Newsletters Archived

The reception/office area is extremely busy. 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 2013
Application Forms are available for collection from the office from Wednesday 12 September.  Registration will take place on 15, 16 & 17 October.

Information Meetings
We are holding a series of informal meetings at 8.40am with the parents of each class grouping.  The meetings will take place in the Tigers Room on the dates listed below.  We request that you enter the school via the Diswellstown Door (Tigers Entrance) and up the blue stairs rather than through the main school entrance.  Please note that teachers will return to their classes immediately after the meeting.  Should you wish to speak to the teacher individually, please contact the office to make an appointment.

Procedure for entering the school each morning
To ensure safe and orderly access to the school grounds, the gates will open shortly before 8.30am. Parents and children walking/cycling to school should use the pedestrian gate entrance.  No Cycling or Scootering is permitted on school grounds.
The school bell rings at 08.30am. Children walk to their lines (in the early days of Junior Infants, parents may accompany children to the classroom).
Classes are collected from the yard by their teacher. As soon as the classes have entered the building, the doors are closed.
The Luttrellstown door (nearest door to Pedestrian Entrance) remains open until 8.50am.
Children who arrive after 08.50am must enter via reception and sign the “late book”.
Children may not enter the school building until 08.30am.  Parents are responsible for the welfare of their children until the school’s duty of care begins at 8.30 am. On wet mornings please time your arrival for 8.30 – 8.40am.

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.

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.

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 break-times 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.

CCC/LCC First Years 2013
Please note that the closing date for receipt of completed application forms for First Year 2013 (current 6th class children) is Friday 28 September at 4.00pm.

Rainbows
A peer support group for children from 1st to 6th class who have experienced a family bereavement or separation will commence soon in St Mochta’s Pastoral Centre. If you believe your child would benefit from this programme, please contact rainbowsstmochtas@gmail.com register to attend the information evening.  More info available on www.rainbowsireland.com

Extra Curricular Activities

Choir
Friday Choir rehearsals start back on Friday, 14 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.

Art & Crafts Workshops
Art & Craft Workshops will take place on Mondays from 2.10pm to 3.45pm.  Wide range of skills used to foster creativity.  Enrolment will take place on Monday 10th September at 1.10pm and 2.10pm. New 10 week term classes will commence on Monday 17th September. Please contact Bláthnaid O Brien-Donovan, B.Ed (Hons) on 087 4123247 for full details.

DramaWorks (Speech & Drama Classes for Junior Infants to Sixth Class)
Mime, Movement, Theatre Games, Storytelling, Creative Drama, Poetry and Speech Work. Places still available for Junior and Senior Infants, classes take place each Wednesday from 1.10pm. For further details contact Clodagh on 086 3736056

Irish Dancing
In St Patrick's N.S: Tuesday Junior and Senior Infants 1.10 - 2pm; Tuesday and Thursday 2.10 to 3.10 1st - 6th backstage room; Wednesday Advanced and Championship 7.15pm. 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. Congratulations to the children who participated in our fundraiser Ceili in June which raised €340, we have given this to the school for their Bernardo fund.

Platform Stage Schools
‘Mary  Poppins’  is Platform Stage Schools end of year show.  Classes re- commence on Thursday 13th September.  We cover speech work, drama, song and dance.  Junior & Senior infants - 1.15pm – 2.00pm; Older classes - 2.15pm – 3.15pm.  Fees for Term of 13 weeks - Junior & Senior infants- €100 per term; Older classes €130 per term (payable in two installments). To register please tel. 8262813  or 086 2245113 Liz Brennan  B.A., L.T.C.L. Website: www.platformstageschool.ie

Musical Theatre, Drama & Singing Classes
Musical Theatre classes provide vocal and acting skills to children of all levels in a creative and fun environment.  As well as musical ability, the classes help children build confidence, learn teamwork and develop their individual talents.  Our new term will begin on Tuesday, 18 September in St. Patrick’s N.S.  Classes are 1.10 – 2.10 pm for Junior and Senior Infants, 2.10 – 3.10 pm for 1st and 2nd class and 3.10 – 4.00 pm for older children.  Individual lessons are available upon request.  Preparation for Royal Irish Academy of Music and Leinster school of Music singing exams and Junior and Leaving certificate practical exams is also provided.  For further details please contact Toni Martin at 087 7913714 or email martin.toni1@gmail.com. 

Stretch-N-Grow
The World’s leading fitness programme for children, 1:10pm to 2pm, New Term starts Friday 14th September running for 10 weeks for only €60!
Contact Graham on 0862495698 or sngkidz@gmail.com or www.stretch-n-grow.ie

French for Children at St. Patrick’s
French for Children runs classes per age group in St. Patricks for young children as young as 3 right up to 6th class pupils.  Beginners welcome, no previous knowledge needed. Great preparation for secondary school for older children.  Classes available weekdays or Saturday. Enrol now as places limited to 12 children per class. Due to interest, a special class/playschool may start for babies/toddlers from 0 to 3 yrs with their parents. Secure a place quickly (vite, vite!) Enrolling now.  Sabine 087 227 9027 www.frenchforchildren.ie Merci! 

Spanish for Children
Apúrate! Hurry! 30 wks (Sep - Jun) of choice of 5 great, after-school, age-specific courses (LJR) for 3-13 yr olds, starting this week. Own Book & CD. Classes straight after school (pre-school 1.45-2.10) & from 3PM. Special class for 6th class. For more information / to enroll on-line, please contact Mary Galvin on M: 087 267 4809 E:
marygalvin@upcmail.ie W: www.spanishclasses4children.com ¡Gracias!
Swimming Classes (Swim-Fast)
Starting Wednesday 19 September - 3- 4pm @ Finglas Leisure Centre Pool (3 Mins North on M50).  Beginners & Improvers. €68 - 8 Weeks Min. 5 years +. For more information, contact Ron at 085-7622247.

Shreddies Dublin Parks Tennis
Registration and Coaching commences on Saturday 22 September at Riverwood Estates Tennis Courts. More information available from beside the Parent Information Notice Board.

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.
“LIKE” us on Facebook to win a prize!

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.