The last two weeks have been a very special and exciting time in our school. Last week was Maths week. The girls enjoyed reading Maths books and doing Maths activities like making a birthday data chart, singing in 5s as little froggies, finding shapes in our classroom and finding odd and even numbers. We finished the week with a Maths trail around the school.
This week has been Mission Week. The girls have loved going down to the shop in the Halla and finding new toys and eating delicious treats. We had our talent show today, where the girls showed off their amazing dance/gymnastic moves and beautiful voices. Well done to all who participated!
I hope everyone has a lovely Halloween break and we’ll see you back in school soon.
Dear Parents, Pupils, Guardians and Friends of the school,
As we come to the end of our annual Mission Week, we look forward to the Hallowe’en break. Since our last update, we have had lots of activity as you will see below.
Parents Information Evening
Many thanks to all who took the time to visit our school and your daughter’s class in early October. The Parents’ Information Evening is always a great opportunity to strengthen home-school links and it gives you, the parents the chance to see how the classes and the teachers work on a daily basis. We hope you enjoyed the evening.
Mass
Although a little later than usual, we celebrated our Beginning of Year School Mass with the pupils and staff from St. Marys’ BNS on Monday of this week. Thank you to Fr. Whearty for delivering a beautiful mass as ever and to Mrs. Burke for her work in putting the mass together with Ms. Quillinan from St. Marys’ BNS. Thanks also to the parents and grandparents who took the time out to join us on the morning.
Mission Week
As usual, Mission Week is probably the busiest week of the year in the school for staff, children and parents alike. We have had a great week with so many generously contributing everyday with baking, cooking, donating toys/books etc, selling and buying. The effort put in by all of the girls involved has been as superb as ever and a big thank you to anyone who has helped contribute to the week.
The closing event of the week is the Talent Show which is taking place today and is organised by 6th class. Best of luck to all of the girls involved! At the end of the week, we will count up all of the money raised and donate it to a worthy charity. Well done and thanks to everyone!!
Hallowe’en Dress Up
The girls and staff had great fun dressing up for Hallowe’en today! Well done to everyone!
Mayor’s visit
Every year around Hallowe’en, the Mayor of the Metropolitan District in Waterford visits our school. We were delighted to welcome the Metropolitan Mayor Cllr. Adam Wyse to our school yesterday. Holly and Lucie from 6th read a lovely introduction for the mayor which was followed by a beautiful rendition of the song ‘Killeagh’ from 5th class. Mayor Wyse then gave a talk to the girls where he discussed the importance of school attendance and encourage all of the girls to be in school everyday possible. He also presented the annual attendance awards to the respective pupils. Many thanks to Mayor Wyse for taking the time out to visit our school.
European Languages Day
European Languages Day was celebrated in our school on Friday, 26th September 2025. It is a special day to enjoy and respect the many languages that people speak across the continent Europe. We started the morning with a greeting from Miss Kelly and we listened to the anthem of Europe. It is called “Ode to Joy”, and it was played to remind us of peace and friendship. On this day, we remember that learning languages helps us understand each other and feel part of one big family in Europe.
The EU has 24 official languages, reflecting a commitment to linguistic diversity and ensuring people can communicate with institutions in their own language. We also learned that while all 24 languages are official, the institutions use English, French, and German as working languages for practical reasons.
During the day, we were treated to story telling in the various languages. A big thank you to the girls in 5th and 6th class who read stories to the other classes. Some of the languages shared during story time included Portuguese, Latvian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Irish and Romanian. It was a lovely experience to hear The Billy Goats Gruff in Latvian and other classes heard Goldilocks and the Three Bears in Spanish and Romanian.
A special poem about languages was shared during assembly. Thanks to the sixth class girls for preforming it:
Hello Around Europe
On European Language Day, We learn “hello” in many ways. From countries far, from friends so near, Let’s greet each other with a cheer!
Bonjour! we say in France today, Hola! in Spain, a sunny way. In Polish we say Cześć!, so bright, And Olá! in Portugal feels just right.
Ciao! in Italy, warm and sweet, Hallo! in German when friends we meet. Bună ziua! in Romanian lands, Hej! in Sweden, we wave our hands.
In Ireland we smile and say Dia dhuit!, In Latvia it’s Sveiki!, a joyful salute.
