Hazelwood College

Black Valley Adventure’s

As reward for all their hard work over the year and to help some students attain their Gaisce Award, Transition Years recently went on a two day hike to and from the Black Valley in Co. Kerry.

We set out from Muckross House in Killarney in some glorious sunshine in the direction of Ladies View. A tough climb up the side of Torc Waterfall took us to the old Kenmare Road between Torc and Mangerton Mountains which we followed to Ladies View where we stopped for ice-cream after our picnic in the mountains.

Once fed we dropped down to valley floor to hike into the Black Valley.
Despite some valiant efforts to stay dry crossing some bogs all was lost when the some brave souls had to go test the tempatures in the local river.

That evening in the hostel students cooked Spaghetti Bolognese for 24 under the watchful eyes of Ms Sugrue and Mr Fealy.

Next morning after a feed of more bolognese (long story) we headed for the Gap of Dunloe unfortunately in the rain and to the finishing line of Kate Kearney’s Cottage.

All in all over the two days we walked over 30kms taking in all the sights along the map board fitted to Pat Falvey the famous mountaineer’s shop at our finishing point.

Camino Walk

Picture a: A group of Hazelwood College staff and students recently travelled to Spain and completed a section of the world famous Camino Walk, following in the footsteps of pilgrims throughout the centuries in an event which succeeds in testing and reinforcing the spiritual and physical of those who participate. Pictured are back row (left to right) Ms Mary O’Doherty, Laoise Bennis, Ms Mary Hickey, Megan Roberts, Ellie Stone, Sean Brosnan, Ryan O’Gorman, Owen Cunningham, Lea Docktor, Albert Fenton, Matthew Daly, Ms Catherine McCall, and Mr Denis McCarthy. Front Row (left to right) Ms Marie O’Connor, Maria Cremin, Claire Sweeney, Tara Fitzgibbon, Kevin Stokes, Megan Fitzgibbon, Sarah Shanahan, Paul McMahon, Ali Purcell, Simon Donegan and Liam O’Connor.

Picture b: Pictured outside one of their hostels are the Hazelwood College students who participated on the Camino walk, with staff, recently. Pictured are front row (left to right) Maria Cremin, Ellie Stone, Laoise Bennis, Ryan O’Gorman, Claire Sweeney and Albert Fenton. Second Row (left to right) Megan Roberts, Ellen Condon, Ali Purcell and Lea Docktor. Third Row (left to right) Tara Fitzgibbon, Kevin Stokes, Simon Donegan and Liam O’Connor. Back Row (left to right) Sean Brosnan, Sarah Shanahan, Paul McMahon, Megan Fitzgibbon and Matthew Daly.

Hazelwood Edge it in a Magnificent Final in Monagea

Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher 3-11
Colaiste Íde & Iosaef, Abbeyfeale 4-6

Played in very good conditions recently on the beautiful surface of Monagea GAA field, Hazelwood College, having beaten Laurel Hill in the semi-final, came up against hot favourites – Abbeyfeale in this year’s County Limerick Post Primary Schools Senior Girls’ Football Final. Abbeyfeale started well and had a goal and a point on the scoreboard before Hazelwood had time to settle. Ten minutes into the game, Marie Danaher had the ball in the Abbeyfeale net and followed up with a great point from 30 metres out. Abbeyfeale then put on the pressure, missing out on a few vital scores, but still managed to double their advantage 20 minutes into the half.
They then scored 3 points from ‘frees’ but Hazelwood fought back bravely and a goal from Donna Mulcahy and a point from Sarah Shanahan left the score 2-2 to 2-5 at half-time.

In the second half, the Hazelwood girls, who are now marking tightly, started to get the upper-hand on their opponents. Hazelwood put up a score of 1-3 in the space of 10 minutes spree to leave the match on a tight edge! Abbeyfeale replied with another goal and a point but Donna Mulcahy pointed to leave the sides level with 7 minutes remaining. Hazelwood responded with two further points, one from Donna Mulcahy and the other from Marie Danaher but Abbeyfeale kept putting the pressure on the Hazelwood goal and were awarded a penalty which was duly slotted into the net – leaving the game on a knife edge. Abbeyfeale popped over another point to leave the sides level with 2 minutes to go. Hazelwood relentlessly piled on the pressure when two late points from Marie Danaher and captain Aisling McCarthy sealed the victory for the Dromcollogher Girls.

