Newsletters Archived
Wednesday September 18th 2013Registration – Junior Infants September 2014
Application Forms are available from the office from Wednesday 11 September. Registration will take place on 14, 15 & 16 October.
Anul - Copiii Junior septembrie 2014
Formularele de cerere sunt disponibile de la biroul de miercuri 11 septembrie. Înregistrare va avea loc pe 14, 15 si 16 octombrie.
Referendum 2013 – Abolition of Seanad/Establishment of Court of Appeal
The school will be closed on Friday 04 October as it is being used as a Polling Station for the above Referendum.
Thank You
A huge thank you is due to all our parent volunteers who covered books at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. We look forward to enjoying these books for many years to come.
Procedure for Entering the School Building each Morning
To ensure safe and orderly access to the school grounds, the gates will open a few minutes before 8.30am. Parents and children walking to school must use the “new” Pedestrian Entrance. No Cycling, Scootering or Rollerblading is permitted on school grounds. Children must go to their class line up area and remain there until the school bell rings at 08.30am. Classes are collected from the yard by their teacher and entry doors are then closed. In the early weeks of Junior Infants, parents may accompany children to the classroom.
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 8.30am. On wet mornings, please time your arrival for 8.30 – 8.40am.
To minimise heat loss and for the safety and security of all the pupils, children who arrive late for line-up in the morning should access the school as follows:
- 2nd – 6th Class children will enter via the Diswellstown (Tigers) Door only.
- Junior Infants – 1st Class children will enter via the Carpenterstown Door only.
Leaving School Early
The teacher should be notified in advance if possible, should a child need to be collected early. Pupils who leave before the end of the school day, must be signed out at Reception by a parent/guardian. If you need to collect your child during the school day, please do not do so during break times (10.20-10.30am and 12.00-12.30pm) as the children are in the school yard at this time. If an emergency situation arises, please ring the office before break time and we will arrange to have your child at Reception for collection. However, please note Reception is closed from 12.00-12.30pm daily. Your cooperation in this matter would be very much appreciated.
Homework
Below are sample time guidelines for homework:
Junior and Senior Infants 5 - 10 minutes
(Informal homework such as the Paired Reading Scheme, sight words, reading review).
First Class 15 – 20 minutes.
Second Class 20 – 30 minutes.
Third and Fourth Class 30 – 40 minutes.
Fifth and Sixth Class 40 – 60 minutes.
If your child is having consistent difficulty with homework or is spending well in excess of the recommended time completing it, please speak with the Class Teacher.
Birthday parties/Festivals etc.
If your child is having a birthday party and inviting children from the class, the distribution of invitations must be done outside school, as children who are not on the guest list can feel upset and isolated. Please do not ask school personnel for phone numbers or addresses of children in the class. Schools, like all institutions, must adhere to the terms of the Data Protection Act.
We celebrate festivals such as Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter as part of the overall school curriculum. However we discourage the practice of exchanging cards and/or gifts in school. Again, those who do not receive presents and those who may not celebrate some of the festivals feel upset and isolated.
Culture Night
Friday 20 September is Culture Night. See www.culturenight.ie for more information.
Homework Club
There are limited places available for Homework Club at a fee of €3 per child per session (Monday to Thursday). Application Forms are available from the office.
Open Evening at St Declan’s College, Nephin Road, Dublin 7
An Open Evening for prospective First Year Students will take place Thursday 19 September 2013 - 6.45pm – 9.00pm. Parents and pupils of both fifth and sixth class are invited to attend. Registration will begin at 6.30pm. This is an opportunity to see how St Declan’s College meet the educational needs of their students.
Parents Association News
Diary Reminder
St Patrick's National School PA will be holding its AGM on Wednesday 25th September 2013 at 8pm in the hall of the school. Please make sure to keep this important date in your diaries.
The Board of Management will give a briefing regarding Pyrite Remedial Works
immediately after this meeting.
Christmas Fair 2013
It’s that time of year again folks & we are delighted & excited to announce that our annual Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 1st December, 1pm-5pm, so please save the date! As with previous years we are depending on the support of volunteers to ensure the continued success of this event, so if you are interested in helping in any way, it’s never too late to volunteer. Contact Colette at 087 9380380. Don’t be shy, give it a try.
Reminders
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 breaktimes 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.
Meeting with Teachers
All questions/queries re school should be directed initially to the class teacher. Please contact the school secretary to make an appointment. (For safety reasons, it is not possible for class teachers to meet with parents without an appointment as supervision arrangements have to be put in place. For the same safety reasons, teachers cannot take or make phone calls during class time). Parents of Infant children may be able to have a quick informal word with the class teacher when collecting their child at home time.
