Dear Parents and Students,
After a very challenging week following the spell of severe weather, we would like to thank all our students and parents for the efforts made over the last few days to get to school. On Wednesday morning, for example, we had nearly 790 students present in GCC by mid-morning. In particular, we are grateful for the efforts made to get to school in very difficult conditions. We also understand that in some individual cases, it was simply not possible to get to school.
Parents are aware that decisions around school closure, late openings and normal openings take account a number of factors. These include but are not limited to conditions and temperatures when the school is opening, the plans of our two local primary schools and our ability to provide an adequate level of supervision in school when open. Decisions, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Board of Management, are made on a day-by-day basis and are left as late as possible so that we have the up to date forecast for the local area from Met Eireann. The message to our school community is that at all times you take your time and travel safely to and from GCC.
GCC BT Young Scientist 2025
Well done to Transition Year student Lauren Tobin for representing GCC in the BT Young Scientist competition in the RDS this week. This competition not only promotes science but encourages new ideas, meeting new people and exploring the areas of science that interest you.
Lauren’s project aims to find out if, after 40 years of progressive education in society, have people changed their views on gender stereotypes in the workplace and how this is relevant today. Her project explored what the attitudes towards gender stereotypes are in the workplace in two different age categories, the under 20 years and over 60 years.
GCC International Day for Persons with Disabilities
We will recognise the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday 15 January in GCC. There will be several activities held to raise awareness for those with disabilities. Hannah O’Reilly (Rang Tara) will be speaking to all 1st Year
students about her experiences of living with a disability. Students are invited to wear a purple item in addition to their school uniform on the day to show their support. Thank you to Ms Fiona O’Sullivan and her team for all their work in preparing for the day.
GCC 2025 Pre-Examinations Timetable
Please click on the link below to view the timetables for the GCC 2025 Pre- Examinations which start for 6th Years on Friday 31 January and for 3rd Years on Wednesday 5 February:
GCC 3rd Year Pre Exams Timetable 2025
GCC 6th Year Pre Exams Timetable 2025
GCC 6th Year LCA Pre Exams Timetable 2025
DARE and HEAR National Information Day Saturday 11 January 2025
Our GCC Guidance Department is delighted to see the return of our in-person DARE and HEAR Information Day, taking place in Devere Hall UCC on January 11th from 10 am – 2 pm. Munster Technological University (MTU) will partner with University College Cork (UCC) staff at Devere Hall. These events give DARE and HEAR applicants a chance to meet one-on-one with DARE and HEAR Practitioners, ask questions about their application and gain insights into the kind of supports their local college or university provides for students who apply to DARE or HEAR. No registration is needed for this event. Further information:
DARE and HEAR National Information Day Saturday 11 January 2025
Invitation: ‘Keeping Our Kids Safe Online’ Webinar Tuesday 14 January 2025
Please click on the link below to view details of an upcoming webinar entitled ‘Keeping Our Kids Safe Online’ which is taking place on Tuesday 14 January 2025 at 7pm. During the Webinar Dr. Richard Hogan will deliver the latest updates and research thinking about the challenges parents and families face given the growing influence of technology on our children’s lives.
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mISmhkR0SB-sY3lHyQFD6A
Guidance for Schools on Managing Behaviour – Relevant Publications
During the school year 2024/2025, a number of publications will be issued to assist and support schools to understand behaviours. These publications have been developed to support the work already being done in schools. Support and training will be provided to schools on each of these guidance documents in due course. Please click on the link to view a list of publications with estimated publication dates.
Guidance for Schools on Managing Behaviour Upcoming Publications
Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme [GFRS] Update Friday 10 January 2025
Please see below the latest GFRS update from Sorenson:
Hazelwood Road/R639 & Hazelwood Shopping Centre
Please note that the three-way stop/go traffic management system in place on the R639 and Hazelwood Junction will continue for approx. three weeks. The position of the flagmen may change slightly later in the week as work progresses.
New Line & Copper Valley Vue
From Monday, there will be two-way stop/go traffic management on the New Line Road, adjacent to Brooklodge Culvert, for approximately two weeks. Please allow additional time for your journey.
The L-2964 New Line Road, Brooklodge East Road (by O’Connell’s Transport) will remain fully closed until March 2025.
2025 Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle Examinations
Parents and students are asked to note that the timetables for the 2025 Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle examinations have been published on www.examinations.ie.
The suite of timetables can be accessed under the Examinations 2025 Banner on the home page.
Senior Cycle Redevelopment [SCR] Information Note to Schools
Please click on the link below to view the latest update from the Department of Education on Senior Cycle Redevelopment.
Senior Cycle Redevelopment Information Note to Schools – December 2024
Important information in relation to the Leaving Certificate Oral Examinations 2025
Please click on the link below to view Circular S88/24 which contains important information in relation to the Leaving Certificate Oral examinations 2025.
6th Year students and parents are asked to note that the Oral examinations in Irish and the Modern Foreign Languages in 2025 will be delivered by SEC appointed examiners in schools in the early part of the Easter holiday period from Saturday 12 April to Thursday 17 April inclusive.
Important information in relation to the Leaving Certificate Oral Examinations 2025
GCC School Gym
Parents and students are reminded that our GCC school gym is open Monday to Friday before school for 4th, 5th and 6th year students. Students can use the gym upstairs in the PE Hall every day from 8:00am until 8:45am and it will be fully supervised. Thanks you to our GCC teachers for providing this wellbeing opportunity to students.
GCC Upcoming Calendar Events – January 2025
| Monday 13 – Friday 17 January | GCC Séjour Linguistique à Paris | |
| Tuesday 14 January | GCC Staff Meeting | 4.00 – 5.50pm |
| Monday 20 January | PPT Meeting for TY students | 4.15 – 6.45pm |
| Thursday 30 January | GCC School Musical Sister Act | |
| Friday 31 January | GCC School Musical Sister Act | ` |
We hope you have a nice weekend.
GCC Senior Management [Ronan McCarthy (Principal), Patrick O’Mahony (Deputy Principal) Caroline Byrne (Deputy Principal), Seamus Kennefick (Deputy Principal)]