Teachers and students of Glanmire Community College were excited to recently open the doors on their newly revamped college. Minister of State for European Affairs, E.U. Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Dara Murphy was on-hand to officially open the impressive extension on Monday, May 22, which was blessed by Bishop Buckley, Diocese of Cork and Ross.
Glanmire Community College opened in 1997 providing for 700 pupils on an expansive 12-acre site. The school is a designated Community College under the joint trusteeship of Cork Education and Training Board and the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
In 2010 it became obvious to the schools’ management and Co Cork VEC, now Cork ETB, that this capacity would not be sufficient given the success and reputation of the college and the increase in population in the area. This new extension, being just one indicator of their success, will now provide an excellent learning environment and platform for their student body with the addition of some fantastic new facilities.
A key mission of the college is ‘to strive to be a happy, safe, caring and inclusive Christian Community that promotes quality teaching and learning in an environment of mutual respect’. Glanmire Community College has made this mission a reality due to this new extension which cost just under €6 million.
College principal Ronan McCarthy, said students have a bright future ahead with the aid of their new conditions, commenting on ‘how proud all connected are of our college and the legacy of a progressive education provided to our young people over the years’.
“The local community fought hard for a second level school in their community and spent 12 years lobbying to achieve this. We now have a duty to these parents and members of the community to continue to provide them with the best of facilities and educational opportunities.
“Already we are almost at capacity with well over 1,000 students enrolled for the upcoming 2017/2018 academic year. We are excited for the bright future which lies ahead for our students in their new learning environment,” Mr McCarthy concluded.
