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Congratulations to Barry who was presented with an I.T. Specialist Award from Mr. O'Mahoney.

 

“Aladdin Trouble”

Pupils from St. Patrick’s N.S. performed the musical “Aladdin Trouble” on 19th June. The production was performed on the beautiful stage in the Venue Theatre, providing the perfect setting for "Aladdin Trouble". The musical featured characters including the beautiful Princess Jasmine, the wicked Abanazar, the hilarious Widow Twankey and the fabulous Genie - and plenty more besides. The production made the audience laugh and cheer along to this rip-roaring musical. The eagerly anticipated play certainly didn't disappoint, and the audience exited from the play in merry spirits. Mr O’Mahony described the whole experience as "thoroughly enjoyable", and I am sure that both audience members and the cast fully agree.

 

East Meath All-Star Team

To celebrate the inaugural Cooney Cup, the Schools Committee have picked 18 players who stood out in this year's competition. These players will form an East Meath All-Star Team. We are very proud to announce that Gary Tuite has been selected for the team.

 

 

Anti-Bullying Campaign

St. Patrick's N.S. hosted an Anti-Bullying information evening on Monday, 19th May. Mr O'Mahony invited guest speaker Mr Sean Fallon to speak to his staff, along with representitives from other local schools, to allow all relevant partners access the tools for using to deal effectively with bullying.

Ardcath/Clonalvy Football Team - 30.04.2014

Another fantastic performance from the boys in the East Meath Schools Cup. After two draws the boys finally had the determination and confidence to see out the game. Playing against the wind in the first half the boys put in an impressive performance with scores from Gary Tuite, Conor Harford, Pat Savage and Jack Mason. The second half gave the chance for some of the younger members of the squad to come on and do their part. A great win for the boys and we look forward to the next challenge in May.

The Team would like to thank St. Vincent's GAA for the use and preparation of their pitch.

 

                                  

 

 

 

St. Patrick’s N.S. unveil new state of the art astro-turf football pitch

Pupils are extremely excited about our new astro-turf pitch, where the bounce of the ball on this new pitch is the same quality bounce as you would get on Croke Park! No doubt it is a source of pride to the people of Ardcath that their school, St. Patrick’s N.S., is one of the first primary schools in Leinster to have a purpose built astro-turf football pitch. Complete with high security fencing and CCTV, this ambitious project was decided on by the Board of Management to improve the sports facilities at the school.  Mr O’Mahony is keen to emphasise that while the BoM instigated the building of this pitch, it was the general support of the whole school community that enabled the success of this venture. 

Focus Group on Policy Formation

We thank those parents who volunteered to contribute to the development of policies at St. Patrick’s N.S. Broadly speaking, a focus group is defined as a small gathering of individuals who have a common interest or characteristic, assembled by a moderator, who uses the group and its interactions as a way to gain information about a particular issue. The purpose of focus groups is to promote a comfortable atmosphere of disclosure in which people can share their ideas, experiences, and attitudes about a topic. The role will entail engaging in a number of meetings throughout the school year. The first such meeting will take place at 3.00p.m. on Wednesday, 7thMay.

 

Creative Connections

Creative Connections,a Norwalk-based non-profit international cultural education organisation, will present the 2014 International Children’s Art Exhibit, entitled Food for Thought, from May 15 – September 1, 2014 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on 15th May. The free, public exhibit features 120 selected art pieces created by students in 22 countries through Creative Connections’ ArtLink program. We are extremely proud to have four pupils contributing to this exhibit, Claire, Evan, Katie and Adam.

 Bake Sale

We would like to sincerely thank the families who donated cakes, buns and other treats to our bake sale. Your generosity, as always, is really appreciated.

Community Games Art Results

Girls Under 8

2nd - Lucy Cooney

Boys Under 8

1st - Seán O'Donovan

Girls Under 10

3rd - Laura McNally

Girls Under 12

1st - Claire Caffrey

Boys Under 12

2nd - Matthew Willis

Congratulations to the above.  The pupils who came first and second qualified to represent the area in the County Finals on Saturday 29th March 2014.

We would like to congratulate Seán O'Donovan who qualified to represent Meath in the National Community Games which will take place in Athlone on the weekend 15th - 17th August 2014.

 

Well Done Seán

 

We would sincerely like to thank you for your support of our Race Night which was held in Bennetts on Sunday 16th March.  This event would not have been a success without the generous support you have provided.  The organiser would especially like to thank our sponsors:

School Tours 2014

Juniors, Seniors, 1st & 2nd Classwill go on their school tour on Thursday 12th June to ‘Lets Go’ in Gormanston College. Total cost of this school tour including bus is €25.

