Newsletters Archived
Wednesday 8th November 2017Nutrition Presentation
Today we were delighted to welcome a local nutritionist Ms. Sohini Day to our school. As part of National Nutritional Therapy week, she offered her services free of charge to our third class pupils. She talked about how a healthy lifestyle can benefit children's learning and wellbeing. She brought along some healthy fruit and vegetables for the children to try. The pupils and teachers really enjoyed her visit.
Sohini is also running some free consultations at Lloyd's Pharmacy, Carpenterstown tomorrow (Thursday 9th Nov). For further information, please contact her on 087 9945928 or make enquiries online: sohini@windofchange.ie
Celtic Travelling Book Fair
The Book Fair will be in the school from Wednesday 15 November to Tuesday 21 November. Feel free to call in at dropping off (08.40am-9.10am) and collection times (1.00pm – 2.30pm) to browse through the selection available. This is a great opportunity to get started on your Christmas shopping! The more books you buy, the more books the school will receive to help restock the school library. Leaflets will be distributed to all children.
From previous years’ experience, may we please ask that you Enter only via the Main Entrance and Exit only via the Blanchardstown Door? This will ensure a smooth flow of people through the Book Fair area which is quite tight.
HSE Junior Infants Vaccination Programme 2017/2018 – Extract from HSE Letter to Principal
“The Vaccination Team will visit your school on Monday 20 November and Tuesday 21 November to administer the Junior Infants Vaccination Programme for the school year 2016/17. There is no requirement for parents to attend the school on the day of vaccination. If a parent anticipates that their son or daughter will be distressed at the prospect of receiving a vaccination, it would be helpful if the parent attended so that they could reassure their child. The Vaccination Team has found that the majority of children in Junior Infants Classes receive the vaccinations with very few problems.”
Please note: The school merely facilitate the provision of a room/rooms to the HSE Vaccination Team.
Any queries you may have re the administration of Vaccinations should be directed to the Immunisation Department of the HSE. More details, including translations of the “4-in-1 and MMR” documentation, are available at this link. http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/schoolprog/4in1mmr/4in1mmr.html
Letters of Attendance
We would ask that if you require Letters of Attendance for Child Benefit/Travel/Visa purposes for your child/children, that you give the office as much advance notice as possible. Please email your request to info@stpatricksns.ie stating the purpose of the letter. If it is for travel/visa request purposes, please advise date of travel so that the letter can be dated within a week of travel.
Homework Club (Monday to Thursday 2.10-3.10pm)
There are a number of slots available in the Homework Club (3rd to 6th Class children). Please email info@stpatricksns.ie putting “Homework Club” in the subject line and your child’s name and teacher in the body of the email. The teachers involved will reply to you and send a booking form.
Upcoming Events
14-22 November – Celtic Travelling Book Fair (see above)
20-21 November – Junior Infant Vaccinations
21 & 23 November – Parent/Teacher Meetings (more information closer to dates)
4 & 5 December – Rescheduled Internet Safety Workshops 5th & 6th Classes
5 December – Rescheduled Parents internet safety workshop
23 December to 07 January (inclusive) – Christmas Break
12 – 16 February – Mid Term Break
19 March – St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday
26 March to 08 April (inclusive) – Easter Break
07-08 May – May Bank Holiday
06-05 June – June Bank Holiday
Upcoming Sporting Events & News
Croke Park Matches
Boys Match
The Wednesday before the mid-term break St Patrick’s N.S boys GAA team were playing against Bishop Galvin N.S. Templeogue in Croke Park. We all tried our very best but we lost by a point in an unfortunate manner. Even though we lost it was amazing to play in Croke Park. We couldn’t believe how many pupils, teachers, parents and even siblings came to support us. We are so grateful to everyone involved, especially Mr. Thynne and Mr. Heneghan. Even though we lost and were very upset, it was nice Bishop Galvin N.S. won as they had not had a victory in Croke Park for nine years. They were a very good team with some super players and great supporters who never stopped cheering their team on. It was great to see lots of teams trying their very best to represent their schools. It was a once in a lifetime experience for many of us and everyone loved it. (By Ben O’Neill and Cillian Murphy – Ms. O’Reilly’s Sixth Class)
Girls Match
Two weeks ago the girls football team played an exciting match in Croke Park against Our lady of good counsel, Johnstown school. Sadly we lost, but we put in our best efforts and the final score was 3-6 to 2-2. Just because we lost this time doesn’t mean it is the end, we still have camogie to come in Summer time. There wasn’t a single player who wasn’t putting in 100%, we were always working as a team. Our school, parents, Mr. Mac Conámha and Ms. Dowling gave us great encouragement. We will never forget the great experience in Croke Park. (By Orlaith Lally and Gara Williams- 6th Class)
Fencing Ireland
Following on from our recent free taster fencing sessions for 3rd class, Fencing Ireland are hosting a further free taster event this weekend on Saturday 11th November at the National Sports Campus at 11.00am, 11.30am and 2.30 pm for children of all ages. Details of it are below:
This year to celebrate the Irish Open, we are holding a limited number of free taster sessions! These taster sessions are open to everyone who is 6 and older and will be given by some of Ireland's most experienced fencing coaches. No club membership is required for this session, no sign up, no previous experience, just come and give it a go! We'll teach you everything you need to know to get started from which way up to hold the sword (or epee to be precise), all the way to getting you into your first fight! Sessions will be half an hour each and coaches will be on hand to answer parents' questions. Booking essential as places are limited.
