Dear GCC Parents/Guardians & Students,
GCC Christmas Themed Day
On Tuesday 9 December 2025, GCC students and staff are invited to wear Christmas jumper/accessories in aid of St Vincent de Paul. We are a suggesting a €2 donation with the money being collected during tutorial. There is also an option to donate online. Please see the link below. Many thanks to our school Chaplain Ms. Marie McInerney and the Meitheal team for organising this fundraising event.
GCC Christmas Themed Day in aid of St Vincent de Paul
School Attendance Campaign
New data published by Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) shows that one in five children in primary and post-primary school are missing a month or more of their school year. The 2023/24 report indicates that while non-attendance is decreasing it is still significantly greater than pre-pandemic levels.
TESS and the Department of Education and Youth launched a national multimedia campaign to highlight this nationwide issue and create awareness about the importance of attending school. The campaign reinforces the message that when a child can go to school they should go to school, helping to reduce absenteeism in schools in Ireland.
A new support page has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and is available for parents and schools at www.gov.ie/schoolattendance with helpful guidance on many issues affecting school attendance.
Schools have been asked to play their part in the campaign by using the following resources in their communications with parents and guardians about the importance of attendance.
To amplify the campaign and to support attendance initiatives we have been requested to share the following:
- the webpage with supports for parents and schools at www.gov.ie/schoolattendance
- the link to a 30-second video ad (English) here
Please do not hesitate to contact your local Educational Welfare Services office should you have any concerns about school attendance. https://www.tusla.ie/school-attendance/
Visit www.gov.ie/schoolattendance
TY Senior Cycle Destination 2026-2027
Parents are asked to please complete this short form indicating your TY student’s intended Senior Cycle destination for 2026 – 2027 by 12 December.
Senior Cycle Destination September 2026
GCC International Day for Persons with Disabilities
We are looking forward to celebrating inclusion and diversity next week in GCC. Below are a list of activities taking place:
- Door competition for First Years: Class teachers are asked to encourage students to decorate their door using the colour purple. These will be judged on Wednesday afternoon, prizes for the best effort.
- Class teachers are asked to remind students that they can wear purple in addition to their uniform on Thursday 4 December.
- Staff are asked to wear purple on Thursday 4 December in support of those with disabilities.
- LCA’s are having a Bake Sale on Wednesday 3 December to raise money for the Crann Centre. Second Years will attend the bake sale on Wednesday morning in the MPR.
- The PE department is running activities during the week in their PE classes to raise awareness around disabilities.
- Subject teachers are also invited to include the theme of disability in their classes during the week.
- GCC 6th Year student Hannah O’Reilly is giving a talk to first year students on Thursday 4 December in the Demo room.
Please click on the link to view the timetable for Hannah’s Talks:
International Day for Persons with Disabilities-Timetable for Hannah’s Talks
A special thanks to Ms Fiona O Sullivan and the team for organising the events.
GCC School Ethos
The 4th Year student Ethos Committee has been busy creating and delivering a presentation to all first-year students this week. Their aim was to explain what ethos is, what the core values are and how it looks in action in our school and community. Students were also shown the ‘ETB Core Values’ section in their journal [page 43]and where they can receive notes by exhibiting positive effort in one of the core value areas (pages 44 – 45).
The Ethos team is asking staff working with first year students in curricular or extra-curricular areas to give a note in this section to any student who displays positive effort in any of the core values, particularly ‘equality’ which is the focus for this term. Students who excel in this can win monthly prizes and can also be nominated for the Ethos Díograis award. Please click on the link to view the pages in the school journal:
GCC School Uniform
As the weather is getting colder we are reminding students about the importance of maintaining high standards in relation to the school uniform.
- Students can wear the school fleece and/or school jacket as their outer garment in addition to the uniform
- The GCC school tracksuit is only permitted on PE days, and a combination of the school uniform and PE uniform is not permitted
- Correct footwear only
- Hoodies are not permitted
Full details of the school uniform can be found on page 17 of the student journal. We thank you all for your support with this.
GCC 5th Year PPT Meeting Wednesday 3 December 2025
Our 5th Year Pupil-Parent-Teacher meeting takes place next Wednesday evening 3 December 2025. Please click on the link below to view the details. Parents are reminded that classes for all students will finish on Wednesday at 3.35pm to facilitate the meeting.
