March 2025 – St.Patricks National School Drumkeen | Scoil Phádraig Drumkeen Donegal

Admissions for 2025/26: Our deadline for applications was 28^th February. All late applications will be dealt with in accordance with our Admissions Policy. Acceptance letters will now be sent to those who have already applied.

SPHE: All classes will complete the Stay Safe Programme during the week of 7^th of April. Information on these lessons can be found at: https://www.staysafe.ie/parents.htm We encourage all parents to discuss these important issues with your children.

SSE Community Fund: We would like to acknowledge and thank SSE Renewables Meentycat and Culliagh Community Fund for the grant awarded for an upgrade to our school’s attic insulation. Work will be carried out over the Easter break.

Garda Quiz: Well done to Caoimhe Coyle, Aoibhinn O’Donnell, Sophie Kearns and Zara Gallagher who competed in the Regional Garda Quiz on Tuesday 25^th February.

5 a Side: Well done to all the boys and girls who took part in the Finn Harps 5 a Side soccer tournament at Letterkenny Community Centre on the 25^th February. Both teams performed tremendously with our girls progressing to the final on the day. Today, our girls and boys teams played in the Primary 5s competition in Letterkenny Community Centre. Our girls finished 3^rd overall with the boys progressing to the final.

Spelling Bee: Congratulations to Éabha Aherne, 6^th Class, who was the winner of our in school Spelling Bee competition. She will now compete against the best spellers in the county in the Mount Errigal Hotel today, 25^th March.

Peaceplus Activities: All classes are travelling to Citadel Gymnastics for 4 weeks along with Glenmaquin N.S. and Convoy Joint N.S. Lessons will conclude on 8^th April for JI-2^nd and on 9^th April for 3^rd-6^th.

Súgradh le Chéile: In partnership with the HSE, Junior and Senior Infants will take part in ‘Súgradh le Cheile’ in St. Patrick’s Hall on the 2^nd April. All information has been sent home with the children. Please return permission slips to class teacher.

Anti-Bullying Survey: We are in the process of developing our new ‘Bí Cineálta’ anti-bullying policy. An online survey will be sent out to all parents tomorrow to help with this process.

School Website: We regularly update our school website with photos and news. Please find at www.drumkeenns.net

Parents Association: Our school 5k, with a 2k walking option, takes place on Friday 7^th April at 7pm. Sponsorship cards and entry forms have been sent home. Each child who takes part will receive a homework pass. The event will be chip timed with refreshments and prize giving in the hall afterwards.

Book Fair: The Scholastic book fair was a great success. There was a total of €1772 spent by the pupils and our school has been rewarded with €1,063 to spend on books for our classroom libraries. Thank you for supporting this.

Sacraments: Well done to all candidates who made their Confirmation on Sunday 2^nd March. We thank Fr. Kelly for all his efforts and for a lovely service. Confirmation pupils travelled to Loch Derg for a Confirmation Retreat along with pupils from St. Eunan’s N.S., Raphoe on Friday 21^st March. The children took part in prayer, meditation and team building activities. A lovely day was had by all. First Confession will take place on Wednesday 2^nd April at 7pm and First Holy Communion will take place onSaturday 17^th May at 11am, both in St. Patrick’s Church, Drumkeen.

Easter Holidays: School closes on Friday 11^th April at 3pm and will reopen on Monday the 28^th April.

School Opening Times: The school building opens at 9:10am to receive our pupils, our official start time of the school day is 9:20am. We ask that all pupils are in school by 9:20am for morning activities.

Le Meas,

Ms. N. Scanlan