Good Counsel College Parents Council

Good Counsel College Parents Council The Parents Council of Good Counsel College was set up in 2000. The Council holds regular meetings throughout the year and an AGM in June.

It comprises a group of parents who act as a representative group for all parents of the students in the school. An effort is made to ensure there are parents from each year group and from the geographic areas represented in the school. The Principal, Chaplain and teacher representatives attend all meetings. Aims

The Parents Council aims to represent the views of parents and to provide a channel of communication between the school and the parents. It organises talks of interest and social events for parents. It also fund raises for “once off” projects to contribute towards improvements to the College for the benefit of the students. The Constitution of the Parents’ Council is regularly amended. Past Activities

Over the past few years the Parents Council has organised talks by well known specialists on a variety of topics and other activities of interest to parents and students. Speakers have included the national figures DJ Carey, Seán Og O Halpin, Gareth O Callaghan and John Lonergan. Some of the topics and areas of interest covered in the past have been:

Positive Mental health
Substance misuse awareness
Dangers of the Internet
Suicide
Balancing sports and school work
Healthy body, Healthy Mind
Computer classes for parents
Christmas flower arranging and carol service
An annual 6th year barbecue is held in May each year for students and teachers. This is a very popular social event much anticipated by the boys which includes musical entertainment provided by the boys themselves. Supporting the school

The Parents Council organises fund raising events which are used for specific projects. In 2005 an auction of gifts and promises raised in the region €24,000. Previously the Council also funded the conversion of the first boarding house into the Fr. Jackie Power Pastoral Care Centre costing in the region of €25,000. Other projects supported through funding from the Parents Council have been:

Computers
Scanner reader
Sports gear
Bob Quinn Perpetual Cup
Fast Forward Programme (for learning support Dept)
Team Hop (training equipment for PE)
Folding seating/tables for the Assembly hall
Defibrillator
CCTV cameras
Most recently a wonderfully entertaining and informative cookery demonstration by the renowned chef and past pupil Edward Hayden of TV3 fame raised €vital funds. In addition each year the Parents Council funds two bursaries for third level students who are past pupils to the value of €650 each. Recently enthusiastic parents of the hurling and football players have been raising funds specifically to contribute to costs incurred for travelling to matches representing the school. Friends of Good Counsel

Parents are encouraged to join the ‘Friends of Good Counsel’ through which they can make a valuable contribution to the developments in the school. By joining the ‘Friends’ parents can make a monthly donation of €7 which is used in conjunction with the other fund raising activities for the projects identified. Please contact the school for further information related to the “Friends” of Good Counsel. CONSTITUTION OF THE PARENTS’ COUNCIL OF GOOD COUNSEL COLLEGE, NEW ROSS. OBJECTIVES

To act as a forum for the expression of opinions, items of information and queries between Parents and School Authorities. To debate matters of national, regional or local interest and to submit reports or resolutions to the School Authorities. To act a support group for the School, assisting with financial matters, questionnaires, publications, talks for parents while keeping effective contact with both the Parents and the School Management. METHOD OF ELECTION

Ask for volunteers. Try to ensure an even representation of years and areas. If the number of volunteers is more than 18, an election will be held. Members will be co-opted to the council as necessary. CONSTITUTION

The body shall be known as Good Counsel College Parents’ Council. Membership is confined to Parents and Guardians of pupils attending the school. The Council will co-opt the following each year: The principal of the school; two members of the teaching staff; the chaplain and the parent members of the Board of Management. Members are not expected to serve more than two years. Officers shall consist of the following:
Chairperson and vice-chairperson
Secretary and assistant secretary
Treasurer and assistant treasurer
New members will be invited to join the council in the final term of the school year. Elections, if necessary, will follow nominations. At least 2 parents from among the parents of the new first years will be invited to join in September at the commencement of the following academic year. The AGM will be held in the final term of the academic year after elections etc are complete. At the AGM the new officers are also elected. Amendments to the Constitution may be made at the AGM, provided they are passed by a two-thirds majority. The Council shall not have power to deal with any complaints against members of staff, Lay or Religious. Such complaints should be taken directly to the Principal by the parent concerned. The Council shall not interfere with the professional aspects of the school administration and work. The Council may decide to affiliate with a National Representative Organisation. The Council shall meet monthly during the academic year. Contact Details of Committee Members:

Mary Lou O’Kennedy: Chairperson
marylouok@gmail.com
086 8242303

Stephanie Durnin: Vice Chairperson
stephanie@skytel.ie
086 0125265

Sheila McAuliffe: Secretary
mcauliffesheila@gmail.com
087 9894367

Miriam Byrne: 1st Assist Secretary
086 8306969

Carmel Somers: 2nd Assist Secretary
orourkesomers@gmail.com
0876411305

Maria Lindell: Treasurer
mlindell@wap.ie
087 6247442

Siobhan Furlong: Assist Treasurer
mickfurlong1@eircom.net
087 6484093

Lorcan Kinsella: PRO
lorcsk@gmail.com
086 6287919

2nd Years Billy Carney was in Portugal last month, representing Ireland in the BU15 UEFA Development Tournament⚽️⚽️ well...
09/01/2026

2nd Years Billy Carney was in Portugal last month, representing Ireland in the BU15 UEFA
Development Tournament⚽️⚽️ well done Billy👏🏻👏🏻