GCC 5th Year PPT Meeting 2025 – Glanmire Community College
GCC Activities of the Week Monday 1 to Friday 5 December 2025
Please click on the link to view the Activities of the Week beginning Monday 1 to Friday 5 December 2025:
GCC Activities of the Week Monday 1 to Friday 5 December 2025
GCC Upcoming Calendar Events – December 2025
| Wednesday 3 December | GCC PPT Meeting for 5th Years | 4.15pm – 6.45pm |
| Monday 8 December | 1st Years 2026-2027 Subject Choice Seminar | @ 7pm |
| Tuesday 9 December | Seminar on Subject Choice in 5th Year for parents of TY & 3rd Years | @ 7pm |
| Week of Monday 8 to Friday 19 December |
GCC Christmas Exams | Results issued to parents on Tuesday 23 December |
| Monday 15 December | GCC Board of Management Meeting | @ 4.30pm |
| Monday 15 December | GCC Parent’s Council Meeting | @ 7pm |
| Monday 22 December – Friday 2 January | Christmas Holidays |
Reminders
GCC Culture Day 2025
We would like to thank everyone for supporting our GCC Culture Day on Thursday 20 November and helping to make it such a great occasion for our school community. The morning was a wonderful celebration of diversity, learning and pride which could not have happened without the enthusiasm and participation of staff and students alike. A special word of thanks goes to Ms Hollie Herlihy & Ms Meghan Murphy and all in the Misneach committee for the work they put into organising this event. Their commitment to the event ensured that students had the chance to showcase their culture and teach their peers in a way that truly reflects the spirit of our school where respect and inclusion are continually promoted.
GCC Christmas Exams 2025
Last week we shared the finalised timetables with parents and students for our GCC Christmas Exams in December. The schedule included Oral Exams for 6th Year students on Wednesday 17 December for French and Thursday 18 December for Irish.
We are now providing additional information to parents and students which includes Guidelines for the Christmas Exams and Revision Guides to help for 1st Year and 2nd Year students prepare for their Christmas tests. Subject teachers have been asked to refer to the revision guide with their classes in preparation for their Christmas Exams. Students have received this information on Google Classroom as well as the exam guidelines. 1st and 2nd Years also received a hard copy of their study guide.
GCC 1st Year Christmas Exams 2025
GCC 2nd Year Christmas Exams 2025
GCC 5th Year Christmas Exams 2025
GCC School Car Park
While we recognise the challenge for all road users during this extended period of road works, we kindly ask parents not to drive into and/or park in the GCC car park when dropping and collecting students from school. We also ask parents and students to be respectful of the housing estates and businesses near the school, particularly around drop off & collection times. Please do not park vehicles inappropriately, for example, on footpaths. Our school car park is always very busy and with road works on Hazelwood Road continuing into the New Year, it is important that we minimise the throughput of cars on the school grounds.
We would like to remind parents about with our entry/exit system to the school car park. Please note that:
- From 8.30am to 9.10am Monday to Friday the school car park is entry only
- From 3.30pm to 4.10pm Monday to Thursday and 12.30pm to 1.10 pm on Friday the school car park is exit only.
We would also be grateful if parents could remind students:
- to use the pedestrian footpaths and not walk along or between cars when entering/leaving the school
- use the pedestrian gates only and not enter or leave the school via the main gate
- students are to take care in general when walking or cycling to school particularly with so many different sets of roadworks happening currently in Glanmire.
We thank you for your cooperation.
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 Parent Absence Requests on VSWare
Parents are kindly asked when entering details for student absence requests on VSware, to ensure the correct information is inputted including the time and duration of the absence. Parents are also asked not to over share information on the portal with comments such as sick or medical appointment being sufficient to explain the absence. Should you wish to provide additional information to the school, please email glanmirecc@corketb.ie for the attention of the relevant Class Teacher and Year Head.
GCC CBA Assessment Calendar 2025-2026 [GCC Parents Update Friday 14 November 2025]
Please click on the link below to view our GCC CBA Assessment Calendar for the 2025/2026 school year.
