St Patrick's National School Dalkey

Click to View our Video

News

PTA News Letter - May 2010

PTA News (May 2010):

We have been busy this year with a particularly busy Summer term in full flow. Thank you parents, teachers, and pupils for supporting these events and thanks to the many volunteers who made them possible!

XMAS DVD – ON SALE NOW

The Christmas 2009 DVD is now available for sale. It is truly amazing and well worth the wait as it brings back all the memories of the outstanding Variety Show we had last year as well as the very beautiful and moving Xmas Factor Nativity Play. A lot of work has gone into this DVD and it is an outstanding keepsake thanks to the fabulous performances and to John Fahy for organising this. ON SALE NOW – 10 euro for double dvd.

CAKE SALE:

Thank you to everyone who baked, spent money or helped in any way and contributed to make this event a great success. We raised 813euro for charity. In particular, thanks to Roisin Mockler, Dara Mc Clatchie, Beryl Alvey, Gail Mahon and Naomi Varian with her numerous helpers in the kitchen. Thanks also to Tiggy Hudson for judging the Design a Cupcake art competition..

PUB QUIZ:

Thank you to everyone who supported the Pub Quiz this year. Thank you to our Quiz Master Darina Loakman, Eddie Loakman, Luke O’ Neill, Erica Mc Donagh, Kathleen Mc Donald and Paul Kelly on the night. Congratulations to the winners. A great night was had by all and we raised 897 euro.

Thank you to our sponsors The Ivory Pub, The Ramada Hotel and Suites Lough Allen, Lough Allen Adventure Centre, Euro Spar Dalkey, On the Grapevine, Benito’s, Cavistons, Finnegans Pub and Crisp Dry Cleaners. We were also supported by Vandra Costello,Van Morrison and Maeve Binchy. Thank you to the parents who organised these prizes.

ST PATRICK’S DAY MOMENTS – Thank you to Tara Murphy for organising this event.

SCIENCE HOUR: Congratulations to Miss Galbraith and her class with help from Margaret Worrell for this event.

THE BIG BREAKFAST:

Thanks to Lene Curran and Julie O’Driscoll for taking the lead on this item. Thanks to all the helpers that turned out to help both on the day and the evening before. A special thank you to Tommy & Ann Rath (Miss Rath’s Parents) who together with their assistant Gwen O’ Driscoll made well over 180 pancakes. Thank you all the children that helped and in particular to the fifth and 6^th class helpers who moved a lot of tables and chairs. Thank you to all our sponsors which included Select Stores for fruit, Superquinn for bread, The Nest Box Co for eggs, Cuisine de France, Tesco, Nestle, Kellogs, Glanbia, Denny, M&S, Innocent Smoothies. Thanks to Kathleen Mc Donald for organising the raffle for the children. It was a great morning altogether, enjoyed by everyone and we raised 1545 euro for Haiti.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

Summer Tennis: This starts Friday May 7^th and runs for 4 Fridays in May. Thanks to Maryann Neel for administrating this item and saving our parents 8 euro per child in costs.

Tag Rugby: This class has proved a great success. We look forward to it continuing next year.

Extra Curricular Supervision: At the January committee meeting it was discussed in detail and agreed to continue with this new system. We are awaiting new guidelines from the NPC sometime this year. In the meantime thank you to everyone for their co-operation with this matter. Parents are reminded that they need to be available for supervision if their child is participating in a class and to please confirm their attendance by signing the supervision list on the notice board. Please remember, if the time allocated does not suit you, you can swap with another parent and then make the change on the notice board. This proposal to have another adult available on the premises is essential as it is in the best interests of our children and part of our duty of care.

GENERALLY:

Text Messages from the PTA: Text messages such as event reminders will be sent from 086 263 7725. If the message requires a reply, it should be directed to the person directly involved with the event. Please text this number with your name if you wish to be included on the PTA list.

