China Visit

As part of Hazelwood College’s link with the Confucius Institute at University College Cork, two students undertook a study trip to University of Shanghai. During Transition Year students at Hazelwood College study Chinese as part of the Confucius Institute’s second level. From the group two students were selected to travel to Shanghai.

Here are some photos from the trip

Picture 1: Hazelwood College students Ben Long (left) and Áine Bennis (right) pictured in the course of their recent study trip to China, which they completed in conjunction with the Confucius Institute, UCC, where they were able to develop their Chinese knowledge and skills.

Picture 2: Hazelwood College students Ben Long (left) and Áine Bennis (right) are pictured in Shanghai in the course of their recent study trip to Shanghai, which was organised by the Confucius Institute, UCC.

Picture 3: The hotel where Hazelwood College students Ben Long and Áine Bennis stayed with other Irish students on the Confucius Institute, UCC, organised study trip to Shanghai, where they were able to develop their knowledge of Chinese.

Picture 4: One of the tourist sites visited by Ben Long and Áine Bennis as part of their study trip to Shanghai with the Confucius Institute.

Picture 5: A view of the outskirts of Shanghai, which Hazelwood College students Ben Long and Áine Bennis visited as part of their study trip there, organised by the Confucius Institute.

Limerick On Ice

Here are some photos from the Transition Year and Leaving Certificate Applied Christmas trip to Limerick.

Hazelwood College students Andy Quaid (left) and Áine Bennis (right) show off their skills on the ice on their recent trip to Limerick on Ice.
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Hazelwood College Transition Year Programme students and Leaving Certificate Applied students are pictured after cutting a dash across the ice recently at Limerick on Ice.
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Torc Mountain Challenge 2015

The Transition Year class recently climbed Torc Mountain in Kilarney, Co. Kerry, as part of Hazelwood College’s Mental Health Week activities.

The students set out from the base of the Waterfall at Torc in Killarney to get to the top of Top Mountain, a 5km climb of 535m (1755ft).

A number of fit students with an enthusiastic Mr. Lambe undertook to set a record to get to the top of the climb, and set out at a steady jogging pace. This in turn set a challenging pace for the remainder of the group.

The first of the climbers reached the top in approximately one hour and fifteen minutes with the last of the climbers arriving twenty five minutes later. These times were especially impressive considering they were a full thirty minutes faster than last year and one hour faster than the slowest group in recent years to get to the top.

The walk took the steep tourist climb from the base of the waterfall to the top of the waterfall. From there the students followed the Old Kenmare Road between Torc and Mangerton mountains until they reached the south face of Torc. From there it was a trek along the OPW constructed trail to the top where a fantastic 360′ panoramic view was nowhere to be seen. In what was unfortunate luck shortly before reaching the summit heavy cloud cover and rain set in, and to further add to our unfortunate timing the rain and cloud cleared shorthly after we commenced out descent.

Regardless an enjoyable trip was had by all in our annual Mental Health Week challenge.

Here are some photos from the day … and one of the view we missed as promised!

Transition Year 2015

Hazelwood College welcomes its Transition Year Programme students back to school. Transition Year offers students a unique opportunity to take control of their own learning, to get involved in a variety of competitions and activities, while also learning about the subjects they can choose from for the Leaving Certificate.

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The new Transition Year students this week participated in an induction programme at the Ballyhass Lakes Activity Centre. Students participated in a series of physical challenges in order to build bonds and to prepare them for the unique challenges and learning environment offered by Transition Year. The programme is designed to instil individual confidence and independence, while strengthening the group’s identity and awareness. The development of both the individual and group confidence are key in the TYP, where students are encouraged to become self-directed and autonomous learners, able to work collectively and individually on practical and academic challenges, without the pressure of state exams.

Treks and Trails in the Black Valley

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.

After some morning tea and scones, we set out from Muckross House in Killarney in some sunshine and in high anticipation of good weather ahead thanks to Met Eireann. Our aim was to arrive at Ladies View by mid afternoon and then onto the Black Valley. After a short warm up along by the Muckross Lake, a sharp climb up the side of Torc Waterfall awaited us. Our journey through ever increasing mist and rain took us along the Old Kenmare Road between Torc and Mangerton Mountains which we followed to Ladies View.

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 the students cooked themselves a Spaghetti Bolognese and a especially tasty vegetarian option (who put in the extra chilli and spices we may never know!!!) for 24 under the watchful eyes of Ms Griffen and Mr Fealy.

Next morning after a good nights sleep on the brand new mattresses in the Hostel. A feed of almost 100 sausages prepared us for the day as we headed for the Gap of Dunloe in what was a grey but dry morning and on 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.

Transition Year Awards Night

Photos from the recent Transition Year Awards and Graduation evening

Picture 1 Hazelwood College Transition Year students, who are recipients of Ethos Awards, pictured here at the recent Hazelwood College Annual Awards Day. Pictured are (back row, from left to right): Aaron Lynch, Kevin J. O’Leary, James Guidera and Sean Twohig. Middle row (left to right): Chael O’Brien, William Quaid, Chloe O’Brien, Brian Murphy, Keith Coughlan and Nigel O’Callaghan. Front row (left to right): Shania Hanlon, Laura Stack, Grainne Buckley, Norma O’Sullivan, Abigail Ahern, Alison Healy and Jacqueline McCarthy.

Picture 2 Hazelwood College Student of the Year Award Winner Keith Coughlan pictured (centre) and his parents Mrs Annette and Mr Pat Couglan at his recent graduation.

Picture 3 Hazelwood College Transition Year Award winners pictured at their recent graduation. Pictured are (back row: left to right): Jacqueline McCarthy (TY Ethos), James Guidera (TY Ethos) and Grainne Ahern (TY Ethos). Front row (left to right): Laura Stack (TY Ethos), Keith Coughlan (TY Student of the Year) and Danielle Ahern (TY Leadership).

Picture 4 Hazelwood College students Laura Stack (left) and Thomas Twohill (right) congratulated with Principal Brendan Burke on receipt of their award for having the highest results from Hazelwood College in Junior Certificate 2014.

Picture 5 Hazelwood College TYP student Grainne Ahern being presented her TY Ethos Award by her Ms Cliodhna Ryan, TY Coordinator at the recent Hazelwood College Annual TYP Graduation

Picture 6 Transition Year Hazelwood College student Jacqueline McCarthy (left) is congratulated by her Year Head, Ms Cliodhna Ryan, on receiving her TY Ethos Award at the recent Hazelwood College TYP Graduation.

Picture 7 Laura Stack, Transition Year Programme, Hazelwood College is pictured here (left) being presented her TY Ethos Award at the Annual Hazelwood College TYP Graduation.

Picture 8 Pictured is TYP student attending Hazelwood College, Danielle Ahern, being presented the TY Leadership Award by her Year Head, Ms Cliodhna Ryan, at the Annual Hazelwood College TYP Graduation.

Picture 9 Hazelwood College TYP student James Guidera is pictured here being presented his TY Ethos Award by his Year Head, Ms Cliodhna Ryan, in the course of the Hazelwood College Annual TY Graduation.