St Patrick’s P.S.
and Nursery
Castlederg
73 Castlefin Rd
Castlederg
Co Tyrone BT81 7EE
Tel 028816 71458 Fax 028816 79821 email:info@stpatricks.castlederg.ni.sch.uk
Website – www.stpatrickspscastlederg.co.uk
Winter Newsletter 2015
Big Cake Sale
The Parent Support Group are organising a Big Cake Sale and Coffee Morning in aid of school
funds which will take place on Friday 20th November 2015 at 10am. All
Parents/Grandparents and Friends of the school are welcome to attend. Once again the
parent/s support in baking or sending in buns for this bring and buy cake sale is much
appreciated.
The Parent Support Group have also organised a fantastic draw with many prizes including –
1 Night Bed and Breakfast for 2 at the 4 Star Roe Park Resort Hotel Limavady , Villa Rose
Hotel Ballybofey Spa Voucher, Brunswick Cinema Family Pass, Steiff Limited Edition Teddy
Bear, Daisy Chain Omagh Bouquet, Red Pepper Restaurant Castlederg Voucher , Corrys
Chemist Castlederg Voucher, Cabello by Dearbhla Hairdressing Voucher, Lecky’s Vivo
Castlederg, Mc Brien’s Butchers Castlederg Voucher, Hamilton’s Spar Castlederg Voucher.
Thank you to the local businesses who have donated these prizes.
Tickets are priced at £1 per ticket or a book of 6 tickets for £5. Tickets are available in the
pupils’ schoolbags or from the school office. They will also be on sale at the Coffee morning,
School Shows and the School Christmas Carol Service. The draw will take place after the
Carol Service on Thursday 17th December 2015 and winners’ names will also be posted on
our website.
St Vincent de Paul /Children in Crossfire
This year at Christmas we will once again be collecting non-perishable food items for the
Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas collection. This organisation does great work in our local
community and every year the children bring in an enormous quantity of food. We will
continue collections this week and your support is greatly appreciated. The closing date for
donations is Friday 18th December 2015.
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This Advent the children will also be collecting copper coins and small change for the
Children in Crossfire Appeal for Children in Tanzania – parents can make a donation to any of
these charities in lieu of gifts for staff. Fr. Maningi from Tanzania and a representative of
Children in Crossfire will meet with the pupils on Thursday 26th November 2015.
The Pupil’s Council are also organising a Christmas Colours dress up day on Thursday 17th
December 2015 with all donations going Children in Crossfire.
After schools club
After schools club will finish on Thursday 10th December 2015 and recommence on Tuesday
5th January 2016 with homework club.
Breakfast club continues as normal.
Presently children in P4 – P7 can attend after schools clubs until 4.30pm
 Homework club on Monday to Thursday (Miss. R O Donnell)
 Film Club Tuesday (Mr. A Doherty)
 Music Club Thursday (Miss. E Loughran)
CHRISTMAS MASS, NATIVITY SHOWS AND EVENTS
Tuesday 15th December 2015
 P1 Nativity -10 am
 Nursery Christmas Show 11am
 Nursery Afternoon Show 2pm
 Music Club Christmas Show – 3.30pm
Wednesday 16th December 2015 – School Christmas Dinner
Thursday 17th December 2015 – Mobile Cinema Visit P3 – P7
Thursday 17th December 2015 6pm – Carol Service - St Patrick’s Church and seasonal
refreshments served in St Patrick’s Hall.
Friday 18th December 2015 – Christmas Mass P2 – P7 10am St Patrick’s Church
The Foyle Film Festival Big Cinema will visit the school on Thursday 17th December
2015 for pupils in P3 to P7 the cost will be £1 per pupil which will include a free tuck shop
on the day for the children.
Mrs. Mc Erlean’s P3/4/class and Mrs. Mc Glade’s P3 class will visit the Folk Park to learn
about Christmas in the country on Thursday 3rd December 2015 from 10.30am to 2.00pm.
They will need a warm coat, strong footwear and a packed lunch on this trip. The cost of this
trip is £6.
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PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS/PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS
Parent Teacher meetings took place on Wednesday 28th October 2015 and also during this
school week. Nursery and P1 Parent Teacher Meetings will take place on Friday 27th
November 2015 and during this week. Any parent who was unable to attend should contact
the school office to rearrange an appointment. A copy of your child’s learning plan for this
year was also distributed at this meeting. I will also update these online on our website.
Open Invite
Prospective parents new to the nursery or primary school are welcome to arrange a visit and
tour of the school and to meet some of our staff with the Principal. Contact the school office
to arrange a visit.
Applications for P1 and Nursery.
Application forms for P1 and for both nursery classes at St Patrick’s PS and Nursery Unit for
the next academic year will be available from the school office at the end of November. They
will also be available online at www.eani.org.uk As we expect to be oversubscribed for both
Nursery and P1 please return completed applications as soon as possible. Please note that
applications and documents for P1 and nursery must be returned to the school office by 12
noon Wednesday 13th January 2016. Make sure all family members are informed. Thank you.
P7 – Open Days.
A booklet outlining Open Days in the local second level schools will be distributed to P7
pupils this week – it is advisable to attend a number of Open Nights before deciding on a
placement for your child.
P7 pupils who wish to attend a taster Open day in Sacred Heart College Omagh have been
invited to spend the day at the school on Friday 4th December 2015. Transport to and from
the school will be provided on the day.
Attendance
If your child is unable to attend school could you please contact the school office by
telephone 81671458 or in writing or by email info@stpatricks.castlederg.ni.sch.uk. Missing
marks or no reason provided for absence will now be followed up with a letter at the end of
each month.
School Closures due to weather
If we need to close the school at short notice information will be on the school website at
www.stpatrickspscastlederg.co.uk on the school answering machine and also by text
messaging service. If you have updated your mobile number or are not receiving these
messages will you please contact Mrs Deirdre Traynor in the school office .
Website and Information for parents.
I hope to make available a Board of Governors Report 2014 and a short version of our school
development plan for parents on our school website in December.
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The school website can be accessed at - www.stpatrickspscastlederg.co.uk The site is
compatible with computer, android and iphone/ipad and contains useful information,
policies, curriculum and learning plans, a calendar of events and newsletters for parents.
Sacramental Dates for your Diary
Sacramental Meetings for Parents St Patrick’s PS –
Tuesday 2nd February 2016 - 6pm First Holy Communion/ 7.30pm Confirmation
First Confession - Thursday 18th February 2016 6pm– St Patrick’s Church Castlederg
Service of Light P7 - Wednesday 2nd March 2016 7pm – St Patrick’s Church Castlederg - tbc
Confirmation - Sunday 24th April 2016 12pm St Patrick’s Church – Bishop Lagan
First Holy Communion - Saturday 4th June 2016 11am St Patrick’s Church Castlederg
Holidays
The school closes for the Christmas holidays on Friday 18th December 2015 at 12.30pm with
dinner being served on this day. The school will re-open for the Spring term on Tuesday 5th
January 2016 as normal.
The Nursery Pupils finish on Thursday 17th December 2015 as normal and return to school on
Tuesday 5th January 2016.
Thank you
Brian Mc Gurk
Principal
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