Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 7th September 2016We 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.
Castleknock Community College – Current 6th Class
Please note that the closing date for First Year Student Applications for September 2017 is 4PM ON FRIDAY 09 SEPTEMBER.
Luttrellstown Community College – Current 6th Class
Please note that t he closing date for First Year Student Applications for September 2017 is 4PM ON FRIDAY 09 SEPTEMBER.
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 Room on the dates listed below. Please enter via the DISWELLSTOWN (Tigers) 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 |
Class |
Date |
|
Junior Infants |
Friday 16 September |
Sixth Class |
Monday 12 September |
|
Fifth Class |
Tuesday 13 September |
Fourth Class |
Wednesday 14 September |
|
Third Class |
Thursday 15 September |
Second Class |
Monday 19 September |
|
First Class |
Tuesday 20 September |
Senior Infants |
Wednesday 21 September |
Junior Infant Vaccinations/Hearing & Vision Tests
Consent forms for Junior Infant Vaccinations/Hearing & Vision Tests have been sent home in the children’s bags today. These should be completed and returned to the class teacher by Friday 09 September, even if you are not giving consent. As soon as the HSE informs us of dates for the vaccinations/tests, we will advise you.
Please note: The school merely facilitates the distribution of the forms and the provision of the venue to administer the vaccinations and tests. If you have any queries in relation to Vaccinations or Hearing & Vision Tests, these should be directed to the relevant HSE contact numbers on the forms.
Parent Helpers
If you are interested in becoming a parent helper for the current school year, please email info@stpatricksns.ie to register your interest. If you have already registered your interest, please drop into the office in fill in a Garda Vetting Form.
Choir
Choir will not recommence until later this term. The exact date will be advised via Newsletter.
Parking
Local residents have again approached the school regarding the issue of dangerous and illegal parking. We appreciate that lack of parking space is a major problem for all parents. However, cars must be parked in a safe, legal and considerate manner.
Unfortunately, a number of parents continue to park and block access to/from driveways, and park dangerously close to junctions and entrances to estates. This is both highly inconsiderate towards the residents of these estates and is, in fact, illegal.
There are also a number of parents who stop at the roundabout on the main road which is also a dangerous and illegal practice. It is also an unnecessary practice as we have a safe procedure in place for dropping children off at the main entrance of the school.
The following are extracts from the Rules of the Road:
- A vehicle may not park on double yellow lines in any circumstances.
- A vehicle may not be parked within 5mof a junction.
- Vehicles may not be parked near: a bend, the brow of a hill, a humped back bridge, a continuous white line, where it would obstruct a sign, at an entrance, at a bus stop or opposite another vehicle on a narrow road.
The Board of Management will have no hesitation in supporting local residents who choose to report drivers who park illegally or trespass on their property. The Board will also support those parents who choose to report instances of dangerous parking/driving that may put the lives of their children at risk.
There is ample parking available at Spar car park which is a short distance from the school. Cars must be parked properly in the car park. Under no circumstances should a car obstruct one of their patrons or interfere with delivery truck access.
Upcoming Events
06 September - Extra-Curricular Activities Registration Day (check below for exact times)
09 September – Closing Date for applications to CCC and LCC for 1st Years September 2017
12 September – Sixth Class Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
13 September – Fifth Class Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
14 September – Fourth Class Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
15 September – Third Class Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
16 September – Junior Infant Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
19 September – Second Class Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
20 September – First Class Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
21 September – Senior Infants Parents’ Information Meeting 8.40am – Tigers Room
Reminders
Contagious Illness
Whilst there is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, we would greatly appreciate if you would
contact us if your child contracts a contagious illness e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, etc. There are children in
the school who are at increased risk of contracting these illnesses. Parents should acknowledge their child’s absence from school due to minor illnesses on their return, in writing, in the child’s School Journal.
Contact Details
It is essential that we have the correct address and contact details (e.g. home telephone, parents’ mobile numbers and email addresses) for your child on our database. If any of your details have changed over the summer, please complete a Change of Address/Contact Details Form as soon as possible.
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 marked with 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 all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Please ensure jumpers, PE sweatshirts, coats, etc. are labelled with your child’s name.
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.
