Avondale Community College

Avondale Community College
School Notes
Week beginning April 30th 2012

E-Twinning
The eTwinning annual conference was held in Berlin from 29 to 31 March 2012. Over 500 teachers from 31 countries actively participated in a very lively programme of presentations, workshops and activities. Avondale Community College teacher, Ms. Kathryn Noone was one of seven teachers from Ireland given the opportunity to attend. eTwinning is a form of partnerships with schools in other European countries through an online forum. The eTwinning Conference in Berlin was a place for teachers from all around Europe to meet and discuss ideas with the potential to set up an eTwinning project. Following this eTwinning Conference students in Avondale Community College are currently preparing to take part in a number of online projects across the areas of CSPE and Politics, First Year Induction and Folk Music. This is a great opportunity and we hope that these projects are just the beginning of many innovative and educational forays into the world of eTwinning for Avondale Community College.

E-Safety Lecture
Avondale Community College Parents’ Association is hosting a lecture entitled ‘E-Safety’ delivered by Kyle Petrie on Thursday 3rd May at 7 p.m. in the school. This would be an invaluable opportunity for parents to engage with their children on the topic of technology and access further information on the impact of technology on their children’s lives. All parents are welcome to attend.

SciFest Success!
Avondale Community College students Mark Roche and Cormac Ward brought their latest invention The Electronic Slurry Tank Meter to SciFest last Thursday in Carlow. This device allows the amount of slurry to be measured digitally rather than in the traditional method and could prove very useful on farms around the country. SciFest is a competition which encourages a love of Science and Maths through active, collaborative and inquiry-based learning. This competition provides a forum for students to present and display their scientific investigations. After bringing their device to the BT Young Scientist Exhibition in Dublin earlier this year, the boys were well prepared and full of enthusiasm. The boys’ effort and passion paid off as they were awarded the Best Communicator Prize on the day. Well done to the boys on this great achievement!

Rotary International Britain and Ireland Young Chef Final
Transition Year student Craig Curley travelled to Denman College in Abingdon, Oxfordshire last weekend to take part in the Rotary International Britain and Ireland Young Chef Final. Craig was one of only eight talented finalists and the only Irish representative who created a stir in the kitchen, all hoping to bring home first prize. All the candidates amazed the five judges with their skills and final dishes. Craig has had an exciting journey so far having progressed through local and regional heats. Although the ultimate prize was not to be his, he is looking forward to spending a day with Nevin Maguire in Blacklion, Co Cavan in the near future. Well done to Craig for all his hard work and dedication on this project!

County Track and Field
Forty students from Avondale Community College participated in the County Track and Field Athletics last week. There was great success as twenty eight students won medals on the day. As well as this Aoife Conroy, Laura Kavanagh, Amaris Borel, Amy Murphy, Liam Kinsella, Patrick Kinsella, Mark Keenan, Harry Penn, Shane Beevor and David Byrne qualified for East Leinster competition next week. Well done and best of luck in next week’s competition.

First Year Boys’ Football
The First Year Boys’ Football team will meet St. David’s School, Greystones in the final next week in Ashford. Best of luck to the boys!

Girls’ Basketball
First and Second Year Girls’ Basketball teams met Gaelcholaiste na Mara, Arklow last Friday. Both games were closely contested, but in the end both Avondale teams emerged victorious. Well done to the girls!

Transition Year News
Irish Film
Transition Year class, Trans 3 truly brought Irish to life last week as they recorded a short film as part of their Irish class. The students created the script themselves, as well as acting, directing and producing the film. There were great acting skills on display, as they ‘actors’ delivered their lines ‘as gaeilge’! Earlier this year both Trans 1 and Trans 2 also completed the same project and created interesting and entertaining films.
Soccer Blitz
Transition Year students participated in a Soccer Blitz in the school last week. There was great competition as the students competed to gain the winning title. Great enjoyment was had by all!
Beauty Therapy
Transition year students spent last Monday afternoon enjoying a skin care, threading for the eye brow and make up demonstration with Nicola from Eden Beauty Group in Wicklow town.

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.

Careers Talk
Sarah Conlon from IT Carlow visited the school last week to talk to students about courses available in the college and college life in general. Many thanks to Sarah for visiting the school.