Wednesday letter May 14th 2025

Ireland’s First School Deposit Return Scheme – Right Here in Hollypark!

We are proud to announce that Hollypark is the first school in Ireland to install a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) machine on-site! In partnership with Zeeko Technology at UCD, we are now collecting plastic bottles and cans that carry the official return label. Every item recycled through our machine earns credit towards much-needed laptops and Chromebooks for our school. This initiative not only promotes sustainability and environmental awareness among our pupils but also directly supports digital learning. Well done to everyone involved in bringing this innovative project to life! Our pupil voice and green schools committee will lead the initiative. 

Sporting Round-Up

A huge well done to our 3rd Class boys who were victorious in a hurling blitz at Oatlands College yesterday, winning all five matches against local schools! The team returned to a hero’s welcome and a guard of honour as they proudly brought the trophy back to Hollypark. Meanwhile, our 6th Class boys (pictured below) played their final hurling match last week, marking the end of a fantastic chapter in their sporting journey. Our Junior B team showed tremendous heart and pride in the Hollypark jersey during a tough match played in sweltering conditions. Yesterday, in the blistering sunshine, our Junior A and B hurlers both had fantastic victories over St. Laurence's and St. Pius. Well done to both teams. (Pictured below)
In soccer news, our 9-a-side team has advanced to the next round of the cup—great work, boys! 

A sincere thank you to all the teachers and SNAs who generously give their time each week to coach, support, and accompany our teams. These opportunities wouldn’t be possible without your dedication!

STARS OF THE FUTURE

Well done to past and present Hollypark boys who won the Barcelona Cup last week for European cup glory, winning the final in a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout. Jamie, Toby, James, Patrick, Sean, Rhian and Ronan from the current 6th class. Elliot, Zach, Alex, Nathan and Conor are from last year's 6th class. Well done boys! I hope the scouts were watching closely!

MATHS INSERVICE 

A reminder to all families, Hollypark BNS and GNS have a Primary Maths Curriculum in-service day on Monday, May 26th. The school will be closed. 

LIBRARY VISIT 

Last Wednesday, Mrs. Regan's 5th class visited Deansgrange Library. They attended an author visit event based on a new book called The Last Boy by Eve McDonnell. The book is inspired by the true story of George Brewster, the last child chimney sweep. The boys enjoyed hearing all about what it was like to be a chimney sweep. They also got to write their wishes for the future on a wish print, which they got to bring back and display in the classroom. 

FREE LIBRARY BOOKS 

Super Serengeti Project!

A big congratulations to Zander in Senior Infants for his incredible project on the Serengeti! Zander’s work showed amazing creativity, research, and a real passion for wildlife. He impressed us all with his knowledge of the animals and environment of this unique part of the world. Well done, Zander—we’re very proud of your hard work and enthusiasm!
Zander is joined in the photo by his classmate Flynn. 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 

Best wishes to our second class pupils who will make their First Holy Communion this weekend. I look forward to meeting all the boys and their families on Saturday morning. We hope the sun continues to shine! 

COMMUNION PHOTOGRAPHS

JUNIOR INFANTS '25-26

On Wednesday, May 28th, we look forward to welcoming our new Junior Infant classes into our school. The boys will meet their teacher, play some games and enjoy storytime. Parents will mingle and get to know one another with the help of tea and coffee served by our Parents' Association. As one class group gets ready to move to pastures new, we look forward to beginning the cycle again with our latest classes.

Hollypark BNS Summer BBQ & Social Evening

We are looking forward to our end-of-term Summer BBQ on Friday, 13^th June.  Tickets are €25 per person, which includes a BBQ and a Hollypark Signature Cocktail on arrival.  It will be a great opportunity to catch up with other parents and even make it your class end of end-of-term night out!  Tickets are now very limited, so don’t wait and get yours today https://buytickets.at/stpatricksbnsparentsassociation/1662802

We will be hosting a raffle on the night.  If you or your company would like to donate a prize, we would love to hear from you at hollyparkboyspa@gmail.com 

It will be a wonderful evening, and we are looking forward to seeing you there!

Volunteers Needed - First Holy Communion Saturday 17^th May

The Parents’ Association are looking forward to welcoming the 2^nd class boys, their parents, guardians and extended families into the Pastoral Centre after mass this Saturday morning.  The boys will be treated to a magic show while the adults will have some well-deserved refreshments.  If you can provide some finger food, we would be very grateful.  This can be dropped off in the Pastoral Centre between 8:30 am - 9:30 am on Saturday morning.  We are also looking for some parent volunteers to help us with serving tea and coffee between 10:30 am - 12:00 pm.  It is a really lovely morning for the boys and a pleasure to be part of the occasion.  If you can lend a hand, it would be really appreciated - please contact Sarah on 087 2842802.  

Hollypark BNS Cookbook – Final FINAL Call!

Thank you for all the wonderful recipes we’ve received over the past few weeks.  While submissions are still coming in, we now need to set a final deadline.  We have a few spaces remaining, so if you would like your recipe to be included, please submit it by Wednesday, 21^st May.  We will not be able to accept anything after this date!  Submit recipes online at https://forms.gle/bnmKFzz9omBPn8YYA, or alternatively you can email them directly to hollyparkbnscookbook@gmail.com

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

School Closures -Term 3

STANDARDISED TESTING MAY 2025

Standardised testing began this week for classes 2nd- 6th as per the Department of Education’s recent circular to schools. 2^nd -6^th will have tests in spelling, reading and maths.

1^st classes will only have the spelling test, as whole-class standardised testing in 1^st is not recommended.

These tests are just one method of assessing a pupil’s performance, and we know that they are snapshots on a particular day that can be affected by numerous circumstances.

Standardised tests will give us information to guide our teaching and learning for the next academic year. It will also help us to identify pupils who may benefit from additional support.

For further information, please check out this link on the NCCA website.

understanding-standardscores_eng.pdf (ncca.ie)

Annette Lynch (Deputy Principal & SEN Coordinator)

Free Bike Safety Checks

In celebration of Bike Week, Deansgrange Library is offering free bike safety checks this Friday, May 16th, 1-3 pm. Mechanics will be available to do free safety checks of bikes, including checking the brakes, tyres, wheels, pedals, chain, gears, and handlebars. There is no booking required, and it is open to anyone. Students, staff, and parents alike are all welcome to come and have their bikes checked.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

This week is a very special week for these boys: Bodhi Bleyendaal, Jack Keegan, Cole Doolin, James Hart, Matthew Smyth, Luca O' Sullivan, Daire Buckley & Luca Fox

We wish you a wonderful celebration boys. 

Beir bua agus beannacht,

14.5.2025