Latest News
North Quay Development – Abbey Road Plans
Please see the images below regarding the works in the Ferrybank area and the Abbey road itself. Note that our school is to benefit greatly from the works. To date, a new staff car park has been built which means that the girls have more space on the yard during break time. We will also see a drop off and collect area outside the school and a new basketball court as labelled on the image below. Although the current works and traffic delays are frustrating for everyone, the medium/long term picture is bright all going well.
On this map, you can see the current Abbey Road (in blue) with the new development underneath.
Traffic Management from January 8th 2024
We have been given an advanced notice regarding Traffic Management in Fountain Street & Abbey Road starting on January 8th 2024. Please see the information below.
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The affect for Abbey Road users will be:
- The free flow route onto Fountain Street heading for Rice bridge will be closed.
- The pedestrian route towards Rice bridge will have to be re-routed as per marked up photo (below) – the pedestrian crossing in front of the Mandarin Palace will be closed.
- HGVs will not be permitted to turn left.
- Vehicles (except HGVs) will still be allowed to turn left heading towards Rice bridge, but they will be subject to the traffic lights.
New Board of Management
The role of the Board of Management is to manage the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of the students and to provide an appropriate education for each student at the school. The board is comprised of two patrons representatives, the principal, a teachers representative, two parents representatives and two community representatives which operate over a four year term, this new term being from December 2023 – November 2027.
Our newly appointed board:
Chairperson; Ger Duggan
Patrons Representative; Fr. Roderick Whearty
Principal; Jamie Nagle
Teachers Representative; Clare Burke
Parents Representatives; Michelle Daly and Damien Walsh
Community Representatives: Sr. Mary Gough and Billy Doyle
We look forward to working with our new Board over the next four years.
Return to School
Our Lady of Good Counsel Ferrybank
Return to School – August 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope you are all well and that you had a lovely summer. Like every year, the time to return to school is
fast approaching. As you already know, school will reopen tomorrow morning, Thursday, August 31st. I
would like to inform you of some changes and important points to note on your daughter’s return to
school.
Opening Times and Drop Off
The school day here in Good Counsel starts at 9.10 am – classes start at this time. The school gates will
open at 9.00am for the coming year which is ten minutes earlier than last year. It is your duty to bring
your child to the school gate whether you travel by car or walk. You are welcome to drive into the drop offarea outside the school gate. It is requested that you do not block the lanes of traffic in order to keep
traffic moving.
It is vital that your child’s arrives to school and is collected on time so please do your very best to ensure
this occurs daily.
Parents are not permitted to enter the yard in the mornings – please bring your daughter to the
gate and she can go to her class area in the yard of her own accord.
Your daughter is welcome to enter the yard at this time and play until the bell goes. The yards will be
appropriately supervised from 9.00 am. Please note that there will be no supervision before this time and
your daughter is not permitted to be on the yard due to health, safety and insurance issues.
Note; Please avoid dropping your daughter to school before the above times especially on
wet/very cold mornings.
Collection at end of school day
Collection times remain unchanged from last year.
Finishing times:
Junior Infants; 12.30pm (for the first 12 school days) 1.45pm from Monday September 18th
Senior Infants; 1.45pm
1st and 2nd class; 2.45pm
3rd, 4th,5th and 6th class; 2.50pm
Collection procedures will be the same as last year. If collecting by car, you may wait in one of the three
lanes in the drop off area. When your child’s class comes out, the teacher or another member of staff will
bring your child to your car. Please remain in your car during collection.
New Car Park
We are delighted that our staff car park is just about finished and ready for use for the new school year.
Please note that this is a staff only car park and is not to be used by parents or people dropping
children off to school. A barrier will be in place in the coming weeks to ensure this is the case. You are
still very welcome to drive into the drop off area that has always been used – please stay in lane to
ensure easy access and exit for all.
New pupils on the first day of school
We are delighted to welcome new pupils in many classes across the school. On the first day of school
we will meet you and your parent(s) at the gate and you will be all shown where to go and where your
class is. You are all very welcome here in Good Counsel and we are delighted to have you.
School Book Scheme
As communicated at the end of the last school year, the Department of Education have provided funding
to all primary schools to buy books for all children. You do not have to buy any books as they will be
provided here. Your daughter is asked to bring her school bag and lunch to school. She is also welcome
to bring a pencil case/pencils/colours etc although she will be provided with them if required.
