Science Week - November 2025
This week, we celebrated Science Week in the school with a variety of lunchtime challenges, biology workshops, a daily ‘Guess the Scientist’ competition, a visiting reptile zoo for First year students and the annual ISTA science quiz for Sixth year students.
Congratulations to Charlie McNulty 1 Liffey, Cian Collins 2 Slaney, Amy Snell 3 Erne and Cian Power TY4 who won the 'Guess the Scientist' competition.
Science Week - Reptile Zoo
On Tuesday, 11 November, two zookeepers from the National Reptile Zoo visited CCM with a range of animals, from giant pythons to gecko lizards, tarantulas, tortoises and scorpions! Each first-year tutor group had a 58-minute workshop where they had an opportunity to ask questions and touch the animals. The workshops were very informative with a particular emphasis on the evolution of animal adaptations and conservation.
Senior Cycle Biology Amgen Workshop
Over the last week, 150 Fifth and Sixth year biology students took part in DNA workshops using equipment borrowed from Amgen Biotech Experience Ireland in UCD. The workshop was split into two labs. Lab 1 focused on using micropipettes to transfer precise volumes of liquid, building essential skills for molecular biology. In lab 2 students became forensic scientists in a jewel heist investigation! Using DNA samples from the crime scene and six suspects, they prepared DNA profiles through gel electrophoresis to identify the thief.
This immersive experience gave students a real insight into careers in genetics and forensics, while also supporting their practical Biology studies.
ISTA Regional Quiz
Well done to the Sixth year students who competed in the ISTA Regional Science Quiz in Gorey Community School on Thursday night, 13 November, as part of Science Week. Congratulations to Liam Phelan, Aoife Treanor and Deon Fielding who finished in third place.
Stand Up Week
CCM participated in another successful stand-up week from 3-7 November. The SASS committee organised a number of lunchtime activities including Karaoke, movie lunch, table quizzes and a bake sale. As well as morning trivia questions and a school wide poster campaign under the theme 'Stand up against homophobic and transphobic bullying'. The canteen area was decorated with rainbow bunting and flags showing our support for our LGBT students. The progress pride flag was hung outside all week letting the community know we are a safe and supportive school for all students.
At the end of the week our inclusion and diversity team members were brought on a bowling trip in recognition of all their hard work throughout the year. As always, we look forward to next year! 🏳️🌈
Maths Week Winners
During Maths Week, our First year students took part in a Maths Week competition, working in pairs to tackle a series of challenging maths problems. The event was designed to promote problem-solving skills, teamwork, and a love for mathematics in a fun and engaging way.
A huge thank you to our dedicated mentors who helped with setting up the event and correcting the answers on the day — your support was invaluable!
After a competitive and energetic session, we are delighted to announce the top five teams
🏅 1st Place
- Mithul Saravana Manikandan
- **Lucie Carey**
- **Mark Galligan Ryan**
- **Olivia Guinan**
### 🥈 2nd Place
- **Jake Doyle**
- **Alex Godeanu**
- **Dara Coloham**
- **Bohdan Kashcheiev**
### 🥉 3rd Place
- **Paddy Merrigan**
- **Eoghan Coffey**
- **Ollie Dickenson**
Congratulations to all participants for their enthusiasm and effort — and well done to our winners!
Anti-Bullying Workshops
Pat Forde from stopthebully.ie hosted a number of anti-bullying workshops with Second year students on Friday, 14 November. Pat has worked with schools all over the country implementing his anti-bullying programme with students, staff and parents. He is also one of the country's leading martial arts experts and is passionate about working with young people to teach them skills to protect themselves from bullying behaviour.
Pat's visit today commences our Bí Cinéalta Week which runs next week from 17-21November.
Table Tennis Initiative
Well done to Miss Rossa's ping pong team who received training with Ivanna from Table Tennis Ireland last week. The students were taught the correct stance, how to hold their rackets, and practiced different serves and drills. We had some excellent playing from Bella Connolly who was a natural at the sport! We then held a mini tournament and ultimately Khaleed Falodun took the crown with his excellent playing skills. Well done to all involved!
Climate Literacy Programme – TY Initiative
Aoife Brezina will be facilitating an eight-week Climate Literacy Programme for our TY students as part of their sustainability module. Aoife will be in attendance with the TY students from Tuesday, 11 November, from 09.00 to 10.00, and every Tuesday thereafter for a total of eight weeks
First Year GAA
First year students experienced their first taste of school football on Monday, 10 November, in Round 1 of the Leinster championship vs Coláiste Bhríde Carnew. Thirty students togged out which is great to see for GAA in the school. The lads started slowly as Carnew raced into an early lead before taking back control with some great play to lead by 4 at halftime. The lads kicked on strongly in the second half, but a black card disrupted things. CCM did well to limit the damage and were still leading by the minimum when we got back to a full 15. However, the extra intensity took its toll when we conceded 1-1 in the last 3 mins to lose 9-9 to 8-8 in a highly entertaining game.
Charlie, Zac, Jack and Daniel defended heroically at times and Ryan made a few saves to keep us in it. Max Keenedy, Max Kiernan, Ronan and Fionn carried the ball heroically through the lines and Aaron, Noah and Eoghan kicked some fine scores, while Ollie, Dara, Matthew, Luke, Kaden, Ben and Fionn all contributed well.
Although disappointing to lose, this team will only get stronger as the year progresses and they have time to gel together. All is not lost as a win in our next game will see progression.
U17 Boys’ Soccer
CCM travelled to Lamberton to face Arklow CBS in their first league game on Wednesday, 12 November. The opening fifteen minutes was a tight affair with both sides creating chances, however CCM took control of the game and looked dangerous on the wings, in particular, through NJ Sinnott and Kale Conyard. NJ was fouled by the Arklow defender and Harry Butler calmly converted the penalty. We were awarded another penalty a few minutes later after a great cross from Kale Conyard and this time Alex Mernagh converted to make it 2-0 at halftime.
The second half started with CCM again on the front foot and Rhys Behan scored to put us 3-0 up. Both sides made late changes and while Arklow did pull it back to 3-2 after two defensive errors, our substitutes put in a great shift and we saw out the game with goals from NJ and Failim Redmond making it a 5-2 win to CCM.
Top performances from all 18 players today and we look forward to travelling to Enniscorthy CBS for our next game on Monday.
Duffy Cup Second Round
CCM: 32 - Gorey CS: 5
CCM Juniors recorded a strong win in the second round of the cup in Wicklow RFC on Thursday, 13 November. Built on a strong team performance, CCM dealt much better with the torrential rain and controlled field position and possession for the first half. Alex Healy at out half used the ball effectively with Gorey CS finding it difficult to contain carries from Luke Connolly, Josh Callery and Adam Armstrong in the forwards and from Daniel Connolly and Chris Delahunt in the backs. Three first half tries from Alex Tyson (2) and Eoin Treanor and a penalty from Alex McKenna gave CCM an 18 - 0 lead at half time.
Gorey CS built pressure early in the second half as CCM found it difficult to win the ball back. Patient defence and brave tackling forced mistakes from the Gorey attack who couldn't make the breakthrough their pressure deserved. The pressure was relieved after a Daniel Connolly break before he kicked in behind for Alex Tyson to complete his hat trick splashing over under the posts. Alex Healy converted for a score of 25 - 0. Captain Luke Connolly capped off another fine performance with the final try for CCM with Alex again adding the conversion. Gorey were rewarded with an injury time try leaving the final score 32 - 5.
Well done to both teams and referee for a great game in very difficult conditions. CCM are through to the quarter final and will face an away trip to the winners of Wexford CBS and Pres DLS Bagenalston.