School Website: www.stpatricksnsdalkey.ie Reporters Wanted: Pupils are welcome to report on any of these events and have their piece published on the website. Thank you to Zane Mc Clatchie for writing about a hockey match and to Miss Galbraith’s class for writing about the Science Hour. Please log on and check it out. Email webmaster@stpatricksnsdalkey.ie

UP COMING EVENTS:

AGM & THANK YOU EVENING – It was agreed to organise a thank you evening to acknowledge the huge involvement from so many parents during the year. All Parents are invited for a drink in The Club after the AGM as a thank you for all their support and efforts during the year. So, please come, all are welcome.

New Pupils Party – Fri May 21st

AGM & Thank you evening – Thurs June 3^rd

Sports Day – Mon June 21^st (provisional date)

End of Year Concert – Fri June 18^th 6.30 pm

If anyone has any ideas for the P.T.A or would like to contribute in any way, please contact Catriona Kelly 087 272 8185 or your class rep.

Class Reps: Junior Infants- Marie Fahy; Senior Infants - Karen Phillips;

1st Class - Eva Mc Dermott; 2nd Class - Catriona Kelly; 3rd Class - Dara Mc Clatchie; 4th Class - Kathleen Mc Donald; 5th Class - Liz Petit de Mange;

6th Class - Lene Curran.

School Newsletter May 2010

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

MAY 14th 2010

SCIENCE: 3rd & 4th gave a wonderful Science Display on Friday 23rd April. The children had numerous stations set up around the hall and gave expert talks on their particular experiment. The other children and lots of parents were in attendance.

Huge thanks is due to their teacher, Ms Galbraith, and to Dr Margaret Worrall who also helped

ATTENDANCE: All absences over 20 days in total are reported to the National Education Welfare Board.

Holidays should be taken in line with the holiday list provided at the start of the school year. Obviously there are times when this cannot be adhered to and that is understandable. If your child misses 20 days per year during their primary schooling (8 years), that equates to almost 1 year of absence.

Also, please provide a note to the class teacher explaining each and every absence.

MOBILES:Mobile phones must be switched off at all times and kept in your child’s schoolbag. Phones must not be switched on until your child is outside the school gate.

BIRDWATCH IRELAND: Niall Hatch spoke to the children on Friday 23rd April about some birds which may be spotted around the locality.

Terns, swallows, swifts and robins were included.

Niall is an excellent communicator and the children were very attentive. In fact he commented that it was his pleasure to work with such lovely children.

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS: Letters have been sent out for the third term. Thanks to

all who have contributed so generously to date.

TESCO TOKENS: Ms Crooke has a box in her classroom for Tesco Tokens.

The more we collect, the more we will receive!

DRUMMING WORKSHOP: Peter Crann will be returning to the school on Friday 28th May. He will work with all class groupings. He was a huge hit last year so I’m sure he’ll not disappoint this year either.

AUTHOR: Sarah Webb (Author) will speak to 5th & 6th on Friday 11th June about creative writing.

This is part of her ‘Free Friday’ programme

ANNUAL ART EXHIBIT: The annual art exhibition will be held during the week before the June Bank holiday. A canvas will be provided for each child.

SPORTS DAY: It is hoped to have this event on Monday 21st June.

END OF YEAR CONCERT: This will be held in St Patrick’s Church on Friday 18th June. Another musical delight “Under the Sea” is currently being prepared.

PINE FOREST: Infants, 1st & 2nd had a most enjoyable day on Tuesday 20th March. The weather was lovely and the children created some marvellous pieces of art.

The P.T.A. paid €10 towards the cost of each child. It will do the same for 3rd-6th when it comes to their turn.

ST PATRICKS DAY MOMENTS: The winners were:

Original Artwork Oonagh Jordan, Photography - Jessica McDonagh, Thea Curran & Bethan O’Driscoll

The winning ‘moments’ have been placed in the school time capsule.

SCHOOL TRIP FOR 5th & 6^t^h - This will take place on Thursday 24th June.

The venue will be U.C.D and it will be a multi-activity - Sports day. (9.30am – 3.00pm).

GENEROSITY: Well done to Phoebe Neel (3rd class) who held a cake sale at her home and raised €12.47 for Kenyabuild. What a wonderful gesture! This money was forwarded to Maeve Coghlan.

