County Donegal Education Support Centre - Week 19 Newsletter (04/05/26 to 10/05/26)

Week 19 2026 - Weekly Event Newsletter

(04/05/26 to 10/05/26)

‍Dear Principal/Teacher,

Included below is a summary of all CPD events for the upcoming week beginning 4th May 2026 aswell as some other highlights in May 2026 and beyond.

You can also review all of these CPD events in either the Primary or Post Primary courses section of the centre website.

Here is a summary of some other great events/initiatives your school may be interested in: 

• NCSE Events - Details of any upcoming NCSE Teacher Professional Training can be found here. To register for any of this training please click here.
• Oide Events - Details of any upcoming Oide Teacher Professional Training and how to register can be found here. 

News Feature of the Week

A Four-Week Creative Journey

Throughout the month of March, pupils from infants to sixth class at Ballymore National School, Dunfanaghy, took part in a BLAST residency led by artist Margaret Rowland. The initiative transformed the entire school into a vibrant creative space, where pupils were encouraged to explore new techniques and express themselves freely.

A key focus of the project was discovery. Pupils and staff engaged with art forms beyond the usual curriculum, including batik, where they worked carefully with hot wax and dye to create layered fabric designs. Foam art and shape art provided opportunities to experiment with texture, colour, and composition, resulting in bold and imaginative pieces.

The project also introduced pupils to influential artists such as Henri Matisse. Inspired by his use of colour and form, pupils created their own vibrant cut-outs, developing an appreciation for abstract art while building confidence in their own ideas.

Clay work offered a hands-on experience that fostered patience and skill development. Linking with a picture book, younger pupils explored simple forms, while older classes created more detailed pieces.

Inclusivity was central to the planning and delivery of the project. It was important that all pupils had the opportunity to participate and experience success. Margaret’s supportive approach ensured each child could succeed while maintaining creative ownership of their work.

The residency concluded with a celebratory showcase afternoon, where pupils reflected on their creative journey and shared their work. Siblings, parents and grandparents enjoyed learning about the project and viewing the pupils’ finished creations.

Other Updates

• ATU Spring Open Evening at the ATU Donegal (Letterkenny) Campus - The countdown is almost over! The ATU Spring Open Evening is taking place on the Donegal (Letterkenny) campus next Thursday, May 7th, from 4.00pm to 6.30pm. Come along and explore the wide range of CAO programmes offered at ATU on the Donegal (Letterkenny) campus, meet our academic and support staff, and discover what life at ATU could look like for you. Start your Open Evening experience at the main reception,  where you’ll collect your welcome pack and schedule. This will outline all the talks, activities, workshops, and campus tours taking place throughout the evening. Plan ahead and view the open evening schedule here.

  CAO Change of Mind Process @5:00pm

  What you need to know about the CAO, including important dates, the handbook and new courses.

  Supporting the Leap to University @ 5:30pm

  This session is designed for parents and guardians who want to better understand the transition to university. Hear first-hand experiences, learn about the support available, and discover how you can help your child thrive both academically and personally.

• Biodiversity Photographer of the Year Competition for Amateur Photographers - Get ready to get your camera and explore the wild things around you this May! The Irish Environmental Network's Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition begins May 1st. All amateur photographers are invited to take part, whether you are a seasoned photographer or are completely new to the hobby. It's a wonderful way to actively immerse yourself in nature and they would love to see what you find! Read more about the competition here.

• STEM Education Conference in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick - Integrated STEM for a Future-Ready Generation on 22nd and 23rd May 2026 - This event is extremely accessible, with a charge of €30 for teachers, which covers attendance and refreshments across the two days. Teachers are welcome to attend either or both days, but we particularly draw your attention to Day 2, which provides the opportunity to participate in a series of practitioner-focused workshops showcasing quality integrated STEM across the range of primary classes, providing first-hand experiences that are classroom ready. Further information can be found here. If you have any queries please email STEMConference@mic.ul.ie
• Togetherness Online Pathway from Tusla - Tusla has purchased a new resource available to every parent and carer in the country funded by Tusla the Child and Family Agency. Togetherness has developed online pathways which help parents learn about big feelings, brain development, behaviour, and how relationships can care for wellbeing. The Togetherness online pathway has a CPD section aimed at supporting practitioners/teachers. Although many of the pathways are focused on parents they are also very helpful to professionals working with children. In addition to these there are advanced pathways for professionals. These include: Understanding Brain Development: how our brains development from infancy through adolescence, focusing on the most prolific stages of brain development and how these impact children and young people. Understanding Trauma: The aim of this course is to deepen understanding of the effects of trauma, the recovery process and how society can support recovery from trauma. Understanding Attachment: The aim of this course is to lay out the core ideas in attachment theory and its impact relationships and children’s development. To access these advanced pathways in addition to the parent/carer pathways log in to Ireland | Togetherness - Togetherness use the access code: HIBERNIA_PRF.

‍Latest Surveys

• DCU Doctoral Student Survey Request - What makes thriving possible for early-career teachers? - Tracey Maree is a primary school teacher from Meath who is currently undertaking research focused on the experiences of early-career primary teachers, with particular attention to wellbeing, motivation, and professional practice. This research will also explore the strengths and motivation that keep primary teachers in the profession during their first five years. Click here to begin the survey.

• MIC Doctoral Student Survey Request - Exploring the influence of teacher and school related factors on primary teachers' attributions and responses to student behaviour - Zara Hennigan 

  is currently completing the Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. As part of this programme, she is undertaking a research study exploring primary teachers’ attributions and responses to student behaviour. Having previously worked as a primary teacher herself, this research is informed by both empirical interest and lived experience, and a passion for better understanding the nuances of classroom behaviour. Your support would be instrumental in ensuring that the voices and experiences of teachers are meaningfully represented in this research. Click here to begin the survey. 
  

• Teachers' Research Exchange (T-Rex) Network Survey - We’re excited to share a two‑phase research study exploring literacy leadership across schools and educational settings. This study is open to all teachers, in all roles and responsibilities, and from all school and educational contexts. You do not need to hold a formal leadership position to take part, every teacher’s experience and perspective is valued. Phase 1: National Online Questionnaire - Your insights are essential. Please take a few minutes to share your experiences and perspectives: https://buff.ly/oO7Xj4K Phase 2: Literacy Leadership World Café - Participants who complete Phase 1 can opt into take part in a collaborative World Café session, designed to: 1) Share experiences and insights, 2) Engage in meaningful professional conversation, 3) Connect with teachers across a range of roles and settings, 4) Contribute to national research on literacy leadership.