Staff Car Park
Parents are asked not to park in the Staff Car Park, the only exception being parents collecting disabled or injured children. We would be grateful if you could also inform anyone who may be collecting your child/children on your behalf of this procedure. If you are returning to the school to drop off forgotten lunches, schoolbags, etc. during the school day, we would ask that you park in the bus stop area and enter via the Pedestrian Gate. (Please close gates after you leave). Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Reminder re dismounting bicycles, etc
In the interest of everyone’s safety, all cyclists (pupils, parents & siblings) should dismount from their bicycles at the main gates of the school. For safety reasons, we would ask that you do not allow your children to use scooters or rollerblades on school grounds.
Temporary PE Timetable
A temporary PE Timetable will be in place for the first few weeks. Children will be informed of their PE times by their class teachers. Children should wear their school tracksuit/runners on these days.
Extra Curricular Activities
New after-school club at St Patrick's! The Emma Louise Dance Academy! Beginning Thursday 15 September!
Welcome to Emma Louise Pierce, a qualified dance teacher who runs her own dance academy in Blanchardstown. Last year, she came to St Patrick's and gave free dance lessons to some of our classes. She also ran a dance station at our Junior and Senior Sports Days. There was great feedback from the children afterwards, particularly with regard to her hip-hop dance routines. The Emma Louise Dance Academy will take place on Thursday afternoons (2.10 - 3.05 and 3.05 - 4.00). Only €25 for 8 sessions! Great value and loads of fun. Places still available. Please email info@stpatricksns.ie if you would like to have your name added to the list.
Lego Challenge
The new term for Lego Challenge will start on Friday, 16 September.
Tennis
Tennis will commence on Monday 12 September. Children will be advised tomorrow if they have been successful in securing a place and a payment request will be emailed to parents. We would greatly appreciate if payment could be made before classes commence.
Badminton
Badminton will commence on Friday 16 September. Children will be advised tomorrow if they have been successful in securing a place and a payment request will be emailed to parents. We would greatly appreciate if payment could be made before classes commence.
Athletics
Athletics will commence on Wednesday 14 September. Children will be advised tomorrow if they have been successful in securing a place and a payment request will be emailed to parents. We would greatly appreciate if payment could be made before classes commence.
Art & Craft Workshops
All enquiries to Blathnaid O’Brien Donovan BEd (Hons) 0874123247.
DramaWorks
Unfortunately, there will be no DramaWorks at the school this year.
Musical Theatre, Drama & Singing Classes
For further details please contact Toni Martin at 087 7913714 or email martin.toni1@gmail.com. There are a number of spaces still available in all classes. Classes will resume on Tuesday 13 September.
Irish Dancing
In St Patrick's N.S: Tuesday Junior and Senior Infants 1.10 - 2pm; Tuesday and Thursday 2.10 to 3.10 1st - 6th backstage room; Wednesday Advanced 6.15pm. Saturday 12-1pm all grades. Children prepared for examinations, shows and stage craft, to develop confidence teamwork and poise. Or simply learn Irish dancing for fun and cultural development! For more information or to register, contact Bernadette Downey Lanigan A.D.C.R.G. 0876204772. Classes will recommence on Tuesday 13 September.
Spanish for Children (SPNS)
Contact Mary Galvin at 087 2674809 / marygalvin@upcmail.ie / www.spanishclasses4children.com.
Piano Lessons
To Register contact Kelley at 087 7679278 or email tmmusictuition@gmail.com
Platform Stage School
To register, please contact Liz directly at 0862245113. Website www.platformstageschool.ie.
After-school French classes in St. Patrick’s
French classes for children run after-school weekdays and also at week-ends for pupils from Junior Infants up to 6th class. Children love learning French through flashcards, songs, games and taking part in projects. A special early years class for 3 to 5 years old class is starting on Saturdays. All materials are provided. Enrol your child now as limited number of places for each age group. Merci beaucoup!
To register please contact Sabine directly at Mob 087 227 9027 ?Email info@frenchforchildren.ie ?Web www.frenchforchildren.ie
Sabine - BA Hons & Master in Linguistics, Teaching French as a Foreign Language
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
To register contact Sara Chester A.I.D.T.A directly at 0877923955
www.chesterschoolofdance.com
Blanchardstown Garda Station Open Day
An Open Day is taking place this Saturday 10 September from 2pm – 5pm in Blanchardstown Garda Station. All members of the public are welcome. Garda Band, Mounted Unit, Sub-Aqua Unit, Traffic Unit, Dog Unit, Vintage & Current Garda Vehicles, Station Tours, Childrens Entertainment.