Camino De Santiago
On 29 May eleven students from Hazelwood College completed the famous Camino de Santiago in Galicia in Northern Spain. This was an historic event as the students were the first group from the school, perhaps any school in the country, to undertake this challenge. In total the students walked over 112 kilometres and in doing so collected a sizeable amount of money for charity.
Planning for the walk began back in October when the tour was first offered to Transition Year students. They undertook an introductory walk and soon afterward began to raise money for their chosen charity, Bounce Back. This charity is especially close to the heart of one of the students who participated on the walk as it was set up by the mother of one of his basketball teammates who committed suicide, in order to help young people feeling under pressure. In addition the students started to collect the equipment they would need for the walk. Here it is necessary to recognise the support of the parents who were the solid foundations upon which this journey was built.
The journey began on 24 May when the students met at Charleville train station at the early hour of 05:00 am where, despite the early hour, the atmosphere was electric. The walk itself began on 25 May from Sarria and continued until 29 May, with the students walking between 17 and 30 kilometres each day. The weather was favourable most days with only one day of rain, but this failed to dampen spirits and instead the students saw it as another challenge. The evenings were taken up with the examination of blisters and sore muscles. However, this did not lead to despondency and in fact a number of evenings were spent playing soccer with the local Spaniards or playing Gaelic football in the plaza in front of the local church. The final day began with breakfast at 05:00am so that the group could finish in time to catch the plane. This necessitated the use of flashlights as the route took the group through the forest, adding to the excitement of the day. Santiago was a welcome sight at the end of the walk and each student was delighted to receive their certificate of completion. Then it was a rush to catch the flight home and a dash across Dublin to get the train in order to arrive back in Charleville at 21:16.
The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. One student said it was ‘a great bonding trip. The banter among friends inspired us to reach our destination, helping us to overcome the difficulties along the way.’ Another summed it up summed saying ‘we became closer as friends, raised money for charity and did something for a stranger. The most rewarding thing I’ve done so far.’ The teachers too were very impressed with the trip and were full of praise for the students. Mr Finn was delighted and commended the students on their approach to the trip. He said the most common word given by anyone who encountered the students on the walk was ‘wonderful’. Often both Mr. Finn and Ms. O Connor could be heard saying, ‘I feel like a proud parent. They are just so committed.’
Well done to all involved.
BEUN CAMINO!
Picture 1: Hazelwood College students with their teachers Mr Matthew Finn (back row, far right) and Ms Marie O’Connor (front row, second from right) as they departed on the Camino De Santiago. The Hazelwood College group was joined by Fr. Frank O’Dee PP of Dromcollogher and Broadford, standing on the far left.
Picture 2: Transition Year Students from Hazelwood College with their teachers Mr Matthew Finn and Ms Marie O’Connor, who were joined by Fr Frank O’Dee PP of Dromcollogher and Broadford, while they were taking a well deserved break in the Spanish sunshine while participating on the Camino De Santiago.
