DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
School Closures -Term 3
| Monday, May 1st – Friday, May 5th (inclusive) | May Break |
Monday, May 15th |
Department of Education: Staff Inservice:
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| Monday, June 5th & Tuesday, June 6th | June Bank Holiday |
| Friday, June 30th. 12pm finish. | Final day of school year |
First day of new school year: Wednesday 30th August 2023.
A Sad Farewell to our Wonderful Caretaker Garrett Maguire
Our whole school community is very sad to be losing our incredible caretaker, Garrett Maguire. He has been so much more than a caretaker to us over the past 12 years in Hollypark BNS. Here are just a few of Garrett’s attributes:
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A true gentleman.
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A role model for our staff and pupils to look up to.
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The coolest caretaker ever!
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A master craftsman and builder-Our Outdoor Classroom is a testament to this.
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A jack of all trades.
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A great colleague and friend.
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A kind and gentle personality. A person who will never say 'no'.
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Always has a smile and welcome to all.
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Great in a crisis!
Garrett you may be leaving us but we will never forget you. The whole school community wishes you well in your next chapter.
DOWN SYNDROME ODD SOCK DAY
Thank you for your huge donations to The Down Syndrome Centre at our recent odd sock fundraiser. Hollypark BNS handed over a cheque of 1,105.26 to Andre Gaw of The Down Syndrome Centre, last Monday. Thank you to Cillian our poster boy and to his 5th class buddies, Oscar and Matthew for their help. Thank you to Ms. Dunne for organising the event.
It was our pleasure to welcome our past pupils, Stephen Mc Mahon and Tom Wyley, back to Hollypark yesterday. Stephen and Tom recently won the Senior Cup with Gonzaga. We are very proud of the role models they have become. They spoke to our 5th and 6th class boys at length about never giving up, believing in your abilities and enjoying school and sport. Our past heroes were welcomed to the school with a 3rd and 4th class Guard of Honour. (video link https://youtube.com/shorts/rTUPbnyijz8 )
Accompanying Stephen and Tom were their proud parents and two current Gonzaga teachers, Dr. Robert Mc Carthy and Cllr Michael Clark, both of whom are also past Hollypark pupils. A huge thank you to our current 6th class student, John Paul O' Grady, who wrote a letter to Stephen and Tom on behalf of Hollypark inviting them to attend. (letter attached below)
GRANADA FOOTBALL CLUB
Well done to Granada Football Club for the brilliant initiative outlined below. Social Soccer for children with dyspraxia starts on Saturday, April 29th @ 11am. Please see the poster attached.
Granada FC also started coaching with our 4th class students today. The boys are delighted with themselves and eager to see their skills improve over the next 7 weeks. Thank you to Granada FC for organising.
STARS OF THE FUTURE
Well done to Patrick and Lúc who represented Blackrock RFC in La Rochelle last weekend. The boys had a great time playing rugby and meeting Irish sporting hero Ronan O' Gara. Rumour has it, both boys were offered large salaries and signing on fees to transfer. Thankfully, the lure of Mrs. Regan's hurling sessions was enough to bring them back to Hollypark!
Well done to Adam, 4th class, for his victory in a chess tournament last weekend. His lessons with Hector, our chess teacher, are paying off!
We recently had a visit from Tobias Tutankhamun Magee in 1st class. His amazing art skills were to the fore again as he amazed us all with his mask making skills. Here he is, pictured on the famous Hollypark rock with his friend Jack. Well done boys, we are so proud of you all.
ANTI- SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Unfortunately, we have received a complaint from neighbours of Springhill Park playground (beside Newtownpark Tennis Club) in relation to anti- social behaviour. Senior boys, wearing the Hollypark BNS uniform are hanging around inside the playground and reportedly using foul and abusive language. Our community Garda has also been informed. We encourage parents to chat with their children and address the issue of anti- social behaviour. We also encourage our senior boys to vacate the playground and leave it to the younger children whom the playground is designed for. Remember boys, when you are outside school, you also represent Hollypark BNS and we want to maintain the high standards we have set over the past 55 years in the community.
SCHOOL SELF EVALUATION (SSE)
Thank you everyone who contributed to our wellbeing survey last week. If you haven't submitted your response you will find the survey in your emails. The survey will close this Friday.
Healthy Eating Policy
Following on from our school wellbeing survey last week, much of the feedback from parents focused on our healthy eating policy. The teachers in school play their part in encouraging healthy eating habits but we rely on you, the parents to pack appropriate lunches for your sons. Many of our older boys are stopping at the shops each morning and buying snacks that are not permitted in school. Parents may not be aware of this. We thank you for your help in enforcing this policy.
You can view our full policy here https://hollyparkbns.ie/our-school/policies/healthy-eating-policy. I have included some of the main topics below.
- The following foods are not allowed: crisps, high sugar cereal bars, lollipops, chocolate or chocolate covered foods, biscuits.
- For health and safety reasons, nuts should not be included in any lunchbox.
- Milk and water are the recommended drinks. Fizzy drinks & energy drinks are not permitted.
- Parents/guardians are requested to never send in food for other children for birthdays or any other reason.
- Fruit and Veg Small Break- We encourage the boys to eat fruit and vegetables at small break
SPORTING ROUND UP
Well done to our two junior hurling teams that took to the field yesterday evening. Many boys made their Hollypark debut and pulled on the famous green and yellow jerseys for the first time. The results didn't go our way but we are proud of the effort and the teamwork shown. Our senior hurlers take to the field on Thursday. Thank you to Mrs. Regan, Ms. Costello, Mrs. Walsh, Ms. Fallon and Mr. Murphy for giving voluntarily of their free time to take the teams.
Our 6th class soccer team were unfortunately on the wrong side of a 2-0 defeat on Monday and exit the Cup at the quarter final stage. The boys are still competing in the league and will play local rivals St. Brigid's on Friday. Thank you to Mr. Mc Evoy and Mr. Murphy for taking the teams.
Second Hand Uniform Sale
The Parents’ Association will be holding a second-hand uniform sale in the school hall this Friday 28th April from 8.30am – 9.30am. There will be a selection of school jumpers, shirts, trousers, tracksuits and some school coats for sale, with all items €5 or under. Cash and card payments accepted.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!
This week is a special week for these boys;
Christopher Sullivan, Michael Ennis, Daniel Carey, Seán Lowey, Cillian Deasy, Terry O' Rourke, Charlie Li, Samuel Radford, Hugo Doyle agus Jamie Walsh.
We hope you have an amazing day!
Beir bua agus beannacht,
Principal