In Hungary they say Szia!, so clear,
Привіт (Pryvit) in Ukrainian, In Lithuania Labas!, with good cheer.
From Slovakia, Ahoj! we call,
Dobar dan in Croatian, friends hand in hand. And in Arabic, As-salamu alaykum! for all. So many hellos, so much to share, Languages bring friendship everywhere!
Out door Learning Space and School Garden
Here are some photos of our school harvest. We had a wonderful output of vegetables this September.
Thanks to GROW at School, we will continue our connections for the coming school year. A lovely autumn delivery arrived at school recently full of growing materials, seed and plans for the 2025-2026 growing year. Thanks to GIY and our little school growers and gardeners.
Communion and Confirmation Dates
Dates for Communion and Confirmation dates have been set.
Confirmation takes place on Thursday, March 12th @ 11am in the Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank.
Communion takes place on Saturday, May 16th @ 11am in the Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank.
Mary Purcell
All here in Good Counsel would like to wish Mary Purcell of FerryFun Childcare and Aftercare the very best as she retires tomorrow. Over the years Mary has been such an asset to the schools, families and children in the Ferrybank area. Wishing Mary a long, healthy and happy retirement!
Best of luck Tracey
All here in Good Counsel would like to wish our secretary, Tracey the best of luck as she has been representing Ireland in the World Shore Angling Championships in Portugal over the last week or so. We hope that it is going well for you and your team!!!
Wishing everyone a Happy Hallowe’en. Our school will reopen on Monday, November 3rd @ 9am.
Yours sincerely,
J.Nagle
Principal
Last week was Maths week and the girls had lots of fun playing some Maths games. They searched for numbers in Miss Hall’s magic potion, played ‘3 in a Row’ and even went on a Maths trail in the playground with the girls in 5th class. The girls looked for numbers all around them and discovered that numbers are everywhere; even on their shoes!
We created a Maths Trail for Junior Infants and we encouraged the girls to use their ‘Maths Eyes’
Well done Junior Infants!
Maths Week Ireland starts on the 11th October – 19th October 2025.
Maths Week Ireland is an all-island initiative promoting positive attitudes towards maths and highlighting the importance of maths in our lives since 2006. This annual festival is a collaborative partnership of organisations including all the universities, institutes of technology, professional bodies, visitor centres and more.
Maths Week is an important way to help learners, of all ages, enjoy maths and to highlight the creativity of the subject.” Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin,
In our school this week we took part in lots of activities:
Money Sense Games
Maths Trails
Online activities and games
In school activities
Daily shows on MathsweekTV
Maths Eyes Competition
Quizzes and Challenges
Target Boards
Puzzles in the Park
Our message to parents and children is that everyone can do well at maths. Yes, it is a challenging subject and can be difficult but, like any challenge, it can be overcome with effort and will bring rewards.
On Friday, 5th class set out a maths trail for the Junior Infants outside of our school. The Juniors were brought around by the 5th class girls and encouraged to use their ‘Maths Eyes’ to solve some of the questions on the trail! Please see some pictures below.
Senior Infants had fun mixing magic potions today with baking soda, vinegar and food colouring.
Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS is a Catholic Primary School for girls. Our school is committed to fostering the development of the whole person, in partnership with parents and guided by Christian values and principles, in an environment that is happy, caring and enriching.
A School Creed This is our school. Let peace dwell here, Let the rooms be full of contentment, Let love abide here, Love of one another, Love of mankind, Love of life itself, And love of God. Let us remember That, as many hands build a house, So many hearts make a school.
Traditional (Source: The Works 2 – B. Moses and P. Corbett – Macmillan)
Curriculum
Our School Plan for teaching and learning is derived from The Revised Primary School Curriculum (Curaclam na Bunscoile), which was implemented by the Department of Education and Skills in 1999.
It consists of the following subjects:
Languages
English, Gaeilge
Mathematics
Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (SESE)
History, Geography and Science
Arts Education
Visual Arts, Music, Drama
Physical Education
Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE)
Relationships and Sexuality Education, The Stay Safe Programme, Walk Tall
Religious Education
All of these subject areas are taught from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.
Each teacher draws up a Yearly Plan for the children in her/his care. Every fortnight, teachers develop a Short Term plan from the Yearly Plan and at the end of every month, teachers report on progress to the Principal.
If you would like more information on the Revised Primary School Curriculum, please go to www.curriculumonline.ie
