Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 6th April 2016School will reopen for Senior Infants to 6th Class on Thursday 01 September.
Junior Infants will start on Monday 05 September from 10.00 – 11.30am. Printable Provisional Calendar attached for your information. Details are also in the Upcoming Events.
1916 ATP Centenary Celebrations at St Patrick's
Many thanks to all members of our Action Team Partnership (a joint project by National Parents Council Primary and the Irish Primary Principals Network), who helped make the 1916 Centenary Celebrations held at St Patrick's on the 15th March, so enjoyable. For those of you who may not know, our ATP comprises of students, parents, members of the community and staff members who work together to help enrich the education of our children. During the day, the children got to celebrate this great historic occasion through story, dance, music, art and even a tasting session where they sampled foods from that time (including cow's heart and tongue!!!).
Here is a list of events which occurred on our Proclamation Day:
Flag-raising ceremony and reading of the Proclamation, Music and Songs, Céili & Set Dancing, Women of 1916, Kilmainham Gaol, Tenement Life in Dublin, 1916 Artefacts, Food of the Tenements, “Young Rebels” Play, exhibitions of models of the major buildings involved in the rising and many other projects. There were also opportunities for children to dress up in clothes of the period and to create an art collage depicting people dressed in military uniforms of the period. Some classes got to explore Google's Virtual Tour of Dublin Landmarks narrated by Colin Farrell on the school iPads! A radio programme covering the day's events was produced by 92.5 Phoenix FM and aired on St Patrick's Day (may still be available as a podcast).
Sincere thanks to all those, especially the parents and members of the community, who helped bring these events to the children and provided such a positive enriching experience for them. Thank you so much for giving freely of your time (and indeed your talents)!
We would also like to thank the following for donating food for our “Food of the Tenements” display: Sweeney’s Butchers; Get Fresh(er) Laurel Lodge; Clarke’s Bakery; McCambridges Breads; The Crusty Corner – Dunboyne.
iPads
As you are aware we have invested in school iPads so that children can have regular access to digital learning at school. The Parents Association have generously contributed to the IT fund to enable us to buy the iPads and the Apps. We hope to purchase a third set of iPads (16) and trolleys in the near future.
Re-Registration Form 2016/2017
We have a number of children on our Waiting List for Senior Infants to Sixth class places for the 2016/2017 school year. It is important that we can confirm as soon as possible whether or not we will have school places for them. Personalised Re-Registration Forms will be been given to all children (JI – 5th Class) over the next week.
We would ask that you return the fully completed form (front and back) ASAP, confirming if your child/children will be returning to St Patrick’s for the next school year 2016/2017. This will also ensure that we have correct contact details, (postal address, mobile numbers and email address) for all parents. Please ensure both parents sign the form. In cases where a parent/guardian has sole custody, please ensure you tick the “Sole Custodian” box.
If you have not yet paid the 2015/2016 Extras Fee, we would ask that you pay it as soon as possible. You have the option to pay the Extras Fee for the 2016/2017 School Year on return of the Re-Registration Form, defer payment until the new school year or pay by instalments, whichever is most convenient to you. Please ensure you tick the appropriate payment box on the form.
If you wish to pay by instalments, please email the school ASAP so that the necessary arrangements are put in place for online payment.
Upcoming Events
10 April – Parents Association Annual Family Quiz – 2.30pm
11 April – Communion – 3rd Parents Meeting 8pm St Mochta’s Church
12 April – Cross Country Finals, Morton Stadium, Santry
12 April – “Transition from Primary to Post Primary” Talk (see note below)
14 April – Junior Sports for All Day (Senior Infants to 2nd class only)
21 April – Senior Sports for All Day (3rd to 6th Class only)
25 April – Confirmation Retreat (School Hours)
25 April – Service of Light 7pm St Mochta’s Church
30 April – Communion Ceremony – Mr O’Neill’s & Ms Dowling’s classes
02 May – 06 May – May Bank Holiday Break
14 May – Communion Ceremony – Ms Merrigan’s class/Scoil Choilm
24 May – Confirmation Ceremony
06-07 June – June Bank Holiday Break
09 June – Junior Infant Sports for All Day (TBC)
29 June - School closes at 11.30am to facilitate compulsory Department of Education & Skills training for staff in the new Integrated Language Curriculum (Irish & English)
