CCM School News 25-11-22

CCM College Awareness Week took place in the school from 21 to 25 November, during which the Guidance department, led by Ms Doyle and Ms Geoghegan, hosted a range of activities to raise awareness of third-level education in Ireland and abroad. Each day, all students watched a video presentation identifying the relevant teachers they can speak with in CCM, if they are thinking about applying to certain colleges or certain courses. To support this, teachers shared relevant information about their own study paths, including the colleges they attended, with students. At various points around the school, posters and banners promoting college awareness were on display and the 'Careers Wall' provided a wealth of information for students.

Last week our First year students had a visit from the National Reptile Zoo to wrap up Science Week 2022 when all students attended a workshop on Monday and Tuesday, 21 & 22 November. Students saw a variety of different reptiles from boa constrictors and milk snakes to snap turtles and bearded dragon lizards. The students learned about the animals' habitat and diet and how they are adapted to survive in the wild.

TY students enjoyed an informative talk on Monday afternoon, 21 November, from Sea Synergy Marine Awareness Research and Activity Centre based in Waterville, County Kerry. This was organised by Stephen in the Library and the Guidance Department as part of College Awareness Week. Natasha Howard presented on marine life and plants that are found in our oceans, students learned of the various career opportunities within marine biology such as Marine Biotech, Aquaculture, Environmental Biology and Toxicology, Marine Animal Research and Marine Mammal Observation. The takeaway message for students was the importance of living a more sustainable life in order to protect our oceans along with the vast array of career opportunities that exist within the marine biology sector.

On Monday, 21 November, TY students were involved in the first of four talks from Jim Kirwan on behalf of Self Help Africa. He discussed sustainable food production and facilitated a discussion about the definition of sustainable food, and the link between climate change and sustainable food production which started a lively debate on farming. Students were asked to find the countries of origins for some basic produce like sugar and apples which could be grown in Ireland but are imported instead. It was a most engaging talk, and we are looking forward to the next three talks from Jim.

On Tuesday, 22 November, Transition Year students went to see ‘The Cloud Spotter’ by Michael J. Harnett at The Clasac in Clontarf. The play created awareness for dementia as it centred around a grandmother in her seventies becoming increasingly forgetful with the added challenge of rearing Thomas, her wayward grandson. Students thoroughly enjoyed how this play explored the rawness of life and how, at the core, was the deeply felt love between a grandmother and her grandson. At the end of the play, there was a question-and-answer session where a representative from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland answered any questions that students had. The event proved to be helpful and educational for all.

Congratulations and very well done to First year student, Emma Banks who placed first in the Interschools Secondary 90s Show Jumping competition and third in Dressage at Marlton Equestrian on Saturday, 19 November.

On Thursday, 17 November, the Junior Girls GAA team took part in the first of the Wicklow Schools' Blitz in Bray. In the first game, the girls played Avondale. The girls played well as a team and worked some nice scores together, winning that match well in the end. With the wind picking up, the girls struggled in their next two matches to put scores together but kept working hard until the end. Unfortunately, it was not to be, and they lost their games against Loreto Bray and Colaiste Ráithín. The girls will have another Blitz in the new year. Their next match in the Leinster league will take place on 14 December against Bridgetown College, Wexford.

On Friday, 18 November, CCM's Boys' Leinster Junior Football panel began their group campaign against Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew. On a sunny winter's day in Rathnew GAA club, CCM took an early lead through a well-struck Brandon Battams point from distance and we battled early from the start to keep the strong Carnew team at bay. A tough fifteen-minute period ensued where Carnew racked up a number of scores that could have deflated CCM, but we put the shoulder to the wheel and kicked some great points, and a goal from Lorcan Sinnott gave our lads a chance to come back into it in the second half. CCM fought the whole way through the second half to get back into the game but, unfortunately, finished the game second to Carnew. Some promising displays from Alfie Doyle, Jamie Hayden, Lorcan Byrne, Ciaran Matthews and Senan O'Donovan mean CCM can look forward to our next game away to Bridgetown VS in the hope of progressing to the next round.

Despite the outcome, CCM gave their best performance this season in a game they should be proud of. Top scorer on the day was Peter Dunne who showed superb leadership and sportsmanship throughout.

Arklow CBS 1-13 CCM 2-7

CCM came up just short in a very closely contested South Leinster semi-final with Arklow CBS. The sides were level at half time 1-4 to 0-7. Christy Moorehouse and Billy Bannon were excellent in the forwards for CCM and scored crucial goals to keep the team in the game. Lorcan Byrne, Luca Coppola and Jack O'Leary in midfield battled hard for possession and Jonah Fanning, Emmet Ronan and Joe Culleton were excellent in the backs. CCM were unlucky to concede a goal late in the second half despite a good performance overall and several saves from goalkeeper Liam Delaney.