Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 7th February 2018Mid-Term Break
The school will close at the normal time on Friday 09 February for Mid-Term Break (1.10pm for Junior & Senior Infants, 2.10pm for all other classes). It will reopen on Monday 19 February at 8.30am.
There will be no school choir on Friday 09 February.
Dublin Peace Proms
Well done to all the children in choir who performed in the RDS Dublin Peace Proms. They performed brilliantly and enjoyed a great evening. All their hard work really paid off. Well done on such a super concert and thank you for your wonderful behaviour.
Mrs. Corcoran.
“On the third of February over 80 of the school's pupils and a few teachers went to the Dublin Peace Proms in the RDS. 2,500 children sang there. There was also a teen orchestra and a few soloists. It started at 8pm and ended at 10:45pm. We sang 7 songs. It was a really good experience for all of us.”
Sarah Plunkett, Sofia Baskin, Niamh Brohoon, Daniella Bensaadi and Orla Noone.
Choir
Please note that there will be NO CHOIR on Friday 23 February and Friday 02 March as all staff are attending Child Protection Training.
Child Protection Training for Teachers
New Child Protection Guidelines were enacted on December 11 2017. Under the revised law, schools and other agencies that work with children are obliged to update procedures and to provide training for staff. This has to be completed by March 11 2018. In order to assist schools with this significant body of work, the Minister for Education & Skills has made provision for all schools to take two half days to facilitate whole staff training.
Requests have been made to the Department to combine these two half days as one full day, but so far these requests have been declined. The Board of Management has therefore sanctioned two half days, 23 February and 02 March. Children will go home at 11.30am on both days.
It is essential that all children are collected promptly at 11.30am as teachers, SNAs and Administration staffs are required to attend the Child Protection training course.
We appreciate that this is inconvenient for parents but is completely outside of our control.
ACCORD Relationship Programme for Primary Schools
There was a very good turnout at last night’s ACCORD Parent Talk. We think you will agree the facilitator gave a very good overview of the content of the programme for each of the groups. Thank you to everyone who attended.
The ACCORD Relationship Programme will be taking place on Wednesday 28 February (4th class Girls only/all 5th Class) and Monday 19 February (all 6thClass). Consent Forms were emailed to all parents and should be returned directly to the CLASS TEACHERS ASAP. 6th Class Consent forms must be returned by this Friday 09 February. 4th Girls and all 5th Class Consent Forms must be returned by Friday 23 February.
Please note: A Consent Form must be returned for all students to advise us whether you are or are not giving Consent for your child/children to attend.
Upcoming Events
12–16 February – Mid Term Break
19 February – ACCORD Talk for 6th Class (during school hours)
19 February – First Penance & Reconciliation 7pm St Mochta’s Church
23 February – Child Protection Training. Children finish at 11.30am
26 February – Confirmation Retreat (during school day)
26 February - Confirmation Service of Light 7pm St Mochta’s Church
27 February – Cross Country Meeting - Porterstown
28 February – ACCORD Talk for 5th Class/4th Class (girls only) (during school hours)
02 March - Child Protection Training. Children finish at 11.30am
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
09 May – Teacher In-Service Day (School closed to students)
12 May – First Holy Communion Ceremony
15 May – Communion Photographs (TUESDAY)
06-05 June – June Bank Holiday
Reminders
Punctuality
It is imperative that all children are punctual in the morning. The 20 minutes between 08.30am and 08.50am are a very important time in the school day. This is when the younger children have activity time or structured play. It is a time when teachers get to correct homework or hear children’s reading.
School Insurance
The School Insurance company is Allianz and your child is covered under a 24/7 Pupil Insurance Policy. For more information, see www.allianz.ie/otherproducts/schools.
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.
Any changes/cancellations known in advance will be notified on the weekly Newsletter.
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
Classes will go ahead as normal this Friday 09 February. Please note that classes will commence at 11.30am on Friday 23 February and Friday 02 March.
Athletics
There will be no Athletics tomorrow Thursday 22 February.
Badminton
Last Friday was the last session in the current 8 week block. The next 8 week block will commence after Mid-Term Break, on Friday 23 February. Classes on 23 February and 02 March will take place at 11.30am and 12.30pm.
If your child no longer wishes to take part, please email info@stpatricksns.ie so that he/she can be removed from the payment request list.
Lego Challenge
Lego Challenge will go ahead as normal this Friday 09 February. The 1st to 6th Class session will go ahead at 11.30am to 12.45pm on Friday 23 February and 02 March. The Senior Infants Lego challenge will continue for two extra weeks at the end of this block of sessions. Therefore there will be no Lego Challenge for Senior Infants on Friday 23 February and Friday 02 March.
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
Porterstown Parkrun Couch to 5k
Porterstown parkrun in conjunction have organised a free Couch to 5K training programmer. We meet outside the Carpenter Pub every Tues & Thurs @ 7pm. Training takes place in Tir Na Nog, rain, hail or snow. Free to all and a great motivator if you don't feel like going out in the dark evenings by yourself. It is a very gradual build up over 6 weeks. There is also a 2nd group of 5km to 10Km runners happening at the same time for anyone that wants to do a bit more! More on www.parkrun.ie/Porterstownparkrun
Castleknock Celtic Football Academy:
CASTLEKNOCK CELTIC’s Children’s Football Academy for BOYS & GIRLS of 4-7 years of age will start again this weekend, at 10am Saturday, 10th February in Porterstown Park. Register on Tuesday, 6th Feb 6-8pm in Clubhouse, Porterstown Park. Learn all the basics in a fun-filled atmosphere. Visit website www.castleknockceltic.com. or text 083-4111721 if you need further information. New Members Welcome.
Fingal Youth Orchestra
Fingal Youth Orchestra are currently seeking players (8-19 yrs) in all instruments, especially Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Brass, Oboe & Bassoon. Rehearsals take place every Sunday at 9.15am in St Francis Xavier. For more information, see www.fingalyouthorchestra.ie.