PARENT TEACHER MEETING
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to the school at the Parent Teacher Meetings. We respectfully ask that you do not bring any children to the school at the time of your meeting. Meetings will last 10 minutes. We hope you enjoy your visit to your child's classroom and the school.
CALLING ALL ENGINEERS!
Last year, Engineers Week was a huge success. One of the highlights of the week 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 are going to celebrate Engineers Week at the end of February (26 Feb – 1 March). 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 speaking to another class group, please feel free to email the above email address.
STEM EDUCATION
Ms. Larkin's 4th class have begun a Lego & STEM workshop. The workshop will last 6 weeks and will incorporate the skills of:
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Investigating, modelling and designing solutions
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Engage pupils in science by making it real and relevant
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Basic computing skills
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Collaboration and presentation skills
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Critical thinking and problem-solving
Pictured below are of some of our 4th class boys making Lego models. We look forward to the boys presenting their projects and tasks to us on week 6.
HollyPark STEM Project
Proudly Supported by PwC
We extend our thanks to PwC, who are proudly supporting our STEM initiatives. STEM education is critical to developing children's capacity to understand and engage fully with the world around them. The initiatives will be holistic and engage classes in hands-on STEM activities, fostering a culture of exploration, critical thinking and collaboration throughout the school. The initiatives are led by Ms Hynes and Mr McEvoy, pictured above with Stephen Merriman (PwC) and his son Luke (First Class) launching the initiative.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
We are celebrating Catholic Schools Week from 21-27th of January. The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2024 will be “Communities of Service”. I have included a link to resources which are available in Irish and English:
https://catholiceducation.ie/catholic-schools-week-2024-communities-of-service/
Please also note that the Laudate Festival 2024 will take place in the following venues:
Our Lady of Victories Church, Ballymun Road on Tuesday, 30th January 2024 – 7.00pm-8.15pm And
St. Thérèse’s Church, Mount Merrion on Wednesday, 31st January 2024 – 7.00pm-8.15pm
Yard Communication Boards
As a neuro-affirmative school, we are always looking for ways to support our boys in all aspects of their day. Yard time is very important for children to engage in unstructured play with their peers and develop vital social skills. We want to make sure this is a positive part of the day for all pupils and to ensure accessibility and inclusion for everyone.
Last October, we installed three AAC boards in both of our yards. These were supplied by Finding Charlie’s Voice. AAC stands for Augmentative or Alternative Communication Device. AAC devices support those who may have difficulty communicating and understanding others, through representative pictures and symbols. This could include children with verbal dyspraxia, autism, hearing impairments, or children for whom English is an additional language. Visual supports such as these help with both expressive and receptive communication between pupils and staff. It also allows children without these challenges an opportunity to learn to use the boards to communicate too! We have an inclusive school and we want our boys to understand that inclusion is something everyone needs to work towards. Our staff are already using the boards in the yard with the children, and all classes will be taught how to use the boards as a communication aid this year. The board in the Senior Yard is a bilingual board with both English and Gaeilge!
Here is a YouTube video, which explains exactly what AAC is all about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmsdLzQW5G0
Finding Charlie’s Voice is a registered charity that make and supply AAC boards to schools, playgrounds, and sports clubs. Check them out on social media or on the link attached.
https://www.findingcharliesvoice.ie/
Schools Tennis
The Leinster Tennis Primary Schools League will run from until March 4th until May 23rd this year. We are hoping to enter two teams of 5th and 6th class boys (born in 2013 or earlier) to represent Hollypark. There will be six boys on each team.
If your son is interested in being considered for a place on the team, please email your interest to hollyparktennis2024@gmail.com before January 29th.
Please include details of tournament experience and Tennis Ireland ranking (if applicable), as this will help with team selection. Leinster Tennis also uses this information to determine which division our teams will play in.
Thank you to parents Judith Sheridan and Siobhan Carney for leading our tennis teams this year. Your help is very much appreciated.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
On January 31st and February 1st, school will close @ 2.15pm to facilitate parent teacher meetings. Collection time for 1st-6th class is 2.15pm.
As Hollypark BNS is used as a polling station, the school is closed on March 8th. Please inform minders, grandparents and creche facilities.
CAKE SALE
Our Valentines cake sale will take place in the school hall on February 9th.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
First Holy Communion photographs - Monday, April 22nd @9am
Confirmation photographs - Monday, May 20th @ 9am
This week is a special week for these great boys:
Adam Leahy, Charlie King, Scott Pentony Gregory, Colm Carron, Jack Bowler, Matthew Donegan, William Dong, Wilbur Saunders, JJ Harte & Callum Faulds.
Have a great celebration boys!
Beir bua agus beannacht
Principal
24.01.'24