Avondale Community College

Avondale Community College
School Notes
Week beginning March 19th 2012

Gaisce Hike
On Thursday 15th and Friday 16th March, 33 students from Avondale Community College embarked on the school’s annual Gaisce Hike, as part of their adventure challenge. Travelling from Glendalough to Baltinglass, along the breathtaking, Wicklow Way, was an enjoyable yet challenging experience even in favourable weather conditions.

Guided by experienced walkers, Mr. Mulvey, school secretary Ms. Scott and guides from Baltinglass Outdoor Education Centre, our brave students embarked on their 2/3 day hike, depending on whether they were Bronze or Silver challengers.

Gaisce, otherwise known as the President’s Award is the country’s most prestigious and respected individual awards programme. To earn an award, candidates must participate in four challenge areas. The four challenge areas are Community Involvement, Personal Skill, Physical, Recreation and Adventure Journey. Successful candidates will be awarded bronze, silver or gold medals.

The aim of Gaisce is to contribute to the development of young people through the achievement of personal challenges. Following the completion of their latest adventure challenge; our students certainly enjoyed a sense of achievement!

History Trip
On Wednesday and Thursday last our Sixth Year History students enjoyed a trip to the historical city of Derry. Accompanied by their teachers Ms. Egan and Mr. Duggan the students visited a number of interesting sites, including the Free Derry Museum, The Apprentice Boy’s Hall and a guided tour along the city walls. The students regarded the trip as thoroughly enjoyable and very beneficial for their Leaving Certificate History Course.

Seachtain na Gaeilge
Bhí Avondale Community College an-ghnóthach le coicís anuas ag cur clár den scoth ar fáil do dhaltaí na scoile le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge. Cuireadh roinnt ócáidí ar siúl chun labhairt na Gaeilge is cultúr na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn is a spreagadh i measc na ndaltaí. Chuir an Idirbhliain Tráth na gCeist ar siúl do dhaltaí na chéad bliana. Bhí a lán iomaíochta le feiceáil mar a rinne gach foireann iarracht dul chun tosaigh chun an bua a fháil. Bhain an Idirbhliain an-taitneamh as an gcéilí a bhí ar siúl tráthnóna Dé Céadaoin. Fuair an dara bhliain deis an tseachtain is cultúr na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh chomh maith nuair a cuireadh céilí ar siúl dóibh ar an Déardaoin. Chuir Roinn na Gaeilge comórtas póstaeir ar bun chomh maith is rinne na daltaí an-iarracht brí na seanfhocal a mhíniú trí mheán na hEalaíne. Rinne an foireann go léir sár-iarracht cúpla focal a úsáid le linn na seachtaine. Ghlac na daltaí páirt bhríomhar in imeachtaí na Seachtaine agus ba léir go raibh ár gcultúr is teanga dhúchasach faoi lán seoil an tseachtain ar fad!


Avondale Community College was busy this week during Seachtain na Gaeilge. Several events took place to promote and encourage the Irish language and culture among the students. Transition year students organised a Table Quiz for First year students. There was a lot of competition to be seen, as teams tried to take the lead to win. Transition year students enjoyed the Ceilí which took place on Wednesday afternoon. Second year students also had an opportunity to celebrate the week by taking part in a Céilí on Thursday. The Irish Department ran a poster competition and students made a tremendous effort to illustrate the meaning of many seanfhocail through the medium of art. The entire school community also made a great effort to use their cúpla focal during the week. The students played a very lively role in the week’s activities and it was clear that our culture and native language were in full swing throughout the week.

Emmanuel Project– Sacred Music in D.C.U.
Congratulations to 20 senior students from Avondale Community College, who were chosen to participate in this year’s Emmanuel Project. Avondale students were among 800 students across Dublin to participate in this concert of Sacred Music that took place in The Helix, D.C.U last Tuesday. The students represented the school and the parish in an excellent manner and a great night was enjoyed by all. Well done to all those involved.

Griffith College Legal Debates
Congratulations to the TY Debating Team of Kate Privett, Aaron Cullen, Alison Kearney, Natasha Byrne and Sinead Gaffney, with speech writers Patrick Kinsella and Conor Fulham. The students have achieved great success already, as they have qualified for the All- Ireland Semi Finals of the Griffith College Legal Debating Competition. The Semi- Final will take place on Wednesday 22nd March. We wish the team and their teacher, Ms. Noone, the very best of luck.

Sports News:
Junior Football
Our Junior Football Team enjoyed a good win over Blessington Community College last Wednesday. In what was an excellent team performance, Avondale were victorious, winning out on a score line of 6-21 to 2-3. The team now go forward to play Coláiste Chraobh Abhain in the Quarter-Final. Well done to the boys and good luck in the next game!

Book Fair
A Book Fair will is taking place in the school over the next two weeks. Students will have an opportunity to purchase books every day at lunchtime in the Library.