The Class of 1987 are organising their 40 year reunion, info below ⬇️⬇️🎊🎉
09/01/2026

The Class of 1987 are organising their 40 year reunion, info below ⬇️⬇️🎊🎉

Well done to the 1st Year Hurlers who won on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-7 against Enniscorthy CBS yesterday 🔵⚪️👏🏻👏🏻
09/01/2026

Well done to the 1st Year Hurlers who won on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-7 against Enniscorthy CBS yesterday 🔵⚪️👏🏻👏🏻

09/01/2026
08/01/2026

Looking for a student's perspective on DCU Undergraduate Courses? Join DCU's CAO Virtual Information Evening on Thursday, January 15 from 4.30pm. Our Students will present on their courses and DCU, answering questions based on their lived Student Experience. There will also be presentations from DCU...

08/01/2026
08/01/2026

Learn to thrive through the Leaving Certificate at SETU’s CAO Open Evening in Carlow on 14 January 2026 from 4.30 pm to 7.00 pm.
Hear from Dr Maeve Doyle, SETU Psychology Lecturer, who will speak about supporting your secondary school student through this important year.

Whether you're curious, excited, or still deciding about University, this engaging evening will give you everything you need to feel confident about your college journey.

This talk is:
📌 For Open Evening Attendees
📌 SETU’s Kilkenny Road Campus in Carlow
📅 Takes place at 5.15 pm in Room L117 in the Haughton Building
🔗 Learn more and register: www.setu.ie/OpenEvening

| |

02/01/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 🧠📱

A new Irish Examiner piece by child psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor highlights something many parents are worried about — teenagers being exposed to extreme or polarising content online.

A recent Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) survey found:
✔️ 60% of young people come across extremist views online
✔️ That’s 10 times more than in real life
✔️ 70% say discrimination (racism, sexism, xenophobia) is a significant issue
✔️ 50% believe boys are more targeted by extreme content
✔️ 80% regularly hear negative comments about immigration or housing

This content is often algorithm-driven, emotionally charged, and designed to exploit teenage vulnerability — especially among boys who may be seeking belonging, certainty or simple explanations for complex feelings.

👀 Why this matters for parents

Exposure to extreme or divisive content can lead to:
• Anxiety and fear
• Shame, confusion, or withdrawal
• Anger and overwhelm
• Difficulty trusting others

Young people are still developing the critical thinking skills needed to question what they see online — and many feel they have nowhere safe offline to talk about it.

🗣️ What parents can do (based on Dr Noctor’s guidance)
1️⃣ Keep conversations open

If teens feel judged for asking questions, they stop asking — and start relying on the internet for answers.

2️⃣ Respond, don’t react

If they share a troubling opinion they heard online, try:
• “Why do you think people say that?”
• “How does that make you feel?”

It creates space rather than shutting them down.

3️⃣ Explain algorithms as digital peer pressure

Teens often think they’re immune. Helping them understand how content “finds” them is empowering, not shaming.

4️⃣ Show tolerance rather than preach it

Young people absorb our tone far more than our words.

5️⃣ Let them know it’s OK to say “I don’t know yet”

Extremist content thrives on certainty. Helping teens see nuance protects them.

6️⃣ Watch for emotional overload

Irritability, withdrawal, obsessive scrolling, or following intense online debates can be signs they’re overwhelmed.

💬 Parents still matter most

The OCO survey shows 50% of teenagers say their parents are their biggest influence — stronger than any algorithm.
Your calm presence, steady support, and curiosity make the biggest difference.

📞 Need a listening ear or advice?

The NPC Helpline is here for parents:
☎️ 01 887 4477
🌐 www.npc.ie

Full article:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/parenting/arid-41756552.html

🎉Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Daoibh🎉Wishing our whole school community the very best for health, happiness and prosperity in ...
31/12/2025

🎉Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Daoibh🎉
Wishing our whole school community the very best for health, happiness and prosperity in 2026, from all of us in GCC Parents Council🎊🤞🏻🎊

31/12/2025

🎄💛 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗨𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 — 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂

All year, parents across Ireland have been in touch with — through our Helpline, trainings, events, and everyday messages.
As we wrap up the year, we wanted to share a few of the words that really stayed with us. 💛

💬 “My child finally settled in school — thank you.”
When a child feels safe and settled, everything else becomes possible.

💬 “I didn’t know where to turn until I rang the Helpline.”
Parents carry so much. We’re honoured to be a calm, steady voice when things feel uncertain.

💬 “The training helped me understand my child better.”
That’s what is about — supporting parents, strengthening families, and helping children thrive.

💬 “It just helped to know I wasn’t on my own.”
Sometimes being heard is the support that makes all the difference.

These few quotes stand for thousands of parents who trusted us this year — parents who showed up for their children, asked tricky questions, and advocated when things were hard.

To every parent who spoke with us, learned with us, or leaned on us in 2025:
we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re so grateful for you. 💛

If you need us in the new year, we’re still here:
📞 01 887 4477
📧 helpline@npc.ie

🌐 https://www.npc.ie

19/12/2025

🎄GCC will close today at 1:20pm for Christmas holidays, to re-open on Monday January 5th. Wishing everyone a safe restful break🎄

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Reddysland, Co. Wexford
New Ross
Y34R297

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