General
Parent Zone
May Newsletter
May 14th
The pupils are busy on a number of fronts. A number are participating in a cycling event at Glenveagh this week while others will participate in a School Athletics Meet on Thursday 15 May. We are also hoping to hold an in-school Relay for Life event this month (details to follow) and are also looking forward to school tours later in the term. Pupils from first to sixth classes are presently undergoing standardised testing n English and Maths, with selected classes also participating in Irish testing. These results will issue in June. Kilmac 5K: The countdown is on for the Kilmac 5K Road Race/ Walk which is to be held this Friday 16th of May @7:30pm. It is an important annual fundraiser for the school and we ask for your support on the day. Please note that we are still looking for a few marshals. Registration is in the School Hall
from 5pm – 7pm First Holy Communion: The First Holy Communion is this Saturday. We ask that all are seated in Kilmacrennan Chapel fifteen minutes in advance of the 11am mass. There will be tea and refreshments served in the School Hall afterwards.
School Places: With enrolment places at a premium in some classes, please inform the School Office if your child/children do not intend to return to our school in September.
Staff training day closure : There will be no school for pupils on the 22 May.
June Bank Holiday Closure : Monday 2 June,.
Please note that we regularly post old school photographs on our website (Throwback Thursday). Please feel free to peruse.
April Newsletter
Apr 28th
APRIL NEWSLETTER
In-School Activities
We are busy on a number of fronts. We recently participated in the Sportshall Athletics in Letterkenny and enjoyed the event. Our Cumann na mBunscol GAA Quiz team competed in the Ulster final and were placed fifth. Well done to all.
We also had a large number of participants in Feis Loreto in Letterkenny and enjoyed success in quite a number of competitions. We were delighted to win the Best Overall Music Award on the day.
We wish our girls’ soccer team all the best in the Co Donegal FAIS 5 a side Soccer Finals this week.
Board of Management News
We have been quite busy on the works front recently. We painted the exterior of the school building and we have installed new sensory padding in our Solas Rooms. We have also introduced a new gate access system in recent weeks. We are working on the completion of a snagging list for the new extension and hope to have an opening day for the new rooms. The Board have provisionally scheduled Friday 2 May for this but we will confirm this closer to the date.
Sponsored Walk
We wish to thank you all for your generosity regarding our recent Sponsored Walk. A magnificent total of €3,075 was raised and is being invested in pupil resources.
An Coiste Glas
An Coiste Glas (Green School Committee) are collecting used household batteries this week and ask for any such batteries to be handed into the school this week.
Social Media Use
A number of parents have passed commentary on the use by some pupils of social media platforms (outside of school time). We will remind all of the importance of internet safety at school and request that you monitor your child’s online presence (if applicable).
Attendance
As part of our Attendance Reporting to you, we wish to note that we had an attendance rate of 95.3%, up from 92.4% on March of last year. This is a significant and welcome improvement and we hope to continue in this vein for the remainder of the year.
Easter Draw
We will hold an Easter Draw on the final day of term with a hamper and Easter Eggs as prizes. Tickets are €2 each, or three for €5.
Dates for the Diary
The Ceremony of Light for confirmation candidates will be held this Wednesday 2 April at 7pm in Kilmacrennan Chapel. Confirmations are scheduled for Thursday 10 April at 6pm.
First Confessions are scheduled for Tuesday 8 April at 7pm in Termon Chapel. Uniforms are to be worn.
Please note that the school will close on Friday 11 April and reopen on Monday 28 April (Easter Holidays). Please note that the school is closed for pupils on Monday 5 May (May Bank Holiday).
The Annual Kilmac 5k event is scheduled for Friday 16 May.
First Holy Communions are Saturday 17 May.
Throwback Thursday
Grace, our School Secretary, has also been posting weekly Throwback Thursday photographs on the Gallery Section of the website with photographs of former pupils and school events over the years. Feel free to view.
February 2025 Board of Management
Mar 5th
The Board of Management of Kilmacrennan School met in February 2025. The Principal Teacher/Sec Report was presented and included In-School Activities, including reports on matters such as the Enrolment Application process/ approvals, Assistant Principal 11 vacancy, Child Protection Annual Review, Anti Bullying, preparation of Annual Accounts, Health and Safety, Attendance Matters, CPSMA, Policy updates, School Self-Evaluation, a planned celebration to mark the Solas Autism Suite Extension, Communication with parents including the Monthly Newsletters etc.
Feb 4th
Nuacht Litir na Scoile/ March Newsletter
Nuacht Litir na Scoile/ March Newsletter
We are all busy at school at the moment and the following activities and planned events gives a flavour of the activities this month.
School News: We are placing an emphasis on handwriting styles/neatness etc at school this term, and we encourage you to further support this at home. We are also promoting the use of Irish phrases each week.
– We have introduced a lunch box system in a number of classes over the past few weeks whereby pupils are taking home any lunches that have not been eaten. This will give parents an idea of the food eaten/ not eaten by each child. We will monitor how this works over the term.
