ColáisteChill Mhantáin
PARENTING TALK
As parents, we all want our children to be happy and healthy; but sometimes we can feel as though we have little real influence over them. New scientific research reveals that happiness can be cultivated within the home and that parenting styles and practices have a tremendous effect on children’s emotional outlook on life. By promoting some basic positive traits and harnessing their inner strengths, our children can develop a more positive view of self, others and their world. Parenting can be challenging but also a positive and fulfilling experience. In a world where childhood and teenage anxiety is on the rise, it has never been more important to cultivate happiness in our children.
On Wednesday, December 12, at 6.30 p.m. in the school, Shane Martin, C Psychol., Ps.S.I, will explore some scientifically validated strategies that parents can apply to influence their children in a positive and profound way. Shane is a well-renowned clinical psychologist and indeed this is a rare opportunity that he will visit the families of Wicklow to share his professional insights on our children’s wellbeing in a most informative but also very humourous way. This is definitely an opportunity not to be missed and is open to parents of both primary and secondary school children.
DEBATING SUCCESS
We are delighted to announce that, in our final debate of the league, we walked away with a win. We are confident now we have enough points to make it through to the next stage of the competition but it’s a long wait till February before the final league table is published. Our team of Lhamo Fitzsimons, Michael Wright, Emma Carter and Rebecca Parke were opposing the motion ‘The global population time bomb is being diffused’.
We were against Woodbrook College in Bray and we spoke about China’s attempts to halt population growth with their onechild policy and how the gender imbalance has led to incidents of human trafficking. We also spoke about how countries like France, with an ageing population, are introducing measures to encourage people to increase family size and have more children. Congratulations to the team and, especially, to Michael, who also received a special commendation for Best Speaker on the night from the adjudicators.
DEUTSCHERWEIHNACHTSMARKT
This year’s German Christmas Market is taking place in our school on Monday, December 10, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The market is open to the public where there will be local vendors selling Christmas gifts along with our TY mini companies. There will be wonderful festive atmosphere with our traditional German market stalls and performances from our school choir and band. We will also have a traditional Krampus parade before St Nicholas arrives. We look forward to seeing you all in your festive attire. Frohe Weihnachten.
TY WSPCA INITIATIVE
On Wednesday, November 28, a number of Transition Year students visited WSPCA as part of their YSI program. The students have decided to make Animal Abuse their theme for this year and have chosen to fundraise for Sharpeshill as part of this. Linda from WSPCA gave a very informative talk to the students about the work of the centre, micro chipping, the reason animals are brought in and the rehoming process. The students were then given the opportunity to see the dogs, cats and donkeys present. The students were great representatives of the school with their enthusiasm and interest.
IADT OPEN DAY
On Friday, November 23, 42 sixth year students travelled to Dublin to attend the IADT open day. On the day the students were given the opportunity to tour the college and to meet the current IADT students who are studying the different degree programmes.
This proved to be a very interactive experience for the CCM students, where they were able to access the animation and film studios, view numerous sample portfolios, interact with the students who were at work in their relevant departments, whether it be working in the area of 3D Design, Model Making and Digital Art, or Animation and art, as well as talk to students and lecturers about the programmes in Entrepreneurship, English, Media and Cultural Studies, Creative Computing, Applied Psychology, Arts Management and New Media Studies.
While on the tour, it was great to see some of the CCM students who completed the Leaving Certificate in CCM in June 2018, who are now studying various programmes at IADT This was very encouraging for the current students, as they could see the link between the work that they have to put into their studies for this year and where it could lead them to next year.
TY DELL PRESENTATION
Last Tuesday, 27TH November, and Thursday, November 29, representatives from Dell visited all Transition Year students to present their programme ‘IT is not just for Geeks’. The presentation took place in the demonstration room and was both informative and engaging.
MICROSOFT DREAMSPACE
On Friday, November 23, a group of 40 TY Students travelled to Microsoft’s new 17 million euro building in Leopardstown to participate the Microsoft Dream.
Space Experience. Students were able to experience Microsoft’s advances in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Immersive Technology. It was very much an engaging and hands-on experience. Students were shown how technology influences the everyday world around them – from how they’re entertained to how they travel, shop and eat.
Students were given the opportunity to build and code simple versions of the most used tech gadgets and apps, as well as discover the many exciting career opportunities the world of technology presents.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The under-16s Boys’ Basketball team were unlucky in their game against Kishoge Community College. There was great teamwork from both teams in the first and second quarters with notable scores from Peter Dunne and Noah Sheridan and defensive work from Ethan Power. KCC came out strong and lead by 12 at half time. In the third and fourth quarter the team worked hard to chip away at KCCs lead and went up by two points, leading them to the last quarter. Unfortunately, CCM was unable to win the game and lost 25-43. Excellent performance from the whole team but especially Andrew Nolan and Javier Rojas.
The under-19s took on St Mary’s of Dublin in a home game in the regional quarter final of the league. It was a frantic start with scores being exchanged at either end. With Joe O’Shea and Conrad Halvorsen doing the scoring for CCM in the first quarter, St Mary’s just edged the first quarter by 1612. In the second quarter, CCM took the upper hand with Conrad Halvorsen, Nojus Sumauskas and Nathan Ernestas driving the team on. At half-time, CCM were down by one basket.
In the third quarter however there was a turning point as CCMs star player, Conrad got fouled out. St Mary’s started to get a hold on the game from here on and the score at the end of the third quarter was 38-26. In the final quarter Ali Saim, Danny Murphy and Moe Tran Quoc came on and started to land a few scores but, in the end, St Mary’s proved too strong. Well done to the team on a spirited performance.
UNDER 16 HURLING
Our under-16 Hurling team enjoyed a good win over St Kevin’s of Dunlavin on a score of 6-8 to 3-6 in the South Leinster C1 qualifier. The team put in an excellent performance, particulary Daniel Browne in goals, and Adam Sinnott, Conor Doyle and John O’Brien in the backs. Ross Quinn, Charlie Cruise, Kian Conlan and Billy Joe Connors also got some great scores.
UNDER-15 SOCCER SUCCESS
The under-15 Soccer team had a comprehensive win against CCA on Thursday, November 29, The team played well with Seán O’Meara, Mikey Merrigan, Joe Neilan and Toby Lee Curran scoring the goals. The team will progress to the semi-finals of the Wicklow Wexford League. Well done to the lads on a great achievement.