Dear GCC Parents/Guardians & Students,

We would like to welcome all our students and staff back to school after the Easter break and we look forward to a busy final term ahead. Please see below our latest GCC Parents Update which includes information on the following:

• GCC Deputy Principal Appointment
• GCC Díograis 2026
• GCC Autism Appreciation Week (Monday 20 – Friday 24 April 2026)
• GCC Summer Exams 2026 – Final Timetable and Student Guidelines
• Information for GCC Parents on Senior Cycle Additional Assessment Components
• GCC Activities of the Week Monday 20 to Friday 24 April 2026
• GCC Upcoming Calendar Events – April/May 2026
• National Parents Council-Survey for Parents and Students
• Updated HSE School Guidance for Schools on Vaping
• SUSI Grants
• Access UCC July Workshops for Secondary School Students who have Vision, Hearing or Physical Disabilities
• Glanmire Athletics Club Juvenile Section
• Reminders

GCC Deputy Principal Appointment

We would like to congratulate our colleague John Baldwin on his appointment as GCC Deputy Principal. John has worked in GCC since 2001 as a History and English teacher and has held a number of different post holder roles. John has also extensive experience as an advising examiner with the SEC. We wish John well in his new role which will begin in September.

GCCDíograis 2026

Auditions for students who wish to perform at the Díograis Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 22 April, at 10.55am. Students interested in auditioning should add their name(s) to the sign‑up sheet located on the Music room door.

GCC Autism Appreciation Week (Monday 20 – Friday 24 April 2026)

We are looking forward to celebrating Autism Appreciation Week in GCC next week.  Please click on the link to view the schedule for the week: 

Autism Appreciation Week 2026 – Schedule of Events 

GCC Summer Exams 2026 – Final Timetable and Student Guidelines

Please click on the link below to view the finalised timetables and student guidelines for our GCC Summer Exams in May. Students received this information on Google Classroom this morning as well as exam guidelines. 1st and 2nd years will receive a hard copy of their study guide next week. Subject teachers have been asked to refer to the revision guide with their classes in preparation for their Summer Exams.

GCC Summer Exams 2026 – Final Timetable and Student Guidelines

Information for Parents on Senior Cycle Additional Assessment Components

As we prepare for the introduction of additional assessment components across various subjects at Senior Cycle, it is important that we inform parents and students of what will be involved for learners and what will be expected of them going forward. As part of our update next week, we will provide parents and students with detailed information on the process.

GCC Activities of the Week Monday 20 to Friday 24 April 2026

Please click on the link to view the GCC Activities of the Week Monday 20 to Friday 24 April 2026: 

GCC Activities of the Week Monday 20 to Friday 24 April

GCC Upcoming Calendar Events – April/May 2026

National Parents Council-Survey for Parents and Students

The National Parents Council (NPC) wants to hear from you and your child about their experience of learning Irish in Junior Cycle.

We are asking parents and students to share their views as part of research being carried out for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). This research is looking at how Irish is taught at the Junior Cycle, how students learn and how they are assessed.

The feedback gathered will help inform the ongoing review of Junior Cycle Irish and contribute to recommendations that will shape future developments in Irish at post-primary level. By sharing your views, you are helping to ensure that parents’ and students’ voices are heard and reflected in decisions about their education.

We have two short surveys—one for parents and one for students. We would really appreciate it if you and your child could take a few minutes to complete them:

Junior Cycle Irish – Survey for Parents

https://forms.office.com/e/7X2mWjnzkJ

Junior Cycle Irish – Survey for Students

https://forms.office.com/e/gCghZnj9vd

Thank you for helping us ensure that every child receives the support they need. Your feedback will allow us to advocate effectively for families.

Best wishes,
The NPC team

Updated HSE School Guidance for Schools on Vaping 

Parents are asked to note that the HSE has updated the information and guidance on e-cigarettes and other nicotine containing products for schools. This 2nd revision of the guidance and information book for schools on e-cigarettes and other nicotine containing products reflects the wider variety of new nicotine products being marketed to children and young people and new and emerging legislation which is progressing in this space. If you have queries on same, please contact the Schools Team in the Health Promotion and Improvement. Please click on the link below for further details. 

HSE-Information_and_Guidance_on_E-Cigarettes for Schools 2026 

SUSI Grants

The SUSI grant is an Irish government-funded financial support scheme that helps eligible students cover the cost of higher and further education, including fees and living expenses. SUSI is now open to receive applications for the 2026/27 academic year. We would like to advise the following:

Changes to the Student Grant Scheme announced in Budget 2026

As part of Budget 2026, the following changes to the Student Grant Scheme for the 2026/27 academic year were announced:

• The Special Rate of maintenance grant threshold will increase from €27,400 to €28,600.
• The income threshold for the €500 Student Contribution Grant will increase from €115,000 to €120,000.
• The Postgraduate Fee Contribution grant will increase by €500 to €4,500.
• Income from Disablement benefit (when paid to the applicant) and Constant Attendance Allowance will not be included when calculating a household’s total reckonable income.
• The annual rates for non-adjacent maintenance grant holders studying PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate courses will increase as follows:
  • Non-Adjacent Special Rate increase of €350
  • Band 1 Non-Adjacent Rate increase of €430
  • Bands 2 to 4 Non-Adjacent Rates increase of €200

