On Friday morning Minister for Education, Mr. Batt O’Keeffe paid a courtesy visit to the school, spending an hour on the school campus. He was met on arrival by a delegation of staff, management, trustees, parents and student prefects. Also present were Mr. Sean Connick, T.D. and his wife, many local councillors, members of the press and some of his own staff. His visit coincided with parent – teacher meetings and as such he saw a calmer, quieter place than would ordinarily be the case.
After a tour of the school facilities the minister joined parents and staff for a cup of tea in the dining room where head prefect Sam Harte presented him with a hamper of local produce while Mr. Connick was given a Good Counsel jersey which he promised to wear during his appearance on ‘Operation Transformation’. The minister spoke about the contribution to education of the Augustinian order, the great work being done currently by teachers and said how impressed he was by the layout and facilities of the school.
He finished by saying that he ‘would not be found wanting’ when it came to processing applications from the school under summer works or emergency works schemes. We will be holding him to that committment!
Thanks to all the parents who attended the parent/teacher meetings over the 3 days. Thanks also to all the teachers and staff for their co-operation in ensuring the smooth running of same, and in particular to Mr Younger for organising the arrangements and setting up the venue.
Our senior footballers played St. Patricks, Navan in the senior A football championship on Wednesday and narrowly lost out in one of the finest games of football one could wish to see. The final scoreline was 2 -11 to 1 -11 and the Counsel lads will feel it could easily have been different but for a few costly mistakes which were punished to the full by a vary sharp Navan forward line. It is difficult to single out any individuals from such a great team effort but prospects for the future are good judging by the performances from some of the younger players. The senior hurlers now will start the defence of their Leinster title against Birr C.S. next week.
A better result was achieved on Friday when the Juvenile footballers won their South Leinster semi final in another epic against Patrician, Newbridge. The final scoreline was 3-9 to 2-10 with outstanding performances from Robert Vallejo, Lee Norris, Sean Stafford, Michael Bolger, Darren Carthy and captain Dylan Carthy Walsh. They now play Naas CBS in the final on Friday next. Best of luck to all involved.
Congratulations also to second year students John Walsh and Dale Flynn who qualifief for the Leinster semi final in U – 15 handball doubles, 40 x 20 on Thursday last.
On Monday and Tuesday, January 25th and 26th, a HSE team will be in the school administering the swine flu vaccination to all the students who wish to avail of it. Hopefully this will not cause too much disruption.
