Scoil Cholmcille
School Details
About
Scoil Cholmcille is a medium‑sized, co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, midway between Derry City and Letterkenny. As a Catholic‑maintained school it places a strong emphasis on Christian values while welcoming children of all faiths and none. The curriculum follows the programmes set out by the Department of Education and Science and is delivered across nine mainstream classes and five special‑education teachers, supporting over 220 pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The school benefits from an expansive campus that includes two large grass pitches, a recently refurbished astro‑turf pitch, two play‑parks, a fully tarmacked yard and dedicated shelters for infants and bicycle/scooter storage. Classrooms are spacious and equipped with the latest learning technology such as iPads, laptops and interactive whiteboards. A specialist music teacher and a wide range of extra‑curricular activities – from Gaelic football and basketball to yoga, mindfulness, chess and tin‑whistle lessons – enrich the pupils’ experience and promote holistic development.
History
Scoil Cholmcille opened on its present site in 1983, replacing the original school building that now houses the Newtowncunningham Playgroup. The school is located between the N13 bypass and the village, about 8 km from the Derry border. Extensions were added in 2009 (two classrooms) and 2014 (two support rooms), reflecting steady growth in enrolment—from six mainstream classes in 2007 to nine by 2021. Notable principals have included John Hegarty (1983), Bríd McLoone (1991‑1999), James Doherty (1999‑2018) and Nicola McCarthy (from 2018).