Wednesday letter April 9th 2025

Parents’ Association Survey – Thank You!

A huge thank you to everyone who completed our recent Parents’ Association Feedback Survey – we received 63 detailed responses!  

Your feedback has given us valuable insights into the types of events you're most interested in (like parenting workshops, digital safety sessions, and fundraising events), and how you'd like to be kept in the loop (with email, WhatsApp, and the school newsletter topping the list).  We know time is precious, and many of you shared that time constraints are the biggest barrier to volunteering.  That said, we're thrilled that others are keen to get involved – whether by offering time, skills, or support in different ways.  We’re exploring informal sessions so you can learn more about the PA and how to contribute, in a relaxed, no-pressure setting – stay tuned!

Your ideas and support help shape what we do. We’ll continue working to make PA activities inclusive, meaningful, and enjoyable for everyone.  Go raibh maith agaibh!

Congratulations to Lucy Carey who is the winner of the €50 One4All Voucher!

The Parents’ Association Committee

Hollypark BNS Cookbook

Dear Boys, Parents / Guardians, 

We have been working behind the scenes cooking up something extra special—and we need YOUR help to make it amazing! We’re excited to announce the launch of our Hollypark BNS Cookbook - a delicious collection of favourite recipes from students, families, and staff in our school community.  This one-of-a-kind cookbook will be packed with love, tradition, and all the flavours that make our school so unique.

Why are we doing this?  This project is a fundraiser, with all proceeds going directly towards purchasing new stage curtains for our school hall.  Plus, it's a fun way to bring us all together through food and shared stories.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Submit a Recipe: Send us your favourite dish!  Whether it’s a family secret, a go-to weeknight meal, or a cultural favourite, we want to include it.  We are looking for everything - breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, healthy snacks, air fryer & slow cooker recipes, smoothies and lunch box ideas too!  We would also love to include a variety of dishes that reflect the different dietary needs and lifestyles of our families.  If you have a nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan recipe (or anything else allergy-friendly) we would especially love to feature it!

When submitting your recipe, please let us know if it's allergy-friendly or easily adaptable – we’ll highlight these in the cookbook so everyone can find dishes that work for their families.  Let’s make this cookbook as inclusive (and delicious!) as possible.

Deadline to Submit Recipes: Friday 2^nd May
Submit recipes online at https://forms.gle/bnmKFzz9omBPn8YYA, or alternatively you can email it directly to hollyparkbnscookbook@gmail.com

If you have a special story or memory behind the recipe, please let us know too!

Buy the Cookbook

We will keep you updated on our progress!  Once it’s ready, it’ll make a perfect gift and keepsake for your kitchen.

Together, we’ll create something meaningful, memorable - and delicious!  If you would like to get involved with bringing this Cookbook to life, we would love to hear from you.  Please get in touch with us at hollyparkbnscookbook@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!
With thanks, 
Hollypark BNS Cookbook Committee

PAWS PROGRAMME

Roisin O' Regan from PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety) visited our school last week. The boys completed a course, gaining skills and knowledge in water safety and life-saving techniques. Some 6th class boys are pictured above receiving their PAWS certificates. 

HURLING SEASON

Best of luck to our junior and senior hurlers who begin their competitive matches this week. Last week, our senior team (pictured below) beat St. Laurence's in a friendly. Thank you to Mrs. Regan, Mr. Ryan, Ms. O' Farrell, Ms. Crowe and Mr. Molyneux for taking the teams. 

SOCCER TEAM

Hard luck to our wonderful soccer team, who came joint top of the soccer league but lost out to St. Brigid's BNS on goal difference. A huge shout out to super 'keeper Donnchadh Billings, who displayed cat-like reactions to save a penalty in yesterday's match. He is destined for a professional contract! Thank you to Mr. Mc Evoy and Mr. Mitchell for their work with the soccer team. 
 

Tae Kwon Do

There was success all around for the Hollypark boys at the Tae Kwon Do grading at the weekend. Well done to Archie, Rian, Conor, JP, Logan, Cameron, Kit and all who got their new belts. Proudly showing their new belts off in school today were Noah, Nathan and Cian from 3rd class. 

EASTER HOLIDAYS

It is hard to believe we are at the end of term 2 already. What a great term it has been! There has been so much happening in Hollypark BNS that it is almost hard to keep up! We hope you have been enjoying the weekly newsletter updates. Thank you once again, for your support and cooperation in Term 2.  I wish you a joyful Easter break. 

School will close for a half day on Friday, April 11th.

Collection times are as follows. Please inform minders, helpers, bus drivers, grandparents, etc.

BOOKLISTS

Your son will get a copy of his book list and insurance for the '25-'26 school year on Thursday. A payment link will be available through Aladdin. 

STAR OF THE FUTURE

This week's star of the future is William, in 5th class. He is a very talented artist with the world at his fingertips. William's latest creation has been signed, framed, and placed in the Hollypark Gallery forevermore! Well done William; we are proud of you. 

SACRAMENTAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISEMENTS

SCHOOL CALENDAR APRIL-JUNE