Newsletters Archived

Trócaire Boxes
Trócaire Boxes can be returned to the school or the Parish Church.  Any monies returned to school will be collected by Trócaire early on the morning of Tuesday 01 May 2012.  Please do not send Trócaire boxes to the school after this date.

Inclement Weather
There is no provision for indoor supervision of children on wet mornings prior to 8.30am.  We would ask that you time your arrival between 8.30 and 8.40 in the event of inclement weather.

Food Dudes
In keeping with our healthy eating policy, we were delighted with the positive response from the pupils to the Food Dudes programme which started on Tuesday. The vast majority of the pupils tasted the fruit and vegetables and many were pleasantly surprised.  The delivery schedule is outlined below and it will continue in that order for 16 days:

We are asking to you encourage your child to participate as much as possible in the programme. However, if there is a dietary/medical issue, please advise the teacher and feel free to send in a suitable alternative and your child will still be able to avail of the fantastic prizes.  The Food Diary that the children have been given can be used to record their fruit and vegetable intake at home. When the programme is over, the children will be able to exchange the completed diary for a bonus prize.  Please adjust the amount of food in your child’s lunchbox to accommodate these additional foods.

St Patrick’s N.S. needs your vote to claim top spot in LIDL Fit Factor
St. Patrick’s N.S. is celebrating after being chosen as a regional winner of the Lidl Fit Factor, a fun competition designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity, developed in conjunction with the Irish Heart Foundation.  St Patrick’s N.S. now joins four other primary schools from across the Republic of Ireland to go head to head and compete for the top prize of €5,000 worth of sports equipment vouchers and the honour of being crowned ‘Lidl Fit Factor Champions’.  But we need your help!  All you have to do to help us in our quest is log onto www.fitfactor.ie and follow the link to register your vote.  Voting opens on Monday 23rd of April and finishes at Friday 18th of May at 5pm.  To view our dance routine and cool rap, see www.stpatricksns.ie and click on the Fit Factor link.
Diswellstown Summer Camp
Diswellstown Summer Camp will be held from Monday 02 July to Friday 06 July inclusive, from 9am to 1pm daily.  The Summer Camp will cater for all children from Infants to 6th Class.  Age appropriate activities will include Art & Crafts, cooking, drama, sport and games.  Details of enrolment will follow over the coming weeks.

Knitters
If there are any parents/grandparents that knit and are available to help teach 4th Class to knit between 1.10pm and 2.10pm from next Monday 30 April to Thursday 03 May, can they please leave their name on the list on the Parent Information Noticeboard.

Downey Lanigan Academy of Irish Dance
Our class is very proud that Kendra Walsh(6th Class) qualified in her region (Leinster, last November)  to compete in the World Championships in the Waterfront Arena in Belfast(Easter Week).  She succeeded to receive a recall in the competition to the top 50 competitors and received a world medal. Congratulations Kendra!

Moving House? 
If you are moving house and your child will not be returning to St Patrick’s in the new school year, it is vital that you make contact with the class teacher or the Main Office as soon as possible as it will be necessary for you to complete a Transfer Form.   We have a number of children on waiting lists for all classes and we would like to be able to contact these parents as soon as possible.

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 in order for you to receive your child/children’s school reports, end of year letters, etc or to make contact with you if your child should fall ill during the school day. If any of your details have changed since the beginning of the school year, please complete a Change of Address/Contact Details Form, available from the office.

Sport for All Day (3rd - 6th) New Date!
Unfortunately, due to the forecasted inclement weather our Senior Sports Day has been postponed until next Wednesday, 2nd May. Children should wear their school tracksuit and suitable footwear. They should also bring an extra drink (preferably water) along with their usual lunch.

Dublin 15 Cross Country League Finals
Our school team - made up of more than 50 children - will participate at the Finals at Morton Stadium, Santry next Tuesday, 1st May. 34 schools in Fingal are expected to participate. Supporters are very welcome. Races begin at 10.30 and the event should be over by 2.00pm. 

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:

1. A vehicle may not park on double yellow lines in any circumstances.
2. A vehicle may not be parked within 5m of a junction.
3. 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.  

St Patrick’s Parents for Business Network
Your First Choice for Products and Services supplied by parents.
Visit www.stpatricksns.ie for more information or see insert in your child’s Homework Journal.
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Parents Association News

Urgent Appeal for Volunteers
Parents/Guardians, we are appealing for your help with the First Holy Communion Receptions in the School Hall on Saturday, 12th May, serving refreshments from 10.30am – 12.30pm and/or 12.30pm – 2.30pm.  Helpers are also needed to steward the Church Car Park from 9.30am – 10.00am and 11.00am – 12.00pm and/or School Car Park from 11.00am – 11.30am and 1.00pm – 1.30pm.  If you are available and would like to volunteer, please call/text Karen on 087 4187253 or Olivier on 086 8352920

Extra Curricular Activities

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 (La Jolie Ronde)
Learn Spanish after-school (3 - 13 yr olds) and speak confidently and correctly with qualified linguist and teacher, Mary Galvin. A good level of Spanish in Primary will give your child a great advantage in Secondary School. Special offers for first 50 pupils to book & pay deposit for Sept 2012 by Friday 15th June! M: 087 267 4809 E: marygalvin@upcmail.ie W: www.spanishclasses4children.com.

Stretch-N-Grow
The Worlds leading fitness programme for children, next term starts this Friday 27th April running for 9 weeks for a reduced fee of only €50! Contact Graham on 0862495698 or sngkidz@gmail.com or www.stretch-n-grow.ie

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.