Whole School news
Parent workshops
New Outdoor Gym
Some of our Leavers made the most of the sunshine today as they enjoyed a session in our new outdoor gym. A fantastic way to build strength, confidence and wellbeing while getting fresh air and having fun together in the sun!
Assembly
On Friday we welcomed the Rev. Scott McMenemy from Ballydown Presbyterian Church to our Middle and Senior school assemblies. He shared with the pupils his excellent Makaton signs while telling us the story of Jesus and the man with leprosy. He encouraged us all to show kindness to one another. We look forward to welcoming Scott back again very soon.
Thank you!
Breakfast Morning
Rhythm to Recovery Training
Senior School Valentines Disco
Friendship Cup
Boccia Competition
Middletown Workshops for parents
Dates for January and February
Happy Christmas 2025
Lord Mayor comes to Donard
Staff Food Drive
Friendship Cup
School council
60 year Christmas Celebration
Speech and Drama Festival
Our pupils had a fantastic Friday at Banbridge Speech and Drama festival. We returned to school with a wealth of silverware, including the cup for highest mark awarded at the festival and the prestigious presentation of a ‘shilleleagh’ a great accolade for our choir indeed and so well deserved for their amazing performance on the day. We also had some pupils reciting poems on the day receiving many medals and certificates and an award for the best Makaton signing.
Friendship Cup
Christmas Fair 2025
Christmas Light Switch on 2025
PTA Christmas Fair 2025
What a magical day! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us at our PTA Christmas Fair – your festive spirit made it a sparkling success! From laughter to carols, so much joy was shared by all.
Friendship Cup
Kurling Competition
Team Donard brought all their skills and enthusiasm to the Disability Sport NI Interschools Kurling Competition. Teams Eagle and Falcon did themselves very proud taking part in an event like this for the first time. We are all so proud of you.
We had a fantastic day.
Thank you
Sounds of Intent
The Base Book Sale & Coffee Morning
Friendship Cup winners
Harvest Assembly
A little look back at some of the pictures from our Harvest Senior Assembly at the end of October. We welcomed Anita and Mark from Scripture Union who led our assembly that morning. Anita will be delivering some exciting and engaging lessons to some of our senior school pupils over the next few weeks. We look forward to sharing more about this soon.
See how far we have travelled on our Facebook page!
International Day of Languages
Check out our table pictures below and head over to our Facebook for more pictures!
Green Flag
Special Recognition Award
Pupils and staff attended a special event in Stormont where we were awarded a Special Recognition for Pastoral Care. We are very thankful that the hard work of staff has been appreciated. A special thank you to the parents of Ben who nominated our school for this award. This award is testament to the commitment and dedication of all staff in Donard who work extremely hard to meet the individual needs of every pupil in our care.
Formal 2025
Formal Icebreaker
Disability Sport NI Basketball
Some of our Senior School pupils attended a basketball competition at South Lakes Leisure Centre hosted by Disability Sport NI. Much fun was had and everyone played very well. One of our teams, the Donard Dodgers, were runner up. A fantastic effort by all and everyone should be so proud of themselves.
Archery Competition April 2025
Champion alert! Some senior school pupils visited Ceara School today to take part in an archery competition. They had an absolute blast and came home with gold medals, some pupils even won a second medal. Safe to say we are so proud of them. Well done to everyone who took part!
Colour Fun Donation
Pupils from M3 and S1 were delighted to accept a donation from Banbridge Masonic Lodge Blue 119. They held a big breakfast and raised £500 which will help fund our annual Colour Fun event - thank you so much, and watch this space for further details of the event.
Partnership Project work update
We were delighted to host representatives from the Department for Education and Health. We showcased our joint working approaches that have been made possible through our partnership project work.
Spinathon March 2024
Both staff and pupils had so much fun during Friday’s spinathon raising money for Angel Wishes! Thank you to Nat Photography Northern Ireland for joining, to Brian Jordan Fitness for lending us his spin bikes and thank you to everyone who donated!
King and Queen visit to Banbridge
A swift arrival for King Charles and Her Majesty Queen Camilla. I’m sure they will love our little town. Welcome from all at Donard School.
Eco Schools
The Eco Schools Team have been very busy, have a look at the photos below of the great work they have been doing in our school!
Green Day Celebrations 2025
A huge thank you to Mr Seamus Rafferty and the pupils from St Patrick’s College, Banbridge, for entertaining us with their display of Irish dancing. The pupils really enjoyed this and we appreciate you giving up your time to share your talents with us.
Commissioner visit March 2025
From your Valentines 2025
Young Enterprise February 2025
Our Leavers Department have been very busy planning, designing and making products for the trade fair in Rushmere Shopping Centre. A small group went to represent the business "Creative Crafts" at Rushmere and proved very popular with lots of visitors and several products selling out! Well done to all the pupils involved and a huge thank you to all the friends and family of Donard School who came to support us.