If you are interested in this event, please register online at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/free-fencing-taster-tickets-39448587788
Attached to this Newsletter please find a flyer with details. Fencing Ireland would really appreciate if some students could participate in the event as it is so close by. If you have any questions about this please contact Sheena Carroll, Fencing Ireland who is more than happy to answer them.
Parents Association News
St. Patricks NS Parents Association's Facebook page is now live at www.facebook.com/schoolPA . Please follow our page to keep up to date on our activities and events.
Christmas Fair
Collection Dates and Times
Collections for the Christmas fair begin this week on Thursday 9th in the morning at school drop off and in the evening at 19:30-20:30 in the school foyer.
They will then be every Tuesday and Thursday at school drop off time and in the evening 19.30-20.30 until the fair. All donations accepted toys must be clean and in good working order (no baby toys please) books, dvd's, bric-a-brac, crafts, bottles for our bottle stall. Thanking you in advance as we wouldn't be able to run the fair without them.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is a vital part of our fair so if you or your company are willing to donate to the fair, we would greatly appreciate it. Please contact Adrienne (086) 3192656.
Volunteers
For all parents who have previously got involved and those who wish to come on board, we will be hosting a volunteer night in the small back room on the 8th of December at 7.30pm in the school Community Centre for one hour. We would love to see you there.
If you can't make it and still want to get involved, please contact Oonagh on (086) 3231722.
NPC Special Education Conference 2017
For those of you who haven’t registered yet for the NPC Special Education Conference for parents of children with special educational needs, there is still time, please see this link for further information NPC Special Education Conference 2017.
To register for same please click here http://www.npc.ie/register_special_education_conference_2017.aspx
Saturday 11th November 2017
10.30am – 4pm
The Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8 (on the LUAS redline, near Heuston Station/Collin’s Barracks)
Reminders
Internet Safety Workshops
Internet Safety Workshops for children in 5th and 6th classes will now take place on December 4th and 5th. A workshop for parents will follow on December 5th at 7.30pm. More information to follow.
Mobile Phone Policy
The Board of Management of St. Patrick’s NS does not allow pupils to have mobile phones at school (in the building, on the school grounds or during off-site activities such as tours/sports events/visits to the church etc.). Our revised Mobile Phone Policy is attached to this email and is also available to view on our website, www.stpatricksns.ie.
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.
Information regarding extra-curricular activities can be found on the website www.stpatricksns.ie under archive newsletters.
Child's Pose Yoga
Ms Nolan is running a four week term, beginning Tuesday Nov. 14th, at a cost of €30.
Days: Tuesdays - 1st class and upwards
Wednesdays - 3rd class and upwards (with Ms. Donnellan)
Time: 2:10 - 3:15pm
Place: Green Room 2
Contact: yogaplaychildspose@gmail.com. If interested, please get in touch!
Diswellstown Community & Recreation Centre and Local Community Activities
St Mochta’s Parish Bethany Bereavement Support Group
“Grieving the Death of a Loved One by Suicide” on Thursday 16 Noveber at 8pm in St Mochta’s Pastoral Centre (behind the Church). Everyone welcome, no charge. Email bethanybereavementgroup@stmochtasparish.ie or contact the Parish Office (01 8213218) for more information.
Songs for a Winter’s Evening “A Christmas Celebration”
With Mary Flynn, Mary O’Donnell, Teresa O’Donnell and friends. Sunday 3rd December in St Mochta’s Church, Porterstown at 7.30pm sharp. Tickets €25. All proceeds in aid of St Francis Blanchardstown. Tickets available from Parish Office, phone 01 8213218, Mary at 087 2585398 or Mícheál at 087 2449908 and from St Francis Hospice Blanchardstown Reception.
The Drama Hub (formerly DramaWorks)
The Drama Hub (formerly DramaWorks) Speech & Drama Classes at St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown will begin its second term resuming on Saturday 11th November from 1.00pm for Junior to Senior Infants; 2pm for First Class upwards.
Join us every Saturday for Voice Work, Drama, Poetry, Mime, Confidence Building Exercises, Theatre Games, Movement, Improvisation, Storytelling and lots more!
Students will be prepared for our Poetry Festival on December 16th and the Leinster School Speech and Drama Grade Exams in March. Limited places available.
For further details contact Clodagh or Dearbhla on 086 373 6056 check out our facebook page @TheDramaHubDublin or Email us hello.thedramahub@gmail.com