Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 21st February 2018Child Protection Training for Teachers
It is essential that all children are collected promptly at 11.30am on Friday 23 February and Friday 02 March as teachers, SNAs and Administration staff are required to attend the Child Protection training course.
New Telephone System
We have a new telephone system in the office. It is necessary for you to listen to the full greeting before you can leave a message on voicemail. Apologies if the new system has caused any confusion.
Security Notice re access to School Building
At Friday’s staff training, we will be reviewing our procedures for entering and exiting the building so that we are fully compliant with the new Child Protection guidelines. Further information will follow.
Trocaire Boxes
Trocaire Boxes are available from outside Reception.
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.
ACCORD Relationship Programme for Primary Schools
The remaining ACCORD Relationship Programme session will take place on Wednesday 28 February (4th class GIRLS ONLY/all 5th Class) . Consent Forms were emailed to all parents and should be returned directly to the CLASS TEACHERS ASAP but no later 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.
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.
Outstanding Re-Registration Fees for 2017/2018 School Year
The Re-Registration process commences every April. Parents have the option to make their payment online on return of their Re-Registration Form, to defer payment to September or during the school year in question, or by instalments.
There are a number of payments for this school year still outstanding. We ask that this year’s payment is made before we seek Re-Registrations for 2018/2019. If you have any outstanding payment(s), you will receive an email request later this week.
If you wish to pay by instalments, please email assistance@stpatricksns.ie and this can be arranged.
Upcoming Events
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 (TUESDAY)
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 Ceremonies
15 May – Communion Photographs (TUESDAY)
06-05 June – June Bank Holiday
Upcoming Sporting Events & News
Schools Athletics Team
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 – not only athletic ability … team spirit, reliability, good sportsmanship are all equally important. “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) on Monday 21st May (if participating in the Field Events) and/or Tuesday 29th May (if participating in the Sprints and Relays).
PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE FOR DATES OF TRIALS TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD DOES NOT MISS OUT.
27 February – Cross Country 3rd – 6th – Porterstown Park 11.00am
20 March - Cross Country 3rd – 6th – Porterstown Park
10 April – Cross Country 3rd-6th Morton Stadium Santry
21 May – Athletics Championships Field Events 3rd – 6th Morton Stadium Santry
29 May – Athletics Championships Track Events 3rd – 6th Morton Stadium Santry
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.
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
Please note that classes will commence at 11.30am on Friday 23 February and Friday 02 March.
Badminton
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.
Chess
Please note that there will be no Chess classes this Friday 23 February and next Friday 02 March.
If your child no longer wishes to take part in Badminton, Tennis, Athletics, Table Tennis or Chess, please email info@stpatricksns.ie so that he/she can be removed from the payment request list.
Lego Challenge
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
Fundamental & Fitality Fitness Easter Camp
03-06 April from 9.20am to 2.30pm in Mountsackville N.S. (Scoil Mhuire, Chapelizod)
Suitable for 6 – 12 years old. €65 for full camp or €20 per day/child. Early bird price €55 until 28 February. Contact Noel at 0879830443/fundamentalfitnessireland.gmail.com or Gabriella at 0877372895/gabriella@fitalityfitness.ie.
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