Newsletters Archived
Wednesday March 7th 2012St Patrick’s Day
The school will close on Monday 19 March for St Patrick’s Day. The school will reopen on Tuesday 20 March.
Mór Shúil
We will be having a “Mór Shúil” for the children during the school day on Friday 16 March. Children may wear a green top or tshirt with their school tracksuit bottoms if they wish.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
We will be celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge in school next week (12-16 March). As in previous years, the children will partake in a variety of activities – music, dance, drama, artwork, etc. We expect to hear lots of Gaeilge being spoken in the school environment. Most of all, we hope everyone will have plenty of “sport agus spraoi”. Perhaps you could use a “cupla focal” at home too!
10 Year Anniversary Celebrations
As part of our 10 Year Anniversary Celebrations, the school is hosting a Concert on Wednesday 14 March. Tickets are free and are currently being distributed to families of participating children. All remaining tickets will be offered to parents and children on a first come, first served basis. Please email requests to info@stpatricksns.ie putting “School Concert Tickets” in the subject line and stating the names of those who require tickets. All children who are attending must be accompanied by an adult.
A special celebration Mass for children from 1st to 6th class will take place in the PE Hall during the school day on Thursday 15 March. There will also be a special ceremony for Infants on the same day. School will finish at the normal time for all children.
Many thanks to the PA for the commemorative pencils which will be given all children on Friday 16 March.
Green Schools - Walking Bus
In order to encourage more children to walk to school a Walking Bus might be the answer. To find out more please check out www.fingalcoco.ie (Click first on Road and then the Road Safety Section). If you would be interested is helping to set up and run a Walking Bus system in St Patrick’s, please leave your name and contact details with Andrea at Reception or email info@stpatricksns.ie putting “Walking Bus” in the subject line.
Bekind Ireland Living Shamrocks
As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge and in celebration of St Patrick, our patron saint, a group of students from CCC will be selling living shamrock on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning at €3 each. All proceeds go to Bekind Ireland, a locally run Charity which supports street children in Calcutta and works closely with students from CCC. More information is available on their website www.bekind.ie.
3rd Parents Holy Communion Meeting
The next Parents Preparation Meeting for First Holy Communion will take place in St Mochta’s Parish Centre on Tuesday 13th March 2012 at 8pm. The meeting will give you, as parents, a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation so you can help prepare your child to receive the Sacrament at the end of March. At least one parent should attend this meeting. If you cannot attend, please contact the Parish office at (01) 8213218.
National Parents’ Council – Primary
The NPC are looking for a representative from St Patrick’s Parent Body on their NPC Special Interest Group. This parent must have a child in the school and be the parent of a child with Special Educational Needs; from the Migrant Community; from the Traveller Community or of a Minority Religion. If you would be interested in taking part, please contact Andrea in the office or email info@stpatricksns.ie putting “NPC Special Interest Group” in the subject line.
Parents Association News
Family Fun Quiz
A fun Family Quiz will take place on Sunday 25 March at 3pm in the School PE Hall. Full details to follow so please put a note in your diary. Fun for all the family and great prizes too!
Extra Curricular Activities
New After-school JSTA Tennis Academy
Two coaches from the JSTA Tennis Academy will begin a new 10-week course on Tuesday 20th March for children in 2nd-6th (Priority will be given to older children). Cost of course is €30 for 10-week course. All equipment will be provided. Those interested should sign up at Reception. See www.jsta.ie for further information about the programme on offer.
Open Morning at Donore Harriers
A.C.Donore Harriers Athletic Club has kindly offered to host a Free Open Morning for children from St Patrick’s who are in 4th - 6th Class. This is an opportunity for children to try a variety of athletic events e.g. hurdles, long jump, high jump and shot putt. It will take place from 10.00 – 12.00 on Sat 24th March. Numbers are limited. If too many children wish to attend, a lottery may need to be held. Please note: Parents must accompany their child to/from venue and are responsible for him/her while there. Parents who are interested in coming along should complete a form, available from the Parents Notice-Board at Reception, and return to collection box at reception by Fri 16th March, at the latest.
Art & Crafts Workshops
The new 10 week term in Art and Crafts will begin on Monday 5 March from 2.10pm to 3.45pm. A wide range of art and craft activities are undertaken. Limited places available. Contact Bláthnaid on 087 4123247 for further details.
French for Children @ St. Patrick’s
6th class pupils: finish Primary in French style! Some places available Thursdays @ 16.00 or on Saturday 11.45: enhance your learning with your school friends through fun activities (French hangman, bingo, French maths...). A few places left for Junior Infants up to 4th Class Thursday or Saturday mornings. Places in Early Years & Parents Sat. 12.35 class too (3-5 years). Try a class and see! Phone/text Sabine Maher on 087 227 9027 & visit web www.frenchforchildren.ie. Merci!
Spanish for Children (La Jolie Ronde)
Learn lots of Spanish after-school, in fun and interesting way with qualified linguist and teacher, Mary Galvin. Very few places left this term and just 10 class left until end of May. Join now (3 – 13 yr olds) or enrol today and guarantee your place for September 2012 (places filling fast). A good level of Spanish leaving Primary will give your child a great start in Secondary. For information, please contact Mary on 087 2674809; marygalvin@upcmail.ie or check out www.spanishclasses4children.com. Gracias.
Guitar Lessons
FREE CLASSICAL GUITAR, RAIN COVER & TUTOR BOOK (or 20% reduction & tutor book for the first 10 lessons) to all new pupils (or parents) of St. Patricks NS. Learn easy guitar in a warm and friendly fully equipped studio. This is one the best times to prepare for the Junior and Leaving Cert music curriculum! Limited offer while stock lasts. Brian Farrell 086 380 9624; Web www.brianfarrell.eu; Email info@brianfarrell.eu.
Girls Soccer Easter Camp at St Patrick’s
The Aviva Soccer Sisters Easter Camp takes place at St Patrick’s from Mon 2nd to Thurs 5th April (inclusive). It will run daily from 10am-1pm, costs €40 and each participant will receive a free Soccer Sisters kit. Those interested should pick up a leaflet from beside the Parent Information Notice-Board or contact Martin Doyle, FAI Development Officer directly on 086 7700772.
Parking
The Gardaí and local residents have again approached the school regarding the issue of dangerous and illegal parking. We appreciate that lack of parking space is a major problem for all parents. However, cars must be parked in a safe, legal and considerate manner.
Unfortunately, a number of parents continue to park and block access to/from driveways, and park dangerously close to junctions and entrances to estates. This is both highly inconsiderate towards the residents of these estates and is, in fact, illegal.
There are also a number of parents who stop at the roundabout on the main road which is also a dangerous and illegal practice. It is also an unnecessary practice as we have a safe procedure in place for dropping children off at the main entrance of the school.
The following are extracts from the Rules of the Road:
- A vehicle may not park on double yellow lines in any circumstances.
- A vehicle may not be parked within 5m of a junction.
- Vehicles may not be parked near: a bend, the brow of a hill, a humped back bridge, a continuous white line, where it would obstruct a sign, at an entrance, at a bus stop or opposite another vehicle on a narrow road.
The Board of Management will have no hesitation in supporting local residents who choose to report drivers who park illegally or trespass on their property. The Board will also support those parents who choose to report instances of dangerous parking that may put the lives of their children at risk.
There is ample parking available at Spar car park which is a short distance from the school. Cars must be parked properly in the car park. Under no circumstances should a car obstruct one of their patrons or interfere with delivery truck access.