Key dates for SUSI applicants in 2026

• Priority closing date for renewal applications  – 11 June 2026
• Priority closing date for new applications  – 9 July 2026

Access UCC July Workshops for Secondary School Students who have Vision, Hearing or Physical Disabilities

Assistive Technology Outreach Coordinator

Access UCC | Disability Support | The Hub | UCC
Tel: 086 7922072  |  Email: deirdre.madden@ucc.ie  |  Web: Access UCC

Glanmire Athletics Club Juvenile Section 

Glanmire AC juvenile section is now up and running with training commencing next week. Please click on the link below for details of the cost, training times, locations and how to join up.

2026 After Schools Athletics Training Sessions

Reminders

GCC Stand Up Week

The Misneach committee would like to thank all our school community for the efforts made this week to support our annual Stand-Up Week for the LGBTQ community in our school. This year’s motto was to ‘stand up in our communities’.  The efforts made by students and staff for our non-uniform day and by our junior classes for the classroom door decorating competition was outstanding and was a phenomenal display of the support, community and respect that is visible daily in GCC. 

Stand-Up week every year is about making our LGBT community feel like they are safe, that they belong and that they are welcome in the diverse community of GCC.  This was on display in abundance this week, and some of the messages displayed on the classroom doors were welcoming and inclusive.  We would like to also take this opportunity to thank the SPHE department who used this week to educate and create discussions around LGBTQ themes and rights.  School is all about teaching and learning and they provided a safe space to teach and learn about the LGBTQ community and stand-up week. 

GCC Draft Calendar 2026/2027

Please click on the link below to view the draft calendar for the 2026/2027 school year.

GCC Draft Calendar 2026/2027

Please note this remains a draft calendar at present as we are awaiting Oide staff training dates and confirmation of European school tours etc. We will share the finalised calendar with parents at the end of the term in late May.

Public Consultation on the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme 

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) on Thursday 26 February launched a public consultation as part of its comprehensive review of the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme.  This is an opportunity for stakeholders to shape the future of examination supports in Ireland. 

The purpose of the review is to examine the current provisions of the RACE Scheme, reviewing existing policy and practice in the area of reasonable accommodations in high-stakes examinations and to consider how best to develop the Scheme so that it ensures access and participation for those who need it, while also promoting high standards of fairness and equity for all students. 

We have been asked to bring this notice to the attention of staff, students, parents and guardians. Please click on the link below for further information.  

Public Consultation on the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme 

GCC School Attendance

We recently shared an ESRI report with parents through our weekly update, highlighting the significant impact of school absence and how it leads to lower educational qualifications and poorer wellbeing in early adulthood. Attendance was also discussed at our recent GCC Parents Council meeting on Monday 2 March.

Please click on the link to view an important letter we wish to share in relation to attendance and the responsibility of parents to ensure their child/children are consistently attending and updating the school through the agreed procedures:

GCC Attendance Letter to Parents and Guardians

GCC Studyclix Licence

As parents are aware, GCC purchased a studyclix subscription for all students and teachers at the beginning of the year. Engagement remains extremely strong, with students accessing over 19,000 sessions since August.

Studyclix are upgrading their platform by introducing a new suite of resources, including pre-exams for all subjects, enhanced support for AACs, and additional Boost content across many subjects. These resources will be added to our teacher account on a trial basis until the end of the year.

GCC Students present at EU Active Citizen Programme

Congratulations to GCC Transition Year students Sarah Kate Nally and Ailsa Canty who were recently invited to speak at a launch of key events for the EU Active Citizen Programme in Cork and Dublin. Both students were invited by Dr. Emmanuelle Schon-Quinlivan, a senior lecturer in European politics in UCC who Sarah invited to GCC last year to speak with all third year students. The girls spoke at events in University College Cork and in Europe House, Dublin to an audience of teachers and invited guests where they reflected on the programme’s impact on young people and the importance of students’ understanding of the European Union in their world today. 

GCC School Office

A reminder to parents that our GCC school office opening hours are 9:00am to 2:45pm, Monday to Thursday and 9.00am to 12.30pm on Friday. This is to allow our clerical staff sufficient time to complete essential administrative duties and to help reduce the volume of queries at the office hatch during peak times.

We encourage parents to email the school where possible rather than phone. Email communication allows us to manage queries more efficiently and ensures that your concerns are directed to the appropriate staff member.

With over 1,140 students in our care, it may take a number of days before we are able to respond to queries.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to support all students and families as effectively as possible. We thank all our GCC parents for your continued cooperation and support.

GCC Senior Management

Ronan McCarthy (Principal)

Seamus Kennefick (Deputy Principal)

Caroline Byrne (Deputy Principal)

Patrick O’Mahony (Deputy Principal)