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March Newsletter
Mar 2nd
The Sacrament of Confirmation was held last Sunday. A most enjoyable day was had by all and we wish to thank parents, pupils, teachers, Fr Dunne and Bishop McGuckian for their help in making it a special event for the confirmandi. Many thanks too to all who helped with the refreshments in the School Hall afterwards.
The pupils are busy on a number of fronts. We will celebrate World Book Day in the school this Friday 3 March with pupils free to dress in literary/ film/ character style if they wish (Normal school dress for those don’t wish to participate). We wish to congratulate our pupils on participating in Feis Loreto, Letterkenny recently with over fifty children participating in poetry, music and song on the day. It was a most enjoyable event. We also congratulate our quiz team on winning the Garda Divisional quiz recently and wish them well in the County Final in the Mount Errigal hotel on Thursday 9 March. Finally, there was great excitement as a large number of athletes from third to sixth classes represented the school in the Sportshall event in the Aura this week.
Seachtain na Gaeilge – where we all make a special effort to speak Irish – takes place in the days before St Patrick’s Day. We hope to have an in-school ceolchoirm or concert that week where pupils will showcase their talents to other classes.
Gymnastics is a part of our PE curriculum but staff feel that pupils best learn from the experience and expertise of qualified personnel. Accordingly, we hope to facilitate three workshops hosted by Citadel for all classes in the School Hall on Wednesday 15, 22, 29 March and we respectfully ask for a €5 contribution per child to cover the cost of the three lessons (family max payment of €10).
The Board of Management committed to the replacement of ten interactive whiteboards (in place since we opened the new school fifteen years ago on 31 March 2008) and with eight upgraded screens now purchased through fundraising and the Digital Schools Grant over the past eighteen months, we hope to purchase the final two this school year. For this purpose, we will host a Sponsored Walk for each class level during Wellbeing Week (beginning on 21 March). We will distribute a card to each family and ask for your support.
Teachers are scheduled to participate in curricular training regarding school literacy and the school will close for pupils on Monday 20 March 2023.
Finally, we recently asked for your support in keeping the school grounds and environs as safe as possible for children. We thank you for your support thus far and, as pupil and parent vision lines have been restricted in recent times, we reiterate that that YOU DO NOT PARK ON FOOTPATHS and that YOU DO NOT PARK NEAR THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT.
Go raibh maith agaibh
February Newsletter
Feb 22nd
February Newsletter
We hope all are well rested after the mid-term break and we are looking forward to the remainder of term. The children are busy on a number of fronts, participating in a range of events across different classes, including Scríobh Leabhar Gaeilge, Feis Loreto, GAA Indoor competitions, quizzes, Sportshall, World Book Dayetc over the coming weeks. Pancake Tuesday was also a huge success in the school and we thank Anne, our School Secretary, for her endeavours in flipping over four hundred pancakes.
Many Sixth Class pupils are looking forward to their Confirmation on Sunday 26 February at 12.30pm. There will be light refreshments in the School Hall afterwards. As per tradition, parents of Fifth Class pupils are invited to host the refreshments and a separate note has issued to the class.
The Board of Management conducted its Annual Child Protection Review at a Board of Management meeting on 21 February 2023. Copies of the school’s Child Protection policy and guidelines are available from the School Office upon request.
School Parking
A number of parents have expressed concern over current car parking practices along the Main Road outside of the school. The concerns relate mainly to the blocking of vision lines for pupils and parents as they attempt to cross the pedestrian path, with the issue caused by cars parking too close to the crossing and on the footpath.
From a school perspective, and with regard to pupil, parent and staff safety, we reiterate that no cars etc should be in the carpark immediately outside the school gates as this is for bus and staff parking only.
News from the Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association wish to thank you all for your generosity in contributing to a most successful Valentine’s Bake Sale which raised a most generous €618 in total. They have also set up a new Facebook page under Kilmacrennan PA.
Yours sincerely,
John Devenney.
January Newsletter
Jan 20th
Please note that we will host Grandparents’ Day on 1 February in the School Hall from 10am until 12 noon. We hope to do some St Brigid Cross Making on the day too. Tea will be served and all are welcome (parents/ guardians too).
The school will enter teams in the annual Credit Union Quiz, scheduled for Monday 30 January at 7pm in the Mount Errigal Hotel (registration by 6.30pm). Other forthcoming events include the Vex School’s Robot tournament in the ATU, Sportshall, Indoor Football, Internet Safety Day, Loreto Feis (Irish poetry and music) and round three of the Concern National Debating competition.
We are in the process of gradually replacing our Interactive whiteboards throughout the school with new updated Smart Screens. With a further two installations in place this week, we are delighted to now have this technology in eight of our ten classrooms. We hope to be in a position to replace the final two screens over the next few months.
Please note that the Confirmation of Sixth Class pupils is scheduled for Sunday 26 February at 12.30pm. The First Communion is scheduled for Saturday 13 May at 11 o’clock.
