Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 16th January 2018Most of your queries can be answered by accessing our school website 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.
Influenza (flu) Information for Parents
Attached please find information received from the HSE in relation to seasonal influenza. It is laid out as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please take a few minutes to read through the document.
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.
Absences due to illness
Whilst there is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, we would greatly appreciate if you would contact us if your child contracts a contagious illness e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, etc. There are children in the school who are at increased risk of contracting these illnesses. Parents must acknowledge their child’s absence from school, in writing, at the back of the child’s School Journal (Education Welfare Act). Parents of Infant children should speak to the teacher at the class line on the morning of their return.
Upcoming Events
16/18 January – Faith Friends commences for Confirmation Candidates
01-02 February – Junior Infant Vaccinations Note change of date
03 February – Choir at Peace Proms
06 February – ACCORD Parent Talk 7.30pm
12–16 February – Mid Term Break
19 February – First Penance & Reconciliation 7pm St Mochta’s Church
26 February – Confirmation Retreat (during school day)
26 February - Confirmation Service of Light 7pm St Mochta’s Church
12 March – Confirmation Ceremony
13 March – Confirmation Photographs
19 March – St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday
26 March to 08 April (inclusive) – Easter Break
16 April – 3rd Parent Communion Meeting 8pm
07-08 May – May Bank Holiday
12 May – First Holy Communion Ceremony
15 May – Communion Photographs (TUESDAY)
06-05 June – June Bank Holiday
Reminders
Getting to School Safely
Attached please find a leaflet, received from the Road Safety Unit of Fingal County Council, outlining a number of road safety tips on getting to and from school safely, for both children and parents.
Procedure for entering the school each morning
The school bell rings at 08.30am. Children walk to their lines.
Please note, 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.
- Only children who arrive after 08.50am should 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.
Access to Classrooms After Hours
With the exception of those attending Extra-Curricular Activities, children are not permitted to re-enter the classroom after 2.10pm. This is to prevent loss or damage to school property. If in an absolute emergency (forgotten books, copies and general belongings does not generally constitute an emergency!) a child needs to gain access to his/her classroom outside school hours, he/she should come to Reception.
Extra-Curricular Activities
If your child takes part in a number of Extra-Curricular activities, it might be useful to write the activities into his/her school journal on the appropriate days. This will help him/her remember the activity and, if there is any confusion, the teacher can help by checking the journal.
Information regarding extra-curricular activities can be found on the website www.stpatricksns.ie through the Extra Curricular Activities tab and under archived Newsletters.
Art & Crafts
Monday sessions recommenced on Monday 08 January. Friday sessions recommenced on Friday 12 January.
Athletics
Athletics recommenced on Thursday 11 January for an 8 week session.
Badminton
Badminton will recommence on Friday 19 January for the remainder of the current 8 week session.
Basketball (3rd Class)
Basketball for 3rd Class recommenced on Tuesday 09 January.
Chess
Chess will recommence on Friday 19 January for a new 10 week session.
Choir
Choir recommenced on Friday 12 January.
E2 Young Engineers Ireland (Lego Challenge)
Lego Challenge recommenced on Friday 12 January.
Futsal
Futsal recommenced on Tuesday 09 January. All queries should be directed to Noel McManus at fundamentalfitnessireland.com.
Table-Tennis Club After-School Activity (3rd - 6th Boys & Girls)
Tibor Pofok will resume his after-school table-tennis activity on Wednesday 17th January. The club is open to 3rd - 6th boys and girls and takes place in the hall. The course will run for 8-weeks at a cost of €25 in total. Amazing value! There are a small number of places still available. Please email info@stpatricksns.ie if you would like to register, putting “Table Tennis” in the subject line. Please also include your child’s name and class in the body of the email. Payment should be made through Aladdin in the usual way.
Tennis
Tennis recommenced on Monday 15 January. PLEASE NOTE – This is your advance notification that there will be NO TENNIS on MONDAY 22 JANUARY.
Yoga adventures with Jana
The new term (10 classes) started on Wednesday, 10 th January, 2018
Two age groups on Wednesdays: Class 1: 1:10- 2.05pm (Junior and Senior Infants)
Class 2: 2:10- 3:10pm (1st class to 3rd class)- the class is full.
One last place available in the infants’ class! Trial class is €5. If interested or any other enquiries, please contact me asap at 086 313 0992 or email adventuresyoga@gmail.com
Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities
Porterstown ParkRun
What is it? - A Free Weekly 5km Timed Run. When is it? - Every Saturday at 9:30am
What does it cost? - Nothing - it's free! But please register before your 1st run.
Do I need to be a Runner? - ParkRun is for ALL abilities (walk, jog or run)
This is a free community event so please lend your support.
Website: www.parkrun.ie/porterstown
Email: porterstownoffice@parkrun.com
Touch Type, Read and Spell
Many students have completed this wonderful course recently with many more due to receive their Certificate of Completion before the end of this term. As a result there are now places available. For details of how this course can benefit your child and for details of a FREE TRIAL, please contact Carol Pitcher - castleknockttrs@gmail.com - 087 2868910. Details of locations/class times:
MONDAY - St. Brigid's NS, Castleknock: 2.40-3.40 pm and 3.45-4.45 pm
TUESDAY - Luttrellstown Community College 3.10-4.10 pm and 4.20-5.20pm
WEDNESDAY - Castleknock Community College 2.50-3.50 pm and 3.55-4.55 pm
THURSDAY - St. Francis Xavier Senior 2.45-3.45 pm
School (beside Tesco Roselawn)
Ron’s Swim-Fast Academy (Private Swimming Lessons)
Lessons take place at Dublin Airport Pool. January start – Enrolling now.
€15 per lesson – Max 4 pupils – Beginners/Improvers
Teacher in water - Weekdays 5pm or Saturday/Sunday from 1.30pm. Limited Places.
Please contact Ron Boyle (Former National Aquatic Centre Teacher) at 085 7622247 for all enquiries.
Courageous Kids
Courageous Kids will be running their Shine Like a Star programme at Castleknock Community Centre for 8-11 yr olds beginning on Wednesday 31st Jan 4-5pm. This 8 week programme builds your child's self-esteem and cultivates the trait of kindness within themselves and others. Strategies include interactive games, kindness challenges, laughter yoga, stand-up comedy, group presentations and more. To book or for more info visit www.courageouskids.ie
Courageous Kids will be running their junior programme for children aged 6-7yrs at the Castleknock Community Centre on Wednesday 31st Jan 3-4pm. The aim of this programme is to build the courage and confidence of young children through games, courage challenges, powerposing, junior goal setting and lots more! To book or for more info visit www.courageouskids.ie