St. Patrick's National School, Diswellstown, Castleknock.

Email: info@stpatricksns.ie Phone: 01 824 9930 Fax: 01 824 9928

Address: Diswellstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15, D15 PH21.

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Newsletters Archived

Wednesday 16th September 2015

We are very proud of our school website and most parent queries can be answered by accessing www.stpatricksns.ie or by viewing our Newsletters which are regularly emailed to each family and are also on our website.  Please make our website your first "port of call". 

The Reception/Administration Office hours are 8.30am to 2.30pm.  The office closes for lunch from 12.00-12.30pm daily.  It would be much appreciated if telephone calls to the school were made only in emergency situations, and only after 9.00am.  

There is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, unless the illness is contagious.  Parents should acknowledge their child’s absence from school on their return, in writing, with a note for Junior & Senior Infant classes or in the child’s Homework Journal for 1st- 6th Class.  

Junior Infants September 2016

Application Forms for Junior Infants September 2016 are available for collection from the main office from Wednesday 16 September.  Registration will take place on 12, 13 and 14 October from 10.00am -12 noon. There will be an evening session on Monday 12 October from 7.00pm – 9.00pm.

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 Roomon the dates listed below, entry is via the DISWELLSTOWN DOOR ONLY.  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.

Class

Date

Fourth Class

Thursday 17 September

 

Punctuality

It is imperative that all children are punctual in the morning. The 20 minutes between 08.30am and 08.50am is a very important time in the school day. This is when the younger children have activity time or structured play. It is also a time when teachers get to correct homework or hear children’s reading.

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.

Procedure for entering the school each morning

To ensure safe and orderly access to the school grounds, the gates will open at approximately 8.20am.

Parents and children walking to school must use the pedestrian gate entrance.  Parents and children cycling 

should cycle along the cycle path to the main school entrance, beside the bicycle stands. 

No Cycling or Scootering is permitted on school grounds.

The school bell rings at 08.30am. Children walk to their lines (in the early weeks of Junior Infants, 

parents may accompany children to the classroom).
Classes are collected from the yard by their teacher. As soon as the classes have entered the building, 

the doors are closed.

The Carpenterstown door remains open until 8.50am.

Children who arrive after 08.50am must enter via reception and sign the “late book”.

Children may not enter the school building until 08.30am.  Parents are responsible for the welfare 

of their children until the school’s duty of care begins at 8.30 am. On wet mornings, please time

your arrival for 8.30 – 8.40am.

School Photographs

The School Photographer will be in the school from Tuesday 22nd September to Thursday 24th September.  Booking forms have been given to each child.  Can we please ask that only one form per family is returned to your eldest child’s class teacher on/before Thursday 17th September

Please note that by allowing your children to be photographed places you under no obligation to purchase any of the photographs.

 

Homework Club (3rd Class Upwards only) 

Homework Club recommenced on Monday 14 September. Limited places are available. Forms are available from the office.

 

Birthday parties / Festivals etc. (Extract from School Booklet)

“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. Perhaps if you know 

the mobile numbers of the parents of the children you are asking, you could text an invitation instead. However, 

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.”

 

Introductory Weekend – Cistercian College, Roscrea, Tipperary

This Introductory Weekend takes place on Friday 02 and Saturday 03 October and is for 6th class boys, preparing for secondary school September 2016. For further information, contact 0505-23344 or email admissions@ccr.ie.

Upcoming Events

16 September – Girls GAA – Somerton 3pm

16 September – Senior Infants Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – PE Hall

17 September – Fourth Class Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room

17 September – Boys GAA Football – Somerton 3pm

22-24 September – School Photographs

22 September – Boys GAA D15 League Blue Team–Somerton/Yellow Team–Tir na nÓg

23 September – Girls GAA – St Vincent’s GAA Club 3pm

24 September – Boys GAA Football – CCC (Tir na nÓg Park) 3pm

29 September – Boys GAA D15 League Blue Team–Somerton/Yellow Team–Tir na nÓg

06 October – Boys GAA D15 League Blue Team–Somerton/Yellow Team–Tir na nÓg

07 October – Parents Association AGM

13 October – Boys GAA D15 League Yellow Team–Tir na nÓg

20 October – Boys GAA D15 League Finals

29 November – Christmas Fair

 

Parents Association News

PA Dates for your Diary!

22-24 September – School Photographs

07 October – Parents Association AGM

29 November – Christmas Fair

 

Reminders

Registration for First Holy Communion and Confirmation 2016

Registration for your child to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion or Confirmation will be taking place in St Mochta’s Pastoral Centre towards the end of September.  Full details will be issued shortly.

Please note:

  1. If your child was baptised in St Mochta’s Church, you will be required to fill out full details of the Baptism on the Registration Form.  If you have a copy of the Baptismal Certificate at hand please bring it along with you to Registration.
    2.    For children baptised outside of St Mochta’s Church, a Baptismal Certificate must be presented with the registration form before your child can be enrolled on the First Holy Communion Preparation Programme.  

Baptismal Certificates will be returned at the Registration evening. 

Registration without Baptismal Certificates or Late registrations will NOT be accepted. 

If you require further information or wish to discuss any aspect of receiving the Sacraments, please contact Fr Paul Ward or Mary Greene at the Pastoral Centre on (01) 8213218.

Dropping in lunches, bags, homework etc.

Please ensure that if you are dropping in any of your child’s forgotten belongings e.g. lunches, bags, homework, etc., that they are clearly markedwith 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.    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.

St Declan’s College Nephin Road Dublin 7 Open Evening

Thursday 17 September 2015 - 6.45p.m. – 9.00p.m.

