Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 13th April 2016Junior 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 21st April. Children should bring their school bags to school, as usual, on these days. They should be dressed appropriately (taking account of the weather forecast) and wear their school tracksuit and suitable footwear. They are also advised to bring an extra drink with them along with their usual lunch.
Coins for the Hospice
We are doing another “Coins for the Hospice” Collection. We would be delighted if the children could collect up and bring in any 1c, 2c and 5c coins you have at home. We would encourage the children 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. The collection will be ongoing so it is never too late to send in your coins!
Upcoming Events
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
23 May – Cumann na mBunscol Athletics Championships Field Events
24 May – Confirmation Ceremony
28 May – NPC Annual Conference – theme “Ready, Steady, Learn – Parents supporting their Children’s Healthy Learning” (see below)
31 May - Cumann na mBunscol Athletics Championships Track Events
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
Dublin 15 Cross Country League Finals
Congratulations to our Cross Country Team on winning the main award, Best Overall School, at the Finals held at Santry today, Tuesday 12th April. There were about 45 schools competing in the league this year and there were more than 1000 children running at the Finals. The Boys, too, are to be congratulated on taking home the award for Best Boys Team in the Schools Category A. A great outing for all! Look out in next week's Newsletter for some accounts from the children themselves of the great day.
Camogie
“We played a Cumann na mBunscol match against GS na Camoige on Monday last in Clondalkin. The weather was horrible and it lashed rain for the whole game. It was a very tough match against a good team, but we got the crucial scores and we were happy to win the match. Both goalkeepers made some great saves. We didn't mind the bad weather when we won the game!”Eabha Connor, Poppy Conroy and Leah Flanagan - 6th Class
Return of School Running Kits
Can all cross country runners please return their running kits (black shorts, emerald green t-shirt and athletics singlet) over the next week or two? These should be washed and returned in a bag with your child’s name clearly marked on it as all items must be signed back in. Bags will be collected from classrooms daily.
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 21st April. Children should bring their school bags to school, as usual, on these days. They should be dressed appropriately (taking account of the weather forecast) and 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 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.
Parents Association News
PA Family Fun Quiz
Thanks to all of you who attended the PA Family Fun Quiz last Sunday. We would like to also thank all the children who submitted questions. The questions were of a high standard and we included many in the quiz. All winners received a small prize. We had a great day and hope you all enjoyed it.
PA Committee
NPC Annual Conference
The NPC Annual Conference will be taking place on the 28th of May 2016 in the National College of Ireland, Dublin 1.
The title and theme of this year’s conference will be Ready, Steady, Learn - Parents supporting their Children’s Healthy Learning.
Children need to be ready to learn, therefore this conference will encompass how parents can actively support their children’s mental (emotional), physical (nutritional) and creative health.
The Keynote Speaker will be Shane Martin, a leading Psychologist within the area of education. Shane’s presentation will be POSITIVE PARENTING: Harnessing Strengths within Children.
We all want children to grow into happy adults; but sometimes we feel as though we have little real influence over them as they grow older. New scientific research reveals that happiness can be cultivated within the home, school and community and that parenting styles and practices have a tremendous effect on children’s emotional outlook on life. By promoting some basic positive traits and harnessing their inner strengths we can encourage our children to have a more positive view of self, others and the world. Parenting can be challenging but also a positive and fulfilling experience. We need to work at being more ‘positive’ in our approach.
Further information will follow shortly. If you would like to register for conference please click here. Don’t forget to save the date and pass this information on to all parents in your child’s school. ADMISSION FREE! All parents welcome
Reminders
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) before the end of this 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.
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 (3rd-6th Class only)
Spaces available on Fridays in Badminton. New 6 week term starting this Friday. Please email info@stpatricksns.ie if your child would like to join, putting “Badminton” in the subject line.
Diswellstown Summer Camp
Diswellstown Summer Camp will take place from 4th July June - 8th July 2016. The camp is run by teachers in St Patrick's and is open to all pupils from Junior Infants to 6th class. Forms will be distributed early next week and registration will take place after school (under reception canopy) on Thursday 21st April. Please see forms for further details.
Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities
Creative Writing with Fr. Flor
“The last summer I was in America (2012) I gave a talk on writing in the parish. I was amazed at how many showed up for it. In response to some requests, I am putting on the talk in St. Mochta’s Parish Pastoral Centre NEXT Wednesday, 20th April from 7.30pm to 9pm. I have been writing for close to forty years.
I am willing to share what I have learned in the process.” All are very welcome to attend.
Fr. Flor McCarthy SDB has written a number of books over the last forty years.
Fr. Flor says mass here in St. Mochta’s Church every weekend (The Kerryman)
Castleknock Community College 19th Annual Sale
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May. Open 9.00am-5.00pm.
Wide range of summer bedding plants, hanging baskets, window boxes, ceramic pots and accessories and lots more. Credit/Debit cards facilities available. Pre-Orders available phone 085 7540888