Author: Hazelwood College

You’re a Star – RTE


TEXT

VOTE GEORGE

TO 53600

Hazelwood College Student – Maire Ide De Bhal

Maire Ide De Bhal one of the members of the band ‘George Girl’ is a student at Hazelwood College. The was formed as part of the singer/ songwriter workshops in Killarney by the judges and producers of the show. It comprises of Maire Ide De Bhal and two other girls – Sarah Goodwin from Ballincollig, Co. Cork and Julie Cunnane from Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Most recently Maire Ide starred as the narrator in the school musical ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’. She is seen here photographed preforming in the musical and with the cast of the show. (click on photos to enlarge )

Limerick Leader Articale 15th January 2005

You’re A Star contestants hope Eurovision spot is signed, sealed and delivered

NEXT week’s 17th birthday of Máire Íde de Bhál from Feenagh might be the happiest of her life, as she again showcases before a huge national audience on You’re a Star.

And the students’ council at her school, Hazlewood College, Dromcollogher, is now liaising with the other VEC schools and colleges in a co-ordinated push for text and e-mail votes for next Sunday’s second elimination concert on RTÉ1.

Already, colour posters have been placed in schools, bars and discos, seeking support for the only Limerick contestant to have reached the finals in the competition to choose Ireland’s representative act at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev in May.

Daughter of Máire and Bertie Wall, the young accordion player and harpist reached the final stages of the competition and, last Sunday, easily got through the televised first elimination round at Dublin’s Helix Theatre at DCU.

She is one of a three-girl group, George, who came second in Sunday’s voting.

But, before she got to the finals at all, Máire Íde had to audition in Limerick and then undergo a gruelling week-long workshop with voice trainers, choreographers and stylists in Killarney, before emerging as part of one of the final 12 acts.

“Killarney was hectic, but we enjoyed it,” she said this week.

The judges, Hazel Kaneswaran, Barbara Galavan and Dave Fanning, gave three individual entrants, including Máire Íde, the opportunity to form a vocal group in just one day and prove themselves worthy of a place in the final stages.

Máire Íde, with Julie Cunane 19 from Dundalk and Sarah Goodwin 16 from Cork, had to pick a song, learn its words, arrange harmonies, learn a choreographed dance routine and co-ordinate outfits for a stage presentation to a large audience in the Gleneagles Hotel. Calling themselves George, they selected Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Deliveredâ and convinced the judges they have what it takes to go through.

And so, this Sunday, as the elimination finals continue at 6.30 on RTÉ1, it will be down to text and e-votes to see whether Feenagh’s youngest star will take another step towards the great night in Kiev.

About the School

Hazelwood College is situated at Kells Cross, just outside of Dromcollogher. It opened it’s doors to students for the first time in September 2002. The €6 million development is a major scoop for the area and it is a tribute to the hard work of Principal Liam Lenihan and his dedicated staff.

School Building

Overlooking the town, the school is situated on an eleven acre site. The playing area consists of a full size G.A.A. field which is complimented by a hard surface area which is used for soccer, basketball and tennis.

A roadway surrounds the school facilitating the delivery and collection of students from the school. A new footpath has been laid down from the school to the town.

These fully resourced areas are inside the school building:

  • assembly area,
  • science rooms,
  • demonstration rooms,
  • general classrooms,
  • geography room,
  • mechanical drawing,
  • language laboratory
  • library
  • art room
  • technology room
  • engineering room
  • music department
  • computer rooms
  • PE hall.
 School Entrance

Extra Curricular Activities

Outdoor Pursuits:

Hazelwood College has a long standing association with two outdoor education centres, Kilfinnane OEC, Co. Limerick and Capanalea OEC, Co. Kerry. There are a number of excursions organised throughout the year as part of the Transition Year and the Leaving Cert Applied Programme. There is also a weekend trip organised for first year students as part of their introduction to Hazelwood College. On these weekends students learn a number of new skills such as rock climbing, kayaking, hillwalking, abseiling, orienteering and campcraft. These weekends are not only a learning experience but are also great fun and hugely popular with our students.

Canoeing

Debating and Quizzes

Debating is an important part of the extra curricular activities at Hazelwood College. Students are given the opportunity to participate in debates both in the classroom and in debating competitions against other schools.

Public Speaking

Many of our students are involved in public speaking both in competition and as part of the transition where they are working to be awarded a toastmasters certificate.

Music

Music is not only part of the curriculum at Hazelwood College but students also enjoy taking part in musical events outside of the classroom. In recent years Mr. Sheehan has organised students in the production of a number of musicals and variety shows including ‘Cats’, ‘Oliver’, ‘Grease’, ‘The Sound of Music’ and most recently ‘Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat’

Music

Chess and Board Games

Indoor games have become extremely popular with students flocking to the library at lunch to play a variety of board games. Last year the chess club and the school was delighted with its success as they defeated all their opponents from other schools around the county.Students were coached in techniques within the school. All 1st year students were also involved in a draughts tournament which was a great event and proved to be a great competition right up to the final last May.