Parents and pupils of both fifth and sixth class are invited to attend.  Registration will begin at 6.30p.m.

An opportunity to see how we at St Declan’s College meet the educational needs of our students.

Extra Curricular Activities

All enquiries re Extra-Curricular Activities should be directed to the activity organiser (see contact numbers below or on our website).  Where the activity is organised by a staff member, please email info@stpatricksns.ie

Art & Craft Workshops

All enquiries to Blathnaid O’Brien Donovan BEd(Hons) 0874123247. 

 

DramaWorks

There are a limited number of places available in the DramaWorks classes.  The classes take place every Wednesday after school for Junior Infants - Sixth Class students. For further details contact Clodagh on 0863736056

Platform Stage School

To register, please contact Liz directly at 0862245113. Website www.platformstageschool.ie.

Musical Theatre, Drama & Singing Classes

For further details please contact Toni Martin at 087 7913714 or email martin.toni1@gmail.com

Spanish for Children (SPNS)

Spanish classes (La Jolie Ronde) Term 1 (14 weeks), starting back next week, 7th Sept. Classes weekdays, between 1.15 and 6PM. 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 week after next (mornings), parents welcome! Also, Spanish for Adults! Please call for more information. ¡Gracias! Mary  

Contact Mary Galvin at 087 2674809 / marygalvinspanish@gmail.com 

www.spanishclasses4children.comTEFL Certificate, BA Mod Hons (TCD), H Dip Ed Hons (UCD), MA (TCD) Applied Linguistics (TCD). Fully registered Second & Third level teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.

Please note that some after-school activities have been oversubscribed e.g. basketball, tennis, badminton and athletics and that priority may have been given to older children, a lottery may have been held in some cases or a selection from each class group have been offered. However, children who are not successful in getting places will be put on a waiting list and we will inform them if a place becomes available etc. 

Basketball – 2nd/3rd Class (Tuesdays)

Basketball commenced on Tuesday 15 September. Places for the 2nd/3rd Class Basketball Club have now been allocated. Unfortunately, due to very high demand, not every child got a place. The remaining names have been put on a waiting list.

Basketball – 4th/5th/6th Class (Wednesdays) 

Basketball commenced on Wednesday 16 September. Places for the Senior Basketball Club have now been allocated. Due to demand, unfortunately not every child got a place. All other names have been put on a waiting list.

Piano Lessons

Offered by pianist and musician Trudy Maguire 085 8869477, email tmagu10@gmail.com . 

Tennis (3rd – 6th Class – Priority Given to Oldest) Mondays

Tinnis recommenced on Monday 14 September

Badminton (3rd – 6th Class – Priority Given to Oldest)

There will be two sessions on Fridays, commencing 18 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.  

Athletics 

Athletics will recommence on Wednesday 16 September. Places have been offered to the successful children.

Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities 

Classical Ballet & Hip Hop Dance Classes
For Students Age 2.5 – 18 years. Beginners Always Welcome. 
Fully Qualified I.D.T.A. Teachers. Classes Every Monday from 4.15 in Diswellstown Community Centre, St Patricks National School.
- Pre-School Class (Age 2 ½ to 4 yrs) - 4.15-4.45pm
- Tiny Tots Ballet (Junior Infants/preschool Age 4+) - 4.45-5.30pm 

- Tiny Boppers Hip Hop Dance (Junior & Senior Infants) - 5.30-6pm

- Classical Ballet & Theatre Craft (Senior Infants +) - 6.00-7.00pm 

- Classical Ballet Primary & Grade 1 (3rd class +) - 6.30-7.30pm 

- Hip Hop Dance (All Ages 1st class+) - 7.30-8.15pm

Registrations Mon 7th Sept @ 4pm. Sara Chester A.I.D.T.A 0877923955
www.chesterschoolofdance.com

 

La Jolie Ronde French classes

La Jolie Ronde French classes – French classes are taking place in Diswellstown Community Centre from 4pm/Saturdays for children aged from 4 to 12 years.  Please register your interest by sending an email to inasfrenchclasses@gmail.com  with your full name, phone number and the age and class of your child.  Thank you. Inas Zaki

Touch-type, Read and Spell

Touch-type, Read and Spell is a computer based literacy course for children with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and other learning difficulties. Classes as follows:

Tuesday Luttrellstown Community College 3.30-4.30 pm

Wednesday Castleknock Community College 2.50-3.50 pm and 3.55-4.55pm

To reserve a place or for details of a FREE TRIAL, please contact Carol on 087 2868910.

Dublin Soccer Coaching Club

Dublin Soccer Coaching Club will take place at St Brigid’s National School Sports Hall, Beechpark Lawn, Castleknock, Dublin 15 commencing 23 September 2015. Information leaflets are available from beside the Parent Information Notice Board, inside the main door of the school.  

Castleknock Hurling and Football Club

Castleknock Hurling and Football Club Annual Family Fun Day will take place on Saturday 19 September. Check www.castleknock.net for full list of activities.

Castleknock Celtic Children’s Football Academy (4-7 years) 

New Term starts on Saturday 19th September. Contact Kieran, Academy Director, at 083-1871075, OR info@castleknockceltic.com, OR visitwww.castleknockceltic.com, for any more information. Learn the Soccer Basics and develop your Soccer Skills, in a friendly and fun-filled way.

Parks Tennis Autumn Programme

Registration takes place on Saturday 19 September at 13 venues including Riverwood Estate Tennis Courts and Hartstown Community Centre between 10.00am and 1.00pm.  Laurel Lodge Community Centre Registration takes place Wednesday 16 September 3.00pm.