3rd & 4th Classwill go on their school tour on Friday 13th June.  They will enjoy Viking Splash Tour and visit Croke Park Museum.  Total cost of this school tour including bus is €25.

5th & 6th Class will partake in our school’s camping program to Lough Key Forest and Activity Park in Boyle, Co. Roscommon from Wednesday 28th May to Friday 30th May 2014.

Total cost of this programme is €65.

A non-refundable deposit of €10 is due before Friday 7th March to confirm place on school tours.

The school will accommodate weekly payments for school tours.

 

 

World Book Day

On Friday, 7th March many pupils dressed up as characters inspired by their favourite books. The event captured the imaginations of the children and helped bring the love of reading and learning to life. The festivities lasted all week long with our pupils writing book reviews and character descriptions and sharing their favourite stories with their classmates. Mr O’Mahony stated, "It was lovely to see the children showing such great enthusiasm for literacy and really was a truly magical day. Pupils put lots of time in to creating costumes so that they could become their favourite book characters." Lily, Eoin, Daniel, Sean and Amy were awarded prizes for their efforts.  

Gaelic football training for 5th and 6th class boys from both St. Patrick’s N.S. and St. Finian’s N.S. will take place in St. Vincent’s Football Pitch on the following dates:

Round 2 of the Cooney Cup - Bellewstown NS v Ardcath/Clonalvy NS will be played on Wednesday 26th February in St. Pats Stamullen at 11am.

Please inform the school if you are available to give lifts on the day.

 

Thanks to all who supported our clothes collection which commenced on Monday 3rd February.

 

 St. Vincent de Paul

Thanks to all the parents who gave so generously to our St. Vincent de Paul food appeal.

Children's Choir

Many thanks to the huge number of pupils who sang on 30th December in St. Mary's Church Ardcath.

Halloween Disco

Thanks to the pupils and parents who went to the Halloween Disco on Friday 1st November 2013.  We thank Ann McNally, Roger Semple, Richie Dunne, Pamela Smith, Debbie Dunne-Carthy, Ruth Dunican, Caroline Ghazouani and Tony McIvor for their help with the organising of the disco.

We would like to thank Alan Andrews who was our DJ on the night.  Total of €91.50 was raised which will go towards purchasing new resources for the school.

 

 

Halloween Bake Sale

Thanks to the parents who supported and donated cakes/buns for our Bake Sale on Friday 25th October.  Thanks also to 5th and 6th class who co-ordinated this sale which raised €360.18 which will go towards purchasing new resources for the school.  Well done boys and girls.

GOAL Jersey Day

Thanks to all who supported GOAL Jersey Day on Friday 11th October 2013.  Total collected on the day was €94.40.

Team Hope

We thank Geraldine from Team Hope who visited our school on 15th October and spoke to the whole school.

An information leaflet with details about the Shoebox Appeal was distributed to all pupils. This is an opportunity for people to gather some small items/presents to send to children in countries facing difficulties throughout the world.  The shoeboxes must be returned by Monday 11th November

We thank the Parents' Association for organising the Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

 

 

 

 
 

Christmas Events - Dates for your Diary

Tuesday 17th December - The whole school will be going to the Helix to see ‘The Sleeping Beauty’

Wednesday 18th December - Christmas Extravaganza in St. Mary’s Church Ardcath at 7pm 

Thursday 18th December - Late Start 10am - Blanchardstown Carol Singing 1pm to 3pm

Friday 20th December - End of Term Mass at 9.30am and Christmas Holidays Commence

 

Parents’ Association

Thanks to all parents who attended the Parents’ Association AGM on Thursday 10th October, the following committee members were elected:

            Chairperson                                                     Jill Tuite

            Secretary                                                         Carol Dunican

            Joint Treasurers                                               George Dawson & Roy Cooney

            Parents Reps                                                   Ann McNally & Roger Semple

 

We wish them well in their new posts and look forward to working with them in the future. The school staff and management would like to thank the previous Parents’ Association members for all their help and dedication over the previous years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Girls explosive in Clonard

Their second win of this years campaign sees our girls rise up the league table. A fine display of team work and scoring. Ashling Wearen became the first ever hatrick hero in the history of our girls football. All goals coming in the first half.

Katie Tuite and Grace Willis pulled the strings in midfield while our backs and forwards were quick to respond to any pressure and slot over any opportunity that presented itself.

The team would like to thank those parents who have given their time in supporting the girls especially on our away outings. (Sept 2013)

 

 

 

Christmas Cards

Over the next two weeks pupils will be individually designing Christmas cards.  This is a fun way for pupils to raise funds for the school.  Each card will be printed with the child’s own individual design on the front, and on the back is the child’s name as the designer. 

