Stand Up Week
Our school was beautifully decorated this week for Stand-Up Week 2023 and this year's theme is 'You belong here'. This nationwide week-long event is aimed at encouraging post-primary schools to take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying among young people. Throughout the week we had lots of events planned, including CSPE lessons on anti-bullying and SPHE lessons on allyship. Students were invited to participate in an art competition, creating a work of art for Stand Up Week in any media (drawing, painting, digital art etc.). The library had a beautiful display of books featuring LGBTQ+ authors and themes.
On Monday, students were invited to take part in a quiz at lunchtime. The questions ranged from tv and film to guess the celebrity and general knowledge. Lots of competition ensued with last year's winners taking the title once again. Congratulations to Jill Corrigan, Caitlin O'Connor, Liam Phelan and Sophia Doyle.
On Wednesday, our school's Diversity and Inclusion ambassadors went on a trip as part of Stand-Up Week. This group meets every Tuesday and ranges from First Year right up to Sixth Year. To celebrate all of their hard work throughout the year and especially for Stand-Up Week, we walked to Diamond Bowl in town for a chance to bond. Lots of chatting and making new friends happened on our brisk walk from the school to the bowling alley. Once we arrived, the friendships formed were tested in some really competitive bowling. A great day was had by all.
In Thursday’s Art Club, students participated in an 'Express Yourself' activity in honour of Stand-Up Week. The students collaborated to create a vibrant 3D lettering installation featuring words that represent either themselves or the LGBTQIA+ community. They drew inspiration from Pop Art and the bright colours famously used by Andy Warhol.
Friday was the final day of Stand Up Week and culminated in a Karaoke Lunch for members of our Inclusion and Diversity group. Christmas tunes were blasted and a raffle took place for the coveted prizes of chocolate selection boxes, stickers and flags.
This week has been such a huge success, and we want to say such a big thank you to all of the students for getting involved, not only this week but for their constant dedication to Inclusion and Diversity throughout the whole year. We hope that new friendships have been formed this week and that everyone feels safe and supported in our school.
Please don't forget the central message of this year's Stand-Up Week - You Belong Here!🏳️🌈
CCM PA Lotto
We recently had the pleasure of presenting some of our Lotto winners with their prizes. Laura Griffin won the beautiful wine glasses provided by Byrne’s Gift Shop and Anna Trofimova was the winner of the €20 weekly prize. Both are pictured here with Colin Hindle and Jodie Uhlemann, the Chairman and Secretary of the Parents' Association. The lotto Jackpot has reached €550 for this week. Best of luck to everyone and thanks so much for your valued support. http://www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/ccmwicklow.
Jigsaw Webinar for Parents
Please find attached a flyer for a parents’ webinar on the topic of eating disorders which will be hosted online by Jigsaw next week.
Any parent who created an account for the OGS learnupon portal last year can use the same account. Any parent who is new to the school will need to set up an account in order to register for the webinar.
Junior French Club
During the autumn term, students in French Club were introduced to a lot of varied and fun material on Thursdays at lunchtime. We have been working on many engaging topics including sport e.g. France and the World Cup and the different sports of the Olympic Games which will take place in Paris in 2024. We have also looked at different French-speaking musicians, their backgrounds, music and accolades and worked at how to express which they liked, disliked etc and why. We have engaged in fun memory games which proved very beneficial in learning how to form questions and this week we finished off the term with learning how to read and follow recipes in French through looking at the ingredients and instructions on how to make ‘Une tarte d’Halloween’.French club will continue on Thursdays throughout the year at lunchtime. All students are welcome (even if you do not study French!)
TechnoTeachers
The Wicklow Branch of the TechnoTeachers Association met on Tuesday evening, 7 November, in Coláiste Chill Mhantáin. Wood Technology teachers from around the area were treated to a woodturning masterclass from Willie Creighton who made the long journey from Mayo. Willie demonstrated how to make a sphere/ball on the lathe with some very insightful techniques shown to all who attended.
Senior Golf
Congratulations to our senior golf team of Cameron Little (5 Bann), Emmet Ronan (5 Barrow) and Toby Murphy (TY4) who came 2nd overall in the team event in the Leinster Senior Boys’ Schools Competition in Esker Hills recently. The boys were presented with their Golf Ireland medals by School Principal, Mr Donoghue.
