Newsletters Archived

Wednesday 2nd September 2017

We 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, for Junior & Senior Infant classes or on the absence slip in your child’s Homework Journal for 1^st- 6^th Class.

Castleknock Community College – Current 6^th Class

Please note that the closing date for First Year Student Applications for September 2018 is 4PM ON FRIDAY 08 SEPTEMBER.

Information Meetings

We are planning to hold a series of informal meetings at 8.40am with the parents of each class grouping. The Junior Infant & Second Class meetings will take place in the PE Hall. The remaining 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 email the office at info@stpatricksns.ie to make an appointment.

Class	Date	Class	Date
Junior Infants	Thursday 07 September	Sixth Class	Thursday 14 September
Fifth Class	Friday 15 September	Fourth Class	Monday 18 September
Third Class	Tuesday 19 September	Second Class	Friday 22 September
First Class	Thursday 21 September	Senior Infants	Wednesday 20 September

Infant Children (Junior & Senior Infants)

Infant children (Junior & Senior Infants) should not be left unsupervised in the yard in the morning. Parents/Guardians should remain with their child/children until they are handed over to the care of their teacher at 8.30am. Under no circumstances should Infant children be dropped at the school gate to enter school grounds alone.

Head Bumps

It is school policy to inform parents if your child has a head bump of any kind during the school day. If the teacher feels that the child is ok and does not need to be collected, you will receive a text message for your information. If the head bump is deemed to be more serious, you will receive a telephone call from the office asking you to arrange collection of your child.

Choir

Choir will not recommence until later this term. The exact date will be advised via Newsletter.

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 a dangerous and illegal practice. This is unnecessary (also dangerous and illegal) 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 5m of 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

07 September - Extra-Curricular Activities Registration Day (check below for exact times)

07 September – Junior Infant Parent Information Meeting

14 September – Sixth Class Parent Information Meeting

15 September – Fifth Class Parent Information Meeting

18 September – Fourth Class Parent Information Meeting

19 September – Third Class Parent Information Meeting

20 September – Senior Infant Parent Information Meeting

21 September – First Class Parent Information Meeting

22 September – Second Class Parent Information Meeting

Upcoming Sporting Events & News

Selection of children for school events and appropriate parental interaction

Many thanks to all of our parents for your continued support of our school teams. We greatly appreciate your help with supervision, jersey care, side-line encouragement, etc. The school is indebted to our teachers who train and run the teams in a voluntary capacity. The school ethos is to promote ‘Sport for All’. However, some events are competitive and for these, children need to be selected. We always endeavour to be as fair as possible when picking children to represent the school.

It is not appropriate for parents to take issue with teachers regarding the selection process.

While there will always be differing opinions in this regard, it is the prerogative of the management team to make the final decision. We look forward to another great year for St Patrick’s on the sporting field.

Fencing - a sport with a difference
Fencing is a European martial art, that is both physically and mentally challenging, but with a touch of glamour! The sport requires speed, fitness and the ability to out-think your opponent. Consequently fencing also has many other social and behavioural benefits including

Ambition • Self-Control • Self-Confidence and Positive Motivation • Motivation for Success and Task Involvement • Concentration • Imagination and Innovation • Quick Analytical Thinking.

Not to mention it’s an extremely fun sport!!

Free Demonstration Class, courtesy of Fencing Ireland, coming to St Patrick's soon.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Reminders

Contagious Illness

Whilst there is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, we would greatly appreciate if you would

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.

Healthy Lunch Policy

We operate a Healthy Lunch Policy in the school. Fizzy drinks, crisps, popcorn or sweets are not permitted. Please help us maintain the health of our children by following the guidelines which are available to view at www.stpatricksns.ie.

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, lunchboxes, beakers, etc, 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

As our staff numbers have increased, 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

We plan to hold a Registration Day on Thursday 07 September in the P.E. Hall from 11.30am-12.00noon and 1.00-2.30pm. The following are the extra-curricular activities that take place after school and any available contact details we have.

Art & Craft Workshops (Monday & Friday)

Classes take place from 2.10-3.45pm. All enquiries to Blathnaid O’Brien Donovan BEd (Hons) 0874123247.

Athletics

Registration will be on the Registration Day.

