Dear Parents/Guardians,
Summer Assessments
With regard to 1st Year, 2nd Year and 5th Year students, following consultation with staff, the following has been agreed. A formal exam timetable will be constructed for 2nd Years and 5th Years while assessments for 1st Years will be classroom based. Assessments for 2nd & 5th Years will commence on Friday 21 May. Similar to our Christmas Assessments we will be providing a window of almost 2 weeks for 1st Year Assessments to take place. An Assessment Chart will be put into 1st Year classrooms and teachers will be invited to enter the time of their proposed assessment(s). This will ensure that 1st Year students are not over loaded with assessments on any given day. 4th Year Summer Assessments will continue along traditional lines and will be classroom based. Additional assessments for 6th Years will be completed next Monday 10 May while additional Assessment opportunities for 3rd Years will take place the week beginning 10 May and the week beginning 17 May.
Parents are asked to note that school will finish for all students on Friday 28 May 2021.
Leaving Cert Graduations
Parents and students are asked to note that following a Cork ETB principals meeting on Thursday 6 May, CETB schools have been advised not to hold in person graduations for students. This means that our planned graduation of 6th Year students on Friday 14 May 2021 and our TY Graduation on Tuesday 25 May 2021 cannot go ahead as planned.
Leaving Cert Students and Accredited Grades
Parents of 6th Year students are asked to note the following key dates outlined in the document Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021: Guide for Schools on Providing Estimated Percentage Marks. (Please click on the link to view)
- Additional assessments to be completed by 14 May (page 10)
- 14 May to 28 May teachers may prepare individually for subject alignment meetings (reviewing work etc.). This must not impact on tuition time. (page 10)
- Monday 31 May to Thursday 3 June schools will finalize the alignment process and transfer the school’s estimated percentage marks to the SEC no later than 3 June 2021. (page 10)
Parents and students are reminded that 6th Year students must attend all their timetabled classes even if they have opted for Accredited Grades. Classes will continue up to 28 May and students must attend full time. If students are attempting to selectively attend classes then students will be required to work from home. Senior Management will be meeting with 6th Year students early next week to reinforce this message.
Entrance Assessments
Staff were informed that we will be unable to hold 1st Year CAT assessments before the end of the school year. Therefore, we are planning for students to complete the assessment as early as possible during the 1st term of the school year.
Pitch Development Update
There has been great progress on the development of our new sport facilities which will include a floodlit all-weather pitch, grass pitch, a walk/running track around the perimeter and a hurling wall. The works are due to be completed and ready for use in September 2021.
Construction work on our new development
GCC team win European Competition
The robotics team competed in two European events on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. A number of technical issues plagued the first event, but on Thursday, they bounced back, winning all 5 of their matches and finishing as Champions. A huge achievement, well done! They have one more competition this weekend against a much bigger international field before a break of a few weeks to prepare for the World finals, for which they have already qualified, at the end of May. Onwards and upwards!
We hope you have a nice weekend.
GCC Senior Management
Ronan McCarthy (Principal)
Gertie Cahill (Deputy Principal)
Seamus Kennefick (Deputy Principal)
Sean McGrath (Deputy Principal)