Newsletters Archived
Week Ending 9th September 2011A very special welcome to our Junior Infants 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, closing 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.).
Registration – Junior Infants September 2012
Application Forms will be available from the office from Monday 12 September. Registration will take place on 17, 18 & 19 October.
Contagious Illness
Whilst there is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, we would greatly appreciate if you would contact us if your child contracts a contagious illness e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, etc. There are children in the school who are at increased risk of contracting these illnesses. Parents should acknowledge their child’s absence from school due to minor illnesses on their return, in writing, in the child’s School Journal.
Registration for First Holy Communion and Confirmation 2011-2012
A letter will be sent out this week to parents who wish to register their child in the Parish Preparation Programmes to receive the sacraments this coming year. Closing date for Registration is Thursday 29th September, 2011. Registration forms will not be accepted after this date. Please read the letter carefully and enclose a Baptismal Certificate if required for your child. The completed Registration Form can be returned to the Church Sacristy after weekday or weekend masses; to the parish office (9.30 – 12.30 weekdays); or post to St Mochta’s Parish, Porterstown Road, Dublin 15. If you have any queries about the receiving the sacraments or the Registration Form please contact Fr John Daly or Mary GreeneByrne at the parish office (01) 8213218.
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.
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. For your information and to ensure forgotten lunches arrive in time, the following are the breaktimes for the children.
Junior & Senior Infants
10.20-10.30am Small portable snack taken to yard for eating under supervision
10.30-10.50am Eating time in the classroom
12.00-12.30pm Any remaining food can be taken to yard to be finished under supervision.
First Class upwards
10.20-10.30am Small portable snack taken to yard for eating under supervision
11.45-12.00noon Foods not suitable for outdoor eating can be eaten in the classroom
12.00-12.30pm Any remaining food can be taken to yard to be finished under supervision.
Labelling/Lost Property
The chances of returning lost property are greatly increased if items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Please ensure jumpers, PE sweatshirts, coats, etc are 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 School Booklet which is available to view at www.stpatricksns.ie.
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.
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.
Staff Car Park
Please note that parents are not permitted to park in the Staff Car Park when dropping or collecting children. If you are returning to the school to drop off forgotten lunches, schoolbags, etc. during the school day, we would ask that you park in the bus stop area and enter via the Pedestrian Gate. (Please close gates after you leave). Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
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. For safety reasons, we would ask that you do not allow your children to use scooters, rollerblades or Heelys on school grounds.
Temporary PE Timetable
A temporary PE Timetable will be in place for the first few weeks. Children will be informed of their PE times by their class teachers. Children should wear their school tracksuit/runners on these days.
Assistance with Books, Extra Curricular Activities etc
If you require assistance with books, Extra Curricular Activities, etc for your child/children, please email assistance.stpats@gmail.com as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may telephone the office to make an appointment with Mr Clerkin. All requests will be dealt with complete confidentiality.
Lost Property
There are a lot of unclaimed uniform items from the last school year. If your child is missing any item, please call in and take a look.
Homework Club
Homework Club commences this Tuesday (13 September). There are limited places available at a fee of €3 per child per session (Monday to Thursday). Application Forms are available from the office.
Extra Curricular Activities
Tennis Coaching – 3rd to 6th Class
Karl Purcell, Tennis Ireland coach, is returning to St Patrick’s again and will begin an 8-week indoor tennis coaching course for 3rd to 6th class children on Tuesday 13 September. As numbers are restricted, priority will be given to older children. The course will continue every Tuesday from 3.05-4.00pm. All equipment will be provided. The cost of the full 8-week course is €25 and this can be paid to the school in advance or on the day of the first session.
Volleyball/Spikeball - 3rd to 6th Class
Laurent Couet, coach to Ireland’s National Volleyball Team, will resume volleyball coaching this year. Priority will be given to older children. The first session will take place on Wednesday 14 September from 3.05pm-4.00pm and the course will run for 8 weeks. The cost of the course is €25 and this should be paid to the school in advance or on the day of the first session.
Table tennis – 3rd to 6th Class
Table tennis will begin on Thursday 15 September in the PE Hall. Class will be from 3.05pm – 4.00pm. Table tennis is an excellent way of improving hand eye coordination, timing and motor skills. Children will be taught the rules of table tennis along with basic skills such as correct grip, correct stance, different strokes and the serve. The maximum number of spaces available is 15. The cost of the course is €25 and this should be paid to the school in advance or on the day of the first session.
Badminton – 3rd to 6th Class
On Friday 16 September, Jackie Killoch, Badminton Ireland, will begin a course of 8 lessons for children from 3rd to 6th class. Classes will run each Friday from 2.10pm – 3.05pm (for Beginners/Intermediate) and 3.05pm – 4.00p, (for Intermediate/Advanced). All equipment will be provided. The cost of the course is €25 and this should be paid to the school in advance or on the day of the first session.
Choir
Friday Choir rehearsals start back on the 16th September. Free of charge. 2:10pm - 3:10pm. Line up after school outside the Coolmine door on line A (near the walkway). Looking forward to starting back. Ms Meade.
Musical Theatre, Drama & Singing Classes
Classes will take place each Tuesday from 1.10 pm – 2.10 for Junior & Senior infants and 2.10 – 3.10 pm for First & Second class (other classes to be confirmed after enrolment ). Beginners very welcome. Enrolment takes place on Tuesday, 13 September between 1.00 pm and 2.30 pm in the Diswellstown Community Centre (St. Patrick’s N.S.) Classes commence on 20 September and will cover Musical Theatre & Drama including good vocal technique, acting and beginning musicianship and optional preparation for Musical Theatre exams. Group or individual lessons are also available for Junior & Leaving Certificate music preparation. For further details please contact Toni Martin at 087 7913714 or email martin.toni1@gmail.com
Platform Stage Schools (Liz Brennan)
‘OLIVER’ is Platform Stage Schools end of year show. Classes will re-commence on Thursday 8th September. Classes cover speech work, drama, song and dance.
