A group of 6 talented lads under the name of the “Retrotones” and who are all students at St.Catherine’s VS, Killybegs will be on stage this weekend, Feb 4th, in the first live show of the “Opportunity Knocks” Talent Competition in the Central Hotel, Donegal Town.
The Retrotones are no strangers to the stage having competed in and won outright the “Our School’s Got Talent” competition in mid-December last which was run in conjunction with Special Olympics Ireland, Co.Donegal. The 6 lads involved are : Christopher McBrearty, Christopher Cunningham, Matthew Kyle, Luke Kelly, Philip Floyd and Andrew Blain. Before Xmas last in the previous competition mentioned Jack McDaid and Paul O’Donnell were also part of the group but have now gone to persue other things. The Retrotones are also under the choreography of Ms.Jessica Bray who is also a student in St.Catherine’s. We wish them well in the competition and here are some pictures and also a piece from YouTube. 
Donegal VEC’s Adult Learner Fair 2012 at the Mount Errigal Hotel last Tuesday 24th was a resounding success and rated by participants and exhibitors alike as the best ever! The Fair, which was celebrating it’s 10th year, was organised by Donegal Adult Learner Guidance Service (DALGS) and focussed on bringing 64 education, training and support organisations together for the benefit of adults considering returning to education and training. Mr.Sean Debney, Adult Guidance Co-ordinator with DALGS said “that the Fair was an important day to bring all such providers together in the one place and to assist the public in general with their queries and needs directly on-site. With at least 1200 people attending, it was indeed a worthwhile effort and acknowledged his staff and all who helped bring it all together. He added that if anyone out there needs to follow up on any issues, whether they attended the Fair or not, that his office and his staff are readily available and can be contacted at 074 9178088. Here are a range of photographs taken on the day.
The Only Way is Rock
Moville Community College recently presented two nights of entertainment with their musical “The Only Way is Rock” in the Millennium Forum in Derry but as the Inishowen News item shows – events in Derry on the night didn’t help but decisions had to be made agus the performance went ahead as planned. This short post is an acknowledgement of the input and dedication from the students and their families and friends and they deserve the highest praise for their commitment. Well done once again on your participation and achievement.
Here are a few pictures from the show.
A final year student in Crana College who is hoping to continue her education studies in the field of Art, has been short-listed from thousands of entries to the last 16 of her category in the Create a Doodle for Google Competition. Claire McCay, can not only win herself a new laptop and her Doodle Entry being on the front homepage of Google.ie for a day but also she could win €10,000 for her school to spend on technology and given the current economic climate, this would be a great legacy to leave her school, that she loves!
Please take time out to click on Doodle4Google and vote for Claire and Crana College. This can be voted on every day over the next few weeks so that Claire reaches the final 5 and both herself and Crana College would really appreciate your support and please pass on to your friends as well.
Congratulations to the u-16 Coláiste na Carraige team who recently won the County Title beating Carndonagh with a scoreline of 2-6 to 0-7. Under manager Paddy Boyle, they were dominant throughout and indeed if they hadn’t had as many wides on the day, the winning margin would have been greater. There is a nice article here in the Democrat, that gives a deeper review of the occasion.
As a result of their achievement in winning the County Title, Coláiste na Carraige had to face a strong opponent 3 days later at Celtic Park, Derry in St. Joseph’s from Coalisland, Tyrone in the Quarter Final Ulster U-16 and although Coláiste na Carraige played well and gave a good account of themselves, their opponents eventually won 0-11 to 0-7. It’s a pity that such an important game came so quickly after the other one but nonetheless they are worthy Champions here and Well Done.
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 :
