Ashton Matters June 2025

It has been a busy and rewarding few weeks at Ashton School, with students and staff participating in a wide range of academic, athletic, cultural, and charitable activities. Congratulations to our eight Fifth Year students who successfully completed a challenging 50km hike over three days as part of their Silver Gaisce Awards. Meanwhile, thirty Transition Year students undertook a demanding 25km hike across two days for their Bronze Gaisce Awards. Thanks to Ms. Cole, Ms. Power and Ms. Stout for accompanying the students on their trip to Kerry. Well done to all involved on their dedication and perseverance.

Sixty-four Transition Year students completed a 46km cycle along the Waterford Greenway to raise funds for Focus Ireland. The group raised an impressive €3,760, which was presented to the organisation at a special school assembly in April. A tremendous achievement and a day to remember!

Our Fifth Year Art students recently travelled to Dublin for a gallery tour, visiting the Hugh Lane Gallery, the National Gallery, and the National Museum of Archaeology. It was an inspiring and educational experience. Sincere thanks to Ms. O’Shea and Ms. O’Meara for accompanying the group.

A special congratulations to the Ashton School Choir, who won the Irish Federation of Musicians and Associated Professions Trophy in the Mixed Voices Post-Primary category at the National Competition, held in Cork City Hall during the Cork Choral Festival. The choir also won the RDS Feis Ceoil School Choir competition in Dublin in March. Many thanks to Dr. Mary G. O’Brien for her exceptional leadership of the choir.

Well Done also to Asha Corcoran-Keohane, Tiffany Daniel and Tara Cronin who represented Ashton School at the South Munster Schools Athletics event at MTU. Tiffany delivered an outstanding performance, winning gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m sprint events. Tara achieved gold in the Senior Girls Triple Jump. All three students represented the school with distinction and Tiffany and Tara will now advance to the Munster Finals.

Ashton’s annual Sports Day took place in early May at MTU, organised by the PE Department. Students participated in a range of track and field events, as well as a popular penalty shootout competition. A highlight of the day was the much-enjoyed Football Frenzy staff soccer match. Thank you and well done to all staff and students for making the day so special.

Congratulations to our First Year Girls Basketball Team who were recently crowned Cork Champions in the county final. The team played exceptionally well throughout the season and secured a hard-fought victory in the final against Bandon Grammar at Neptune Stadium. Well Done to the girls on an excellent year.

In Boys’ Hockey, the Minor Boys qualified for the prestigious John Waring All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship in Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, Co. Down. The team competed against provincial finalists from Munster, Ulster and Leinster. After a thrilling tournament, the Ashton team finished in bronze medal position. Well Done! Congratulations to our First Year Boys teams who won both the A and B Cup competitions in what was a hugely successful season for Ashton. The A team earned a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Bandon Grammar in the A Cup Final. Our Boys B team also secured the B Cup with an impressive 4-0 score against Villiers. Ashton also triumphed in the Junior Cup with a 3–2 win against Newtown. Well done to all players and coaches on an outstanding season.

Finally, our First Year students enjoyed a History and Geography fieldtrip in April, which included a guided tour of Cahir Castle and the Mitchelstown Caves. It was a rewarding and educational experience for all. Thanks to Mr. McCarthy, Ms. McKeown, Ms. Gould, and Ms. O’Callaghan for supervising the trip, and to Ms. Dennehy for organising the activities.