Newsletters Archived
Wednesday December 3rd 2014
Christmas Holidays
The school closes this Friday 19 December, at 11.30am for the Christmas Holidays. The school will reopen on Monday 05 January 2015 at 08.30am.
Attention Pedestrians & Cyclists
As a result of the commencement of the housing development by Park, all pedestrians and cyclists must enter and exit via the Pedestrian Entrance ONLY. This is a Health & Safety requirement. Please note, the drop-off/pick-up facility will remain in operation at the main gate. All Cyclists (parents, staff, pupils and siblings) must dismount at the outer gate.
Intel Involved Matching Grant Program
We would like to extend a huge “thank you” to the parents of pupils in the school who work in Intel and who volunteered to help with various events during the last school year. We have just received a cheque for US$340 which we will put to good use.
Science Week
"Polymer" by Emma Diamond and Eva Coughlan
"Two weeks ago, we won Science Week in school. We would like to thank Mr O’Neill for all his help throughout the year. There were some fantastic projects made by all the children in 5th and 6th class this year. The 4th class also did a class effort on their project too. We will be moving on to the second round for Intel Mini Scientists. We have a great time at the fair and many thanks to all the teachers who helped out".
Online Payments
Unfortunately, payments to the PA for items such as school calendars, school photographs, etc. must be paid by cheque made payable to “St Patrick’s N.S. Parents Association”, Bank Draft or cash (exact amounts only). It is not possible for the school to process these payments through our online system. Apologies for any confusion or inconvenience this may cause.
No Presents Please
The staff at St Patrick’s do not expect presents at Christmas time. You may wish to make a donation to St Vincent de Paul instead.
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 can feel upset and isolated.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Our Christmas Appeal is once again in aid of SVP. This year SVP have asked that they receive the items no later than 05 December to allow them sort the items and make deliveries in time for Christmas. We appreciate that this is quite short notice but anything you can give will be truly appreciated. There are three different options:
- Hampers (non-perishable food items). Items for hampers can be placed in the boxes beside the crib in the school foyer between 01 and 04 December.
- Donate an unwrapped toy/gift for a child (new items only) between 01 and 04 December. Boy/Girl Labels are available from the office.
- Financial Donations. If you would like to donate money to the SVP through the school, please drop it in to the office in an envelope marked “SVP”. All monies donated will be
- lodged directly into the SVP Account on Wednesday 11 December.
For more information, see www.svp.ie.
Teddy Bear Fair (in aid of Cystic Fibrosis)
A group of Transition Year students from Castleknock Community College will host a Teddy Bear Fair for the Junior & Senior Infant children on Tuesday 09 December in honour of Tina Priestley, a CCC student who lost her life to the illness last year. Parents of Junior & Senior Infants received a booking form last week re the Fair. In order to plan for the fair, the organisers need to know numbers in advance. If you still wish to book a place, please return your form tomorrow, Thursday 04 December. No forms can be accepted after tomorrow.
The TY students will also be collecting at home time on 09 December in the school grounds should anybody else wish to make a donation to Cystic Fibrosis
Administration of Medicine (Extract from School Policies. See www.stpatricksns.ie )
Non-prescription medication is not permitted in school. Under no circumstances should any medication be placed in a child’s schoolbag or lunchbox. The school cannot consider requests to administer antibiotics, throat spray, Calpol, etc.
Children who have Asthma and need to use Inhalers/Ventilating Flasks should be able to self-administer under adult supervision in so far as this is possible. Parents need to make the class teacher aware of the condition.
However, if your child suffers from a condition that necessitates regular administration of medicine during the school day or which may necessitate administration of emergency medication, you need to speak with the Deputy Principal (Special Needs Co-Ordinator) who will arrange for the child’s medication needs to be met. You should also inform the class teacher of any medical condition.
