Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 25rd February 2015Staff Car Park
Can we appeal to parents not to park in or drive through the Staff Car Park when dropping off/collecting children (between 8.10am and 2.30pm). We have a very safe drop-off/collection procedure outside the main school gate which is overseen by Graham/Brendan each day.
The only exception to this is for parents of disabled/injured children who have sought and been given permission by the Board of Management to use the Staff Car Park. We would ask for your full cooperation in this Health & Safety matter.
Safety Notice re Dropping Off/Collecting
Please note the following important safety points:
- People may stop momentarily adjacent to the Bus parking area to drop off/collect their children.
- Please move as far up as possible on that stretch (to the gate past the pedestrian entrance) so that six or seven cars can drop off/collect at the same time.
- For their safety, children should be dropped off /collected only on the school side of the road.
- Please do not stop on the main roundabout.
- Please also note that parents are not permitted to park in the Staff Car Park when dropping or collecting children. If you are returning to the school to drop off forgotten lunches, schoolbags, etc., we would ask that you park in the bus stop area and enter via the Pedestrian Gate. (Please close gates after you leave)
- Please inform your child to go to reception if he/she is in any doubt about collection arrangements or attendance at an after school activity, if their collector is late or if there is nobody to meet him/her at the designated meeting point.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Re-Registration Form 2015/2016
We have a number of children on our Waiting List for Senior Infants to Sixth class places for the 2015/2016 school year. It is important that we can confirm as soon as possible whether or not we will have school places for them. Therefore, a Re-Registration Form will be given to all children (JI – 5th Class) in the coming weeks. The form will also be emailed to all parents.
We would ask that you return the fully completed form at your earliest convenience, confirming if your child/children will be returning to St Patrick’s for the next school year 2015/2016. This will also ensure that we have correct contact details, (postal address, mobile numbers and email address) for all parents.
You have the option to pay the Extras Fee for the 2015/2016 School Year on return of the Re-Registration Form or alternatively defer payment until the new school year, whichever is most convenient to you. Please ensure you tick the appropriate payment box on the form.
School Health Screening Vision & Hearing (Senior Infants/6th Class only)
Forms for Vision Screening (6th Class) and Hearing & Vision Screening (Senior Infants) have been distributed today. Please complete the form (whether or not you are giving consent) and return to your child’s class teacher on/before Wednesday 04 March. No date has yet been set for the Screenings. We will advise you via the Newsletter as soon as it is arranged by the HSE.
Belvedere College
The closing date for Applications for September 2016 is 31 March 2015. Leaflets are available from beside the Parent Information Noticeboard outside the Main Office, or log on to their website www.
Dublin 15 Cross Country League
The next cross country meeting takes place, as usual, at Porterstown on Tuesday 3rd March. This will be the last local meeting. Please note that the Grand Finals (which incorporates a larger number of schools from the whole of Dublin 15) takes place at Morton Stadium, Santry on Tuesday 21st April. All support welcome.
GAA School Sessions
Please note that Brendan Phelan, our GAA coach, is currently taking 2nd Class children for hurling coaching sessions on Tuesdays. Helmets will be provided for those who don't have them. However, if your child has his/her own helmet, please send it in as children are encouraged to wear their own.
“Knock-out Trials” for School Santry Team - Cumann na mBunscol Athletics Championships
The children who have made it onto the shortlists have been informed. Final selection will be made from these lists. It should be noted that selection is not only based on athletic ability but also on team spirit, reliability, sportsmanship, attendance at training sessions, etc. The remainder of the “Knock-out Trials” will be held after school. Those who make it onto the shortlists must attend if they want to be considered for the team. Those selected for the team must be available for the championships (held at Morton Stadium in Santry) the last week in May and/or first week in June. Please make a note the following schedule:
Friday 6th March U10 Boys from 2.15 - 3.00
Friday 13th March U10 Girls from 2.15 - 3.00
Friday 20th March U11 Boys from 2.15 - 3.00
Friday 27th March U11 Girls from 2.15 - 3.00
ALSO PLEASE NOTE: All trials take place outdoors and are weather permitting. Trials may have to be cancelled at short notice if the ground is too wet. Please discuss pick-up/collection arrangements with your child. Children should line up in yard outside Diswellstown Door at 2.15 where they will be met by teacher. Also note that more dates/times will be added in order to prepare for the event. Children will be informed at school of any further arrangements and notices will appear in Newsletters.
