TY trip to Emerald Park
TY students had a fantastic day end-of-year trip to Emerald Park on Friday, 5 May. The sun shone for most of the day and the students enjoyed the many attractions of the park, including Viking Voyage, The Rotator and, of course, the mighty Cú Chulainn Coaster! They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and they were a credit to themselves and the school.
Darkness Into Light 2023
What a great DIL event in the early hours of Saturday, 6 May, in Wicklow Town. Thank you, in particular, to the staff and students of CCM who volunteered and helped with the organisation and stewarding of this important community event.
TY Gaisce Trip
On Tuesday, 25 Transition Year students completed their 30km Gaisce challenge. The route started in Rathdrum, followed the river to Clara Vale and, after a long hike across Trooperstown Hill, ended in Laragh village. On day two, the students set off at Glendasan and followed the Miners’ Road to Glendalough. From here, they hiked part of Camenderry Hill and followed the route to Laragh village.
The students rose to the challenge and completed the task in great form. They must be acknowledged for their excellent behaviour, effort and attitude throughout the trip.
Wrapparound
‘Wrapparound’ is a rap music and poetry event that is held every year for participating schools from around the country. This showcase event took place in Trinity College in Dublin on Tuesday, 9 May.
A number of our Second year students represented our school after taking part in several rap music workshops in the library. Over six weeks, the students worked with a professional performance poet, Karl Parkinson, to create their own poems which they performed on stage in front of other schools.
Well done to Eoin Mitchell, Daniel Fleming, Kayla Connolly Doyle, Oliver Beeston, Kalum Twomey, Howie Thomas, Kayla Miley, Freya Roche, Jack Gill, Saoirse Shanahan and Joseph Clancy who each received a certificate from the director of Poetry Ireland at the end of the event.
JCSP Summer Celebration/awards
On Thursday, 11 May, the JCSP Summer Literacy and Numeracy Awards took place in the school library. Awards were presented to all students nominated by teachers for literacy and numeracy, and final certificates were presented to all Third year students. Also, each of the prize winners received a €20 voucher for Bridgewater Shopping Centre in Arklow. Entertainment was provided by well-known storyteller Neil De Burca and some treats were distributed to all students.
Well done to all and, in particular, to the Third Year students whose hard work and achievements were acknowledged at this lovely ceremony.
First year GAA ‘A’ final
On Wednesday afternoon, 3 May, CCM faced Arklow CBS in the First Year Wicklow Post Primary Schools A Final. CCM started brightly and took an early lead thanks to some accurate shooting from Kale Conyard, Daniel Murphy and Rhys Behan. CCM led 1-7 to 1-1 mid-way through the first half. Two late goals in the first half saw Arklow CBS lead by 1 point at halftime- 3-3 to 1-8.
The Arklow boys started the second half much stronger and built up a lead halfway through the second half but some great goals from CCM’s Harry Butler reduced the gap to 5 points with ten minutes to go. Despite the best efforts from all the players and subs, CCM couldn’t regain the lead and Arklow ran out winners on the day. All players played well and tried their best on the day with particular mention to Rhys Behan who was superb for CCM throughout.
Junior basketball tournament
On Wednesday, 10 May, CCM faced off against Wicklow Educate Together in three friendly matches. First, the CCM Second year boys played against the Second and Third year WETSS boys. Our lads played well and managed to take the win for CCM (15-12), starting the day off well. The First year boys were up next against a strong First and Second year WETSS squad and the age difference showed in this game, unfortunately, with WETSS showing some excellent skills and taking the game 28-18.
Finally, the girls squared up against a well-drilled WETSS line. However, our girls were too much for them on the day and they took another win for CCM with a scoreline of 22-18. It was a really fun morning and so nice to see the students play against friends from their neighbourhood and other sports club. There was a great vibe in the room on the day and the event was well organised by our own Peter Dunne (referee), Alison Kenny (scorekeeper) and Alex Dickenson (timekeeper), so big thanks to them for their help on the day!
CCM Frisbee Championship
Over nine days in early May, CCM hosted their first annual Ultimate Frisbee tournament, seeing ten teams with students from First year to TY.
It was a single-elimination tournament and each day the matches had plenty of spectators to create a great competitive vibe. Day one saw Team Conary (TY) and Courtney’s Crew (Third) exit the tournament, despite a valiant effort. On the second day, the Dinky Deckers (First) and Team A (TY) both lost tight matches. In the final first-round match, a very strong Wolves (Second) team took on an equally strong Manchester Reds (First and Third). It came to universe point, but Manchester Reds was just a bit stronger on the day, scoring a last-minute goal.
In the second round, Spice Girls (First to Third) lost to a strong Cawwots (Third) team who progressed to the final. There were very tight matches for both Hon the Village (Second) and Manchester Reds, who, in a twist of fate, lost in sudden death themselves after pushing out their previous opponents the same way.
The final was a matchup between Cawwots, made up of Alfie Doyle, Deon Fielding, Daniel Coffey, Steven Kavanagh, Conor Williams and Joe Culleton, and S.A.M, made up of Jack Neville, Jack Lambe, Toby Murphy, Senan O’Donovan, Adam O’Brien, Seán Manning, Eoin Lawlor and Kieran Armstrong. Despite a very long and hard-fought first and second point, S.A.M. was just better on the day, taking the first CCM Ultimate Frisbee title. Congratulations to all the lads on their big win.
We’re looking forward to another season of Ultimate next year so make sure your players are out and about this summer practicing their throws!
Second Year Girls’ GAA
The Second year girls took part in their last blitz of the year in Ballinakill on Thursday, 11 May. They played games against St Kevin’s Dunlavin, and Dominican College A and B teams. The girls played very well as a team together, winning all of their matches! Well done to all of the girls involved!
Lidl Schools Serious Support Programme
On Thursday, 11 February, Anne-Marie Doran visited the school to talk to the girls’ GAA team about nutrition and the important role nutrition plays in sport. It was a very interesting and engaging talk, where the girls learned about the type of food they need before and after games.
The girls then took part in a CCM vs CCM game, where girls from all years played in a very entertaining and fun match! It was such a close match, but the yellow team won in the end! Well done girls; thanks to all the hard work this year, we have a great team to build on for the coming years.
EAST GLENDALOUGH SCHOOL
Senior Gaelic Football
Our Senior Gaelic Football team were in the Wicklow Senior B final last week against a much fancied Gaelcholaiste na Mara. There was a huge crowd of support for EGS and all in attendance would agree the atmosphere was electric.
Going in as massive underdogs our lads showed exactly why they have come as far as they have in the last two years. From never having had a boys Gaelic team to winning the Wicklow C final last year and contesting the B final this year. Unfortunately, despite running GCM right to the finish, it wasn’t to be for EGS but they can be extremely proud of their efforts over the last two years. Hopefully this is just the beginning of EGS’ adventure into boy’s Gaelic Football and the school can look forward to contesting many more finals in front of their supporters.
Transition Year News
I write this piece whilst on the bus to Glenmalure for our TY Gaisce hike. 18 students have completed their award this year and this is the final piece of the puzzle. It promises to be a beautiful day and I can’t wait to drink in the view’s from the Derrybawn ridge.
Elsewhere this week has seen out TYs completed their interview day. A huge thanks to Sam Vargas, Mark Elliott, William Mansfield and Lisa Mc Phillips for giving up their valuable time for the benefit of our students. The interviews were a great success and a lot of great feedback was delivered.
Finally as we look towards our final week together the TYs are preparing for their open evening and end of year celebrations. Hill walk, BBQ and beach day…..not a bad way to sign off…