Wednesday Letter 10.09.2025

Posted on Tue, 09/09/2025 - 13:00

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION FOR JUNIOR INFANTS

SCHOOL YEAR 2025–2026

The school will commence accepting applications for admission on	29^th September 2025
The school shall cease accepting applications for admission on	24^th October 2025 @ 3:00pm
The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application is	14^th November 2025
The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is*	28^th November 2025 @ 3:00pm

Applications must include:

1. Completed application form

2. A copy of the birth certificate

3. **A current utility bill** (only for applicants living within the parish)

Click the link to view the Parish Map
https://hollyparkbns.ie/sites/default/files/image-uploads/Foxrock.pdf

**A current utility bill includes ESB, Gas bill, refuse collection bill, home phone bill, etc. Please do not send personal bills. ie, Bank statements, Mobile phone bills or insurance forms, etc**.

To be returned to the school by hand or post only to:
Admissions
St. Patrick's BNS,
Hollypark,
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin
A94 FE02

https://hollyparkbns.ie/our-school/policies/admissions-policy

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

IN-SERVICE DAYS FOR 25/26 (School Closure)

The school will be closed for the Department of Education in-service training days on the dates attached:

11/02/2026	Lá 1 - Creatchuraclam na Bunscoile / Day 1 - Primary Curriculum Framework	Scoil Padraig Naofa B
13/05/2026	Lá 2 - Creatchuraclam na Bunscoile / Day 2 - Primary Curriculum Framework	Scoil Padraig Naofa B

Junior Infant Information Evening	Tues., September 16th	Junior Infants
Junior Infant HSE Hearing and Vision	September 23rd-26th	Junior Infants
Jun. Infant Immunisation	October 6th-8th	Junior Infants
Sports Blitz	Friday, 10th October	Whole School
Hallowe'en Dress Up Day Presidential Election	Thursday, October 23rd Friday, October 24th - School Closed- Polling Station	Whole School
Midterm Break	27th Oct - 31st Oct	Whole School
6th class Christmas Show	Tues., 9th December	6th class

WELL DONE BOYS!

We are only in the second week of term, but it already feels like we never left! A huge well done to all our classes for settling back into school life with such positivity and purpose. Teachers are delighted to report exceptional focus, a strong work ethic, and fantastic teamwork across the board.

At Hollypark, manners and respect are the foundation of everything we do—and it’s heartening to see our boys living these values each and every day. We are incredibly proud of the way our students carry themselves, both in the classroom and around the school.

A special mention goes to our wonderful Junior Infants, who have made an excellent start to their Hollypark journey. Their smiles, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn have already made them a much-loved part of our school community.

We’re also looking forward to seeing our Junior Infants meet their 5th class buddies in the coming days. Our buddy system is one of Hollypark’s most cherished traditions, where senior boys from 5th and 6th class pair up with Junior and Senior Infant students for shared activities like games, storytelling, and more. It’s a beautiful way to foster friendship and mentorship—and our older boys always rise to the occasion as outstanding role models.

Keep up the brilliant work, boys! We’re so proud of you all.

After School Clubs

There has been a huge uptake in our After School Clubs for Term 1. There is still limited availability in our Ukulele Club run by Ms. Travers. Please email info@hollyparbns.ie FAO Ms. Travers to book a place. Ukulele Club is available to 4th, 5th & 6th class pupils on a Thursday afternoon.

FRIDAY KUNG FU CLASSES AVAILABLE

Master Yang Dong offer Kung Fu and Self-Defense classes for Junior and Senior Infants and 1st to 6th Class. Booking and inquiries by email: chinese.europeanculturalcentre@gmail.com

Places are still available in Dizzy feet Dance Class. see the poster attached.

A reminder to parents/ guardians to let minders, after-school, bus drivers, au pairs etc. know if the boys are doing an activity after school.

Designated blue badge parking spaces

Designated blue badge parking spaces can be used by anyone who holds a valid Disabled Person's Parking Permit, also known as a Blue Badge or EU Parking Card. The permit allows the driver of a vehicle or the passenger with a disability to park in these specially designated, wider bays. The vehicle must be parked for the convenience of the permit holder, and the permit must be clearly displayed. We have a number of families in need of this space in Hollypark. If you are a not a blue badge holder or a member of our Autism class, please do not park here. Please do not use this space as a drop off space. Thank you for your co-operation.

JUNIOR INFANTS INFORMATION EVENING

We look forward to welcoming our Junior Infant parents & guardians into the school on Tuesday, 16th September @7pm. Ms. Brennan & Ms. Doyle will hold an information evening for parents in rooms 1 and 2.
The Parents' Association will welcome parents into the hall for wine, cheese, and tea/coffee after the talk. We look forward to meeting you all.

STEM Time in 5th – By Pupils in Mr. Mitchell's Class

Today was one of the best days in school so far – STEM Time! Our class got to use the STEM boxes and work in teams to create, build, and solve problems together. It was challenging, exciting, and most of all – fun!

Each group got a different task. Some of us had to build the tallest tower, others had to design a bridge strong enough to hold a small book, and another group worked on creating large buildings. There were so many cool materials in the STEM boxes – straws, connectors, wheels, blocks, string – everything we needed to bring our ideas to life!

We had to think carefully, plan with our team, and try different ideas. Sometimes things didn’t work out at first, but our teacher reminded us that that’s part of STEM – problem solving and trying again until we figure it out. It felt great when we finally made something that worked!

One of my favourite parts was seeing how every group had a different idea. Even though we were working on similar challenges, everyone’s designs looked different, and that made it really interesting. We all shared our creations at the end and talked about what worked and what didn’t.

I really liked that we got to use our imagination, but also had to think like engineers and scientists. STEM Time makes learning so much more exciting, and I can’t wait to see what challenge we get next week! Please see our pictures below.

This week is a very special week for these great boys, Cian Tresson, Henry Falkner, Michael Zhou, Scott O' Donohue, Max Conroy, Max Heraghty, Adone Sobin,Thomas Donegan, David Adendorff, Luan Murphy and Jack Barry. Have a wonderful celebration, boys!

Beir bua agus beannacht,