Art Club
On Monday, 25 November, in Art Club, students engaged in a festive Christmas-themed project using the captivating medium of scratch art. This unique art technique involves carefully scratching through a dark ink layer to uncover the vibrant, colourful layer beneath. Students crafted stunning decorations, including Christmas trees, playful penguins, cheerful snowmen, wrapped presents, and festive stockings. The results were truly magical!
Accounting Technician Talk
On Tuesday, 26 November, students from TY along with Fifth and Sixth year accounting students had an online talk from Daniel in Accounting Technicians Ireland who spoke about the different options available to students who would like to pursue the career of accounting. Daniel highlighted the variety of options now available to students including the apprenticeship route with Accounting Technicians. Under this route, students begin working in an approved accounting role and receive funding through Solas to undertake the two-year accounting technician course. Students then have the option to progress to undertake professional accounting exams either through ACCA or CPA. Students found this talk really informative and it gave them other options to consider in choosing their career path.
An Triail
On Tuesday, 26 November, Ms. McCarthy’s Leaving Certificate Irish class had the fantastic opportunity to attend a performance of the Irish-language drama An Triail at the Axis Theatre. Performed by the Fíbín theatre company, the play brought Máiréad Ní Ghráda’s powerful story to life in a way that captivated and inspired the students. As part of their Leaving Certificate studies, the students have been exploring An Triail in detail, and seeing the drama performed on stage added depth and meaning to their understanding of this play.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were a credit to the school, displaying impeccable behaviour throughout the trip. Their engagement and enthusiasm for the performance demonstrated their appreciation of the arts and their commitment to their studies.
JCSP Christmas Celebration
The JCSP Christmas Celebration and awards Ceremony took place on Thursday, 28 November, in the School Library. Awards for Literacy and Numeracy were given to students by their maths and English teachers for achievement in these subject areas. A total of forty awards were given to students in all class groups to Junior Cycle level. The awards are an integral part of the JCSP program as they reward attainment for students that require support in these key areas of the Junior Cycle curriculum. Thanks to all the teachers who nominated students for an award and to the librarian, Mr Doherty, who organised all the treats and indeed the prizes for the students, a €20 book voucher for each nominated student.
Entertainment was again provided by Dave’s Jungle with his exotic array of reptiles and spiders from all corners of the world. The event both enjoyable and rewarding for all who attended, and it created a very positive atmosphere where students received positive feedback on their progress to date on their Junior Cycle journey.
Men’s Mental Health Month
On Friday, 29 November, CCM commemorated the end of Men's Mental Health Month, an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of men (and those who love them!) to invest in their wellbeing. Ryan Uhlemann and Conor McEvoy, both TY students, organised and hosted an event in the hall for all boys and men in the school, playing a dodgeball match for supporting good mental health. The event was attended by students from First to Fifth Year, seeing over a hundred students over the course of lunch time in the hall.
Additionally, Toby Keating, also in TY, researched, wrote and published an incredible newsletter about men's mental health and how men can look out for themselves and their mates.
We are so proud of the students’ dedication to men's mental health!
Fundraising for Wicklow Hospice
On Friday, 29 November, CCM staff kicked off our annual fundraiser for our chosen charity partner, Wicklow Hospice. Staff donated money and sported their county, team or country's colours from sports ranging from GAA, soccer, rugby and American Football. Many laughs were had by all, and we raised €162 for a worthy cause.
Junior Rugby
CCM: 39 - Tullow CS: 38
The Junior Rugby team booked a place in the quarter final of the Cup with a thrilling win versus Tullow CS in Wicklow RFC on Wednesday, 20 November. With the scores level 5 - 5 after twenty minutes, Tullow scored back-to-back tries to lead 17-5 and looked to be in control leading into half time. CCM's defence improved as the half went on and this led to some important turnovers allowing Eoin Barnaville Killick and Toby Salley to carry strong in the Tullow 22. CCM crossed twice in quick succession to leave the scores level at half time. An excellent start to the second half saw CCM take the lead with an excellent team try before Tullow hit back again to level the score. A purple patch from CCM was rewarded with three tries to lead 39-24. Tullow weren't finished and scored two more tries in injury time to leave the final score 39-38 and CCM move on to face St Peter’s of Wexford on December 4th.
Frisbee Blitz
On Thursday, 21 November, CCM sent five teams to the National Indoor Arena to play a blitz against eight other schools. We had 54 players out on a highly successful day.
CCM Sixth Years won four out of their five matches, missing out on a full sweep against Fintan’s 1 (2-4). CCM Fifth Years also have a 4-1 record for the day, also losing to Fintan’s 1 (who are the current All-Ireland champions.) CCM 3, which was our TY team and had a pretty novice side, had a tough day but still managed to win two of their five days, working on playing tighter defence and more sensible offence.
