“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have”.
― Maya Angelou
― Maya Angelou
Coláiste Chill Mhantáin
2022/2023
2022/2023
Cover image by Jack Alcorn, 1 Slaney, is the Overall CCM Art Award Winner, 2023
All the images created by CCM students
Copyright, Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, 2023
All the images created by CCM students
Copyright, Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, 2023
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Our World
Selection of Student Creative Writing and Art
Selection of Student Creative Writing and Art
Coláiste Chill Mhantáin
2022/2023
2022/2023
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Thoughts from our Principal, Padraig Donoghue, 8
Defining Experience, Paul Martin & Ruth Kelly, 10
CCM Creativity Awards 2023, 12
Defining Experience, Paul Martin & Ruth Kelly, 10
CCM Creativity Awards 2023, 12
Poetry
Dancing, Freya Roche, 2nd Yr, 17
Art Poem, Jamie Kavanagh, 1st Yr, 18
Slowly, Very Slowly, Ethan Doyle, 1st Yr, 19
My Lost Shoe, Conor Davis, 1st Yr, 20
Make Up Poem, Kelly Kavanagh, 2nd Yr, 22
Make Up Poem, Kayla Connolly Doyle, 2nd Yr, 23
Happy Signs, Sean O'Brien, 1st Yr, 25
Feathers, Cian Goulding, 2nd Yr, 26
Ann Coffey - My Nanny, Sean Byrne, 1st Yr, 27
Art Poem, Jamie Kavanagh, 1st Yr, 18
Slowly, Very Slowly, Ethan Doyle, 1st Yr, 19
My Lost Shoe, Conor Davis, 1st Yr, 20
Make Up Poem, Kelly Kavanagh, 2nd Yr, 22
Make Up Poem, Kayla Connolly Doyle, 2nd Yr, 23
Happy Signs, Sean O'Brien, 1st Yr, 25
Feathers, Cian Goulding, 2nd Yr, 26
Ann Coffey - My Nanny, Sean Byrne, 1st Yr, 27
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Poetry
Snowy Woods, TJ Cromie, 29
Floating Through Woods, Daniel Rowan, 30
Forgotten, Abbie Mai Delaney, 31
Swing, Leah Crabb, 33
Floating Through Woods, Daniel Rowan, 30
Forgotten, Abbie Mai Delaney, 31
Swing, Leah Crabb, 33
Stories and Prose
Star Gazing (Novel Extract),
Margaux Lenoir, 1st Yr, 37
Suspect No. 1, Matthew Dowling, TY, 41
Soulless (Novel Extract),
Saoirse McInerney, 5th Yr, 44
I am a Piece of Pizza, Emily, 1st Yr, 47
For Sale. Baby Shoes. Never Worn, Louise Farrell, TY, 49
Letter to Sabina, Aoibhe Mitchell, TY, 61
Letter to France, Nathan Reynolds, TY, 64
Letter to Saptha, Angela Prince, TY, 66
My Sister's Journey, Darin Bakr, 1st Yr, 68
Margaux Lenoir, 1st Yr, 37
Suspect No. 1, Matthew Dowling, TY, 41
Soulless (Novel Extract),
Saoirse McInerney, 5th Yr, 44
I am a Piece of Pizza, Emily, 1st Yr, 47
For Sale. Baby Shoes. Never Worn, Louise Farrell, TY, 49
Letter to Sabina, Aoibhe Mitchell, TY, 61
Letter to France, Nathan Reynolds, TY, 64
Letter to Saptha, Angela Prince, TY, 66
My Sister's Journey, Darin Bakr, 1st Yr, 68
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List of IllustratorsLoading...
Jack Alcorn, 1st Yr, CoverDarin Bakr, 1st Yr, p10
TJ Cromie, 1st Yr, p29
Bonita Crowe, 3rd Yr, p67
Morgan Crowe, 1st Yr, p46
Gabrielle Cuddihy, 1st Yr, p30, 32
Lorcan Culbert, 1st Yr, p20, 24, 34
Kelan Fenton, 2nd Yr, p25
Cian Goulding, 2nd Yr, p9, 26
Robyn Harvey, 2nd Yr, p23
Reece Hughes, 1st Yr, p21
Stephen Joseph, 3rd Yr, p7, 36, 48, 52
Eira Kavanagh, 1st Yr, p14, 27
Mischa Kavanagh, 1st Yr, p17, 19, 59, 65
Sadhbh Keating, 1st Yr, p18, 62
Ramona Mantorova, 1st Yr, p22
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List of IllustratorsLoading...
Conor McEvoy, 2nd Yr, p69Reece O'Neill, TY, p16, 40, 55
Harita Rynhart, 1st Yr, p63
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Stephen Joseph, 3 BannLoading...
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7Thoughts from Our Principal
Creativity is an indispensable part of the Coláiste
Chill Mhantáin student experience. In our school we constantly seek to provide our students with opportunities to develop, communicate and celebrate their individuality and creativity as they are so vital for their learning, well-being and life-success.
