School Newsletter 18, 2011/12

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First year students were treated to a reading and a visit from novelist Dermot Bolger on Friday 27th Jan. The boys are studying the novel in their English class. This is Dermot’s first novel for teenagers. He said he wanted to write a novel for his sons before they got too old. The novel is set in Dublin and it features teenage struggles, changelings and strange happenings in the Hell Fire Club.

Dermot chose an exciting section to read and he captivated his audience. He then answered the many questions the lads had about the novel, writing and his life as a novelist. His warmth, sense of humour and honesty impressed the boys. Hopefully he has inspired some future authors. Dermot was extremely generous with his time and he signed copies of his book and had a chat with many lads.

Students realise how lucky they were to meet an author they are studying. Dermot was delighted with the response and has contacted the school to compliment the boys on their interest. He was delighted to see them so engaged with the novel. Most of all Dermot appreciated the welcome he received in Good Counsel.

On Thursday a book fair took place throughout the day in the school assembly hall with a vast array of titles for sale at very reasonable prices. There was considerable interest among the students who snapped up some bargains. Thanks to Ms Cushen and Ms Kinsella for organising and overseeing the event, a very worthwhile effort to encourage reading, an incalculable help to learning.

Students realise how lucky they were to meet an author they are studying. Dermot was delighted with the response and has contacted the school to compliment the boys on their interest. He was delighted to see them so engaged with the novel. Most of all Dermot appreciated the welcome he received in Good Counsel.

On Thursday a book fair took place throughout the day in the school assembly hall with a vast array of titles for sale at very reasonable prices. There was considerable interest among the students who snapped up some bargains. Thanks to Ms Cushen and Ms Kinsella for organising and overseeing the event, a very worthwhile effort to encourage reading, an incalculable help to learning.

The ‘Mocks’ have been taking place over the past 8 school days, finishing on Friday. It is an intense period for those sitting the exams with so much condensed into a relatively short time. Now that they are completed, hopefully those students in exam classes will push ahead and keep working over the remaining weeks of the school year.

A group of TY students headed off for a hike and overnight hostel stay in the Wicklow mountains around the beautiful scenic area of Glendalough. This trip was undertaken as part of their Gaisce award.

There was disappointment on the sports field over the past 10 days with both U-14 and U-16 footballers losing out in their respective Leinster semi finals to St Patricks, Navan. Both games were won by very slim margins and if a higher percentage of the many chances created had been converted either game could have had a different result.

The Senior hurlers also bowed out of the championship when losing to Kilkenny CBS in a game played in wet conditions in Thomastown on Saturday last. Despite a valiant effort the Counsel boys could never seem to create the scoring opportunities their defensive and midfield efforts deserved.

Manty thanks to the coaches of all the teams for the enormous effort that goes in throughout the year, including holiday periods.

Rehearsals for the school musical, ‘The Hot Mikado’, continue so be sure to watch out for tickets when they go on sale. Previous experience tells us that they sell out very quickly.

The school closes for the mid term this Friday re-opening on Monday, February 20th.

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