Upcoming Events
11 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms McCormack’s Class Christmas Concert
12 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms Rothwell’s Class Christmas Concert
16 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms Murray’s Class Christmas Concert
17 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms Thomas’ Class Christmas Concert
19 December – School Closes at 11.30am for Christmas Break
05 January (2015) – School reopens at 8.30am
15 January – Communion Parent Meeting 8pm St Mochta’s Parish Centre
11 February – ACCORD Parent Information Evening
12 February – First Penance & Reconciliation 7pm St Mochta’s Church
23 February – ACCORD 5th Class Sessions (during school day)
23 February – ACCORD 4th Class Girls Session (during school day)
24 February - ACCORD 6th Class Sessions (during school day)
26 February – Meet & Greet Faith Friends (Confirmation) 8pm St Mochta’s Parish Centre
03-26 March – Tuesdays/Thursday – Faith Friends (Groups to be assigned)
16 April – Confirmation Retreat (during school day)
16 April – Confirmation Service of Light 7pm St Mochta’s Church
23 April – Communion Parent Meeting 8pm St Mochta’s Parish Centre
Other Dates of Interest
20 January (2015) – LCC Information night for new entrants 2015/2016
07 February – LCC Assessment of Incoming First Years 2015
07 February – CCC Assessment of Incoming First Years 2015
04 June – CCC Induction Night for First Year 2015
Parents Association News
A Christmas Fair "Thank You"
On behalf of the Christmas Fair Organising Committee and the Parent Association, we would sincerely like to say a big “Thank You” to the parent body, caretakers, school staff and school management for continuing to support our School Fair, be it in the form of donations or time as volunteers. Without your help and support the Christmas Fair would not be the success it is year after year.
Our thanks again and wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2015.
Bumper Christmas Raffle Winners:
1st Prize Apple iPhone - The Sharkey Family
2nd Prize €250 Diamond Furniture Voucher -Rochelle Fennessy
3rd Prize €150 One4All Voucher - Claire Durr
4th Prize Kindle Fire - Matthew Lynch
5th Prize €100 Branagan Meat Voucher - Nikita Nitsyn
Christmas Art Competition Winners
Overall Winner Eva Coughlan – Mr Heneghan’s 5th class
4-6 years Bea O’Brien – Ms Thomas’ Junior Infants class
7-9 years Ava Buttner – Ms Barr’s 2nd Class
10-13 years Ben Farrell – Mr Monaghan’s 4th class
Cupcake Competition Winners
4-8 Years Ava McIlkenny – Ms Ryan’s 1st Class
9-12 Years Poppy Conroy – Ms Barrins’ 5th Class
Adult Ann O' Sullivan
School Calendars
School Calendars will be distributed, as per orders received, as soon as they arrive from the Printers.
Reminders
Sick Children at School
Please do not send sick children to school for the following reasons:
- Children are unable to cope with the demands of school when they are unwell.
- Infection spreads rapidly in the confinement of the classroom.
- There is no indoor supervision for sick children during break times.
Birthday parties / Festivals etc. (Extract from School Policies. See www.stpatricksns.ie)
"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."
Extra Curricular Activities
All enquiries re Extra Curricular Activities should be directed to the activity organiser (see contact numbers on our website). Where the activity is organised by a staff member, please email info@stpatricksns.ie
Art & Craft Workshops
The new 10 week term of Art & Craft begins on Monday 01 December from 2.10pm – 3.45pm. This is a fun class with emphasis on developing skills and fostering creativity. All materials and equipment is supplied. All enquiries should be directed to Blathnaid O’Brien-Donovan 087 4123247.
Castleknock Hurling & Football Club
Castleknock Hurling & Football Club is running a disco for 8-12 year olds on Sat 13th Dec in CCC from 6pm until 8pm. Entrance fee €5 per child and pay at the door.
Badminton & Tennis
Badminton & Tennis Fees for the new term can now be paid online. A text or email has been sent to parents of all children signed up for these activities. We would appreciate if payments could be made as soon as possible.