Wednesday Letter January 21st 2026

A Wonderful Milestone for Hollypark BNS – Second Autism Class Approved

We are delighted to share some fantastic news with our school community.

Hollypark BNS has received approval to open a second Autism class, building on the great success of our first class, which opened in 2024. Since its establishment, the class has been a hugely positive addition to our school, with the children settling in wonderfully and feeling fully welcomed and included as part of our community.

The new class will allow us to provide places for six additional children with an Autism diagnosis who are not yet ready for the demands of a mainstream classroom. This development will make a real and meaningful difference to families and further strengthen our ability to meet the diverse needs of our pupils.

This is an achievement of which our Board of Management, staff, parents, and pupils can be extremely proud. It reflects the inclusive values at the heart of Hollypark BNS and our shared commitment to care, understanding, and community spirit. We are proud to be a place where all children are supported to thrive.

Classroom Number 19 will undergo refurbishment works in preparation for the new class, which we hope will open in September 2026. Many parents and companies were on hand to lend support for our first autism classroom. If you or your company would like to support us again in 2026, we would love to hear from you. Thank you to interior architect Louise Mc Intyre, who will once again work her magic on the space. 

We look forward to sharing further updates as the project progresses and celebrating this important step forward together as a school community.

File Photograph, Autism Class 1, opened in October 2025 

PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS

We are very much looking forward to welcoming parents and guardians to the school for our upcoming Parent–Teacher Meetings. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and to strengthen our partnership with families.

To ensure that meetings run smoothly and on time, we respectfully ask that children are not brought to school during your scheduled meeting. Each meeting will last approximately 10 minutes. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and the school.

To facilitate the meetings, the school will close at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, January 28th and Wednesday, January 29th. Collection time for pupils from 1st to 6th Class on both days will be 2.15 pm.

Thank you, as always, for your cooperation and support. 

Catholic Schools Week 2026

We are delighted to be celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2026 in our school. Catholic Schools Week offers schools the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the unique contributions of Catholic education, guided by the values of faith, community, care, and respect for all.

Throughout the week, pupils will engage in a range of age-appropriate activities, prayer moments and classroom discussions, using resources provided through the Catholic Schools Week website. 

While Grandparents’ Day is an important and much-loved part of Catholic Schools Week, we will be celebrating this special occasion later in the year. This will allow us to give families plenty of advance notice, and full details and dates will be shared in due course.

We look forward to a meaningful and enjoyable week for all, celebrating the spirit and values that make our school such a special place.

Valentine’s Cake Sale  – Raffle Prize Donations 

The Parents’ Association is getting ready for our Valentine’s Cake Sale and raffle, and we’d love your help!  If you or your company could help us out with child-friendly raffle prizes (such as vouchers, treats, or experiences), we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Please contact us at hollyparkboyspa@gmail.com.  Thanks, as always, for your continued generosity and support!