Avondale Community College

Avondale Community College
School Notes
Week beginning March 5th 2012

Rotary Ireland All- Ireland Title!
After qualifying for the 2012 All Ireland Final of the Rotary Young Chef Competition at the end of January, Craig Curley displayed his wide range of culinary skills in the Santa Sabina College, Sutton, Co. Dublin. This time Craig was competing against budding young chefs from all over the island of Ireland. Craig again created a sumptuous three course meal and finished it off with an excellent presentation of his dishes. The judges were so impressed with Craig's skills and expertise that he was voted the All- Ireland Champion. This is a fantastic achievement and Craig will now go on to represent Ireland in the RIBI Young Chef Competition in the UK in April. Well done Craig and the best of luck from all the staff and students in Avondale Community College!

Green Dragon All- Ireland Finalists and Parade Grand Marshals!
Daire Flood and Cillian Kavanagh, our B.T. Young Scientist prize winners and finalists in the Green Dragon Innovation Challenge are currently preparing for the National Final in Croke Park on 28th March 2012. The boys will present their invention, 'The Ice Device' to a panel of judges. Following the regional competition they successfully secured one of only 25 places in the National Finals. But the boys' busy schedule doesn't stop there, as they have been chosen to be Grand Marshals at this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Rathdrum. Best of luck to Cillian and Dáire in the National Finals!

Sports News
Referee Course
Fifteen Transition Year students completed the G0-Games Refereeing Course in Aughrim last Thursday and Friday. This was organised by the Wicklow County Board, under the guidance of Hugh Kenny. This is a great opportunity for students to put the GAA motto of ‘Give respect, Get respect’ into practice and to look at the games from a different perspective.
First Year Boys’ Football
The First Year Boys’ Football team played St. Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin in the First Year Boys’ ‘B’ Semi Final. The team, captained by Conor Byrne, is sure to give it their very best on the day. Best of luck to the team!
Second Year Girls’ Basketball
The Second Year Girls’ Basketball team met St. Killian’s Community School, Bray in the first round of the league. The Avondale team enjoyed a good win on the day. They now meet East Glendalough next week in the next round of the league. Well done and best of luck to the girls in the next game!

Transition Year News
Irish Cultural Studies Trip
As part of their Irish Cultural Studies course Transition Year students enjoyed a trip to our national sporting ground, Croke Park. They received a guided tour around the impressive stadium and even had an opportunity to visit the presentation area! Following this, students visited Dublinia to experience Ireland during the Viking and Middle Ages. This was an enjoyable and educational trip.
Community Links
Last week a group of Transition Year students met local traders to discuss the prospect of promoting local businesses in Rathdrum. Following a productive meeting, the Transition Year students have offered their expertise to local traders by setting up a Facebook page, called Value Rathdrum, which will promote consumer value and special offers in the local area. In such economic times it is heartening to see young people using their initiative and developing their sense of community as they try to increase business in the local area.

Book Club
The Book Club have now received this month’s title, Ice Breaker by Mikael Engstrom . Last month’s title Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine proved very popular with the students. It provided a great insight into the life of a young girl who has Asperger’s but was also attempting to come to terms with great loss and change in her family unit. Students were very enthusiastic about sharing their thoughts and observations in the last meeting.

U.C.D. Shadowing Day
Six Leaving Certificate students from Avondale Community College visited University College Dublin, as part of the Shadowing Programme. Students had an opportunity to tour the college campus and attend a variety of lectures. The students found the experience both interesting and motivational. They are excited and enthusiastic about their future plans, as this taste of college life has merely whet their appetites!

Annual Subject Choice Afternoon
On Wednesday 29th February prospective Fifth Year students attended presentations on the Senior Cycle curriculum during the annual Subject Choice Afternoon. Subject teachers explained what their respective subjects entail. A booklet on each subject choice was distributed to all students. Prospective Fifth Year students have received subject choice forms, which must be returned by Tuesday 6th March 2012.