Avondale Community College

Avondale Community College
School Notes
17 May 2010

Sports News

GAA Blitz
50 students from Avondale Community College participated in a GAA Blitz organised by Wicklow County player Leighton Glynn. Lots of excellent talent and skills were displayed on what is hoped to be an annual event! Many thanks to Leighton for organising this enjoyable day.

Basketball
Our Second Year Girls Basketball team will play Arklow Community College in the final round of the league this week. Best wishes to all those involved.

First Year Trip to Baltinglass Outdoor Education Centre
All First Year students are looking forward to their annual trip to Baltinglass Outdoor Education Centre. This event is scheduled for Friday 21 May. The students will take part in a number of Outdoor activities in the centre including canoeing and other outdoor activities.

Buddy Training
Buddy Training for Third and Transition Year students is underway in the school. This training is in preparation for all in-coming First Year students. Those involved in the training will use the skills they have acquired to assist all new students in September. This programme has been established for many years and has been regarded as an invaluable addition to the First Year Induction Programme.



Student Awards Ceremonies

A number of awards ceremonies, to mark the achievements of our students, have been planned for the coming weeks. Some of these events will be held in the evening in order for parents to attend. The Extra Curricular Awards Ceremony will be held in the school on Wednesday 19 May at 7:30 pm. Transition Year Awards Night will take place on Monday 24 May at 7:00 pm. The Senior and Junior Academic Awards will also begin at 2:00 pm on 25 and 26 May. The final ceremony, the Leaving Certificate Graduation will be held in the school on Thursday 27 May at 7:30 pm. We look forward to seeing parents and students at these events.

TY Log On, Learn
The Log On, Learn Project involves Transition Year Students sharing their computer skills with older members of our community. This initiative has been up and running in the school since March. Those involved have welcomed the opportunity to acquire basic computer skills such as searching the internet and sending e-mails. To mark the end of this year's TY Log On, Learn Transition Year students invited other senior members of our community to join them for the final session and take part in a Texting Afternoon. During this final day of the Log On, Learn Transition Year students shared their knowledge of mobile phone text messaging with those in attendance. This session and indeed the entire Log On, Learn experience was enjoyed by all those involved and we hope it will be continued for future years.

Environmental Awards Success
Avondale Community College enjoyed great success at the annual VEC Environmental Awards held in the Brockagh Centre, Laragh on Wednesday 12 May. The school claimed a number of top prizes at this years' event including Best School, Best Overall Display and Best Senior Project. A number of our projects similarly achieved top prizes on the night. These projects included a 'Pure Mile Project' submitted by Ms. Murphy's Transition Year Class which took first place in the Natural Environment category of the competition. A project submitted by Ms. Wynne's art class entitled Latch Hook Wall Hangings also achieved First Prize in the Cultural Environment section. Ms. Gahan's garden renovation project organised by a group of Transition Year students and entitled 'To Eden' took second place in the Built Environment section. 'The effects of Plyometrics and Weight Training on Second Level Students,' a project organised by a number of senior and junior students and supervised by Ms. Hannafin and Mr. Breen claimed two prestigious awards on the night including First Prize in the Social, Health and Community Awareness Section and overall Best Senior Project. This was the 12th Anniversary of the awards organised by Wicklow VEC. A total of 81 projects were submitted by the County Wicklow VEC schools. Staff and students of Avondale Community College were delighted with their success.

Money Raised for Trocaire
The students of Avondale Community College were delighted to present a cheque totalling almost €1300 to Irish Charity Trocaire, last Friday. The money was raised by students from all years who participated in this year's Trocaire Fast. Trocaire is a national organisation which aims to the improve life for those living in the Developing World. The students participating in this year's campaign took on a new challenge which not only included a 24 Hour Fast. Students were also encouraged to give up other 'essentials' including texting and use of I-pods and other entertainment devices for the day. The students enjoyed this challenge and were delighted to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.



Aids Partnership with Africa
Second Year students from Ms.Lambert's CSPE class have been busy selling pens for the global organisation Aids Partnership with Africa (APA). As part of their CSPE Action Project the students have been selling pens to students and staff at lunchtime in the school. APA is a voluntary organisation established to fight the epidemic of Aids in Africa. All money raised as part of this campaign will be donated to this charitable organisation.