Our annual open day for boys in 6th class primary and their parents/guardians takes place tomorrow, Saturday 7th Nov. from 10am to 12.30pm.
During the past week two second year classes visited Dail Eireann as part of their CSPE project work. Thanks to Ms Langton and Ms Doyle who accompanied them and to our past pupil, Senator John Paul Phelan who facilitated their visit and met them on the day.
Another well known past pupil, Irish soccer star, Kevin Doyle, very kindly sent on to the school the jersey he wore in the recent international game with Italy. Signed by Kevin it is framed and will hang proudly in the sports hall.
Good Counsel College 3nd year student, Jack Allen is off to St. Petersburg, Russia to compete in the World Age Games where he will represent Ireland in the Tumbling discipline of the Gymnastics competition.
One of only 6 Irish gymnasts at the games, Jack will compete in the boys 13 to 14 age group.
Currently ranked 12th in the world and holder of the British Open and David Ward Cup titles Jack is also All Ireland Community Games champion. In St. Petersburg he will be competing against 20 other countries including Great Britain, Brazil, Portugal, U.S.A Pakistan and Argentina.
Needless to say to reach this standard in any sport requires extraordinary ability and not a small amount of dedication and commitment. Jack travels to Cavan each weekend to train under Irish head coach Mr. Craig Filmer. All his schoolmates and friends wish him the best of luck.
Last week a group of boys who sat their Junior Certificate last summer were presented with certificates in Waterford Institute of Technology for achieving A grade in Higher Level Business Studies. Not all could attend. The photograph below shows students, Peadar Cody, Shane Doherty and Simon Dunphy along with their teacher, Mr John Bourke at the presentation. Congratulations to those students and to their teachers.
In sporting activity this week, the first year footballers had a great win in the Keevans Cup final against St Peters College in both the A and B finals. Well done to them and their coaches, Mr Kehoe, Mr Lyne and Mr Wall.
The senior football team on the other hand had a one point loss in the South Leinster A Final against a talented Athy CBS team on Wednesday last. The game played in Kildavin was a tight affair throughout with the Kildare edging victory with a late point from Kildare minor Darrock Mulhall. The championship remains the focus and with a bye in the first round Good Counsel will not be out until the New Year. Next week the Senior hurling league campaign gets under way with a game against St Kierans College, never the handiest of opening games!
A continuing reminder to all our past pupils that there is a get together organised for December 28th in the Brandon House hotel, the focus of which are college teams 89 to 99. All are welcome, subject to ticket availability. More details will follow on this.
Transition Year collection for Autism
TY1 and TY2 chose 6 people from each class to sell teddy bears for €3 each and roses for €2 each. Each pair collected from three different places which were Centra, AIB and South Main Street and North Main Street.
I was one of those who were chosen from TY1. I was selling at Centra from 9 until half past 12. The weather was awful as it was very cold, windy and wet. This seemed to no effect to the people of New Ross who were incredibly generous and friendly. We sold in pairs and even though it was a wet day we didn’t let it affect our spirits.
We stood by the door until the weather took a turn for the worst. We then moved to either side of the automatic door but we didn’t block the doorway. As people walked by we gave a simple “hello” and if they wished to donate they would stop and if not we let them go about their business. We didn’t hassle people and even then they stopped to give to the cause.
We collected a total of €1500 between the group, which shows how generous the people of New Ross are. It is an amazing achievement and the donation was greatly appreciated by Autism Ireland.
Thomas Murphy TY1