WELL DONE TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY 

As we begin to countdown towards Christmas, I want to thank our entire school community for your positive attitude, resilience and support over the past number of months. It is great to see the many happy faces bouncing in our school gates each morning. I love getting to greet all the families at drop off and collection times. There is a real sense of community spirit in Hollypark BNS. Well done to all involved. 

SNA APPRECIATION POST

Currently in Hollypark BNS we have 10 SNAs (Special Needs Assistants). The team named below along with Mrs. Tecklenborg do a remarkable job each day supporting our students in class and on yard. Our SNAs are vital members of staff and we are lucky to have them. 

Junior Infants – Ms. Reynolds
Senior Infants – Mrs. Clarke
1st Class – Ms. Conroy
2nd Class – Ms. Mc Loughlin
3rd Class – Mrs. Durning and Mrs. Moloney
4th Class – Mrs. Doyle
5th Class – Mrs. Walsh
6th Class – Ms. Fennell 

SNA team – we salute you. Thank you for all your hard work. 

We will soon have 1 more SNA joining the team. 

ADOPTION OF DUBLIN ZOO ANIMALS 

We have made a generous donation to Dublin Zoo and have adopted 8 animals, one for each year group. Thank you to our Parents’ Association for the donation and to SNA Mary Mc Loughlin for co-ordinating the project within the school. Boys in each class got to vote on which animals they would like to adopt. 

Junior Infants – Lion
Senior Infants – Giraffe
1st Class – Penguin
2nd class – Rhino 
3rd Class Chimpanzee 
4th Class – Orangutan
5th Class – Elephant
6th Class – Red Panda 

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION IN AID OF THE CAPUCHIN DAY CENTRE FOR THE HOMELESS

Our Christmas Collection is in aid of The Capuchin Day Centre for homeless people in Central Dublin. In light of current restrictions this year, we are collecting gift vouchers from Dunnes Stores, SuperValu, Tesco, Lidl and Aldi. 

The centre provides hundreds of hot meals and food parcels to people at this time of year and these gift vouchers will be used by the centre to purchase food and goods which will go directly to families and children in need. 

Brother Kevin Crowley and the volunteers at the centre send their heartfelt thanks to the boys and families of Hollypark for their kind support. 

We ask you to please donate generously again this Christmas. 

DROP OFF AND COLLECTION TIME 

Please do not allow children to climb in the trees and run and scoot around the building during drop off and collection times. These times are terribly busy with many people moving in different directions. Please show courtesy to our whole school community. 

We also ask that parents do not approach a teacher during collection or drop off time, the teacher’s full attention needs to be on the children in their care. If you would like to speak with your son’s teacher, please use the contact section of our website. 

COLLECTION TIMES FOR DECEMBER 22ND

School will close early on December 22nd for Christmas holidays. The following collection times will apply: 

Junior Infants – Collection – 11.30am
Senior infants – Collection – 11.35am
6th and 5th class – Collection – 11.45am
4th Class – Collection – 11.50am
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class – Collection – 12pm 

All collection points remain the same as normal. 

SANTA VISIT AND CHRISTMAS SHOW 

Santa will pay a visit to our wonderful boys on December 17th. Also taking place on the 17th will be live Christmas shows Zoomed into every room in the school. Let the fun and festivities begin!! 

Thank you to the PA for erecting our lovely Christmas tree in the school foyer. It has added so much Christmas cheer to the building! 

MUSIC GENERATION WORKSHOPS 

This week the boys in 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes will be treated to a one-hour virtual music workshop with Music Generation in association with DLR. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS! 

This week is a special week for these wonderful boys: Christian Smyth, Alexander Quin, Alfie Craven, Emmanuelle Gealon, Edward Ramanundh, Luke Hogan and Rory Wise. 

We hope you have a lovely week boys! 

ONLINE SAFETY AND DIGITAL WELLBEING 

6th classes will receive Online Safety and Digital Wellbeing training on December 1Oth. 

Parents of 6th class boys will also receive a webinar on the same topic at 7.30pm on December 10th. 

COVID -19 REMINDERS

• Parents, please continue to wear masks around the school grounds. 
• If your son is unwell for any reason, please do not send him to school. 
• Fill in the Declaration Form on Aladdin before your son returns to school. 
• Continue to follow the HSE guidelines and let us keep everyone safe and well for Christmas. 
• Please ensure your son has all his belongings with him each day so staff do not have to handle your son’s belongings. 

STARS OF THE FUTURE

This week’s stars of the future hail from our 3 Junior Infants classes. They have beautiful artwork on display outside their classrooms and are really getting us into the festive spirit! Well done boys and teachers, keep up the great work. 

HOLLY THE ELF! 

Holly, our resident elf, has been up to all sorts of tricks this week. Below she is pictured in Ms. Breathnach’s room disguised as an angel on top of her tree. At least she is wearing her mask!! 

Beir bua agus beannacht, 

09.12.20