Badminton (3^rd – 6^th Class – Priority Given to Oldest) (Fridays)

The first session (2.10-3.05pm) is for beginners/younger age group, the second session (3.05-4.00pm) is for intermediate/advanced/older age group.

Basketball – 3^rd Class (Tuesdays)

More information in future newsletter.

Basketball – 4^th/5^th/6^th Class (Wednesdays)

More information in future newsletter as classes will not commence until end of September.

Chess

Registration will be on the Registration Day.

Futsal/Fundamental Fitness

Please contact Noel McManus directly on 0879830443 or email Fundamentalfitnessireland@gmail.com.

French classes in St. Patrick’s

Children love learning French through flashcards, songs, games and taking part in small 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!

Ring or text M 087 227 9027 Email info@frenchforchildren.ie Web www.frenchforchildren.ie

Sabine - BA Hons & Master’s Degree in Linguistics, Teaching French as a Foreign Language

Irish Dancing (Tuesdays & Thursdays)

Contact Clodagh Walsh at clodaghwdance@gmail.com

Lego Challenge (Friday)

Senior infants - 1.10pm; 1st - 6th class at 2.10pm.

Contact - 0877198128 or email - knowitedu@gmail.com

Musical Theatre, Drama & Singing Classes

For further details please contact Toni Martin at 087 7913714 or email martin.toni1@gmail.com.

Pose Yoga (with Ms Nolan)

For information, please contact yogaplaychildspose@gmail.com.

Piano Lessons

To Register contact Trudy at 0858869477 or email tmmusictuition@gmail.com

Platform Stage School

To register, please contact Liz directly at 0862245113. Website www.platformstageschool.ie.

Spanish for Children (SPNS)

After-school classes - offering 4 age-specific courses for 5 - 12 year olds, in St Patrick’s NS & locally on Tues, Weds & Thurs (between 1.15 PM & 5.30 PM) Sep - May (30 week year) - start back week beginning 11^th Sept. Learn with your child, great study notes supplied! Email me for all info and to enrol your child, ASAP please, classes filling very fast. €50 deposit guarantees place and books & CD for first class back. Full term 1payment, on or before next Thursday 7^th please. Don’t miss out, enrol now! Muchas gracias, Mary M. Galvin.

*** Winner of La Jolie Ronde Regional (Ire & N.Ire.) Licensee of Year Award, 2016 – 2017 ***

BA Mod Hons (TCD), HDip Ed Hons (UCD), MA - Applied Linguistics Hons (TCD).

Fully registered teacher with Teaching Council. M: 087 267 4809 E: marygalvinspanish@gmail.com

Tennis (3^rd – 6^th Class – Priority Given to Oldest) Mondays

The first session (2.10-3.05pm) is for beginners/younger age group, the second session (3.05-4.00pm) is for intermediate/advanced/older age group.

Yoga Adventures – (Wednesdays with Jana Chudikova)

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.

Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities

The Drama Hub (formerly DramaWorks)

The Drama Hub (formerly DramaWorks) Speech & Drama Classes will return to St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown resuming on Saturday 9th September from 1.00pm.

Join us every Saturday for Voice Work, Drama, Poetry, Mime, Confidence Building Exercises, Theatre Games, Movement, Improvisation, Storytelling and lots more!

Classes available for primary school students from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. All classes will be divided according to age groups. Students will be prepared for the Leinster School Speech and Drama Grade Exams and Speech Festivals. For further details contact Clodagh or Dearbhla on 086 373 6056 check out our facebook page @TheDramaHubDublin or Email us hello.thedramahub@gmail.com

Castleknock Celtic – Childrens Football Academy

Registration for ages 4-7 years at the Clubhouse, Porterstown Park Thursday 07 September at 7pm. Learn all the basic skills of playing Soccer, having lots of fun playing football games on Saturday mornings at 10.00am. 15 week term from 09 September. Register online www.castlekockceltic.com – Online Player Membership Registration button. Phone or text 086-8091699.

Classical Ballet Classes
For Students Age 4 – 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.
- Tiny Tots Ballet (Age 4-6 yrs) - 4.15 to 5pm
- Classical Ballet (Age 6+) - 5 to 6pm

- Classical Ballet (Grade 1) - 5.30 to 6.30pm

Classes recommence Monday 11th September. Registrations now online at www.chesterschoolofdance.com Sara Chester A.I.D.T.A 0877923955
Email: chester schoolofdance@gmail.com