History Week
Last week we celebrated History Week in the school, with several activities organised by the history department. These included a castle-building competition and various quizzes throughout the week. Every morning featured a ‘Guess who I Am?’ quiz for staff and students, along with a historical fun fact posted on social media each day.
All Third year students took part in a history quiz in the hall during the last class on Friday. Many thanks to the Fifth year history students who were in attendance to help with facilitating the quiz.
Overall, History Week proved a great success with lots of fun and interesting activities for students to engage with.
Festival of Nations
On Thursday, 25 April, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the various cultures that are celebrated here in Coláiste Chill Mhantáin at our annual Festival of Nations. Over fourteen different nationalities were celebrated in displays of food, costume and music. Ms Travers and Ms del Campo would like to thank all the students and parents for their hard work and dedication to making this event a great success.
Amigen UCD Genetics Workshops
As part of the Science Department Amigen Genetics Workshops last week, the science department borrowed equipment from U.C.D. for the week, with the aim of teaching our Fifth and Sixth year Biology students about the use of micro pipetting equipment and DNA profiling electrophoresis gels.
PA Donation to the Science Department
Colin Hindle, the chairperson of the Parents’ Association, dropped into the school on Friday last to see how the students are using the new hot plates in the science labs that the Parents’ Association sponsored. Colin was shown how to operate the hot plates and watched some experiments demonstrated by First Year science classes.
We would like to thank the PA for their generous sponsorship of this equipment in our science labs.
Drop Everything and Read
A 'Drop Everything and Read' (DEAR) event took place for all First and Second year classes from 12.00-12.20 on Friday, 26 April. Students were able to access books on their Sora Digital Library that on their Ipads.
This nationwide event, which involves schools all around the country, is crucial in helping to develop an interest in reading among young students.
PA Donation to Lourdes Trip
We were delighted to be joined by members of the Parents Association last week, who very kindly donated the transportation costs for the upcoming Lourdes pilgrimage. The students spoke with the Parents Association explaining the work they will be doing in Lourdes in September. Thank you once again for this very generous donation.
Home Economics Chefs
Congratulations to Second year student, Aaron Byrne, who has reached the All-Island Junior Final of the Healthy Home Chef Competition and to Sixth year student, Aldrin Omana, who has reached the Senior Final. Both finals take place in St Angela's ATU this week, where the boys will prepare cook and serve a nutritious main course dish for a panel of expert judges including celebrity chef Neven Maguire.
Each boy is one of sixteen finalists across both the Republic and North of Ireland so it is quite the honour to have reached this stage of the competition.
First Year Soccer
Last week CCM played in the last 8 of Leinster for the B League competition against Coláiste Mhuire from Kilkenny. The First years have had a great year and have established themselves amongst the top eight teams in Leinster in both the A and B divisions. After recently been knocked out of the A cup against a school from Kilkenny, it was an opportunity to push for the league. Alex Mernagh captained the team, as he has done since the start of the year.
CCM started well and produced a very solid performance, but were left to rue missed opportunities, especially at the start of the game. Despite being really dominant in the first twenty minutes of the game, it was Kilkenny that struck first. Coláiste Mhuire were awarded a penalty, which they converted. Five minutes later they scored a powerful header from a corner to make it 2-0. All of a sudden CCM found themselves 2-0 down in a game where they were very comfortable. Unfortunately, CCM weren't able to convert any of their further chances in the second half, and the game finished 2-0 to Kilkenny, who now progress to the last 4 of Leinster.
The First years can be really proud of their efforts this year. They must now settle for Wicklow/Wexford League winners, and a cup run that they can be really proud of. The team was strong in all positions with some exceptional young players. They will look to push on next year in the Minor League and Cup.
Interschools Golf Competition 2024
Sixteen students arrived to a glorious Woodenbridge Golf Club on Monday, 22 April, for the third year of the Inter Schools Golf Competition. Three additional schools joined this year’s event, bringing the total to six schools with just over forty golfers competing. In fabulous conditions, great golf was played, existing friendships were strengthened and new friendships forged. Our winner on the day was Hannah Brabazon who won the girls’ competition. In the overall school’s prize, we were runners up in second place by just one shot to Glenart College from Arklow.
Well done to all the players involved and a huge thanks to Woodenbridge Golf Club pro shop, bar and catering teams for looking after us all so well again this year.
Girls’ Football Success
Well done to the junior girls who overcame Avondale in the semi-final. Best wishes in the final.
Junior Camogie
CCM had their first match of the Wicklow Competition on Thursday, 25 April. There were some fantastic camogie skills on display from the beginning of the match. An impressive goal from Caoimhe Doherty in the first half helped the girls continue strong against a tough side. CCM were relentless in the second half with some strong defence from Brooke Byrne as wing back and Grainne Murphy as corner back. CCM never gave up and continued to work together. Kayla Renwick and Aoife Hunter continued adding scores to the tally.
Overall, it was a fantastic display of camogie from all players. We look forward to our next match against Coláiste Bhride Carnew. The final score was CCM: 2-7 – Dunlavin: 4-7
Junior Boys’ GAA
The Junior Boys GAA team are in the Wicklow A county final vs Coláiste Bhríde Carnew on Tuesday, 30 April. The match takes place in Aughrim County Grounds with a 5:30pm throw-in time. All support is greatly appreciated for the school’s first Boys’ GAA Wicklow A final since 2011!