Newsletters Archived

Christmas Holidays
The school closes on Tuesday 22 December, at 11.30am for the Christmas Holidays. The school will reopen on Thursday 07 January 2010 at 08.30am.

Jersey Day
We are holding a Jersey Day, on Tuesday 22 December. **Please note this is NOT a Non-Uniform Day**
• Children can wear their favourite Team Jersey with tracksuit bottoms.
• Children who do not have a team jersey may wear any T-Shirt tracksuit bottoms.
• Children may make a small donation to the Saint Vincent de Paul collection (max €2) if they wish.

Christmas Cards/Gifts
We celebrate festivals such as Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day and Easter as part of the overall school curriculum. However we discourage the practice of exchanging cards and/or gifts in school as those who do not receive presents and those who may not celebrate some of the festivals feel upset and isolated.

Friday Choir and Choral Scholars:
To all attending the Carol Service in St Mochta's church on Sunday 20th at 4pm. Please ensure that all the children arrive at or before 3:40pm NO LATER! A message arrived from the parish centre: "For choirs with young people, would be great to have them in colourful hats, scarfs, santa hats etc to add a splash of Christmas about...... Please ensure that the choirs are there early and will be situated on the Altar where possible." Look forward to seeing any Friday choir and Choral Scholar members that can make it on Sunday.

Phones for Boards
The Jack & Jill Foundation in association with Promethean are inviting schools to collect and swap unwanted mobile phones for a new Promethean interactive whiteboard. We have registered for this campaign. The deal is for every 300 old mobile phones collected, participating schools earn a 78inch Promethean ActivBoard. See www.phonesforboards.com for further information. A collection box is in place inside the main door of the school. Perhaps you could ask family and friends to help to acquire a new Interactive Whiteboard for the school.

Extra Curricular Activities

French for Children - La Jolie Ronde French classes 3-12 years
French native Sabine Maher is successfully running French classes in Diswellstown Community Centre, here in St. Patrick's National School to over 90 children who enjoy learning French the fun way. Enrolment is now taking place for January 2010 term. Classes take place on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays here in St. Patricks. Suitable for all children from Junior Infant up to 6th class, grouped per age. Nursery class also on Saturday mornings (3-5 yrs). French native teachers and great books/CDs to practice between lessons. Great preparation for secondary school for 5th /6th class pupils. Contact Sabine Maher on 087 227 9027 or 01 442 8237. Merci bien!

Spanish for Children - La Jolie Ronde Spanish Classes
Enrolments now taking place for next term's Spanish Classes (3-12 year olds) at DCRC/St Patrick's NS, starting week beginning Monday 11th January, 2010. Half hour classes Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (from 1.15PM) and Saturdays from 9.30AM. These structured yet fun classes are proving a great success. Class sizes are small (12/class) so please book early to be guaranteed a place. Phone/text/email me at 822 7629 / 087 267 4809 / marygalvin@upcmail.ie to enrol your children and/or for further details on times, days and venues. Enrol now and get your Book and CD before Christmas. Muchas gracias y Feliz Navidad a todos, Mary

Sporting Activities (3rd- 6th only)
Volleyball, Tennis and Badminton will begin again in the New Year.
Volleyball will continue to take place on Wednesdays at the new time of 3.05 - 4.00pm.
Tennis will continue on Tuesdays also at the new time of 3.05 - 4.00pm.
Badminton will run on Fridays beginning at 2.10pm. If there is a large demand for places, there will be a second session offered from 3.05-4.00pm.
Table-tennis will also be on offer in January. Sessions will be held on Thursday afternoons from 3.05 - 4.00pm (max of 15 participants).
If you are interested in any of these activities, please write your name and class on the correct Sign-on Sheet located on the table inside the main door. Priority for all these activities will be given to older children. Courses will run for 8 weeks and the cost of each course will be €24. Payment can be made in January.

Touch-type, Read and Spell
Touch-type, Read and Spell is a computer based literacy course for children with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties. It is being run locally in Castleknock Community College on Wednesday afternoons for 1 hour during school term time -2 classes - 3-4 p.m. and 4.30-5.30 p.m. To reserve a place, please contact Carol on 087 2868910 for further details. Why not check out the website www.ttrs.co.uk for further information on how the course might benefit your child. Next course runs from Wednesday, 13th January 2010.

Swimming
Swimming classes will recommence on Saturday 09 January with two sessions at 1.30pm and 2.15pm. There is limited availability at all levels. Please contact Lucy McDonnell at 086 4029792 for information and registration.

Art & Craft Workshops
Art & Craft Workshops will begin new term in January - 10 weeks until Easter. Any new students who wish to join, contact Blathnaid 087 4123247 for full details. Classes will resume on Monday 11 December.

German for Kinder
Class continues in the new year (Monday, 11th Jan), at 2.10 in the "Back Room". Students interested in the class can always contact Claudia Murray (087-7739247) to book a free trail class for this small group, which offers each student individual attention with respect to their level and age. Vielen Dank und Frohe Weihnachten!

Guitar beginners
There will be no classes next Monday, 21st Dec. Classes in the first semester resume on Monday, 11th Jan 2010, at 2.40 and 3.10 pm, and run until 1st February. A new semester begins February 22nd. For questions please contact Claudia Murray at 087-7739247.

May the whole school staff take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Nollaig Shona, Westych Swiat, Boldog Karacsony, Craciun Fericit, Geru Caledu, Schastlivogo Rozhdestva, Frohe Weihnachten, , Joyeux Noel, and all the very best for 2010.