Run, skip, jump and play, Let’s be active every day.
It’s Good to be Back!
Dear Dads, Mums, Pupils and Staff,
A very warm welcome back to everyone in our school community. We had such a wonderful summer with lots of sunshine, and in spite of the rain today, we hope the good weather will continue for a little while yet.
While we all enjoyed the summer break, it is good to be back to the school routine and it was such a pleasure to see the girls smiling, happy and ready for a busy year ahead last Monday morning.
I look forward to working with all of you this year as we continue o build a happy learning environment for the girls. Wishing all of you a successful year at school. It’s good to be back!

Yours sincerely,
C. O’Reilly – Principal
Welcome
You will have noticed a few new faces since we returned to school. We welcome Ms. Deirdre Kissane, who is teaching Fifth Class and Mrs. Clare Burke who is teaching Third Class.
Miss Susan Rellis has rejoined us after five years working in the Middle East—Marhabaan bieawdatik Susan. We are also happy to welcome Mrs. Jean Evans who will work with us as a substitute SNA while Ms. Moore is on Maternity Leave.
Welcome to Good Counsel.
Congratulations
It’s great to begin the new school year with some good news.Congratulations to Mr. Cathal Dooley who has been appointed as a permanent member of our staff.
We were delighted to hear the news that Ms. Moore’s baby boy Fionn arrived safely at the end of August. Congratulations to Ms. Moore, to her husband Johnny and of course to Sean who will be a great big brother.
More Good News
Our Board of Management has recently received some good news from the Department of Education and Skills (DES). The DES has sanctioned funding to allow the Board to build a new classroom extension to the school. The Board will now progress with the process and we will keep you informed of developments.
Over the summer months, the Board of Management bought some new furniture for four classrooms, so all the girls now have lovely, modern tables and chairs which should help them to work even harder!
Parents Plus Parenting Programme
St Brigid’s Family & Community Centre is organising a Parents Plus Parenting Programme for parents/guardians of primary school age children. The course hopes to help parents gain support of other parents and find down-to-earth solutions for difficult situations. The focus of the course is positive and aims to build on your strengths as a parent and what you are already doing right.
The course will take place on Wednesday mornings from 10.00am – 12.30pm starting 12th September– 14th November 2018 in St Brigid’s Family & Community Centre, 37 Lower Yellow Road, Waterford. Places are limited and the cost is €10 (includes the Parenting Course Booklet). For more information or to book your place please contact Mags or Carmel on 051 – 375261.
Well Done
Our new Junior Infants have made a great start and they are lining up so nicely every morning. You and your families are welcome to our school.
Text A Parent
We use the Text a Parent service to keep in touch with you about school events. If you haven’t already done so, please download the free TextaParent App to your phone. School messages and calendar updates can now be sent to the App.
https://app.textaparent.ie/get/app
David Coleman Talks
Renowned Clinical Psychologist David Coleman will be giving a talk about “Effective Communication with Children and Teenagers” in Waterford this October.
The talk will take place in the Tower Hotel on October 24th from 7-9p.m.
For more information on the talk or to book a ticket, check out https://bookwhen.com/livelifenow or www.rosariiryan.ie
Parents’ Association News
Good Counsel Parents’ Association welcomes everyone back to school after the summer holidays. We hope that you had a wonderful time and that you enjoyed the beautiful weather.
We are always looking for new ideas so if you’d like to be involved in your Parents’ Association, please contact the school office on 051 832984, leave your name and number and a member of the Committee will get back to you.
Summer Reading Challenge
Well done to the 28 girls from our school who took part in the Summer Reading Challenge in Ferrybank Library. Karyn, the Librarian is delighted that so many of you took part and she will present your certificates at our first Assembly of the school year. Congratulations girls!
Condolences
We offer our sincere condolences to the Sacred Heart of Mary Community on the death of Sr. Mary Dunne, former Principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS. Sr. Mary died during the month of August.
We would also like to extend our deepest sympathy to Tracey, whose brother-in-law Martin died earlier this week. May he rest in peace. Please keep Tracey’s sister Celine, her three little nieces and the wider family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Remember: 20 Past Nine – In Your Line