Dear GCC Parents/Guardians & Students,

Mass of Remembrance for deceased staff and students of GCC

Our annual Mass of Remembrance took place after school today, bringing together staff, students, parents, and members of our wider school community. We are sincerely grateful to all who joined us for this special and reflective occasion. 

A special word of thanks to our Chaplain, Ms Marie McInerney, for coordinating such a meaningful and uplifting service and to Fr. Emmanuel for celebrating the Mass. 

Our students made a wonderful contribution through their readings, music, and prayers of the faithful. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Ms Ann Mannix for her ongoing commitment and dedication in supporting and guiding our musicians and singers. 

The Mass of Remembrance holds a special place in the life of our school, providing an opportunity to come together in reflection, comfort, and hope as we remember loved ones who have passed away, particularly during the month of November.

Inspectorate Updates

Please click on the link to view an update about the work of the Inspectorate in schools as it relates to this school year. An update for children and young people can also be viewed.

Update to post-primary schools – 05.11.2026

Newsletter for Children and Young People – 05.11.26

GCC Christmas Exams 2026

Parents and students are asked to note that we will be sharing finalised Christmas Exams timetables next Friday 13 November at tutorial and via our Parents Update. The schedule will includes oral exams for 6th Year students. We will also be sharing Study Guides with 1st and 2nd years. A reminder that Christmas Exams are all common papers. Christams exam results will be issued to parents and students via Tyro on Wednesday 23 December.

GCC Transition Year Programme – Review 

In cooperation with our GCC Parents’ Council, we are conducting a review of our GCC TY programme last year. We would like to get your feedback about what worked well for your son/daughter in 4th Year and what areas you feel we as a school could improve upon to further enhance our programme. Please take a few minutes to complete the short survey below.

GCC TY Parents Survey

Notifying Personal Accident Claims to our Insurer – IPB (Irish Public Bodies)

Please click on the link below to view details of how to process a claim via the IPB online claims notification platform which is open and available to use .This is a preferred and far more efficient option than a paper claim form.

Notifying Personal Accident Claims to your Insurer – IPB (Irish Public Bodies)

GCC After School Supervised Study

GCC First Year Homework Club

The GCC 1st Year Homework Club begins on Friday 13 November from 1pm to 2pm in B13. The homework club is supervised by a teacher assisted by TY students working towards their Gaisce award. It is a supportive, sociable and relaxed environment. If your child wishes to join the homework club please put a note in their journal for the attention of your child’s class teacher.

GCC PASS Survey

We wish to inform you about an upcoming assessment for our 2nd and 5th Year students, called the Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS). The PASS assessment is conducted in the form of a survey, with students answering a set of questions in a timeframe of 20-30 minutes. It provides our teachers with a unique perspective on how each student is thinking and their attitude towards school and learning. The assessment is based on a trusted psychometric measure and is widely used internationally.

Please click on the link below for further details:

PASS – Letter to Parents

3rd Year UCC and Glucksman Art Tour

Before October mid-term, all 3rd Year GCC Art students from Ms Lynch and Ms Kiely’s Art classes took a trip to UCC to see the stunning artwork created by local, national and international artists. Please click on the link to view an account of the visit written by students Kaytlyn Frawley and Dean Horgan.

3rd Year Art Trip to the Glucksman Gallery by Katlyn Frawley and Dean Horgan

Geraldine O Neill Painting

The Takeaway Tuesday Parent Talks-1 December ‘Alcohol, Vaping and Smoking’

The next in the Takeaway Tuesday Parent Talks takes place on Tuesday 1 December at 8pm. The topic for Tuesdays talk is ‘Alcohol, Vaping and Smoking’

Can’t make it on the night? Every talk is recorded, so you can watch it later at a time that suits you.

You can see the full list of topics here:

https://supergeneration.examcraftgroup.ie/course/parent-subscription-series

How to register

Our school’s code is TAWAYT32. It gives you a 100% discount, so there is nothing to pay.

1. Go to https://supergeneration.examcraftgroup.ie/
2. Click Learn More on the Takeaway Tuesday slider and on the next screen click Enrol.
3. Create an account, or log in if you already have one.
4. 4. Skip the payment section to enter your bank details
5. Enter the code TAWAYT32 in the Have a coupon? box and click Redeem.
6. Click Buy. Your total will be €0.

Once you have registered, you will receive the Zoom link 24 hours before each talk.

Each talk is only an hour long and we hope you find the series practical and supportive.

