Principal's Message

Dear Parent/Guardian,

A very warm welcome to the Deele College website. As Principal, it is my great privilege to lead a school community defined by its heart, its ambition, and an unwavering commitment to every student who walks through our doors here in the historic town of Raphoe.

Deele College has a rich history rooted in the local community. Originally established as Raphoe Vocational School in 1965, our school was built to provide practical and academic education to the people of East Donegal. Over the decades, we have evolved from a small vocational centre into a modern, ETB post-primary college. While our building and technology has changed, our core mission remains the same: to provide a high-quality education that serves the specific needs of our local families.

At Deele College, we are proud to be a Donegal ETB school. This identity is the cornerstone of everything we do. We don’t just teach subjects; we live the core values of the ETB ethos: Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community, and Respect. We believe that education is a right, not a privilege. Our school is a vibrant tapestry of learners from all backgrounds, and we strive to create an environment where every voice is heard and every talent is nurtured.

As a DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) school, we are uniquely positioned to level the playing field. We recognise that every student’s journey is different, and we use our enhanced resources to remove barriers to success. Through dedicated literacy and numeracy support, a robust pastoral care system, and a diverse curriculum including Junior Cycle, Leaving Certificate, TY, LCVP, and LCA we ensure that every student finds a pathway that fits their aspirations. Our goal is simple: to ensure that every student leaves Deele College not just with a set of results, but with the confidence, skills, and character to make their mark on the world.

Our Special Educational Needs (SEN) department is the heartbeat of our inclusive approach. We don’t just integrate students; we include them. Central to this is our Safe Base Classrooms, a dedicated, nurturing environment designed for students who may need additional social, emotional, or academic support to navigate the school day.

We believe that some of the most profound learning happens outside the four walls of the classroom. In line with our ETB values, our extra-curricular program is inclusive and designed to build resilience, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.

We have a storied tradition of sporting excellence in East Donegal. While we compete at the highest levels, we place a huge emphasis on participation and the “sport for all” mentality.

For the creatives and the thinkers, Deele College has many aspects of interest, including the school Christmas show, the TY musical, choir, traditional music sessions STEM & Debating Clubs, club Gaeilge, chess club, darts and much more. Through the Student Council, Green-Schools, and Gaisce (The President’s Award), we empower our students to become active citizens who care for their environment and their community.

Whether you are a current student, a prospective parent, or a member of our wider community, I invite you to explore our website and see the incredible work happening in our classrooms and outside of them. We are a school on the move, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the 21st century while staying true to the values that have made Deele College a pillar of Donegal education for decades.

Mr Joe Boyle, Principal

Mr Joe Boyle, Principal

Our Mission Statement affirms that we are:

“A caring learning community, we promote mutual respect in a safe and happy school, where the fulfilment of each individual’s potential is our goal”.

Our Peace Pledge inspires that:

"Together we are rooted in peace which nurtures others and respect differences. In a spirit of true peace we pledge to fulfill the happiness of others and build unending harmony."

Deele College operates under the trusteeship of Donegal ETB. ETB schools are state, co-educational, multi-denominational schools that underpin the core values of:

Principal’s Message