Heads of School 2021-22
After a rigorous process, congratulations to the newly elected students Claudia Turner and Luke Doyle on being appointed as Head Girl and Head Boy for the next academic year. Congratulations also to Deputy Girl Emma Byrne and Deputy Boy Cathal Baker, who will now also have the opportunity to represent their peers and the whole school community. Avondale Community College are committed to offering student leadership opportunities within a supportive framework. We all look forward to working alongside our new Heads of School!
Prefects 2021-22
The final prefects were also recently announced and we are extremely fortunate to have such a strong student team for 2020-21. Aisling Dowling, Alex Rowley, Christopher McCabe, Ciara Byrne, Ciara Olohan, Conor Byrne, Donal Byrne, Ella Sinnott, Ellemarie Fanning, Emily Nangle, Emma Shannon, Hugh Fennessy, Jack Baillie Johnston, Jack Hick, James Henkel, James Murray, John McElhinney, Louise Simpson, Nathan Delamere, Rachel Townsend, and Thea Cullen were selected to be next year’s advocates for the school community and to demonstrate their leadership within the school body. As part of the prefect system students are entrusted with a variety of responsibilities and duties that positively contribute to the running of the school.
Peer Mentors 2021-22
The final aspect of our Student Leadership Programme relates to the appointment of our 2021 Fifth Year students who have been selected to mentor incoming First Years in the next term. The aim of this initiative is to help and support incoming students in the transition from primary to secondary education. Thanks to our positive role models; Jessica Carter, Aisling Byrne, Alannah Hawes, Dean White, Brendan Kearns, Kayleigh Fox, Rohit Gebo, Glori-Joy Nwobo, Alanna Delamere, Ava O’Doherty, Roisín Maher, Conor Doyle, Caitlin Caw, Sam Carroll, Calum McKenna, Brooklyn Busher, Joshua Theron, Jessica Byrne, Caitlin Byrne, Thomas Murphy, Eareann Foley, Teagan Scott, Aaron Moore, Tanya Sunderland and JP Gonzaga for your engagement with this important programme.
Make-A-Wish Foundation Bake Sale
As Make-a-Wish-Foundation ambassadors, TY1 hosted a bake sale last week in aid of the charity and raised an impressive €229.60. Thank you to all students and staff who support the event and to Teagan Scott, Roisín Maher, Alannah Hawes and Aisling Byrne for all their organisation and efforts.
Rathdrum Tidy Towns
Well done to Transition Year students Calum McKenna and Thomas Murphy who designed posters to promote Rathdrum Tidy Towns to encourage us all to look after our local environment.
Reading Club
Ms C Doyle and The Junior Reading Club would like to say a huge thank you to Eareann Foley and Aaron Moore in TY who gave up their lunch break every Wednesday this school year to read with them. Well done also to our Junior readers who were presented with certificates last week for their great reading!
First Year Trip
First Year students went on an end of year trip to Hidden Valley last week and enjoyed the aqua park along with combat laser tag. It was a great end to a challenging year!
Cookery Practicals
Well done to all the Third Year Home Economic students who recently completed their cookery practicals. The standard was exceptionally high as fantastic dishes along with careful presentation ensured success. Miss Ring and Miss Byrne are very proud of their students and want to wish them the very best with their cookery as they leave their kitchen for the final time as junior students.
Well Read Student Committee
Thank you to Transition Year students Niambh Tierney, Teagan Scott, Caitlin Caw and Abbie Turner for all their work in promoting literacy throughout the school this year. Their contribution and leading of initiatives have been much appreciated and beneficial to the school community as a whole.
Sixth Year Graduation
Warmest congratulations to all our Sixth Year students who recently graduated from Avondale Community College. Our senior students have worked extremely hard in very challenging circumstances, and we proudly celebrate your wonderful achievements and wish you all the very best as you begin the next exciting chapter of your lives.
Transition Year News (by Eareann Foley)
Forensic Fun Workshop
Recently, Transition Years took part in a Forensic Science workshop. During this event they looked into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. TYs became detectives for a day as they learned all about the days leading up to the murder and all the details about those involved. Each student was given a worksheet where they had to fill out information about Lee Harvey Oswald and his involvement with Russia to the magic bullet that ‘hit’ JFK. We played a board game and created a timeline of how that infamous day in 1963 played out. We took our own fingerprints and even made theories about the perpetrators. It was an engaging workshop that promoted our problem-solving skills!
Gaisce Hike
Recently, both Transition Year groups and some Fifth Years took part in the Gaisce Hike. Both days consisted of lots of walking on many beautiful trails. The first day was more of flat land routes while the second day was more challenging as it was mostly uphill. We were lucky to have nice weather for each day. On the second day we ended our hike in Glendalough where we could eat some chips and ice-cream and some of the students played football. All the TYs who completed both days will be awarded with the Bronze Gaisce Medal and any Fifth Year who also completed it last year will receive the Silver Gaisce Medal. Thank you to Ms. Brennan, Ms. McGuirk and Ms. Kennedy for bringing us on these lovely trails.
Trip to Hidden Valley
Last Tuesday, the Transition Years were lucky enough to go on a trip to Hidden Valley for the second time. When we arrived there, we were split into our classes of Trans 1 and 2. Trans 1 would do Laser Tag for an hour while Trans 2 would do Kayaking and Mini-golf. After the hour the classes would switch over. Then it was lunch, where both classes came together to chat and eat. After this both classes went down to Splash Valley to do an on-water obstacle course. It did start to lash rain when we were there, but I think it only added to the fun of being on the course. Everyone enjoyed it and had a nice time as we near the end of our Transition Year experience.
Thank You
All the staff at Avondale Community College would like to take this opportunity to thank parents, guardians and the school community for their support over this challenging year. Thanks also to our students who have shown resilience and dedication in their studies despite the difficulties encountered by remote learning this year and the COVID restrictions on site. As the end of year is upon us, we would also like to wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer!