Newsletters Archived

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 only attend for part of the meeting. Should you wish to speak to the teacher individually, please contact the office to make an appointment.

Choir
Choir will not recommence until after Mid-Term Break, Friday 07 November.

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/driving 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.

Upcoming Events
08 September – Sixth Class Information Meeting 8.40am
09 September – Fifth Class Information Meeting 8.40am
10 September – Fourth Class Information Meeting 8.40am
10 September – Camogie Match in Johnstown
11 September – Third Class Information Meeting 8.40am
12 September – Second Class Information Meeting 8.40am
15 September – First Class Information Meeting 8.40am
16 September – Senior Infants Information Meeting 8.40am
17 September – Junior Infants Information Meeting 8.40am

Reminders

Contagious Illness
Whilst there is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, we would greatly appreciate if you would contact us if your child contracts a contagious illness e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, etc. There are children in the school who are at increased risk of contracting these illnesses. Parents should acknowledge their child’s absence from school due to minor illnesses on their return, in writing, in the child’s School Journal.

Contact Details
It is essential that we have the correct address and contact details (e.g. home telephone, parents’ mobile numbers and email addresses) for your child on our database. If any of your details have changed over the summer, please complete a Change of Address/Contact Details Form as soon as possible.

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.

Labelling/Lost Property
The chances of returning lost property are greatly increased if items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Please ensure jumpers, PE sweatshirts, coats, etc are labelled with your child’s name.

Healthy Lunch Policy
We operate a Healthy Lunch Policy in the school. Fizzy drinks, crisps or sweets are not permitted. On Friday, children are allowed one treat, e.g. a bar. Please help us maintain the health of our children by following the guidelines in the School Booklet which is available to view at www.stpatricksns.ie.

Hand Towels
We request that every child brings a small hand towel/facecloth to dry his/her hands after using the WC. This should be kept in a school bag pocket and changed regularly.

Staff Car Park
Parents are asked not to park in the Staff Car Park between 8.10am and 2.30pm, the only exception being parents collecting disabled or injured children. We would be grateful if you could also inform anyone who may be collecting your child/children on your behalf of this procedure. 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.

Reminder re dismounting bicycles, etc
In the interest of everyone’s safety, all cyclists (pupils, parents & siblings) should dismount from their bicycles at the main gates of the school. For safety reasons, we would ask that you do not allow your children to use scooters, rollerblades or Heelys on school grounds.

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.

Extra Curricular Activities

Registration for all activities will take place on Thursday (04 September 2014) in the P.E. Hall from 11.30am-12.00noon for Junior Infants and 1.00-2.30pm for all other classes.

Art & Craft Workshops
Art & Craft classes will resume on Monday 15 September from 2.10pm to 3.45pm for 10 week course. A wide range of art and craft projects will be completed to develop skills and foster creativity. All enquiries to Blathnaid O’Brien Donovan BEd(Hons) 0874123247.

DramaWorks
On Wednesday 10th September DramaWorks (speech and drama classes) will hold
'A Free Class Demonstration' and Enrolment in the Stage Area after school. 
So come along and sample a free drama class with DramaWorks.
Classes will take place as follows – 
11.30am – 12.00pm - Free class demonstration and enrolment for Junior Infants
1.10-1.50pm - Free class demonstration and enrolment for Senior Infants 
2.10 – 3.00pm - Free class demonstration and enrolment for First to Sixth Class Students   
For further details contact Clodagh on 0863736056

Platform Stage School
Platform Stage School with Liz Brennan recommences on Thursday 11 September. This year’s show is “Frozen”. In class we cover speech work, drama, dance and song.
Junior Infants €65 per term 1.15-2.00pm (2 terms of 8 weeks – starts after Halloween)
Senior Infants 1.15pm-2.00pm. Fees €65 per term (3 terms of 8 weeks) starts next week.
Older Classes 2.15pm – 3.15pm Fees €85 per term (3 terms of 8 weeks) starts next week.
Registration will take place on Thursday 04 September, as above or call Liz 0862245113. 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, 9 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 4th and 5th class and 4.10 pm – 5.10 pm for 5th and 6th class. Individual lessons (Classical Singing and Musical Theatre) 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. Registration will take place on Thursday 04 September, as above.

Bravo Drama Club (4th/5th/6th Class)
The term will run from Tuesday, 16th of September- Tuesday, 16th of December. (12 weeks). The Fee is €90. Please fill in the registration form and place the form in the allocated box at the “all together” registration this Thursday (4th September) in the PE Hall between 11.30am-12.30pm and 1.00pm to 2.30pm. (Refer to the school newsletter for further information) As the Bravo Drama Club is catering for older children, they can bring the forms in themselves if it’s more convenient. Registration will close on Friday 5th September and children will be notified about places next week. Please do not include payment at registration. If your child is offered a place, they will receive a form with payment details.

Spanish for Children (SPNS)
Now in its 6th year, 5 Spanish courses, for 3+, 5+, 7+, 9+, 11+ yr olds. New term starting THIS week. A few Jun/Sen Infants places left & due to demand, new extra classes for 3rd-6th,Tue @ 4.05PM (8th Sep). Hurry, don’t miss out! Classes weekdays straight after school & up until 5PM. Registration will take place on Thursday 04 September, as above. Contact 087 2674809 / marygalvin@upcmail.ie / www.spanishclasses4children.com. Congrats to Darragh O’Connell (5th) who won €30 voucher for correctly answering the names of the nine Spanish speaking countries that qualified for this year’s Copa Mundial (World Cup)! Mary M Galvin - BA Mod Hons (TCD), H Dip Ed Hons (UCD), MA (TCD), Applied Linguistics (TCD). Registered teacher with Teaching Council of Ireland.

Basketball – 2nd/3rd Class
The term will run from Tuesday 16th Sept 2014 – 16th Dec 2014 (2.10 to 3.05 pm). It is a 12 week term at a cost of €72.00 (€6.00 per session). Places are allocated according to class level. If you are interested in taking part in the club please return this form tomorrow, Thursday 4th Sept, to the school hall at the ‘After School Activities Registration’ between 1.00pm – 2.30pm. Payment due 11th Sept 2014. Cheques may be payable to Claire O’Reilly.

Basketball – 4th/5th/6th Class
The term will run from Wednesday 17th Sept 2014 – 17th December 2014 (2.10 to 3.05pm). It is a 12 week term at a cost of €72.00 (€6.00 per session). Forms can be dropped into the school hall at the ‘After School Activities Registration’ between 1.00pm – 2.30pm. Or, as the Basketball club is catering for the older children, they can bring the form themselves if it is more convenient. Registration will close on Friday 5th September and children will be notified about places next week. Please do not include payment at registration. If your child is offered a place, they will receive a form with payment details.

Tennis (3rd – 6th Class)
Tennis sessions will commence on Monday 15 September. The first session (2.10-3.05pm) is for beginners/younger age group, the second session (3.05-4.00pm) is for intermediate/advanced/older age group. Registration will take place on Thursday 04 September, as above.

Badminton (3rd – 6th Class)
Badminton sessions will commence on Friday 19 September. There will be no Wednesday class. There will be two sessions. Registration will take place from 1.00pm – 2.30pm on Thursday. The first session (2.10-3.05pm) is for beginners/younger age group, the second session (3.05-4.00pm) is for intermediate/advanced/older age group. Registration will take place on Thursday 04 September, as above.

Free Badminton Shuttle Time Taster Session 
When? Sunday 7th September 10 am to 13:00 watch the Irish Open Under 15/19 Tournament Finals (the event runs from Friday – Sunday) 13:00-16:00 FREE play session
Where? Baldoyle Badminton Centre, Grange Road, Dublin 13
Players will have a chance to play and have some coaching from the Badminton Ireland coaching team. 
The purpose of the session is to allow juveniles to watch other young players from around Ireland and the rest of Europe compete and then to play themselves. They will receive some coaching and also have a chance to make contacts with local clubs where they can play.

Castleknock Hurling and Football Club
The CHFC open Day takes place this Saturday from 10am to 4pm in Somerton (beside Castleknock Hotel). Please see www.castleknock.net for more details. As a result of the Open Day, the Nursery will start at the later time of 10.30am in Somerton. New members are most welcome and we would encourage current members to bring along a friend to the Nursery. For more details about the nursery section in the club, parents can ring Brendan on 086-3062801.

St Patrick’s Parents for Business Network
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Visit www.stpatricksns.ie for more information or see insert in your child’s Homework Journal.