This being mid term break gives us a chance to catch up on a few recent events and to flag a few upcoming ones not forgetting to mention that the mocks begin next week for Junior Cert. and Leaving Cert. students. We wish them all the best in those and hope that they will benefit greatly from them with the real thing in mind a few months hence.
2 weeks ago,students from the only 3 Augustinian schools in Britain and Ireland came together to compete in the inaugural Augustinian schools Rugby blitz which was held in Dungarvan. Students and teachers from Good Counsel College and St. Augustines College, Dungarvan were joined by those from Austin Friars Secondary in Carlisle, England. The purpose of the event was to foster links between the 3 schools and to recognise the special identity each has as an Augustinian school.
The English visitors were hosted on Thursday night in Dungarvan and on Friday night in Good Counsel where they were plied with the ‘Full Irish’ the following morning before they headed on to Croke Park for the Ireland v Italy game.
The rugby blitz, played in Dungarvan RFC resulted in wins for the Irish sides, the host school in U-15 and the Good Counsel in U-14. Our friends in St. Augustines treated the boys from all 3 schools along with their teachers to a wonderful lunch back at the school after the blitz. Many thanks to them for that. It is hoped that this event can be grown and developed into an annual event.
U-15 boys from opposing teams post match.
U- 14 boys after the game
The school swimmers competed in the National schools finals last weekend and picked up bronze in the senior relay medley. In addition to this, Luke Fitzgibbon has been selected on the Irish team to compete in the schools international in Scotland after picking up silver in the individual freestyle. Well done to all the lads and thanks to the parents who travelled with them to Cork for the event.
Just a reminder again of a few school related events taking place over the coming weeks.
First of all the Parents Council have managed to land renowned chef, Phelim Byrne, for a cookery demonstration evening in the school on Friday March 19th. His previous show was a complete sell out so it might be wise to get your tickets early from any of the Parents Council members or by ringing the college office.
As you might already know, the Good Counsel and St. Marys are putting on another musical production this year, namely ‘Les Miserables’. Again those of you who have attended past productions will be well aware of the extraordinary high standard of these shows and of the huge demand for tickets, particularly on the Friday and Saturday nights.
One other event to mention is the All Ireland Inter Schools Hunter Trials which Good Counsel College is this year hosting. This annual event, one of the most popular on the equestrian calendar, takes place on March 13th in Fenlons of Bagenalstown. There are over 400 competitors entered for the team and individual categories. A committee of parents, teachers and members of the National Executive has been hard at work putting in place all the necessary arrangements. This is a considerable undertaking and any parents, past pupils or interested parties who might like to help on the day can contact the school. All help would be greatly appreciated.
Slán go fóill.
