MY EDUCATION WEEK: Scott Graham - First year student, St Joseph's CBS, Fairview and actor in the Oscar nominated movie Pentecost

Monday 23rd January

Another week. Maths first thing. It's not my favourite subject. Still, it's better to be in class with all my friends than on my own with a tutor. When I was working on Royfor the BBC I couldn't go to school for three months and I had to learn on the set with a teacher. I didn't like that. You can't mess at all.

I started acting when I was eight years old. It was pretty clear to my parents that I wanted to be on the stage. I just wouldn’t shut up at home. So they sent me to stage school. I wasn’t so good at singing and dancing but the acting was a different matter.

Tuesday 24th January

Maths class again, but this time with a difference. Our principal, Mr Conlan, called me out of class. What have I done? “You’re not in trouble,” he promised, as he led me to his office. It was my dad on the phone. The film I just finished acting in has been nominated for an Oscar.

According to Mr Conlan I said “that’s mental!” when I heard the news. I can’t quite remember, it was such a shock.

I went back to class and said nothing to anybody. I couldn't quite believe it myself. The film's called Pentecost,directed by Peter MacDonald and produced by Emer O'Kane. In it I play an altar boy who loves football. The football is getting in the way of serving Mass. I really enjoyed it but I didn't expect this.

Wednesday 25th January

My attempts to keep this quiet have fallen apart. There were pictures of me in the papers and loads of my classmates had seen them. Between all the explanations and all

the trips to Mr Conlan’s office, today was definitely not business as usual at school. My normal week has turned a bit hectic.

My very nice principal has allowed me to turn his office into a media room where I have been doing interviews all day. This is really weird. RTÉ, 2FM, Newstalk: They’ve all been looking for me today. I suppose it’s understandable – the Oscars are a big deal and a nomination for Best Short Film means a lot.

Right now I'm trying to work out whether or not I'll be able to go to Hollywood with my dad for the ceremony at the end of the month. The director and producer get tickets and then they have to figure out who else to bring. Don Wycherley and Michael McElhatton acted in Pentecostas well. It would be great fun if we all went along.

Sadly, my Nanny Graham had a stroke recently and has been in hospital. I wouldn’t like to leave when she’s unwell. But I heard today that they’re sending her home and I know she’ll be much happier there. The news has cheered her up too, I think. Not to mention Nanny Clare and Granddad Frank.

Thursday 26th January

I went to school today and there was not quite so much media action. I had undisturbed classes in my two favourite subjects, English and Spanish with my favourite teacher, Miss Barry. We’re trying out different languages in first year before we choose for the Junior Cert. I’m going to stick with Spanish, I think. Just one interview today, with 98FM.

Tonight I need to get stuck into this book, Taking Sides.All the first-year and sixth-class students in all the O'Connell's schools are reading the same book at the same time. It's about the Black and Tans and it's all based around this part of the city. I'm enjoying it.

Friday 27th January

Mum came running up the stairs this morning shouting, "Scott! Scott! Scott! Scott! Ryan Tubridy's on the phone! Ryan Tubridy's on the phone!" I have been asked to go on the Late Late Show tonight.This is big. I'm pretty nervous. Loads of people will be watching.

What if he asks really hard questions?

I have things to do, like find the right thing to wear. Mum rings the school and asks Mr Conlan if I can take the day off. He’s cool about it. I haven’t actually missed that much school since I started in Joey’s last September. I don’t do sickies – even when I am sick I don’t want to use up days off that I might need for filming later.

Besides, Joey’s is no stranger to show business. Brendan Gleeson is a past pupil. As was, famously, Charlie Haughey.

I chose to wear a shirt with an American flag on it. Just to warn them: the Irish are coming. I was sitting in the living room with my Mum and sister Sophie when a limo drives by our house. We spotted it and wondered if there was a 21st on or something. Then it turned around and parked outside our house. It was my lift to RTÉ. When I went out there were people taking pictures. Papparazzi! This is getting weirder and weirder.

The Late Late Showwas great. I was on with Peter [McDonald, director of Pentecost] and Eimear [O'Kane, prodcuer]. And Eamonn Dunphy, who said Ireland is a kip.

Saturday 28th January

Stayed in bed for ages this morning. It's really tiring, all this media business. I eventually got up to go to an audition for Trivia,a six-part series coming up on RTÉ. Then I had a kickabout on the road with my friends in East Wall.

Sunday 29th January

On Sunday I go to acting classes in Temple Bar. I was really looking forward to seeing

my acting friends because I knew they would be very excited about the nomination. They were – hugs all round and loads of questions. My acting teacher, Mary Murray, is thrilled.

When I got home I spent a bit of time on my DJ decks. It’s my hobby (apart from doing interviews, of course). I sometimes do the music for the East Wall Youth Club discos.

I have to finish Taking Sidestonight so I'll be ready to talk about it at school tomorrow. I should have the normal week that I was expecting last week, now that the initial fuss about the nomination has died down. Mr Conlan will get his office back.

The week after I may be winging my way to Hollywood but even if I don't, I'll be going to the Ifta awards for a movie I did called Cluck, so I have that to look forward to. Until then, I just have to knuckle back down to Monday maths in Fairview, about as far from Hollywood as it gets.

This week I was . . .

WATCHING

Roy– an animated series on the BBC. I did a voiceover for it and it finally aired last week.

READING

Taking Sidesby Brian Gallagher as part of the One Community, One Book project. All sixth-class and first-year students in O'Connell schools are reading the same book at the same time.

LISTENING

Now That's What I Call Music 80. Moves Like Jaggerand Stereo Heartsare my favourites.

BROWSING

Facebook, to keep up with people I’ve met making films.