Hazelwood College

Eyes Opened to Cruelty to Animals

Hazelwood College’s Eyes Opened to Cruelty to Animals

Hazelwood College 3D CSPE trip to the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll

Do you know your mule from your jennet? Well, the place to find out is the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll which our 3rd year class from Hazelwood College visited recently as part of our CSPE Action Project to raise awareness of Animal Welfare.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a volunteer who gave us a brief history of the sanctuary and some facts about it. More than 4,000 donkeys have been rescued since the sanctuary was set up and hundreds of donkeys are currently being cared for in Liscarroll, with 500 more on a waiting list for a place. 280 donkeys were rescued this year alone. On the same week that we visited there was a case of 24 donkeys left in a forest in Kildare. If the sanctuary hadn’t found them they would have died.

Some people buy pet donkeys thinking of them as glorified lawnmowers, not realising that they have an average life span of 50 years. Their situation is rather similar to that of puppies bought around Christmas time, people get them as cute babies and give them love and affection until they grow older and lose their cuteness, at which point the mistreatment begins. The mistreatment can vary from not cleaning out their stable as often as it should be done to not feeding them or, in worse cases, beating them. The number of mistreated or abandoned donkeys has steadily risen over the past few years due mainly to the recession. They are expensive to keep and are now viewed by many as an unaffordable luxury. There used to be grants for farmers that owned donkeys, which made it beneficial to own them and give them good living conditions but that grant was removed recently.

The level of care that the volunteers give the donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary is amazing. They clean out all the stables twice a day and give them plenty of straw, hay and water. The volunteers seem to really care about the donkeys, which is heart-warming. It was a delight to be able to see these calm, relaxed donkeys grazing in the huge fields of lush green grass. It’s almost like a holiday resort for donkeys. And another thing they told us there is that a mule is the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey, while a jennet is the foal of a female donkey and a male horse.

Christmas Arrives at Hazelwood College

Picture 1: Hazelwood College students Chloe Sheehy (left) and Darren Geary (right) who are pictured putting up the Advent Wreath in preparation for Advent.

Picture 2: Hazelwood College Leaving Certificate Applied students pictured Emma O Callaghan (left) and Chloe Sexton (right) decorating the Christmas tree at Hazelwood College in preparation for Christmas.

Picture 3: Hazelwood College Leaving Certificate Applied students pictured recently (from left to right) Georgina O Sullivan, Tara O Leary, JJ Sherlock and Alan Murphy after preparing the crib in the college for the Christmas season.

Picture 4: Pictured (from left to right) Stephen Coughlan, Conor Begley, Padraig O’Kelly, JJ Sherlock, Alan Murphy, Darren Geary, Georgina O’Sullivan, Tara O’Leary, Chloe Sheehy, E

Senior Ladies Inter-Provincial Munster Panel

Roisin Twohill (centre), sixth year Hazelwood College student who secured her position on the Senior Ladies Inter-Provincial Munster panel. Here she is pictured with Hazelwood College Principal Mr Brendan Burke (left) and Hazelwood College Head of Sport, Mr Tom Halpin (right).

Hazelwood Shines at Munster Schools Multi Events

Hazelwood College Shine at Munster School Multi Events.

Recently, four of Hazelwood College’s top athletes made the trip to Nenagh to compete in the Munster Multi Events Competition. Our four competitors were Laoise Bennis, Kevin O’Leary, Alison Healy and Gerard O’Donnell under the guidance of teacher and coach Mr. Kevin Grant.

First up were the boys. Their competition consisted of a 200m sprint, 60m hurdles, long jump, 800m and shot put. Gerard O’Donnell was competing in his first Multi Events and throughout the day his inexperience did not show as he performed very well in all events and was unlucky not to qualify for the All-Ireland series. Kevin O’Leary competed in the Intermediate Grade for the first time and was running against students two his senior. However this did not stop Kevin from putting in a very solid performance throughout, securing bronze medal place in the 60m hurdles, his favourite event.

Next were the girls, whose competition consisted of high jump, 60m hurdles, long jump, 800m and shot put. Hazelwood’s two female athletes, Laoise Bennis and Alison Healy, were taking part in the same grade. Alison, like Kevin, was significantly younger than the majority of her competitors, but put in some excellent performances throughout the day, especially in the long jump. Next year with age on their side and more training these two athletes will definitely be towards the top of the placings in the competition. Last, but not least, was Laoise Bennis, a very technical and experienced athlete. She performed exceptionally well all day, winning her favourite event, the high jump, and was placed highly across the board in all events. When scores were counted, Laoise Bennis was victorious in the Intermediate Grade age group. This was a fantastic result for Laoise and we now wish her the best of luck in the All-Ireland series. Hazelwood’s athletes will now turn their attention to cross country competitions, which take place soon.

Picture 7 is of Laoise Bennis, Hazelwood College, who won the gold medal at the Munster Schools’ Multi Events Competition for Intermediate Grade.

Picture 8 Hazelwood College Athletes who participated at the Munster School’s Multi Events Competition. Pictured are (from left to right) Alison Healy Laoise Bennis, Kevin O’Leary and Gerard O’Donnell.

Road Safety SimDrive

Picture 1 is of Padraig O’Kelly, Leaving Certificate Applied I, driving in the SIMDRIVE unit, which visited Hazelwood College recently, in an effort to help the students increase their understanding of the consequences of dangerous driving and to encourage safe driving habits.

