Wednesday letter January 15th 2025
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
The eyes of Ireland and beyond were on Hollypark BNS yesterday as we were featured on RTÉ News channels. Well done to Mr. Mc Evoy and his 6th-class boys, who spoke so well and proudly represented the school. Thank you to presenter Florence and her team for visiting. Click the links below to watch the news feature!
https://www.rte.ie/player/series/news2day/SI0000001210?epguid=IH10008773-25-0007
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0114/1490808-irish-dodgeball-team/
As part of the launch of the European Dodgeball Championships 2025, which are taking part in Limerick this year (June 26th to 29th), RTE News2Day we welcomed into school on Monday to do a feature with Mr.McEvoy's class showcasing the sport. Over 600 athletes from 21 countries will compete in Limerick’s, women’s, and mixed dodgeball events, showcasing the sport's vibrant and growing presence across Europe. Mr. McEvoy has been playing/coaching with Irish Dodgeball since 2013, and we are very proud of him.
https://www.dodgeball.ie/events/european-championships-2025
PEACE PROMS
Our 3rd class boys are looking forward to their Peace Proms performance on Saturday, February 1st. At least 10 families were not able to purchase tickets due to high demand on the night. If you or someone you know has purchased tickets that you may no longer need, please contact me via info@hollyparkbns.ie. I can put a Hollypark family in touch with you to arrange payment. We would love for all our boys to have at least one parent in attendance on the night.
ENGINEERS WEEK
Last year, Engineers Week was a huge success. One highlight was the visitors who came in to talk to the boys about their lives as engineers.
To avoid a clash with Seachtain na Gaeilge in early March, we will celebrate Engineers Week at the end of February (24 - 28 Feb). If you would like to speak to the boys about life as an engineer, we would love to hear from you. Please email Ms. Hynes at stemathollypark@gmail.com outlining the age group you would like to speak to and a little about the topic you would like to talk about. We look forward to welcoming you to enlighten our budding engineers!
If you spoke to the boys last year and would be interested in returning or speaking to another class group, please email the above email address.
PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS
Parent-teacher meetings will begin soon. Teachers will release time and date slots through our Aladdin system this week. When the time slots are available, you can follow the infographic below for tips on booking your time slot. Please ensure you are signed up for the ALADDIN CONNECT app.
January 29th & 30th, school will close @ 2.15pm to facilitate parent-teacher meetings. The collection time for the 1st-6th class is 2.15 pm.
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to the school at the Parent-Teacher Meetings. We hope you enjoy visiting your child's classroom and the school.
SAFER INTERNET DAY
Hollypark BNS will promote Safer Internet Day on February 11th, 2025. SID is an EU-wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by Oide Technology in Education and Webwise. Webwise.ie is a fantastic resource for parents and has many useful tips on how to keep your children safe online.
https://www.webwise.ie/category/parents/advice/
CUALA ABÚ
Congratulations to Cuala and the O'Callaghan family on reaching the club All-Ireland final. The Hollypark Cuala contingent are flying the red and white flag! We wish Cuala the best of luck in the final this weekend. We are very proud of Ms. O'Callaghan and her 3 sons, who are on the team.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
We look forward to celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2025 which will run from Sunday 19th January to Saturday 25th January, 2025. The theme for this year is Christ Is Alive. We will celebrate Grandparents' Day on Wednesday 22nd. Teachers will advise boys on inviting their grandparents to the school that day. We know that grandparents play a vital role in the lives of our pupils. We will serve tea/coffee and refreshments to all grandparents in our staffroom from 9.30-11am. We look forward to meeting you!
I have included a link to resources for parents which are available in Irish and English.
https://catholiceducation.ie/catholic-schools-week-2025-alive-in-christ/
UPCOMING EVENTS
I have included some upcoming events from January- June to help in advance of the year ahead. As the weeks go on, I will add future events to the calendar. Any new additions will be included in RED. (January attached here and February- June is attached below)
| January 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Mo | School reopens |
| 7 | Tu | |
| 8 | We | |
| 9 | Th | |
| 10 | Fr | |
| 11 | Sa | |
| 12 | Su | |
| 13 | Mo | |
| 14 | Tu | |
| 15 | We | |
| 16 | Th | |
| 17 | Fr | |
| 18 | Sa | |
| 19 | Su | Catholic Schools' Week |
| 20 | Mo | |
| 21 | Tu | |
| 22 | We | Grandparents' Day |
| 23 | Th | |
| 24 | Fr | |
| 25 | Sa | |
| 26 | Su | |
| 27 | Mo | PT Meetings |
| 28 | Tu | |
| 29 | We | PTM 14.15 close |
| 30 | Th | PTM 14.15 close |
| 31 | Fr | |
Texaco Art Competition
Our Boys are invited to take part in the 71st Annual Texaco Art Competition. Completed entries can be posted to:
Texaco Children’s Art Competition,
PO BOX 100
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
(Please note that entries completed at home are to be submitted to the Texaco Art Competition by the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) and are not to be returned to school.)
Entries to the competition can be about anything that interests you. Your entry should not be smaller than A4 (29.7cm x 21.0cm) or larger than A2 (59.4cm x 42.0cm) before it is mounted, which is optional.
