Open Night 2024
A sincere thank you to all those who visited our school for Open Night on Thursday, 10 October. It was lovely to see the town come out again to CCM and experience a flavour of our school. We have no doubt that the event will have reassured those who are fully decided that CCM is their school of choice and for those who remain unsure, it will have given them plenty of food for thought. Thank you, especially, to the students of CCM for their efforts; they were wonderful ambassadors for us all.
SETU Talk.
On Friday, 4 October, Hugh Ryan (the SETU Waterford Schools & Alumni Liaison's Officer), and Niamh Doyle (SETU Carlow Graduate Ambassador), delivered a detailed presentation about going to college in SETU to the Fifth and Sixth year students in CCM. The presentation covered details of all of the SETU courses that are offered at the SETU Waterford, Carlow and Wexford campuses, as well as details about the clubs and societies that are on offer throughout the various campuses. At the end of the presentations, Hugh and Niamh were accessible and available to answer questions posed by students, therefore facilitating students with the opportunity to get their individual queries answered. All students were given a copy of the 'Quickguide Undergraduate Courses' booklet, and encouraged to attend upcoming SETU open days and 'TRY SETU' events - which are all listed on the 'CCM Whole School Guidance & Careers' Facebook and Instagram page.
For further details about SETU as a college and its courses visit: https://www.setu.ie/courses/type/cao-undergrad
The Big Dig
First year students were given the opportunity to become archaeologists at school on Thursday and Friday, 3 & 4 October. Students demonstrated their impressive historical knowledge from class showing off their understanding of artefacts and how archaeologists work. Their excavation was of a Viking house and some of their discoveries included axe heads, horse and goat skulls, spoons, a sword and pieces of jewellery. After a discussion on the artefacts they had found, they determined the people were warriors and farmers who were wealthy. The students were very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and willing to get stuck in and dig for artefacts. Well done to all involved.
TY – Local History Walk
On Friday, 4 October, the TY1 class kicked off the first of the Heritage Studies walking tours of Wicklow Town this year. The tour includes approximately 24 stops, one of which included St. Patrick’s Church, built just before the Great Famine following Catholic Emancipation. Students were surprised to learn about the number of points on the tour linked with Robert Halpin, and even his brother George, with the Doctor’s Steps being named after him (originally called the Docker’s Steps). A much-needed stop at Nick’s Coffee for hot chocolates was appreciated before we finished off the tour by visiting the blustery Black Castle and Travilahawk Beach.
Well done to all the TY1 students on completing 11,000 steps and a massive thanks to Nick’s Coffee for the welcome reception as always. A thank you also to the newly opened shop, Nearby, at Market Square which supplied all 24 students with a goodie bag which they enjoyed at the end of the walk.
Wicklow Youth Mental Health Initiative - Gr8 2 B Yng
On Monday, 7 October, all Transition Year students travelled to the De La Salle Pastoral Centre in Wicklow to participate in a mental health workshop delivered by Brian & Keith from 'Suicide or Survive'. 'Suicide or Survive' (SOS) is a nationwide Irish charity that focuses on breaking the stigma associated with mental health and ensures that those affected have access to quality recovery services. Their aim is to build a society where everyone embraces their mental health and those with difficulty are treated with dignity and respect. The students received some useful tips to use when faced with stress in their everyday lives and how to cope with challenges. The students also took part in some mindfulness activities. Well done to everyone involved.
LCA Trip to Courtown
On Tuesday, 8 October, the students from LCA1 and LCA2 went on a wonderful day trip to Active Tribe in Courtown. The rain thankfully held off, as they enjoyed various outdoor activities. The students climbed the high ropes and zip lined across the sky. They also took part in a very competitive game of laser tag and some archery. A great day was had by all.
World Mental Health Day
On Thursday, 10 October, CCM celebrated World Mental Health day to raise awareness of the importance of talking about wellbeing, reaching out when they need help and ways to support positive mental health.
During the week, all students practised meditation and gratitude and discussed top tips to promote wellbeing with their tutors. They also completed a lesson in SPHE on the 5-a-day for mental health (connecting with others, being active, learning, being aware and giving). As part of this, students created a kindness quilt of all the kind things they have done for others or experienced themselves in the last few weeks, creating a beautiful, massive, colourful kindness quilt.
Finally, the SPHE team ran a drop-in room for students to practice connection and relaxation, with healthy snacks and games for everyone. As part of our school community, the wellbeing team would like to remind everyone to mind their mental health and take a moment this weekend to be active, connect with those around you, be aware of your surroundings and self, learn something new and show kindness.
Rotary Youth Leadership Competition
On Friday, 11 October, we were delighted to welcome local Rotarians Andy Bolger and Georgina Sheridan to meet with this year’s applicants for the Youth Leadership Competition. Taking part in Round One was Fabian Szymanski in Sixth year along with Fifth year students: Killian Kane, Alexi Xanthea Mendez, Isaac Conway, Viera Karsnakova and Eoghan Levins. To take part each student had to fill out a detailed application form outlining activities they have been involved with and how they were able to use their leadership skills as part of their involvement.
On Friday, each attended an interview to discuss what they had written in their form, but also topics such as a leader they consider a role model, The Rotary Club and global issues which affect young people and the EU. Mr. Bolger and Ms. Sheridan complimented each student on how well they had prepared for the interview and subsequently had the very difficult task of selecting only one to progress on to the next round.
