Ashton Notes May 2011

The 30th Annual Ashton Sponsored walk/run took  place on Wednesday April 13rh, 2011, a date which is a regular calendar event,  and eagerly anticipated.  The walk raises  funds for much needed charities each year, and this year’s beneficiaries were  Cork Deaf Enterprises, Cork Simon Community, St. Vincent de Paul, Red Cross  Japanese Tsunami Appeal, Marymount Hospice, Aware.

First Year History students participated in the Discover  Cork Schools Heritage Project, co-ordinated by Ms. Farrell. They submitted most  interesting projects based on local history.   Students were assisted by having Mr. Kieran McCarthy from Cork City  Council into class to speak with them about the various topics they were  working on.   Well done on superb  standards of work presentation.

ICT is an integral part of life and education today and  deemed to be an educational tool which will revolutionize teaching and  learning.  As part of our ongoing  curriculum development in Ashton, supported by Management, the school has been  ‘kitted out’ with wireless keyboards and mice, and ultra short throw  projectors.   This work will facilitate  more immediate access to internet and educational resources in each classroom  in the school.  The student response has  been extremely positive, and while only installed over the last few weeks,  staff and students are looking forward to having access to world-wide  information ‘at the click of a mouse’.

On Tuesday April 5th, 38 Fifth year students  travelled to Killarney on their Leaving Cert. Geography Field Trip, with Ms.  Stoker and Ms. R. McCarthy.  Spending a  day in ‘wellies’ and ‘steeped in water’ as they carried out various tests, and  research assignments, ensured a very quiet trip back to Cork on the bus!.   This work will now be completed and  submitted as part of their Leaving Cert. Examination  in 2012.

Transition Year, Fifth, and Sixth year students are  currently completing  Gaisce tasks in  preparation for the final section of the programme,  involving students planning, preparing and  undertaking an ‘Away Adventure Journey‘ as part of a group, co-ordinated by  Ms. Connolly.

Ashton Junior Soccer players enjoyed a day-trip to Trabolgan  Activity Centre, with Mr. Cunningham as part of a team-building exercise for  the student-players involved.  Well done  to all for their commitment throughout the year.

Eric Grimes, a Transition Year Student with a lot of  ‘promise’ in the world of sport, has recently returned from his latest soccer  cross-channel trial, this time with Glasgow Celtic.  He is currently considering a number of  offers as he tries to decide on a career as a professional goal-keeper.  What an opportunity.  We wish him luck in his decision-making.   A genial,   pleasant, and affable young man.

Congratulations to the Senior Boys Hockey team who won the  semi-final, beating  Midleton College,  going on to play Bandon Grammar in the final of the Munster Senior Boys Cup, on  Weds. 13th April, in   Garryduff.  Well done boys and  good luck in the final.

Good  luck to all Junior and Leaving Certificate students, and their parents, as they  complete projects, practicals, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme  modules, and as they go on to complete the final hurdle of the written  examinations.