Photocopying
Although all of the books are provided, you are required to pay for photocopying for your daughter for theschool year. The amounts are below and payment is by cash only please. Your daughter may give this
amount to the class teacher in an envelope with her name on it or it can be given to Tracey our secretary.
Junior and Senior Infants: €30
1st class – 6th class: €25
School Uniform
As ever, the girls are required to wear a full school uniform coming to school every day. The girls may
wear a tracksuit on P.E. day which will be assigned by their class teacher.
A full uniform consists of:
A pinafore/skirt
School shirt
Tie
Jumper
Navy/white socks or tights
Flat black shoes
Junior Infants
We are delighted to welcome our incoming Junior Infant class for the coming year. For the parents,
please remember that school for the incoming Juniors starts at 9.30am for the first day of school. You are
welcome to walk your daughter into the yard/to her class for the first day of school.
The Junior infants will finish at 12.30pm for the first 12 days of school. We will be in touch to remind you
when time changes.
New Staff
We are delighted to welcome three new staff members to our team here in Good Counsel for the coming
year. Ms Alice Hutchinson will take up the position of Senior Infants class teacher and Ms. Aoife White
will be the Special Education Teacher (SET) for the coming year. Mrs. Aine Morrissey will take up the
position of SNA for the coming year also. Best wishes to all in your new posts!
North Quay Traffic
It is great to see such activity along the North Quay. Please bear in mind that with such activity and
progress comes disruption. There will be traffic disruption in Ferrybank and around our school for the
foreseeable future. I will endeavour to update the school community on any information provided to me
regarding such disruption. It is important that you give yourself extra time in the morning and afternoons
and please be patient as delays are expected.
Wishing you all a happy return to school and an enjoyable school year.
Yours sincerely,
J. Nagle
Principal
Summer Time!!
Dear Parents, Guardians, Pupils and Friends of the school,
I hope this update finds everyone well and that you are all ready for the summer break. We have had a very busy few weeks as the school year draws to a close. I hope you all received your daughter’s report card in the post and all of the other information that was included. If you didn’t, please give Tracey, our secretary a call and we will get it sorted.
The girls were given the opportunity to meet their new class teacher in their new classroom on Friday for a little while! They were all very excited and I’m sure they will all quickly settle into their new classes in the new school year!
Last Tuesday we welcomed the new junior infants and their parents. We are delighted to have met you all and I hope you are all looking forward to the new school year in late August.
We also bade farewell to the 6th class girls on Friday who had their graduation in school. Many thanks to all parents who attended – we hope you all enjoyed the ceremony which was very entertaining and emotional it must be said! Thank you to Ms. Burke and all of the teachers and staff for their efforts over the years in providing an education to the girls to help them better themselves and to prepare them for secondary school. All the best to the girls both in secondary school and in the future. You all have the world at your feet!
Staff
Congratulations to Ms. Claire Harney who is one of our SET teachers who recently had a baby boy. We hope you are all doing well!
Congratulations also to Ms. Jean Evans, SNA who will be moving schools to St. Senan’s, Kilmacow next year. Although we are very sad to lose you, we wish you the very best in your new school!
Sports Day
Everyone had a great day in school on Thursday last for Sports Day. Thank you to Ms. Shanahan for her efforts in planning the day out so well for all the classes! The girls enjoyed a day full of activities including an Inflatable obstacle course, an inflatable slide and ice pops to cool down on what was a beautiful day!
Please click on the link to see some of the photos taken on the day – Sports Day 2023 (Photos)
Useful information for parents
Summer Stars Reading Adventure – Waterford Libraries recently launched the Summer Stars Reading Adventure. This would be a great way to keep your daughter busy and reading over the summer. Our library here in Ferrybank will be partaking in the initiative.
Please read the letter here – Summer Stars Reading Adventure – Letter to Parents
You will find more information on Summer Stars here – Summer Stars information
Ferrybank AFC – Members of Ferrybank AFC have been in touch with the school and have asked us to pass on a message to parents regarding girls soccer and summer camps. Please click here – Message from Ferrybank AFC
Primary Curriculum – The Department of Education are in the process of making changes to the Primary Curriculum with more changes planned in the future. It is important parents are kept up to date with these changes and relevant information can be found here – Primary Curriculum – Information for parents. Please note that the leaflet on the above link is available in many different languages on the page.
