SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DROPPING IN THE MORNING

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE VERY CAREFULLY.

There have been quite a number of near misses this week regarding our pupils and moving cars. Our youngest boys are exiting cars on the road side, they are crossing the road alone and they are exiting from cars that are pulling up in moving traffic. All of these practices are highly dangerous and it is only a matter of time before one of our boys is involved in a serious accident.

Parents, I am calling on you to act responsibly at drop off and collection time. Please do not let your son exit the car on the road side, please do not let your child cross the road on his own, please use the school warden service that is provided. We encourage you to park and walk. Foxrock Church have kindly offered their carpark as a park and walk facility. It really is the best and safest way to get to school.
 

JUNIOR INFANTS

Thank you, parents of Junior Infants, for your excellent time keeping and support this week. Your time of 8:50- 9.15am continues this week. Please do not arrive before this time.
 

STAFFING

Due to Covid-19 related reasons, not all staff will be in a position to return to face-to-face teaching on Monday. These reasons are strictly private and confidential and we welcome your support on such matters. Some classes may have a substitute teacher or another teacher from the school as your class teacher for the weeks ahead.
 

If your child is unwell

If your child is UNWELL (unwell in any way including a sick tummy) or has any of the following symptoms of Covid-19, do not send them to school and contact your GP:

• A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
• Any other common symptoms of Covid-19 – a new cough, loss or changed sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath or an existing breathing condition that has become worse.
• Been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
• Been living with someone who is unwell and may have Covid-19.
• Other uncommon symptoms of Covid-19, such as sore throat, headaches or diarrhoea
• Returned from another country in the last 14 days.
• If your child requires Calpol or Nurofen, they are unfit for school and they are not to attend.
• After any absence, parents must fill out a return to school declaration on Aladdin Connect App.
• Parents and guardians must wear masks and follow public health advice during drop off and collection times.

Parents are not to congregate in or around the school campus. Please ‘DROP AND GO’ and ‘COLLECT AND GO’. School drop off and collection is not a social gathering and any parents lingering in or around the campus will be asked to leave by members of staff. We must work together to keep our community safe and our school open.

If your time of entry is 8.40am, please do not arrive before this time. At 8.40am boys will be permitted access to the school building. Do not arrive in advance of that time.
 

MASKS 5TH AND 6TH CLASS

While we note the recent deliberations of HIQA who have reiterated their advice that compulsory face mask policy is not recommended in primary schools, it is our view that such a policy for pupils in 5th and 6th class would help to reduce the risk of infection and provide an extra layer of defence against COVID-19.

Boys who opt to wear masks must do so by following good mask wearing etiquette, avoid touching their masks, dispose of their mask properly and safely/ wash masks frequently. Please see the poster attached for further advice.
 

PARK RESPONSIBLY

Parents, while dropping and collecting, please remember to park responsibly and do not obstruct the residents’ driveways. In order for emergency vehicles to enter the estate, please do not park on both sides of the road. Parking in the church carpark and walking to school is greatly encouraged.
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!

This week is a special week for these boys. Eoghan Dee, Andrew Heeney, Sean Tunney, Tadhg Mulholland, Freddie Hyland, Harvey Kiernan, Joey Veitch, James Barron, Luke Maher, Robert Carrigy, Alexander Chmara, Luke Fagan and Charlie Ball. We wish you a Happy Birthday boys!
 

WEBINAR FOR PARENTS OF HOLLYPARK BNS

WEDNESDAY 14TH APRIL

100 places were booked out in under 30 minutes last week. Fiona has added extra places and a pre-registration link will be emailed to all parents on March 15th. Fiona is an expert in her field and has written many books including Weaving Wellbeing, that is used in Hollypark BNS.

Parent Webinar: Raising Resilient Children: Approaches from Positive Psychology

By Fiona Forman

Resilience is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. Now, with the extra challenges they face due to Covid 19, we need to equip them with the skills they need to flourish and thrive, despite these many difficulties and obstacles.

The field of Positive Psychology, which is the science of well-being, can offer us many approaches and ideas for nurturing our children’s resilience, through a combination of support and skills.

In this talk, author and former teacher, Fiona Forman, (M. Sc. Applied Positive Psychology) will share insights and research on resilience, as well as practical resilience skills.

‘I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.’ Louisa May Alcott

Fiona Forman - Bio

Fiona Forman is an author, speaker, facilitator and trainer in the area of well-being and Positive Psychology. Having spent many years as a primary school teacher, she is absolutely passionate about placing well-being at the heart of school life, and she has seen first-hand the great benefits of empowering children, teachers and parents to understand, value and enhance their own mental health. Fiona holds an M. Sc. in Applied Positive Psychology, the science of well-being, from the University of East London. Fiona is the co-author of Weaving Well-Being, an SPHE programme which is now widely used in primary schools. She is also the author of Wired for Well-Being, a new well-being programme for Second Level schools.

Fiona has designed and delivered numerous talks, training sessions and seminars to teachers and parents. She is a regular media contributor on the topics of well-being and Positive Psychology and loves sharing her practical experience, insights and expertise with others.

Fiona is also the mother of two young adults, which has deepened her awareness of the necessity to equip children with the support and skills that they need to develop resilience and to thrive and flourish in life.

CORMAC’S WEEKLY BLOG

The life of an 11-year-old during this latest lock down – week 8

Another week down! The days are going by so fast. My sister really enjoyed her first week back at school. Hopefully, we too will go back next week. I didn’t do much this week apart from the usual cycle, walk, kick around with a few friends, quiz etc. We did go up the mountains on Saturday and to Cabinteely park on Sunday. I played in the playground with my sisters and had a soccer match with all the family.

My nan in Tipp turned 80 on Tuesday. We did a zoom party on Sunday evening with all the relations to celebrate. We even got her to blow out the candles! It was nice chatting, I can’t believe we have not met since last summer.

I was shocked when Man United beat Man City ending their 21 winning game streak.

I was really annoyed when Liverpool lost to Fulham but hopefully Liverpool will get a champion’s league spot this year.

The answer to last week’s riddle - What is lighter than air but can’t be lifted by the world’s strongest person? A bubble.

This week’s riddle – I have a mouth but can’t talk. I can run but not walk. I have a bed but I don’t sleep. What am I?

Cormac Kavanagh, 5th Class.

Cormac, thank you so much. You have entertained us and kept us so positive during the past 8 weeks. Happy Birthday to your Nan from all of us in Hollypark. I am sure she is missing seeing you too but the good news is that you will get to see her very soon. I look forward to welcoming you back and I will have a prize waiting for you! I hope you enjoyed entertaining us each week. Thank you once again.
 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SEACHTAINE NA GAEILGE
1ú-17ú Márta

www.snag.ie

Tá Seachtain na Gaeilge ag teacht. Beimid ag ceiliúradh ár dteanga dúchais. Bígí ag glacadh páirt. There will be plenty of opportunities over the coming weeks to embrace our culture and heritage while practising some Gaeilge too. Beirigí bua and enjoy the amhráin Ghaeilge, damhsaí, dánta, cluichí agus craic!
 

 

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

The school will be closed on Wednesday, March 17th for St. Patrick’s Day.

Beir bua agus beannacht,

10.03.21