This was the best display from Hazelwood College all year and all the girls played their part in this fantastic success. It was a great occasion for the ‘Three McCarthy Sisters’ and our mascot ‘Murish’ little brother of the three sisters.

The final score Hazelwood College 3-11 Abbeyfeale 4-6.

The Hazelwood team was:
M McCarthy, S Boyce, C McCarthy, C O’Brien, N O’Sullivan, R Lane, M Fitzgibbon, D Mulcahy, S Shanahan, A Cunningham, T Fitzgibbon, A McCarthy (Captain), S Kirwan, M Danaher, E R Mulcahy. Subs: L Dokter (a visiting student from Germany), R Cunningham, C Sweeney, E O’Sullivan, C O’Callaghan.

Limerick VEC Colleges U16 1/2 – County final

The Hazelwood boys travelled the distance to Claughán to face the awaiting Newport team in the Limerick VEC Colleges U161/2 County final, on Friday the 9th of May last.

As the match began it was clear both teams had similar intensions and it was going to be a tough battle. With Newport scoring the opening point Hazelwood knew they would have to fight right to the bitter end.
The wind blew in Newport’s favour during the first 30 minutes, and the Hazelwood side had to keep up a strong defence to ensure they stayed in the game, Jack O’ Sullivan putting over Hazelwood’s first point from a free which was followed by another point from Padraig Ahern due to a tremendous effort and strong performances from Hazelwood’s Cian Manger Flynn and Dean Collins who supplied ball continuously in around the square. Newport fought back however, and matched every score with one of their own, keeping a slight lead on the scoreboard ending the half Hazelwood 0-6, to Newport 1-8.

The second half of the game got off to a flying start, Hazelwood’s captain Seamus Flanagan firing balls down the length of the field, setting-up and scoring numerous points from the half way line. This display of courage and determination continued from the whole team throughout the game making Newport’s attempts to stay on top impossible. Although they never gave up and made sure Hazelwood had to fight to win position for every ball. Conditions on the day were not ideal with a strong wind blowing across the field making simple play difficult, this did not affect either of the two teams who performed with an outstanding show of sportsmanship, style and teamwork. As the referee Paddy Carroll blew the final whistle, an ecstatic Hazelwood let out a sigh of relief. The final score: Hazelwood 1-21, Newport 1-14.
This victory was well deserved and could not have been achieved if not for the Hazelwood trainers Mr Ronan Farrell and Mr Matt Finn who have worked tirelessly over the past year to mould the team into the best they could be. This win was a fantastic achievement to finish of the year and the team have brought tremendous pride to the trainers, parents, themselves and the school. We would like to congratulate all involved and wish them luck in future games.

Pictured are Back Row Left to Right: Mr Ronan Farrell, Stephen Coughlan, Nigel O’ Callaghan, Edward Hourigan, Anthony Barrett, Colin O’ Brien, Gearoid Matthews, Jack Sheahan, Shane Butler, Cathal Finn, William Enright, Alex Culhane, Brian Buckley, Luke Ryan, Dean Collins, Damien Burke, Glen McNamara, Keith Shine, Donal Molyneaux, Mr Matt Finn. Front Row Left to Right: Brian Murphy, James McDermott, Tim Larkin, Dan Noonan, Denis Donegan, Padraig Ahern, Seamus Flanagan(Captain), Cian Manger Flynn, Ryan O Gorman, Jack O’ Sullivan, Dylan Hayes Daly, Morris Fitzgibbon, Sean Shine.

