Newsletters Archived

A very special welcome to all our returning students and especially to our Junior Infants and new children who started this week.

With the rapid expansion of the school, the reception/office area is extremely busy. The office hours are 08.30am to 2.30pm. It closes for lunch from 12.00-12.30pm daily.
It would be much appreciated if telephone calls to the school were made only in emergency situations (after 9.00a.m.). There is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, unless the illness is contagious. Parents should acknowledge their child's absence from school on their return, in writing, in the child's School Journal.

Staff Meeting
A Staff Meeting will take place on Monday 14 September and not 07 September as advised in the Provisional School Calendar. All children will go home at 12.00noon.

School Calendar 2009/2010
Please find revised School Calendar for 2009/2010. Please disregard previous copy and use the current one here.

Labelling/Lost Property
The chances of returning lost property are greatly increased if items are clearly labelled with your child's name.

Healthy Lunch Policy
We operate a Healthy Lunch Policy in the school. Fizzy drinks, crisps or sweets are not permitted. On Friday, children are allowed one treat, e.g. a bar. Please help us maintain the health of our children by following the guidelines in the booklet.

Hand Towels
We request that every child brings a small hand towel/facecloth to dry his/her hands after using the WC. This should be kept in a school bag pocket and changed regularly.

Contact Details
It is essential that we have the correct address and contact details (e.g. home telephone, parents' mobile numbers) for your child on our database. If any of your details have changed over the summer, please complete a Change of Address/Contact Details Form as soon as possible.

Extras Fees
Details of amounts and payment methods will be advised in next Friday's Weekly Newsletter.

Parking
We would ask all parents to please show due consideration to residents when parking in the locality. Please do not obstruct local residents' driveways.

Reminder re dismounting bicycles, etc
In the interest of everyone's safety, all cyclists (pupils, parents & siblings) should dismount from their bicycles at the main gates of the school avenue. Please also note that scooters, rollerblades or Heelys are not permitted on school grounds.

Dropping in lunches, bags, homework etc.
It would be greatly appreciated that if you are dropping in any of your child's forgotten belongings e.g. lunches, bags, homework, etc., that they are clearly marked with your child's name and their class teacher.

National Parents Council Primary (NPC)
In conjunction with Crisis Pregnancy Agency Relationships & Sexuality Information Sessions (RSE) for Parents in Drumcondra Education Centre, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 on Monday 21st September from 7pm - 9.30pm
Relationship and Sexuality Information sessions for parents - Do you find it easy to talk to your children about relationships and sex? Do you know what your children are learning in school in the area of Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE)?
The purpose of the Information Sessions is to help parents have a better knowledge of relationships and sexuality education so that they can to talk to their children.
If you are interested in attending, an application form can be downloaded on the NPC Website at www.npc.ie. The cost is €10 per person.

Extra Curricular Activities
Friday Choir
Choir starts back on 11th September. It is free and all children from 2nd to 6th classes are welcome. Choir practice starts at 2:10. All children attending MUST LEAVE THEIR CLASSROOM and line up outside the Diswellstown Door on line number 1. Look forward to seeing you all then, Ms Meade.

Basketball
The Basketball Club will commence on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September. The registration forms will be on the Parent Information Noticeboard from Monday morning 07 September to Wednesday 09 September. Due to huge demand in previous years, class places will be allocated by lottery this term and not by "first come, first served".

Private Singing Lessons
Lessons with Geraldine Meade (B.A.Mus, H.Dip in Ed.) available in Ongar on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (Term 1 commences 8th, 9th and 10th Sep). Termly fee for ½ hour lesson: one child €200, two siblings €360, three siblings €540 etc. is due on 1st lesson. To book a place contact Geraldine at Tel: +353 86 4056533 or email: geraldinemeade@gmail.com.

