St. Colmcille's Primary School, Downpatrick

30/08/2026

🏃‍♂️ PE Updates 🏅

👕 All PE uniforms ordered from McKeever should now have been delivered and distributed by class teachers. Please contact the school office if you have any enquiries regarding PE uniform. PE lessons will take place for all classes on Mondays and Thursdays for the foreseeable future, except for P6B who will attend swimming lessons on Wednesdays and take part in lessons in school on Mondays. Children should wear their PE uniform on these designated days, this should include comfortable trousers and shoes. 👕

🏊‍♀️P6 classes will attend swimming lessons the week commencing September 7th (6A on Mondays, 6B on Wednesdays). Lessons cost £3.50 per week which can be paid on School Money, this includes bus and lessons. Children from Key Stage 2 will attend later in the academic year. Swimming is very much part of the curriculum and all children are encouraged to attend where possible.🏊‍♀️

🏐 Our P6-7 Netball and Football teams will train on Friday afternoons from 1.45 – 2.45pm. Netball will take place in the Ballymote Centre, and football will be on the the chapel lawn until further notice or if weather conditions are unfavourable resulting in training also moving to the Ballymote Centre.🏐

🤸 Multi-Sports Afterschool clubs will take place on Wednesdays and will explore a variety of different sporting activities, all are welcome and there is something for everyone. 🤸

28/08/2026

🌟 Summer Developments at School 🌟

We are delighted to showcase some fantastic improvements that have taken place across our school site over the summer months!

🏓 New Outdoor Table Tennis Tables
Pupils can now enjoy two brand new outdoor table tennis tables during break and lunchtime, providing even more opportunities for active play, enjoyment and social interaction.

🏫 State-of-the-Art SPL2 Accommodation
Our SPL2 class has moved into a new, state-of-the-art modular mobile classroom. This modern learning environment has been thoughtfully designed to provide a bright, comfortable and engaging space where pupils can thrive.

🛝 Enhanced Foundation Stage Play Area
The Foundation Stage playground has been completely resurfaced with a high-quality, non-marking rubber surface. This improvement not only refreshes the look of the area but also enhances safety, allowing our youngest learners to play with greater confidence.

🎨 Stunning New Murals for P7A
Our newly refurbished P7A mobile has been transformed by a series of beautiful murals, expertly painted by the very talented Ms Reynolds. The artwork has brought colour, creativity and character to the space, creating an inspiring environment for pupils and staff alike.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in these exciting developments. We look forward to seeing our pupils enjoy these wonderful new facilities throughout the year!

28/08/2026

🍦 A sweet start to the new school year at St Colmcille's PS!

To celebrate the beginning of another exciting year, our pupils enjoyed a special visit from the ice cream van as a back-to-school treat.

Our staff have been incredibly impressed with how well all pupils have settled back into school life. Their positive attitudes, enthusiasm and excellent behaviour have made for a fantastic start to the term.

Well done everyone, and here's to a wonderful year ahead!

28/08/2026

❤️Thank you CDRCN🙏🏻

A huge thank you to County Down Rural Community Network and Jenny Laverty, Development Officer, for their very generous support of our recent summer programme. 🌟
Their kind contribution provided some lovely treats/snacks and games for the children attending our summer scheme, which were very much appreciated! 🍦☀️

They have this week also generously donated a number of cinema passes to the school, which will be shared with families in due course. 🎬🍿

We are incredibly grateful for their continued kindness and support of our children, families and school community. 💛

27/08/2026

🚂 Walking Train Reminder 🚂
​
Please see Booking Form for children in P1-P4 to avail of the daily Walking Train.​
​
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/TEuibVXGDE

Form must be completed by tomorrow, Friday 28th August at 9am to secure a place.
​
Please note the Walking Train will not operate in significantly inclement weather- we will always do our best to advice of a cancellation in a timely manner.

25/08/2026

*** Special Diet Information ***

Does your child have a special dietary requirement? Have you notified your child’s school about it?

Special diet applications should be completed when the diet is:
◾ medically prescribed eg food allergies
◾ religious or cultural reasons
◾ vegetarian or vegan

Parents/guardians/caregivers have a crucial role in providing these details to their child’s school. All special diets must be notified to the school using our Guidance for the provision of Special Diets in schools form. This form should be submitted when your child joins a school and/or starts taking school meals, or when your child is diagnosed with a medical condition or allergy/intolerance requiring an adjustment to their diet or how the food is served.

📩 Download the form: https://ow.ly/sxXt50ZFcNG

Upon receipt of the completed form for medically required diets, your school will contact you and facilitate a meeting with you, the school and the school’s catering manager. The arrangements for provision of your child’s meals will be discussed and agreed ahead of the special diet being provided.

If you haven’t previously submitted a completed application, and your child needs a special diet, you need to apply now.

🔗 More information about the process is available on our website: https://ow.ly/peYN50ZFcNH

25/08/2026

🍎 Our New School Menu Is Here! 🥪

Please see the new school menu, packed with tasty, nutritious meals to keep our pupils fuelled and ready to learn! 🌟

From comforting favourites to fresh new dishes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

🍽️ Fresh and balanced choices
🥕 Plenty of fruit and vegetables
😋 Delicious meals for growing appetites

School meals cost £3.10 and can be booked on School Money at the end of this week!

25/08/2026

🎉 COOL CLUBS ARE BACK! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome pupils to our Cool Clubs, beginning Tuesday 1st September!

🌟There’s something for everyone to enjoy:

💃 Monday – Hip Hop Dance or Lego Club�🎨 Tuesday – Arts & Craft Club�⚽ Wednesday – Multi-Sports & Outdoor Play�🎮 Thursday – Gaming & Coding Club�🎲 Friday – Table Top Games P1–3 (2pm–3pm)�⚽ Friday – Netball & Football Club�♟️ Friday – Chess P4–7 (2.50pm–3.50pm)

🌅 Breakfast Club is also available from 8.15am–8.50am for just £1 per session.

💷 After-school clubs are £2 per session, with Homework Club from 4pm–4.30pm for £1.

⭐ Try new things�❤️ Make new friends�🏆 Have fun and build new skills!
📲 Bookings can be made through
SchoolMoney (from this Thursday).

We can’t wait to see our pupils getting involved and enjoying everything our Cool Clubs have to offer! 💙💛

21/08/2026

🎒🌟 WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL! 🌟🎒

We are really looking forward to welcoming all our pupils and families back to St Colmcille’s PS, Downpatrick! 💙📚

📅 School reopens: Thursday 27th August
⏰ 9am – 2pm
🥪 Please remember to bring a packed lunch.

A few important reminders for the start of term:

⭐ Breakfast Club begins Tuesday 1st September
⭐ Afterschool Clubs begin Tuesday 1st September
⭐ Walking Train begins Tuesday 1st September
🚌 Home to school transport will not begin until Tuesday 1st September

📩 A Back to School Information Letter will follow early next week with further information to help everyone prepare for the new school year.

⚽️ PE Uniform orders have arrived and will be distributed on Thursday 27th August!

We hope everyone enjoys the last few days of the holidays, and we can’t wait to see all those smiling faces back at school! 🏫💙

See you on Thursday 27th August! 🎉

24/07/2026

*** Free School Meals & Uniform Allowance Reminder ***

If you are applying for Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance for the upcoming school year, you are encouraged to apply before Friday 31 July to guarantee your support is in place for the start of term.

Please ensure you have completed the application fully and submitted all relevant supporting documentation.

👉 Apply now on EA Connect: https://connect.eani.org.uk/parent/login

For more information, including FAQs, visit: www.eani.org.uk/fsm