College Awareness
This week marked college awareness week in CCA. Teachers wore “I am college aware” badges all week to encourage students to talk to them about what college they attended, and what their own experience of what college life was like. This was facilitated in a “Drop everything and talk college” initiative where teachers throughout the week took a break during class time to answer any questions students may have. Teachers were also asked to complete a “My career path” exercise which outlined the career they wanted when they were in school, the college they attended and any job they had ever held. These were all on display in the GP area for students. In addition, there was also a display from students where first and second years spent time participating in a “My Dream Job” activity which involved them exploring their dream job and how they could go about following that dream. Students were introduced to webinars hosted by the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union and watched “My Uni Life”. Video links to various colleges on a variety of different colleges were also shared. We hope this aids students when it comes to making decisions about their life after school.
LGBTI+
LGBTI+ week was held last week in CCA. We are a school that respects and celebrates everyone’s individuality and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive school and workplace. The theme of the week was “Be Proud. Be confident. Love yourself” which was chosen by a TY committee and also represented in the GP area by a beautiful display. The display also included a “wall of fame” of famous LGBTI+ people. The Transition year students sold lollipops, stickers and rainbow ribbons at break times. Teachers and students also made cross curricular links with LGBTI+ in their different subject areas.
In addition, an art competition is running for all students on the theme of the week and there will be a prize for both the best junior student and the best senior student which will be announced next week.
Step to it CCA!
The student council are hosting a CCA schools step challenge as a joint parents council fundraiser and are also hoping to help people get active and promote their positive mental and physical health in these challenging times. The hope is that every student will bring in a minimum of €5 euro donation, of which all proceeds will go back into school activities. The challenge will stretch over three weeks and will end on the 14th December. There are prizes for the most money raised by students and also for the most steps.
Attendance Awards
CCA recently awarded students who have had full attendance since the start of the school year in acknowledgement of the incredible effort they have made to attend all their classes. Here at CCA we understand the importance of being present at school in order to keep up with the workload. “There’s no time like the present, and no substitute for being present”.
Transition Year Fundraiser:
Well done to TY students Ella Holt and Sophie O’Reilly who have been busy collecting donations of food and warm clothing for a very worthy cause, WH Five Loaves. They were inspired to help after a visit to CCA from the charity and they hope that their efforts can make life easier for the less fortunate this Christmas.
Parents’ Council Clothing Collection:
The CCA Parents’ Council are arranging a clothing collection in order to raise funds for upcoming events during the school year. We are asking you to donate any unwanted clothing, curtains, bedding (except pillows or duvets”, scarfs, hats, shoes in pairs, costume jewellery etc. This could be the perfect opportunity for you, your family and your friends to get rid of all that unwanted clothing cluttering up your shelves!!
Bagged clothing can be dropped into the school between 3pm and 5pm on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th and also between 9am to 11am on Saturday 5th of December.
Student of the Month:
Congratulations to all our students who were awarded the November Student of the Month Certificate.
This monthly certificate is awarded to one student per tutor class who has excelled in their quality or work and effort made throughout the month.
PE accreditation
CCA was proud to be chosen to be one of the first schools who pioneered both the introduction of Leaving Cert PE and Senior Cycle PE between 2018 and 2020. In recognition of this, the Physical Education Association of Ireland awarded certificates to Ms. Miley, Mr. Duffy and Ms. Doyle.
Teaching and Learning Club
Well done to a dedicated group of collaborative practitioners, who attended the CCA teaching and learning club this morning to explore some classroom strategies delivered by staff who are training on the Magenta Principles programme. Thanks to Ms. Nolan, Mr. Kenny and Ms. Page who delivered this weeks session.