Sample cards will be distributed before Friday 25th October together with order form which has to be returned to the school before Friday 1st November.

The cards will be produced in packs of 10 and supplied with envelopes.  Cost per pack is €10 per child. 

Cards will be ready by 2nd week in November.

We thank the Parents’ Association for initiating this fundraiser.

 

 

Christmas Pantomime

The whole school (Junior Infants - 6th Class) will be going to the Helix to see 'The Sleeping Beauty' on Tuesday 17th December.  Total cost of this event is €20 per pupil (includes entrance and bus fare).

A non-refundable deposit of €10 is due before Friday 18th October to confirm place.

 
 

 

Paired Reading

To further enhance our pupils literacy skills our school has initiated a Paired Reading scheme. This scheme involves one pupil (the tutor) supporting another pupil (the tutee) with their reading. We developed this scheme for the following reasons...

Benefits for the tutee:

  • Improved reading attainment – decoding and comprehension of words and text

  • Increased confidence and enjoyment of reading

  • Interaction with a positive peer role model – learning from their positive behaviour

  • Personal 1-to-1 attention, allowing them to work at their own pace

  • Increased sense of belonging in the school community.

Benefits for the tutor

  • Development of interpersonal skills through experiencing a deeper sense of responsibility, dedication and pride in being able to help a peer

 

  • Improved speaking and listening skills through asking meaningful questions and active listening.
 

 

Final Farewell to Fr Phil

Our school community paid an emotional farewell to Fr Phil during his last mass on Wednesday, 25th September. Mr O'Mahony acknowledged the feelings of sadness and loneliness widespread throughout Ardcath however explained that grief was really a measure of the great esteem in which he was held by each and every individual in the parish. He also stated that in the midst of the sadness there was a feeling of acceptance and a very sincere wish that the new appointment being taken up by Fr. Phil will bring him joy, fulfilment and happiness. Mr O'Mahony welcomed back former principals, Mr James Battersby and Mr Noel Friel and thanked them for attending this special celebration of Fr Phil's seven years service in the parish.            

 
 

 

'Race Around Ireland'

On Thursday 26th September we welcomed back former pupil, Ciaran O’ Reilly, together with his wife Sue and his father Teddy.  Ciaran was a soloist cyclist who came 3rd in a 2,190km Race Around Ireland.  He completed the race in 123 hrs 24 mins, his average speed was 17.9kph.

We thank Ciaran, Sue and Teddy for telling all the pupils about his tremendous achievement, how hard he had to train, how important it is to drink plenty of water and to eat healthy, and that with determination and hard work – you can achieve any goal you set yourself.

Well done to Ciaran and all his crew.

 
 

 

School Self-Evaluation (SSE)

SSE provides opportunities to schools to examine their own practice within their own context and to report on their strengths and areas for improvement to their own school community. It brings benefits to teachers as they share experiences and ideas and helps them to become even more effective in their classrooms. It brings benefits to pupils as they have a say in what works for them and what helps them to learn. It brings benefits to the school as all teachers focus on the same small number of strategies for improvement. Please consult our 'downloads' section to view a copy of our report.

Downloads     Policies - School Self Evaluation Report
 

 

Dance Fit

After school classes of 'Dance Fit' will commence on Tuesday, 17th of September. It is offered to girls and boys from 1st class to 4th class. The class will run from 2:40pm to 3:30pm. This course is provided free of charge to pupils and further encourages physical activity as promoted by our recently awarded Active Flag.
 

Rugby

Rugby coaching commenced on Wednesday 11th September for all classes. 

Thanks to Scott from Ashbourne Rugby Club.

 

Spraoi Drama

After school drama classes will commence on Wednesday 11th September.

Group 1 - Juniors and Seniors - 1.40pm to 2.40pm

Group 2/Group 3 - 1st-3rd Class/4th - 6th Class - 2.40pm - 3.40pm
 

 

Student of the Week

Every week Mr O'Mahony presents students from each class with a “Student of the Week” award to highlight their achievements.  Weekly photo will be displayed on Student Notice Board.

  

 

'Congratulations to the Students of the Week    -   Comhghairdeachas!'

 

Gaelic Football Training

Boys gaelic football training will commence Tuesday 3rd September 4th class to 6th class from 2.45pm to 3.30pm.

Girls gaelic football training will commence Thursday 5th September 4th class to 6th class from 2.45pm to 3.30pm.

 

 

 

Cycling Course

The school has organised a four hour cycling course for 3rd class to 6th class on Wednesday 4th September and Friday 6th September.  Training is provided by Cycling Safety and Skills school.

Total cost of this course is €13 per pupil.