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about 14 hours ago St. Colmcille's Primary School, Downpatrick said
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about 16 hours ago St. Colmcille's Primary School, Downpatrick said
Assessment Period Continues! A huge well done to all of our pupils for a fantastic first week of assessments! We are very proud of the effort and positive attitude shown throughout the week. Assessments continue again next week, and we would like to remind everyone of the importance of pupils being in school each day so they can complete all of their tests and do their very best. We then have Sports Day on Friday 15th for everyone to look forward to! Thank you for your continued support.
about 17 hours ago St. Colmcille's Primary School, Downpatrick said
Miss School (unnecessarily) = Miss Out Every single school day is important. Give your child the best start in life by ensuring they attend school every day and on time! Children should be in school for 9am- registration closes at 9.10am. *Important Information from the Department of Education* Why School Attendance Is Important..... Regular school attendance is vital for children to: Learn and achieve qualifications Build friendships and social skills Develop confidence and self-esteem Experience new things and cultures Gain life skills and prepare for the future Poor attendance can lead to: Falling behind academically Social isolation Increased risk of anti-social behaviour Legal Responsibilities Parents of children of compulsory school age must ensure they receive full-time education, either at school or otherwise (e.g. home education). If a child is registered at a school, parents must ensure regular attendance. Failure to do so can result in: A fine of up to £1,000 per child An Education Supervision Order under the Children (NI) Order 1995 Family Holidays Holidays during term time are unauthorised absences. With only 190 statutory school days per year, holidays should be planned outside term time to avoid disrupting learning. How Parents Can Help..... Establish consistent morning and evening routines Ensure punctuality and regular attendance Schedule medical appointments outside school hours Communicate with the school about absences Take truancy seriously Engage with your child's school life and homework Attend school events and parent meetings Support school staff and address behavioural issues Seek help from the school when needed
about 1 day ago St. Colmcille's Primary School, Downpatrick said
P5 Chocolate Factory Trip This week, our Primary 5 pupils enjoyed a fantastic visit to NearyNógs Chocolate Factory outside Kilkeel. The tour began with learning about cacao pods – exploring the tough outer shell and the creamy pulp surrounding the cacao beans inside. We then discovered how chocolate is made, from the fermentation process to how the beans are bagged and shipped all over the world. The children examined cacao beans from countries such as Togo, Ecuador, Cuba and Vietnam, and saw the different machines used during chocolate production. We learned about the roasting process and how sugar and milk are added to create the chocolate we all love. The highlight for many pupils was the tasting session! We sampled 80% and 60% chocolate, as well as delicious passion fruit infused chocolate and chocolate fudge – a huge success all round. We finished by washing down our sweet treats with a lovely cup of hot chocolate. A huge thank you to NearyNógs for being so welcoming and kind to our pupils. We had a wonderful day and learned so much!
about 1 day ago St. Colmcille's Primary School, Downpatrick said
Sports Day 2026 – Friday 15th May Our annual Sports Day is scheduled to take place on Friday 15th May on the lawn of St. Colmcille's Church. At present, the weather forecast indicates light showers and a moderate breeze. A final decision on whether Sports Day will proceed as planned will be made on Wednesday Afternoon (13th May) and communicated to parents. Due to existing commitments in the school calendar, the rearranged date, should postponement be necessary, will be Wednesday 3rd June. Timings: Foundation Stage (P1–P2 including SPS1 & LSC1 & 2): 9.30am–10.50am Key Stage 1 (P3–P4): 11.00am–12.50pm Key Stage 2 (P5–P7, including LSC3 & LSC4): 1.00pm–2.50pm We would love to see you therecome along and cheer on our fantastic young athletes!
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Class Pages
Check out our class pages, to see all the fantastic learning experiences our pupils have been engaging in recently!