Dear GCC Parents/Guardians & Students,

GCC Christmas Exams 2026

Please click on the link to view our finalised Christmas Exams timetables which were shared with students this morning during tutorial. The schedule includes oral exams for 6th Year students.

GCC Christmas Exam Timetable 2026

1st Year Revision Guide Christmas 2026

2nd Year Revision Guide Christmas 2026

Also included are Study Guides with 1st and 2nd years. A reminder that Christmas Exams are all common papers. Christmas exam results will be issued to parents and students via Tyro on Wednesday 23 December.

Creative Writing Recognition – Congratulations to Robyn Lonergan Walsh

We would like to congratulate GCC 2nd Year student Robyn Lonergan Walsh [Rang Aisling], whose recent writing submission has been selected for publication in the NAPD (National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals) Winter Issue. This is a wonderful achievement and recognition of Robyn’s creativity and commitment to writing. 

Please click on the link to view Robyn’s piece; 

Winter Memories Winter Magic by Robyn Lonergan Walsh 

UCC Entrance Scholarship Awards Ceremony 2026

We would like to congratulate GCC 2025 graduate Robert O’Halloran who has been awarded a UCC Quercus Entrance Scholarships [College of Medicine and Health] based on his achievement of 625 points in the Leaving Certificate. The ceremony will take place on Thursday 26 November 2026 in the UCC. 

Publication of Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025

Please click on the link to view Circular 41/2025 ‘Publication of Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025‘. A copy of this circular must be brought to the attention of parents and our GCC Parents Council. Please note the GCC Board of Management is required to formally adopt these updated procedures no later than its final meeting before 31 December 2026. These revised procedures will be adopted at the Board of Management meeting on Monday 14 December.

Circular_41_2025

GCC Assessment Policy [Draft]

Parents may recall that one of the recommendations from our WSE-MLL report in November 2025 was that the school should develop a whole school assessment policy, in partnership with the school community, with an emphasis on formative assessment. The Board of Management in its response, committed to developing our assessment practices to ensure consistency and clarity in feedback and support for students in their learning journey.   

Please click on the link below to view a draft assessment policy as the first step in developing our own GCC policy. We are sharing this policy with parents and inviting feedback through our dedicated policyreview@glanmirecollege.com This information will be considered where amendments are required to the draft policy. It will also be necessary during the engagement process to ensure alignment with continued changes to the Leaving Certificate.

Parents are asked to note that the default position for all subjects is that students and parents should be provided with both a grade and written comment(s) via Tyro during each assessment window. This is to ensure that students [and parents] receive meaningful and constructive feedback on their progress. However, it is important to highlight at the outset that it may be more suitable going forward to use a subject Additional Assessment Component [AAC] as the basis for providing feedback as traditional grades or written feedback may not be appropriate. A similar approach is used for subject CBA’s at Junior Cycle depending on the assessment window. We will be seeking input from teachers and subject departments to find appropriate ways of assessing student progress and provide meaningful feedback, while respecting the constraints of the AAC process.

With regard to non-examination subjects, notwithstanding the default position, further discussion will be needed with relevant subject departments to discuss assessment approaches and expectations in advance of the Christmas examinations. It is planned that the updated policy will be signed off by our Board of Management at its next meeting on Monday 14 December 2026. Please click on the link below to view the draft policy.

Glanmire Community College – Draft Assessment Policy November 2026

GCC Transition Year Subject Rotations 

Please note that Transition Year students will begin their next subject rotation on Monday, 16 November 2026. The following rotation will commence on Monday, 8 March 2027. 

Please also note that Education for Sustainability and Geography will rotate separately, with this change taking place just once, on Wednesday, 6 January 2027.

GCC Activities of the Week Monday 16 to Friday 20 November 2026

Please click on the link to view the GCC Activities of the Week Monday 16 to Friday 20 November 2026

GCC Activities of the Week Monday 16 to Friday 20 November 2026

GCC Upcoming Calendar Events – November 2026

Glanmire Youth Project Oíche na hÓige – Youth Night Invitation

Please see below details of the annual Oíche na hÓige event at Glanmire Youth Project this evening Friday 13 November from 6pm to 8pm. This event provides a space for parents and young people to explore the project, hear directly from current project members, enjoy food and good music and learn about the various opportunities available for youth in Foróige Glanmire Youth Project.

GCC Information Seminar on LCA & TY

Please click on the link to view the presentations from our information seminar on LCA & TY for 3rd Year students which took place on Wednesday.

GCC TY Presentation

GCC LCA Presentation

GCC 6th Year PPT Meeting

Our 6th Year PPT meeting takes place on Wednesday 18 November, from 4.15pm to 6.45pm. Please see below the links to the seating plan and registration for classes. Sixth years will be spoken to prior to Wednesday and reminded about the procedures.

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.

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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 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

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.

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.

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

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)