Speech & Drama
Speech and Drama classes with Liz Brennan and Lorraine Cleary will re-commence on Thursday 10th September: 1.15- 2.00pm for Junior & Senior infants; 2.10 - 3.10pm for Older classes. Fees for Term of 13 weeks are as follows: Junior & Senior infants- €125 per term; Older classes - €150 per term. The Musical this year is ‘MAMMA MIA'. Registration for classes will take place in the school on Wednesday 09 September from 1.15PM - 2.30PM. For further information, contact Liz directly at 086 2245113.

Speech and Drama Classes - Dramaworks
The new term of DramaWorks will begin on Wednesday 9th September 2009. Classes will take place at the following times:
1.10-2.10pm: Junior & Senior Infants; 2.10-3.10pm: First & Second Class;
3.15-4.15pm:Third & Fourth Class; 4.15-5.15pm: Fifth & Sixth Class & First Years (Secondary School)
Enrolment will take place on Monday 7th September from - 11.15am-12pm - Junior Infants; 12.45pm-2.30pm - Senior Infants to Sixth Class & First Years (Secondary School). For further details contact Clodagh on 086 3736056

Swimming
Due to circumstances beyond their control, the Swimming lessons have had to be moved from Mondays to Saturdays, 2.00pm-2.40pm. 10 week terms. Please contact Lucy McDonnell 086 4029792 to book a place or for further information.

FRENCH for children 3-12 years
Enrolment is now taking place for new term of French classes starting from 10th September 2009. French native teacher is using the excellent La Jolie Ronde methodology (www.lajolieronde.co.uk) with excellent books & CDs to practise between classes. Very young children learn French so easily and it is an excellent preparation for secondary school for older children. A few places are available in particular in the pre-school class & 8-12 years so to ensure your child starts this September, please contact Mrs Sabine Maher on 087 227 9027 or 01 442 8237. Merci!

Spanish for Children
La Jolie Ronde 'Spanish through Spanish' classes for Children (aged 3+, 5+, 7+ & 9 - 12). Enrolments now being taken for Autumn Term (12 weeks) starting week beginning 7th September 2009. Small, age-specific classes, taught by a fully qualified, experienced and motivated language teacher. High quality teaching & material - tried, tested and fun, with student Book and CD so learning can continue between classes at home. Some places still available afternoons at 'Spanish Steps' Bramley Heath & St Patrick's Diswellstown Centre (Tuesdays), Laurel Lodge Community Centre (Wednesdays) and Educate Together Castleknock (Thursdays). For further details/booking forms, please phone/text Mary Galvin on 087 267 4809 / 822 7629 or email marygalvin@upcmail.ie stating your child's name, school and class. Adios y Gracias, Mary

Musical Theatre & Singing Classes - Find Your Voice!
Using popular musicals, discover the joy of singing and acting in a fun environment. With familiar songs from Disney and classic Broadway shows and films, students will learn the basics of musical theatre performance. Vocal technique and basic acting skills will be developed as students "put it all together" in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
Enrolment on Tuesday, 8 September from 1 pm to 2.30 pm in St. Patrick's N.S.
Lessons will start (depending on numbers) on Tuesday, 15 September:
1.10 - 2.10 pm: Junior and Senior Infants; 2.10 - 3.10 pm: First and Second Class
3.10 - 4.10 pm: Third and Fourth Class; 4.10 - 5.10 pm: Fifth and Sixth Class
All classes limited to 12 participants to ensure maximum attention to each student.
For further details, contact Toni Martin at martin.toni1@gmail.com or 087 7913714

Art and Craft
Art and Craft workshops will resume for 10 week course on Mondays, commencing Monday 05 October to 21 December from 2.10pm - 3.45pm. Registration will take place on Wednesday 09 September at 2.10pm. All enquiries to Blathnaid O'Brien Donovan B.Ed(Hons) H.Dip (Hons) 087 4123247.

'Krafty Kids' Arts and Crafts Class
Responding to the National Curriculum. Classes begin Wednesday 9th September. Contact no for info: 8213073

Provisional
School Calendar 2009/2010

Please keep this document in a safe place so you can refer to it as necessary