Good Counsel College - News

Fr O'Donnell R.I.P.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

                                                                                                              The death took place in Dungarvan last week of former school chaplain, Fr. Columba O'Donnell, a man fondly remembered by students, staff and parents from his time here at Good Counsel College. Fr O'Donnell had been  serving as chaplain in our sister school, St Augustines for the past number of years and his popularity there was no less than it had been in New Ross. The great affection for the man was reflected in the huge turn out of students, past and present, and of local families whose lives he had enriched with his infectious enthusiasm and optimism.                                                                                                 While chaplain of Good Counsel, Fr O'Donnell made it his goal to visit the family home of every student each school year, an enormous undertaking given the numbers and the geography involved but one which he carried out successfully and with great rewards in the appreciation shown by all those he visited. For any member of the school community who needed a little help and support, Fr O'D was always there to provide a listening ear and a kind word.                                                                                                              He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched in the various communities he served. Our sympathies are extended to his family, his Augustinian brothers and to all his friends.                                                                                                                                                 Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. Continue Reading...

TY 1 - YSI Project: T.I.M.E.

Monday, December 19, 2011

TRANSITION YEAR pupils in Good Counsel College have relaunched a medical campaign in a bid help people in the event of emergencies.Students in TY1 are currently raising awareness of their TIME (Telephone In Medical Emergency) campaign - a relaunch of the existing ICE (In Case of Emergency) programme, which enables first responders, such as paramedics to contact a patient's next of kin by looking at the ICE contact in the person's mobile phone.

The ICE programme began in the mid-2000s and while initially very effective, the success and awareness of the programme was short-lived. Many of the student's generation had neither heard of the programme or had no ICE contact and so as part of their Young Social Innovators project, initiated TIME.

Their newly launched project aims to get people to place the emergency contact number of their next-of-kin in their mobile phones and carry a TIME wallet card listing their medical details and history. This is an effort to assist emergency services in contacting patient's relatives in an emergency situation in a more efficient manner and to promote efficient administration of medical treatment - without this information treatment may be delayed or ineffective and lives may be lost.

As part of their project, students are encouraging people to store their next of kin in their phone under the contact name TIME and fill out their TIME wallet card to carry with them. In the first few weeks of their campaign students have spoken to their peers in Good Counsel College, sent leaflets home to all parents, created a website for the campaign and a Facebook page. They have also created and implemented lesson plans for national school pupils raising awareness of the importance of personal safety and the TIME campaign, which Cushinstown NS are partaking in, and have made contact with the Department of Health, the Health Minster, local ambulance corps, businesses and hospitals.

 Continue Reading...

Music and Craft Fair

Friday, December 02, 2011

On Sunday, November 27th, the school sports hall was transformed into a colourful bazaar of local crafts and produce. Everything from homemade cards and jewellery, to homebaking and the Christmas turkey were for sale at the event planned and organised by the college Parents' Council. Continue Reading...

School Newsletter : March 18th, 2011

Monday, March 21, 2011

The whole community in Good Counsel College, Augustinians, teachers, students and all others are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our student and friend, John Joe Galvin.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother, Catherine, his brother, Leon and all those who love and now miss him.
John Joe was a wonderful student in Good Counsel, so loved by his classmates and teachers alike.He was the most pleasant young man you could ever hope to meet who never passed you without a heartfelt greeting.  His smiling face will be missed about Good Counsel.
As a close knit community here in the school we will support each other through these sad times while our prayers and thoughts are for John Joe's eternal rest and the consolation of all who now mourn for him. May he rest in peace.

 Continue Reading...

School Newsletter: March 11, 2011

Saturday, March 12, 2011

On Saturday last 4 Good Counsel students from the 2010 Leaving Cert. class were honoured at the Engineering and Technology Teachers Association awards in GMIT, Galway. Billy Conran, Jack Wall and Patrick Greene received awards for being in the top 3 nationally in Design an Communications Graphics while Michael Martin Carroll was recognised for his outstanding achievement in Leaving Certificate Applied Technology. In fact Good Counsel College students filled the first 2 places in the country in Higher Level DCG, a remarkable achievement. Well done to the young men concerned on their achievement of which they and their families can be proud, as we in GCC are.