Transition Year Graduation Night

Picture 1: Hazelwood College Transition Year students who were recipients of Awards on the Hazelwood College Transition Year Graduation Night. Pictured are back row, left to right, Ms Cliodhna Ryan, Transition Year Co-ordinator, Ellen Condon (Budding Biologist), Simon Donegan (Transition Year Ethos Award), Ellie Stone (Leadership Award), Lea Doktor (Contribution to Transition Year Award) and Mr Brendan Burke, Hazelwood College Principal. Pictured Front Row, left to right, are Maria Cremin (Transition Year Ethos Award), Sarah Tachoua (Transition Year Student of the Year) and Laoise Bennis (Transition Year Work Ethic Award).

Picture 2: Hazelwood College Principal, Mr Brendan Burke presents Laoise Bennis with her Transition Year Work Ethic Award at Hazelwood College’s recent Transition Year Graduation Night.

Picture 3: Ellie Stone, Hazelwood College Transition Year student, receives her Leadership Award from Principal Brendan Burke at her recent graduation.

Picture 4: Hazelwood College student Simon Donegan receives his Transition Year Ethos Award from Principal Brendan Burke at the recent Transition Year Graduation Night.

Picture 5: Maria Cremin, Transition Year student at Hazelwood College receives her Transition Year Ethos Award from Principal Brendan Burke in the course of the recent Transition Year Graduation Night.

Picture 6: Hazelwood College Transition Year Student of the Year Sarah Tachoua (centre) is congratulated by Principal Brendan Burke (left) and her mother Mary (right).

Picture 7: Ellen Condon receives her Transition Year Award from her Biology teacher, Ms Kay Treacy, during the recent Hazelwood College Transition Year Graduation Night. Ellen’s award was in recognition of her success in a national competition run by University College Cork; Ellen’s project came first and secured her a week long study programme in the Biosciences in University College Cork.

Internet Security – Live

Have a look at this map developed by a Security company called Norse (http://norse-corp.com/about.html). They created this live map showing less than 1% of the attacks on their systems at anytime. Anyone whose been in my classes now how I feel about viruses etc. This shows just how much they are out there. Rememeber this is less than 1% of one company

Click the blue box headers to make them smaller and see the map, or click on the black/map area to get taken to the original site and see it properly.

Enjoy the summer, and update your antivirus :)

Geography fieldtrip to King John’s Castle.

Geography fieldtrip to King John’s Castle

Picture 1: Hazelwood College Geography students from First and Second Year on their Geography fieldtrip to King John’s Castle.

Picture 2 Hazelwood College Geography students from First and Second Year on their Geography fieldtrip to King John’s Castle. Pictured are back row left to right Dean O’Brien, Conor Long, Cameron O’Flynn, Damien Burke and Ronan O’Keeffe. Fourth Row: Emma McNamara, Tara Hartigan, Fionn Roberts and Olan Carroll. Third Row: Ben Long, Julie O’Shea , Mairead Walsh, Ciara Purcell, Ben Rolfe, Áine Bennis, Kelly Doody and William Geoghan. Second Row: Darragh Lane, Karim Amer, Paul Power, Aoife Kiely, Cathy Foley, Niamh Forde, Jack McCarthy, Conor Roche, and Alan O’Leary. Front Row: Nicola Madden, Rebecca Carroll, Ciara Aherne, Micheal Begley, Shauna Kiely, Sophie Murphy, Chris Boyce, Neasa Fahy, Ava Mullane, Lorna Mulqueen and Ciara O’Callaghan

Dail Visit

Hazelwood College History and CSPE students who visited the Dáil recently. Here they are greeted by Deputy Patrick O’Donovan (front left) on their arrival.

Awards Day 2014

Hazelwood College Awards Day 2014

Pictures from the recent awards days at Hazelwood College

Picture a: Hazelwood College Annual Principal’s Award winner Tom Simcox (right) being presented with his trophy by Hazelwood College Principal Mr Brendan Burke.

Picture b: Mr Burke presents the award for Best Female Student in Junior Certificate 2013 to Mairead Lordan (right).

