We hosted a large crowd of 6th class boys and their parents/guardians at our annual open day on Saturday last. Blessed with a fine dry morning, everyone had an opportunity to see the school facilities and ask questions of staff and students. It is always a welcome opportunity to invite new visitors and prospective students to the school and we thank all those who took the time to come along on the day. We must also thank the teachers, secretaries, caretaker, cleaners and dining room staff who put so much work into making the occassion as informative and pleasant as possible and also those current students who volunteered their time to help out.
Anyone wishing to enrol a student for 1st year, 2011/12, can get the necessary forms and information by contacting the school office. Completed applications must be received before 3pm on November 30th.
On Monday night last the cast of Les Miserables, the musical staged so successfully with St. Mary’s earlier in the year, presented a 30 minute excerpt from the original production in the Theatre Royal in Waterford as part of the Waterford International Music Festival. A total of 6 school productions were performed over 2 nights and the Good Counsel/St Marys performance received several category nominations with Padraic McGrath winning the Adjudicators’ award for vocal eloquence. Well done to Padraic and to all those students who gave up time to rehearse and perform. Many thanks also to the teachers and staff who likewise gave of their own time to prepare the show and accompany the group to Waterford.
We mentioned in a previous blog how 5 of last years Leaving Certificate class had been awarded UCD scholarships and one a J P McManus National Educational Achievement award. Another of the class, Brendan Browne will also receive a scholarship, this one from Trinity College where he is studying 1st year Medicine. Again well done to Brendan and to the others and best wishes to them in their studies.
This being the month of November, each year group participated in a prayer service of rememberance organised by the religion department during the week. Students were invited to bring forward candles bearing the names of those they wished to pray for while a book of rememberance in which the names of deceased can be written, remains open throughout the month in the school church.
The rugby teams had mixed fortunes during the week as the Junior side beat St. Conleth’s in the opening round of the cup while the snior side lost out to Sandford Park in their game. Thanks to Mr. McGinley for his work with the teams and good luck to the Juniors in their second round game on Monday next.
In Gaelic Games the Senior hurlers lost narrowly to Kilkenny CBS in their second game of the league played in Dicksboro on Wednesday. An encouraging performance and with sharper finishing the Counsel boys might have come out on top. Menwhile the junior football team began their campaign with a hard earned 1 point victory against St. Peters in a game played at home. It was a very competitive encounter between 2 sides who will both have serious hopes of going all the way.
A reminder once again that the Parents’ Council have arranged a Cookery Demonstration evening with Phelim Byrne for Thursday, Nov. 25th in the school and tickets are currently on sale. It is always a sell out so, as the adverts say, get your ticket early to avoid disappointment!
