Calling all young wind and brass players !
Donegal Music Education Partnership is setting up a new Junior Concert Band in Donegal Town with it’s first rehearsal scheduled to take place on Wednesday 1 February in the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town. Meeting weekly, the rehearsals will take from 7 – 8pm every Wednesday evening. The Junior Concert Band is open to brass and wind players from beginners level (ideally with 1 year’s experience) up to a Grade 3 standard, and is an excellent performance opportunity for junior players not yet of the standard to join the Donegal Youth Orchestra. The band will be conducted by Don Swain.
For further information and other relevant information, please see Press Release or contact the office on 9176293. E-mail : musiceducation@donegalvec.ie
Ms. Florance Boakye pictured here with all the other members of the Science Department, has recently been appointed as the first laboratory technician to Coláiste na Carraige. She is employed under Job Bridge, the National Internship scheme, she started in the school just before Christmas and the internship lasts for 9 months. The photograph includes : Dr. David Doherty, Ms. Mary Doherty, Ms.Florence Boakye, Mr.Gareth Doherty, Ms.Siobhan Mc Cullagh and School Principal Mr.Padraig Ó Léime.
A national competition has been launched in the Donegal Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny which involved the complete responsibility for the organising, promoting and realisation of a rock gig.
At the launch on Thursday 19th January, Cllr Martin Farren, Chairperson of Co.Donegal VEC said that he was delighted to join with the promoting partners in launching this competition. He added that Co.Donegal VEC were proud to be associated with BEO and the highly innovative and relevant platform created to promote Irish musicians, a relevant business programme for transition year students and the promotion of the Irish language among young people over the last 3 years.
Cllr. Farren also acknowledged the vision and work of the schools and agencies involved and in particular the local schools and teachers of Coláiste Ailigh, St.Eunan’s College and Loreto Convent here in Letterkenny who have developed this competition and brought it to the national stage. He commended the three schools for working so close together.
The Grand Final of the competition will be held in the Regional Cultural Centre in May next, where the First National Champions will be presented with the €5,000 prize. Further information and application forms can be had by clicking on this link for BEO.
MaryAnn Kane, CEO, Donegal VEC presenting a cheque for €600 to Noreen Harley, Assistant Director of Nursing, Oncology Cancer Services, Letterkenny General Hospital. The monies were the proceeds from a fundraiser undertaken by Cllr.Dessie Larkin, Captain of Donegal VEC Golf Society for 2011 and was raised on his Captain’s Day at Letterkenny Golf Club. Cllr.Larkin conveyed sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who assisted him and supported the fundraiser. Also included in the photograph is Jim McGlynn, Secretary of the Donegal VEC Golf Society.
Ranganna Oíche
The following classes / courses are currently being advertised in the various centres as part of the Adult Education Services for Spring 2012.
Classes and courses will go ahead depending on numbers and demand and further information can be had by contacting the various centres directly.
Please click on the Links below to view what is available :
"The Only Way is Rock"
Moville Community College are presenting a school musical “The Only Way is Rock” at the Millennium Forum, Derry next Wednesday and Thursday, 18th and 19th January. Show will begin each evening at 8.00 p.m.
This is the school’s variation of a rock show in a school setting. Tickets are now available at the school for €10 each or €30 for two adults and two juveniles (under-18).
Tickets can also be purchased online direct from the website of the Millennium Forum here
Come along and we’d appreciate your support.
We are delighted to announce that the Adult Learner Fair 2012 will be on Tuesday 24th January 2012 from 11am to 3pm at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny. This event will be focussing this year on the exhibition of education and training options from basic education to third level and is a ‘one stop shop’ for any adult who is thinking of educational and vocational progression.
Please click here to see List of Exhibitors.
Plean Oideachais 2011-2015.
Co Donegal VEC launch new Education Plan
‘Ag Obair le Chéile’
At the December monthly meeting of Co. Donegal VEC the Committee adopted their new five year Education Plan. The plan covers the period 2011-2015 and was officially launched on Thursday, 22nd December in the VEC Administrative Offices by Clr. Martin Farren, Chairperson Co Donegal VEC. Clr. Farren stated that ‘the 4 central themes contained within the plan ie, teaching and learning, a progressive and accountable organisation, using information technology and working in partnership, will ensure that Co Donegal VEC as an educational body will be well placed to respond to the difficult challenges that lie ahead.’
Ms Mary Ann Kane, CEO of Co. Donegal VEC said that ‘the new Education Plan will build on Co Donegal VECs proud tradition of providing an extensive range of high quality educational services to the people of Co Donegal. It provides a clear focus for the organisation in the years ahead and we as a VEC we look forward to meeting the many challenges that it presents’. The VEC is currently involved in education provision for second level, adult and further education, community education, early school leavers, youth work, music education and outdoor education as well as adult guidance services. The VEC also administers third-level scholarships and grants.
Ms Kane went on to say that she ‘was delighted that Clr. Farren, as Chairperson of Co Donegal VEC, was available to launch the plan. I also pay tribute to the entire staff of Co Donegal VEC located in all our schools, colleges, centres and offices. Our staff will be central to ensuring our key priorities and associated outcomes are realised over the duration of the plan. The plan will also enable our VEC to make a smooth transition into the new Co Donegal Education and Training Board with enhanced functions and responsibilities’
The Strategic Development Team of Co Donegal VEC was central to the overall development of the education plan. The new plan was put together following a significant consultation process which involved VEC staff members, students, parents, community groups, VEC committee members and various local organisations and bodies. The plan is bilingual in one document with an emphasis on making the contents relevant to all key stakeholders. Members of the public were also invited to make comment through the VEC website www.donegalvec.ie
The new education plan is available at the Co Donegal VEC Administrative Offices, Letterkenny and also can be downloaded here.
Santa ag Coláiste Cranncha
Crana College’s annual Christmas concert where the students (and staff) share their entertaining talents. This show lasted 2 and a half hours so this is just a snippet (on the link below) of what was a really enjoyable show. 
Seamus Coleman Draw Winners
Tickets were sold recently in the general area of Killybegs as a result of prizes sponsored by Seamus Coleman (a past pupil of St.Catherine’s VS and now playing soccer for Everton F.C.) and here are the main prize winners :
1st Prize – Match Tickets, Flights and Accommodation to an Everton match – Winner – John Mc Guinness - his sister Catherine Mc Guinness accepted the prize on his behalf.
2nd Prize – A Framed Seamus Coleman Football Jersey – Winner - Kyle Breslin
Seamus Coleman’s dad – Henry Coleman presented the prizes recently at the school.
