Seachtain na Gaeilge
Last week, we hosted Seachtain na Gaeilge in CCM with a host of activities, including poster competitions and table quiz events, taking place throughout the week.
Gach lá, a Nath an Lae (Phrase of the Day) competition took place for Juniors, Seniors and Staff. On Monday and Tuesday, all students were invited to play board games and interactive games at lunchtime, with some great prizes to be won!
On Thursday, everyone was invited to a tin whistle workshop in the Music Room at lunchtime, while Friday saw our annual Lón Gaeilge with all staff and students invited to have a cupán tae and use their cúpla focal.
Míle buíochas to the Ambasadóirí SNAG24 - Katie Geogeghan, Matilda Larrson Crean, Clodagh Byrne, Jack Lambe, Matthew Dowling, Luke Seiry Freir!
Tá súil againn gur bhain sibh go léir taitneamh as SNAG 2024🍀
Roinn na Gaeilge.
Ceardlann Feadóg Stáin
To celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge, Ms Travers and Ms Quaid hosted the annual Tin Whistle Workshop on Thuursday, 14 March. Students thoroughly enjoyed playing 'Peg Ryan's Polka' and indulging in some brioscaí! Míle buíochas to the enthusiastic students and teachers who attended the workshop. Go raibh maith agaibh☘️
Tráth na gCeist
The Ambasadóirí for Seachtain na Gaeilge, Katie Geogeghan, Matilda Larrson Crean, Clodagh Byrne, Jack Lambe, Matthew Dowling, Luke Seiry Freir, visited St. Patrick’s primary school to host a quiz as Gaeilge as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge. ☘️
The activity proved to be a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved. The ambassadors represented our school with great pride and enthusiasm. This event allowed students to enjoy using the Irish language in a relaxed setting outside the classroom.
It also fostered meaningful connections with the local community, showcasing the importance of language and culture in our area. We look forward to more collaborative events like this in the future.
Big thank you to the ambassadors for all the hard work they put into preparing this event. Well done to the pupils from 5th and 6th class for their effort and engagement and thank you to St Patrick's for hosting us in your school! 👏👏
Barretstown
Best wishes to the students who head to Barretstown on Monday, 18 March for what we hope will be a worthwhile and fulfilling experience. Thank you to everyone for all the work completed to make this whole event come to fruition. We look forward to updates about the students’ experience during this week.
TY Heritage Trail
On Wednesday, 28 February, the current TY 1 class completed their Heritage Studies module with a walking tour of Wicklow Town. The tour comprises approximately 24 stops, starting at St. Patrick’s church (which has one of the highest self-supporting ceilings in Europe) and ending at the commemorative stone opposite Holy Rosary National School, commemorating those who lost their lives in the 1641 Massacre. 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, though originally called the Docker’s Steps. It was a dull start to the day, but this did not dampen spirits and thankfully it brightened up in the morning. A much-needed stop at Nick’s Coffee for hot chocolates was greatly appreciated before we finished off the tour. Students completed approximately 11,000 steps on the walk. Well done to all and thanks to Nick’s Coffee for the welcome reception as always.
TY Trip to Causey Farm
Transition Year students had a great day at Causey Farm on Tuesday, 12 March. They turned their hand to bread making, explored some mine shafts, cuddled baby animals and finished off the day with some bog jumping. The full day of activities, coupled with all the fresh air, made for a quiet bus journey home. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were a credit to the school.
TY Gaisce Adventure
Well done to the first group of TY students who headed off on the Gaisce Adventure on Wednesday, 13 March. On Day One, students covered 15K and started in Rathdrum following the Avonmore River on to Trooperstown. The evening actives included map reading and the climbing wall, followed by a movie. Day Two featured a 13K walk, this time from the Miners’ Village back once more to Trooperstown. Despite a few rain showers, all the students enjoyed the challenge and were delighted to have completed this part of Gaisce.
Special thanks go to Mark, Stephen, Anthony, Morgan and all the staff at Baltinglass Outdoor Education Centre for facilitating the two-day adventure.
Scifest@school
The Scifest@school competition took place on Thursday, 14 March, in CCM. Congratulations to the Second year students who represented the school excellently on the day. The aim of Scifest is to encourage a love of science and maths through active, collaborative and inquiry-based learning. Thank you to Clare Atkinson from Scifest and to Ms Noone for taking their time to judge the competition.
