Our Lady Of Good Counsel National School Waterford
School Details
Location
About
Our Lady of Good Counsel National School is a Catholic primary school for girls situated in Ferrybank, Waterford, on the north bank of the River Suir. The school prides itself on fostering the development of the whole child in partnership with parents, guided by Christian values and principles. Learning takes place in a happy, caring and enriching environment where pupils are encouraged to grow academically, socially and spiritually. The curriculum follows the Revised Primary School Curriculum and encompasses English, Social, Environmental and Scientific Education, History, Geography, Science, the Arts, Physical Education and Social, Personal and Health Education, including the Stay Safe programme. A strong emphasis is placed on STEM, with a dedicated online hub that showcases the school’s science, technology, engineering and maths activities. Extra‑curricular initiatives such as the Active Flag Committee, Green Flag programme and a mural celebrating the school’s heritage enrich the educational experience, while connections with up to twenty countries broaden pupils’ global awareness. The school grounds feature a sheltered area displaying the historic mural, providing a welcoming space for community gatherings.
History
The origins of the school date back to the 1870s when Fr Dunphy of Slieverue invited the Sacred Heart of Mary Sisters to establish a convent and school in Ferrybank. In January 1878 Elizabeth O’Neill and Kate O’Connell opened a school, and later that year Bishop Moran blessed the foundation stone of St Brigid’s school. After a fire in 1879, the Sisters arrived in September 1879 and took over the running of St Brigid’s in January 1880, with 167 children enrolled. Responding to growth in the 1950s, Our Lady of Good Counsel opened in 1959, replacing St Brigid’s. The Sisters administered the school until September 2002, when it was handed over to the Parish; the last Sister teacher retired in 2004. Today the school’s history is commemorated on a mural in the school grounds.