– We hope to host a celebration to open our Autism Suite before Easter and will post details in a few weeks’ time.
– The Modern Languages initiative is up and running again this year withSpanish lessons provided for pupils from Third to Sixth classes this term.
– Pancake Tuesday ison Tuesday 4th March and we will have treats for the pupils on the day.
– World Book Day is on Thursday 6th March. Pupils are free to dress in literary/film/book theme or costume on the day and we will host in-school activities.
– Seachtain na Gaeilge is celebrated in early March each year and as part of our participation, beidh Ceolchoirm Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl do na páistí i Halla na Scoile ar an Aoine 15ú Márta. [There will be a School Concert for the pupils on Friday 15th March]. All are free to dress in a St Patrick/ Green theme on the day, if they so wish.
– Feis Leitir Ceanainn is on the 20th March with pupils from the school participating in poetry, singing and traditional music performances.
Recent Events: We thank all those who represented the school in Céim Aniar poetry event in Downings and we enjoyed great success. Well done also to our school quiz teams who have qualified for the regional Credit Union finals on Sunday 9th March and for the County Finals of the Garda Quiz. We enjoyed GAA success at the recent Indoor Football Competition in An Craoibhín, winning three of the finals on the day. We will participate in the FAIS 5 a side soccer competition this month.P
– As part of our Attendance Monitoring Strategy, we note an attendance rate of 92.8 % during the month of February 2025, an increase of 2.1% on the same month last year.
Sponsored Walks/ Nature Outings: We have issued sponsorship cards and respectfully ask that they are returned to the school at the earliest opportunity. We will invest any monies raised in pupil resources and in our School Garden which has recently been expanded and greatly developed by Adrian Gaffey, to whom we are most grateful. We hope to organise the walk towards the end of the week, subject to favourable weather.
- Feel free to visit our website www.kilmacrennanschool.com to view old school photographs/classes that we are posting [Pupil Zone/ Throwback Thursday].
- There will be no school on Monday 17th March [St Patrick’s Day}.
Dates for the diary:
First Confession: Tuesday 8th April @7.30pm in Termon Chapel
Confirmation Date: Thursday 10th April at 6pm
Kilmac 5k: Friday 16th MayO
January Newsletter
Jan 16th
January Newsletter
School News
The pupils are busy at school this term and we look forward to a number of upcoming events, including Vex Robotics for Sixth Class, Credit Union Quiz, Féis Leitir Ceanainn, Poetry competition, Children of the Eucharist, Sportshall events, among others.
We will once again host a Grandparents’ Day/St Bridget Cross-Making in the School Hall on Friday 31 January 2024 from 10 until 12 noon. All are welcome to attend.
School Enrolment
Please note that we are currently accepting enrolment applications for new pupils for the 2025/26 school year. The closing date for applications is 29th January 2025.
February Bank Holiday
Please note that the school will be closed for pupils on Monday 3rd February (St Bridget’s Bank Holiday).
Hot Meals
A small number of pupils appear not to be availing of our Hot Lunches. To avoid wastage of food and money, please tick the Fresh2Day No Meal box if this is the case (and you may re-join at any time).
Parent’s Association
We wish to thank the PA for organising the Christmas Fair and other events this past year. They recently presented €6,000 to the school and we are most grateful for this.
School Closure Info
In the event of an unforeseen school closure (ice/ snow/ frost/heating/electricity issues etc), please note that we will inform parents of such closures via an Aladdin text in the morning, or the evening before if adverse conditions are known in advance.
Please make your own judgement call regarding attendance and travel on days where the school remains open during such weather.
Yours sincerely,
John Devenney
Admissions Notice
Dec 20th
The 2025/26 enrolment period is from 6-29 January 2025. The Notice is posted under the Parent Dropbar on this webpage.
Nuacht-Litir na Nollaig
Dec 9th
All pupils are busy at school at the moment and many have been enjoying swimming lessons, football, Science Day, GAA coaching and outings over the past few weeks. We wish to congratulate our school Debating team who recently qualified for Round Two of the Concern Debating Championship, and wish those who are participating in the Irish poetry competition in Downings this Saturday all the best. Please note a change of venue in that the event will be held in the GAA Centre with a 10am start. Our Cumann na mBunscol quiz team were placed third in the recent County Final and have qualified for the Ulster final.
I wish to thank the Parents’ Association for the huge work and input into ensuring the huge success of the recent Christmas Fair. All monies raised will be invested in pupil resources.
We have scheduled our Christmas Shows/Music for the morning of Wednesday 18 December. Tea and biscuits will be available for all. We will inform you of class performance times closer to the day. We will also host a draw for a Christmas Hamper on the day. Santa Claus hopes to call in to see us all on Thursday 19th December.
We will close for the Christmas Holidays on Friday 20th December at 12 noon, and re-open 6th January.
