Newsletters Archived

Christmas Holidays

The school closes this Friday 20 December, at 11.30am for the Christmas Holidays.  The school will reopen on Tuesday 07 January 2014 at 08.30am.

St Vincent de Paul
A huge Thank You to everyone who donated to our St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal this year. Everyone’s generosity will be much appreciated.

Favourite Sweatshirt/Fleece/Jumper
Children may wear their favourite Sweatshirt/Fleece/Jumper with their school tracksuit bottoms on Friday 20 December if they wish.  **Please note this is NOT a Non-Uniform Day**

Cards/Presents
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. Those who do not receive cards/presents and those who may not celebrate some of the festivals feel upset and isolated. 

Christmas Concert in School
Choir will perform on Thursday evening in the school hall at 6:30pm.  Please have the children arrive at the Diswellstown door at 6:15pm.  The children do not have to wear their uniform. If they are wearing something Christmassy on their head, please make sure it is not high as we do not want to block their fellow choir members’ view! Look forward to seeing you all then!

Christmas Fair
The school recently received a letter from the Christmas Fair Organising Committee.

“Many helpers and committee members brought along their children to help with the set-up, Charlotte Meagher, Jenna Hoban, Holly, Poppy and Alex Conroy, Alex Santamaria, Grace Collins, Caoimhe & Ruairi Deehan, Aoibhín & David Richmond, Stephen, Luke & Alison Callinan, Dearbhla Gargan, Mairead & Deirdre McCarthy, Aisling Andrews, Sean Andrews, Abbie Grimshaw, Sophia Krabbe and Ava & Tara McIlkenny being but a few.”

“Throughout the course of the day, we were impressed at how well behaved these children and teenagers were. They were courteous, helpful, thoughtful and respectful and we would whole heartedly like to commend them to you.”

“In particular we would like to mention Bailey Smyth, Sarah Dorman, Cathal Sharkey and Sean Nagle.  Bailey went above and beyond anything that was requested of him and impressed us with his positive attitude.”

The school would like to thank all the pupils, past and present, who helped on the day and over the weekend.

UNICEF Collection at Christmas Fair
€265.57 was collected in donations at the Christmas Fair. The money raised from sale of Christmas Annuals has not yet been calculated. As soon as the total figure is available, we will let everyone know. Thank you for your generosity.

Battery Recycle Collection
It is estimated that 33 million batteries with be purchased over the Christmas period, accounting for around 40% of all the batteries sold in Ireland each year. Ensure used batteries don't end up in the bin by placing old and used batteries in our battery collection boxes at Reception.

Lost Property
If your child is missing any items, please take a moment at drop off/collection time to check the lost property rack. Any items unclaimed by Friday 20 December will be donated to St Vincent de Paul.

Parents Association News

School Calendars
There are a number of calendars still available for sale priced at €5 from the office.

Parent Association Fund Raising in aid of the disaster in the Philippines 
On Sunday 1st December we (the Parents Association) hosted our annual Christmas Fair. Due to a desire expressed by parents to support the aid efforts in the Philippines, it was agreed that the proceeds from the Games Room would be donated to charity in the name of the students from St Patrick's NS. Thanks to the support and generosity of our parent body we are pleased to announce that the sum of €881.57 was raised.  This money will be divided between Concern and Goal, two charitable organisations who are working in the Philippines.

Extra Curricular Activities

Spanish for Children
Fun & stress-free, after-school classes in St Patrick’s NS, for 3 - 14 year olds (using La Jolie Ronde materials). Six age-specific levels from which to choose. Small classes, with lots of individual attention & learning, guaranteed. Term 2 starting 7th January. All classes taught by a qualified Secondary School Spanish teacher. Limited availability. Book now. Don’t miss out! Contact marygalvin@upcmail.ie / 087 267 4809 / www.spanishclasses4children.com for details. Gracias, Mary (TEFL; BA MOD Hons TCD; MA TCD; H Dip Ed UCD: Applied Lingui! stics TCD)

Basketball Christmas Camp – Scoil Bhride JNS
A Basketball Christmas Camp is taking place on 23, 24, 30, 31 December from 10.00am to 2.30pm in Scoil Bhride J.N.S. Application Forms are available from beside the Parents Information Noticeboard inside the main door of the school. For more information, contact Lennie McMillian at 087 6117231.

May the whole school staff take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Nollaig Shona, Wesolych Swiat, Boldog Karacsony, Craciun Fericit, Geru Caledu, Schastlivogo Rozhdestva, Frohe Weihnachten, Joyeux Noel, ¡Feliz Navidad! and all the very best for 2014.