5 WEEKS DOWN, 2 TO GO!

Well done to all boys, parents and staff for your continued adherence to Government Covid-19 guidelines. With the escalation of Covid-19 in Ireland, I ask all members of our school community to say vigilant and remember to wash hands regularly, wear face coverings, keep social distance and not to linger on the campus during drop off and collection times. If a boy or a member of his household is feeling unwell, please keep him at home from school pursuant to HSE guidelines.

As the Government do not envisage any whole school closures, in the event of a pod, bubble or class closure we will move to our online learning platform Seesaw (codes will be sent this week) along with other appropriate strategies depending on the age group of the children.

Contact with Teacher

In previous years, our homework journal was our main source of contact with school and home. As we are not using journals in the same way this year, we have added a contact section to our website www.hollyparkbns.ie. Click ‘contact’ in the top right-hand corner and a drop-down menu of teachers will appear. For class related issues and absences, please contact your son’s teacher. The teacher will respond to your query in a timely manner. In respect to your son’s teacher, only use the contact section within school hours.

Monthly Focus

For the month of October we are focusing on manners, courtesy and respect. We continue to focus on kind words and kind actions and the great saying ‘If it is not nice, don’t say it. If it is not nice, don’t do it.’ We are seeing a great effort being made throughout the school and teachers on yard are noticing a lovely playful atmosphere where all boys are included in games. Well done boys, keep up the great work.

PE

This week our boys got to test out our new Astro turf pitch for the first time. The reports coming back to me have been incredibly positive! It is such a great addition to our school. Each class gets two PE sessions per week and for October we are focusing on fundamental movement skills. Please wear PE uniforms on PE days.

Admissions to Hollypark for 2021-2022

Enrolment is now open on our website, www.hollyparkbns.ie

Parents’ Association

A huge thank you to Jo-Ann and her team for their constant hard work behind the scenes. Despite not entering into the school so far this year, our partnership remains as strong as ever. We thank you for your continued help and support.

NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS

I MUST BRING THIS ISSUE TO YOUR ATTENTION AGAIN

For the safety, health and welfare of all our boys we ask that you do not bring dogs onto the school campus. Thank you for your understanding.

Stars of the Future

Well done to Mrs. Regan’s 5^th class pupils who planted a lovely pine tree last week to celebrate National Tree Day. We look forward to watching this tree grow in the months and years ahead.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS

This week is a special week for these wonderful boys:

Naoise O’Sullivan, Ronan Mc Donagh, Conor Leonard, Tommy Duff, Thomas Mc Carthy, Senan Garvey, Aaron Murphy, Finn Foley, Oisin Brown, Liam English, Oscar O’ Toole, Finan Kinsella, Adam Mc Devitt, George Balfe, Tadhg Roche, Darii Vaskul, Adam Barron, Bruce Fitzgerald and John Flood.

Happy birthday boys! We hope you have a lovely celebration!

 

SOLAR PANELS

I am delighted to be able to share this good news story with you. During the summer, Microsoft and SSE Airtricity installed 15 solar panels on our school roof. It is intended that all electricity used within the school will now come directly from these panels. This will in turn help us to reduce our carbon footprint and lower our running costs within the school. I would like to thank Microsoft and SSE for choosing our school to be part of this project. We have a deep commitment to Green Schools initiatives within Hollypark and we look forward to sharing some data with you over the next few weeks and months. A special thank you to Board of Management member John Cunniffe for consulting on the the project on the school’s behalf.

You can read more about the project from the press release below.

Beir bua agus beannacht,

7.10.20

 

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Microsoft and SSE Airtricity Join Forces to Explore Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction Opportunity of Rooftop Solar 

27 schools across Ireland receive internet-connected rooftop solar panels with the power to generate enough electricity for 68 Irish homes for a full year.

Over 15 years, solar panels expected to offset approximately 2.1 million kilograms of harmful CO₂ emissions.
 

Microsoft Ireland and SSE Airtricity have today announced a new renewable energy project to enable schools to power classrooms using energy generated from their own roof, helping them to reduce their carbon footprint and their costs.

With an investment of close to one million euro, the partnership will see Microsoft and SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest provider of 100% green energy* and a part of FTSE listed SSE Group, install and manage the internet-connected solar panels in 27 primary and secondary schools across Connaught, Leinster and Munster, which are connected via Azure IoT to Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing platform.

