Coláiste Chraobh Abhann
GREAT BAKE OFF
The Great CCA Bake Off took place on Tuesday, October 24, to raise funds for the charity Aware, who support people suffering from depression. The TY students organised this great day and raised €250 for this very worthy cause. Ten teams, consisting of both students and teachers, baked and iced a batch of buns over the course of the morning and afternoon break, before presenting them to the judges.
The competition was fierce as each team whisked, pipped and sprinkled under the scrutiny of the cheering onlookers. After long deliberation, the judges awarded the overall ‘best buns of CCA’ to the Business team consisting of Mr Hughes and Mr Farrell, who were ecstatic with their victory. With flour and icing sugar in his hair, Mr Hughes thanked his competitors for helping the Business team ‘drive them on to another level of outstanding baking,’ before breaking into a chorus of ‘We are the Champions.’.
We hope this will become an annual event in the CCA calendar. (We are also very pleased to report that there have been no serious illnesses reported by the judges after tasting Mr Healy and Mr Ó Súilleabháin’s offerings)
GIRLS’ CAMOGIE
The CCA senior camogie team played St Kevin’s on Monday morning at home in Kilcoole. The team made a brilliant start to the match with scores from Erika, Caitlin and Hetty to leave the girls in front at the half time break.
During the first half CCA had a goal chance stopped on the line. Some impressive saves from Megan Byrne kept CCA leading throughout the first half.
St Kevin’s made their presence known in the second half and came out fighting. Although the CCA team battled for everything, unfortunately St Kevin’s were victorious in the end.
Every player gave it their all, with standout performances from Megan Byrne in goal, Jade Byrne and Caitlin O’Toole.
Result: CCA 2-8 St Kevin’s 6-3
GOLF
Golf lessons for all abilities will commence every Wednesday after midterm in the Druids Glen Golf Resort at 1.30 p.m. Mr Healy would especially like to invite beginners to sign up. The cost for the five-week lessons is €45. The lessons will be delivered by head professional Patrick Geraghty.
FRENCH DEBATE
Congratulations to Cormac Gilnagh (Captain), Róisín Connaughton, Marc Brady and Rachel Crimes, who debated against Wesley College on Thursday evening, October 26, in Alliance Fran=€7aise. Under the guidance of Ms O’Brien, the team did extremely well and spoke with great confidence and conviction. The motion of the debate was ‘Zoos should be banned’ and the CCA team were supporting the motion. On the night the Wesley team took the victory, but the best speaker on the night went to CCA team captain Cormac Gilnagh. Well done to all involved.
JUNIOR DRAMA
Ms Ní Chleirigh would like to invite all junior students to audition for the play the Magic Finger. Auditions will take place after mid-term and there are a great number of roles to fill. The play has been adapted from Roald Dahl’s famous children’s book of the same name and will be staged in April next year.
BOYS FOOTBALL
The under-15s and under-19s Coláiste Chraobh Abhann Boys’ football team played Coláiste Cill Mhantáín on Monday the 23rd in Rathnew. In the under-15s game CCA got off to an unfortunate start as CCA went two goals down within the first 10 minutes. Due to the slow start from CCA, they were four nil down by the end of the first half. However, they lifted their heads and fought back with two goals of their own in the early second half, with Jamie Murray and John Paul Nolan getting their names on the score sheet. However, it proved to be too little too late for CCA, as CCM finished comfortable winners as they added to their tally with two well worked goals. Result: 5-2.
The under-19s CCA boys also went down to a strong CCM side. Ronan O’Kelly scored two goals for CCA, but were well beaten on the day by their organised and well drilled opponents. Result: 6-3
TY TRIP
The TY students enjoyed an educational trip to various locations in Dublin city on Thursday, October 26, to enhance their learning and understanding of their chosen modules. Trips included Collins Barracks, the Irish Aid Centre and the National Art Gallery. Thanks to all the teachers who were involved in organising and attending this trip.
TRIP TO MOUNTJOY
6THN and 5KRE attended a tour of Mountjoy Prison on Thursday, October 26, with Prison Officers Cormac Harrison and Patrick Moran. They visited the prison and discussed prison life with an inmate on B wing serving an 11- year sentence. They also visited the Kevin Barry memorial garden. The students had the unique opportunity to view the hanging building which they felt was very eerie. They also visit the Behavioural correction unit and had the opportunity to tour the recreation area. Thanks to Ms Cowap for organising this event.
POETRY ALOUD
Well done to the students who attended the Regional Leinster Poetry Competition in the National Library of Ireland on Thursday, October 26. Each student had to read a selected Patrick Kavanagh poem and one other poem from a prescribed anthology. The junior students who competed were Sam Bishop, Siobhán D’Arcy, Kayleigh Clements, Lucy Shortt and Sophie Heaton. The senior students included Cormac Gilnagh, Molly Hayes, Roisín Connaughton and Leah Shannon Hogg. A special congratulations to Sophie and Róisín who made it through to the semi-final which will take place in mid-November in the National Library of Ireland.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The Student Council attended the annual Comhairle na nÓg con- ference in Parkview Hotel, Newtown on Thursday, October 26. They discussed a wide range of issues including homelessness and social inequality. Everyone had a great day and Mr Rice says that the council look forward to discussing the issues raised with the rest of the school.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
After an action packed first term, we would like to wish all our staff and students a well-deserved break. It has been a fantastic eight weeks with so many events taking place across the entire school. We hope everyone will have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.