North Quays Newsletter – You can keep up to date with the developments on the North Quay here – North Quays Newsletter (June)
Half Day on Wednesday
A gentle reminder that we get our Summer holidays tomorrow, Wednesday, June 28th:
Junior and Senior Infants @ 12.10pm
1st and 2nd class @ 12.15pm
3rd – 6th class @ 12.20pm
Finally, just a message to you all to wish you the best for the summer holidays. On what has been a busy year for the school in many ways, I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome I have received since I arrived in late January. We are very lucky to have such a hard working staff who want only the best for every girl that comes through our door. Thank you to the Board of Management and Parents Association for their help and hard work in making our school a better place for everyone. Thanks to all of the parents and thank you to the girls themselves who continue to be a pleasure to work with.
Have a lovely summer and we will see everyone back on Thursday, August 31st.
All the best,
J. Nagle – Principal
Amber Flag
The Wellbeing Warriors made the announcement we have been awarded our Amber Flag renewal today. A huge thank you to the children, staff and committee for their hard work during the year. It goes to show that by working together, we can achieve wonderful things.
Camogie
A huge thank you to Doxer Burns for teaching First -Fourth Class camogie skills over the last few weeks in Ferrybank GAA itch. The girls had a great time and learnt some new skills.
Ms. Shanahan
June update!
Dear Parents, Guardians, Pupils and Friends of the school,
As we get closer to the summer holidays, I am looking to update you on what’s happening in school and some other important information regarding reports, booklists for next year etc.
School Reports and Booklists
School reports will be posted out today, Friday to all families. In the envelope you will receive;
- Your daughter(s) report card
- Information on standardised tests (1st – 6th class)
- A school calendar for next year
- Information about booklists and photocopying and what the girls need for school for the coming school year
- Information regarding your daughters teacher next year.
As previously communicated, parents will not have to pay for school books/book rental for the coming school year. Instead, thanks to funding from the Department of Education, all books and copies will be provided to your daughter(s) free of charge on the first day of the new school year.
Please note that photocopying costs will still stand in all classes. These will be;
- €30 for girls in Junior and Senior infants
- €25 for girls in 1st to 6th class
It is kindly asked that you pay the appropriate amount in September.
School Tours
School tours are in full flow and the girls have really enjoyed the tours that have happened so far.
3rd and 4th class had a great day out at the Wexford Heritage Park and the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience.
Junior and Senior infants had a super day yesterday in the Copper Coast Farm.
5th and 6th are surfing today, Friday in Tramore.
1st and 2nd class will be in Lismore Heritage Centre for their tour on Monday, June 26th.
A big thank you to the Parents Association for their help in subsidising the tours, thank you to the teachers for their work in sorting the trips and to Tracey, our secretary for all of her hard work in the office!!
Junior Infant Induction
We look forward to welcoming our incoming Junior Infants and their parent(s) on Tuesday coming, June 20th. We hope you will all feel very welcome in your new school!!
Sports Day
We will hold a Sports Day for the girls on Thursday next, June 22nd. We have some lovely ideas in mind for the day. Unfortunately, we are not in the position to invite parents in on the day.
Graduation
We will hold a graduation for the 6th class girls on Friday next, June 23rd. Parents of the 6th class girls have been sent information regarding the event. We look forward to seeing all of the 6th class parents to give the girls a lovely send off!
Closing Date
We will be closing for the Summer Holidays on Wednesday, June 28th. Collection times are;
Junior and Senior Infants; 12.10pm
1st and 2nd Class; 12.15pm
3rd – 6th Class; 12.20pm
I will be in touch again before we finish up for the summer.
Yours sincerely,
J.Nagle
Principal
Summer Fun
Dear Parents, Guardians, Pupils and Friends of the school,
Since I last reached out to you, there has been a lot going on in our school. Firstly, a big congratulations
to the 6th class girls who celebrated their Confirmation last night with the boys from St. Marys B.N.S.
Many thanks to Mrs. Burke for all of her hard work in preparing the girls and to Fr. O’ Shea for his help in
the preparations and for a lovely ceremony. The girls were exemplary on the night and we hope that
everyone enjoyed the occasion.
Athletics
On Tuesday May 16th, 24 of the girls represented the school at the Primary School Athletics in the RSC.
