Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 25th May 2017The school will be closed tomorrow Thursday 25 May for Teacher In-Service Day.
Parking
There was what can only be described as a “near miss” last week in one of our neighbouring estates.
As a result, we are pleading with all parents who chose to park in the surrounding estates, that they are very conscious when driving, parking and moving out of parking spaces. There are approx. 180 junior children departing the school at 1.10pm and approx. 570 senior children departing the school at 2.10pm each day. Extreme caution should be exercised during these times. As you are aware, there are many parking spaces available in Spar Car Park and a School Warden Service to guide children safely to/from school.
News2Day
Jack Batt from Ms Walsh’s class was interviewed for News2Day at Santry on Monday. Click on the link to watch it. www.rte.ie/player
Diswellstown Summer Camp
The Diswellstown Summer Camp is now FULL.
Re-Registration Form 2017/2018
A huge thank you everyone who has returned their Re-Registration Forms and also to those who have made their payments.
If you have not yet paid the 2016/2017 Extras Fee, we would ask that you pay it as soon as possible.
You have the option to pay the Extras Fee for the 2017/2018 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.
Upcoming Events
25 May – In-Service Day for Staff – school will be closed
27 May – First Holy Communion – Ms Dowling & Ms Merrigan’s classes
30 May – Communion Photographs – Ms Dowling & Ms Merrigan’s classes
05 June – June Bank Holiday – school will be closed
14 June – Senior Infant Performing “The Little Red Hen” (12.45pm)
15 June – Junior Infant Sports Day
27 June – 6th Class Graduation
30 June – School closes for Summer Break
30 August – School Re-opens for Senior Infants to 6th Class
31 August – School starts for Junior Infants at 10.00am to 11.30am.
Upcoming Sporting Events & News
30 May – Santry Track Events
Cumann na mBunscol Athletics Championships at Santry
Congratulations to all members of our school's athletics team who took part in the Field Events at Morton Stadium on Monday and did so well. We had children competing in the Long Jump, High Jump, Hurdles, Shot Putt, 600m and Special Races. They were a credit to themselves, their parents, their teachers and their school in both the way they behaved and in the way they competed.
Next Tuesday, our sprinters and relay runners take to the track. Go n-eirí an t-ádh leo! Spectators are welcome but please note parking is restricted and you may have to park in the shopping centre nearby.
More details of the championships in next week's Newsletter.
Return of running kits
All athletes who have finished with their running kits should return them to school asap. Your child's kit should be placed in a bag (paper bag is fine) with the child's name clearly written on it, as all kits must be signed back in. Kits will be collected daily from the classrooms.
School Athletics Team
Training in preparation for CnmB Athletics Championships
Please note up-coming dates:
Wednesday 24th May U12 and U14 Boys & Girls 2.15 - 2.45
Friday 26th May U10, U11, U12 & U14 Boys and Girls 2.15 - 3.00
Monday 29th May U10, U11, U12 & U14 Boys and Girls 2.15 - 2.45 (Final Short Practice for each team)
NOTE: All training sessions take place outdoors and are weather permitting. Training 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.
Parents Association News
NPC Education Conference 2017 - Shaping the Future - Saturday 10 June 2017
Register now!
The NPC Conference will take place in the National College of Ireland, Mayor Square, Dublin 1 on Saturday the 10th of June 2017 from 10.30am to 4pm.
To register to attend please click here
All those interested in primary education are welcome to attend, ADMISSION IS FREE!
Keynote speaker - Dr. Janet Goodall: Narrowing the Gap: Parental Engagement in Children's Learning
Janet Goodall is a lecturer in Educational Leadership and Management in the Department of Education, at the University of Bath.
Janet has been involved in educational research for many years, researching issues such as networks and federations of schools, the evaluation of the impact of continuing professional development of teachers, middle leadership in universities.
For the past 10 years, much of Janet’s work has been concentrated around the value and impact of parents’ engagement with their children’s learning. Janet has published widely on the subject, in both the academic and popular press, and on social media. She has just completed a yearlong pilot of a toolkit to support schools in this area, working with over 30 schools in Wiltshire Local Authority. Janet’s new book, Narrowing the Achievement Gap: Parental Engagement with Children’s Learning, was published by Routledge in the spring.
