Dear Mams, Dads, Pupils and Staff,
The end of the school year is always an opportunity to reflect. Yes, 2020-2021 has been strange and challenging and difficult in many ways, but we have also managed to achieve a great deal and we have learned a lot. So, for our final School Bell of 2020-2021, instead of looking at the things we have not been able to do because of Covid-19, here is a little record of what we have achieved together as a school community.
The Board of Management:
- Drew up, published and implemented a Covid-19 Response Plan which has seen us safely through the school year.
- Paid for and carried out refurbishments and constructed a Reception Area and the Rest Nest (sick bay).
- Installed an intercom system to minimise movement around the school building and installed an electronic bell.
- Opened a new classroom and shower room.
- Kept costs for Book Rental and Art and Craft contributions to an absolute minimum in recognition of the financial pressures that some families are under – this will continue for the 2021-2022 School Year.
- Made plans for summer works to create a new staffroom and Learning Support space for the next school year.
As well as teaching and managing the school, all the Staff and our In-school Management Team have collaborated to:
- Provide an online payment system for Book Rental, Insurance, etc.
- Plan, organize and open ‘The Zen Den’ – a quiet, safe space for all the children.
- Install two new Smartboards and update and maintain our ICT resources.
- Train in and introduce Seesaw, an online learning platform and with the help and support of our Superhero Mams and Dads, we successfully managed two and a half months of Home Learning.
- Keep the school spotlessly clean.
- Develop an in-school school, online resource padlet for Special Education Needs.
- Engage with the Inspectorate in a successful Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection – our school is fully compliant.
- Manage a drop off/pick up system in the Car Park – a special thanks to Mams, Dads and Grandparents for your help and co-operation.
Our Good Counsel girls have worked hard on their learning, and they have also managed to fit in an amazing number of extras! Here is a list of some of the things the girls did. They:
- Participated in the Peace Proms Christmas song.
- Took part in The Junior Achievement Leap Programme and won the Best Presentation – Negotiation Award.
- Worked with an Environmental Artist on the school grounds.
- Developed and planted a vegetable garden and sensory path.
- Took part in the Safe Cycling Programme.
- Had a wonderful, uplifting Wellbeing and Friendship Week.
- Participated in the Music Generation Programme.
- Created a piece of collaborative art to reflect on a year of Covid-19.
- Made visits to Ferrybank Library.
- Took part in our weekly Assembly on Zoom.
- Adopted Santa’s reindeer.
- Participated in the South-East Engineering Festival.
- Took part in our Christmas Crib Competition and our school crib was included in the Diocesan Virtual Display of Cribs.
- Paid a virtual visit to the Reptile Zoo.
- Celebrated Hallowe’en, World Book Day and Poetry Day Ireland.
- Participated in the STEAM Art Collaboration Exhibition.
- Were represented at Comhairle na nÓg by our Good Counsel Good Citizen of the Year 2020.
- Had great fun at Sports Day.
Thanks to our fantastic Parents Association, we had a Covid-compliant visit from Mrs. Claus. In addition to two fundraising raffles, the PA also collaborated with Miss O’Reilly on school policies, and they organised a lovely memento for Sixth Class which was presented to the girls today. We must give a very special mention to Laura, Vera and Paula who have been such supportive parents and members of the Parents’ Association Committee for many years. Their youngest girls are moving on to Secondary School in September so after a very long involvement with the school, the ladies are also saying ‘Farewell’ to Good Counsel GNS. They have worked hard and given their time freely and generously for the benefit of all the children and we are especially grateful to them for their willingness to be involved in the life of the school. We will miss you all.
Sixth Class treated us to a wonderful virtual end of year show yesterday, and their parents will join us online today. It was very clear yesterday that each staff member in the school recognises what good role models the girls in Sixth Class have been for the younger children. 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. We look forward to meeting you again on August 28th for Confirmation Day.
This school year is ending and we are already looking forward to September. We wish Miss Eilís Walsh a safe and interesting year as she takes a Career Break. The Board of Management will recruit teachers over the summer to fill two vacancies and the staff has been allocated as follows:
Junior Infants Ms. Fogarty
Senior Infants To be appointed
First Class Miss Cunniffe
Second Class To be appointed
Third Class Mrs. Ryan
Fourth Class Mr. Dooley
Fifth Class Mrs. Burke
Sixth Class Mrs. Power
Special Education Miss Kelly, Mrs. Shanahan, Mrs. Foley and Ms. Rellis
Special Needs Assistants Ms. Fenton and Ms. Moore
Above all else this year, the girls have been safe, well and very happy to be at school. A heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to everyone in our school community. Enjoy the summer break – we will be in touch with you again in late August with our plans for re-opening on September 1st. May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide and bless all of us.
Yours sincerely,
Miss O’Reilly, Miss Kelly and the staff of Good Counsel GNS
Parents Association News
Many thanks to you all for supporting our raffle. The monies raised will be spent on 2 ipads for the school. Special thanks go to Dermot Walsh, Jolly Barber, Shades, Colin Molloy Butcher, Aphrodite Beauty and IBrows, Brows & Nails for kindly donating spotprizes. We are very lucky to have such generous local businesses.
As it is the last year for Laura Boylan, Paula Walsh and myself Vera Flynn on the PA, we would like to thank the parents, grandparents and staff for being so supportive of our endeavours. Thanks to the pupils whose smiley faces spurned us on! Thanks also to Miss O’ Reilly who was always welcoming and on hand to offer help, advice and encouragement over the last 13 years. Thanks especially to Tracey, our school secretary, who went above and beyond in her efforts to help us no matter what we asked of her.
We would really encourage parents to be part of the PA. It is very rewarding knowing that our involvement is so beneficial to our girls. We hope that some of you will come on board and we wish Sarah Flynn all the best moving forward. We have every faith in you Sarah!
We will miss all of you and treasure the friendships and happy memories we have made along the way.
Best wishes
Laura, Paula & Vera
