Dear GCC Parents/Guardians & Students,
GCC School Musical 2026 – The Wizard of Oz
Following a wonderful opening‑night performance, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Nicola Swanton, Jill Manning, Louise Purdy, Megan Murphy, Emma Gibbons, Bonny Murphy and the entire production team for delivering a truly spectacular staging of the 2026 GCC School Musical, The Wizard of Oz. A huge well done to all our wonderfully talented students, whose energy and enthusiasm lit up the stage. The atmosphere throughout the school this week has been electric, and it has been wonderful to see such joy, teamwork, and creativity in every corner of GCC. Music and the Arts are woven deeply into the identity of our school, and this year’s musical showcased that spirit brilliantly.
We are immensely grateful for the dedication, countless hours, and teamwork that go into producing a show of this calibre. The positive impact on all students involved—on stage, backstage, and beyond—is invaluable. We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Adah Lynch, Sinead Joyce, Kevin Crowley, and all our teachers, SNA’s, and ancillary staff whose efforts helped make this production such a success. From imaginative set design to outstanding costumes, the standard of work was exceptional.
A sincere thank you as well to our GCC Parents Council for their continued support and the many ways they contribute to the musical each year. We wish the cast and crew the very best of luck for tonight’s final performance.
Please click the link below to view the programme for this year’s musical as well as some fantastic photos from this year’s performance:
GCC Pre Examinations 2026
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to all our 3rd and 6th Year students undertaking their Pre-Examinations over the next two weeks. The Pre – Examinations mark an important milestone in this exam year and will offer students, parents and teachers an overview of how students are progressing as they build towards the State Exams in June. Over the next two weeks, we encourage our students to approach the Pre – Examinations with confidence, focus and a commitment to doing their personal best. Please see links to Pre Exams Timetables & Guidelines below:
Final 6th Year Pre_Timetable_GCC2026
FINAL 3rd Year Pre_Timetable_GCC 2026
6th Year Pre Exam Guidelines 2026
6th Year Pre LCA Exam Guidelines 2026
3rd Year Pre Exam Guidelines 2026
GCC Ski Trip 2026
We offer our very best wishes to our GCC skiing group as over 60 students depart on their trip tomorrow to Pinzolo in Italy. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and we hope they enjoy a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience on the slopes. We also wish to express our sincere thanks to the Mr Aidan Rees and our team of teachers who have worked so diligently in organising and supporting this trip. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by the entire school community.
NCCA Senior Cycle Pathways
Parents will recall that last March, the NCCA sought expressions of interest from schools nationally in the Flexible Pathways in Senior Cycle programme which looks at reimagining curricular pathways through senior cycle. GCC applied and was one of only fourteen schools accepted.
As a school we understand that traditional pathways are not suitable for all students and believe that the school should be flexible to meet the needs of all learners as they progress through Senior Cycle into an appropriate post Senior Cycle pathway.
Please click on the link below to view Senior Cycle Pathways: Report on discussions at Pathways School Network Event One which took place in November:
Report on the discussions on student profiles – School Network Event One
On Wednesday last [28 January] Diarmuid Mooney and Ger O Sullivan from the NCCA Senior Cycle pathways team visited the school and met with members of our GCC Pathways team to conduct a workshop looking at what type of modules could meet the needs and interests of the student profiles as well as hosting a focus group of TYs and 5th year students. The work of the group continues in preparation for the next network meeting in March. Our thanks to Michelle O Halloran for coordinating this work on behalf of the school.
SEC Circular S14/26 on Additional Time for Arrangements in State Examinations
The SEC published on Tuesday circular S14/26 detailing the interim additional time arrangements at the 2026 State Examinations. We have been asked to bring this circular to the attention of special educational needs teachers, special needs coordinators, teachers, other school staff, candidates with reasonable accommodations and their parents/guardians. Please click on the link to view:
Interim additional time arrangements at the 2026 State Examinations
Please click on the following link to view some summary slides and information notes by Dr. Johanna Fitzgerald:
National Parents Council [NPC] – Parents’ views on extra supports needed in exams for students who learn differently
The National Parents Council (NPC) has been asked to take part in a full review of the Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme. RACE is the system that helps students who learn differently and need extra support in exams during Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate.
Reasonable accommodations may include the use of a scribe, reader, reading pen, or audiorecording device, as well as waivers for spelling, grammar, and punctuation assessments. Students may also be supported through access to a laptop or word processor, additional time where appropriate, and the continued use of assistive technologies with which they are already familiar. We want to hear from parents about how the RACE scheme is working. Your feedback will help us understand what is going well, what is not working, and what changes are needed to make the system fairer and easier to use.
