Dear Parent/Guardian,
I hope all is good with you and your family. The disappointment for you and your son of primary schools closing is one we feel here as we miss our students and the significant events that traditionally mark our young men’s transition from the College to third level, the world of work and their future dreams.
We would normally have met each of you by now to hear your worries, hopes and dreams for your young son who will join our college community in September. Unfortunately current circumstances resulted in those meetings being cancelled. We have always placed huge value in meeting the parents/guardians of the 150 boys who will join us each year as the information we get from those conversations paints a rich picture of your son for us, that no assessment or school report ever could.
This meeting was also an opportunity for us to share some practical information with you and for you to ask practical questions around the next couple of months as you support and prepare your son for this exciting transition into post primary school. I have tried to answer some of those more frequently asked questions below.
FAQs
Between now and first day of school 2020
Where do I get the school uniform?
The school uniform is available from any of the men’s drapers in New Ross and in Wellingtonbridge.
The uniform consists of:
• Blue shirt
• Grey trousers
• School jumper
• No tie
There is no specific PE uniform.
What shoes are acceptable?
• Student must wear black or brown leather shoes.
• Runners, even if fully black/brown, are not acceptable.
What stationary do students need?
We will send you further details with the book list in June. This will also be posted on our website.
What books will he need?
You will receive your son’s book list in June. This will also be posted on our website.
Can a student change their language subject options now or during the first couple of weeks?
If you wish to change your preferred language option between Spanish and German please contact us immediately. There may not be capacity to change this option but we will do our best to accommodate your son.
Is there a bus to the college?
Any queries should be made directly to the Bus Éireann School Transport Office on 018302222. There are a number of private operators who run buses to the college. You will need to make local inquiries in relation to the operators available to you.
When will students get their timetable?
Students will be given their timetable on registration day in August. Their class tutor will explain this timetable to them on the first day.
Will students get a journal?
Yes. Students will be given a journal at our registration days in August.
What class will my child be in?
There are 5 first year classes: 1CN, 1DK, 1DY, 1JR and 1MF. Boys are assigned to these classes randomly to form 5 groups of similar mixed ability profiles.
Will my child be in the same class as their friend / other students from their primary school?
Students are randomly assigned class groups base on forming similar mixed ability profiles in each class.
If you have any specific requests, you should contact us immediately by email. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all requests but we will do our best.
mark.obrien@goodcounselcollege.ie
aidan.obrien@goodcounselcollege.ie
pj.walsh@goodcounselcollege.ie
When will we get the results of his Assessment Test taken in February?
These results are now in the College and they will be made available as soon as we can by either post or confirmed parent email. Given their sensitive nature we prefer the option of posting them. This requires access to the college for our administration staff which is not yet available.
My son has a medical condition that needs to be managed by the school from his first day.
Please make contact with pj.walsh@goodcounselcollege.ie immediately.
My son will be accessing Ostia – our ASD Hub.
Please contact Briona at the following email address immediately: briona.langton@goodcounselcollege.ie
My son has Special Educational Needs.
Please contact Brigid or Sheila at the following email addresses immediately.
brigid.kennedy@goodcounselcollege.ie or sheila.doyle@goodcounselcollege.ie
Beginning of School Year – opening is subject to DES guidance still to be issued.
School starts for 1st years only, subject to changes due to covid19, on Tuesday September 1st. This day will finish at 1.20pm. Your son will need to be collected as buses may not run at this time.
What time should students be here on the first day?
The day will start at 9.00 am but we recommend students arriving around 8.30 am so that they can mingle and chat.
Can I come with my child on the first day?
Many parents/guardians choose to drop their son to the school on the first day. The Principal, Deputy Principals, Year head, Prefects and Unitas Leaders will be there to greet everyone!
What does he need to bring on his first day?
A pen, a copy and his Student Journal. We will provide a snack and light lunch on the day. If he has specific dietary need you should provide those.
Throughout the School Year.
What time does school start and finish?
The school day starts at 9.00 am. Students should arrive to school in good time to organise books etc and to be ready for class to begin at 9:00am. School will finish at 4 pm. In the first term, to October, 1st Year students will finish at 3:55pm.
What time does the school building open?
The school building opens at 8:15am. The dining room is open at this time where students can avail of a free cup of tea and purchase toast or sausages.
Are students allowed to leave school during lunch or school day?
Students are not allowed to leave school during the day or at lunch time. If a student needs to leave the school parents should complete the note at the reverse of his Student Journal on the morning he is due to leave. He must then be collected and signed out from the school office.
Are there canteen facilities in the school?
There are canteen facilities in school. Students can also bring a packed lunch each day. We have microwaves and sandwich toasters available to students in the Dining Room and Assembly Hall to heat food or toast sandwiches.
What time is lunch?
Morning break 10:20 – 10:40 am. Lunch 1.20 – 2.00 pm
Will students get a locker?
Not all first years will receive a locker but they can be made available on a needs basis.
We look froward to welcoming your son into the College in September. We will keep you up to date with any changes around start dates etc due to government advice and restrictions. Keep an eye on our website and twitter accounts for regular updates regarding the College. They are www.goodcounselcollege.ie and @GCC_NewRoss respectively. This week we have our remote Unitas Wellbeing Week for students and staff. You might want to get involved in some of the activities to get a taste of life in GCC. https://goodcounselcollege.ie/unitas/
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any query, no matter how big or small, and we will do our best to answer it.
We look froward to meeting your son , watching him grow and contributing to his new school community. In the meantime, enjoy the good weather, stay safe and look after each other.
Kind regards,