Picture 2 is of Hazelwood College Leaving Certificate Applied II students (from left to right) Shaun Shannon, Charles Butler, Rebecca Roche and Tara Barrett outside the SIMDRIVE unit, which visited Hazelwood College recently in an effort to instil good driving practice in students.

Simon Community Talk

Hazelwood College Leaving Certificate Applied students attended at talk, delivered by Fenita Mitchell of the Simon Community, who discussed the issue of homelessness with the students. Pictured are (from left to right) Hazelwood College students Stephen Dunleavy, Fenita Mitchell of the Simon Community, Tara Barrett and Joshua Rolfe. This talk formed part of their studies for their Leaving Certificate Applied examinations.

Annual Primary Schools Science Quiz

Hazelwood College Primary School’s Science Quiz goes ‘round’ West Limerick for Science Week 2014!

Science Week Ireland 2014 was celebrated at Hazelwood College with the sixth annual Primary School’s Science Quiz on Thursday night, November 13th. All local primary schools were invited to attend this exciting event to promote Science Week. 2014 was a record breaking year for the number of tables competing in the quiz, with 42 teams registered to take part on the night. It was wonderful to welcome all of the primary school pupils, teachers, parents and friends who attended on the night. All of the primary pupils thoroughly impressed, with their teamwork and knowledge, during ten rounds of questioning. Spectacular lucky dip spot prizes and refreshments were very popular among the eager pupils at the half-time break. As the end of the quiz came to a close, excitement was high as the top three placed teams became apparent.

Congratulations to Broadford N.S who were overall winners, with Dromina N.S coming in second place and Mahoonagh N.S in third place. Thank you and well done to all the teams from Tullylease, Dromina, Ashford, Dromcollogher, Ballyagran, Raheenagh, Mahoonagh, Feenagh, Ballingarry, Newtownshandrum and Broadford, who took part on the night and we look forward to seeing you next year!

Cheerios’ Childline Breakfast

Cheeios’ Childline Breakfast

Pictured from left to right Shaun Shannon, Rachel Doody and Ayesha Shortt at the recent Cheeios’ Childline Breakfast Morning held in Hazelwood College.

Hazelwood College students pictured from left to right Shauna Cunningham, Íde Collins and Sarah Enright at the Cheerios’ Childline Breakfast Morning, which was recently organised by 3C students.

Team Hope Shoebox Appeal

Hazelwood College LCA2 students Aodan Brennan, Kevin Moore, Caitriona O Sullivan, Rebecca Roche and Áine Cunningham with some of the Christmas shoe boxes collected at Hazelwood College as part of Team Hope Shoebox Appeal. The show boxes were given by students and their families in order to help families across the developing world.

Hazelwood’s Aisling Has All the Ingredients for Success

Hazelwood College students Cathy Foley, third year, and first year student Aisling Brennan were selected as finalists in the ‘Easy Food Home-Cook Hero Awards 2014 Cookery Competition. This is a national cookery competition which is open to the public, of every age, and sponsored by ‘Easy Food’, which is Ireland’s bestselling food magazine. Aisling, who was making her debut in this competition won her category, Easy Cheesy, while Cathy Foley came in the top three in her category.

The ten categories in this year’s competition are: Fabulous Fowl, sponsored by Moy Park; Larder Luck, sponsored by Heinz; Easy Cheesy, sponsored by Irish Dubliner Cheese; Best Burger, sponsored by Mr. Crumb; Take 5, sponsored by Braun, Magic Mealtimes, sponsored by Green Farm, Squisito, sponsored by Barilla; Butter Me Up! Sponsored by Connacht Gold; €10 Family Favourites, sponsored by Lidl; and Everyday Inspirations, sponsored by Birds Eye.

The two finalists were invited to the Cook’s Academy Cookery School, South William Street in Dublin 2 on Saturday, 8th November, last where they cooked their chosen recipes in front of a panel of celebrity judges consisting of Paul Flynn – The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and is also a proud brand ambassador for Lidl Ireland, Catherine Fulvio of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School and Gina Miltiadou, Managing Director of Zahra Media – publisher of Easy Food Magazine.

€1,500 worth of prizes, including a weekend break, kitchen appliances, restaurant and supermarket vouchers, and a hamper of utensils, kitchenware and food hampers were the rewards on offer for the culinary champions.
TV3 cameras captured the 30 finalists during the Easy Food Home Cook Hero Awards Ceremony and the public will be able to watch the broadcast which is 1 hour duration on TV3 at 1:40pm this Saturday 15th November.
Cathy Foley cooked Breast of Chicken, Celeriac Puree with a Creamy Shallot, Mushroom and Bacon Sauce. Aisling Brennan prepared Bacon and Cheese Surprise. The favourite top ten dishes were selected by the judges and the winners announced by TV3 ‘s Martin King at a gala black tie awards dinner in the c, St Stephen’s Green Dublin on Saturday night.

Their Home Economics teachers were impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by the girls and are delighted with their recent success. It is just fantastic to see such passion and interest. Ms. Noreen Daly said ‘it is a remarkable achievement for the girls considering the hundreds of entries received for each category. Both students were highly complemented on their natural flair and ability to work under pressure.