THE BIG BREAKFAST: Hearty congratulations to all involved in the preparation for and running of this event on Friday 30th April. Particular thanks to Lene Curran and Julie O’Driscoll who were the organisers. The sum of €1,545 was raised and this will go towards the re-building of School in Haiti through a fund set up by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (I.P.P.N.)

Termly staff meeting will take place on Thursday 27th May. School will close at 12 noon.

School will be closed on Friday 4th & Monday 7th June.

PAUL MILLER: The school community was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Paul Miller, father of Molly, on 24th March. Paul was so familiar to everyone. In the last newsletter I was thanking him for his input in the Nativity Play and the Variety Show and now this message of sympathy to Elva, Molly and baby Daniel must be written. You are still in the thoughts and prayers of the community and will continue to be so. .

Dates for Parent's Diaries

Back to School Monday August 30th at 8.20am

Minutes of AGM June 09

Present: Naomi Varian, Beryl Alvey, Pauline Proctor, Zuilmah Wallis, Vandra Costello, Aisling Murphy, Catriona Kelly, Liz Petit de Mange Curtis, Becky O’Connor, Dara McClatchie, Eva McDermott, Julie O’Driscoll, Tighe O’Driscoll, Tara Murphy, Jackie Cassidy, Margaret Koumarianous, Luke O’Neill, Caroline Lenihan, Kathleen Mc Donald,

Roisin Mockler

Apologies: Karen Phillips, Laura Salter

1 Thanks were sent to the PTA for all their work throughout the year by Canon Ben Neil and Mr Salter on behalf of the Board of Management.

2 The Minutes of the last AGM were read and approved.

3 Goodbyes

A big thank you and farewell was said to the outgoing chairwoman Becky O’Connor and to treasurer Liz Petit de Mange Curtis. Becky congratulated Catriona Kelly for her hard work as Vice-Chairwoman and her appointment as new Chair. Farewells and thank you’s were also said to Roisin Mockler who has devoted years of work and time to the PTA and made several thousand gallons of teas and coffees and tonnes of cakes during her years as ‘school housekeeper’ and also to Moyna Noble, Pauline Proctor, Rory Byrne, Laura Salter and Jackie Lohan who are standing down this year.

4 New Appointments

Next year’s committee were proposed, seconded and appointed:

Chairperson: Catriona Kelly

Vice Chairperson: Dara McClatchie

Treasurer: Jackie Cassidy will shadow Liz Pde M and have a full transfer before Xmas.

Secretary: Aisling Murphy

Naomi Varian, Marie Fahy, Eva Mc Dermott, and Jackie Cassidy were welcomed as new members.

5 Fundraising

Treasure Hunt: As usual a great success thanks to Anthony Quigley and we look forward to this taking place again next year.

School Calendars: These were very profitable and it is proposed to do another calendar next year, thanks to Dara McClatchie.

Ceili: The children enjoyed this very much however, a mini breakfast is planned for next year as being a family event for the children and parents.

Pub Quiz: It is proposed to have a pub quiz next year as a social night out for parents.

Cake Sale: thanks to Jenny Rath and Roisin Mockler for making this a great success, the PTA will continue with this fundraiser next year.

DVD Sales: Thanks to Caroline Lenihan and John Fahy, DVD sales are going well and the Lion King and sports day discs will be available for sale next term. It was also agreed that a Lion King DVD night would be held early in the year.

Poetry Frames: Jackie Lohan will continue to develop.

6 Extra-Curricular Activities

The years extra-curricular activities were reviewed:

Hockey: Emma will continue but the committee will continue its search for a venue nearer to the school.

Band & Choir: Becky will continue.

Drama: Margaret Koumarianos will continue.

French: Margaret Koumarianos will continue.

Multi-Sport: Multi-sport will continue.

Chess: Will continue

Religion: Thanks were given to Kathleen McDonald and Liz Curtis for organising RE classes for the RC pupils.

Yoga: Susan Porter has agreed to continue lessons; the PTA will book the gallery for these.

Tennis: will continue next summer term.

6 Activities and Events

- New Parents Coffee Morning & Children’s Party: Thanks to Roisin Mockler again for organising. Naomi will take over next year.

