Month: May 2010

Sharon has Winning Recipe!

In an attempt to safeguard the expertise and skills of grandparents in Ireland and in many parts of the world, Darina Allen helped to launch the first Slow Food International Grandmother’s Day, last year which was celebrated on April 25th. It is an opportunity for grandmothers and grandfathers to bring together their grandchildren in order to impart their knowledge, experience and to reminisce about their own childhoods. These occasions allow precious life skills to be shared and not forgotten.

The Irish Examiner newspaper in conjunction with Slow Food Ireland welcomed and supported the initiative for the second year running. Home Economics students were encouraged by Ms. Daly to enter the competition by submitting their favourite grannies’ recipe along with reasons for their choice. The winning recipe chosen by Darina was that of Sharon Geary, a 5th Year student in Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher.

Part of Sharon’s prize was a cookery demonstration in Hazelwood College by none other than Darina Allen of the internationally acclaimed Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry Co. Cork. There was great excitement around the school as preparations were made for the visit on Tuesday 18th May 2010.

Ready steady cook! Tuesday the 18th May finally arrived and the Home Economics room was laid out so that every possible vantage point was secured. Darina Allen the world renowned chef, author and T.V. personality glided into the room and was met by over eighty excited students. Another eighty pupils watched the demonstration via wireless video link in an adjoining room thanks to the expertise of 5th year pupil Paudie Walsh. Darina and her lightening quick assistant Soricha demonstrated a vast array of culinary skills as a selection of delicious recipes were prepared, cookThe dishes included yeast pizza base topped with chorizo sausage, olives and mozzarella, white soda bread, tomato fondue, crunchy orange butter scones, oatmeal biscuits, Rachel’s drop scones and raspberry jam.

Darinas’ energy, passion and flare was mesmerising as she wowed both students and staff with her culinary expertise and knowledge. Students strained to see her every move such was the speed and ease at which she worked. Her energy and vigour inspired us and left us wanting more! She placed huge emphasis on promoting and using locally sourced produce while also, encouraging us to keep in touch with our indigenous roots.

Sharon’s grandmother who was the source of the winning recipe was present at the demonstration and watched with pride as Darina presented Sharon with a signed copy of her latest cookery book “Forgotten Skills”. As a small token of our appreciation Sharon presented Darina with a Hazel sapling which was provided by An T-Ionad Glas, the Organic College in Dromcollogher. This was a wonderful experience for the students of Hazelwood College and one they will treasure for years to come.

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Hazelwood College is the Overall Winner at Scifest 2010.

Hazelwood College is celebrating this week with the news that one of its entries has been awarded with the accolade of ‘Best Overall Project’ at Scifest 2010 held in Limerick Institute of Technology on April 27th. The project entitled, ‘An Investigative Study on the use of Seaweed and Commercial Fertilisers in Growing Winter Density Lettuce Variety’ was carried out by Second Year students, Bridann Cronin and Clare Fehin. On the day this project also won First Prize in the Junior Life Sciences category. The aim of the project was to investigate the use of seaweed as a fertiliser for Winter Density lettuce variety, compared with the use of a commercial fertiliser and the effect of both on germination and development of the lettuce plants. From the results gained through extensive experimentation the girls concluded that seaweed is the better fertiliser for aiding germination, seedlings development and lettuce plant foliage growth over the commercial fertilser used and over water. Concern for health and food sourcing is a worldwide issue and being more aware of the possibilities of using organic sources of soil and plant nutrition is important in advancing and caring for the health of the community. The girls worked laboriously to complete their investigation and congratulations are due in recognising their hard work and dedication to scientific research. Well Done girls from your science teacher Ms. O’ Connor. Bridann and Clare will now travel with Ms. O’ Connor to the National Finals of Scifest.

More news to celebrate came in the form of another award for two Transition Year girls Aideen O’ Flynn and Katie Lordan. Their project entitled ‘An Investigative Study on the Lichen Biodiversity in Limerick City and County as an Indicator of Air Quality’ was awarded Second Place in the Senior Life Sciences category. The aim of their project was to investigate the variety of lichens growing in Limerick City and an outward radius toward West Limerick as an indicator of locational air quality and potential changes in air quality.

As a result of their investigation it was concluded that Limerick City and County show complex biodiversity in lichen species found on trees. There are a wide range of species from ‘semi-tolerant’ to ‘very-sensitive’ species found throughout City and County locations drawing the conclusion that Limerick City and County has good air quality as indicated by the lichen biodiversity. A lot of hard work went into this project and the girls should be very proud of themselves. Congratulations from Ms. O’ Connor.

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Hazelwood College has ‘A Good Idea’ in reaching the Nationals Finals.

Hazelwood College second year students Karen O’ Kelly, Áine O’ Sullivan and Aisling O’ Connor, are celebrating reaching the National Finals of ‘One Good Idea’ Project to be held in Dublin Castle on May 6, 2010. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland anchors the ‘One Good Idea’ Project on a national level. The girls have been imaginative and effective in deciding on a slogan for their group ‘AKA Energy’- Saving by Changing. The girls have developed programmes with the aim of raising awareness of primary school children on ways they can make everyday energy savings. The girls have developed a programme suitable for the younger junior and likewise for the older pupils at primary level. The programmes are informative, interactive and fun with ways of making changes to save energy everyday at home and at school at the core of their message. A very big thank you must be extended to all the primary school principals, teachers and pupils who have facilitated the girls and welcomed them into their classrooms. So far the girls have run their programmes in Tullylease N.S, Dromcollogher N.S, Milford N.S and Broadford N.S.

The girls are the only group from Limerick to be successful in this prestigious competition and are working hard to get ready for the finals. Only twenty projects from second-level schools all around the country were awarded with a place to compete in the finals. Staff and students alike at the college are ecstatic at the news. Congratulations from Ms. O’ Connor, the girls’ teacher who will accompany them to the final on May 6, 2010.

Many thanks must be extended to a sponsor of the project, McMahon Eco-fuels from Kantoher.