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Enrolment is now open for the 2024-2025 school year see rathdonnellns.weebly.com/information-for-parents-and-policies.html
Dates for 2023-2024 See School Calendar page
Seachtain Na Gaeilge
Swimming Certification Awards
Children from the Senior room receiving their swimming certificates after attending lessons in the Aura.
St. Brigid's Day celebrations
Trentagh Fun Day Donation
Pupils and staff receiving a very generous donation from the proceeds of the Trentagh Fun Day fundraiser. A huge thank you to Christine, Sharon, Shauna and to all involved. We are lucky to have such a generous and supportive community, and we truly appreciate all the support we receive!
Slideshow of some of the activities at Rathdonnell NS
Ms Russell, Mr. Ferry and pupils from the senior room celebrating a successful day at a chess tournament. Thanks to Ficheall for organising and Scoil Naisiunta Taobhoige for hosting - Go raibh maith agaibh!
Ádh mór Grainne - Rathdonnell N.S. bids a heartfelt farewell to Ms. Duggan
Congratulations to Mrs. Duggan on a well-deserved retirement! Her contributions and hard work have left a lasting mark on our school. As you embark on your next adventure, take with you our appreciation and gratitude. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.
Pictured: Mrs. Margaret McGeehan, former principal of Rathdonnell NS, Mrs. Grainne Duggan retiring principal, Mr. Nigel Ferry current principal and Fr. Patrick Dunne, chairperson. [Photo courtsey of Declan Doherty]
Pictured: Mrs. Margaret McGeehan, former principal of Rathdonnell NS, Mrs. Grainne Duggan retiring principal, Mr. Nigel Ferry current principal and Fr. Patrick Dunne, chairperson. [Photo courtsey of Declan Doherty]
Fighting Words - Creative Writing Workshop.
Children from 4th, 5th and 6th classes enjoyed a trip to Donegal County Library, where they worked together with the creative writing organisation, Fighting Words. Our budding authors and illustrators thoroughly enjoyed their day and are now officially published authors! You can find there imaginative story at the link below. How will Max and his friend Ronaldo save the world from the gooey aliens? That's up to you!!
Peace IV: See the latest Newsletter- news on all the activities across the partnerships, including Rathdonnell and Trentagh NS.
Big Day in Tayto Park!
Sack race fun! Go to Gallery.
Big Day in Tayto Park!
Sack race fun! Go to Gallery.
Also-
Sports Day-
Go to Peace IV page.
Another meet up today for Gaelic games at the Burn Road. The wet weather didn't dampen our fun and friendship!
Also a great day out recently in Ards Forest Park, with our pals from Trentagh NS. See Peace IV Shared Education programme page.
Sports Day-
Go to Peace IV page.
Another meet up today for Gaelic games at the Burn Road. The wet weather didn't dampen our fun and friendship!
Also a great day out recently in Ards Forest Park, with our pals from Trentagh NS. See Peace IV Shared Education programme page.
Easter Art
Enrolment 2022- 2023
See Information for Parents page.
"Bug-ingham Palace"
Go to Green Schools page to see some Five Star accommodation for mini-beasts and insects! Thanks to Ferdia's dad for this masterpiece.
Enjoying outdoor play in the fine weather.
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2022
Bhî Tráth na gCeist againn le déanaí. Thug ár gcairde as Tréantach cuairt chugainn thar Google Meet agus bhí spraoi mhaith againn! Téigh go dtí Gailéaraí.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig daoibh uilig!
Public Holiday 18th March 2022
The government has agreed to designate a once-off public holiday on Friday 18 March 2022 in recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lá na bPancóg! Máirt na hInide
Téigh go dtí Gaillearaí
Téigh go dtí Gaillearaí
Geology- the study of rocks. See science and nature page. Also fun with bubbles!
New : Lá Fhéile Bríde‐ St. Brigid's Day. Ag deánamh crosóga. Gallery
Science Lessons agus Spórt sa Seomra Ranga. Drama: "Rathdonnell Hall Mystery" - see all the fun in Gallery.
Beannachtaí na Nollag daoibh uilig!