Please submit your artwork in flat format only; it should not be rolled, folded, or framed.
The competition's closing date is 28 February 2025. All details about preparing your entry can be found on the Texaco Children’s Art website:https://www.texacochildrensart.com/how-to-enter/preparing-your-entry.
A MESSAGE FROM THE HSE
Dear Principal,
As the cold weather continues, the HSE public health division has asked for your help in sharing the following important information with your school community:
- Flu is circulating widely in the community, with children being significantly affected.
- Please remind families that anyone who is unwell should remain at home to help prevent the spread of infection.
- Cough and sneeze etiquette, along with regular hand hygiene, are essential to limiting the spread of illness.
- The free nasal flu vaccine for children aged 2–17 is still available through local pharmacies and GPs.
For more information, go to hse.ie/flu
Thank you for your support in sharing this information with your school community.
This is a very special week for these great boys,
Renzo Marino, Axel Mallon, David Finnegan, Luke Champion, Charlie Ashley, Joshua Perkins, Cokito Orellana Lyne, Cillín Cleary, Andrew Lynam, Oscar Friel, James Hyland, Adam Dunne, Hugo Collins and Zachary Lynch.
Have a great celebration boys!
Beir bua ahus beannacht
Principal
15.01.2025
SCHOOL CALENDAR FEBRUARY-JUNE
| February 2025 | March 2025 | April 2025 | May 2025 Testing Month | June 2025 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sa | Peace Proms RDS | 1 | Sa | 1 | Tu | 1 | Th | 1 | Su | ||||
| 2 | Su | 2 | Su | 2 | We | 2 | Fr | 2 | Mo | Bank Hol | ||||
| 3 | Mo | Bank Hol | 3 | Mo | 3 | Th | 3 | Sa | 3 | Tu | ||||
| 4 | Tu | 4 | Tu | 4 | Fr | 4 | Su | 4 | We | |||||
| 5 | We | 5 | We | 5 | Sa | 5 | Mo | 5 | Th | |||||
| 6 | Th | 6 | Th | 6 | Su | 6 | Tu | 6 | Fr | |||||
| 7 | Fr | 7 | Fr | 7 | Mo | 7 | We | 7 | Sa | Confirmation | ||||
| 8 | Sa | 8 | Sa | 8 | Tu | 8 | Th | 8 | Su | |||||
| 9 | Su | 9 | Su | 9 | We | 9 | Fr | 9 | Mo | Conf. Photos 6th | ||||
| 10 | Mo | 10 | Mo | SNAG | 10 | Th | 10 | Sa | 10 | Tu | ||||
| 11 | Tu | Safer Internet Day | 11 | Tu | 11 | Fr | 11 | Su | 11 | We | ||||
| 12 | We | 12 | We | 12 | Sa | 12 | Mo | 12 | Th | Sports Day | ||||
| 13 | Th | 13 | Th | Paráid | 13 | Su | 13 | Tu | 13 | Fr | ||||
| 14 | Fr | CAKE SALE (PA) | 14 | Fr | 14 | Mo | Easter Holidays | 14 | We | 14 | Sa | |||
| 15 | Sa | 15 | Sa | 15 | Tu | 15 | Th | 15 | Su | |||||
| 16 | Su | 16 | Su | 16 | We | 16 | Fr | 16 | Mo | |||||
| 17 | Mo | 17 | Mo | Bank Hol | 17 | Th | 17 | Sa | First Communion | 17 | Tu | |||
| 18 | Tu | 18 | Tu | 18 | Fr | 18 | Su | First Communion | 18 | We | ||||
| 19 | We | 19 | We | 19 | Sa | 19 | Mo | Communion Photos | 19 | Th | ||||
| 20 | Th | Mid-term | 20 | Th | 20 | Su | Easter | 20 | Tu | 20 | Fr | |||
| 21 | Fr | Mid-term | 21 | Fr | 21 | Mo | Easter Holidays | 21 | We | 21 | Sa | |||
| 22 | Sa | 22 | Sa | 22 | Tu | 22 | Th | 22 | Su | |||||
| 23 | Su | 23 | Su | 23 | We | 23 | Fr | 23 | Mo | |||||
| 24 | Mo | Engineers Week | 24 | Mo | 24 | Th | 24 | Sa | 24 | Tu | 6th class Graduation | |||
| 25 | Tu | EW | 25 | Tu | 25 | Fr | 25 | Su | 25 | We | ||||
| 26 | We | EW | 26 | We | 26 | Sa | 26 | Mo | 26 | Th | ||||
| 27 | Th | EW | 27 | Th | 27 | Su | 27 | Tu | 27 | Fr | Final Day of term | |||
| 28 | Fr | EW | 28 | Fr | 28 | Mo | Return to School | 28 | We | New Infant story Day 13.45 | 28 | Sa | ||
| 29 | Sa | 29 | Tu | 29 | Th | 29 | Su | |||||||
| 30 | Su | 30 | We | 30 | Fr | 30 | Mo | July Provision | ||||||
| 31 | Mo | 31 | Sa | |||||||||||