Extra Curricular Activities
Piano Lessons
Places available for piano lessons in St. Patrick's N.S. Lessons take place Monday - Thursday.
For more information contact Jenny O'Connor on 085 1723327 or at ocmmusictuition@gmail.com
Choir (2nd to 6th Class children)
Friday Choir rehearsals start back on Friday, 20 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.
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, 10 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 – 4.10 pm for older children. Depending on numbers there may be another class for 1st and 2nd class on Mondays between 2.10 – 3.10 pm. 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.
Platform Stage School
‘HAIRSPRAY - LION KING- ANNIE - OKLAHOMA’ (excerpts from the end of year show) with Platform Stage School. Classes re-commence on Thursday 12th September. We cover speech work, drama, song and dance. Junior & Senior infants - 1.15pm – 2.00pm; Older classes - 2.15pm – 3.15pm. There are 3 terms of 8 weeks - Junior & Senior infants- €65 per term. Older classes - €85 per term. Exam/arts festival in December and show in March. To register please telephone OR text 086 2245113 LIZ BRENNAN B.A., L.T.C.L. WEBSITE: www.platformstageschool.ie
DramaWorks
Limited places are still available in DramaWorks (Speech and Drama Classes) which take place every Wednesday for Junior Infants to Sixth Class students. For further details please contact Clodagh on 0863736056.
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. For more information or to register, contact Bernadette Downey Lanigan A.D.C.R.G. 0876204772.
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. New 10 week term classes will commence on Monday 16th September. Places still available. Please contact Bláthnaid O Brien-Donovan, B.Ed (Hons) on 087 4123247 to register or for more details.
French for Children at St. Patrick’s (la Jolie Ronde)
Classes are starting this Thursday 19/09 after school. Some places are still available for Junior to 1st class as well as 2nd class and up. 2 places are left in the early years’ class (3 to 5 years old). 5th and 6th pupils should join to prepare for secondary as it will boost their confidence in French. All tutors are French native. Classes take Saturday & other weekdays also available. A bientôt.Sabine Maher 087 227 9027 web www.frenchforchildren.ie
Spanish for Children (LJR)
Classes (T, W & Th): 3+ - new morning & 1.30 class. Jun/Seniors - new 45 min classes @ 1.10 or 3.15. 1st - 2nd and 3rd - 5th - classes @ 2.10, 3.30 or 3.45. Also, a very special class for 6th class students hoping to do Spanish in Secondary School. Interested in learning Spanish yourself? Email marygalvin@upcmail.ie / ph. 087 267 4809 for all details. See also
www.spanishclasses4children.com. Places filling fast, don’t miss out. Gracias, Mary
Lir Gym Club
Please see www.lirgymclub.com for information on classes which take place in Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre.
Guitar Lessons
Learn guitar in a warm and friendly fully equipped music studio. Learn to play songs as well as read music while music theory is automatically included as part of each class. This is one the best times to prepare for the Junior and Leaving Cert music curriculum! Further details, please call Brian Farrell at 086 380 9624 – Web www.brianfarrell.eu Email info@brianfarrell.eu
Classical Ballet & Hip Hop Dance Classes
For Students Age 4 – 18 years. Beginners Always Welcome. Fully Qualified I.D.T.A.Teachers. Classes Every Monday from 4.30 in Diswellstown Community Centre, St Patricks National School.
- Pre-School Class (Age 2 ½ to 4 yrs) - 4.30pm; - Tiny Tots Ballet (Age 4-6 yrs) - 5pm
- Classical Ballet (Age 6+) - 5.45pm; - Hip Hop Dance (All Ages) - 6.30pm
For information, contact Sara Chester A.I.D.T.A 0877923955 www.chesterschoolofdance.com
Castleknock Celtic Football Club Academy
Registration for new Academy season for children born 2006-2009 took place on 07 September in clubhouse in Porterstown Park. Please go to club website www.castleknockceltic.com for details and application forms. New 13 week term starts Sat 14th Sept.
Castleknock College – Activities for Primary School Children
St Vincent’s Castleknock College are running an after school programme in Spanish, Science and Drama for primary School Children. Information is available from beside the Parents Information Notice Board inside the main school entrance.
Science Workshops – Free Trial
A free trial Science Workshop is taking place on Thursday 26 September in Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre at 4.15 – 5.15pm (age 6–9) and 5.30-6.30pm (age 9-12). For more information, please see poster and leaflets on Parent Information Notice Board, and www.scienceculture.ie. Max 15 students per session, first come, first served.