Newsletters Archived

Wednesday 9th November 2016

Parent/Teacher Meetings

Parent/Teacher meetings will take place on Tuesday November 22 and Thursday November 24.The timetables have been organised so that parents who have to attend more than one meeting have been offered all their appointments on either Tuesday or Thursday. You will understand, therefore, that it is not possible for the school to facilitate requests for a change of day and/or time because of the effect this would have on other class timetables. Appointment times will be distributed by the end of the week. Please see school Journals for children from 1^st to 6^th. Times for infants will be send home on a note.

Please do not swap times with another parent or family, as this has an impact on other classes.

To ensure the smooth running of the Parent Teacher Meetings, we would greatly appreciate your cooperation regarding the following:

Each meeting is of ten minutes duration. The school bell will ring to advise you that your ten minute session is over. Please do not remain for longer as this disrupts the schedule for everybody.
If the previous meeting is still in session at your appointed time, please knock on the door to signal your arrival.

Sam Maguire Visit

"Sam" is on the march once again! We are delighted to announce that the Sam Maguire Cup will be coming to St Patrick's on Monday, 14^th November, for a short visit. The children may wear their favourite jerseys for this special celebratory event. If they wish to make a poster or banner, they can take this along to the Hall. Let's give him and his friends a warm welcome.

Science Fair

The 5^th classes have been working hard on their Science projects. Their work will be on display on Thursday 17th November. Parents of the 5th classes are welcome to come in to see their projects in action between 1:30pm and 2:00pm. The children will need to clean up the hall from 2pm sharp as the hall is needed for extracurricular activities. We thank you in advance for your co-operation and understanding in this.

Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme

We are pleased to welcome back The Food Dudes Programme to our school, starting from 22 November. Pupils will be encouraged to eat a small portion of fruit and vegetables that will be delivered to the classroom on a daily basis. We previously hosted The Food Dudes Programme, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture in 2012. It was very well received by the children and parents and there was some great prizes too. See www.fooddudes.ie for further information.

Dates for Junior Infant Christmas Concerts

Thursday 15 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms Nolan

Friday 16 December 11.00am SHARP - Ms Rothwell

Monday 19 December 11.00am SHARP - Mr Thomas

More information to follow.

Celtic Travelling Book Fair

The Book Fair will be in the school from Wednesday 16 November to Monday 21 November. Feel free to call in at dropping off (08.30am-9.10am) and collection times (1.00pm – 2.30pm) to browse through the selection available. This is a great opportunity to get started on your Christmas shopping! The more books you buy, the more books the school will receive to help restock the school library. Leaflets will be distributed to all children.

From previous years’ experience, may we please ask that you Enter only via the Main Entrance and Exit only via the Blanchardstown Door? This will ensure a smooth flow of people through the Book Fair area which is quite tight.

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 as cycling is not permitted on school grounds. Please also note that scooters and rollerbladesare not permitted on school grounds. We would greatly appreciate your support in this matter.

Permanent PE Timetable

Please see below re your children's PE Days. 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

Upcoming Events

14 November – First Holy Communion Enrolment Ceremony 7pm

22 & 24 November – Parent Teacher Meetings

27 November – Christmas Fair

29 November – Confirmation Enrolment 7pm

15 December 11.00am - Ms Nolan

16 December 11.00am - Ms Rothwell

19 December 11.00am - Mr Thomas

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

National Parents Council Primary - Special Education Conference

National Parents Council Primary are holding their Special Education Conference

for Parents of Children with special educational needs on Saturday the 12^th of November 2016

in the Ashling Hotel, Dublin (near Heuston Station), from 10.30AM to 4PM. All parents who are

interested are welcome to attend (members and non-members). Admission is Free. Please

see the attached invitation for further information. To book a place at this conference please copy

and paste the following link: http://npc.ie/register_special_education_conference_2016.aspx

Christmas Art Competition

The theme of this year’s competition is “Christmas Time”. The closing date is WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER. Categories are 4-6yrs; 7-9 yrs and 10-13yrs.

Please include your name, age, class teacher and telephone number on the back of your picture. No bigger than one A4 page.

School Calendar

The Parents Association are taking orders for the 2017 School Calendar this week. Each calendar features a photo of your childs/childrens class and cost €5 each. Please complete the order form attached and return it, along with a cheque/cash, by Wednesday 16th November. Orders for calendars cannot be taken after this date.

Hard copies of the order form are available from reception.

Christmas Fair News
Donations for the Christmas Fair

It's that time of year again and donations are required for the St Patricks Annual Christmas Fair which takes place on Sunday the 27th of November. Maybe you would like to donate a prize, a box of sweets,
toys, bottles.....all gratefully accepted.

We would love unwanted and/or new gifts, books, games, DVDs, PC / Wii / Xbox games and of course, bottles (for the ever popular Bottle Stall). Please remember that all items should be in saleable
condition. We also need toys – new or second-hand, but complete, clean and in working order, suitable for children aged 4 years and above, especially Games, Jigsaws (all complete) Costumes and Character
Toys –most welcome!

How to Donate
Its soooo easy – morning and evening slots are available to drop off your donations. If you are a ‘morning’ person, we plan to have volunteers at the main gate and the pedestrian gate on those ‘Drop – off Days' to make the drop off as swift and handy for you.
Alternatively, drive to the School on one of the designated evenings - we’ll be delighted to see you then.
Evenings
7.30 – 8:30 PM @ Back of school hall Tuesday 15 Nov, Thursday 17 Nov, Tuesday 22 Nov and Thursday 24 Nov.
Mornings
8:20AM -8:40 AM Thursday 10 Nov, Tuesday 15 Nov, Thursday 17 Nov, Tuesday 22 Nov, Thursday 24 Nov. (Volunteers will be at main school gate and the pedestrian gate so you can just bring items with you and drop off quickly)
Any queries contact Oonagh on 086-3231722

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!

Big shout out to all volunteers for this year’s Christmas Fair!

St. Patricks Annual Christmas Fair is on Sunday 27th of November from 1:00-5:00pm. We need to get as many volunteers as possible to make this event the success it has become over the years. If you are free on the 26th or 27th of November to give a few hours to a great cause please text Oonagh at 086-3231722 with your details and availability.

Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities

Bethany Bereavement Support Group November Talk - St Mochta's Parish

Three members of our community will share their experience of coping with the loss of a child (unborn, infant and adult child). It will take place on Thursday 17th November at 8pm in St Mochta's Pastoral Centre, Porterstown (behind the church). Everyone welcome - no charge. For more details contact: +353862479216

Castleknock GAA Juvenile Awards

Castleknock GAA Juvenile Awards take place on Thursday 17 December. Doors open at 6.15pm for CHFC Juvenile Awards (U8-U11s @ 6.30 & U12-U16s @ 7.45) in Westmanstown Conference Centre.

“Parenting – The Challenges & the Rewards”

You are invited to attend a community talk by John Lonergan (Ex-Governor of Mountjoy Prison) on “Parenting – The Challenges & the Rewards” on 14 November from 7.00pm to 8.00pm. The venue is Mountview Youth and Community Centre, Lohunda Downs, Clonsilla, Dublin 15. Please contact aoife.simons@foroige.ie 0860497387 or paula@bldtf.ie /08605260404 for more information.

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