Happy Christmas to you all. Please check your email for Christmas performances, "The Rathdonnell Hall Mystery" and Junior Room concert. Our Christmas raffle was very popular and no one went home empty-handed! Go to gallery to see the fun!
Ealaín na Nollag-Christmas Art.
Téigh go dtí Visual Arts.
GAA
Tá lúchair orainn bheith arais ag traenáil le Manus arís. Ag foghlaim scileanna agus ag imirt cluichí. Téigh go dtí Spórt.
Téigh go dtí Visual Arts.
GAA
Tá lúchair orainn bheith arais ag traenáil le Manus arís. Ag foghlaim scileanna agus ag imirt cluichí. Téigh go dtí Spórt.
Geography Field Trip to the Flough
5th and 6th class took a quick walk over to the Flough. Have a look at Green Schools Page
5th and 6th class took a quick walk over to the Flough. Have a look at Green Schools Page
Bainigí uilig sult as Féile na Samhna! Bhí spórt agus spraoi againn ar an lá deireanach den leath-thearma. Téigh go dtí Visual Arts.
New soccer and basketball court markings.
Draft Distance Learning Policy
Please open below. We welcome any feedback.
distance_learning_policy_st._josephs_ns_rathdonnell.pdf | |
File Size: | 389 kb |
File Type: |
Colm Cille 1500
Is bliain tabhachtach í seo agus muid ag céilliúradh breith Colm Cille, ar ndóigh 1500 bliain ó rugadh ár Naomh dilís. Rugadh Colm Cill ar bhruach Loch Gartán agus cinnte tá lorg Colm Cille le feicéail ar fud na háite seo. An Léannan (abhainn), Leac na Cúmha, Rath Chnó (Church Town, Gartan), Cill Mhic n-Éanáin, Teampaill Dubhghlais agus araile.
St. Colm Cille (also known as St. Columba) is one of Ireland's patron saints. He was born in Gartan in 520 (or 521). There are many sites associated with the life of the inspirational ‘Colm Cille’ and also dedicated to him throughout Derry and Donegal. In 545, he founded his first monastery in Derry / Doire Cholm Cille – and in 563 set sail with twelve monks from Derry to the island of Iona in Scotland where he died in 597.
We plan to work creatively during 2020-2021 and the children have begun learning about this important figure from our local heritage, who has left such a legacy.
There are lots of opportunities for learning and we hope to link: Local history, Ceol, Art, English, Gaeilge, Environmental Education, PE- walking tours, poetry, faith - the possibilities for creative and enjoyable work are endless!
Go to the History Page for more.... or click on the following link to visit some interesting sites:
padlet.com/columba1500/jwcyenicrt5ghqcz
St. Colm Cille (also known as St. Columba) is one of Ireland's patron saints. He was born in Gartan in 520 (or 521). There are many sites associated with the life of the inspirational ‘Colm Cille’ and also dedicated to him throughout Derry and Donegal. In 545, he founded his first monastery in Derry / Doire Cholm Cille – and in 563 set sail with twelve monks from Derry to the island of Iona in Scotland where he died in 597.
We plan to work creatively during 2020-2021 and the children have begun learning about this important figure from our local heritage, who has left such a legacy.
There are lots of opportunities for learning and we hope to link: Local history, Ceol, Art, English, Gaeilge, Environmental Education, PE- walking tours, poetry, faith - the possibilities for creative and enjoyable work are endless!
Go to the History Page for more.... or click on the following link to visit some interesting sites:
padlet.com/columba1500/jwcyenicrt5ghqcz
Go to Gallery to see more Outdoor Classroom photos...
School Calendar 2021-2022
Please go to the School Calendar page.
Please go to the School Calendar page.
Covid 19 Policy Statement Rathdonnell NS
covid_policy_statement_rathdonnell_ns.pdf | |
File Size: | 80 kb |
File Type: |
Rathdonnell NS Covid Response Plan
rathdonnell_ns_covid-19_response_plan.pdf | |
File Size: | 195 kb |
File Type: |
COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of Primary and Special Schools
Please see below:
covid-19-response-plan-for-primary-special-schools-editable-word-document.docx | |
File Size: | 608 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Home Based Learning
We've compiled a list of websites which may come in useful for home-school work. There are hundreds of free resources and links to good educational websites. Good advice also from the Department of Education and Skills and NEPS, supporting children and young people at this time. The book companies are making their books free to everyone during this time. Have a look- click on the link below...
padlet.com/rathdonnellns/qho531v3avag
padlet.com/rathdonnellns/qho531v3avag
Saor agus Slán ....