GCC Activities of the Week Monday 9 to Friday 13 November 2026

Please click on the link to view the GCC Activities of the Week Monday 9 to Friday 13 November 2026

GCC Activities of the Week Monday 9 to Friday 13 November 2026

GCC Upcoming Calendar Events – November 2026

GCC – Introduction of 58 Minute Classes

Parents are asked to note that at its meeting on Monday 19 October, our Board of Management approved the introduction of 58 minutes classes to GCC for the 2027/2028 school year. Preparation for the changeover will now begin. Parents and students are asked to note that, in order to minimise the time reduction for option subjects at Senior Cycle, school management will priortise running the timetable over two weeks. This does not imapct on the overall structure of the school day as outlined below. Parents are also asked to note that in its decision, the Board also included a request to review the new timetable structure after 2 years.

Agreed Report – GCC Board of Management Monday 19 October 2026

Please click on the link to view the agreed report from our GCC Board of Management Monday 19 October 2026.

Agreed Report – GCC BOM Meeting Monday 19 October 2026

Comhairle na nÓg 2026

Members of GCC Student Council [Robert Lee 6th yr, Aisling Lynch TY, Lily Egan TY] attended the Annual Youth Conference organised by Comhairle na nÒg in City Hall on Tuesday 20 October. This is what the students had to say:

‘The conference focused mainly on three things. The first was to invite new members to the group to help us throughout the year. Secondly, to become involved in discussions, debates and promoting our current chosen focus for the year. This year’s focus is the housing crisis across Cork and Ireland as a whole. We heard that in a recent survey, seven out of every ten young people see themselves leaving Ireland in the future as they feel they will not be able to afford a house. The focus of Comhairle na nOg this year is to make representations to the government to improve this. Last but not least, everyone was encouraged to inform the students in their school about the work of Comhairle na nOg.’ [Robert, Aisling &  Lily]

GCC 5th Year student Robert Lee also had an article about his work with Comhairle na nOg published in The Echo recently: ‘Giving the Youth of Cork a voice on big issues’.

https://www.echolive.ie/corkviews/arid-41920297.html

GCC Safe Pass Training Programme

Safe Pass is a mandatory, one-day safety awareness training framework. You will be aware that anyone working on or visiting a construction site must hold a valid Safe Pass card. It is a strict legal necessity for internships, site visits, and post-graduation employment. Having a Safe Pass card makes students immediately eligible for high-quality work placements and summer employment, giving them a distinct advantage over other applicants.

GCC is pleased to facilitate the running of two one-day Safe Pass courses for our students which is being offered at the reduced rate of €90 per student. The course ensures that students possess a fundamental knowledge of health and safety, significantly reducing the risk of accidents on site. Tom Gillespie is a registered Safe Pass trainer who will provide safe pass training to interested GCC students on the following two dates:

• Friday 27 November 2026
• Friday 4 December 2026

Please click on the link to view the further details:

Safe Pass Training Programme

GCC Stationery

Alcohol and Drugs: A Parent’s Guide

Alcohol and Drugs: A Parent’s Guide is a practical resource from the HSE for parents and caregivers. It provides trusted advice and simple tips to help families talk openly with young people about alcohol and drugs, understand the risks, and encourage healthy choices. Please click on the link to view:

Parents_Guide_Drugs_and_Alcohol_HR

GCC Winner Quercus Talented Students’ Programme 2026 

We would like to congratulate former GCC student Nathan Manley who will be awarded the prestigious Quercus scholarship in the area of Innovation/Entrepreneurship at the Quercus Talented Students’ Programme Awards Ceremony in November. The Quercus Talented Students’ Programme is one of the most prestigious scholarships at UCC. It recognises students who demonstrate exceptional talent and achievement in specific areas, alongside their academic studies. Nathan graduated from GCC in June 2025. This is the second consecutive year that a GCC student has won this award following Toby Tangney’s success in the same category last year. Nathan will be presented with a silver acorn pin as a symbol of the Quercus Scholarship and the school will receive a Quercus plaque, with Nathan’s name & scholarship strand printed on it, to display in the school. 

We would also like to congratulate Leah Hallihan who will also be a recipient of a Quercus Scholarship in November for Ladies Football. As you will know Leah is on her second year of teaching placement here in GCC.  

Please click on the link below to view more information about Quercus, the benefits for winners and bios for both Nathan & Leah. 

Quercus Information & Bios.pdf 

We hope you have a nice weekend. 

GCC Senior Leadership Team

John Baldwin (Deputy Principal)

Caroline Byrne (Deputy Principal)

Ronan McCarthy (Principal)

Tom Pittam (Deputy Principal)