For this reason, last year we launched the inaugural CCM Creative Writing ebook as the centrepiece of our expanding creativity programme. We very soon appreciated - especially after the emotional and personal disruptions of Covid – that the 2022 Creativity ebook scratched the surface of the reality of our students’ lives but there was much more to be tapped and explored. The trove of art and writings gathered in this year’s ebook delves even deeper into that rich vein of student talent.
This version of the ebook offers wider access for more students to describe their experiences and feelings. This year we invited students to contribute through both written and visual mediums. The end product of exclusively CCM student creations can be found in the upcoming pages; each entry a prompt to turn the page and enjoy a little more.
Fostering creativity is an integral part of CCM life. We hope our “published” student writers and artists will play a role in future years in inspiring more students to find their own voice and expression. We are therefore now planning an
Chill Mhantáin student experience. In our school we constantly seek to provide our students with opportunities to develop, communicate and celebrate their individuality and creativity as they are so vital for their learning, well-being and life-success.
For this reason, last year we launched the inaugural CCM Creative Writing ebook as the centrepiece of our expanding creativity programme. We very soon appreciated - especially after the emotional and personal disruptions of Covid – that the 2022 Creativity ebook scratched the surface of the reality of our students’ lives but there was much more to be tapped and explored. The trove of art and writings gathered in this year’s ebook delves even deeper into that rich vein of student talent.
This version of the ebook offers wider access for more students to describe their experiences and feelings. This year we invited students to contribute through both written and visual mediums. The end product of exclusively CCM student creations can be found in the upcoming pages; each entry a prompt to turn the page and enjoy a little more.
Fostering creativity is an integral part of CCM life. We hope our “published” student writers and artists will play a role in future years in inspiring more students to find their own voice and expression. We are therefore now planning an
expanded creativity programme which will incorporate formal elements in First Year and Transition Year learning activities.
I have enjoyed reading this creation and the quality of the creative entries this year was again outstanding. While acknowledging the nine award winners across the three categories of poetry, story/prose and art, I would also sincerely congratulate and thank every single contributor. I also look forward to witnessing and welcoming the continued creative expression of all students in our vibrant school. Finally, I wish to thank Mr Martin and Ms Kelly for the development of this innovation and the organic nature of its growth with classrooms and teaching & learning in our school.
In appreciation,
Mr Padraig Donoghue
Principal
I have enjoyed reading this creation and the quality of the creative entries this year was again outstanding. While acknowledging the nine award winners across the three categories of poetry, story/prose and art, I would also sincerely congratulate and thank every single contributor. I also look forward to witnessing and welcoming the continued creative expression of all students in our vibrant school. Finally, I wish to thank Mr Martin and Ms Kelly for the development of this innovation and the organic nature of its growth with classrooms and teaching & learning in our school.
In appreciation,
Mr Padraig Donoghue
Principal
8
Cian Goulding, 2 Foyle
expanded creativity programme which will incorporate formal elements in First Year and Transition Year learning activities.
I have enjoyed reading this creation and the quality of the creative entries this year was again outstanding. While acknowledging the nine award winners across the three categories of poetry, story/prose and art, I would also sincerely congratulate and thank every single contributor. I also look forward to witnessing and welcoming the continued creative expression of all students in our vibrant school. Finally, I wish to thank Mr Martin and Ms Kelly for the development of this innovation and the organic nature of its growth with classrooms and teaching & learning in our school.
In appreciation,
Mr Padraig Donoghue
Principal
I have enjoyed reading this creation and the quality of the creative entries this year was again outstanding. While acknowledging the nine award winners across the three categories of poetry, story/prose and art, I would also sincerely congratulate and thank every single contributor. I also look forward to witnessing and welcoming the continued creative expression of all students in our vibrant school. Finally, I wish to thank Mr Martin and Ms Kelly for the development of this innovation and the organic nature of its growth with classrooms and teaching & learning in our school.
In appreciation,
Mr Padraig Donoghue
Principal
Cian Goulding, 2 Foyle
9
Defining Experience
Darin Bakr, 1 Liffey
10
Almost anyone can be creative. But sharing something uniquely your own takes courage.
It means stepping out from the crowd and talking directly to the world. You’re sticking your neck out and saying “my experience is real. My sensibilities and my perception matter”. That’s not easy to do as an adolescent. But being creative can be enormously liberating and a big part in helping you find out your identity and prepare for life.
This selection of poems, stories and art pieces wonderfully illustrates this unfolding of student experience and flourishing of young imagination. From daily activities that bring joy, to people and pets who mean so much, to responding to images or texts, to imagining (and empathising with) the emotions of others – this ebook is brimful with the character and creativity of our students.
We therefore echo Mr. Donoghue's warm congratulations to every student selected for inclusion and especially to the nine winners across the three award categories. We are also very grateful to teachers in the English and Art departments for their great support and contribution.
