This week we celebrated all things diverse about our CCA community and we pondered the uniqueness of each of us as individuals. There were plenty of activities taking place, from a celebration of culturally diverse music and dance to an ethnic food showcase at lunchtime. There were daily diversity challenges for students to take on which included speaking to someone they have never spoken to before. Students were also invited to enter the CCA Diversity competition where they were given a chance to design a CCA Diversity Logo, the winning one of which would be used as our logo for all CCA diversity events in the future. Well done to Miriam Bhunu, our Diversity and Inclusion Prefect who was the driving force throughout the week and also visited assemblies for each year group to speak about the importance of diversity in their lives.
1st Year Soccer Tournament
On Wednesday we held the first of four rounds of our 1st Year inter tutor soccer tournament. This gave the students a chance to win house points and to show off their soccer skills to their future soccer coaches. We had two 20 minute matches with 1RLS playing 1CDN and 1SMI playing 1NTT. There were some fantastic displays from the students with 1CDN and 1SMI coming out on top. Well done to all involved!
Study Skills
This week we had a number of study skills seminars take place for our 3rd, 5th and 6th year students. The students explored their working memory and learned the difference between their short term memory and long term memory. They tried out various study techniques and were given advice on the most efficient ways to study. Our students are now fully equipped with the tools to put together a comprehensive study plan. We hope they try out some of the techniques they were given and incorporate the ones that work best for them into their study plan.
As well as our study skills workshop we are also reminding students and parents of the evening study programme in CCA. Due to the suitable environment and success of the programme places have filled quickly. A small number of places are still available and we would encourage all students to consider this excellent facility. The programme will provide students a suitable atmosphere and environment to progress their studies resulting in a better quality of homework and a superior set of grades in examinations.
House Captains
Last week saw the beginning of our house points competition where house points can be won by demonstrating our school values in and out of the classroom and by participating in school activities and house competitions. This week our house captains were chosen by Ms. Coleman and Mr. Kenny to be the voice for each house, leading them, encouraging them and facilitating house competitions to earn points. A captain and a vice captain were chosen for each house and the successful candidates were Tyra Doyle, Zoe Hanley, Lauren Coffey, Aaron Roy, Sarah Heatly, Zach Dunne, Cillian Coffey, Corey Molly Cullen, Ami Louise Price and Oisin Reynolds. Well done to all involved!
Student Council
On Monday, we held the annual student council elections. Each year group has a male and female elected to the council with only one nominee of each allowed from each tutor class. In this years election we had the most candidates ever run in this years election which made it extremely competitive. All candidates demonstrated great initiative and leadership skills in their campaigns and there was only one vote between most winners and second place. The successful candidates were Killian Mitchell, Nadine Abrigo, Dylan Dunleavy, Abbie Cooke, Hugh Donohue, Madeleine Scott, Sam Eager, Oliwia Ninard, Harry Barry, Ella Mackey, Ethan Mackey and Miriam Bhunu. We also had Lily Ann Ryan elected as ISSU rep and Cayden Elliott elected as Comhairle na nÓg rep. We would like to encourage the unsuccessful candidates to run again next year. Congratulations to our successful candidates and best of luck for this year's council.
Prefect Training
CCA's newly appointed Prefect Team participated in a highly engaging Prefect Training Workshop on Monday 6th September.
The training was delivered by Ms. Samantha Teather from Information & Education Programmes Ireland and it explored areas such as student leadership, peer collaboration, de-escalating challenging situations, taking the initiative and being a positive role-model.
The Prefects benefited greatly from the session and the facilitator commented on the mutual respect, energy and dynamism of the team. We look forward to working with our Prefects, Head Boy Jeremiah Scott and Head Girl Shauna Healy in the months ahead.
Happy Pear Happy Mind Challenge
Next week will mark the start of the Happy Pear Happy Mind Challenge where the Transition Year students are going to be asked to track their sleep, steps, food and hydration habits. This week the Happy Pear hosted the TY class captains and the teachers facilitating the course for lunch. During the lunch, students and staff learned and gave input into the course content with Dave and Steve Flynn. We are looking forward to this amazing pilot project which will begin next Monday.
School Admissions
All information relating to the admissions process for the academic year 2022/2023 is now available on the school's website under the Admissions Tab. The admissions policy, admissions notice and application form is all available to view in this section. Applications can only be accepted from current 6th class students in line with the policy from 1st October - 22nd October inclusive.
Texaco Art Competition
CCA and it's fantastic art department are delighted with the announcement that Valencia Mascarenhas in 2SPS received a special merit Award in the All-Ireland Texaco Art competition. Well done Valencia!
Photograph - CCA House Captains