The girls had a great day and got to both meet and compete against other schools. We even had a
medal winner! Thank you to Mrs. Burke and Miss. Kelly for bringing the girls…Well done everyone!
Rhythm and Shakes
1st, 5th and 6th class are currently receiving Rhythm and Shakes lessons every Monday for 6 weeks with Cathy. I know the girls really enjoy it and I was lucky enough to be treated for an excellent performancefrom 6th class last Monday. Keep up the good work!
Visit from Sr. Maria
Last Thursday we had a visit from Sr. Maria from the Ossary Diocesan Office who came to talk to the
girls about how they are getting on in school and what they are learning. As ever, she was very
impressed with all of the girls who were all on their best behaviour. Sr. Maria is always very welcome in
our school and we look forward to welcoming her back in the future.
Photographs
Just a reminder to parents that school photographs will be taken tomorrow, Friday in the school and that
your daughter is to wear her uniform. The photos will include class photos, individual photos and photos
with siblings. Information regarding purchasing photos (if you so wish) will go out in the next couple of
weeks.
Dates for your Diary
School Closures;
Monday and Tuesday June 5th and 6th (Bank Holiday weekend)
Wednesday June 28th – School closes for the Summer break between 12:10pm and 12.20pm.
Yard time
With the weather getting better, the girls in Juniors – 2nd class have had the opportunity to get to play onthe grass area at the back of the school during break time. They are having great fun and are enjoying
the bigger space! Please remember to apply suncream to your child before school and to ensure that
they have plenty of drinks and a hat.
School Tours
With school tours quickly approaching, just a gentle reminder to parents that we are continuing to take
payments (cash) for the school tours. If you have a daughter in 3rd/4th class, payment is due tomorrow for their tours. Please feel free to contact the school in confidence if you wish to discuss payment of your
child’s tour.
I will be in touch again in the next few weeks.
Yours sincerely,
J. Nagle – Principal
Camogie
Our u11 and u13 teams were in action last Monday in Kill. We played against two very strong Kill sides. The girls played exceptionally well and they never gave up. We are so proud of the girls who represent our school so well.They are also excellent role models for the younger girls and they have helped generate interest among our younger girls. A huge thank you to parents who helped us to fund the buses. Your generosity makes commuting to these matches possible.
Amber Flag
We had a jam packed wellbeing week and we hope everyone enjoyed themselves. It was fantastic to try out activities like Zumba dancing (thank you Board of Management for funding), food tasting and cooperative games. A big thank you to the girls who led our cooperative games. They took their roles very seriously and it was a lovely morning. Another highlight of the week was Wear your Bright Colors Day. It always puts everyone in a good mood to see such bright colours around the school. We raised €304 as a result of your kindness. All money raised will go towards end of year activities.
On a separate note, the application for Amber Flag was completed and sent off last week. We are waiting to hear back from Pieta House if we were successful so fingers crossed 
Incredible Edibles
Fifth class have been working on the Agri Aware Incredibles Programme since the start of
this year. They have been learning about Irish food produce and following it from farm to
plate. They have learned about the role fresh produce plays in a healthy balanced diet. Over
the last few months they have also participated in Zoom calls with Agri Aware on topics of
food origin and healthy eating. They have been busy growing their own vegetables in the
school garden – planting potatoes, carrots, turnips, lettuce, chieves and strawberries. In the
coming weeks, we look forward to cooking and tasting the potatoes and hopefully the
strawberries will ripen soon. This week they submitted their logbook of learning to Agri
Aware in Dublin to showcase their amazing work. Well done to all our future growers and
gardeners.
Africa Day
Africa Day is celebrated on the 25 th of May. It is an annual worldwide celebration of the
people, cultures, food, music and dance from the African Continent. Our school and pupils
share many links with different countries on the continent of Africa. To mark this day in
school, we shared stories through beautiful picture books on different aspects of African
culture with all the classes. We have a very colourful flag display, created by fourth class,
showcasing all flags of the countries in Africa. There were two displays showing artifacts,
pottery, wooden animals, African patterns, famous African people and some beautiful books.
We would like to say a big thank you to our past pupil, who visited the classes in native dress
and spoke about different aspects of living in Africa. We had a wonderful day. we would like to wish all families and friends celebrating today and at the weekend a Happy Africa Day.
Miss Kelly
