Many thanks to all those parents and students who attended our annual Open Day on Saturday last; we trust those present found it informative and helpful in making decisions around second level education choices. Many thanks to the college staff and current students who put in a lot of work in preparation and on the day itself. Continue Reading...

On Saturday, November 12th, the annual school Open Day for 6th class primary students and their parents/guardians takes place. Starting at 10am and running until approximately 1.00pm, the Open Day provides an opportunity for prospective students and parents to see the school campus and facilities and to ask questions of the many staff who will be present on the day. It is not a registration day but application forms for information on registration will be available. Light refreshments will be served throughout the morning.  Continue Reading...

A very well attended information night for the parents of all 1st years was held in the college church recently. A number of issues relevant to those who have just made the transition from primary to secondary were addressed while lots of informal chats with staff were conducted over a cup of tea. Continue Reading...

Saying adios to Spanish students Marcos, Claudio and Javier. On Monday last we said goodbye to 3 Spanish students who had joined us for the first 6 weeks of the school term. From Madrid, the 3 boys, Marcos,Claudio and Javier, joined our first year students in September and followed a full regular timetable just as any other student. They were a joy to have in the school and their bright smiling personalities will be missed around the school. We wish them all the best and they should know they would be welcome back in 'The Counsel' any time. We should also thank their supervisor Miguel who liased with us and the boys and who helped our own Spanish classes with their oral and aural work. Captain, Darragh Lyons receives the Keevans Cup from Luke O'Hanlon. The first trophy of the year was won on Wednesday last when the 1st year football team lifted the Keevans Cup in a blitz held in Pairc Carman. The boys retained the trophy with a stunning second half performance in the final against St Peters. Our second team were also victorious, winning the shield competition, so well done to all of them on that. It augurs well. Continue Reading...

On Wednesday last a group of Australian students, collectively known as the 'Wanderers', played a game of Compromise Rules against a team selected from our own Transition Year students. With the round ball the home side enjoyed huge superiority but when the oval ball was introduced at half time, the lads from the Southern Hemisphere looked much more comfortable. The Australian boys had been hosted by the families of the TY students on Tuesday night and so got to experience life in such places as Raheen, Tineranny and Kilderry. Before departing for the boat from Rosslare, the party of students,staff and some family members had dinner in the school dining room where they spoke very fondly of their trip to Ireland and in particular to Good Counsel. Continue Reading...

Having given up on the forecast 'Indian Summer', 6th Year Geography students braved the elements on Friday to complete their Geographical Investigation in Tramore. Accompanied by their teachers Ms O'Neill and Mr Moran, the group had to endure a day of heavy rainfall as they carried out the various aspects of their field study. Hopefully it will ultimately prove well worthwhile. Transition Year students were, meanwhile, taking part in a car safety training day, a valuable exercise for all young drivers and all those who will soon be doing so. They have also had a guest speaker from the Rape Crisis Centre address them during the week in addition to getting started on YSI projects Continue Reading...

           Group of 1st year students with Meitheal Leader, Robert Muldoon, in JFK Arboretum.                                                                                                                                                                                            During the course of the past two weeks each 1st year class group travelled to the JF Kennedy Arboretum for an afternoon of orienteering along with their 6th year Meitheal Leaders. The purpose of the exercise was to support the 'settling in' process and to allow class members the opportunity to get to know each other away from the classroom environment. The feedback has been hugely positive and great credit goes to the 6th year students who work as Meitheal Leaders and to Ms Bolger for all her work in organising the venue, transport, food and other details. Thanks also to Mr Wall, Mr O'Brien and Mr Rossiter for their help in setting out the orienteering course and overseeing the event.   Continue Reading...

The Junior Certificate results were published on Wednesday last and our congratulations go to all those students who received them. The Junior Certificate is the first significant examination most students sit and there is great anticipation of the results but this must always be tempered with the reality of further and tougher challenges ahead. Again well done to all concerned. Continue Reading...

The new school year is well underway at this stage and the 1st year group seem to have adapted especially well to life at secondary level which is very heartening. The early anxieties over finding the way around or missing the bus are giving way to growing confidence and self assurance as new friends are made and new challenges encountered. Of course the transition will not be so smooth for everyone and we hope that if there are any students or parents with concerns that they will let us know so that we can provide what help we can. Continue Reading...

The new school year is up and running, having commenced with a staff planning day on Wednesday, August 24th followed by the arrival of the new first year cohort on Thursday. Hopefully it will prove to be a very positive and productive year for the whole school community and we wish everyone the very best in this regard.

The Leaving Cert. class of 2010 received their results on August 17th and many congratulations to them on their achievements. Two students achieving the maximum 600 points will have justifiably gained particular attention but there were many equally noteworthy and excellent results across the spectrum. Our thoughts were of course with the Galvin family on the day as John Joe had been a member of this class group until his tragic death in March.
On Wednesday of last week the group assembled again for the annual college 'debs' celebrated in the Ferrycarrig Hotel. It was a pleasure to meet so many of them at this function and one could only be proud of the way in which they conducted themselves and their very  pleasant manner.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Elaine Walshe, mother of our students, Shane and Mikey, who was laid to rest on Monday. A group of prefects and classmates of the boys attended the funeral in Inistiogue. May she rest in peace. Continue Reading...