Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 9th December 2015Christmas Holidays
The school closes on Tuesday 22 December, at 11.30am for the Christmas Holidays. The school will reopen on Wednesday 06 January 2016at 08.30am.
Favourite Sweatshirt/Fleece/Jumper
Children may wear their favourite Sweatshirt/Fleece/Jumper with their **school tracksuit bottoms** on Tuesday 22 December if they wish. **Please note this is NOT a Non-Uniform Day**
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 feel upset and isolated.
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 or St Francis Dublin 15 Hospice instead.
Coins for the Hospice
The teachers in the school have asked the children from 1st to 6th class to collect up and bring in any 1c, 2c and 5c coins they have at home. We would encourage them to ask their grandparents, aunts and uncles as well. The money collected will be given to Fr Dan Joe and St Francis Dublin 15 Hospice. Please try to bring in the monies before this Friday.
“Santa Dash”
We hope to have our “Santa Dash” on Friday 18 December, when each child in the school from senior infants - 6th will aim to run a mile. Children may bring a Santa hat or any kind of festive hat to school to wear on the day of the run. The children will continue training for the dash between now and then so they should wear runners to school every day for the remainder of the term.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Our Christmas Appeal is once again in aid of St Vincent de Paul and thank you for your continued support and generosity to this appeal over the years. If you would like to make a financial donation 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 and we have extended the cut-off day to Wednesday 16 December.
Dates for Junior Infant Christmas Concerts
Thursday 17 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms M O’Reilly
Friday 18 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms Barrins
Monday 21 December 11.00am SHARP - Mr Thynne
All children will return to their classrooms after the show in order to remove costumes. If you wish to bring your child home early on that day, please go to the main door of the school after the show. Your child will be brought to meet you when he/she is ready. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE CLASSROOM! Please note, your child should wear their Tracksuit to school on the day of their show.
School Calendars/Christmas Cards
School Calendar/Christmas Card orders will be distributed to the classes as soon as they have been delivered to the school. We would hope to have them by the end of this week.
Action Team for Partnership (ATP)
Action Team for Partnership launched our first ‘Cultural Day’ for our 3rd class students last academic year. The children really enjoyed the experience of discovering folklore from different cultures. The day would not have happened without the amazing support we received from our parents. Pictures of the day are on the website under ATP.
This year we will be following up on that success and are calling for parental support again. The theme we are adopting is ‘1916 and other Revolutions’. We are looking for parents and community members who have knowledge, and/or an interest, in either the 1916 Easter Rising or other Revolutions that have influenced a country in a significant way. If you would like to help out please email atp@stpatricksns.ie
Regards, ATP Cultural Committee
Primary Times
Copies of Primary Times Christmas Edition are available from outside Reception.
Battery Recycle Collection
It is estimated that 33 million batteries with be purchased over the Christmas period, accounting for around 40% of all the batteries sold in Ireland each year. Ensure used batteries don't end up in the bin by placing old and used batteries in our battery collection boxes at Reception.
Lost Property
If your child is missing any items, please take a moment at drop off/collection time to check the lost property rack (just inside the Blanchardstown Door). Any items unclaimed by Friday 18 December will be donated to St Vincent de Paul.
Upcoming Events
18 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms M O’Reilly’s Class Christmas Concert
19 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms Barrins’ Class Christmas Concert
21 December 11.00am SHARP - Mr Thynne’s Class Christmas Concert
22 December – School closes at 11.30am for Christmas Break
06 January 2016 – School reopens at 08.30am
14 January – Confirmation - Meet & Greet Faith Friends 8pm St Mochta’s Church
21 January - Thursday @ 7.30PM, PA Parent Talk in St Patrick’s NS: 'Guiding you Child through to Adolescence’ by Enda Murphy, Cognitive Behaviourial Therapist. Open to all SPNS Parents & Guardians.
25 January – Communion – 2nd Parents Meeting 8pm St Mochta’s Church
04 February – ACCORD Parent Meeting 8pm
09 February - Cross Country, Porterstown Park
29 February – First Penance & Reconciliation 7pm St Mochta’s Church
08 March - Cross Country, Porterstown Park
11 April – Communion – 3rd Parents Meeting 8pm St Mochta’s Church
19 April – Cross Country Finals, Morton Stadium, Santry
25 April – Confirmation Retreat (School Hours)
25 April – Service of Light 7pm St Mochta’s Church
Parents Association News
NPC, Special Education Interest Group. Please contact me before end of term, if interested in more information on this. Thanks.
Mary Galvin, SPNS, NPC Rep.M: 087 267 4809 E: marygalvin@upcmail.ie
Reminders
Administration of Medicine (Extract from School Policies.)
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
Extra-Curricular Activities
All enquiries re Extra-Curricular Activities should be directed to the activity organiser (see Extra-Curricular Activities Page on our website). Where the activity is organised by a staff member, please email info@stpatricksns.ie
Art and Crafts Workshops
A new 10 week term of Art and Crafts classes will commence on Monday 30th November for the Monday class and on Friday 4th December for the Friday class. Each class will run from 2.15pm to 3.45pm. There will be three classes of this new term before Christmas and seven in the New Year. Some places are still available.
For all enquiries please contact Blathnaid O'Brien Donovan on 087 4123247.
Platform Stage School
Well done to all the children from St. Patrick's who took part in the D15 Festival in Draiocht on Sunday and won a tonne of medals. WIZARD OF OZ rehearsals going into full swing now - some places available - call Liz 086 2245113
Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities
3K Operation Transformation Run, Porterstown Park
There will be a 3k run taking place in Porterstown Park on the 9th January 2016. A training plan was attached was attached to last week's Newsletter for all those parents and children who may wish to take part. The 3k run is part of Operation Transformation and is being promoted by Fingal County Council Sports Division. Please note that the event is open to everyone including parents and siblings who can opt to walk the 3k on the day if they wish.