Dear Parents,
School Pitch Development
We are delighted to announce that the school has been granted planning permission (with conditions) for the development of our All-weather facility and walkway. We expect to have full planning granted in 4 weeks and a commencement notice will need to be lodged 2 weeks prior to works commencing on site. Tendering for the project is also being progressed. We hope that work will commence in early January with a target date of December 2021 for completion of the work. We are grateful for the consistent financial support of parents, through the student activity fee, without which this key project could not progress.
Christmas Lights
Our Christmas lights and decorations are being put up this afternoon. This year, with the generous support of our Parents Council, we have hired a company (Greenveldt) to install and manage the display. As we begin the busy Christmas period we hope this display will lift the spirits of all in our school community in what has been a very challenging year for all.
Revision Charts
Please click on the link to view a template of Revision Charts for First Year students. It is a very simple idea that has proved very helpful to students in First Year over the past few years. First Year students can often need the assistance of their teachers in organising themselves and planning their study for their Christmas Exams. We have asked Subject Teachers to specify over the next few weeks, what areas of the syllabus they want the students to revise on a weekly basis, in the lead up to the Exams. We have also asked our Class Captains to remind the teachers to give them this information at the end of class. Students will record their homework as normal in their student journal, and then record their area of revision on their charts. Next week, we plan to give First Year students a study plan during Tutorial.
Revision Charts for First Year Students
Transition Year and LCA Information
On Thursday 19 November 2020 we provided an online presentation about the Transition Year (TY) programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme to our 3rd year students. The purpose of these presentations was to highlight the possible senior cycle pathways that are open to 3rd year students, once they’ve completed their Junior Certificate (FETAC Level 3). During normal times, we would have also held an information evening for parents about the available programmes. Unfortunately this was not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions. Therefore please access the post ‘Transition Year and LCA Information’ on the school website to view the presentations.
Mobile Phones/Social Media
We are asking all parents to have a conversation with their sons/daughters about the appropriate use of mobile phones and the dangers of inappropriate use of social media. This advice is based on some issues that have arisen in school as a result of the inappropriate actions of some students, particularly in relation to posting unwelcome comments on group chats. Very often these events are happening outside of school time but can have a very negative impact when they are carried forward into school. In response to this and in an effort to educate students further on their responsibilities, a member of an Garda Siochana will address the 2nd years in the next week about Cyber-bullying.
Annual Mass of Remembrance
Due to Covid 19 restrictions, we were unable to celebrate our annual Mass of Remembrance for deceased members of our school community last week as planned. All in the wider school community are invited to attend Glanmire Parish virtual mass on Saturday 28 November at 6pm where deceased family and friends of our school community will be remembered. A link will be posted on the school website next week.
GCC Green Schools
GCC is aiming to achieve the Green Schools flag awarded by An Taisce by the end of this academic year. As you are aware there was a lot of work already done to promote recycling, reduce residual waste, compost organic waste, and reduce single use plastic. This year the focus is on Litter & Waste. We believe we can make a huge difference if we all work together; students, staff, parents and the whole community. The key to this is raising awareness through education for all of us.
In class tutorial this morning students were shown 2 short videos on recycling and waste which outline very clearly how recycling is done properly. We now have all the infrastructure in the school to accommodate recycling and reduce waste. What we need to do now is develop a culture among the whole school community, and work together towards a better environment.
We hope you have a nice weekend.
Regards,
GCC Senior Management
Ronan McCarthy (Principal)
Gertie Cahill (Deputy Principal)
Sean McGrath (Deputy Principal)
Seamus Kennefick (Deputy Principal)