Newsletters Archived

Wednesday 26th October 2016

MID TERM BREAK

The school will close at the normal time this Friday for Mid-Term Break (1.10pm for Junior & Senior Infants, 2.10pm for all other classes). It will reopen on Monday 07 November at 8.30am.

Children who do not wish to wear fancy dress for Monster Mash dance can wear a favourite top/jumper/t-shirt on Friday.

Monster Mash

As part of the active Schools Programme, the children are learning the Monster Mash dance. On Friday 28th October, all classes will get together to perform the dance in the school hall. All children are invited to wear a fancy dress costume that is comfortable to move/sit in! Please ensure that costumes are school appropriate and not too scary for the younger children. For ease of movement, please leave costume accessories at home, such as brooms! We are hoping to raise funds for Temple Street Hospital, so any donations on the day will be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately it is not possible for parents to attend the performance.

HSE Junior Infants Vaccination Programme 2016/2017 – Extract from HSE Letter to Principal

“The Vaccination Team will visit your school on Wednesday 09th November to administer the Junior Infants Vaccination Programme for the school year 2016/17. There is no requirement for parents to attend the school on the day of vaccination. If a parent anticipates that their son or daughter will be distressed at the prospect of receiving a vaccination, it would be helpful if the parent attended so that they could reassure their child. The Vaccination Team has found that the majority of children in Junior Infants Classes receive the vaccinations with very few problems.”

School Photographs

The school photo proofs were sent home this week. Please return all orders to your child's class teacher by Wednesday 26th October at the very latest as the school photographer, Richie Gavin, will call to the school first thing on Thursday morning to collect the orders.

Late orders, along with payment, should be posted directly to Richie Gavin Photography to the following address: Richard Gavin Photography, 113 Malahide Road, Donnycarney, Dublin 3. Tel. 01 851 0000. Please remember to write "St Patrick's N.S." on your Proof Sheet.

Reminder re dismounting Bicycles/Scooters & Rollerblades

In the interest of everyone’s safety, all cyclists (adults, students and siblings) should dismount from their bicycles/scooters at the gates to the school grounds. Please also note that scooters and rollerblades are not permitted on school grounds. Cycling is also not permitted on school grounds. We would greatly appreciate your support in this matter.

Permanent PE Timetable

The permanent PE Timetable is now ready and will begin the first week back after the Mid-term Break. Please note your children's PE Days below. For PE, children should wear their school tracksuit and suitable footwear.

For health and safety reasons, no jewellery should be worn, especially bracelets and drop/dangly earrings.
Please note: Although there is a PE timetable in place, we have many visiting coaches who come to our school during the year. Sometimes, this necessitates a temporary change to PE time for a particular class. Your child will be informed by his/her class teacher, whenever this happens.

Teacher	PE day (Hall)	Extra PE day (outdoors)
Ms. Nolan J. Infants	Monday	Wednesday
Ms. Rothwell J. Infants	Monday	Wednesday
Ms Thomas J. Infants	Wednesday	Monday
Ms. M O’Reilly S. Infants	Thursday	Tuesday
Mr Thynne S. Infants	Friday	Wednesday
Ms. Barrins S. Infants	Wednesday	Friday
Ms. Nagle 1^st Class	Wednesday	Monday
Ms. Ryan 1^st Class	Monday	Wednesday
Ms O’Callaghan 1^st Class	Monday	Wednesday
Ms Murray 1^st Class	Tuesday	Thursday
Mr O’Neill 2^nd Class	Wednesday	Friday
Ms. Merrigan 2^nd Class	Friday	Tuesday
Ms. Dowling 2^nd Class	Friday	Wednesday
Ms. M McDermott 3^rd Class	Monday	Friday
Ms Marren 3^rd Class	Tuesday	Friday
Mr. Waring 3^rd Class	Thursday	Friday
Mr Mac Conamha 4^th Class	Friday	Wednesday
Ms C O’Reilly 4^th Class	Friday	Wednesday
Ms Walsh 4^th Class	Friday	Monday
Ms. Meade 5^th Class	Monday	Wednesday
Ms. Lineen 5^th Class	Wednesday	Friday
Ms Weir 5^th Class	Thursday	Monday
Mr Lyons 6^th Class	Thursday	Monday
Ms. Parker 6^th Class	Thursday	Wednesday
Mr Heneghan 6^th Class	Thursday	Tuesday

Leinster Hat

A new Leinster Rugby hat was found in the yard after school last week. It has “Season Ticket Holder 2016/2017” stitched onto it. Owner can contact Mr O’Neill to reclaim.