- Book Fair: Thanks again to Roisin for organising this event for so many years; She has booked it for 13 or 20 November. Someone needs to take this over.

- Christmas Variety Show: Thanks were given to BO’C and helpers for work on the show. It was suggested that this could be held a different time of the year and likewise the Art Exhibition because Xmas week and the year end are both busy times already.

- Santa: Santa’s visit to the school was enjoyed by all and we hope he will make time to visit again next year.

-St Patrick’s Day Moments: This year’s format, with separate categories for photographs and artwork worked well and will continue and Tara Murphy will run the competition.

- Anti-Bullying and Internet Safety: This will be run every second year from now on.

-Art Exhibition: Thanks were given to Tara Murphy for organising the end of term art exhibition..

- 6^th Class leaving tribute: Thanks to Pauline Proctor for organising this.

- Sports Day: Thanks again to Zuilmah Wallis and Trevor King.

Outreach:

Garda Band: This was a once off and enjoyed by all. Thanks to Marie Fahy for organising this event. Funds raised were donated to the NRH School of Music Therapy.

5^th & 6^th Class Stall at Parish Fete: Thanks to Kathleen for organising this, profits shall be donated to an African charity.

Workshops

- Performance Poet: Another great success, it was agreed to do this again possibly considering an Irish poet? Jackie Lohan is overseeing production of a book of poetry.

- Drumming Workshop: Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to Tara Murphy for suggestion.

- Dance Theatre of Ireland: This worked well for the younger classes (first time)and was more popular with the senior half of the school as they got one session of hip-hop/street dancing.

- Science: The Siemens Box arrived at the school and Dawn Galbraith will run this and hopefully implement a science initiative next year.

- The Lion King: Huge thanks to Becky and all the other teachers for putting on a great show which the children loved. Thank you to all the parents who were involved also. It was a great event. A better venue may be considered for next year, possibly Castlepark School.

7 Environment:

Vandra, Gail and Karen to work on the Green Schools project.

The school continues its membership of Birdwatch Ireland and the Seal Sanctuary.

Mr Salter and 5^th & 6^TH classes continue their involvement with Tidy Towns.

8 Finances 08/09:

Incoming balance from 07/08 €6,262.8 plus 2,755 Sports fund

08/09 Subscriptions totalled €3,210: Total Fundraising €5,435

Cost of activities and external payments totalled €16,080.02

Outstanding balance carried forward 09/10 is €5,667.80.

9 AOB

Class Reps: It is proposed that a committee member will be appointed to represent each class next year to encourage helpers to volunteer outside the committee. This will also bring better representation on the committee.

After school supervision for Infants will commence in September.

PTA Sept 09

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to everyone as we begin our new school year and in particular, a warm welcome to the new families who have just joined us. We would invite as many parents as possible to the New Parents coffee morning on Friday September the 11th where we can extend our hospitality to the newcomers.

We had a very busy year last year and if you look through the attached list, it highlights what the PTA are involved in at the school. Thank you to all the teachers and parents who helped out last year and contributed to making this list as lengthy as it is.

As always, the committee appreciates any help no matter how big or small so please don't be shy volunteering, every little helps! We would also encourage any new ideas or suggestions to be put forward to the PTA through our new Class Representatives system, which now means there will be an official representative from each class on the committee.

Also, this year for the first time we have introduced this booklet which includes all the numerous 'beginning of the year' notes that the PTA sends home. We hope that this will prove to be a more efficient way of delivering all this information. And, if you include your mobile phone number on the subscription form, we will use that as a means of sending text communications if necessary. Otherwise methods of communications will be as usual, notes home in bags, on the notice board in the entrance hall and on the school website www.stpatricksnsdalkey.ie.

Our voluntary contribution this year has not increased and is now due. We would appreciate it if the attached forms were returned as a matter of urgency or at the latest next Friday the 11^th of September.

Again, we look forward to making this year an enriching and enjoyable experience for the children, to help the teachers in anyway we can and also to encourage a warm sense of community amongst every one involved.

Thank you

Catriona Kelly

PTA Chairperson