Dear GCC Parents, Guardians & Students,

2024/2025 School Year – Information for Parents

As the 2023/2024 academic year comes to a close, on behalf of all our staff and students in GCC, we would like to thank parents for your constant support, encouragement and interest in our school. We are grateful for the trust and responsibility you place in us here in GCC and we will continue to work together to push the school forward and develop the excellent practice across all areas of school life. We always value the respectful engagement between all our stakeholders, be they parents, staff or students which is founded in an openness to each others view point and mutually respectful communication. We also extend our gratitude to our exceptional staff in GCC who foster a creative, nurturing and challenging learning environment that has always sought to make the maximum of our students’ abilities. On behalf of all in our school community we would like to wish our 3rd and 6th Year students the very best in their State Exams starting next Wednesday.

Our preparations for the 2024/2025 school year are well underway and we wish to provide you with some important information which will help you in planning for the next academic year. To provide ease of access to the large amount of information we must share, we have sub-divided the details into different sections. We ask that parents take the time to consider in detail the information provided under each heading and to review it again in August before our return to school.

Please click on the links below to view:

1. Letter for Parents Website – Friday 31 May 2024 Final

2. Student Development Fund – Friday 31 May 2024 Final

3. Return Dates for Students – Calendar – School Day 31 May 2024 Final

4. GCC Calendar 2024-2025

5. Book Loan Scheme – Return Dates – 31 May 2024 Final

6. Free Books Scheme – Friday 31 May 2024 Final

7. Attendance & Signing Out Friday – 31 May  2024 – Final

8. School Car Park & Passport Forms – 31 May 2024 Final

9. School Uniform & Mobile Phones – 31 May 2024 Final

Important information regarding Home Tuition and the School Summer programme 2024

Please note that the criteria to receive home tuition has now changed following the introduction of the school summer programme. Because of the overwhelming preference for students to take part in school-based programmes, it is an important part of the general rules that the home-based programme is not available where a school based programme is being provided.

However it is recognised that there may be limited exceptional circumstances where the home-based programme could be provided even where their school is running a programme. Parents may contact the Department directly by email at homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie  to outline their circumstances. Please also see application form below to register your son/daughter for home based tuition. Completed application forms can be handed into the school office for the attention of Ms. Caitriona Shanahan.

2024 Home Based Summer Programme Overview Document

There are still places available on the school based programme with further detail below;

The GCC Summer Programme will run for 2 weeks commencing on Monday 24 June until Friday 5 July. The Post-Primary School Scheme is open to pupils enrolled in special classes and pupils in the mainstream setting with complex needs.

The aims of the programme are to support students’ wellbeing through building their confidence and enhancing their sense of connection with their school and their peers. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community. Activities will be group based, fun and active to build social skills and develop confidence.

If you wish to apply or find out more about this programme please click on the following link to register your interest, and the programme organiser will be in touch:

Summer Programme Expression of Interest Form

GCC Upcoming Calendar Events 

Date   Event   Note
Wednesday 5 June State Examinations 2024 5 – 24 June
Tuesday 25 June GCC Parents Council Uniform Bank Sale @ 9.30am

We hope you have a nice relaxing long weekend and an enjoyable Summer break.
GCC Senior Management
Ronan McCarthy (Principal), Caroline Byrne (Deputy Principal), Seamus Kennefick (Deputy Principal), Sean McGrath (Deputy Principal)