Congratulations to Tia Keighery & Gráinne Murphy who were winners on the day with a project that investigated the growth of cress seeds. Well done to the runners up: Harita Rynhart and Kelly Moore who investigated the absorption rate of different nappy brands. The Scifest award was given to Justin Ivanets, Rory Plummer and Steven Doyle who investigated what can influence the boiling point of water.
Well done to everyone who took part - your ability to present and showcase all of your findings was excellent. Thank you to all Second Year science teachers for helping prepare the students for today. Thank you also to Scifest, with the support of Medtronic Foundation, for presenting CCM with a €100 bursary for completing the science fair.
Waltons Music for Schools
In February, thirty-nine students across First to Sixth year took part in the Waltons Music for Schools competition. Under the theme "Music Moves", students decided to showcase the development in musical styles throughout the years in Ireland. The performance showcased a range of talent from singers and musicians to Ballet, Irish and Modern dance, starting the performance with "Grace" and finishing it with "Heaven" by Niall Horan.
Although the group were not in the final six selected to progress to the finalist concert, they received a highly commended award. The music-making process was thoroughly enjoyed and students and teachers were very proud of what they achieved.
World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championship
CCM is delighted to announce that six of our senior students have recently been selected to represent Ireland on the Under 20s Ultimate Frisbee squad in July. They will be competing at the World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Championship in Birmingham against other national teams from around the world. This year, those selected from CCM were Caitlin Power and Caoimhe Doherty for the women's squad and Cuan Beirne, Killian Keane and Bhailie Thomson, with Matthew Dowling as a reserve player, for the men's squad. We are so proud of their achievements and look forward to following their results in the summer!
Junior Rugby
CCM: 12 - St Benildus: 22
The Junior Rugby season came to an end on Wednesday, 6 March, after a spirited display in DLSP RFC vs St Benildus. The scores were level at 12-all at half time after a very good first-half performance. Centres, Ewan Meyer and Rahim Ahmed, were causing damage on attack with Daniel Clarke and Toby Keating leading the defensive efforts. The second half started with a Benildus try and the opposition didn’t give up the lead as the half played out in a stop-start manner. Our defence dropped off and Benildus were in control for most of the half without making the breakthrough on the scoreboard. Well done to the full squad on their efforts all year.
First Year Girls’ Soccer
The First year girls played a semi-final against New Ross, Wexford on Tuesday, 12 March, in a highly competitive game. Captained by Isla Hindle, CCM started the game well and put together some nice plays. Carly McDonald had an outstanding game in the goals and really gave great spirit to the team with her heroics in the goal. Isla was dominant in the midfield and kept driving the team on. Kellie Doyle, Ellie Barcoe, and Portia Higgins also had a solid game in the defence. Unfortunately for CCM, however, New Ross was just too strong. They had some outstanding talented footballers, especially in the attacking third, and they were too powerful to contain. The girls put up a brave display, but lost in the end, and as a result were knocked out of the A cup for Wicklow/Wexford.
McMullen Cup Success!
Congratulations to the Senior Rugby team on their wonderful success on Thursday, 14 March, in Energia Park, Donnybrook. This was a great day and one that will be savoured by all over the coming days. Thanks to everyone who worked on arranging the supporters and the homecoming – great fun and really appreciated by all. Finally to the “magician” (quoting the Irish Independent), Joe Duffy, for his tireless work with this team. They really have grown over the year, taken on board his research and planning and continuously seek opportunity during the game, setting up the all-important plays! Well done, Joe, and thank you for your commitment to the team.
Junior Boys GAA Wicklow A Semi-Final
CCM: 3-11 – Dunlavin: 2-10
CCM Junior Boys GAA secured themselves a place in the Wicklow A Championship County Final with a well-earned victory over St. Kevin's, Dunlavin, on Friday, 15 March. Played in Bray Emmets GAA club on the Astro, CCM used the firm ground and fast conditions to their advantage, creating some great scoring opportunities with goals from NJ Sinnott and Zaac Quinn and points from Daniel Murphy, Sam Behan and Max Free giving CCM a three point lead at half-time. In the second half, CCM was playing against the breeze and had to be more strong and intelligent with their play. Another goal and multiple scores from frees from Max Free kept CCM ahead and the impressive defence held strong to achieve victory.
Well done to all those involved and keep up the hard work for the final.
