Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 8th March 2017Seachtain na Gaeilge
Tá Seachtain na Gaeilge buailte linn aris. We are having lots of fun activities to promote Gaeilge in the school next week. Most of all, we hope everyone will have plenty of “spórt agus spraoi” as Gaeilge. Perhaps you could use a “cúpla focal” at home too!
Children may wear a green top or t-shirt with their school tracksuit bottoms on Thursday 16 March if they wish. Please note Thursday is NOT a Non-Uniform day.
IBM’s On Demand Community Grant
On behalf of the children and staff of St Patrick’s N.S., we would like to thank Gerard Kavanagh most sincerely for the cash grant of €1,800 as part of IBM’s On Demand Community Grant. This money as been invested wisely in enhancing our IT equipment for the benefit of all our students.
Upcoming Events
06-10 March – Vegetable Week
15 March – CCC Open Day/Evening for 5th Class parents (a note has been given to each child)
16 March – School will finish at the normal time for all children.
17 March – St Patrick’s Day – school will be closed
21 March – Parent Workshop from Drinkaware.ie (see note below)
27 March – Communion Parents Meeting
03 April – Confirmation
13 May – First Holy Communion – Mr O’Neill’s Class
27 May – First Holy Communion – Ms Dowling & Ms Merrigan’s classes
25 May – In-Service Day for Staff – school will be closed
Upcoming Sporting Events & News
14 March 2017 – Cross Country – venue Porterstown
27 February-03 March – Active Week 2017
04 April – Cross Country – venue Morton Stadium, Santry
3rd - 6th “Knock-out Trials” for School Athletics Team for the annual Cumann na mBunscol Athletics Championships
Trials for places on the School Athletics Team have been taking place in all 3rd - 6th classes in recent weeks. The children who have made it onto the shortlists will be informed shortly. Final selection will be made from these lists. It should be noted that selection is based on a number of points – athletic ability, team spirit, reliability, sportsmanship, etc. “Knock-out Trials for the final selection will be held after school. Those who make it onto the shortlists must attend if they want to be considered for the team. Those selected for the team must be available for the championships (held at Morton Stadium in Santry) the last week of May and/or the first week in June. Please watch this space for dates of Trials to ensure your child does not miss out.
ACTIVE WEEK
Visit from Past Pupils
Last Tuesday, four of our past pupils came and spoke to our 3rd class children about their involvement in sport and their achievements to date. All four are now almost at the end of their secondary school education. They each enjoy different sports - Aoife Lynch (sprint events), Molly Brown (camogie, football, basketball and long distance running), Jack Doherty (golf) and Claire Feerick (rowing). All of them train extremely hard and they have big dreams for their future. Our 3rd class children were enthralled and here are a few of their comments:
“The one I like is rowing cos my mum does rowing and I do too. Rowing gives you muscles in your arms and it is able to get you to the Olympics. Claire has won a lot of medals...Aoife Lynch inspired me because I have never been a fast runner but because of her I now believe in myself and I know I can get faster.” (Liam & Sean)
“It made me think what I want to be. I want to play basketball. I want to play it all over the world....I thought it was inspiring and I will go back to the martial arts class in Coolmine. I also think now most of my classmates will do sport”. (Caoimhe & Bobby)
“My favourite was Jack because he plays golf and told me lots of good tips for getting my swing right. Thank you, Jack! .... Some day I hope to be like one of them.” (David & Saoirse)
Ultra Marathon Running
Last Wednesday, Conor McCarthy (parent) came and spoke to our 4th class children about his personal experience of running. He presented a fascinating slide show focusing on his participation in one of the greatest ultramarathons in the world, The Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 251km race across the Sahara Desert. Given that this distance is approximately the distance of six regular marathons, the children found the whole presentation fascinating. Here are a few of their comments:
“I think Conor McCarthy is an amazing person....There was a guy called Dave who ran the race and he was blind and he did everything...That tells you You can do anything if you put your mind to it.... I thought Conor McCathy's presentation was very interesting. His message, "Dream Big, Achieve Big" is very inspiring.” (Grace & Orla 4th)
“The presentation was fantastic. You could see the conditions in your mind...Some of the 4th class children got to try the food they ate. It was chicken mixed in with water.” (Anna & Hannah)
Parents Association News
Free Parent Workshop
Drinkaware.ie will be providing facts, advice and support to help parents start a conversation about alcohol with their children. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend. It will take place on Tuesday 21st March from 8 - 9pm in the Fingal (Tigers) Room.
Reminders
Sick Children at School
Please do not send sick children to school for the following reasons:
- Children are unable to cope with the demands of school when they are unwell.
- Infection spreads rapidly in the confinement of the classroom.
- There is no indoor supervision for sick children during breaktimes.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Lego Challenge
Lego challenge - our third and final term is starting with exciting new builds, challenges and concepts commences this Friday 10th March.
Senior infants - 1.10pm
1st - 6th class at 2.10pm..
Contact - 0877198128 or email - knowitedu@gmail.com
Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities
Touch-type, Read and Spell
Touch-type, Read and Spell is a computer based literacy course for children with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia and other learning difficulties. Due to continued demand I am pleased to announce details of a new location Thursday, 2.45-3.45 pm – St. Francis Xavier Senior School (beside Tesco)
I continue to run classes in the following venues and there are a limited number of places available as other students have now successfully completed the course.
Tuesday Luttrellstown Community College 3.10-4.10 pm and 3.20-4.20 pm
Wednesday Castleknock Community College 2.50-3.50 pm and 3.55-4.55pm
To reserve a place and for details of a FREE TRIAL, please contact Carol on 087 2868910 or send an email to castleknockttrs@gmail.comfor further information on how this course might benefit your child.