01 September – School reopens for Senior Infants to 6th Class (normal school day)
05 September – Junior Infants 10.00am-11.30am.
31 October – 04 November (inclusive) – Mid-Term Break
07 November - School Reopens
23 December – 06 January (inclusive) – Christmas Break
09 January 2017 – School Reopens
20 February – 24 February (inclusive) – Mid Term Break
27 February - School Reopens
17 March – St Patrick’s Day – school closed.
10-21 April (inclusive) – Easter Break
25 April - School Reopens
01 May – Bank Holiday
05 June – Bank Holiday
30 June – School closes for Summer Holidays
Sports Events
Junior and Senior SFAD (Sport for All Days)
The Junior Sports Day (Sen Infants to 2nd) will take place (weather permitting) on Thursday 14th April and the Senior Sports Day (3rd to 6th) is scheduled (again, weather permitting) for the following Thursday ie 21st April. Children should bring their school bags to school, as usual, on these days. They should wear their school tracksuit and suitable footwear. They are also advised to bring an extra drink with them along with their usual lunch.
“Knock-out Trials” (for children in 3rd - 6th classes only) for selection of School Santry Team - Cumann na mBunscol Athletics Championships
Trials are on-going - please note up-coming dates
Thursday 7th April U11 Boys from 2.15 - 3.00
Friday 8th April U11 Girls from 2.15 - 3.00
Thursday 14th April U10 Boys from 2.15 - 3.00
Friday 15th April U10 Girls from 2.15 - 3.00
Monday 18th April U13½ Boys & Girls 2.15 - 3.00
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.
Finals of D15 Cross Country League
The Grand Finals of the Dublin 15 League will be held at Morton Stadium, Santry on Tuesday 12th April. Permission letters have been distributed to all children on the Cross Country Team. Supporters are welcome but please note that parking is restricted and you may have to park at the nearby shopping centre. All members of cross country team now have their school kits. For the Finals Day, they should wear black shorts/leggings, plain white t-shirt (school one fine) with athletics running singlet over it. After the event, it is very important that children return all school kits ASAP. Please return clean kits in bag with your child's name clearly written on it (paper bag is fine) as all kits need to be signed back in. Kits will be collected from classrooms.
Parents Association News
Annual Family Fun Quiz - Sunday 10th April, 2.30pm School Main Hall
Lots of fun for all the family, adults and children alike - 2 rounds for the children this year. We have prizes for 1st and 2nd place teams. Feel free to team up with neighbours and friends - €5 euro a table - max 2 adults and at least 1 child per table. Any monies raised go back into the school - sports equipment, literacy aids etc. Refreshments will be available at our mini-cafe.
Transitioning from Children to Teenagers - A Talk for Parents
Important Note: The PA facilitate this talk every 2 years. Parents of children in 5th class please note this talk will NOT be available next year.
The transition from Primary school to Secondary school is one of those life events that most people can recall in some way or other. The purpose of this talk is to outline the major changes involved for both children and parents and to provide some useful tips on how to adapt our parenting so that the experience can be undertaken with minimum stress - for the whole family!
Tom Casey, Teen Counsellor, Crosscare, will facilitate a talk for parents in the school foyer on Tuesday 12th April at 8pm. Tom brings with him a lot of relevant experience and practical advice which we feel will be very beneficial for parents. The talk is aimed at parents with children in 5th and 6th class but all are welcome. Time: 8pm to 9.30pm with additional time available for questions.
Reminders
Administration of Medicine
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.
School Insurance
The School Insurance company is Allianz and your child is covered under a 24/7 Pupil Insurance Policy. For more information, see www.allianz.ie/otherproducts/schools.
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 & Crafts Workshops
Classes take place on Mondays and Fridays from 2.10 to 3.45pm.
Some places available, for full details please contact Blathnaid on 087 4123247.
Badminton
Spaces available on Fridays in Badminton. Please email info@stpatricksns.ie if your child would like to join, putting “Badminton” in the subject line.
Tennis
Spaces available on Mondays in Tennis. Please email info@stpatricksns.ie if your child would like to join, putting “Tennis” in the subject line.