Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 28th January 2015Primary Online Database (POD)
The Department of Education & Skills is currently developing an individualised database of primary school children called the Primary Online Database (POD). Please see letter and information sheet attached to this email giving you full details of this new database which should answer most if not all of your questions. The school has not included any Category 3 Sensitive Information on POD yet. We will be seeking permission from parents when we distribute our Re-Registration Form in April of this year.
ACCORD Talks
As per our Upcoming Events section, Accord Talks are taking place in the month of February for Parents, 4th Class Girls, and all 5th and 6th Classes. The talk content has been emailed, together with information re Parent Meeting and 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. Hard copies of the Consent Form are available from Class Teachers.
Confirmation Dates
Our Confirmation Dates has been confirmed as Tuesday 12 May at 11.00am.
New Handwriting Scheme for Junior Infants
We are introducing a new handwriting scheme for Junior Infants and each child will need a copy of the book. The school has purchased the books at a cost of €5.50 each and we will be seeking payment from parents through our online payment system after the Mid-Term break.
Congratulations!
We would like to congratulate Eva Coughlan and Emma Diamond on their successful entry in the Grand Final of the Intel Mini-Scientist Competition. The girls came second in the competition and did themselves, the school and their families proud. There is a link on our school website www.stpatricksns.ie to a video and photographs of the girls’ project.
Emma and Eva did a short radio interview with Colman Duggan from Phoenix FM this week, talking about their winning project and their experience in the Intel competition. The interview will be going out on the radio some time between 10 - 11:30 am on Thursday 29 (most likely between 10.30 - 11am). The radio station frequency is 92.5 FM or if you miss it, you should be able to listen to a podcast of the interview from Friday onwards by logging into http://phoenixfm.ie/
Grand Final of Intel Mini-Scientist Competition
“Last Friday, we went to Trinity College for the Grand Final of the Intel Mini Scientist Competition. There were a lot of fantastic projects there. Firstly, when we arrived, we set up our stand. Everybody was really excited. After that, the first set of judges came around. They looked very interested. Soon after all the judges had come around, we all went for our lunch. We were invited to watch science demonstrations by Scientific Sue. She was great! Last but not least, the awards were announced. Everybody was really nervous. We came second out of the whole country. We were absolutely delighted. We had an amazing day.” Emma Diamond & Eva Coughlan
Britannica School
The Encyclopaedia Britannica is available by remote access from home to all pupils. It is a free online resource that provides a safe, age appropriate learning environment. In order to start using this fantastic resource, simply visit the Scoilnet website www.scoilnet.ie and click the Britannica link.
Fingal Cross Country League
Our next cross country league meeting will take place in Porterstown on Tuesday 3rd February. We have a team of 50 cross country runners from 3rd - 6th classes. First race is at 11.30am. Please note that the younger children generally run first. All parents welcome to come along and support our school team.
LAST CALL for volunteers - ATP Multi-Cultural Display/Celebration
As you know the school has entered into a pilot scheme called Action Team for Partnership (ATP) - see Newsletter 21 Jan for details. The scheme allows for parents, pupils, community members and staff members to collaborate on a number of projects for the benefit of the school. One of the projects we are currently working on is a multi-cultural display/celebration within the school and we hope to hold this in April (dates TBC).
We have had a number of parent volunteers to help with this event. Many thanks to those who have come forward. Would there be anybody else interested in getting involved - particularly from Britain or any eastern European, Asian and African countries as we would like to see as many countries as possible represented. Please email Andrea at info@stpatricksns.ie , if you are interested in getting involved. If you think you could talk to the children about food, music, national costumes, dance, etc., or tell a story from your country or anything else... then please let us know.
Upcoming Events
11 February – ACCORD Parent Information Evening - 8pm Tigers Room
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 – School Closed
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
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
On Wednesday morning, 21st January, the Parent Association was delighted to facilitate a free talk on healthy eating for kids, which was provided by Alison Cronin, a fully qualified nutritionist. The talk was well attended and there were numerous requests for the recipes to the sample foods Alison provided. Following those requests, an email copy of Alison's recipes was sent to all parents on Monday.
Reminders
Internet Safety Day
Internet Safety Day is Tuesday 10 February. Please see www.internetsafetyday.ie and “Internet Safety Guidelines for Families” on our website www.stpatricksns.ie under “Parents” tab. There are also a number of other links on our website under “General Information” re Internet Safety.
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
Spanish for Children
Spanish classes, weekdays between 1.10PM & 5PM. Beginners very welcome. Five age-specific courses (3 - 12 year olds), from which to choose. Excellent preparation for second level. Great reviews. For those who didn’t get to study Spanish at primary school, Junior & Leaving Cert Grinds, ongoing! Please check out www.spanishclasses4children.com / contact marygalvin@upcmail.ie / 087 267 4809 for more information. ˇGracias! Mary M Galvin (Fully qualified & registered, Second & Third Level Teacher, 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 ! Some places left in our Baby & Toddler class starting in February: 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
French Grinds
French grinds are now being offered in Diswellstown Community Centre for Junior and Leaving Certificates students. Special rates are available for past pupils of St. Patrick’s NS when group booking is made. Please contact Sabine ASAP to book on 087 227 9027. Sabine is French native and qualified with an Arts Degree in Linguistic Sciences & Teaching French as a Foreign Language (Dist.) and a Master of Arts 1 in Linguistic Sciences & TFFL.
Dublin Parks Tennis
Registration & Coaching on Wednesdays starting 04 February, 3pm in Laurel Lodge Community Centre and Saturdays starting 7 February in Riverwood Estate, Castleknock. For more details, contact 8338711 or email parkstennis@eircom.net.