Trip to the County Museum to see the Tullydonnell Hoard
A special chance to view the wonderful gold rings and to hear the story of how they were found. Our ancient past revealed! Go to History page for more photos.
There is a green hill far away....
Our local heritage- Can you see the stately Rathdonnell House peeping out from behind the stand of beech trees atop the green hill? This house was built in the 1700s and had a strong association at one time with Cecil Frances Alexander who wrote the famous hymns "All things bright and beautiful" and "There is a green hill far away". We like to think that the green hill of Rathdonnell inspired her! The ancient Celts knew a good vantage point and built their rath (ring fort) perhaps two thousand years ago on this same hill. Raths were built for protection of people and livestock. This fort belonged to the O' Donnells.
Scoilnet Star Website!
We're delighted to have been chosen as Scoilnet's Star Website! Follow the link below to read more...
www.scoilnet.ie/star-site/st-josephs-ns/
We're delighted to have been chosen as Scoilnet's Star Website! Follow the link below to read more...
www.scoilnet.ie/star-site/st-josephs-ns/
Parents may find the following websites useful. There are plenty of suggestions for enjoyable activities in which parents and their children can engage.
www.helpmykidlearn.ie
www.curriculumonline.ie
www.helpmykidlearn.ie
www.curriculumonline.ie
About us
St. Joseph’s NS, Rathdonnell is a two-teacher school on the outskirts of the town of Letterkenny, in a rural and mixed agricultural setting within the Parish of Kilmacrennan. The River Lennon flows nearby.
The school was built in 1958, a one-classroomed schoolhouse. In 1955, the first pupils attended classes in a neighbouring house across the road from the site of the present school. Previous to this, local children attended Trentagh NS or Edenacarnan NS. A second classroom was built circa 1995 and in 2005, a renovation upstairs provided an extra classroom for support teaching. The new extension (September 2016), comprises a new classroom, new school entrance and foyer, office accommodation, assisted user bathroom and wet-room and new footpath providing pedestrian and vehicular access.
Education is at the heart of everything we do in St. Joseph’s NS, and the school aims to be a vibrant community where pupils are engaged in purposeful and meaningful learning. The school is aware of its role in the continuum of learning- with high expectations placed on all to attain good learning habits which will continue on to second and hopefully, third-level education and on through life.
Teaching staff include the: Teaching Principal Ms. Grainne Duggan, Junior Classroom Teacher Ms. Linda Sweeney, Special Education Teacher (and Assistant Principal) Mrs. Cathy Russell and SNA Ms. Grace Buchannan.
The immediate local environment is utilised and the importance of the Outdoor Classroom is acknowledged in a real way. Children learn about their local river, the farming and agricultural practices surrounding them and the local places of historical importance for example the ‘Rath’ or ring-fort which is close by. The rural context of the school is reflected in the teaching and learning opportunities provided to the pupils, for instance Safety on the Farm, Farming and farming practices, river work, field study work.
The school participates in the Discover Primary Science Awards, the Green School Programme, Scríobh Leabhair, Realt Uladh, Texaco Art and Cumann na mBunscol Games, including rounders and Gaelic Football, Credit Union Quizzes and Historical Society competitions. Most recently pupils took part in Éigse Shéain Bháin i mBaile na Finne sa chomórtas 'Deis a Labhartha'.
Science, Maths and Environmental learning are strongly promoted and there is an emphasis on active learning. We continue the strong musical and drama tradition in the school and pupils are proficient in reading music and playing instruments including tin whistle, fiddle and accordion. The pupils are provided with a wide range learning experience in sport and all children are encouraged to be part of the active school. Fostering an enjoyment of reading is a priority and the library books available to the children are of high interest, age appropriate and colourful. The children enjoy choosing and reading their books.
Our latest activities include some lovely lessons from the Heritage in Schools scheme and meeting up virtually with our Trentagh friends (Peace IV).