It was a week of achievement on the sportsfield also with the U-14 footballers landing the Leinster A title on Friday in a remarkable game against St. Josephs, Rochfortbridge. Scoring 1-1 deep into injury time, the Counsel lads secured a dramatic victory to retain the title. Well done to all the squad and to their coaches, Mr Bates and Mr Kehoe on their success and a word of thanks also to the many who travelled to Stradbally in support of the team - they too played their part. (A full report will be posted on the Sports reports section of this site.)

The U-14 success capped a great week for the footballers as the U-16s had earlier in the week also qualified for the Leinster Final when beating Carlow CBS in the South Leinster decider. They await the winners of the other semi final to be played between Dublin and North Leinster winners.

The All Ireland Inter Schools Hunter Trials which the school hosts takes place on Saturday next in Moorefields Kennels near Old Ross. With over 70 teams and 400 individual competitors it promises to be a busy day and hopefully the weather will be kind. Details of the event are posted on this site.

This week the Transition Years return from their 2 week work experience block and the 5th years sit their Differential Aptitude Tests on Wednesday.
Therewill be no school on Friday 18th as per Calendar.

A happy St Patrick's Day to all. Continue Reading...

Les Miserables - a cast member perspective.

Sunday, May 09, 2010
 
 
In September '09, it was decided that St. Mary's and Good Counsel would attempt to stage "Les Miserables" in April 2010. A daunting task! To say we were apprehensive is an understatement. Our production team of Bill Stafford, Ann-Marie Stafford and Kevin Kennedy were quietly confident that we could pull it off.
Over 70 brave students auditioned on a miserable Tuesday in February. The talent unearthed at these auditions was outstanding.  The show was cast and the work began.
Musical rehearsals kicked off the process and soon, Kevin actually had the boys singing harmony in tune!!
Once the music was learned, Bill and Ann-Marie set the scenes and choreographed the show. This part of rehearsals was exciting as the cast saw the show take shape and come together. Meanwhile, costumes were being ordered, Tom Reddy and Tom Quigley were hard at work on the set, and Pat Younger was busy convincing our generous sponsors to part with their hard earned cash.
Our next big challenge was moving rehearsals to St. Michael’s Theatre. The cast had to contend with lighting, sound, props, set, costumes and make up. Many had never stood on stage before, yet all the students rose to the challenge. These days before opening night caused many sleepless nights and were the reason for many silent prayers! (Which were answered thankfully!)  
Wednesday 21st April was D Day. The excitement nerves kicked in. the tension was palpable and this was it.
The students performed to full houses and received standing ovations.
A celebration and wrap party was held in “The Horse and Hound” on Saturday 24th after the show. A huge thank you to all students, staff, family and friends who “joined in our crusade” by helping out backstage and at the front of the house.
 Continue Reading...

All Ireland Hunter Trials.

Tuesday, March 09, 2010



For the finishing times in the 3 events of the All Ireland Inter Schools Hunter Trials held on March 13th last, click on the links below.

These pages show finishing times only and do not take into account any penalties for knocks, refusals or any other matters. On behalf of everyone at Good Counsel College, may we thank  all those who participated for their courtesy and co-operation. We also thank all those volunteers who gave of their time and expertise to make this event possible.

Teams of 3 - Times
Junior Singles - Times
Senior Singles - Times
Schools Hunter Trials - Results

A report on the event can be found in the Sports Reports section of this website.
Photographs from Saturdays event may be viewed on Hoofprints.ie. Continue Reading...

TY Christmas Food Appeal.

Friday, December 04, 2009

The Transition years launched their Christmas Food Appeal on behalf of those in need this week and the response from students and their families has been one of overwhelming generosity. Non perishable food items and hygiene products are collected in the school each day by TY students and these will be distributed to those in the local community most in need by South East Simon Community and Focus.

They have also raised over 900 euro to purchase care packs for homeless families which they will present to the charities on December 17th. Continue Reading...

Technology Awards

Saturday, November 14, 2009

On Saturday two Good Counsel College students, Padraic McGrath and Daniel Wall were presented with awards for achieving the highest place in Ireland in Junior Cert. and Leaving Cert. Higher Level Technology respectively. Congratulations to them, their families and teachers. An outstanding double.
   Continue Reading...

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