Enterprise Week:
This week marked enterprise week in CCA where there were lots of activities running. There was a beautiful display in the GP area which was designed and created by a group of Transition Year students and there was a quiz during assembly each morning.
Second and third year business students were involved in a money smarts workshop which was facilitated online by Peter Cooney from Bank of Ireland. He discussed the needs and wants in relation to spending and also discussed the dangers of money fraud with the students.
Our budding first year entrepreneurs have been busy over the past number of weeks setting up mini companies and making products. The top three companies from each class were chosen and it culminated into a first year mini company final on Thursday where they set up shop and students and teachers were given the opportunity to view and buy their products. There were also judges on the day who picked the best four companies, three of which will now represent CCA in the Wicklow enterprise final. Well done to the mini companies of The Sugar Shack, RF Bathsalts, Cable Tamer and Pampared Paws who came out on top. Well done to all the first year business students on their hard work over the last few weeks. Hopefully you will keep selling your products over the coming weeks.
Our Transition Year students have also been working on their mini companies over the past few weeks. On Thursday all TY students took part in Dragon’s Den. Each company had one minute to pitch their idea to the dragons and answer questions on their business. The top companies were given a small investment in their company to help them on their journey. The successful companies were Foosminton, Biscuit Bear Prints, Teens to Teens, Beeswax by Becs and Boho Baggies. All TY students will be continuing with their mini companies and the county finalists will be chosen in the new year. A big thanks to Bank of Ireland for sponsoring the prizes and to Hannah from the Local Enterprise Office for playing the role of Head Dragon in the Dragon’s Den.
On Friday our fifth and sixth year business students enjoyed a talk from Alan McGovern of izest digital marketing company. He shared his story of his life as an entrepreneur and how his business had adapted during the pandemic. A big thank you to all who took part in what was a very successful Enterprise week.
Transition Year News:
Motivational Workshop
Our Transition Year students enjoyed a motivational workshop on Friday. Stephen Kiernan from Brilliant Mondays visited the school and delivered a powerful message to the students to believe in yourself and your ability to achieve whatever goals you set. We are looking forward to seeing each of our students reach their goals in the future.
Community spirit
The recent months have been difficult for many in our community, including the local residents of Kilcoole Lodge Nursing Home. Without many visitors, Ms. Doyle’s first year English class decided to pen a letter to the residents of the Nursing Home to brighten up their day. In the letter the students told stories of their first days in secondary school and what they have been getting up to. They also offered their support, thoughts and positivity to the residents. Well done to the class for their community spirit!
Gratitude Trees
The CCA prefect team came up with the lovely idea of having a tutor room gratitude tree in order to promote a sense of gratitude and well-being among our students. Lauren Hackman, a Transition Year student has designed our gratitude tree which has been displayed in every classroom. Post it notes in the shape of leaves have been distributed to each tutor class. Each Friday morning, tutors ask their class to write down three things that they were grateful for during the course of that week and they then stick their leaf on the tree. Well done to Ms. Miley, Ms. Smith and the prefect team for such a wonderful idea.
First Year Study Skills
This Christmas marks the first set of formal exams that our first years will sit. Our peer mentor team have been busy running study skills workshops with the first years over the past week in order to help prepare them for the exams. They discussed study timetables, study techniques, what to expect from the exams and also shared their own experiences in relation the school exams. We hope the students put all the information to good use when preparing for their exams over the next few weeks.
Christmas Tree Remembrance Day
Every Christmas, the CCA Remembrance Tree is placed in the GP area to remind us of our past family members and friends. Transition Year students made white star decorations, which have been handed out to each tutor class. Students are given the opportunity to write the name of someone they would like to be remembered this Christmas and hang their star on the tree. Thank you to Ms. Cluskey and the TY Innovation and Change class for this wonderful initiative.