Newsletters Archived

Registration for First Holy Communion & Confirmation
Firstly thank you to parents who returned their registration forms to have their child included on St Mochta's Parish Programme for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Details of the first meeting and Enrolment will be sent out to those registered for the programme shortly. If you have not returned the form for your child to be registered to receive the Sacraments please let your child's teacher know and they will have a copy of the registration form for you. It should be completed and returned as soon as possible. To receive the Sacraments your child must be baptised and you will be required to present their baptismal certificate before the first meeting in October.

Labelling of School Uniform
It is important that all items of your child's school uniform be clearly labelled, particularly cardigans, jumpers and coats. It is impossible for class teachers to establish ownership of jumpers, cardigans and sweatshirts if the child's name is not on them. For your information and convenience, name labels can be purchased from www.mynametags.ie (order forms are available in main reception area of the school).

Breaktimes
For your information and to ensure forgotten lunches arrive in time, the following are the breaktimes for the children.
Junior & Senior Infants
10.20-10.30am Small portable snack taken to yard for eating under supervision
10.30-10.50am Eating time in the classroom
12.00-12.30pm Any remaining food can be taken to yard to be finished under supervision.
First Class upwards
10.20-10.30am Small portable snack taken to yard for eating under supervision
11.45-12.00noon Foods not suitable for outdoor eating can be eaten in the classroom
12.00-12.30pm Any remaining food can be taken to yard to be finished under supervision.

Scooters/Bicycles on School Grounds
We are delighted to see so many children cycling and "scootering" to school. However, two small children were injured in the last two weeks by other children using scooters on school grounds. We are therefore asking that, in the interest of everyone's safety, all cyclists (pupils, parents & siblings) dismount from their bicycles/scooters at the main gates of the school avenue and walk the remaining distance. Please note the use of Bicycles, Scooters, Rollerblades or "Heelys" is not permitted on school grounds.

New/Second Hand Uniforms
New and Secondhand Uniforms are now available in the St Vincent de Paul shop in Blanchardstown. Any unclaimed Lost and Found items will be laundered at the end of each school term and given to St Vincent de Paul.

Eid Mubarak
This week marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan for Muslims around the world. We would like to wish Eid Mubarak to all the children in our school (and their families) who are celebrating Eid this weekend.

Safer Blanchardstown Community Safety Week Events
Sunday 20 September after 11.00 and 12.15 mass in St Thomais church. Young Peoples Access to Alcohol (YPAA) alcohol awareness campaign.
Wednesday 24 September from 7.30pm - 9.00pm - Parent Talk entitled "Growing up under the influence?" This workshop will focus on the impact of alcohol use on children, as well as looking at the factors that influence alcohol use and will provide ideas and tips for talking with young people about drinking.

Extra Curricular Activities
Information on various other local activities can be found on the Parent Information Notice Board.
Badminton Coaching for 3rd - 6th
Due to the large response for Badminton Coaching we regret to inform you that we will only be able to offer places to those children in 4th, 5th and 6th. However, we hope that we can offer places to 3rd class children at a later stage.
Please note that the first lesson will take place on Friday 25th September from 2.10pm -3.10pm and that all equipment will be provided. The cost of the 10-week course is €25.

Tennis Coaching 1st - 3rd
Andrew Fitzpatrick, Tennis Ireland Level 2 Advanced Coach, will begin an 8-week indoor Tennis Coaching Course for 1st - 3rd class children on Tuesday 29th September. The course will continue every Tuesday from 3.15pm - 4.00pm. Andrew uses the International Tennis Federation's "Play and Stay" Programme which emphasizes learning through play. All equipment will be provided. The cost of the full 8-week course is €40.
For those interested, please sign up on the Tennis Sheet (see Parents' Notice Board).

Volleyball/Spikeball Coaching for 3rd - 6th
Learn how to play volleyball/spikeball every Wednesday from 3.15pm - 4.00pm. The first lesson will begin on Wednesday the 30th of September and will continue for 10 weeks. The cost of the full course is €20. If you are interested, please sign the Volleyball Sheet (see Parents' Information Notice Board). Laurent Couet, who coaches Ireland's National Team, will provide the lessons.

Spanish for Children
La Jolie Ronde ‘Spanish through Spanish' Classes for 3+, 5+, 7+ and 9 - 12 year olds.
First Term now starting at St Patrick's CC Diswellstown (SP) & at Bramley Heath (BH)
3+ Tu, W & Th @ 9.20 (BH); 7+ Tu @ 4.00 & 5.00 (StP); 5+ Tu @1.30 (new!) & 2.20 (BH)
9+ Tu @ 4.30 & 5.30 (StP). Also: Weds (2.30-4.30) in Laurel Lodge & Thurs (2.45-4.45) in
CETNS for 5-12 age group. Small, age-specific classes, taught by a fully qualified, experienced
and motivated language teacher. High quality teaching material - tried, tested and fun, with
student book & CD so that learning can continue between classes & at home. For further
details please text/phone Mary on 087 267 4809 / 822 7629 or E-mail marygalvin@upcmail.ie.

FRENCH for children 3-12 years (as seen on Community Voice)
French native teacher is using the excellent La Jolie Ronde methodology (www.lajolieronde.co.uk) with high quality books & CDs to practise between classes. Small classes & affordable term. A few places are left in the pre-school class 3-5 years, as well as 5-7 years & 8-12 years classes so please contact Mrs. Sabine Maher on 087 227 9027 or 01 442 8237 asap. Merci!

Cecilian Theatre Arts & Drama
Cecilian Theatre Arts & Drama Life Skills through Drama for boys and girls age 5 - 17yrs. Established many years in Castleknock, Cecillians cover every aspect of Theatre Arts for the holistic development of the young person, Drama, Music and Choreography. For further information contact Rosalind O'Dowd 086 3346493 or take a leaflet from beside the Parent Information Notice Board.

Art and Craft
Art and Craft workshops will resume for 10 week course on Mondays, commencing Monday 05 October to 21 December from 2.10pm - 3.45pm. There are a limited number of places still available. All enquiries to Blathnaid O'Brien Donovan B.Ed(Hons) H.Dip (Hons) 087 4123247.

Gaelic Football
Training will begin next Wednesday at lunchtime for all 5th and 6th class girls who are interested in playing on the school team. Matches take place each Thursday in Tir na nÓg (beside Castleknock Community College) from 3pm- 4 pm. Everyone is welcome!