Guest speakers
Niall de Burca - Niall is a traditional storyteller with a unique style that turns an ancient art form on its head and drives it into the 21st century. Combining powerful stage presence and delivery, he has an ability to reach all ages from early childhood through to teenagers and on to elders. Niall will demonstrate this art form and will show parents how they too can engage their children through storytelling and by doing so enhance their learning at home.
Mette With Hagensen - Learning through play
Mette With Hagensen, MSc. BA, mother of 3 and president of the Danish association of school boards and parents in public schools, Skole og Forældre. Mette With Hagensen represents a strong voice for parents and she is an advocate for close cooperation between schools and parents in the shared responsibility to educate children and nurture children’s curiosity and creativity. Play is fun and learning should be fun too to engage children and create interaction and involvement in class. In Denmark LEGO is a natural part of childhood and by introducing LEGO six bricks in education children learn so much more than just putting bricks together. Mette With Hagensen will give an insight to the concept of LEGO six bricks.
The NPC Fred O'Connell Award will take place on the day, recognising innovative partnership between parents and schools.
Fred O’ Connell was involved with NPC in the early years of the organisation development. Fred served as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of NPC and was also NPC’s first paid employee. Fred believed that parents have a vital role to play in their child’s education. This award is in honour of Fred. The NPC Fred O’Connell Award seeks to shine a light on the excellent partnership work that we know Parent Associations are engaging in across Ireland.
To register to attend please click here
Reminders
Important Safety Reminder re dismounting bicycles, etc.
In the interest of everyone’s safety, all cyclists (adults, students and younger siblings) should dismount from their Bicycles/Scooters at the gates to the school grounds. Please also note that Rollerblades and Heelys are not permitted on school grounds. Cycling is also not permitted on school grounds. We ask that all parents ensure that if their child is cycling to school, they wear a cycling helmet. We would greatly appreciate your support in these matters.
Moving House?
If you are moving house and your child will not be returning to St Patrick’s in the new school year, it is vital that you make contact with the class teacher and the Main Office as soon as possible as it will be necessary for you to complete a Transfer Form. We have a number of children on waiting lists for all classes and we would like to be able to contact these parents as soon as possible.
Contact Details
It is essential that we have the correct address and contact details (e.g. home telephone, parents’ mobile numbers) for your child on our database in order for you to receive your child/children’s school reports, end of year letters, etc or to make contact with you if your child should fall ill during the school day. If any of your details change at any stage throughout the school year, please complete a Change of Address/Contact Details Form, available from the office.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school looks after the bookings and payment requests for Tennis, Badminton, Athletics, Emma Louise Dance Academy and Chess. If your child decides not to rejoin the new blocks of any of the above activities, it is essential that you email info@stpatricksns.ie so that we can remove your child from the list, and offer the place to another child. It will also mean that you will not receive payment requests unnecessarily for the activity.
Child's Pose - 3-hour Yoga Day Camp
Come along and explore yoga asanas (poses), breathing and relaxation through story, song, art and games.
Dates:
Saturday June 10th - 1st & 2nd class
Saturday June 17th - 1st & 2nd class
Saturday June 24th - 3rd & 4th class
Time: 12:30-3:30pm
Place: Fingal Room (community centre)
Cost: €30
Small fruit snack and bottled water will be provided. Places limited to 12 children.
Contact: Sorcha Nolan yogaplaychildspose@gmail.com
(Email only please)
“Yoga Adventures”- yoga classes
There has been a great interest in the yoga classes, therefore I’m introducing an additional day for junior and senior infants, Tuesdays (starting on 06 June): 1:10- 2.05pm (Junior and Senior Infants)
Where: The stage room in St. Patrick’s N.S.
Cost: the fee for a trial class (06 June) is €4.
The trial class will be followed by a three week course (June 13th, 20th, 27th): €17
To book a place or if you have any other queries, please contact Jana, a fully qualified children’s yoga teacher, by email: adventuresyoga@gmail.com or on 086 313 0992.
Badminton, Tennis & Athletics
Badminton, Tennis & Athletics are finished until the new school year.
Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities
St Vincent’s Water Polo
St Vincent’s Water Polo team are looking for new players aged 10-12 years. It's a fast fun game for kids who like the water. Training is once a week at the NAC. Not sure what it's all about? If you can swim a few lengths and are interested then come to the NAC (middle pool) on Sunday May 28th 1-2pm or Sunday 18th June 1-2pm to try it out.
For additional information contact: Ian Hutcheson, Club Chairman – St Vincents WPC
Mob: +353 87 838 99 58 www.stvincentswaterpolo.club