Avondale Community College

Avondale Community College
School Notes
Week beginning April 2nd 2012

Inspirational Avondale at Green Dragon Awards
Two of Avondale Community College’s young innovators, Dáire Flood and Cillian Kavanagh enjoyed great success at the Green Dragon Innovation Challenge. The boys travelled to Croke Park last Wednesday to present their invention, The Ice Device, to a panel of judges in the All- Ireland Finals of this prestigious competition. One of only twenty five finalists, the boys presented themselves and the school in an impressive and noteworthy manner. The hard work and dedication of the two boys certainly paid off as they collected the Inspiration and Creative Award. Well done to Dáire and Cillian on such great success to date with their latest invention. We anticipate a bright future for these two young entrepreneurs!

Griffith College Debate Success!
Transition Year students from Avondale Community College successfully qualified for the prestigious Griffith College Schools Debating competition. The Avondale TY Debating team of Aaron Cullen, Natasha Byrne, Alison Kearney and Kate Privett, with speech writers Patrick Kinsella and Conor Fulham, were one of just four teams selected to represent their schools in the debating semi-finals. The team displayed excellent oratorical skills, as well as strong argumentative and persuasive skills. Unfortunately the team did not make it to the finals of the competition. The team did enjoy success though, with Kate Privett winning the prize for Best Speaker in the overall competition. Well done to the team!

Sports Successes!
First Year Boys’ Football
The First Year Boys’ Football team enjoyed a win when they met St. Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin in the semi-final of the First Year League. The Avondale side, captained by Conor Byrne, will meet St. David’s Secondary School, Greystones in the final after the Easter holidays. Well done and best of luck to the boys in the final!
Junior Camogie
Avondale’s Junior Camogie team beat the Dominican College, Wicklow in the ‘A’ Championship last week. The whole team displayed an impressive performance, but joint Captains, Mairéad Dunne and Caitlin Olahan played vital leadership roles. The team are eagerly training now for the final. Well done and best of luck to the girls in the final!
Junior Football
Our Junior Football team enjoyed a great win over Coláiste Chraobh Abhann last week to advance to the semi-finals of the Wicklow Junior Championship. In what was a tight encounter, Avondale finished strongly to win on a score line of 6-10 to 3-2. The Avondale defence performed very strongly throughout, with Damien Hanlon as our main threat in the forwards scoring three goals. Well done to the boys and best of luck in the next game!
Junior Girls’ Football
The Avondale Junior Girls’ Football team, captained by Emma Birro, took part in the Junior B Blitz on Tuesday 27th March 2012 in Pearse Park, Arklow. After three convincing wins over St. David’s School, Greystones, Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow and Coláiste Chill Mhantaín, Wicklow, the girls emerged victorious from their side of the Blitz. The Avondale girls then met St. Kevin’s Community College in the semi-final. Following a closely contested match the teams were level. Despite the girls efforts St. Kevin’s progressed to the final in extra-time. Well done to the girls on very good performances throughout.
First and Second Years Boys’ Hurling
The First and Second Year Boys’ Hurling team in Avondale Community College are busy training for their upcoming final versus Coláiste Chill Mhantaín. Best of luck to the boys in the final!
Girls’ Basketball
The First and Second Year Girls’ Basketball teams are busy training for their upcoming matches. The girls will play St. Mary’s School, Arklow and Gaelcholáiste na Mara in the next two rounds of the league. Best of luck to both teams!
First Year Boys’ Basketball
The First Year Boys’ Basketball team will meet Gorey Community School after Easter in their next game. Good luck to the Avondale Boys!
Athletics
Forty students from Avondale Community College will participate in the County Schools’ Athletics in Charleland Athletics Track on 24th April 2012. The students will participate in a range of events, including 100 metre, 800 metre, Long Jump, High Jump and Relays. Best of luck to all students involved.

Annual Avondale Golf Classic
The Annual Avondale Community College Golf Classic will take place in Woodenbridge Golf Course on 11th May 2012. In order to book a tee time or offer sponsorship for this great event, please contact the school on 0404-46445.

TY Students Visit People Newspapers
Transition year students from Avondale Community College visited the People Newspapers offices in Rowe Street in Wexford last week. Earlier this year the students produced articles for the Wicklow People’s TY Newspaper supplement, which will be published after Easter. The students were shown the ways in which a newspaper is produced, from reporting to page design and copy editing, by sub-editor Peter Henry. The also spoke with journalists and gained an insight into their day to day work. This was a great opportunity for the students to experience the world of journalism and we are sure this is just the first taste of journalism for many of our students.

TY Log on, Learn - Computer Training for Older People
Transition Year students in Avondale Community College are offering free, one to one computer training for those aged 65 and over.
Learn how to book flights, surf the Internet or send an e-mail to a friend!
These user-friendly classes will take place, on 6 consecutive Friday mornings from 11:40 - 12:40, starting from April 20th
As places are limited, don’t delay! To book your place phone Miriam, our Secretary at 0404-46445

Career Talks
Two career talks took place for Fifth Year students in Avondale Community College last week. Clare from Waterford I.T. visited the school and provided a very informative talk on the many college courses and career options in Waterford I.T. Members from the Army Cavalry Unit also visited the school and spoke to students about career options in the army. Many thanks to the speakers for taking the time to viist the school.

Local Emerging Poet Visits Avondale
Last week, Wicklow poet, Cliona O’ Connell visited Transition Year students at Avondale Community College. Cliona, an emerging local poet, was a runner-up in the 2011 Patrick Kavanagh Awards and was selected for the 2010 Poetry Ireland Introduction Series, while her first book of poetry, White Space, was published last month. While at Avondale she read some of her poems to the students and spoke to them about the process of writing poetry. She also facilitated a poetry workshop where students looked at similes and metaphors and also wrote group poems. This was an insightful and creative process for the students. Many thanks to Cliona for visiting the school.

First Year P.E. Trip
As part of the P.E. programme in Avondale Community College, all First Year classes will enjoy a trip to Baltinglass Outdoor Education Centre on 25th May 2012.