Avondale Community College

Avondale Community College
School Notes
Week beginning April 20th 2012

Transition Year Students Involved in National Spring Clean Day
Transition Year students at Avondale Community College were doing their bit for the community last week when they took part in The National Spring Clean in the school and in the town of Rathdrum. This is Ireland’s largest anti-litter initiative organised by An Taisce and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Well done to all students involved!

Co. Wicklow VEC Environmental Awards
Last week Avondale Community College welcomed the judges for the County Wicklow Environmental Awards. The students’ ‘environmentally conscious’ projects were presented to the judges with great enthusiasm. Avondale Community College enjoyed great success at last year’s awards and we are hopeful that the Avondale cohort will once again prove successful this year. Best of luck to all involved!

Careers News
A small group of Fifth Year students experienced a careers talk by video conference this week. Galway- Mayo Institute of Technology has just started to link up with schools in this way and Avondale Community College was lucky enough to be the first participant. As part of this initiative GMIT provided the school with the equipment necessary for this new approach to sharing information. Students enjoyed hearing about courses and life in GMIT and were able to talk to the speaker. Many thanks to them and to Ms Kelleher who set up the equipment.
Ross Palmer of DCU gave a great talk to all Fifth Year students on Monday 16th April about courses and life in DCU.

Hurling Success!
The First and Second Year Hurling team enjoyed a great win over Coláiste Chill Mhantáin in the County Final on Wednesday in the Avondale GAA Complex. This was the ‘B’ Final and the win now puts the team into the ‘A’ final against Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew. The team ran out 10-10 to 1-5 winners after putting in a strong first half performance. Avondale led on a score line of 7-8 to 3 points at half time with some wonderful scores from Rory O' Kelly, Craig Byrne, Daniel Owens and David Byrne. The boys started the second half superbly with a long distance goal by Johnny Tobin. It was now Chill Mhantáin's turn to apply some pressure as the home team couldn't maintain the same level of intensity, but after conceding some scores the Avondale side once again got back on top with some inspiring play from the midfield duo of Daniel Owens and Captain Kevin O' Halloran. Conor Sheehan, Elliot Robinson and Liam Kinsella excelled in defence with Kevin O' Halloran, Mark Keenan and Eanna Owens also featuring on the score sheet up front. The entire panel put in a huge effort on the day and were rewarded for their hard work. Kevin accepted the shield from Jim Murphy on behalf of the team. A fixture for the ‘A’ final will be finalised in the coming days. The team was David Conroy, Conor Sheehan, Owen Heffernan, Stephen Cullen, Elliot Robinson, Liam Kinsella, David Byrne, Daniel Owens, Kevin O' Halloran, Mark Keenan, Johnny Tobin, Conor Byrne, Eanna Owens, Rory O' Kelly, Craig Byrne. While the subs used were James Murphy, Ryan Bolton, Tyrone Byrne, Cormac Forlot-Byrne. Well done to the team and best of luck in the next game!

Senior Camogie Winners!
Avondale Community College Senior Camogie team enjoyed great success in the Senior ‘B’ Camogie Final last Thursday. The Avondale girls met Coláiste Chraobh Abhann in a closely contested game. The team were on the losing side at half time, but with a great show of determination the girls turned the game around and emerged victorious with a score line of 4-6 to 2-6. There was great excitement and jubilation as Claire Begley received the cup. Well done to the girls!

First Year Girls’ Basketball
The First Year Girls’ Basketball team played a great game against St. Mary’s School, Arklow last week. After an exciting game the sides finished level. The teams will face each other once again in the replay in two weeks time.

Athletics
Fifty students from Avondale Community College will participate in the County Schools’ Athletics next week in Greystones. Best of luck to the students involved!

First Year Boys’ Football
After a win against St. Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin the Avondale First Year Boys Football Team will meet St. David’s School, Greystones next week in the ‘B’ final. Best of luck to the team!