GCC CBA Assessment Calendar 2025 – 2026
GCC Senior Cycle Programme Preferences for 2026-27 [GCC Parents Update Friday 14 November 2025]
Further to our information seminar on Wednesday evening for parents on Transition Year and Leaving Cert Applied, parents of 3rd Year students are asked to fill out the following form [link below] to indicate your 3rd Year son/daughter’s Senior Cycle Programme preference for 2026-27. A link to the presentations from Wednesday is also included:
Senior Cycle Programme Preference
GCC Information Seminar on LCA & TY – Glanmire Community College
Text Messages from GCC & VSware [GCC Parents Update Friday 14 November 2025]
Parents are asked to note that some SMS text messages are now filtered by Google and may be placed in a spam folder. If your phone is set up this way, you may need to check the spam folder for messages from GCC or VS Ware. Please click on the link below to view.
GCC School Musical Stage Mural [GCC Parents Update Friday 7 November 2025]
Since GCC first opened its doors in 1997, our annual school musical has been a cherished tradition and a highlight of the school year. More than just a performance, it is a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and school spirit. Each year, students from across all year groups come together to showcase their talents in acting, singing, music, and production, contributing to an unforgettable experience for the entire school community.
We are very excited to share with you our proposed mural for the stage panels in the B Block Social area which captures the long history of musicals in GCC and emphasises its vital role in enriching school life, building confidence, friendships, and a deep sense of pride and belonging. It will continue to be a source of joy and inspiration for all involved.
Congratulations to GCC 2025 Graduate Toby Tangney [GCC Parents Update Friday 7 November 2025]
We would like to congratulate 2025 GCC graduate Toby Tangney who received a Quercus Innovation/Entrepreneurship Scholarship at the Quercus Talented Students’ Awards Night on Tuesday 28 October in the Aula Maxima, UCC.
The new scholars were presented with a silver acorn pin as a symbol of their Quercus Scholarship and the school received a Quercus plaque to display. Toby is pictured below at the awards ceremony with GCC Principal Ronan McCarthy and Professor Stephen Byrne, UCC Deputy President and Registrar.
Congratulations to EJ Paras 5th Year [Rang Eabha] [GCC Parents Update Friday 7 November 2025]
We are delighted to share that EJ Paras has been invited to the Annual National Awards Ceremony in recognition of his outstanding achievement in his Junior Certificate Graphics. EJ has been ranked among the Top 10 Graphics students in the country, a remarkable accomplishment that reflects his dedication and talent. He will be honoured with a Medal and Certificate of Achievement at the prestigious event hosted by the Engineering Technology Teachers’ Association (ETTA) in Galway on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
GCC Annual Mass of Remembrance [GCC Parents Update Friday 7 November 2025]
Our annual Mass of Remembrance was held after school today, bringing together staff, students, parents, and members of our wider school community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this special occasion.
A heartfelt thank you to our Chaplain, Marie McInerney, for organising such a thoughtful and moving service. Our talented students contributed beautifully through readings, music, and prayers of the faithful, creating a truly meaningful atmosphere. Special thanks also to Ann Mannix for her continued dedication in guiding our musicians and singers. This event holds a special place in the life of our school, offering comfort and hope to all who are remembering loved ones, particularly during the month of November.
GCC Safe Routes to School [GCC Parents Update Friday 7 November 2025]
Parents and students may recall that back in 2021, the school made an application to the Safe Routes to School Funding Scheme, supported by the National Transport Authority (NTA). This programme aims to enhance safety, convenience, and public amenity for all road users through the improvement of front-of-school areas and routes to schools.
The school has been informed that the works, which will be carried out by McGinty & O’Shea Ltd, will commence next Monday 10 November and will continue for approximately 3 months. Please note that Traffic Management measures will be in place throughout the duration of the works to ensure the safety of all road users and workers. These improvements aim to create a safer, more efficient and accessible transport network for the community. Please click on the links below to view an information letter from McGintys as well as the screening report and scheme drawings for the project.
McGinty & O Shea – Safe Routes to School
Screening Report & Scheme Drawings
GCC WSE-MLL Report [GCC Parents Update Friday 10 October 2025]
Please click on the link to view the WSE-MLL report following our inspection back in March. While much of the information in the report was shared during the feedback sessions with the lead inspectors in April, it is important to acknowledge the strong performance of the school across all areas of the inspection. GCC continues to perform at a consistently high level, driven by our exceptional staff, our wonderful students and the commitment of our parents to the school.
Glanmire Community College [ 76064F] WSE-MLL Report
The Board of Management, on behalf of the school, now has the opportunity to respond formally to the report, comment on the content, and highlight the follow-up actions which we propose to take following the visit.
