On this date we will be joining people in more than 150 countries around the world in celebrating
Safer Internet Day 2026. The celebrations will be based around the theme: AI Aware: Safe, Smart
and in Control.
Safer Internet Day allows us the opportunity to reflect on the role of digital technology in our lives
and our understanding of how they work, their implications and opportunities.
The dedicated Safer Internet Day Hub at www.webwise.ie/saferinternetday/ provides information,
resources and ideas.
In our school we have class activities, lessons and competitions to celebrate Safer Internet Day. We
also have videos addressing online safety and digital media literacy topics including cyberbullying,
image sharing, privacy, and online wellbeing.
Please support Safer Internet Day by highlighting it at home with your child. Check
www.webwise.ie/parents/ for more information.
Best wishes
Mrs Ryan
Dear Families and Friends of the school,
Happy New Year to you all. We hope we all enjoyed a nice break at Christmas and are looking forward to a prosperous 2026. Please see some updates on the happenings in the school below.
Christmas Activities
December was a very busy and enjoyable time here in Good Counsel, with many wonderful Christmas activities taking place across the school.
Our Junior Infants delighted families and staff with their beautiful Nativity Play, showcasing their confidence and enthusiasm on stage. The girls also performed a lovely concert in the Little Sisters of the Poor, spreading Christmas cheer to the residents and staff.
Our Carol Service in the church was another highlight of the season. Thank you to all families who attended and helped make it such a special and reflective occasion. Thanks to Mrs. Burke and all of the class teachers and the girls for all of their hard work in putting it all together.
The school choir visited An Grianán, located beside our school, where they performed a selection of Christmas songs. Sincere thanks to Ms. Hutchinson for her excellent work with the choir throughout the year.
A very special visit from Santa Claus brought great excitement to the school, with gifts for all the girls. We would like to thank the Parents’ Association for organising this wonderful treat for the children.
These events helped create a lovely festive atmosphere in the school and made December a truly memorable time for everyone.
Food Hamper Appeal 2025
Our Food Hamper Appeal before Christmas was very successful with a large amount of food being donated to the school. All donations were given to St. Vincent de Paul who distributed it out to families in need in the local area. Thanks to the girls and their families for their generosity for such a great cause. Thank you also to Mrs. Shanahan and the Wellbeing Warriors for looking after the Food Hamper Appeal.
Catholic Schools Week
The girls and staff in Good Counsel will celebrate Catholic Schools Week next week. As part of the celebrations, pupils from 2nd to 6th class will attend Mass on different days, and classes will take part in lessons and activities based on this year’s theme, “Normal Lives, Called to Holiness.”
Admissions for 2025
Admissions for Junior Infants are now closed for the 2026/2027 school year but if you are looking for a place for your child for the coming school year, please contact Tracey in the office on 051-832984 or register your daughter on the online pre-enrolment form – here.
Parent-Teacher Meetings
We will hold Parent-Teacher Meetings on the week starting Monday January 26th with Family Day being Thursday January 29th. It is vital that all parents attend the meetings in order to discuss their child(ren) with the class teacher and SEteacher (where applicable).
Parents can book their meetings on the Aladdin App. Booking opens for all parents at 4pm today – Friday, January 16th. If you have any issues, please contact Tracey in the office.
Please note that the school will close at 2.30pm for 1st to 6th class on Thursday, January 29th to facilitate the Parent Teacher meetings.
Irish Dancing
The girls from Juniors to 2nd class are having a great time in Dawn’s Irish dancing class every Tuesday. They have their first two weeks done with eight more to go. If you are yet to pay for dancing please contact Tracey our secretary or the class teacher to arrange payment.
4th Class Reusable Materials Project
During December, Ms. Cunniffe’s 4th class began working on a project which involved making different things out of reusable materials/waste items. Last week, they put on a beautiful display in our General Purpose room to show off their excellent work. The display highlighted how waste materials can be reused in creative way and an environmentally friendly way. Thanks to Ms. Cunniffe and the girls in 4th class for all of their hard work and effort! Well done!
Little Red Kettle
Our annual visit from Little Red Kettle took place on Friday last, January 9th. Little Red Kettle is a drama group who come into many schools every year and perform a show for and with the children! The title of this years show was ‘A Tremendously Terrible Tantrum’ and as usual, was the highlight of the week for all of the girls!
Clothes Collection
Our Parents’ Association are running a Clothes Collection fundraiser for the school this month. If you are planning to do a clear-out at home or have any unwanted items, please consider donating them to the collection. Further details on accepted items are shared below. The final day of the collection is Friday January 30th. Your support is very much appreciated, as all funds raised will go directly towards supporting school activities and resources.
Dates for your diary
School Closed
Monday February 2nd – St. Brigid’s Day
Thursday and Friday February 19th and 20th – Mid-term Break
Friday February 27th – Staff In-Service Training
I will be in touch again in a few weeks,
Your sincerely,
J. Nagle
Principal
Wow !! What a wonderful December we have had.
Firstly, thank you to the girls and all of the parents for the wonderful work that went into the Recycling projects. We are looking forward to displaying them in the hálla in January for all of the school to come and enjoy.
Testing one of the Science Projects. More on this to come in January.
The children also completed their Persuasive Writing genre this Term.
The topics were :
1. Dogs are better than cats.
2. Cats are Better than Dogs.
3. Horses are the Best Pets.
4. A White is Better than a Mild Christmas.
5. Stanleys are the Best Cups.
6. Airups are the Best Cups.
7. We Should Have a Three Day Weekend.
8. Icecream is the Best Dessert.
9. Markers are Better than Crayons.
10. Primary School Children Should Not Use Calculators.
11. Christmas is the Best Holdiay.
12. Girls are Better than Boys.
13. Winter is the Best Season.
14. Ireland is the Best County in the World.
15. Football is Better than Camogie.
16. You Should Drink More Water.
It was a busy three weeks but the end edited / revised draft was published into our hardback copies and ready to read aloud to our wonderful audience, Rang a Dó !!!
Enjoying The Festive Season with great friends of Good Counsel.
Before the Performance !!! Ho ho ho.
The Performance !!! What an act.
Back to the school for the next few days after our Nativity performance of 2025. Great pupils here in our school making the most of their lunchtimes to fit some last minute curricular activities in such as making angles / lines or singing in the choir.
Movie day and party in Rang a Ceathair.
Such kindness in our class. A friendship bracelet for everyone.
Happy memories from 2025 !!!
And on that note !!!
