Newsletters Archived

Halloween Mid-Term Break
The school will close from 29 October to 02 November inclusive for the mid-term break. Please note that the children have a full school day on Friday 26 October.
The school will reopen at 08.30am on Monday 05 November.
Wishing you a Safe and Happy Halloween

Choir Cancellation
Please note there will be no choir on Friday 26th October. Enjoy the Halloween Break! Ms Meade.

Parent/Teacher Meetings
Parent/Teacher Meetings will take place on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 November. Appointment sheets will be distributed week commencing 12 November.

Tigers After School Care
Places are available at Tigers After School Care. We cater for Hour Club (1.10 – 2.10pm), Homework Club, Full/ Part time and Occasional Care.  We will suit your needs!! For more information, please call Tracey on tel: 0862253781

Maths Help for 5th/6th Class Children
Please see the Children’s Corner section of our website www.stpatricksns.ie to see ShowMe – Maths Topics 5th & 6th Class.

Thoughts after the first Cross Country Meeting Tuesday 16 October
"I thought Cross Country was really fun. It doesn't matter if you come third or second or fifth. What matters is that you have fun. Cross country can make you tired but you feel very happy after it."   Emma Jane - 3rd Class
"I thought the first day at Cross Country was very exciting. We all enjoyed our time. The distance to run was three hundred metres. It was fun."   Alexander - 3rd Class
"Before cross country I was nervous but when it got near to my race I started to relax. After the race I was very happy with myself. I came second but I didn't really care. I didn't win because a person from another school won."   Niall - 3rd Class

Parents Association News

Save the Date! – Christmas Fair on 25 November
Many thanks for promises of prizes of

• (unopened) NEW toys, gifts, bottles, games, CDs, etc., given to date.

We’ll be collecting these along with

• any (good quality) SECOND HAND toys, books, games, DVDs, Wii/Nintendo/Xbox etc games.

Drop Offs start on Thursday 8 November (7.30-8.00pm) and Friday (8.20am) to give you a chance over mid-term to round up anything you might be able to donate to us! We are very grateful to you for these donations without which we would be unable to run the Christmas Fair. We’re still looking for Volunteers to help on the day and/or with set-up prior to the Fair – if you can spare a couple of hours, please email collettehoban@hotmail.com.

Positive Parenting in Challenging Times (Free talk for parents)
Parenting is not easy! It can be so hard at times that it overwhelms us. We may struggle dealing with a challenging child and feel that we are not good enough. As parents, we may feel guilty, stressed and unsupported.  There are things you can do that will make a difference. You can have a calmer, happier home and enjoy your children more.  The Practical Parenting talk is full of tips that will make a difference and that you can use at home. Sheila O Malley runs Practical Parenting (www.practicalparenting.ie) to offer support and training to parents. She is a former Parenting Correspondent for Independent Newspapers, and has run a parenting slot on TV3’s Ireland Am and is a regular contributor on Radio and in the Media. She was trained by Dr Tony Humphreys, and is a qualified Parent Mentor. St Patrick’s Parent’s Association Committee is hosting the above talk on Thursday 8th November in the school reception area.
Time: 8pm to 9pm with additional time available for questions

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!

Coping with Bereavement – St Mochta’s Parish Bethany Bereavement Group
Come and listen to three personal stories on how people deal with loss and grief.

Wednesday 7th November at 8pm
John Quinn: Author and Broadcaster will tell his personal story of meeting with, living with and losing his wife. Olive. 

Wednesday 14th November at 8pm
Nuala Casey: A mother whose personal story is about how she coped with the tragic loss of her son through suicide.  This talk would be of particular interest to young people. Also, we hope to have a speaker from Pieta House on the night.

Wednesday 21st November at 8pm
Ron Smith Murphy: Founder of The Little Lifetime Foundation will tell her personal story on how she has coped with the loss of her infant daughter. We will also have somebody speak about Miscarriages, Neo Natal, Stillborn and infant deaths.
Venue: St. Mochta’s Parish Pastoral Centre, Porterstown (behind the Church)
All Welcome - Light refreshments will be served       

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.