Finally, it has been a privilege to work with these young writers and illustrators over recent months and a real pleasure to see their work finally “in print”. We look forward to enjoying their many further creative works into the future.
Kind regards,
Paul Martin and Ruth Kelly
It means stepping out from the crowd and talking directly to the world. You’re sticking your neck out and saying “my experience is real. My sensibilities and my perception matter”. That’s not easy to do as an adolescent. But being creative can be enormously liberating and a big part in helping you find out your identity and prepare for life.
This selection of poems, stories and art pieces wonderfully illustrates this unfolding of student experience and flourishing of young imagination. From daily activities that bring joy, to people and pets who mean so much, to responding to images or texts, to imagining (and empathising with) the emotions of others – this ebook is brimful with the character and creativity of our students.
We therefore echo Mr. Donoghue's warm congratulations to every student selected for inclusion and especially to the nine winners across the three award categories. We are also very grateful to teachers in the English and Art departments for their great support and contribution.
Finally, it has been a privilege to work with these young writers and illustrators over recent months and a real pleasure to see their work finally “in print”. We look forward to enjoying their many further creative works into the future.
Kind regards,
Paul Martin and Ruth Kelly
Almost anyone can be creative. But sharing something uniquely your own takes courage.
It means stepping out from the crowd and talking directly to the world. You’re sticking your neck out and saying “my experience is real. My sensibilities and my perception matter”. That’s not easy to do as an adolescent. But being creative can be enormously liberating and a big part in helping you find out your identity and prepare for life.
This selection of poems, stories and art pieces wonderfully illustrates this unfolding of student experience and flourishing of young imagination. From daily activities that bring joy, to people and pets who mean so much, to responding to images or texts, to imagining (and empathising with) the emotions of others – this ebook is brimful with the character and creativity of our students.
We therefore echo Mr. Donoghue's warm congratulations to every student selected for inclusion and especially to the nine winners across the three award categories. We are also very grateful to teachers in the English and Art departments for their great support and contribution.
Finally, it has been a privilege to work with these young writers and illustrators over recent months and a real pleasure to see their work finally “in print”. We look forward to enjoying their many further creative works into the future.
Kind regards,
Paul Martin and Ruth Kelly
It means stepping out from the crowd and talking directly to the world. You’re sticking your neck out and saying “my experience is real. My sensibilities and my perception matter”. That’s not easy to do as an adolescent. But being creative can be enormously liberating and a big part in helping you find out your identity and prepare for life.
This selection of poems, stories and art pieces wonderfully illustrates this unfolding of student experience and flourishing of young imagination. From daily activities that bring joy, to people and pets who mean so much, to responding to images or texts, to imagining (and empathising with) the emotions of others – this ebook is brimful with the character and creativity of our students.
We therefore echo Mr. Donoghue's warm congratulations to every student selected for inclusion and especially to the nine winners across the three award categories. We are also very grateful to teachers in the English and Art departments for their great support and contribution.
Finally, it has been a privilege to work with these young writers and illustrators over recent months and a real pleasure to see their work finally “in print”. We look forward to enjoying their many further creative works into the future.
Kind regards,
Paul Martin and Ruth Kelly
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CCM Creativity Awards 2023
CCM Creativity Ebook 2022
Mr. Martin, Ms. Kelly and Mr. Donoghue are pictured with 5 of CCM's 9 2023 Creativity Award Winners: Conor Davis, Louise Farrell, Freya Roche, Bonita Crowe and Mischa Kavanagh
Poetry: Conor Davis, 1st Yr, My Shoes, (1st Place); Abbie Mai Delaney, 2 Finn, Unforgotten (2nd Place); Freya Roche, 2 Liffey, Dancing, (3rd Place)
Stories & Prose: Louise Farrell, TY, For Sale, Baby Shoes, Never Worn (1st Place), Matthew Dowling, TY, Suspect No. 1 (2nd Place) Emily Crean, 1 Liffey, A Piece of Pizza (3rd Place)
Art: Jack Alcorn, 1 Slaney (1st Place), Bonita Crowe, 3 Bann (2nd Place), Mischa Kavanagh, 1 Barrow (3rd Place)
Poetry: Conor Davis, 1st Yr, My Shoes, (1st Place); Abbie Mai Delaney, 2 Finn, Unforgotten (2nd Place); Freya Roche, 2 Liffey, Dancing, (3rd Place)
Stories & Prose: Louise Farrell, TY, For Sale, Baby Shoes, Never Worn (1st Place), Matthew Dowling, TY, Suspect No. 1 (2nd Place) Emily Crean, 1 Liffey, A Piece of Pizza (3rd Place)
Art: Jack Alcorn, 1 Slaney (1st Place), Bonita Crowe, 3 Bann (2nd Place), Mischa Kavanagh, 1 Barrow (3rd Place)
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