News

Dear Parent(s),                                                                                                                         

As we enter the final two weeks of this school term, we wish to advise you of the following events and important dates:

End of Year Reports: These are now available to view on Aladdin. Please inform the office if you would like a hard copy printed.

Gaelic Blitz: Boys & Girls in 5^th and 6^th Class took part in a Gaelic Blitz in St. Mary’s GAA grounds last Monday with other schools in the locality. A lovely, fun morning was had by all.

Sixth Class Graduation: We will hold a short graduation ceremony on Friday 20^th June from 2:00pm – 2.45pm in St. Patrick’s Hall. Parents of sixth class pupils are welcome to attend on the day.

School Calendar 2025/26: Our school calendar for next year has been finalised and has been forwarded to all families. It is also available to view on the school website and a hard copy will be sent home this week. We will reopen on Thursday 28^th August 2025.

Booklists: All school books, copies and folders will be covered once again under the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme. We ask parents to purchase all stationery/pencil case items. A list will be forwarded this week.

School Policies: Our Child Safeguarding Statement and our new ‘Bí Cineálta’ anti-bullying policy will be reviewed and ratified at our next Board of Management meeting. These are available to view on our school website www.drumkeenns.net under ‘Policies’ section.

Uniform Swap Shop: Reminder of our school uniform swap shop taking place in St. Patrick’s Hall on Saturday 28^th June 10am-1pm. Donations can be dropped off at the school until midday June 25^th. Pupils may wear their own clothes on Tuesday 24^th and Wednesday 25^th of the last week to allow time to organise any donations.

Lost Property: We have a large number of school jumpers in our lost property box outside the office. If your child is missing a jumper, please check the box. Any unclaimed items will be forwarded to the swap shop. With warm weather approaching, please ensure all school jumpers are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Parents Association: The ice-cream van will visit the school this week. 6^th Class pupils will be treated to a take-away this week also. Thank you to our Parents Association for covering the cost of these lovely treats!

School Closure: Our school closes for the Summer Holidays on Wednesday 25th June at 12pm.

Class Allocations 25/26:  

Junior Infants (18) – Ms. Browne

Senior Infants and First Class (13 & 13) – Ms. Gallagher

Second Class and Third Class (17 & 10) – Ms. Haughey

Fourth Class (18) – Ms. Henderson/Ms. King (Job Share Arrangement)

Fifth Class and Sixth Class (15 & 9) – Ms. Scanlan (Principal)

Special Education Teacher – SET –  Mr. Tooher (Deputy Principal)

Special Education Teacher – SET –  Ms. McGlinchey (Assistant Principal II)

Le Meas,   

Ms. Scanlan

All classes enjoyed a multisports session with Ricky and Conan from R9 Sports Coaching!

As part of the Peaceplus Programme 3rd and 4th Classes travelled to Letterkenny Activity Centre for their school tour. They took part in archery, foot golf, maze tunnel and high ropes. They were also treated to a delicious hot lunch!

We finished off our Wellbeing Week with a visit from ‘Party Animals’. The children enjoyed seeing and petting all the animals!

Well done to 4th Class pupils who were presented their medals and t-shirts today from Ann Slevin of Finn Valley AC. They have been completing a mile of running/walking everyday for the past few weeks! Well done to you all!

Well done to our 5th and 6th Class pupils who took part in the Ukelele Concert in An Grianán Theatre on Thursday 22nd May. They were fantastic!

Dear Parent(s),     

Sacraments: Well done to all 2^nd Class pupils who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday 17^th May. We thank Fr. Kelly for making the service very special for the children and to Ms. Haughey for preparing the children so well. Our school choir, led by Ms. Deery, and Kathy O’Hara on guitar, provided some beautiful music throughout with some very notable solo and group performances. We would like to thank our First Class parents and Parents Association for setting up and providing refreshments in the hall afterwards.

Peaceplus Activities: Details and permissions for remaining Term 3 Peaceplus activities, including school tours, will be sent via Aladdin Connect. The cost of the tours will be covered by the programme. Infants -2^nd Class will visit Castle Adventure Farm on Tuesday 3^rd June. 3^rd and 4^th Class will visit Letterkenny Activity Centre on Thursday 5^th June and 5^th and 6^th Class will visit Wild Atlantic Adventure Camp in Clonmany on Tuesday 3^rd June.

Athletics: Well done to all our pupils who participated in the Finn Valley Athletics competition on the 7^th May. We came home with lots of medals, with 21 pupils qualifying for the county finals tomorrow, 21^st May.

Ukulele: Pupils from 5^th– 6^th class will be taking part and attending a concert on 22^nd May in An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny.

Wellbeing Week: Takes place from Monday 26^th May – Thursday 29^th May.The children will take part in a yoga session, mindfulness activities and a visit from ‘Party Animals’. Our student council have also organised a Pyjama Day for Wednesday 28^th May. Wellbeing Homework will replace written work for the week. 

Active School Week: Takes place from Monday 9^th – Friday 13^th June. Sports Day will be held on Friday 13^th June (weather permitting).

Relay 4 Life: We would like to thank all our students for doing the One 4 One at One Challenge here in the school.  We would like to thank Louise Hayden for volunteering to help with this Challenge. A total of 92.50 euro was raised.

New Infants Open Day: We will be having an open day for our new Junior Infants on Tuesday 10^th June at 10am.  Our new entrants will have the opportunity to visit their classroom and meet their teacher. Parents/Guardians are invited to attend as there will be an information session with principal and class teacher.

End of year Reports: Summer reports and class organisation will be distributed on Thursday 12^th June.

Upcoming School Closures:                                                                                Friday 30^th May and Monday 2^nd June: Bank Holiday Weekend.

Friday 20^th June: Sixth Class Graduation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Wednesday 25^th June: School closes at 12pm for the Summer Holidays.    

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.

Drop off/Pick Up: We remind parents to use the one-way system, around the back of the hall and drop off when driving along the school wall or at the school gate. Please be mindful not to block the entrance to the back of the hall if parking at collection times.

Le Meas,     

Ms. N. Scanlan

Good luck to the boys and girls in 2nd Class who make their First Holy Communion tomorrow 17th May.

Pupils in 3rd-6th Class took part in the ‘Say Yes to Languages’ programme. They learned French for ten weeks. Pictured are senior pupils with their certificates.

Well done to our 6th Class girls who were runners up in the small schools section at the recent Finn Harps Primary Schools Tournament. They were presented with their medals at the Finn Harps vs Athlone game at Finn Park on Friday evening 9th May. Well done to you all!