Newsletters Archived
Week Ending 2nd September 2011A very special welcome to all our returning students and our new children who started this week.
With the rapid expansion of the school, the reception/office area is extremely busy. The office hours are 08.30am to 2.30pm. It closes for lunch from 12.00-12.30pm daily. It would be much appreciated if telephone calls to the school were made only in emergency situations (after 9.00a.m.).
Contagious Illness
Whilst there is no need to telephone the school if your child is sick, we would greatly appreciate if you would contact us if your child contracts a contagious illness e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, etc. There are children in the school who are at increased risk of contracting these illnesses. Parents should acknowledge their child’s absence from school due to minor illnesses on their return, in writing, in the child’s School Journal.
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. If any of your details have changed over the summer, please complete a Change of Address/Contact Details Form as soon as possible.
Dropping in lunches, bags, homework etc.
It would be greatly appreciated that if you are dropping in any of your child’s forgotten belongings e.g. lunches, bags, homework, etc., that they are clearly marked with your child’s name and their class teacher. 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.
Labelling/Lost Property
The chances of returning lost property are greatly increased if items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Please ensure jumpers, PE sweatshirts, coats, etc are labelled with your child’s name.
Healthy Lunch Policy
We operate a Healthy Lunch Policy in the school. Fizzy drinks, crisps or sweets are not permitted. On Friday, children are allowed one treat, e.g. a bar. Please help us maintain the health of our children by following the guidelines in the School Booklet which is available to view at www.stpatricksns.ie.
Hand Towels
We request that every child brings a small hand towel/facecloth to dry his/her hands after using the WC. This should be kept in a school bag pocket and changed regularly.
Parking
We would ask all parents to please show due consideration to residents when parking in the locality. Please do not obstruct local residents’ driveways.
Staff Car Park
Please 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. during the school day, we would ask that you park in the bus stop area and enter via the Pedestrian Gate. (Please close gates after you leave). Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Reminder re dismounting bicycles, etc
In the interest of everyone’s safety, all cyclists (pupils, parents & siblings) should dismount from their bicycles at the main gates of the school avenue. For safety reasons, we would ask that you do not allow your children to use scooters, rollerblades or Heelys on school grounds.
Temporary PE Timetable
A temporary PE Timetable will be in place for the first few weeks. Children will be informed of their PE times by their class teachers. Children should wear their school tracksuit on these days.
Assistance with Books, etc
If you require assistance with books for your child/children, please email assistance.stpats@gmail.com as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may telephone the office to make an appointment with Mr Clerkin. All requests will be dealt with complete confidentiality.
Lost Property
There is a lot of unclaimed uniform items from the last school year. If your child is missing any item, please call in and take a look.
Extra Curricular Activities
Castleknock Hurling & Football Club (CHFC)
Nursery will recommence this Saturday at 10.00am in Tir na nΣg park.
Art & Craft Workshops
Wide range of art and crafts completed to encourage creativity and develop skills. Classes take place on Mondays at 2.30pm. All ages are catered for. Enrolment will take place on Monday 12th September at 1.10pm and 2.10pm. Contact Blαthnaid O'Brien-Donovan B.Ed(Hons)H.DipEd(Hons) on 087-4123247 for full details.
Musical Theatre, Drama & Singing Classes
Classes will take place each Tuesday from 1.10 pm 2.10 for Junior & Senior infants and 2.10 3.10 pm for First & Second class (other classes to be confirmed after enrolment). Beginners very welcome. Enrolment takes place on Tuesday, 6 & 13 September between 1.00 pm and 2.30 pm in the Diswellstown Community Centre (St. Patrick’s N.S.) Classes commence on 20 September and will cover Musical Theatre & Drama including good vocal technique, acting and beginning musicianship and optional preparation for Musical Theatre exams. Group or individual lessons are also available for Junior & Leaving Certificate music preparation. For further details please contact Toni Martin at 087 7913714 or email martin.toni1@gmail.com
Platform Stage Schools (Liz Brennan)
‘OLIVER’ is Platform Stage Schools end of year show. Classes will re-commence on Thursday 8th September. Classes cover speech work, drama, song and dance.
Junior & Senior infants -1.15 2.00pm; Older classes - 2.15 3.15pm.
Fees for Term of 13 weeks Junior & Senior infants - 100 per term; Older classes - 135 per term (There are two terms). To register, please tel: 8262813 or 086 2245113 Liz Brennan B.A., L.T.C.L. Website: www.platformstageschool.ie
DramaWorks
The new term of DramaWorks (Speech and Drama Classes) will begin on Wednesday 14th September 2011. Classes will take place at the following times: 1.10-2.10pm: Junior & Senior Infants; 2.10-3.10pm: First & Second Class; 3.15-4.15pm:Third & Fourth Class;
4.15-5.15pm: Fifth & Sixth Class. Small Class Sizes Confidence Building - Mime Movement Theatre Games Puppetry Storytelling Creative Drama - Poetry - Speech Work. Enrolment will take place on Tuesday 6th September from 12pm -2.30pm in the Stageroom (Term fee 130). For further details contact Clodagh on ph:086 3736056.
French for Children from 3 years+
Bonjour and welcome back to school! French classes are starting from this Saturday. I have a few places available for classes on Saturdays or Thursdays here at St. Patricks. Tuesday or Wednesday classes (CETNS). 3-5 years class is starting this Saturday. Contact Sabine on 087 227 9027 asap for enrolment and visit www.frenchforchildren.ie Merci!
Spanish for Children (3 - 13 & 14 -18 yr olds)
For information on Spanish Classes in St Patrick’s NS, starting back week beginning 12th September - Pre-School & Primary La Jolie Ronde classes (Sept - May) & Junior & Leaving Cert classes (Oct - May) - please phone 087 267 4809 / 822 7629, Email: marygalvin@upcmail.ie A few places available still (Mons, Tues and Thurs, starting 1.10PM), so please enrol now to avoid disappointment. Classes were a wonderful success last year - felicitaciones to all those who were awarded their Certificates and gracias a todos too, Mary Galvin BA Mod (TCD), HDip Ed (UCD), MA (TCD), Grad Dip Applied Linguistics (TCD)
Stretch-N-Grow
Stage Area, Friday's 1:10pm - 2:10pm (10 weeks). 60 per child. For more information and bookings, please contact Graham at 086 249 5698 sngkidz@gmail.com www.stretch-n-grow.com
Guitar lessons
Learn easy guitar in a warm and friendly fully equipped studio. Group or individual lessons available. This is one the best times to prepare for the Junior and Leaving Cert music curriculum! Special 20% reduction to all the pupils (and parents) of St. Patricks NS on the first 10 lessons. Further details Brian Farrell 086 380 9624 www.brianfarrell.eu info@brianfarrell.eu.
Chester Dance School
Ballet Tap & Hip Hop Classes take place in Diswellstown Community Centre on Mondays from 4.30pm. Registration takes place on Monday 5th Sept @ 4.30pm. Ph 087 7923955
Email: schester@idtaireland.org; Website: www.chesterdanceschool.com