Microsoft and SSE Airtricity identified the opportunity to build renewable energy solutions that would enable consumers to generate power from sustainable sources, using the existing grid connection on their premises. Through the project, Microsoft and SSE Airtricity have an ambition to prove the viability of distributed energy generation and open up the energy saving and carbon reduction potential of rooftop solar across Ireland and the world.

The software tools aggregate and analyze real-time data on energy generated by the solar panels, demonstrating a mechanism for Microsoft and other corporations to achieve sustainability goals and reduce the carbon footprint of the electric power grid. Over 15 years, it is expected that the solar panels will produce enough clean energy to offset approximately 2.1 million kilograms of harmful CO₂ emissions.

Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland said: “At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more. By harnessing the power of technology, we can live out our mission in a way that protects our planet and our local communities.  We are delighted therefore to partner with SSE Airtricity on this important project. With an investment of close to one million euro from the Microsoft Sustainability Fund, not only will 27 schools now power their classrooms using energy generated from their own rooftops, reducing their carbon footprint and costs, we will also look to prove the viability of distributed energy generation by aggregating and analysing real-time data on energy generated by the solar panels.

“Collectively we can take a step in the right direction and harness the power of innovative technology to help generate renewable energy and go some way towards offsetting carbon emissions. Through the installation of solar panels and the new data-driven insights from Microsoft’s Azure cloud, we look forward to enabling sustainable practices inside and outside the school gate. Working together, we hope to open up the energy saving and carbon reduction potential of rooftop solar across Ireland and perhaps one day across the world.”

Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity said: “SSE Airtricity is proud to be Ireland’s largest generator and supplier of 100% green energy. Providing renewable energy solutions is in our DNA and we are delighted to partner with Microsoft Ireland on a project that will deliver real, tangible benefits for these 27 schools and their communities, supporting them on their decarbonisation journey. We are focused on delivering initiatives that will make a real difference in helping Ireland move a step closer to achieving our ambitious 2030 climate targets, while providing practical energy solutions that will support communities, businesses and policymakers on the collective path to net zero.

“This new collaborative project will allow students throughout Ireland to see first-hand how sustainability and renewable energy can combine to help fight climate change while also benefitting their school and community on a daily basis.”

A key objective of the project is to educate students about the role they can play in combatting climate change.

Digital screens have been set up in all 27 schools to enable the students to track energy use in real time and see the impact of the energy efficiency upgrades in their school. Furthermore, as part of the project, students from the schools will participate in a programme designed to educate and inform young people about the challenges posed by climate change and the role technology can play in creating more sustainable communities across Ireland. Currently in development, the 3-part syllabus will cover a range of topics, including renewable energy, sustainability, and technology. The lessons will be delivered through a series of interactive activities and challenges with the aim of bringing sustainability into daily school life.

More information on the partnership can be found in a blog here and a video summarising the story here.

Click here to learn more about Microsoft Azure IoT for energy and here for the carbon-neutral and sustainable operations program at Microsoft. 

27 Schools Receiving Solar Panel Installations

School Name	Location
Adamstown Castle Educate Together	Adamstown, Co. Dublin
Adamstown Community College	Adamstown, Co. Dublin
Claregalway College	Baile Chláir, Co Galway
Colaiste Chillian
Coláiste Cois Life	Bóthar an Chaisleáin, Leamhcán, Co. Átha Cliath
Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua	Sandyford, Dublin 18
Griffeen Valley ETNS	Lucan, Co. Dublin
Holy Family National School	Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Iver College
Kinsale Community School	Kinsale, Co Cork
Kishoge Community College	Lucan, Co. Dublin
Lucan East Educate Together National School	Lucan, Co. Dublin
Monkstown Educate Together	Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Oatlands College	Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
Our Lady of the Wayside NS	Kilternan, Dublin 18
Our Lady’s Boys National School	Dublin, Dublin 16
Rosemount School	Sandyford, Dublin 18
Scoil Caoimhin Naofa	Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
Scoil Phádraig National School	Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
Scoil San Treasa	Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
St Augustine’s National School	Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
St Brogan’s College	Bandon, Co. Cork
St John the Evangelist NS	Adamstown, Co. Dublin
St Mary’s National School	Sandyford, Dublin 18
St Olaf’s National School	Dundrum, Dublin 16
St Patrick’s Boys’ NS, Hollypark	Blackrock, Co. Dublin
St. Kevin’s Community College	Clondalkin,Dublin 22

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.

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