Please note that we are currently accepting Enrolment Applications for mainstream and ASD classes for the 2023-24 school year. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 31 January 2023 at 3pm.
Please note our amended school calendar to include an extra day off on the May Bank Holiday (Tuesday 2nd May) and the Summer closing date of 23 June 2023. It is anticipated that there will also be a School Planning Day (with the date yet to be confirmed).
Pupils and staff in our Solas Rooms were quite busy yesterday (as you may see from our wonderful snowperson) !
Admission Policy and Application Form
Jan 10th
Admission Policy and Application Form
A copy of the school’s Admission Policy and the Application Form for Admission for the 2023/24 school year is available as follows:
On request: By contacting the School Office, by emailing kilmacrennanschool@eircom.net, or by writing to: Scoil Cholmcille, Kilmacrennan, County Donegal.
PART 1 – Admissions to the 2023/2024 school year
Application and Decision Dates for admission to 2023/2024 school year
The following are the dates applicable for admission to Junior Infants
| 1. The school will commence accepting applications for admission on | Monday January 9th 2023 @ 8.00am |
| 2. The school shall cease accepting applications for admission on | Tuesday 31st January 2023 at 12pm |
| 3. The date by which successful applicants will be notified of the decision on their application is | Friday, 10th February 2023 |
| 4. The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is | Between 10 February 2023 and 24th February 2023 at 12pm. |
Note: applications made after the 31st January 2023 will be processed as late applications, the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy.
Failure of an applicant to accept an offer by the 24nd February 2023 may result in the offer being withdrawn
Special Class Application and Decision Dates for admission to 2023/2024 school year
The following are the dates applicable for admission to the school’s Special Class which caters for children with Autism.
Note: The figures set out below in relation to the Special Class are subject to change dependent on whether current students in the Special Classes retain their place in the school and whether a student/students transfers into the school after the publication of this Notice.
Note: Applicants must meet the specified criteria and have a professional recommendation for an ASD Class.
| Note: applications made after the 31st January 2023 will be processed as late applications, the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy. Failure of an applicant to accept an offer by the 22nd February 2023 may result in the offer being withdrawn 1. The school will commence accepting applications for admission to the special class on Mon January 9th 2023 @ 8.00am | Jan 9th 2023 @ 8.00am |
| 2. The school shall cease accepting applications for admission to the special class on Tuesday 31 January 2023 at 12pm | Jan 31st 2023 at 12pm |
| 3. The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application for admission to the special class is Friday 10th February 2023 | Feb 10th 2023 |
| 4. The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is Between 10th February 2023 and 24th February 2023 at 12pm | Feb10th 2023 and Feb 24 at12pm |
Other Year Groups Application and Decision Dates for admission to the 2023/2024 school year
The following are the dates applicable for admission to other year groups (SI to 6th class)
| 1. The school will commence accepting applications for admission to other year groups on | Monday January 9th 2023 @ 8.00am |
| 2. The school shall cease accepting applications for admission to other year groups on | Tuesday 31st January 2023 at 12pm |
| 3. The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application is | Friday, 10th February 2023 |
| 4. The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is | Between 10 February 2023 and 24th February 2023 at 12pm |
Note: applications made after the 31st January 2023 will be processed as late applications, the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy.
Failure of an applicant to accept an offer by the 22nd February 2023 may result in the offer being withdrawn
Number of places being made available in 2023/2024
The figures set out below in relation to the Special Classes are subject to change; dependent on whether current students in the Special Classes retain their place in the school and whether a student(s) transfers into the school, or from within the school, after the publication of this Notice
| The number of places being made available in Junior infants is | 30 |
| The number of places being made available in the special class* catering for children with Autism is | 1 (at present) |
December Newsletter
Dec 14th
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Christmas is upon us and it is the season to be merry. The children have been practicing Christmas plays, tunes and songs recently and we will host our Christmas Concerts next Tuesday, 20 December. Classes from Junior Infants to Second inclusive will run from 10am until 11.30am. The Parents’ Association will provide teas from 11.30 until 11.45am. All help is welcome, with donations of food greatly appreciated. The Third to Sixth Class concert will start at 12 noon, running until 2.30pm approximately. We will hold a Christmas draw in the school on the day. Tickets are €2 each/three for €5. Prizes include a hamper, a cake etc.
On Friday of this week, as part of our wellbeing Amber initiative, pupils are free to wear Christmas jumpers; an optional €2 donation per pupil would be appreciated with proceeds in aid of Pieta House. Santa is due to call to the school on Mon 19th December; we also hope to have a dress rehearsal of our concerts for all classes that day too.
In other school news, we wish to congratulate our U 9 Girls Athletic team on winning the County Donegal Large Schools Cross-Country Championship recently; to all who performed brilliantly at the Irish poetry festival in Downings (winning some medals too), to our School Debating Team on winning the second round of the All Ireland Concern National Debating Championship. The next meeting of the Parent’s Association is scheduled for Wed 18 January 2023 at 8pm.