Chess at Lunchtime

About Transition Year

Transition Year was reintroduced to Hazelwood College in September 2002 and is currently being co-ordinated by Miss Griffen. The programme is extremely successful and is already proving to be of great benefit to participants. Transition Year is offered to students immediately their Junior Cert.. The year is seen as a stepping stone for students moving from Junior Cycle to the demands of the Leaving Certificate programme. The year is also designed to give students a taste of different types of careers so that they may have a clearer idea of the career path they will chose to follow after the Leaving Cert. Students who have taken the Transition Year option tend to have a more mature attitude to the Leaving Cert Exam and attain better results. Transition Year aims to help students to develop academically, socially and personally. Students continue their work in the core subjects of Maths, English, Irish and Modern Languages. By this the students are given the chance to begin work on the Leaving Cert. Programme. Students also take classes in Chemistry, Art, Nature Studies, SPHE and Religion. In addition Transition Year students take a number of practical courses, which, on completion entitles them to recognised certificates, which will be of great use to them in later life e.g. The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), the Driver Theory Test, Home Management, Toastmasters and First Aid.

Transition Years Recieving Gasice Awards

Hazelwood College is very proud of its association with the University of Limerick and this is especially true for Transition Year Students. Throughout the Transition Year Students get involved in a number of orientation programmes in the different departments at the University of Limerick. In 2004 Hazelwood College Transition Year Students became the first students in the country to be awarded the new National Sports Leader Award in association with the University of Limerick and the Irish Sports Council.

Transition Year Students to develop a strong sense of responsibility. Students are given responsibility for different aspects of school life such as the school canteen, the shop and the school bank. They also have to work towards achieving the prestigious Gaisce awards from the President.

What the students say:

“The work experience we obtained gave us a chance to experience working life and what we wanted to do in later life”
Marie Kirwan Transition Yeay 2002/3

“Transition Year gave us an opportunity to mature as group and to develop new friendships within a new group” .
Jenny O Connor Transition Year 2002/3

“We achieved lots of certificates and completed many courses eg, Food and safety, Toastmasters, ECDL, and the Personal Development Day”
Denise O Sullivan Transition Year 2002 /3

Sport at Hazelwood College

At Hazelwood College sport plays an important part in school life.The school boasts a state of the art gym along with three outdoor basketball courts and a full size quality sports pitch. We firmly believe in the notion of a ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’. Students are encouraged to take part in some form of sporting activity whether on the playing field or on trips away for outdoor education. The school is enjoying great success in a number of sporting disciplines. The following outlines the many sporting opportunities at Hazelwood College.

* Hurling
* Football
* Ladies Football
* Athletics (Track and field & Cross Country)
* Camogie
* Basketball
* Outdoor Pursuits
* Indoor Hockey
* Badminton
* Swimming
* Pitch and Putt
* Students interested in equestrianiam are also encouraged to take part in schools events 		U14 Girls Football Team
Recent Sporting Achievements

For the very latest sportsnews from the College please click …here…

Gym

The shop

The shop

There is a shop in the school which is run by the transition years. The money that it makes is used to pay for school outings and trips. The shop is beneficial to the school and the students as it teaches them the responsibilities of work and helps them to mature through trust and respect. They shop sells a variety of food and snacks and drinks for the pupils. They also supply hot breakfast and chicken rolls. They supply soup and rolls at 1 o clock to the pupils. The pay for the stock in the shop and sell and manage it themselves. It is entirely run and dependant on the students of the school. The students themselves stock the shelves and count the money. They put what they want into the bank themselves and save it. That is what the shop is all about.

By
Daniel Sheehan & Niki Keating

Transition Year Subjects

English
In this class we read novels, watch films, and do a lot of grammer work.
Irish
We are doing 2 things in Irish- we are recording a play “An Trial” and we are entering two films into the T4 film competition.
Maths
We have 2 maths classes a week. We learn about Algebra, Trigonometry and we do alot of puzzles.
French
In this class we watch some films. We do some french on the computers. we write essays on things we watch.
Chemistry
We all entered the Esat BT Young Scientist Exposition 2005. We all have to do a report and present it for Christmas.
Art
We all entered the Form & Fusion Awards. We had to make costumes out of recyclable materials.
Religion
This is the nicest clas of the week. We talk about Chrismas and helping different charities.
PE
In this class we learned how to play volleyball. We also did a coaching course for Gaelic Football.
Drama
We are preparing a play for Easter its called “On the Train” Its good fun.
IT
In this class we are doing the ECDL. We have 3 exams done and we have 4 more to do.
Nature Studies
We did a bone project in this class. we all had to write about our bnes and diseases etc.
Co-ordination
In this class we have graet fun with our year head, Ms. Griffin. She’s always in a good mood and we do some fun stuff.
Car Maintenance
We changes an oil filter in this class. We are preparing for our driver theory test and someimes we do golf.
Home Economics
We are doing the Safe Food Course in this class and we are doing our exam after Christmas.