Newsletters Archived

Registration – Junior Infants September 2013
Application Forms are available for collection from the office since Wednesday 12 September.  Registration will take place on 15, 16 & 17 October.

Junior Infant Vaccinations
Last week, Vaccination Forms were distributed to the Junior Infant children. Forms must be returned to your child’s Class Teacher ASAP as forms are being collected by the HSE tomorrow 20 September. Please return the form even if you are not giving your consent (there is a separate signature box for not giving consent). No dates have yet been set by the HSE for these Vaccinations.

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.

Access to Classrooms After Hours

With the exception of those attending Extra Curricular Activities, children are not permitted to re-enter the classroom after 2.10pm. This is to prevent loss or damage to school property.  If in an absolute emergency (forgotten books, copies and general belongings does not generally constitute an emergency!) a child needs to gain access to his/her classroom outside school hours, they should come to Reception.

Clarification on Baptismal Certificates for St Mochta’s Communion and Confirmation Programme
      If your child was baptised in St Mochta’s Church, please fill in the Date of Birth and Baptismal details on the Registration form.  You do NOT need a to hand in a Baptismal Certificate.
      For children baptised outside of St Mochta’s Church, a Baptismal Certificate must be presented with this registration form before your child can be enrolled on the Confirmation Preparation Programme.

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.

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

Blanchardstown Garda Station Open Day
Blanchardstown Garda Station Open Day takes place on Saturday 22 September 2012 from 2pm to 5pm.  The Garda Band will be performing, along with stands and displays from Local and National Units, Traffic, Mounted, Dogs, Sub-Aqua, Community Policing, Vintage and current Garda Vehicles.  Also the Coolmine Farmers Market will have a stall along with the Village Shopping Centre displays outside the Garda Station.  Members of the Public will have tours of the station and there will be a live broadcast from Phoenix FM Radio, children’s entertainment and face painting along with a colouring competition for prizes for family tickets to Dublin Zoo.  All members of the public are welcome.

Parents Association News

Parents' Association AGM
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of St Patrick's NS Parents' Association will take place on Tuesday 25th September at 8pm in the school.  We would encourage as many parents as possible to attend. Volunteers to join the PA are being actively sought.  Also, if any
parent has a topic that they would like to have discussed at this meeting, it must be submitted for inclusion in the Agenda ahead of the meeting, either by email to stpatrickspa@yahoo.com or by dropping a note in to the PA Postbox at the School Reception.  (Please also see the separate notice that has been sent home with each child).

Extra Curricular Activities

Queries relating to Extra Curricular Activities should be made directly to the Activity Organiser.  Contact details are available for most activities on our school website, www.stpatricksns.ie.

Tennis Coaching 3rd-6th 
Tennis will begin next Monday 24th September with Brendan Moran (fully qualified Parks Tennis coach) from 2.15-3.05 and 3.05-4.00pm. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to older children. All equipment will be provided. Cost: 25 euros for 8 sessions and this should be paid to the school. Payment can be made online through the school website. Those interested should sign up for it at Reception.

Badminton
For your convenience, any outstanding Badminton payments can be made online through the school website.

DramaWorks (Speech and 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

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.  A limited number of places are still available. Please contact Bláthnaid O Brien-Donovan, B.Ed (Hons) on 087 4123247 for full details.

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. Please contact Bernadette 0876204772.

Platform Stage Schools
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 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.  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 (La Jolie Ronde)
Classes are filling up quick and start this Thursday 20th September.  I have more availability on Saturday morning classes which include the early years class for 3 to 5 years old.  All classes are suitable for complete beginners. Great preparation for secondary school for older children.  Enrol now as places limited to 12 children per class. Merci bien!Sabine 087 227 9027 www.frenchforchildren.ie

Spanish for Children: Still welcome to join!
30 wks (Sep - Jun) of choice of 5 great, after-school, age-specific courses (LJR) for 3-13 yr olds. Own Book & CD. Classes straight after school @ 1.10 & 2.10 (pre-school class from 1.45 - 2.10). Special class for 6th class on Thursdays and for 6th & 1st Years (non beginners) on Tuesdays @ 4PM. 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.

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.