Galway Community College has seen many changes since 1969 when it opened. Now into its fifth decade of providing education for its community, the college is continually improving its facilities to serve the needs of all learners. The school now offers courses across three separate areas of learning, namely mainstream (from first year to Leaving Cert ), post-Leaving Cert (PLC further education ), and adult education (part-time evening courses delivering hobby and FETAC Level 5 and 6 certification ).
The college has more than 1,000 students passing through its doors every week and some 330 of these are mainstream students attending the school. Given that the college has three different areas of learning it has developed its resources to meet demand. Young learners have access to a fully equipped gymnasium, a staffed library, two engineering rooms, two construction rooms, a home economics room, six computer suites with broadband and WiFi access, a café, media rooms, and many subject based classrooms. Much of the development in the school is initiated and completed by the teachers and demonstrates the commitment that they show towards their learners. In spite of the many austerity measures experienced recently Galway Community College recognises the importance of individual strengths and commits to providing individual guidance and nurturing.
The vocational ethos of the school is upheld by providing the broadest range of subjects right through to Leaving Certificate, with a strong emphasis on both academic and vocational skills.
Every class in the school has a tutor and each year has a year head, delivering a caring environment for all students. An all-round education is valued and while academic success is recognised and encouraged so too are the areas of spiritual and physical development of the children. Two full time PE teachers provide for a wide range of sport, and the school recently expanded this to include kayaking on Lough Atalia.
Technological advances have led the school to monitor the attendance of every child in every class through e-portal, and the online learning tool Mentaga is used by the school to identify the strengths and aptitudes of each child so that it provides a full individual programme for each learner.
Due to increased demand the college will hold an additional open day for incoming first years. The open day will take place on Saturday February 4 from 10am to 12 noon. This will give students and parents an opportunity to view the school’s facilities and meet some of the teachers.
Further information on all areas of the school can be viewed on www.galwaycc.ie
