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Dear Mams, Dads and Good Counsel Girls,
The summer holidays are almost over and we hope that you had an enjoyable break from school. The new school year will begin for all pupils on Thursday 1st September and we are looking forward to seeing you again.
To help you to plan for Thursday, here is some information that may be useful for you.
- Our ‘Stop, Drop/Pick Up, Go’ system has been very successful over the last two years as we dealt with Covid-19. The girls have told us that they enjoy being greeted by the staff as they arrive every morning, and it has helped to create a calm start to the school day so we will continue with that practice.
- Mams and Dads, if you are dropping or picking up by car, please do not get out of your car. The staff will take the children from the car in the morning and bring them back to the car in the afternoon. The system operates really well when everyone works together so we are relying on your ongoing co-operation.
- School starting time is 9.10a.m. (There is a separate timetable for Junior Infants for the first two weeks of school). Staff will be outside the gate to receive the children until 9.20a.m. and the gates will then be closed. On wet mornings, to allow for more traffic, the girls should arrive no later than 9.30a.m.
- School finishes at the following times:
- Junior and Senior Infants @ 1.50p.m. (Separate timetable for J. Infs. for two weeks)
- First and Second Class @ 2.45p.m.
- Third to Sixth Class @ 2.50p.m.
It may take us a little while to get back into the swing of things, but if we all have patience, then we will get everyone moving as quickly as possible. As far as possible, we encourage the children to walk, scoot or cycle safely to school. We have a covered bicycle rack and we would love to see it being used!
Girls, whether you come to school by car, on the bus, walking, scooting or cycling, help to keep yourself safe by wearing your hi-vis jacket to school every day.
During the school day,
- We will no longer have staggered lunch breaks and all the children will return to being on the yard at the same time. The yards are divided so that Junior and Senior Infants, First and Second Classes, Third and Fourth Classes, Fifth and Sixth Classes will each have a separate area for play.
- The girls have been so diligent about hand hygiene over the past two years. We will continue to emphasise hand hygiene and cough etiquette to help minimise the spread of coughs, colds and Covid-19. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/how-to-clean-your-hands/
- We will continue to make use of the CO2 monitors in classroom to ensure adequate ventilation.
Mams and Dads, please keep your child home from school if she is unwell and be sure to send a note/email to your child’s teacher to explain any absence. Teachers email addresses should only be used to provide information about illnesses, absences or appointments with doctors, dentists, etc. If you need to speak with a teacher about any other matter, please contact the school office and the teacher will get back to you as soon as possible.
It is very important to make sure that your contact details are up to date in case of emergency.
- If your mobile phone number, address or email address have changed please let us know. You can contact the office on 051 832984.
Our newsletter ‘The School Bell’ is uploaded to the school’s website every second Thursday during the school year so be sure to check in regularly for all the latest news. The calendar for 2022/2023 will be included in the first newsletter on Thursday 8th September.
Thanks to your wonderful support and the hard work of our staff and the Board of Management, we managed our way successfully through two very challenging school years. As we move past Covid-19 restrictions, we look forward to working with you for the benefit of all our wonderful Good Counsel Girls.
Enjoy the next few days girls, get back into your school bedtime routine and remember, on Thursday morning be nice to Mam or Dad as they help to get you out to school.
With kind regards, Miss O’Reilly and the Staff of Good Counsel GNS
End of Year Reports
Dear Mams and Dads,
Today, you will receive an email with your child’s End of Year Report attached. Please watch this little video which explains what the report is all about. https://goodcounselgns.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/My-End-of-Year-Report.mp4
Well done to the girls and their teachers for their hard work this past year. It’s almost time to relax and enjoy the holidays.😊
Important Information
First to Sixth Class 2022-2023
Today, the children who will be in First to Sixth Classes next September, will bring home a Book Rental Contract. Our Book Rental Scheme covers the cost of all text books, extra reading materials and resources, and access to online learning platforms. We are keeping costs to an absolute minimum and we encourage everyone to participate. This year, we have moved to an online payment system which we hope will be much more convenient for parents. So, what do you need to do next?
- In the next day or so, you will receive an email with details of how you can register on the Databiz Portal (www.databizsolutions.ie) to take part in the Book Rental scheme.
- Once you have registered, you will receive a request to make an online payment.
- Make the payment.
- Sign the Book Rental Contract that your child brings home today and return it to her teacher.
This is a new system for all of us, so if you have any trouble, please contact the school office on 051-832984.
Fun Sports Day
Our school Fun Sports Day will take place (weather permitting) on Friday June 10th in the school grounds.Due to the cost of hiring buses, we have decided not to book any school tours this year. So, to make our Sports Day a little more fun, we have hired some inflatable activities that the girls can enjoy, together with the usual Sports Day events. To cover the costs, we are asking each child to contribute €3. This may be sent to your child’s teacher any time before June 10th. Unfortunately, this year, we cannot invite parents to join us for the day but we know the girls will have lots of fun.
Calendar 2022-2023
The school calendar for 2022-2023 has been agreed with St. Mary’s BNS. It will be published in our school newsletter on Thursday. Please check the School Bell tab on www.goodcounselgns.ie on Thursday 26th May.
Thoughtful Thursday
Today, the girls are focussing on being kind and thoughtful to their classmates. They learn how to be kind from the great example shown by their Mams and Dads, and their teachers. As a staff, we are very grateful for all the little acts of kindness shown to us by parents, whether it is a smile at the drop off or pick up, a card or an email to say ‘Thank you’, or a chocolate egg at Easter – nothing goes un-noticed.
‘Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.’ Henry James
Wellbeing Wednesday
Today we are thinking about the things that make us happy. There’s nothing like dancing along to a good song to lift the spirits, so find some time today to dance like nobody’s watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZSe6N_BXs
Thankful Tuesday
Today, the girls are talking about the things that make them thankful. As a school staff, we are thankful for the support and co-operation of the whole school community and for the wonderful girls who attend Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS.