Upcoming Events

31 October – 04 November inclusive – Mid Term Break (normal school day on 28 October)

09 November – Junior Infant Vaccinations

09 November – CCC Formal Enrolment for 1^st Years September 2017 (2.00-3.00pm)

14 November – First Holy Communion Enrolment Ceremony 7pm

08 November – Christmas Fair Volunteers Meeting

22 & 24 November – Parent Teacher Meetings

27 November – Christmas Fair

29 November – Confirmation Enrolment 7pm

23 December – 06 January 2017 inclusive – Christmas Break

16 January – Communion Parent Meeting 8pm

10 & 12 January 2017 – First Faith Friends Session

13 February – First Penance & Reconciliation 7pm

20-24 February inclusive – Mid Term Break

07 March – Confirmation Retreat (during school hours)

07 March – Confirmation Service of Light 7pm

27 March – Communion Parents Meeting

Upcoming Sporting Events & News

14 February 2017 – Cross Country – venue Porterstown

14 March 2017 – Cross Country – venue Porterstown

04 April – Cross Country – venue Morton Stadium, Santry

Parents Association News

Christmas Cards

The Christmas Card template will be in your child's school bags tomorrow. Have fun ........

Children should put their first name on the front of the card only. Please attach the order form with your child's full name, age, class, number of packs required and your name & telephone number to the back of the template together with the full payment in an envelope please.

Price is the same as last year - €6 for 1 pack (of 10 cards); €10 for 2 pack.
Please return to the school on the first week back with the completed order form and full payment.
Thank you.

Christmas Fair 2016

You or your company are wanted! Would you/they be interested in donating or sponsoring a prize for our Christmas Fair?

The Parents Association is organising a Christmas Fair and in order to keep costs down, we are asking the school community for prizes that could be raffled on the day.

No donation too big or small!

Christmas Fair Volunteer Meeting

There will be a meeting for all Christmas Fair Volunteers on Tuesday 8th of November from 8:00-9:00pm in the music room. If you can give any of your time to help over the weekend of 26th/27th of November, either working on the day or with the set up on the Saturday for our Christmas Fair, please come along. This fair would not be the success it is without your help. We're looking forward to seeing you. If you cannot make the meeting, please text Oonagh on 0863231722 with your availability.
Thank you. The PA Committee

Reminders

Procedure for pupils 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 Blanchardstown 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.

Garda Vetting
Please note that Garda vetting is now a legal requirement for all those who work with children. Therefore, if you volunteer to help with school events e.g. school tours, sporting events, church visits, etc. you will need to go through our school Garda vetting process. It is a very simple procedure and only requires you to initially fill out a form. There is no cost involved. Please bring photo identification and a proof of residence with you when you call to the school office where you will be asked to complete the form.

We really appreciate any help that you can give us with supervision at these school events.

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.

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.

Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities

Luttrellstown Community College “Stars in their Eyes”

On Thursday 27th October, Luttrellstown Community College is holding a fundraiser event for their production of "Grease", in the Castleknock Golf Hotel, at 7:30 pm. The musical talent of students and teachers alike will be show cast in "Stars in their eyes" on that night. All welcome. Tickets at the door are €10 per student, €15 for adults and €40 for a family (1 adult 3 children, or 2 adults 2 children).

2016 ESOL English (Beginner)

8 week course starting Tuesday, 11^th October from 4:15 – 6:15 PM

Nominal charge €2.00 per class (admin costs)

Please Contact: Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre, St Patrick’s N.S., Castleknock;

Email: Diswellstowncrc@yahoo.ie; Phone: 01-8235555 or Mobile: 086 2647735 to book your place.

Parents Plus Programme (0-6 years)

The Parent Plus Early Years Programme is a seven week course for parents of pre-schoolers and young children. The next course takes place from Thursday 03 November – 15 December, 7.00pm to 9.30pm in Fingallian’s GAA Club, Swords County Dublin. Places are limited on this course and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Booking is essential. Contact 8077660 or email info@fingalcountychildcare.ie.

Aspergers Support Group

Free Aspergers Support Group & Youth Club. Sat 11am - 1pm. Castleknock Community Centre. 0868204663