Newsletters Archived

Head Bumps

It is school policy to inform parents if your child has a head bump of any kind during the school day. If the teacher feels that the child is ok and does not need to be collected, you will receive a text message for your information. If the head bump is deemed to be more serious, you will receive a telephone call from the office asking you to arrange collection of your child.

ACCORD Talks

As you may have noted from our Upcoming Events, Accord Talks are taking place in the month of February for Parents, 4th Class Girls, and all 5th and 6th Classes. The talk content will be emailed to you closer to the dates, together with a copy of the consent form. It is vital that you complete and return the consent form directly to your child’s class teacher ASAP, even if you are not giving your consent for your child to attend.

2nd Communion Parents Preparation Meeting

The next Parents Preparation Meeting for First Holy Communion will take place in St Mochta’s Church on Thursday 15th January at 8pm. The meeting will give you, as parents, a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation so you can help prepare your child to receive the Sacrament in February. At least one parent should attend this meeting. If you cannot attend, please contact the Parish office at (01) 8213218.

Infant Children

Infant children (Junior & Senior Infants) should not be left unsupervised in the yard in the morning. Parents/Guardians should remain with their child/children until they are passed over to the care of their teacher at 8.30am. Under no circumstances should Infant children be dropped at the school gate to enter school grounds alone.

Access to Classrooms After Hours

With the exception of those attending Extra Curricular Activities, children are not permitted to re-enter the classroom after 2.10pm. If in an absolute emergency (forgotten books, copies and general belongings does not generally constitute an emergency!) a child needs to gain access to his/her classroom outside school hours, they should come to Reception.

Upcoming Events

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

16-20 February – Mid-Term Break

23 February – ACCORD 5th Class Sessions (during school day)

23 February – ACCORD 4th Class Girls only 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)

17 March – St Patrick’s Day – School Closed

30 March -10 April – Easter Break

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

Free Talk for Parents regarding Healthy Eating for Kids

A lot of parents struggle with how to provide healthy food choices for their children. Alison Cronin is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist and a parent to a child in St. Patrick’s NS. The Parent Association are delighted to have Alison host the above talk, covering the importance of healthy eating for children. The talk will take place on Wednesday morning, 21st January, at 8.40am (after school drop) in the Tigers Room on the first floor overlooking the school hall (please enter via the Tigers Door only). The talk will last approx. 30-40mins with time for a Q&A.

“Your Lunchtime in School” Survey

The National Parents Council Primary (NPC) is committed to hearing children’s voices on issues relating to their experiences and hopes regarding primary education. Over the last year, during general communication with children in schools the issue of lunchtime in schools was a recurring topic that they appeared to have strong feelings and a range of experiences about. NPC have therefore developed a survey to seek further information from children regarding their lunchtime in schools with the aim of representing their voices on this issue when opportunities arise.

With this in mind we would be grateful if you could ask your primary school aged child/children to fill in the following survey by following the link Your Lunchtime in School . The results of the survey are anonymous and no identifying information is sought from your child whilst responding to the questions.

Reminders

Interested in helping out with a cultural display early next year? Parent Volunteers needed

Thank you to those parents who have already volunteered for the following project. We will be in contact with you shortly. This week is the last time we will advertise it.

At present we are working towards putting into practice a partnership approach to our school –school, family and community all working together for the benefit of the children we teach. In so doing, we are working towards improving different areas of school life. One of our projects is to provide an opportunity for all nationalities/cultures to celebrate aspects of their identity within our school. It is hoped to create awareness of some of the different cultures represented by the children at St Patrick’s and how these might influence curriculum areas such as literacy, music, art and SESE. Would there be any parents who might be able to offer any kind of help with a cultural display to be held in school early this year? Some ideas might be reading a story to the children in a different language, preparing/displaying food from a particular country, playing or providing samples of music, displaying art-works from a particular country etc. Other suggestions welcome. Help will be provided to any volunteers. If you think you might be interested in helping (even in a small way) please email info@stpatricksns.ie ASAP putting “Cultural Display” in the subject line.

Dropping in lunches, bags, homework etc.

Forgotten belongings (e.g. lunches, bags, homework, sports gear, etc.) being dropped into the school should be clearly marked with your child’s name and their class teacher.

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 and your query will be forwarded on to the relevant person.

Tennis 2015

Please note that Tennis will not resume until Monday 02 February 2015. The remaining three sessions in the current block of classes will therefore take place in February.

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 in St. Patrick’s N.S on Tuesday, 20 January 2015. 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 3rd and 4th 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.

Spanish for Children

Term 2 (La Jolie Ronde) Spanish classes (16 weeks), weekdays between 1.10 and 5PM. Beginners very welcome. Five great courses (3+, 5+, 7+, 9+, 11+ year olds) to choose from. Enrol now to avoid disappointment. New term for 3 & 4 year olds starting next week, (mornings), parents welcome! Please call for more information. ¡Gracias! Mary M Galvin, TEFL Certificate, BA Mod Hons (TCD), H Dip Ed Hons (UCD), MA (TCD)

Applied Linguistics (TCD). Fully registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland

French classes for children 0-12 years old @ St Patrick’s

A great activity for children to develop their language skills and learn French with a perfect accent! NEW baby and toddler sessions starting soon: parents & babies/toddlers welcome to learn together through stories, songs, rhymes, action chants and craft. A warm and relaxed atmosphere to give your child a French start! Fully qualified French native teachers, weekly & Saturday classes. 2.10 – 5.30 pm. Join for our new term now. First class free for all new children! elodie.bordet38@gmail.com. 087 147 3153. https://www.facebook.com/FrenchDublin15 Merci, Elodie

Castleknock Celtic FC

Castleknock Celtic FC’s Children’s Soccer Academy (4-7 years of age) resumes on Sat. 24th Jan. in Porterstown Park at the clubhouse. Registration for the new term takes place at 10am. Bring original birth certificate, football boots and shin-pads. Full details are available on the club website, www.castleknockceltic.com. New members always welcome.