What We Have Achieved Together this Year
Dear Mams, Dads, Pupils and Staff,
We have made it to the end of our first full school year since June 2019. Phew! Thanks to everyone who makes Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS such a special place, we have dealt with the challenges and made great progress. There is always room to improve but as we finish for the summer break, here is a little reminder of just some of our achievements this year.
- The girls and their teachers have worked extremely hard to achieve the targets in our School Improvement Plan. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we have had enormous improvement in our test scores for Vocabulary Development. We will continue to review and evaluate so that the great work continues.
- We enjoyed celebrating and taking part in Science Week, Maths Week, Engineers Week, Fire Safety Awareness Week, World Book Day, Intercultural Week, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Mother Languages Day, Africa Day, Friendship and Wellbeing Week, Poetry Day, Internet Safety Day, Sports Day and the list goes on!
- Our school was well represented by our Camogie and Basketball Teams, and over the past week, the girls have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Poc Fada and GAA skills competitions on the school grounds. Well done to Mr. Dooley, Mrs. Shanahan, Mrs. Foley and Mrs. Burke for giving so generously of their time.
- Our weekly Assembly on Zoom was a great success, and we looked forward to hearing the report of the week’s activities from each classroom. The children and staff also prepared beautiful, reflective Special Assemblies for the many Feast Days and Holy Days during the school year.
- Wednesday 22nd June was a very special day because it was the first time since 12th March 2020, that all the children and staff in the school were able to get together. We gathered outside in the lovely Outdoor Learning space that Miss Kelly is developing. It was an opportunity to celebrate the girls in Sixth Class who are moving on to Secondary School and it was a truly wonderful morning. Our thanks to Sr. Mary for taking the time to join us.
- Sixth Class treated us to a wonderful end of year show yesterday, and it was so good to be able to invite their family members to join us. Girls, we wish you well as you move on. We have watched you blossom into young ladies, and we know that you will continue to bloom in the years to come.
- Achieving our first Amber Flag to recognise the school’s efforts in promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing for all was a highlight. Mrs. Shanahan and her Wellbeing Warriors deserve great credit for all they do. Our school lights are now amber to reflect our special status.
Congratulations to all the girls who took part in various competitions and events during the 2021-2022 school year. Some special awards were presented at Assembly on Wednesday last.
- School Camogie Player of the Year 2021-2022 – Megan (Sixth Class)
- Good Counsel Good Citizen of the Year 2021-2022 – Amelie (Sixth Class)
- Poc Fada – Lilly May (Sixth Class)
- Staff Poc Fada – Mrs. Power
The children may be on holidays but the school will be a busy place during the summer months.
Mrs. Ryan has been working hard upgrading our ICT systems during the year, and during the coming break, she has arranged for the installation of smartboards in every classroom.
All the corridors and hallways will be painted and freshened up before the next school year, and work will continue on our Outdoor Learning space.
Two teachers will be recruited for First Class and for Special Education.
The end of the school year is always a time for ‘Farewells.’ Over the past few days, the children and the staff have been celebrating Mr. Dooley’s contribution to Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS over the past six years, including the achievement of a STEM Plaque Award this year. We wish him every success in his new role as Principal of Ballyneale NS.
We also send our thanks to Miss Harney and Miss Power who were with us this year, and we wish Miss Harney the happiest of days for her wedding during the summer.
We are delighted that Miss Hall will be joining us as a permanent member of staff from September onwards.
As a school principal, I have the special privilege of seeing all the fantastic things that happen in our school on a day-to-day basis. What stands out most, is the genuine care and concern that every single member of staff has for every child, so to my wonderful colleagues, thank you for all you do.
Our school progresses because parents, staff, the Parents Association and Board of Management are focussed on a single goal – making our school the best in can be for all our children. Thank you sincerely for your ongoing support and encouragement and we look forward to working with all of you again in the new school year.
Enjoy the summer break – we will be in touch with you in late August with any updates for re-opening on September 1st. May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide and bless us.
Yours sincerely,
Miss O’Reilly, Miss Kelly and the staff of Good Counsel GNS
