Maths Week
Last week, 13-17 October, we celebrated Maths Week with a range of activities to promote Maths here in Coláiste Chill Mhantáin. This year, we hoped to shine a light on the wide range of careers that use Maths on a day-to-day basis, with each teacher finding time to reflect on numeracy in their subject during the week. Students participated in a Daily Puzzle every morning, as well as playing Sudoku, puzzles, riddles and matchstick games throughout the day. Online activities included Maths TV and online games.
Congratulations to the Daily Puzzle winners who included Daire Mitchell from 1 Erne, Caleb Robbins from1 Erne, Dylan Watters from 2 Bann and Bianca Paroczai 3 Erne.
Literacy Week
The literacy team ran a DROP EVERYTHING AND READ initiative with First year, Second year and Third year students during the week of 20-24 October from 11.56 to 12.14 each day. All junior students were asked to participate by reading a book from their bag or digital library.
The librarian, Mr Doherty, also organised the children's writer Carmel Kelly to come to the school on Thursday 23rd October to give talks to a number of First year classes on the history of Wicklow Gaol. Carmel recently published a children's book on the history of the Gaol.
As well as dropping everything and reading every day from 11.56 to 12.14, First year students were encouraged to dress up and read on Friday 24th October. Their mentor team then hosted a giant table quiz for all First year students on Friday afternoon with prizes awarded for the best costume as well as the winners of the quiz.
Spelling Bee
As part of our Literacy Week, the Literacy Committee organised a Spelling Bee Competition which was held in the library. There was a great turn out of First Year students, who all tried to outdo each other with their spelling prowess. In a process of elimination, the winner left standing at the end was Mithul Manikandan from 1 Bann. The two runners up were Edrea Chidi of 1 Avoca and Alex Godeanu of 1 Erne. The three winners were presented with Centra vouchers.
Well done to everyone who participated.
‘Rayse the Game’ Study Skills Seminar
On Friday, 24 October, Ray Langan, a school motivational speaker, qualified psychotherapist and counsellor, met with all of the Sixth year students and delivered to them a 'Motivational Study Skills Seminar'. Ray spoke to the students in a motivational manner about raising their game in terms of what types of grades they want to achieve in the Leaving Certificate in June 2026, emphasising the need to review all options in terms of courses, colleges and training opportunities.
Using sports psychology and games psychology techniques, Ray advised the students about the importance of attitudinal mantras, how to develop mental energy, how and why they should focus on their future self, the importance of starting a homework habit, and how and why it is important to set golden goals.
Ray gave examples and techniques of how best to study through the use of the 30-minute study sprints technique and through the use of the Whizgridz charting system, while getting the students to focus on time management.
Reflecting on the area of anxiety, he advised the students of practical methods and mindful messages to tell themselves, enabling them to switch from being anxious to being awesome and therefore highlighting to them, how to take control of their life, by reviewing their morning, daily and weekly tasks, habits and routines.
Once again, Ray has delivered a fantastic workshop to our Sixth year students, enabling them to become more focused on their study and career goals as they embark on their last year in secondary school.
Junior GAA
On Wednesday morning, 22 October, our Junior footballers started their defence of the Junior Wicklow A championship title against the Avondale CC who they defeated in last year’s final. CCM started brightly and led 1-2 to 2 points after ten minutes with the superb Alex Mernagh leading the charge. There were some excellent performances and scores from both sides throughout this evenly-matched game. Both teams exchanged scores right throughout the first half and a Jack Madden point after excellent work from the brilliant Rian Abell Ward and Daniel Connolly saw CCM leading by 3 at half time. (2-6 to 9 points).
Avondale started the second half well and tagged on super points from their forwards and midfielders. Further scores from play and frees by Mernagh saw CCM lead by 4 with fifteen minutes to play. Some excellent defending by Luke Connolly, Failm Redmond and two super saves by keeper Josh Smullen saw CCM stay ahead. Avondale levelled the game with 3 minutes to play before Jack Madden scored a goal after great work by Tommy Morrissey and Ben O’Leary. With the last play of the game an Avondale effort snuck under a number of CCM bodies into the net to leave it all square at full-time (3-9 to 1-15).
A draw was probably the fairest result from two evenly-matched teams who displayed some excellent football throughout. Next up is CCA and Arklow CBS in the group stages after midterm.
Junior Rugby
CCM: 48 - Good Counsel College: 14
The Junior Rugby team, captained by Third Year Luke Connolly, booked a place in the second round of the cup with a hard-earned win in New Ross RFC. A Daniel Connolly try after five minutes gave the perfect start but it was followed by a number of penalties at the ruck that allowed Good Counsel field position and pressure that led to yellow cards for Josh Callery and Luke Connolly. Back-to-back tries put the home side ahead 14 - 5 as CCM looked to hang in while down to 13. A quick tap from hooker Eoin Treanor was rewarded as he broke through the line to crash over with Alex Healy adding the conversion to leave 2 points in it at half time to Good Counsel, 14 12.
CCM came out a different, more disciplined team in the second half, dominating possession and mixing the play between backs and forwards. Six tries followed with Josh Callery, Eoin Treanor, Luke Connolly, Alex McKenna, Daniel Connolly and Adam Ryan all touching down to book a home draw in the second round against the winners of Gorey CS and Tullow CS.
First Year Soccer
CCM 2-0 Firhouse CC
CCM began their cup run with a 2-0 win against a strong and well-organised Firhouse team. Max Kiernan was the first to score after he was fouled inside the box to give CCM a penalty early in the second half. Max stood up to take the penalty, and he powered the ball past the goalkeeper. The second came soon after when captain for the day, Fionn Fitzgerald, forced the goalkeeper into an error which gifted Fionn with his first goal for the school.
Overall, it was a solid first game for the boys in First year.
Wicklow Schools Cross Country
A number of students travelled to Avondale on Tuesday, 21 October, to compete in the Wicklow Schools’ Cross-Country event. There was a great atmosphere and perfect running conditions on one of the best cross-country courses in the county.
Each student ran a distance of 1500m. The First Year Boys had fantastic success, with several students finishing in the top 10 and securing the gold medal as the top team. Sadhbh Fitzsimons medalled in the First Year Girls’ race. Oscar Dunne had a superb finish, claiming 2nd place overall in the Senior Boys’ race.
Everyone ran very well, and it was an enjoyable day for all involved.
Third Year Orienteering
Our Third year Physical Education students had the opportunity to travel to Cabinteely Park on Monday, 20 October, to participate in an Orienteering event run by Mary Healy from Orienteering Ireland. This is in conjunction with their Junior cycle module of Adventure activities .
They enjoyed the opportunity to navigate their way around the course , using their thumbing ,map setting , pacing and decision making in route choice .
Not dampened by the weather it was a great day and thoroughly by all.