Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 7th March 2018World Book Day Activities
World Book Day took place on Thursday 1st March. All of our pupils received a €1.50 book voucher which can be used to purchase specially published books costing €1.50 in participating book stores. The Book Haven and Easons will have the books in stock. The voucher can also be redeemed against full priced books in stores.
The theme of World Book Day this year is 'Share a Story'. Each child will receive a page of tips for parents about story sharing. In addition to home activities, classes (1st-6th), will take part in reading related competition and there will be a prize for the best effort from each class.
Check out the Irish section on the WBD website for more activities and the list of €1.50 books available.
Confirmation Photograph Consent Forms
If you have not returned your consent form yet, please return the form to the class teacher ASAP/ before Friday 09 March.
Security Notice re access to School Building
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.
NEEDED - Volunteers for Confirmation Reception
We urgently need five more volunteers to help with the confirmation reception on Monday! Even if you can stay until 2pm it would be a great help. Please contact PA Members Adrienne 086 3192656 or Sabine 0872869804 Thanks!
Upcoming Events
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)
10 May – ACCORD -4th Class Girls/5th Classes
12 May – First Holy Communion Ceremonies
15 May – Communion Photographs (TUESDAY)
06-05 June – June Bank Holiday
Upcoming Sporting Events & News
2018 Irish Minor Schools’ Swimming Gala
Congratulations to one of our 6th class students, Remus Onitiu, who recently competed at the National Aquatic Centre in the 2018 Irish Minor Schools Swimming Gala and gave some remarkable performances. He swam personal bests in both of his events - 50m freestyle (33.02) and 50m back crawl: (40.33) It was a wonderful achievement for him to qualify for this national event at which schools from all over the island of Ireland were represented. Well done, Remus!
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.
20 March - Cross Country 3rd – 6th – Porterstown Park 11.00am
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
Reminders
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 speak to the Secretary or leave a message on voicemail. Apologies if the new system has caused any confusion.
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.
Leaving School Early
The teacher should be notified in advance if possible, should a child need to be collected early. Pupils who leave before the end of the school day, must be signed out at Reception by a parent/guardian.
If you need to collect your child during the school day, please do not do so during break times (10.20-10.30am and 12.00-12.30pm) as the children are in the school yard at this time. If an emergency situation arises, please ring the office before break time and we will arrange to have your child at Reception for collection. However, please note Reception is closed from 12.00-12.30pm daily. Your cooperation in this matter would be very much appreciated.
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.
Trocaire Boxes
Trocaire Boxes are available from outside 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.
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.
Athletics
Athletics will be taking place this Thursday.
Badminton
Badminton will be taking place this Friday.
Chess
Chess will be taking place this Friday.
Tennis
PLEASE NOTE: This is your notification that there will be no Tennis classes next Monday 12 March. Please also note that the school is closed on 19 & 26 March and 02 April (St Patrick’s Bank Holiday and Easter Break). Next block of 8 Tennis sessions will therefore commence on 09 April.
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 and that the place can be offered to another child.
Art & Crafts
The next 10 week term of Art & Craft will begin next week, 05 and 09 March. Students can attend classes on Monday or Friday from 2.10pm-3.45pm. Develop skills and foster creativity in a relaxed enjoyable class. For more details, contact Blathnaid directly at 087 4123247.
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