Newsletters Archived
November Newsletter 2019The Reception/Administration Office hours are 8.30am to 3.10pm. It would be much appreciated if telephone calls to the school were made only in emergency situations, and ONLY AFTER 9.00AM.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: THE OFFICE CLOSES FOR LUNCH FROM 12.15-12.45PM DAILY.
Parent/Teacher Meetings
Parent/Teacher meetings will take place on Tuesday November 19 and Thursday November 21.
To ensure the smooth running of the Parent Teacher Meetings, we would greatly appreciate your cooperation regarding the following:
- Each meeting is of ten minutes duration. The school bell will ring to advise you that your ten-minute session is over. Please do not remain for longer as this disrupts the schedule for everybody.
- If the previous meeting is still in session at your appointed time, please knock on the door to signal your arrival.
If you can’t attend at your appointed time, please let the class teacher know.
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.
Safety Notice re Dropping Off/Collecting
Please note the following important safety points:
- People may stop momentarily adjacent to the Bus parking area to drop off/collect their children.
- Please move as far up as possible on that stretch (to the gate past the pedestrian entrance) so that six or seven cars can drop off/collect at the same time. Please follow the instructions of the caretaker on duty.
- For their safety, children should be dropped off /collected only on the school side of the road.
- Please do not stop on the main roundabout.
- Please also note that parents are not permitted to park in the Staff Car Park when dropping or collecting children. If you are returning to the school to drop off forgotten lunches, schoolbags, etc., we would ask that you park in the bus stop area and enter via the Pedestrian Gate. (Please close gates after you leave)
School Duel Quiz
After a smashing victory against Scoil Bhride Boys in the first round of the School Dual Quiz hosted
by Phoenix FM, we came up against Scoil Gráinne in the quarter finals. It was a close contest which
went to a tiebreaker for the first time in three years and unfortunately the other school were just a
little bit quicker in answering the question. We enjoyed competing against other schools and look
forward to the next one. Jack, Ferdia, Lucy and Ailbhe.
Monster Mash!!
Many thanks to all the parents, teachers and students for participating in the Monster Mash dance. It was a great success and there was a total of €1,200 raised for Temple Street. Thanks for your help and support.
Intel Mini Scientist Fair 2019
On Thursday 24th Oct, 5th class participated in the Intel Mini Scientist competition in our PE Hall. We had to present our projects to three judges who came from Intel. There was a wide variety of great topics. The winning project was by Alyssa, Aisling, Jasmine and Emma. It was about the environment and showed how pollution affects the ocean. It was an incredible experience and we learned something new. – Ally & Lucy. Mr. King’s class
We had a great time at the Intel Science Fair. Our groups got great comments and we enjoyed showing and explaining how our project worked. Altogether, it was a fantastic and fun day. - Kate D. Kate H. Mr Maloney’s class
We loved taking part in the Intel Science Fair 2019 because we got to go to each other’s houses to make the poster, write the book and do lots of experimenting. We got lovely prizes from Intel. Cian & Jasmine Mr. Mc Laughlin’s class
Science Week 2019
Science Week 2019 takes place from 10th-17th November and the theme this year is focussing on climate change. Please check out www.sfi.ie for details of the events around the Dublin area.
Swimming Lessons
The 3rd classes went to Swimming lessons in Coolmine before the midterm.
Ms Mc Tague's class gave their feedback. I thought it was really good and I really enjoyed it.-.I enjoyed it because I knew everyone else there.-I enjoyed it because we went from school. -Everybody was improving.-It was great for people who didn't know how to swim. -The last day was really fun because we did races.-It was fun to go with everybody on the bus. It was really good exercise during school hours..-It was a great way to get active!
Upcoming Events
10-17 November – Science Week
19 & 21 November – Parent/Teacher Meetings
23 December to 03 January inclusive – Christmas Break
17-21 February inclusive – Mid Term Break
16-17 March – St Patrick’s Day Break
06 – 17 April inclusive – Easter Break
04 May – May Bank Holiday
09 May – First Holy Communion Ceremonies
01 June – June Bank Holiday
30 June – School Closes for Summer Break
Upcoming Sporting Events & News
Cross Country
Well done to all of the boys and girls who have taken part in two race meetings in Porterstown this year. There are 2 more meetings in this academic year. The next one will be in Porterstown Park on March 3rd 2020 and the final one will be in Morton Stadium on March 31st 2020.
