News

48 children travelled to the Finn Valley Centre on May 8th to take part in the annual primary schools athletics competition. The children took part in a variety of events including sprints, long distance races, throws, jumps and relays. The children had a very enjoyable day and 21 children have now qualified for the county finals which take place on 21st May. Well done to everyone!

Dear Parent(s),     

Admissions for 2025/26: Admissions for 25/26 are now closed. An open day for all new Junior Infant entrants and their parents will take place on Tuesday 10^th June 10.00-10.45. Children will visit their classroom and meet with their teacher.

Peaceplus Activities: Details and permissions for Term 3 Peaceplus activities will be sent via Aladdin Connect.

Parents Association: Our school 5k was a great success. A total of 2,440 euros was raised. Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed in any way. Please find a list of all sponsors at bottom of newsletter. Thanks also to our Parents Association for covering the cost of a new outdoor chalkboard on our junior yard and for providing Easter eggs for our egg hunt today, Friday.

Sacraments: Well done to all 2^nd Class pupils who made their First Confession on Wednesday 2^nd April. We thank Fr. Kelly for a lovely service. First Holy Communion will take place onSaturday 17^th May at 11am, in St. Patrick’s Church, Drumkeen. There will be a school choir for the mass with pupils from 3^rd-6^th Class. There will be tea and refreshments held in the hall afterwards and as is tradition, parents of First Class pupils are asked to help out on the day. 

Children’s Mass: Our next children’s mass will take place on Saturday 3^rd May at 7.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Drumkeen. As this is the last mass before First Communion, we hope to involve 2^nd Class pupils as much as possible. All are welcome to attend.

Athletics: Pupils have been enjoying athletics with Ann Slevin from Finn Valley AC over the past few weeks. Our trials for the upcoming Finn Valley athletics competition took place this week. Permission slips will be sent home with all pupils who have qualified for the competition which takes place on 7^th May in the Finn Valley Centre.

Standardised Testing Term 3: Please note, all pupils from 1^st – 6^th Class will carry out their standard testing from the 12^th – 23^rd May 2025.

School Uniform: Full school uniform should be worn at all times unless otherwise specified. Please ensure your child’s jumper is clearly labelled. During warmer weather, children may wear plain, knee length grey/black shorts (no stripes/logos). Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Easter Holidays: The school will close today, Friday 11^th April at 3pm and reopen on Monday 28^th April at 9.10am

Upcoming School Closures:                                                                                Monday 5^th May: Bank Holiday Weekend                                                                            Friday 30^th May & Monday 2^nd June: Bank Holiday Weekend                                                                                                                                                        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.

Cásca shona daoibh go léir. Wishing everyone a lovely Easter break.

Le Meas,     

Ms. N. Scanlan

Both the school and Parents Association would like to thank the following people for their involvement in the 5k:

Thanks to Rebecca and David Fleury Smart Steps for sponsoring the numbers for t-shirts.

Thanks to Sydney Leeper Carry on Bouncing for sponsoring the water and fruit.

Thanks to Bernard Patton contracts Drumkeen for sponsoring the men’s prizes.

Thanks to Conor Doherty Garden Care Drumkeen for sponsoring the women’s prizes. 

Thanks to Karen Mc Namee School of Motoring for sponsoring the over 50’s prizes.

Thanks to Alice and Richie Gregg from Gregg Care for sponsoring signage at the school gates.

Thanks to Louise and Ray from HUP Fitness for doing the warm up and letting us use their car park. 

Thanks to Drumkeen Utd and Hup Fitness for cancelling their evening training to accommodate our 5k. We greatly appreciate the support. 

Thanks to Charlie Quinn for organising the car park. 

Thanks to Packie Bonner for taking photos 

Thanks to all the marshals, first aiders and lead drivers for giving up their time. Their help and support is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks to Herbie from Northwest Chip Timing.

And a special thanks to a new member this year in the Parents Association, Kirsten Mc Menamin, who has gone above and beyond sourcing funding and sponsorship for the much needed funds for the school children.

‘We are each unique and beautiful, but together we are a masterpiece’

Dear Parent(s),     

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

Well done to our boys and girls teams who competed in the Primary 5s soccer tournament in Letterkenny Community Centre on 25th March. Our girl’s team placed 3rd 0verall with the boys progressing to the final on the day.

6th Class travelled to Loch Derg for a Confirmation Retreat. They had a lovely day of prayer, meditation and team building activities.

To celebrate World Book Day senior classes joined junior classes for some ‘Buddy Reading’