Junior & Senior infants -1.15 – 2.00pm; Older classes - 2.15 – 3.15pm.
Fees for Term of 13 weeks Junior & Senior infants - €100 per term; Older classes - €135 per term (There are two terms). To register, please tel: 8262813 or 086 2245113 – Liz Brennan B.A., L.T.C.L. Website: www.platformstageschool.ie
DramaWorks
Limited places available for the new term of DramaWorks (Speech and Drama Classes) for Junior Infants to 6th Class. The term will begin on Wednesday 14th September 2011. Small Class Sizes – Confidence Building - Mime – Movement – Theatre Games – Puppetry – Storytelling – Creative Drama - Poetry - Speech Work. For further details contact Clodagh on 086 3736056
Art & Craft Workshops
Wide range of Art & Crafts completed to encourage creativity and develop skills. Classes take place on Mondays at 2.10pm to 3.45pm. All ages are catered for. Enrolment will take place on Monday 12th September at 1.10pm and 2.10pm in St. Patricks. Contact Blathnaid O'Brien-Donovan, B.ed(Hons) H.Dip(Hons) on 087-4123247 for full details.
French for Children (3 – 12 year olds)
Fun classes & excellent materials & methodology (la Jolie Ronde) including own book & CD so learning can continue at home. A few places are still available for Tuesday/Wednesday (CETNS) Thursday (St Patrick’s) and Saturday classes (St.Patrick’s). For further information please contact Sabine 087 227 9027 and visit www.frenchforchildren.ie Merci bien!
Spanish for Children (3 - 13 & 14 -18 yr olds)
Classes for all start Mon 12th Sept. Don’t miss out. Special 6TH CLASS only class (beginners) - Mon @ 3.30PM. Please Email marygalvin@upcmail.ie or text 087 267 4809 for more information. Enrol by 5PM today to avoid disappointment. Gracias! Mary Galvin BA Mod (TCD), HDip Ed (UCD), MA (TCD), Grad Dip Applied Linguistics (TCD)
Piano Lessons
The new piano teacher, Robert Yeo, began lessons this week. There are a very limited number of remaining spaces available to any pupils who are interested in taking piano lessons. Lessons take place in the Library after school each day of the week and last 20 or 30 minutes. Beginners and advanced pupils welcome. Remaining places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. For more information please contact Robert on 085 285 1499 or robert_w_yeo@hotmail.com.
New Term Computer Training Classes "Little Whiz Kids"
We teach computers to children in creative ways they can relate too. 8 Week Term Commencing Monday 19th September 2011 @ 3.10pm-4.10pm Module 1 (Ages 6-12); 8 Week Term Commencing Monday 19th September 2011 @ 1.10pm-2.10pm Module 1 (Senior Infants Only). Cost €90.00 per child (Discount for siblings). All classes held in school. Ring: 087 - 66 95 920 for bookings.
Stretch-N-Grow
Stage Area, Friday's 1:10pm - 2:10pm (10 weeks). €60 per child. For more information and bookings, please contact Graham at 086 249 5698 sngkidz@gmail.com www.stretch-n-grow.com
Guitar Lessons
Learn easy guitar in a warm and friendly fully equipped studio. Group or individual lessons available. This is one the best times to prepare for the Junior and Leaving Cert music curriculum! Special 20% reduction to all the pupils (and parents) of St. Patricks NS on the first 10 lessons. Further details Brian Farrell 086 380 9624 – www.brianfarrell.eu info@brianfarrell.eu.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar teacher Claudia Murray has some vacancies for beginners and improvers on Wednesday afternoons. Phone 087-7739247 for details.
Castleknock Hurling & Football Club (CHFC)
Nursery every Saturday at 10.00am in Tir na nÓg park.
Irish Dancing Classes- Downey Lanigan Academy
In St Patrick's N.S: Tuesday Junior and Senior Infants 1.10 - 2pm; 2.10 to 3.10 1st - 6th backstage room; Wednesday Advanced and Championship 7.15pm; Thursday Prelim and Intermediate 2.10 - 3.10, meeting room. Saturday 12-1pm all grades. Children prepared for examinations, shows and stage craft, to develop confidence teamwork and poise. Competition to World level if desired. Or simply learn Irish dancing for fun and cultural development. Please contact Bernadette 0876204772.
Children's Swimming Classes
Children’s Swimming Classes will recommence from Wednesday 14th September (every Wednesdays 3-4p.m.) at Finglas Leisure Centre (just off M50 Finglas Exit). Beginners & Improvers - 8 Week Course: €68 per child (5 years +). For bookings and more information contact Swim-Fast - 085-7622247 (Ron).
Chester Dance School
Ballet Tap & Hip Hop Classes take place in Diswellstown Community Centre on Mondays from 4.30pm. Registration takes place on Monday 5th Sept @ 4.30pm. Ph 087 7923955
Email: schester@idtaireland.org; Website: www.chesterdanceschool.com
Children of Lir Gymnastics
This is an activity for all ages it includes, dance, apparatus gymnastics and team sports. This is a great introduction to sport and social engagement, and also physically assists with other sporting activities. Club Membership starts at 4yrs and upwards. www.lirgymclub.com or call 085 7218511