U15 Minor League
Our U15 boys began their minor league campaign with a home game vs CCA on Friday, 27 October. CCM began the game brightly and had a lot of possession in the opposition’s half but, unfortunately, could not turn possession into goals and it was CCA who opened the scoring from a corner towards the end of the half to lead 1-0 at the break. CCM continued to dominate the ball in the second half creating a host of chances from both open play and set pieces through Kale Conyard, in particular, but unfortunately, could not break down the strong CCA defence. Our centre-back, Sean O'Brien, went closest on a couple of occasions from set-plays but CCA held firm to come away with the 1-0 win.
A disappointing opening result for our team but a very positive performance, dominating possession and creating a lot of chances. On another day, the lads could have scored six or seven goals and run out easy victors but it wasn't to be on this occasion. They look forward to the rest of the league campaign as well as an away cup fixture after midterm.
Junior Hurling
CCM 9-10 Coláiste Cois Suire 1-6
CCM Junior Hurlers enjoyed a big win over Coláiste Cois Suire from Mooncoin in Co.Kilkenny on Monday, 6 November. We were lucky with some early scores and the team dominated from the start. There were excellent goals from a number of players including Cillian Cwazlina, Jack Lambe and John Lynch while Jack O’ Leary and Joe Culleton were excellent in backs and midfield. Joseph Clancy, Ben Currie and Kieran Armstrong also played very well in the full back line. Overall, it was a great team effort and the lads kept up their work rate for the full match. Thanks to Adam O’Brien, Liam Delaney, Eoin Lawlor and Senan O’Donovan for helping out, and to Rathnew GAA for use of the pitch and facilities.
Ultimate Frisbee
On Tuesday, 7 November, CCM brought its biggest ever cohort to the National Sports Centre in Dublin to compete in a Senior and Girls' Ultimate Frisbee blitz. The students were excited to face off against five opponents over the day. The girls' team had a great showing and, over the course of the day, they won two matches, drew two matches and lost one by only one point. Each of our two senior boys’ team came away with two wins out of five against some very tough and experienced competition. Our players are really starting to gel and work well together and will, no doubt, have learned much from their experience.
In Ultimate Frisbee, there is a system where teams score each other on their sportsmanship, positive attitude, fouls and body contact. Our students performed exceptionally well in these scores: both CCM Y and CCM Girls were 2nd place in spirit in their divisions and CCM X scored an impressive 43/50 on the day. We are really proud of how well they represented the school on the day.
Junior Girls’ GAA
CCM junior girls team took on Greystones Community School in the Wicklow Schools League on Wednesday, 8 November. CCM had a strong start, scoring within minutes. They continued to dominate in the first half with strong performances from all the forwards. In the second half, the CCM back was under more pressure but worked well together to prevent Greystones from coming back into the game too much. The final score was 8.16 to 6.04 and the girls have topped their group. Their next game will be the semi-final. Well done to the girls’ junior team.
Minor Girls’ Soccer
On Wednesday, 8 November, the CCM girls kicked off their Minor Cup campaign against Gorey C.S. and put in an earnest effort and tried their absolute best. It was a worthwhile experience for the girls, as most of the team are First Years and will take great learning from playing against a bigger and older team in Gorey C.S. There were some outstanding individual performances in the CCM squad and a valiant collective effort from the team. Every girl played at least a half and contributed towards the team. Congratulations to Robyn Loughran, who captained the team, and who also scored on her first game for the school. Gorey won the game in the end, and we wish them well in the next round of the cup. The girls played the game in great spirit, and they are looking forward to their next game for CCM.
U15 Soccer
After a bye in the first round, CCM faced Kylemore College away in the last 32 of the Minor Cup on Friday, 10 November. Kylemore College started brightly creating a few chances in the opening ten minutes but the CCM defence of James Conyard, Sean O'Brien, Cillian Czwalina and Rhys Behan held firm. CCM grew into the game and began to take control from then on with Rhys creating some great chances from the left side. Again, it was a case of missed chances at halftime with the score level at 0-0. Alessio Coppola came on at halftime, along with a change of formation, and CCM continued to dominate chances. They deservedly took the lead when captain Sean O'Brien struck a thunderbolt from 30 yards into the top corner. Harry Butler doubled the lead to 2-0 before a late penalty made it 2-1. The lads saw the game out well with every player contributing, playing excellently and earning a deserved victory. They now await to see who their opponents will be in the last 16.