We are scheduled to close at 12 noon on Wednesday, 21st December and to re-open on Thursday, 5th January 2022.
Finally, I wish to thank you all for your co-operation over the last term. It has been greatly appreciated.
Take care,
Yours sincerely,
John Devenney.
November Newsletter
Nov 16th
Dear Parent/Guardian,
All pupils are busy at school at the moment and have been enjoying swimming, football leagues, Science Week, Anti-Bullying week activities and Wainfest over the past few weeks.
Please note that a photographer will visit the school on Monday, 21st November 2022. We request that all pupils wear the correct uniform on the day. Please let us know if you have any individual requests. There is no obligation to purchase.
While some teachers have started their meetings early, Parent-teacher meetings are scheduled for Thursday 24th November. The individual class teachers will notify you of the times. As the meetings are scheduled for after school class times, and as the School Hall will be used on the day, please note that pupils are not to be present in the school or on the grounds.
The Christmas Show is scheduled for Tuesday, 20th December. We hope to schedule Junior to Second Classes from 10am onwards with a 12.30pm start for Third to Sixth Classes. We will clarify these times closer to the date. We will hold a Christmas Draw in the school that day. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5. Prizes include a Christmas Hamper, a Christmas Cake etc. You may send the money in on any day during the week, if you so wish.
Our Christmas holidays are scheduled to begin at noon on Wednesday 21st at 12 noon.
Christmas Annuals will be available to purchase from the school in December at a cost of €2 per annual.
We hope that all pupils will take part in a ‘Leg it to Lapland’ challenge where, during the month of December, we will collectively walk/run the 4,070km distance to Lapland.
The Parents’ Association are holding a table quiz for adults in Nora’s Bar on Friday 18th November at 8.30pm. €20 per table with nibbles supplied by Nora’s. All are welcome.
Regards,
John Devenney
October News
Oct 19th
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Note from the Parent’s Association:
The Kilmacrennan Parents’ Association are pleased to announce the return of their annual Halloween Family Quiz. The quiz will be held in the school hall on Wednesday, 26th October at 7.30pm. There will be spot prizes for the best fancy dress. This is a family quiz and all children should attend with an adult. We would ask for parent volunteers from 2nd & 4th class to help out on the night. Please contact Pauline Gallagher if you’re available to help out on the night. The Parents’ Association would also ask for donations for prizes for the night: tins of biscuits/sweets, small vouchers etc. It’s €5 per family for the quiz and and raffle tickets will be sold on the night. The Parents’ Association will have a tuck shop on the night for the children. Kilmacrennan Parents’ Association
Other News
Sixth Class pupils are scheduled to visit the Ulster-American Folk Park on Wednesday of this week. A six-week Swimming lessons course – beginning on 8th November – is planned for pupils in Second and Fifth class. Respective class teachers will furnish further details nearer the time.
Our school had a successful outing at the recent Cross-Country Athletics in Milford and we now look forward to competing in the Donegal Finals in Buncrana on 20 October.
Further upcoming events include Maths Week, the Letterkenny & District Schools Soccer League and Cumann na mBunscol GAA blitzes. We also hope to reschedule the events from the Wainfest Literary Festival that were cancelled due to the tragic events in Creeslough.
I respectfully request that you please refresh your child’s name on school jumpers, coats etc over the coming days. I also wish to restress the importance of keeping the school car park for bus and staff parking only. Finally, I wish to remind you that the school does not accept responsibility for the supervision of pupils before the opening of the School Gates at 9 am.
The school will close for Mid-term break on Friday, 28th October at 2/3pm for pupils and re-open on Monday, 7th November.
Yours sincerely,
John Devenney.
Free Coding Workshop
Oct 13th
| Free coding workshops from DojoMór 2022, funded by the HEA, will be running online, from 10am to 1pm, on Saturday 22nd October 2022, offering a range of activities to suit all ages and interests. On the day, 24,000 students, from primary and secondary schools around Ireland, can learn to code in a fun and exciting virtual environment. This event is being supported by Munster Technological University, Atlantic Technological University, South East Technological University, Maynooth University, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Design Art and Technology Design, and Offaly County Council. Coding Workshop List for DojoMór 2022: Coding for Beginners with Lightbot Build an App with Thunkable & Bubble Code a Virtual Robot with VEX Code VR Code like a Pro with HTML Create a Story/Game with Scratch Code a Micro-chip with Micro :bit 3D Modelling with Blender Making Music with Soundtrap The Magic of Augmented & Virtual Reality We would appreciate if you could share this with your teachers and students. For information and bookings – www.dojomor.ie Or scan here – For updates and competitions – @dojomor2021 Bookings are open now We hope you can make it, The DojoMór Team |
