Ormonde College of Further Education, Co. Kilkenny

Following a sustained period of disruption to facilitate construction work to the rear of the college, the beautiful and renowned garden that fronts Ormonde College is at an advanced stage of restoration.  The garden, with an array of rare rose bushes, mountain ash and cherry blossoms is a noted jewel in the crown of the horticultural landscape of the city that has been enjoyed by scholars and the public alike for many years.  Unfortunately it has been a sorry sight for the last year but new life is emerging in the garden as the city continues to enjoy the warmth of an early Summer sun.  The college owes a depth of gratitude to long time staff member Mr. Canice Ryan for overseeing the restoration.  A true labour of love.

FETAC has published it’s information leaflet on links to higher education courses for 2011.

Download  from the following link:

Progression from FETAC Level 5 Certificates and Level 6 Advanced Certificates to Higher Education Courses.

Staff and students of Ormonde College celebrated World Music Day last week and engaged in a little pre-examination, stress-busting, letting down of hair to the wonderful salsa tinged and latino sounds of Argentinian/Irish musical group Lunfardia.

Ormonde College of Further Education  wishes to extend it’s thanks to all of the school groups and members of the public who took time to visit and view the college facilities over the course of it’s highly successful Open Day on the 18th February.

Ormonde College of FE is currently accepting applications for it’s courses for 2011/12.  It is possible to apply on line using the link on the right-hand side of this page or a prospectus and application form may be obtained by contacting the college.  The first round of interviews will commence in May 2011.

On Wednesday 15th December, students of the Animal Care course provided their services to raise funds for Kilkenny Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Members of the public were invited to bring their dogs along to avail of a range of grooming services provided by the students under the supervision and guidance of grooming tutor Angela Quinlan.  All proceeds go to the worthy cause this Christmas.

Ormonde College of Further Education is proud to announce the launch of its prospectus of courses for the next academic year.  The prospectus details the programmes that the college will offer from September 2011.  The applications window will open on January 10th and the prospectus will be available from then also.  Currently, the prospectus may be downloaded from our main page or by clicking the link below.

http://ormondecollege.ie/assets/Prospectus2011.pdf

Friday night, 12th November, was a night to remember in the calendar of Ormonde College as over 281 individual awards were conferred on a delighted cohort of learners.  The Kilbride Suite of the Ormonde Hotel was packed to capacity as students and their families turned out to enjoy the conferring ceremony.  Master of ceremonies for the evening was College Director Patricia Gleeson and guests included the CEO of Co. Kilkenny VEC Mr. Rodger Curran, Chairperson of the VEC, Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh and Chairperson of the college Board of Management, Cllr. Marie Fitzpatrick.  In his address to to the award recipients Mr. John Kavanagh, Deputy Principal, proclaimed that he was proud of the achievements of the graduates and paid tribute to their camaraderie and determination. 

The  Media Studies course at Ormonde College will include a module in TV and Video Production for the first time this year.  The initiative is the result of an exciting collaboration with the award winning, Kilkenny- based Young Irish Filmmakers group.  In what will be a very pratical programme, the students will develop skills in all areas of writing and producing short film clips.

This new module will compliment study in the areas of media analysis, image processing and print journalism as well as the excellent module in Radio Production delivered by Frances Brett and Kate Minogue who have extensive experience in national and local radio.

John Kavanagh (Deputy Principal), Grace Germaine (NCEF), Damien Jackson (NCEF) and Iva Polcic (Course Co-ordinator) at the recent opening of the new Health & Leisure Facilities at Ormonde College of Further Education 

Mr. Brian Cody, manager of the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers performed the official opening of the new Health & Fitness suite at the college on Thursday 4th March.  The facilities have been developed on foot of the very popular Exercise & Health Fitness Programme introduced by the college this year.

The programme enables students to achieve a FETAC Level 5 certificate in Sport & Recreation as well as a Level 1 Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness from the National Council for Exercise & Fitness, accredited by the University cof Limerick.

A large crowd of dignitaries were in attendance for the launch. The guests included Deputy Mayor Marie Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of the VEC Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh, CEO of County Kilkenny VEC Mr. Rodger Curran and Mr. Damien Jackson, Director of Education and Training with the National Council for Exercise and Fitness. 

Top of the range exercise machinery has been installed, reflecting the policy of the college to afford students the opportunity to hone their skills in real work environments.  As well as the on-site facilities, the students spend many hours in the leisure facilities of the nearby Ormonde Hotel gaining practical experience in working in a busy commercial leisure environment.  Students are currently studying for a FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness as well as the NCEF Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness, awarded by the University of Limerick.

The pictures below are taken from a recent circuit training masterclass given by guest instructor Paul Lyons.  The images were captured by student Ivan Kelly.