We need parents of the children to accompany us to the events. In order for this to be possible, we need the parents to be Garda Vetted. The vetting process takes a few weeks so I would ask if any of you could please start the vetting process now, you could be included in the Helping Hands group in time for the upcoming events.
How do I get involved?
All Parent Helping Hands need to be Garda Vetted through the school. You need to bring in proof of address and a photo ID (Passport/Drivers licence) to the school and fill in an Application Form at the office. We send the information to the Patron’s Office. They will then email you an e-form which you must return ASAP otherwise the form may expire and you will need to begin the process all over again. When the ‘Vetting’ comes through, you will be informed by the Patron’s Office and the Declaration will also be sent to the school.
Reminders
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.
Extra Curricular Activities
French After School Club (3rd to 6th Class only)
Bonjour!! French club will commence on Tuesday, November 26th from 2.15 p.m - 3.15 p.m. for ten weeks. The class is aimed at introducing children to the French language and culture in an enthusiastic and engaging environment. It will also give students a taste of what secondary school French is like. For further details please contact Rebekah Lenihan (current 3rd class teacher at St Patrick’s NS) on 0879080644 or rebekahlenihan1@gmail.com
Guitar Lessons
Guitar lessons with Mr Heneghan will begin for new students after Christmas. The new term for the current students will begin this week and on the same days. There are some spaces in the Tuesday and Wednesday classes for anyone who hass taken part in previous terms. Please contact Mr Heneghan with any questions.
Yoga Adventures with Jana
There are a few places available in the Monday yoga class, 2.10pm-3.10pm (senior infants
up to 2nd class). Trial class can be offered too.
Please contact Jana, a fully qualified children’s yoga teacher, by email:
adventuresyoga@gmail.com or on 0863130992 www.facebook.com/Yoga-
Adventures-with-Children-292011281590131
Art & Craft
A new term of art and craft will begin in early December. We will be completing festive workshops, learning a variety of skills in a fun filled environment.
The term will run for 10 weeks. Classes on Monday or Friday 2.10-3.45pm.
All details contact Blathnaid O'Brien Donovan
087 4123247
Spanish Classes
There are some places available in after-school Spanish classes in St Patrick’s NS. Great classes - Great notes - Great results!
Books & Audio Apps/CDs supplied. Beginners welcome in all classes below (bar Wednesdays @ 16.00):
Mondays: a) 13.15 - 14.00 Las Aventuras (JI & SI) and b) 14.15 - 15.00 Hola (1st & 2nd Class)
Wednesdays: a) 15.15 - 16.00 Buenos Días España (3rd - 6th Class) and b) 16.00 - 17.00 Mi Viaje (5th & 6th Class, Non-beginners)
Term 1: 6 classes (Mons) or 5 classes (Weds) left this term. Term 2 (Jan. - May) - 16 weeks (Mons) /17 weeks (Weds).
Please Email me for more information. Many thanks, Mary (Spanish for Children)
E: marygalvinspanish@gmail.com M: 087 267 4809
TEFL, BA Mod Hons (TCD), H Dip Ed Hons (UCD), MA (TCD), Grad Dip Hons, Applied Linguistics (TCD).
Fully registered Second & Third level teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
e2 Young Engineers Lego Challenge
New Term of (10 weeks) starting from 29th November
Times - 1:10 pm Senior Infants 2:10 pm 1st to 5th class
Age: 5 to 11 years
Note: Children in Term1 gets first preference
Contact: knowitedu@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS special LEGO Santa Sleigh Workshop : 20th Dec (after school)
Times: 11:30pm to 1pm (1.30 hour workshop)
1:30pm to 3:00pm (1.30 hour workshop)
Fee - €20 with a little Lego present to bring home..
Age: 7 to 11 years (from 1st class to 5th class ONLY) Limited numbers Strictly first come first basis through email.
Contact: knowitedu@gmail.com
All other extra curricular activities are listed on our website.
Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre Activities 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