Disability Sports NI Schools Boccia Competition
A group of our pupils headed over to South Lake Leisure Centre to compete in the Interschools Boccia Competition. A great morning was had by all. Well done to everyone who competed.
A special thanks to Banbridge Credit Union who kindly sponsored our team shirts.
Christmas Young Enterprise 2024
Christmas Doors 2024
New Accommodation November 2024
Some of our Primary 1 pupils visited and spent the day in their new accommodation today! It was so lovely to see the pupils exploring their new classrooms and using their new resources. We are very excited that our EYP and Primary 1 pupils will now be staying for their full sessions next week! A big thank you to Jonathon, Daniel and Conor for all your hard work in ensuring our new accommodation is ready!
Donard School's Pumpkin Patch 2024
Donard school's first Pumpkin Patch was a huge success! You only have to look at the pictures to see just how much fun our pupils and staff had enjoying our revamped sensory garden! A big thank you to our PTA for the pumpkins!
Harvest Assembly 2024
Colour Fun 2024
Inter School's Formal 2024
Colour Fun 2024
Inter School's Formal 2024
Senior School Football Tournament
A huge well done to those in Senior School that played in the Inter-Schools Football tournament. Thank you to the organisers in Rathore School for a great morning, everyone had a ball! We can't wait until the next one! #Teamdonard
Sacraments 2024
Congratulations to our pupils who made their First Holy Communion and Confirmation a few weeks ago. Each and everyone of them were stunning and had such a special day. Thank you to Fr McMahon who celebrated the ceremony with us.
As you can see there were lots of happy faces. Every pupil did themselves and their families proud. Thank you to all our parents who helped bring their children to this special point in their faith journey. We hope you enjoyed the celebrations.
Thank you to every member of staff who helped in any way to prepare and support our pupils in their preparation for the sacraments.
Valentines Young Enterprise stall
Christmas Jumper Day 2023
Santa Daily Mile
Staff Experience the Soundbeam
Wright Friendship Cup
Today, in conjucntion with our Hi 5 Friday activities, we re-introduced the Wright Friendship Cup. This cup was donated to our school by Emily Wright, who had been our school secretary for some time, and her late husband John. Recipients of this cup are chosen for their kind acts in school. We, as a staff, notice the smallest acts of kindness and feel that our pupils need to be acknowledged for them. Each month we will share the winners of the Wright Friendship Cup from each of our schools (Junior, Middle and Senior). Remember - it's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice.
Our Junior winner was chosen for cheering his friend up in the Sensory Garden.
Our Middle School winner was chosen because she independently soothed a friend in class who was upset.
And in Senior School - team work makes the dream work. These pupils showed such kindness when they held open the doors all the way up the corridor for one of our wheelchair users - brilliant work boys!
Donard School's Christmas Letter to Santa
A message from our Parent Teacher Association
Donard School's Rainbow Harvest
On Friday 13th October we celebrated Harvest in Donard School. Junior, Middle and Senior School had lovely assemblies celebrating the colours of the rainbow through Harvest fruit and vegetables. We are very thankful to all those families who contributed to the food bank collection. Some classes also enjoyed making Harvest crowns and using their fruit and vegetables in Art.
PageTiger Launch at Donard School
Colour Run 2023
We had an absolute ball at out first ever Colour Run. Check out the video below.
Credit Union Sponsorship
Our pupils were delighted to be given school jerseys which were sponsored by the Banbridge branch of the Credit Union. These tops, modelled by some of our senior pupils, will be worn at shared sporting events, eg the Inter Schools Boccia Tournament, giving a real sense of team spirit. Thank you to all in the Credit Union for their continued support.
A Starry Starry Night - Inter Schools Formal 2023
Donard School hosted the Inter Schools Formal this year. The Leavers Department had been preparing for many weeks and all their hard work pulled off. See for yourself the fantastic night that was had by all those that attended. Thank you to everyone who supported us and made it happen.
High Five Fridays - May
On Friday 19th May we had a High Five Friday to support our wellbeing. The pupils had a lovely day getting active to music with Dancerise sessions. Some classes enjoyed face painting and others a woodland walk. Take a look at some photos of what we got up to.
Sponsored Walk Fundraiser
On the 9th and 10th of May some pupils helped to raise funds to support our Summer Scheme Activity Programme by partaking in a sponsored walk. A massive thank you for all your support and well done to all the pupils involved. The total raised was £1472. Enjoy some pictures from the walks.
SIBS May Meeting
In May the siblings group met up to explore our school grounds and luckily we had good weather. We had a great evening with activities including go-karting, exploring the sensory garden, enjoying the park and going on a colour nature scavenger hunt. We enjoyed a supper of Pizza and the evening was finsihed off with a few games in the hall. We look forward to seeing everyone in June for our last session of the year.
Coronation Celebration
On Friday 5th May an email came through that Donard School have been chosen for two VERY special visitors in advance of The Coronation. We loved our visit from King Chris and Queen Doreen! Some classes have shared photos of the fun activities they experienced and enjoyed.