This survey is short, anonymous, and your answers will help us share parents’ views with the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
Please click this link to take part in this survey Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme – Fill out form
Many thanks & Warm regards
National Parents Council (NPC)
National Conversation on Education Survey
The Department of Education and Youth has launched the National Conversation on Education Survey to gather views on the future of education in Ireland. The findings will help shape the agenda for the Convention on Education taking place later this year. The Convention on Education is a once in a generation opportunity for children, young people, parents, educators and wider society to help shape Ireland’s education system for decades to come. The survey is open to everyone and takes approximately fifteen minutes to complete. You can access it at the link below:
National Conversation on Education Survey
http://gov.ie/educationconvention
GCC Activities of the Week Monday 2 to Friday 6 February 2026
Please click on the link to view the Activities of the Week beginning Monday 2 to Friday 6 February 2026:
GCC Activities of the Week Monday 2 to Friday 6 February 2026
GCC Upcoming Calendar Events – January/February 2026
| Friday 30 January | GCC Pre-Examinations | 30/1 – 13/2 |
| Friday 30 January | GCC School Musical – The Wizard of Oz | @ 7.30pm |
| Saturday 31 January | GCC Ski Trip | 31/1 – 7/2 |
| Monday 2 February | Bank Holiday | School Closed |
| Tuesday 3 February | GCC TY Work Experience | 3/2 – 13/2 |
| Saturday 7 February | GCC Assessment of Incoming First Years | 9.30am – 12.30pm |
| Friday 13 February | Mid-Term Break | 13/2 – 22/2 |
| Tuesday 24 February | GCC PPT Meeting for 2nd Year students | 4.15pm – 6.45pm |
GCC Student Development Fund 2025/2026 School Year
We would like to thank parents for their continued support of the GCC Student Development Fund which allows us to maintain many of the supports we currently provide to our students. For example, during the Summer the school spent in excess of €60k on painting the A & C Block buildings and B Block Social area and €55k on the purchase of new school lockers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year students. Since September the school has spent over €40k on buses, €25k on essential Health & Safety work and €20k on TY Activities. In February, we plan to spend up to €50k on the installation of Solar Panels in the B Block, €30k on our Pre-Examinations and over €15k on the upgrading of our school Wi-Fi system. Many of these projects, which ensure students and staff work in a high quality learning environment, would not be possible without the voluntary contributions of parents to the school for which we are very grateful.
The annual parent contribution to our GCC Student Development Fund is €300 with a €100 reduction per sibling. This amount is agreed with our GCC Parents Council and our GCC Board of Management. Please note a reminder text was sent to parents yesterday via Way2Pay regarding the payment of outstanding balances. We hope to collect any remaining contributions before the Easter holidays begin on Friday 27 March. If you have any difficulty in paying this money please contact the Principal, Mr McCarthy in confidence and a mutually suitable arrangement will be put in place.
Parent Information Webinar Tuesday 3 February 2026 – Talk to your child/teenager about Vaping
Please click on the link below to view details of an upcoming HSE webinar which may be of interest to staff both personally and professionally.
Tuesday 3 February HSE Parent Information Webinar on Vaping
HSE HPV Catch Up Vaccination Programme
The HSE have contacted schools regarding their HPV catch up vaccination programme. The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) catch-up vaccination is being offered to all pupils who are in 5th and 6th year, who have not previously received the HPV vaccine. Other year groups will be eligible in subsequent years. Most students only need to receive one dose of HPV vaccine (if someone has a weak immune system they will need 3 doses).
Please click on the link to view a letter for parents from the HSE regarding the vaccination programme:
HPV Catch Up Vaccination Programme-Information for Parents
Please visit www.hpv.ie for more information.
CAO Applications
A reminder to all parents of Sixth Year students that the CAO application deadline to avail of the discounted early bird fee of €35 is 5pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026. After this date, the application fee increases to €50, with the standard application deadline closing at 5pm on Sunday 1 February 2026. While a late application window will open from Thursday 5 March to 1st May (fee €65), it is important to note that restricted courses are not available during this period. Students will also have an opportunity to amend their course choices through the Change of Mind facility from 5th May to 1st July. We strongly encourage all students to apply before Tuesday 20 January to keep all options open and avoid higher fees.
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.