On the girls’ side, CCM (Fifth and Third Years) won three out of their five matches, beating John Scottus, Sancta Sabina 2 and Hartstown. Our First, Second and Third year girls had a tough day, winning two matches but really playing supportive ultimate, getting our younger girls comfortable with the sport and working on their pivoting and heads-up defence.
As ever, all opponents rated each other on their sportsmanship and how well they self-referred and followed the rules. We are delighted that for our third tournament in a row, CCM brought home a Spirit trophy, won by First/Second/Sixth Year girls who got a perfect score on the day, 50 out of 50.
Second Year Football
Our Second year boys played the quarter final of the South Leinster competition on Friday, 22 November, in CCM. With many of the players away on the Spanish trip it was a tough task but one which the CCM boys were ready for. CCM started brightly with points from Rian Ward and Alex Mernagh (2) giving them a three-point lead. Carnew responded with two well-taken goals and a couple of points. Some excellent defending from Harry Messitt, Rory Grove and the outstanding Ryan Dunne, along with points from Ben O Leary and the excellent Mernagh saw Carnew lead 3-2 to 6 points at half time.
CCM started the second half well and a strong run from a brilliant Alex McKenna saw Tommy Morrissey find the net, followed by a Mernagh point reducing the gap to one point. Carnew gathered momentum and had a great spell which saw them score 2-3 without return. CCM battled extremely hard and never gave up but a goal from Michael Carroll wasn’t enough and saw Carnew win on a scoreline of 5-6 to 2-8.
All subs played and contributed to a very good game of football with speical mention to CCM’s Josh Smullen, Harry Messitt, Alex McKenna, Rian Ward and Alex Mernagh who were excellent throughout. Best of luck to Carnew in the semi-final. Thanks to all the Second year boys for their commitment all year. Many of these lads will now go onto play Junior football this year for the school.
Senior Hurling
On Tuesday, 26 November, CCM senior hurlers travelled to Hawkfield Centre of Excelllence in Kildare to play Piper’s Hill, Naas. The first half was very closely contested and CCM had to battle hard to stay in the game and were lucky to be a point ahead at half time thanks to a great goal from NJ Sinnott. The second half was also very close but great points from Jack O’Leary and Darragh Leacey kept CCM in front. Adam O’Brien was excellent in goals and made several vital saves to keep CCM in the game. The half backs Danny McCoy and John Lynch worked tirelessly with great support and reading of the name from Joe Culleton at full back.
In the end CCM managed to pull away and it finished 3-12 to 2-7. The lads now process to the next round in this South Leinster competition. Well done to all the team on a great collective effort and thanks to helpers Joseph Clancy, Eoin Lawlor, Leon Noctor and Daniel Mitchell for helping out on the day.
Junior Boys’ GAA
CCM: 1-10 - Arklow CBS: 1-10
On Wednesday, 27 November, CCM hosted Arklow CBS in their opening round of the Wicklow A Championship. The first half was evenly contested with both teams trading score for score. CCM missed some scoreable opportunities and headed into the half time break, leading on a scoreline of 6 points to 4 (Harry Butler x2, Alex Mernagh x2, Alex McKenna, Rian Ward).
In the second half, Arklow CBS started quickly to even the score and then kick a further 1-1 to put CCM to the sword and trail by 4 points, but a great team move finished superbly by Harry Butler resulted in a goal and got CCM back in the game. Points were again traded by both teams, with CCM failing to get back ahead and Alex Healy scoring what seemed like a superb equaliser at the end of normal time. However, time was allowed for a further point for Arklow before Harry saved CCM from defeat with a deserved equaliser.
Great performances all round by every player who took part, and a notable mention to midfielder, Sean O'Brien, who never stopped and kept dragging CCM into the game.
Junior Boys GAA
CCM 3:16 Avondale CS 0:06
CCM hosted Avondale CS in Rathnew GAA in Round 2 of the Wicklow A Junior Championship on Friday, 29 November. Following Round 1's draw game with Arklow CBS, CCM knew what needed to be improved on to get the win and they showed that in style on a wet and windy day in Rathnew. Both teams started well, trading points early on. CCM played with a strong breeze in the first half and used it well to their advantage, leading at the break 1-9 to 0-2. Against the breeze in the second half, CCM really showed what they were made of and played some fantastic football, working hard for every ball and securing every play with terrific kick passing.
Scorers on the day were Alex Mernagh (1-6), Alex Healy (1-3), Kale Conyard (1-3), Harry Butler (0-2), Sam Conyard (0-1) and David McCormack (0-1). Other notable performers on the day were keeper, Evan Lawlor, full back, Luke Connolly, centre back, Rhys Behan, wing forward, Ben O'Leary and corner forward, Rian Abell Ward.