SIBS Trip
In February the Siblings group enjoyed a trip out together. We had great fun snowtubing with the siblings flying down the slopes! We also enjoyed having our tea at McDonalds.
Holy Communion and Confirmation
Congratulations to our pupils who made their First Holy Communion or Confirmation on Saturday. Each and everyone of them were stunning and had such a special day.
Siblings Group News
Dear Parents,
please find an amended copy of the Siblings dates 2023.
Times and Dates for your diary
Wednesday 18th January 2023: 4:30pm - 6:30pm The Great Siblings Bake off!
Thursday 2nd February 2023: 4:45pm - 8pm Snowtubing Trip with tea at McDonalds
Wednesday 15th March 2023: 4:30pm - 6:30pm Art Attack and Wellbeing
Christmas 2022
What a wonderful evening at our Junior Christmas Winter Wonderland. Emergency services, snow, reindeers, Christmas crafts, the Grinch and a special visit from Santa. A fun time had by all!
Siblings Group Christmas Party
How to access the Annual Review Portal
Please see instuctions below on how to access your child's annual review meeting
Siblings Group
Numeracy week
October 2022
Last week Donard School celebrated a Food theme Numeracy Week. Each class took part in a range of activities using tasty treats to help them complete their work. We are very proud of all the Mathematicians in Donard School!
Hi Five Fridays
Last week in school we had our first High Five Friday to support our wellbeing. The pupils had a lovely day full of activities that allowed us to connect with one another, get active, take time to relax and do something good for someone else. The staff got to celebrate the launch of their brand new staff room with lots of treats at break and lunch and plenty of opportunity to connect. Check out the photos for more info.
Prize Giving 2022
Check out some of our Donard stars from our Prize Giving events last week 
We are so proud of all of the achievements and hard work from all our pupils in Donard School.
Donard Disney Fun Day 2022
Donard’s Disney Fun Days
Last Thursday and Friday saw the annual Donard Fun Days.
The theme was Disney and the games did not disappoint, even if the weather did. Among the games we had a Frozen themed target throw, Brave themed archery and a Pixar character relay race. Some of the younger pupils enjoyed an Aladdin themed carpet ride and we all finished off with a game of ‘pin the nose on Mickey Mouse’.
Special thanks go to our sponsors for our refreshments - Tayto for the crisps, Rosehip for the finger rolls, George Rice for the sausages and Tesco for the finger rolls and drinks. A special mention goes to Damien Lennon from Archery4U for lending us the archery equipment as this really enhanced the games for the pupils.
School Formal, 9th June 2022
Top Hats and Tiara Jubilee Party
What a great day we all had celebrating our Top Hats and Tiara Jubilee event. Pupils and staff all enjoyed an outdoor picnic, and danced the afternoon away in the beautiful sunshine. The ice cream van was a special treat, with party games and photo opportunities throughout the day.
Senior School Residential to The Share Centre, May 2022 - A wee bit of sun and a whole lot of fun!!
Brighter Beginnings PE Programme
April/May 2022
Some classes in school have availed of a bespoke PE programme with Brighter Beginnings. Pupils have been able to experience a range of new sports and games such as boxing, target practice, fun parachute games and much much more. This has been a great boost for physical activity and well being for our pupils.
Mount Ida Pottery Workshops
March/April 2022
Mount Ida Pottery Workshops
From wellbeing funding school were able to provide two workshops for pupils with Mount Ida Pottery. Pupils had an amazing time creating and painting flowers for our 'Garden of Hope'. Keep an eye out for the finished product coming soon.....
Great British Bake Off - Donard Style - Showstopper Challenge
8.4.22
World Book Day 3.3.22
Some children from Middle and Senior school showing off their cool costumes during our World Book Day parade!
Christmas Craic-er 16.12.21
There's nothing quite like spending time together at Christmas!
We are so pleased to let everyone know that our Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day 2021 raised £281.20. Thank you to all the pupils and staff in Donard School for supporting this event
Mayor's Christmas Card
This year Donard School had the privilege of designing the Lord Mayor's Christmas Card. Artwork created by these young ladies was chosen for this project. The Lord Mayor made a visit to Donard to thank them and to present them with their cards. Their beautifully designed cards have been distributed all over the borough - What an achievement!!! Thank you so much Alderman Glenn Barr for this opportunity and many thanks to all our pupils who contributed.
Everyone had a wonderful time outside taking part in the “Daily Mile Santa Run” on Friday 3rd December. We had lots of fresh air and exercise. There were loads of smiles and plenty of giggles along the way
Anti Bullying Odd Socks Day
Monday 15th November
Donard pupils had great fun wearing wacky odd socks to suport Anti-Bullying wweek.
Whilst focusing on the theme 'One Kind word' all classes designed a kind word poster. The Junior classes completed many activities about socks and the Senior classes enjoyed circle time activities about bullying.
