Newsletters Archived
Wednesday March 25th 2012Easter Holidays
Please note that the children will finish at 11.30am on Friday 30 March. The school will be closed from Monday 02 April to Friday 13 April inclusive and will reopen on Monday 16 April at 08.30am.
Basketball Match – Teachers vs Students
“To continue our school’s 10 Year Celebrations, there was a teachers vs students basketball match on in the PE Hall last week. Well done to the teachers and students for taking part. We all had fun”. Lee & Kotryna – 5th Class
Choir & Choral Scholars
Friday Choir and Choral Scholar Practices will resume the first week back after the Easter Holidays. Looking forward to seeing you all then, Ms Meade.
Green Schools - Walking Bus
In order to encourage more children to walk to school a Walking Bus might be the answer. An informal Walking Bus is in operation from Burnell Park, please contact barbaraodonoghue@eircom.net if you wish to join.
Safety
If your child is allowed to walk home to/from school, it is important to remind him/her regularly of the importance of never talking to or approaching strangers/cars and of walking in pairs/groups rather than alone.
“Food Dudes” Programme
We will be participating in the “Food Dudes” Healthy Eating Programme after Easter. This programme is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. See www.fooddudes.ie for more information.
St Patrick’s Parents for Business Network
The “St Patrick’s Parents for Business Network” is a group of parents in the school that offer products or services to you their fellow parents. The list of members is located on the inside front pages of the School Journal. The School Journal is being prepared for next September. If you are not already listed in the Journal & would like to be, please contact Daniel Collins 087 2565431 before Friday 30th March.
Open Morning at Donore Harriers
“On Saturday at Donore Harriers AC we had lots of fun. We did high jump, hurdles and long jump…..it was really fun.” Tomi Obarotimi – 4th Class
“We learned lots of tips… A tip for the long jump is to think that you are about to fly off…then try to land forward, not back.” Sfundo Zulu – 5th Class
“On Saturday some children from our school went to try some events such as the high jump, hurdles and long jump. We all had lots of fun with Luke, the man who showed us the techniques of how to do it properly. We hope to do it again. Many thanks to Maurice and Luke at Donore A.C. for helping us on the day. Luke is a national long jump champion.” Jack Doherty - 6th Class
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.
Parents Association News
Family Fun Quiz
Thanks to all who took part in the Quiz last Sunday. 11 families took shade from the fabulous sunshine to compete and avail of some refreshments. Paul Mason provided great fun as MC on the day and all the children enjoyed competing for spot prizes and testing their knowledge. The scores were very high so St Patrick's can be proud of all their little "einsteins"! Great raffle prizes were won as well as prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the Quiz - the Hoey, Conroy, Downey and Mullen families were winners on the Day. Thanks to all the volunteers, caretakers and school staff for help in running the event as well as Suzanne & Don O'Neill who donated popcorn and crisps. Hope to see more of you at the next Quiz - rainy day promised.
Extra Curricular Activities
Basketball (2nd & 3rd Class)
There are a limited number of places available for 2nd and 3rd Class Basketball on Tuesdays from 2.10 – 3.05pm. Any child who is interested in a place should go to Red Room 1 for a booking form.
Stretch-N-Grow
Stretch-N-Grow, The Worlds leading fitness program for children! Now booking for next term starting 27th April. SPECIAL OFFER, 9weeks for only €50! check out www.stretch-n-grow.ie or contact Graham on 0862495698, sngkidz@gmail.com
French for Children @ St. Patrick’s
Try La Jolie Ronde French classes for children aged 3 to 12 years! French, music and drama all into one! A few places are still available Thursdays or Saturdays. Grinds can be organised on request for older children also. Phone/text Sabine Maher on 087 227 9027 & visit web www.frenchforchildren.ie Merci!
Spanish for Children
Learn lots of Spanish after-school (3 - 13 yr olds) and speak confidently and correctly with qualified linguist and teacher, Mary Galvin. Enrol today & guarantee your place for September 2012 (places filling fast). A good level of Spanish in Primary will give your child a great advantage in Secondary School. For info contact 0872674809 / marygalvin@upcmail.ie. Checkout www.spanishclasses4children.com ¡Felices Pascuas (Easter) y vacaciones (Holidays) a todos!
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.
Castleknock Hurling & Football Club
CHFC Nursery is back at Tir na nÓg (beside CCC) every Saturday at 10am. New members welcome. CHFC Easter Camp registrations take place on Saturday 31 March from 10am to 11.30am at Club Shop in Tir Na nOg. Easter camp runs from April 2nd to 6th inclusive. Price of Camp is €50 standard and €30 Nursery Camp and is open to both members and non members.
Girls Soccer Easter Camp at St Patrick’s
The Aviva Soccer Sisters Easter Camp takes place at Diswellstown Recreation & Community Centre 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 can book online at www.fai.ie or contact Martin Doyle, FAI Development Officer directly on 086 7700772.
Children of Lir Gymnastics Club
Children of Lir Gymnastics Club are currently enrolling for Term 3. General Gymnastics classes for children from 4yrs upwards take place on Saturday mornings in Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre. For more information, please see www.lirgymclub.com or visit our Facebook page for lots of photos and more. All enquiries should be directed to 085 7218511.
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 or arrange a “free trial”, please contact Carol Pitcher on 087 2868910 - email - castleknockttrs@gmailcom Why not check out the website www.ttrs.co.uk for further information on how the course might benefit your child.
Coder Dojo
Coder Dojo is coming to Dublin 15. Coder Dojo is a new, innovative and free youth computer coding club for boys and girls ages 10-18. It's all voluntary and to get started we're looking for adult mentors with coding/online skills. If you have some time on Saturdays we would delighted for any help possible. Enrolment for interested kids will start after Easter. Contact Ivo (086 7947744) or Colm (087 979 1769) or email CoderDojoD15@gmail.com"