All in Good Counsel College were deeply saddened this week with the passing of Tom Walsh, a teacher at the school since 1976. Anyone who knew Tom as a colleague, friend, teacher, coach will testify to his kindness, his generosity, his dedication and essentially, his humanity. It would be impossible to imagine anyone having a bad word to say about a man who can only be described as a true gentlman in its most literal sense.
The regard in which the man was held was reflected in the attendance at his funeral. Among the huge crowd which spilled out of Cloughbawn church were great numbers of past pupils of the college in addition to the very many current students who were there with all the teachers of the school. Good Counsel closed for the day as a mark of respect to Tom and his death has left a void that won’t readily be filled.
All at Good Counsel College extend their deepest sympathies to Tom’s family and friends, Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
On Monday and Tueaday last staff of the HSE were in the school administering the Swine Flu vaccination to any students and staff who wished to avail of it. Although it was a considerable logistical exercise, it was carried out without too much disruption to the work of the school.
Further to his award from the Engineering teachers association for 1st place in Higher Level Junior Cert. Technology, the school was this week informed that Padraic McGrath has also been awarded 1st place in Ireland by the Technology teachers association. Furthermore, Luke Kavanagh was also awarded 1st place in Ireland for Leaving Cert. Applied Technology. In effect students of the school made a clean sweep of awards in this subject as Daniel Wall had previously been presented with 1st place in the country for Higher Level Leaving Cert. Technology. Congratulations to those students and to their teachers.
Due to the sad news of Tom Walsh’s death, the ‘Good Counsel’s Got Talent’ show was postponed as were the Senior Hurling and Juvenile Footballers matches which have now been refixed for Monday and Tuesday next respectively. The hurlers play Birr C.S. in Dicksboro while the young footballers play Naas CBS in Carlow.
Congratulations to Sean Flanagan, recent past pupil on his big race success in the Thyestes chase in Gowran last week.
