Thursday 27th August – 1st Years 9am – 12pm
Friday 28th August – 2nd & 5th 9am – 12pm
Monday August 31st - Full Return of all Students
October 2026 Mid-term Break Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October 2026
Christmas 2026 Holidays School closes on Tuesday 22nd of December and re-opens on Wednesday 6th Jan 2027.
February 2027 Mid- Term Break Mon 15th February – to Friday 19th February
Easter 2027 Holidays School closes on 19th March and re-opens on 5th April, 2027
Summer Holidays 2027, June 4th 2027
· TBC
6th Year - 13th October 2026
5th Year - 12th January 2027
4th Year - 25th February
3rd Year - 24th November 2026
2nd Year - 28th January 2027
1st Year - 9th March 2027
What to do the night before an exam
Check the times of exams the next day - don’t assume or guess!
Pack your bag and pencil case carefully; gather your pens, pencils, eraser, maths sets, calculator, coloured pencils, and markers.
Don’t forget you can’t ask for these during the exam.
Make sure to write in blue and black pens only: make sure you have these and spare pens packed.
Go back over what your teachers told you with regards to layout of the paper and timing. When you go in the next day, you should know how many questions you must do on each paper and allow time for each one.
What to do on the day of the exam
Be organised: get up on time, give yourself plenty of time to eat breakfast, and get to school before 9am
Wear your uniform, clothing should not be a distraction!
Calm yourself before you begin - breathe!
Focus: try to see the exam as a chance for you to prove what you know.
Be smart: remember your exam paper has thousands of words on it which can give you clues, such as the right spellings to use for answers throughout the exam: use it to your advantage!
What to do during the exam
At the start of the exam:
Read the questions with your pen in your hand and underline key things you must answer
Present information well to maximise your grades - presentation is key.
When answering questions:
Read and check back over the question again to make sure you are answering exactly what is asked
Remember to use diagrams in subjects where they are either required (such as on the Geography paper) or to add context to your answer
Read back over your answers when you finish a section
Stay the distance: each exam is timed for a reason, so don’t leave early.
If you have spare time:
Do an extra question; remember, all material must be corrected by the examiner
Keep writing; you are permitted to extend and develop your answers by indicating on the paper what the extra information relates to (such as by writing “extra information for question 2”).
If you are running out of time:
Make a list of the remainder points you would include in an answer if you don’t have time to finish it in full
List the points you would make if you are short an answer to a question: a few points are better than nothing.
What to do after the exam:
Stay on track. Try to not to discuss the exam paper with your fellow students: you are all different and comparing could lead to upset and could distract you from your next paper.
Get something to eat and enjoy some fresh air.
Go into quiet room and relax for the afternoon exam.
Enjoy a good break in the evening. Try and refocus by getting some fresh air or exercise and then move your focus on the following day’s exams.
Explore your future at the SCS Careers Fair Thursday 23rd April, 2–5pm Students & Parents welcome.
Skibbereen Community School is delighted to host our SCS Careers Fair, giving senior cycle students the chance to explore exciting options after school. Meet representatives from UCC, MTU, UL, Further Ed, SOLAS, the Army and more, alongside past students and local employers, all ready to share advice and real-world experience.
Students will attend during the afternoon session and parents/guardians are warmly invited to drop in, ask questions and explore pathways in an informal, welcoming setting. A fantastic opportunity to start important conversations about the future – don’t miss it!
This is an important role within the school, supporting the Principal and Board of Management in ensuring strong financial governance and compliance with Department of Education and Youth and FSSU requirements.
Main Responsibilities
· Managing the school’s day-to-day financial accounts
· Maintaining accurate financial records
· Weekly submission of staffing returns to Department of Education and Youth
· Preparing monthly reports for the Principal and Board of Management
· Assisting with budget preparation and year-end financial statements
· Supporting audit and compliance processes
Qualifications, experience and skills
· A recognised Accounting Technician qualification
· Relevant accounts/bookkeeping experience
· Proficient in IT skills across a range of applications and platforms particularly in accounting software and Excel
· Excellent organisational and analytical skills with attention to detail
· Good communication, interpersonal and team-player skills
· The ability to work independently and maintain strict confidentiality
Additional Information
· Skibbereen Community School is an equal opportunities employer
· The position is subject to Garda Vetting and satisfactory references
· Shortlisting may apply
· Canvassing will disqualify
Application Details
Please submit:
· Letter of application
· Current CV
· Names and contact details of two referees
Applications should be submitted by email to: recruitment@skibbereencommunityschool.ie Closing Date for receipt of applications: 4pm, Friday, April 03rd 2026
SCS are delighted to launch our new Preventing and Addressing Bullying Bí Cineálta policy.
Pictured are Ms. Mary Belton (Deputy Principal), Mr. Diarmuid O’Donnabháin (Deputy Principal), Mr. Peter Lynch (Wellbeing Co-Ordinator) & Mr. Tom Foley (Deputy Principal).
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) as part of its digital strategy, introduced a facility to allow Leaving Certificate candidates to confirm their subject and level entry details online (including adding or withdrawing from subjects). The use of the online system, the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) will continue for the 2026 Leaving Certificate.
The portal will open on Tuesday 21st of October 2025 for candidates to register and activate their account and confirm their subject entries and levels. It will remain open for this purpose until 5pm Friday 07th November 2025. Candidates will be given a further opportunity to amend subjects/levels in January/February 2026.
It is essential that all candidates register through the Portal as this Portal will provide candidates with the opportunity to confirm their subject choice and levels, to also allow future access to their results and for the later stages of the process such as the appeals application process.
A copy of the Before You Start Guide 2026 is also attached (click button below).
There is helpdesk support available at 1800-111135 or 1800-111136 between 9am to 5pm until Friday 07 November 2025. Outside of these hours you can email candidateportal@examinations.ie
Dear Parents/Guardians,
On Wednesday 8th October, your daughter/son will be presented with their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA).
During your daughter/son’s journey through Junior Cycle, you will be aware of their achievements in their Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs), and Other Areas of Learning (OALs). They will also be receiving their Junior Cycle state examination results. The JCPA will contain a record of each of these areas of achievement.
We are delighted to invite you to a school celebration of this wonderful achievement commencing at 12.40pm. We kindly request that you take your seats by 12.30pm. Light refreshments will be served after the presentation. We anticipate the event will take approximately an hour or so.
We are very much looking forward to this special occasion and to celebrate your daughter/son’s success with you. Thank you for your continued support.
Every good wish,
Patrick Hayes
Junior Cycle Co-Ordinator
Monday 25th August – 1st Years 9am – 12pm
Tuesday 26th August – 2nd & 5th 9am – 12pm
Wednesday 27th – 1st & 4th Year 9 -1:10pm
Thursday – Full School Return - 9am – 3:50pm.
October 2025 Mid-term Break 27th October to 31st October 2025 (inclusive)
Christmas 2025 Holidays School closes on 19th Dec and re-opens on 5th Jan 2026
February 2026 Mid- Term Break 16th February – 20th February
Easter 2026 Holidays School closes on 27th March and re-opens on 13th April, 2026
· 6th October - Staff Cluster Day
· 11th December Child Protection
· 7th May Planning for Senior Cycle
6th Year - 16th October 2025
5th Year - 8th Jan 2026
4th Year - 26th February 2026
3rd Year - 25th November 2025
2nd Year - 20th Jan 2026
1st Year - 10th March 2026
