Avondale Community College

Avondale Community College School Notes
January 22nd 2010

Information Meeting for Third Years
Parents and guardians of Third Year Students are invited to attend an information meeting at 7:30pm on Thursday 28 January 2010 regarding progression to either Transition Year or Fifth Year.

Changes to Parent Teacher Meetings
The First and Fifth Year Parent Teacher Meetings will take place in the school on Wednesday 27 January from 1.30 until 3.30 p.m. The Second and Transition Year Parent Teacher Meetings will take place on Tuesday 2 February from 1.30 until 3.30 p.m. We look forward to meeting all parents and guardians on these afternoons.


County Vocational Team Victory
Congratulations to the County Vocational Team for their great win over Wexford on Wednesday. Team members from our school are James Byrne(Captain), Stephen O'Neill, Steve Olohan, Dylan Doran, Padraig Geoghegan, Barry Vickers, Denis Heffernan and Conor McGraynor. They will now play Dublin County Vocational Team in Roudwood this Saturday 23rd Jan at 3:15 PM All supporters welcome!

Young Scientist Competition
Avondale Community College took second prize in the Social and Behavioural Sciences Senior Category section of the BT Young Scientist Competition which took place in the RDS from last Thursday 14 January through to Saturday 17 January 2010. The project, 'The effects of Plyometrics and Weight Training on Second Level Students' which was researched by Ciara Duffy, Sarah Miley, Maedhbh Quinn, Benjamin Levai and Conor McGraynor caught the eye of a number of judges As part of the judging process three students from a school group are requested to present their project to the judges. Maedhbh Quinn, Benjamin Levai and Conor McGraynor presented on behalf of the group.

In addition to their group prize Benjamin, Conor and Maedhbh have been invited to join a group 40 students chosen from over one thousand to participate in the BT Business of Science and Technology Programme. They will have access to 11 business and industry mentors. They will have the opportunity to undertake 4 days of training in entrepreneurship at the Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin, giving them an opportunity to develop practical business knowledge and to develop their project further. Teachers involved with the project were Mr. Brian Breen from the Science Department and Ms. Cathriona Hannafin from the PE Department in our school. Congratulations to all involved in the project.

Open Night
Open Night for incoming students took place in the college on Tuesday 19 January 2010. Parents/guardians had the opportunity to view all activities in our school. First Years and a number of Fifth Year students acted as guides for parents/guardians. Incoming students had already visited the school during Interactive Open Days in early December where they participated in many areas of school life. Staff from Schering Plough joined our Science Department to participate in numerous experiments on the night.


Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)
Many thanks to Anne Lavelle of UCD for her talk on the new Higher Education Access Route (HEAR). For any parents of Sixth Year Students who are interested in gaining more information on this programme, Anne will be holding an information session in the Grand Hotel in Wicklow on 27 January at 7.30pm. Students may also attend if they wish.


Mental Health Public Speaking County Final
The Mental Health Public Speaking County Final will take place in the Grand Hotel on Thursday 28 January at 7.30 p.m. Our Team members, Amy Kenny, Laura Cullen and Conor McGraynor are looking forward to competing against the De La Salle and Abbey Community College on the night. Best wishes to all involved.


U14 South Leinster Football Final
Best wishes to our U14 Football Team who will play Ballyhale, Kilkenny in the South Leinster Football on Tuesday.

Historical Trip to Derry
Eighteen Sixth Year Students travelled to Derry for a two day Historical Trip as part of their Leaving Certificate History Course. The students visited a series of museums and the highlight of the trip was the guided walk along the infamous city walls. Well done to all students for their excellent behaviour and participation which was commended by their teachers Ms. Egan and Mr. Duggan who organised the trip.