November Newsletter
Nov 18th
Dear Parent/ Guardian,
Parent’s Association
The PA are hosting a table quiz in Nora’s Bar this Friday, 8th November (Adults only). Your support is appreciated. Spot prizes on the night.
The PA are holding a meeting in the school on Tuesday, 12th November at 8pm. The agenda will include Road Safety concerns at the school. All are welcome.
The PA are holding a Christmas Fair in the School Hall on Sunday 1st December from 11.30am until 4pm. Donations for tea/sandwiches etc & all help appreciated. Contact Terri, Organiser
In other News,
GAA coaching lessons will take place for all classes this term on Fridays of each week. Second and Fifth class pupils have started swimming lessons this term.
We wish to our Debating Team all the best in Round One of the Donegal Concern Debating Competition next week.
The Parent-Teacher Meetings are scheduled for the afternoon/early evening of Thursday 21st November. Class teachers will arrange an appointment form in due course.
Guth Ghoill, an Irish language poetry event, is scheduled to be held in Downings on Saturday 7th December. Please let us know this week if your child is interested in participating.
Tomorrow, Friday 8th November is the last day to place Design a Christmas Card orders.
School Closures:
There will be no school for pupils on Thursday 28th November (Staff training).
There will be no school for pupils on Friday 29th November (Election Day; to be confirmed)
Reminder: to refresh names on jumpers, t-shirts, coats, personal belongings etc; particularly needed by swimming groups as items of clothing mix-ups can often happen.
Reminder: No parents to drop/collect their child by car at the School Gate. This area is reserved for bus/staff parking/permit holder only.
This Newsletter is also posted on www.kilmacrennanschool.com (under School News).
Kilmacrennan NS
Attendance Note
Nov 18th
Attendance Note
Please note that our pupil attendance rate has fallen somewhat in recent years, particularly so during Covid times, but recovery rates are a little slower than expected. The Board of Management has an Attendance Strategy and, as we seek to promote good attendance, we respectfully ask that you pay particular attention to planned absences that can impact on schooling, particularly in relation to holidays etc. I attach an information sheet from Tusla in this regard.
————————————————————————————————Dear Parent/Guardian
I am writing to tell you a little about the Education Welfare Act, 2000 (amended by the Child and family Agency Act 2013) and about some of the responsibilities we share under the Act. As you know, a good education gives your child the best possible start in life. A good education helps young people to obtain secure employment and develop into mature and responsible citizens. The purpose of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 is to encourage regular school attendance and participation in education and training for as long as possible. It is desirable that every child stays in school and completes the Leaving Certificate.
Under the law, every child must attend school regularly up to sixteen years of age or complete at least three years education in a post primary school whichever comes later.
As a parent, you must let the school know if your child is absent and the reason why. It is school policy that reasons must be given in writing. The school will notify Tusla – Child and Family Agency if a child is absent for 20 days or more or where the absence gives rise to concern.
If your child is sick or is absent for other good reasons, no action will be taken by Tusla – Child and Family Agency. However, if there is concern about your child’s attendance at school or about the reasons given, you may be visited by an Educational Welfare Officer who will discuss your child’s education with you. The Officer will work with you and take full account of the circumstances of the child and the family before deciding what further action is necessary to ensure that the child receives his/her entitlement to an education.
Further information concerning the new service and about school attendance matters generally can be obtained from the national Lo-Call Education Helpline – 1890 36 36 66.
October Newsletter
Oct 10th
October Newsletter
The pupils have settled into school routine this term. Several of our classes have enjoyed educational outings, workshops and events, including a Lennon River Field trip, Heritage Events, a St Colmcille workshop, nature walks etc. Several classes will attend Wainfest Literary events this week.
Well done to all who took part in the School’s Cross-Country event in Milford recently. Our U 9, U-11 and U-13 Boys won Team Gold, u-9 Girls won Team Gold with silver for the U 11 and U 13 Girls. A number of athletes qualified for the Donegal School’s Cross-Country Finals and this will take place later this term.
The school will participate in the Letterkenny District League (Soccer), with the first game scheduled for later this week. The School House Leagues are up and running for Fourth to Sixth with the First to Third Class League scheduled for next term.
Pupils in Second and Fifth classes will partake in swimming lessons next term (details to follow).
Please note that Friendship Week is being held this week while Maths Week is due to be held next week.
Parent-Teacher:
Folllowing on from the success of the last Silver Circle, the Parents’ Association are running another Silver Circle draw for 5 weeks, commencing on Thursday 24th October until Thursday 21st November. Details will issue shortly.
We wish to thank you for your support with the Annual Voluntary Contribution. It is greatly appreciated.
We request that names are refreshed regularly on all school items such as lunchboxes, school jumpers, coats and stationery.
We will close for the Halloween Break on Friday 25 October at 3pm and re-open on Monday 4 November.
Please feel to contact me if you have any queries,
Yours sincerely,
John Devenney.