Picture c: Mr Burke presents the award for Best Male Student in Junior Certificate 2013 to Padraig Lordan (right). Padraig shared this distinction with John Ahern.

Picture d: Hazelwood College Senior Students who were awarded an Ethos Award were Back Row (left to right): Ellie Stone, Grainne Fitzgibbon, Julia O’Doherty, Kevin Stokes, Sean Shine. Front Row: Megan Roberts, Niamh Enright, Sarah Tachoua, Janice Reidy, Emma Lynch and Heather Keane

Picture e:Hazelwood College Junior Students who were awarded an Ethos Award were Colm Galvin, Áine Bennis, Rachel O’Reagan, Shelia Fitzpatrick, Grainne Ahern, Micheal Begley and Karim Amer. Front Row: Amy Buckley, Aoife O’Sullivan, Emma O’Connell, Cathy Foley, Bridget Kiely and Kelly Doody.

Picture f: Hazelwood College Junior Cycle Subject Award winners pictured back row (left to right) Denis Hennessy (Materials Technology Wood). Nigel O’Callaghan (Materials Technology Metal), James Curtin (History), Gerard Ahern (Business Studies), Jack Carroll (Maths) and Keith Coughlan (Geography). Front Row (Left to right) Norma O’Sullivan (Irish), Emma O’Connell (Irish), Linda Brown (Art), Grainne Buckley (Junior Draftsperson), Grainne Ahern (Science), Danielle Ahern (Music), Laura Stack (Languages), Bridget Kiely (Home Economics).

Picture g: Hazelwood College Senior Cycle Subject Award winners are pictured with their trophies. Pictured are Back Row (left to right) Emer Walsh (Art), Ciaran Slattery (Music), Denis Murray (Geography), Cillian Fahy (Physics), Brian Fehin (Senior Draftsperson), Brian Sheehy (Maths), Eamonn Shanahan (Construction) and Michael Keyes (Biology & Chemistry). Front Row (left to right) Clare Fehin (English), Heather Keane (Home Economics), Íde Hennessy (French), Orla Cunningham (LCVP), Aisling O’Connor (History), Mariesa Enright (Irish), Emma Lynch (Faith in Action Award) and Sarah O’Flynn (Business Studies).

Picture h: Hazelwood College Deputy Principal Elizabeth Dolan (left) with Niamh Ryan (centre) who won an Outstanding Achievement Award and Margaret Kiely Leaving Certificate II Student of the Year Award.

Shanghai Adventure

by Maria Cremin TY 2014

As part of the Transition Year Programme, we were able to study Chinese language and culture with Zhu Zhenghao, who is a tutor in the Confucius Institute in University College Cork. One of the benefits of this course was that Hazelwood College was eligible to send a student to an Easter camp to continue studying Chinese. Amazingly, the lucky student would be going to Shanghai to do so.

Mr Burke assigned a project to all students who wanted to participate in the Easter Camp in order to decide who would go. The project was made up of two essays; the first one was about Chinese people and culture and the second essay was about why you wanted to go to China. I was delighted to be chosen for the two week study camp. Apart from the essays I also had to learn a traditional Chinese craft, learn how to make an origami shape and write Hazelwood College in Chinese script.

Everything about Shanghai is very different from home. Every day we had two to three hours of Chinese Language class. On the first day of class we were given a work book which we were to use during the two weeks. The class was quite fast intensive, but the teachers were great and were really helpful if you had any problems.

Chinese teachers are very different from Irish teachers in that if they notice students are not paying attention in class or on their phone they don’t correct them, they just continue teaching the students that are interested in learning. Apart from Chinese class we all had two classes of Chinese calligraphy and four classes of taiji. Once we had all our classes finished for the day we were free to go site-seeing.

During the two weeks we went to a range of different places, such as the East Pearl TV tower, an overnight trip to Hangzhou and Suzhou. We went to Tiger Mountain and went into an old Buddhist temple. We went on a night cruise on the Hanupang River, we visited an ancient water village and went through it on a gondola style boat.