Isaac Lindsay, Oscar Pasley, and Sarah Smyth who have been selected to represent The High School on the Leinster U18 and U16 hockey squads, respectively. We extend best wishes for success to our pupils as they compete for team selection in future interprovincial and international competitions at this age grade. European Hockey LeagueOn Friday 1 October myself and High School past pupils Evan Jennings (HSD, 2014-20), Alistair Empey (HSD, 2013-19), Ben Whelan (HSD, 2015-21) travelled to Belgium with Three Rock Rovers hockey club to take part in the European Hockey League (EHL) ranking cup. We played the first game against Minsk Hockey Club and after a very end-to-end game we unfortunately came away with a 5-4 loss. This meant we would play Hampstead and Westminster on Sunday. We put in a much better performance in that game and despite losing 4-1, a score that did not reflect the game or our performance, we managed to secure Ireland's spot in the EHL. Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend for the four of us and a great opportunity to play hockey at such a high level. SCT VictoryOn 6 October the Senior Cup Team had our first win of the season when we played Terenure College. Despite the wet conditions and formidable opposition we won 42-14. The High School team gave it their all especially Archie Sheridan who scored four hard-fought tries. I’m delighted we have have secured our first win of the season: it won’t be our last! We look forward to more success as we develop as a team, hone our skills, and bravely face the challenges ahead. Father Godfrey CupOn Wednesday we played The King's Hospital in the first game of our postponed Father Godfrey Cup competition. It was an away game so we had to travel to their grounds. When we arrived and got out on the pitch it was wet and the pitch and ball were slippery. Luckily it stopped raining just as the match was kicking off. The other team started fast and put two tries past us pretty early. We managed to get one try back before half time to close the gap with Sam Neely scoring from a carry close to the line. The second half started and they put two tries past us again when we lost concentration. Sam McNamara scored another try for us from a planned line out move. But it was too late and unfortunately we didn’t get the calls we wanted on fifty-fifty try decisions which could have changed
the result of the game. But now we are concentrating on the next game ahead and look forward to the next round of the competition. Gaisce HillwalkingFor the Form 4 Hillwalking excursion we went to Glendalough. The walk lasted about 5 hours and the drive was around 1 hour long. There was a lot of walking and most of it was up a steep hill. At the top of the mountain we stopped and had lunch, and almost immediately after that it started raining. Some pupils put on their waterproof trousers as it started lashing rain. As someone who did not bring the right gear I recommend that everyone else does in future. All in all the trip was fun but adequate preparation is important! The next hillwalking event takes place this weekend so please take the time to be properly prepared. Senior 1 HockeyOn Saturday 2 August the Senior 1 girls hockey team faced Alexandra College away. It was an early start with a 9.00 am pushback. Our opponents are known for being a very fast paced and skillful team so we knew it was going to be a challenging match. In the first quarter of the match we scored a goal putting us in the lead which gave us great confidence. The tactics we used were very good and were starting to work as we got another two goals in the second quarter of game. The result now was 3-0 to The High School girls. Unfortunately in the third quarter Alexandra College got a short corner and scored from it. A few minutes later we got another goal resulting in a 4-1 lead.
Unfortunately after a few minutes of great play from The High School, our opponents got a lucky goal. With the score standing at 4-2 we were still pretty confident going into the last and final quarter but we all knew the game still hadn’t been won just yet. With great play from all the HSD girls we got another goal in the last few minutes. The end result was 5-2 to The High School. This was a great achievement for the Senior 1 hockey team and we are extremely happy with the result. Minor HockeyOn Wednesday 6 October we played an away match against Kilkenny College. The game was challenging but in the end Kilkenny came out on top with a 2-4 win. Despite the score we all had fun playing and even had a sing-song on the bus ride home. We are all looking forward to a successful season ahead. Team HopeOn Wednesday the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal began at The High School. The Appeal’s aim is to allow children from poorer countries in parts of Eastern Europe and Africa to receive a gift for Christmas – a shoebox. Pupils can donate €20 to fund a box or create their own. The box should contain something to wash – a toothbrush or comb, something to wear – hat/scarf or flip flops, something to write – colouring books or pencils, and something to wow – a toy, sweets, or musical instruments. The full details can be found on leaflets which are being handed out in a stall near Reception. You can also donate €20 to pupils from Form 4 at breaktime. Pupils who donate will have their name
put up on the fundraising wall at Reception. The deadline is 8 November. We urge you to get involved and to make a shoebox or donation to help children in need this Christmas. Black History MonthBlack History Month takes place at The High School next week. There will be various activities happening around the school to celebrate black history and culture. Here are just a few of the things which will be taking place: Film Club will be showing specially chosen movies. Keep an eye out around the school for a code to access a specially curated Spotify playlist. Form 5 pupils who do Art are creating their own interpretation of art by black artists and these will be available to view in the school from next week. There will be a special poetry performance taking place during assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Library will have a display of books by
black authors and Ms Wiggle the Librarian is running a poetry competition. There are junior and senior categories and all entries should be given to Ms Wiggle in the Library by 4.00 pm on Friday 15 October. The theme is Black History Month. Form 1 Home EconomicsSome pupils in Form 1 enjoyed their first pratical Home Economics class at The High School this week and their challenge was to make a dozen delicious chocolate chip cookies. It was a great success. Well done, everyone! The rest of the year group will try their hand at baking next week. Winter UniformFrom Monday 11 October pupils should Dates for your Diary
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