Congratulations to all the students who took part and in particular Viera Karsnakova who was selected to represent CCM in Round Two. We wish her the best of luck.
Finally thank you to Mr. Bolger and Ms. Sheridan for conducting the interviews here in CCM last Friday.
King Lear Trip
Well done to all of the Sixth year students who attended a theatre production of King Lear in the Mill Theatre in Dundrum on Monday, 14 October. The students are studying the play as part of their English Leaving Certificate course and this afforded them a wonderful opportunity to see their studied play on stage. It was an excellent performance and very helpful for their studies!
Attendance Initiative
As part of our attendance initiative, all students who had perfect attendance for the month of September were put into a draw for a student in each year group to win a centra voucher.
The winning students for each year were Jakub Cygal (1 Bann), Kai Jameson (2 Liffey), Ashwin Murali (3 Bann), Seamus Treanor (TY1), Ruby Stronge (5 Liffey) and Rory Thornber (6 Erne) Congratulations to the winning students and well done to all students who had perfect attendance for the month of September.
Ladies Basketball
CCM'S U16s and U19s had their first outing to St. Mary's, Arklow. It was great to get the girls out, to enhance their skills and compete against a strong team. Up first were U16s, who were in the lead for the first two quarters, with our top scorers, Evana Jestin and Brooke Byrne giving the opposition a run for their money. Unfortunately, St. Mary's came out on top: St. Mary's 29 - CCM 21.
Up next were the U19s who played against a strong team, learning new skills and tactics along the way. A shoutout to Millie Phelan and Hannah Brabazon who kept the momentum throughout. We look forward to playing EGS next week.
U16 and u19 Basketball 🏀
Our Under 16 and Under 19 Boys played East Glendalough School on Monday, 7 October, in the second round of the league. Both wins, unfortunately, went to EGS but our lads showed some lovely teamwork and commitment throughout.
Well done to the lads.
U19 Basketball
On Wednesday, 9 October, the U19s Girls’ Basketball team played well against East Glendalough. Great skills were performed by Laura Fitzgerald, Caitlin Power, Brooke Byrne, Holly Doyle and Millie Phelan. Unfortunately, it wasn't our day, but it was a great performance all the same.
School Golf
The last few weeks have been busy for the Junior and Senior Golf Teams as the Golf Ireland competitions started. Our Senior team played in Old Conna Golf Club on Thursday, 26 September and our Junior team played in Bray on Thursday, 10 October.
Hannah Brabazon won the Net Prize for the Senior Girls in Old Conna with a score of 39 points in the Stableford competition. Mr Donoghue presented Hannah with her prize of a 50 euro voucher to spend in any pro shop in Ireland.
Hannah's winning ways continued in the Junior Competition with a score of 46 points to finish in overall 2nd place and qualify for a place in the Schools All-Ireland Final which will take place in Miltown Golf Club in April 2025.
We had a number of new players joining the Junior team this year and a special mention to first time players Tommy Morrissey who had 38 points and finished in 6th place. Tiernan Nolan from 1 Erne finished in 12th place with a score of 35 points. Our highest placed competitor on the day in the Junior competition was Kale Conyard who finished in 3rd place with 39 points.
Well done to all the players involved on both days.
U19 Girls’ Basketball
The U19 Girls’ Basketball team had their last match of the league against CCA on Tuesday, 15 October. The girls played very well as team and worked well in defence but, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to win. A special mention has to go to the three Sixth year students, Caitlin Power, Laura Fitzgerald and Caitlin Keogh, who have shown huge dedication to the basketball team since they started in CCM and they will be greatly missed next year.
The U16s also played against CCA on Tuesday. They started off well and were winning at half time. However, CCA made a great comeback in the last quarter and won the game.
Senior Boys’ GAA
CCM vs Creagh College, Gorey
CCM senior boys GAA football team kicked off their campaign on Wednesday, 16 October, with a tough home game against a strong Creagh College Gorey in the South Leinster competition.
Creagh began the first half well and took an early lead through some fantastic long-range scores, but CCM ended the half well to stop the rot through hard-working performances from Danny McCoy, Finn Richardson and Ciarán Matthews. Some fine scores from Jack O'Leary and Darragh Leacy got us on the board and CCM headed into the second half taking the fight to Creagh.
More scores from Jack and Darragh, Zack Nichols and Cillian Czwalina gave CCM hope but, unfortunately, the impressive Creagh ran out deserved winners in the end. Next up for this youthful CCM team is a trip to Tullow CS after midterm along with other Wicklow Comp games. Well done to all players, everyone played their part and got game time.
Minor Boys' Soccer
CCM 7-2 CCA
On Wednesday, 16 October, the Minor Boys' soccer team kicked off their league campaign with an impressive 7-2 over CCA, Kilcoole. CCM started really well and scored within the first five minutes with a clever finish from Failim Drew Redmond. However, CCA came back strong and found themselves 2-1 up after ten minutes when they scored two set pieces. This was to be the last of their goals and CCM took full control of the game and scored a further 6 goals.
There were some exceptional goals scored including a 25-yard strike from Sam Conyard, but goal-of-the-day came at the second half when a set piece 'tip off' ended with a calm finish by Kuba Cielecki. Other goal scorers on the day include David McCormack, Daniel Connolly, and Richard Carton. It was a great start to the league for the Minor Boys' soccer team.