Upcoming Events
26 February – Meet & Greet Faith Friends (Confirmation) 8pm St Mochta’s Parish Centre
03-26 March – Tuesdays/Thursday – Faith Friends (Groups to be assigned)
08 March – Parents Association Family Quiz
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
12 May – Confirmation Ceremony11.00am
23 May – First Holy Communion Ceremony - Ms Marren’s Class
30 May – First Holy Communion Ceremony – Ms Barr & Ms C O’Reilly’s Classes
Other Dates of Interest
04 June – CCC Induction Night for First Year 2015
Parents Association News
Test your Family Knowledge at the Family Fun Quiz March 8th 2.30pm
Will your family be the brains of Diswellstown in 2015? Come to the school on Sunday March 8th to test your family knowledge and have lots of fun!
8 rounds of questions designed to challenge all the family and a chance for the kids to outwit their parents! Each table must have a max of 2 adults and at least one child. Lots of prizes on the day.
Question rounds will include general knowledge, sports, music, film & TV, riddles, and a test of your local knowledge. Cost €5 per table.
Please email stpatrickspa@yahoo.com if you plan to attend so we can gauge numbers.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Quiz Questions
Would your child like to submit a question regarding a language or a country for an international round of questions? The 10 best/most unique questions will get a small prize and will be used in the quiz. Questions could be about country flags, what do popular foreign language phrases mean, capital cities, customs, foods, etc. There will be a box at reception for your questions. Please include your name and class teacher on the page.
Help Your Child have their Voice Heard on 'What it is Like to be a Child in Ireland'
Dear NPC Members,
In January 2016, the United Nations (UN) will examine Ireland’s record on children’s rights. The examination is being carried out by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, a group of 18 experts who meet in Geneva, Switzerland. They will focus an international spotlight on Ireland. Previous examinations have led to significant improvements for children and young people.
The Irish Government submitted its report to the UN Committee in September 2013 setting out what they have done under the convention since 2006. To inform its work, the Committee accepts reports, known as ‘Parallel Reports’, from Non-Government Organisation groups. The Children’s Rights Alliance – the national umbrella organisation for over 100 members – submits an independent report on behalf of its membership and NGO’s together with a report created by children and young people. These reports provide the committee with independent material on what is happening on the ground for children and young people in Ireland.
As part of this process the Children’s Rights Alliance and UNICEF are preparing a report to send to the United Nations in March to tell them what life in Ireland is like for children in Ireland. The report is being prepared by a group of children and young people and we would be really grateful if you could ask your child to share their views and experiences by answering the questions a survey which can be accessed by clicking this link What is it like to be a child in Ireland?
Reminders
Trócaire Boxes
Trócaire Boxes are available to collect from outside the main office.
Lost Property
There are a large number of lost property items just inside the Blanchardstown Door. Please take a minute at drop off or collection times this week to check the Lost Property boxes if your child is missing any items.
School Payments
Our school uses the Aladdin software service for administrative purposes and the ePayment system will give you access from an internet browser on your computer, phone or tablet to make secure payments to the school using your credit or debit card. You will receive an email or text with your personal secure link for payment. We would ask that all future payments are made through this system, please do not send cash.
The purpose of the ePayment system is to facilitate the easier payment of “school money collections” for parent/guardians and to reduce the amount of cash and cheques being sent into our school in line with recent central bank directives.
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
New term for Art and Craft begins next Monday 02 March. Classes are on Mondays from 2.10pm – 3.45pm. Wide range of skills taught. Contact Blathnaid O’Brien-Donovan 087-4123247
Badminton
A new term of Badminton commences this Friday. An email with request for payment link will be sent to all registered attendees for the new term (Term 3).
Tennis
A new term of Tennis commences next Monday 02 March. An email with request for payment link will be sent to all registered attendees for the new term (Term 3). Limited spaces are available in both the 2.10pm and 3.05pm sessions. Please email info@stpatricksns.ie for bookings.
FAI Soccer Sisters Easter Camp at St Patrick's
For girls aged 7 - 12 years. This will be run by qualified soccer coaches in Diswellstown Community Centre on Wed 1st, Thurs 2nd and Fri 3rd April from 10.00am - 1.00pm each day. The cost of the three day camp is 20 euros and includes an exclusive soccer jersey for each participant. Feedback from those girls who have attended Soccer Sisters in the past has been very positive. You can book online at www.fai.ie/soccersisters For more info contact Martin Doyle 086 7700772 or email soccersisters@fai.ie