WHAT A START!
It has been an incredible start to 2023 and we couldn't be prouder of our Hollypark boys, both past and present! Day in, day out, Hollypark boys show up with a willingness to learn, open-mindedness, enthusiastic and full of energy. As you will see from the newsletter this week, it has been a busy start to 2023!
SENSORY ROOM
This week has been a very exciting week in Hollypark. Last Friday, saw the installation of our new sensory room. A huge thank you to you, the parents and the Parents' Association for your fundraising and contributions to make this room happen. A sensory room is a space which aims to provide students with the individualised sensory input they need to self-regulate, so they can be better prepared for learning and interacting with others. A sensory space addresses the primary senses; sight, hearing, smell, touch, vestibular and proprioceptive. We look forward to our neurodivergent learners enjoying this space for years to come.
The room will be officially opened next week once the painters are finished but I have included some sneak peek photographs for you to enjoy!
AISTEAR
Aistear is the curriculum framework for children from birth to six years in Ireland. In Hollypark, Aistear is part of the curriculum in Junior and Senior Infants.
There are many benefits of Aistear. Aistear has a focus on hands-on learning and play to help children develop skills and knowledge of the world around them.
Through play, children can discover their own interests, abilities and limitations; they imagine, investigate and explore. They develop memory skills, build vocabulary, learn new skills and knowledge and learn how to get on with adults and other children.
The principles of Aistear place children at the centre of their own learning and development and view them as citizens with rights and responsibilities, free from any form of discrimination. The Frameworks also view children as confident, competent, curious and creative learners.
Other key elements of the Aistear curriculum help children learn about and appreciate the world around them. With different people and cultures living around Ireland, it is important that children learn about equality and diversity. Celebrating children's uniqueness in the classroom is a great place to start, and is supported by the Aistear curriculum.
This week, Room 2, Ms. Dunne's (pictured below) are working on the theme of the Doctor's surgery. Thank you to parent, Clare Daly, for donating some real life materials for us to use.
KILMACUD CROKES
Best of luck to Kilmacud Crokes who are back in the All Ireland club football final. The final will take place in Croke Park on Sunday, January 22nd @ 3.30pm against Watty Grahams, Glen from Derry. It is a super achievement once again for Kilmacud. On Friday, January 20th, we will once again turn our school purple and gold. Boys can wear Kilmacud Crokes gear head- to -toe!
This Kilmacud generation, filled with our past pupils, are inspiring our next generation! I have attached a wonderful poem, written and performed by Liam Kinsella, 4th class.
https://we.tl/t-vBqgPV6amC
Click the link to view
STAR OF THE FUTURE
Ben Goodwin, 6th class, is a creative genius! He recently spotted an empty box on the corridor. As quick as a flash, Ben said he could make a model Titanic out of it. With a carefully thought out plan, he set about building a large (very large!) Titanic model. The result is captured in the pictures below. What an impressive build from an incredibly talented young man. Needless to say, our classes Junior Infants- 6th were bowled over by Ben's creation.
Reduce, reuse, recycling at its finest!
BT YOUNG SCIENTIST
Congratulations to past pupil, Oisín O' Neill, current Oatlands College pupil, who won 2 awards at BTYSTE last weekend. Oisín was placed 3rd in the intermediate: Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences. We are very proud of you Oisín and look forward to having you visit Hollypark again to inspire our next generation. Oisín is pictured below with President Micheal D. Higgins.
Project: Developing a device for economically viable desalination of seawater for individuals in developing countries.
Category: Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS
Parent teachers meetings have commenced. If you have not booked a time slot yet, please follow the infographic below on how to book.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S STANDARDISED TEST SCORES
SCHOOL CLOSURES
January 25th and 26th, school will close @ 2.15pm to facilitate parent teacher meetings
March 16th, school will be closed to facilitate staff in-service training on the new Primary Language Curriculum.
Catholic Schools will take place from Sunday 22 to Sunday 29 January 2023 on the theme of the process of synodality, with three features of synodality being identified as helpful to exploring ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’:
This is a very special week for these great boys,
David Finnegan, Luke Champion, Charlie Ashley, Joshua Perkins, Levi Kelly, Miguel Small, Conor Bilag, Adam Dunne, Hugo Collins, Zachary Lynch agus Adam Leahy.
Have a great celebration boys!
Beir bua agus beannacht,
Principal
17.1.'23
| January 25th and 26th | @ 2.15pm (PTMs) |
| March 16th | All day (In-service) |
THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISEMENTS
Call for Altar Servers - Foxrock Church
During the pandemic Foxrock Church had to pause the involvement of altar servers in masses. Now, 3 years on we're looking to get boys and girls involved in altar serving again. My own boys have been involved over the years and they enjoyed the responsibility. The treats at Christmas and Easter and the altar servers days out didn't hurt either!
We're looking for servers for the 6pm mass on Saturdays and 10am on Sundays. We try to only schedule servers every 2 or 3 weeks and there is never a problem if they can't make it. If you're interested in learning more please contact me on triona.mcormack@gmail.com, or email Foxrock Parish on secretary@foxrockparish.ie if your child would like to get involved.