CHILD PROTECTION

Notification regarding the Board of Management’s review of the Child Safeguarding Statement

To: Parents, Guardian and Pupils,
The Board of Management of St. Patrick’s BNS, Hollypark wishes to inform you that:

The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting of 5.10.2023.

This review was conducted in accordance with the “Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement” published on the gov.ie website

Signed

Chairperson, Board of Management
Date 5.10.2023

Signed

Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management
Date 5.10.2023

Click the link attached to view our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment 2023-24.
https://hollyparkbns.ie/our-school/policies/child-safeguarding-statemen…

If you have any feedback in relation to our Child Protection policy, Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessments, please email info@hollyparkbns.ie Subject:Child Protection. 

MATHS WEEK 

We will be celebrating Maths Week Ireland next week. The boys will have their maths eyes peeled, engage with maths riddles, trails and see how mathematics is a major part of our everyday lives. In Hollypark BNS, we promote a positive attitude towards maths to further understand the world around us. 

Thank you to Ms. Hynes and Mr. Mc Evoy for leading the week. 

SPORTS BLITZ 2023

The Parents' Association are busy making plans for our upcoming annual fundraising Sport Blitz which will take place on Friday 20th October.  Sports activities on the day will include Soccer, GAA, Rugby, Cricket, Tennis, Volleyball, High 5 Sports, Frisbee, Table Tennis, Pilates, Yoga, Dance Classes, Outdoor Games...with such a wide range of activities, it promises to be a day of active fun for the boys.

The Sports Blitz is our main annual fundraiser for our school, and we deeply appreciate your generous support from last year.  Thanks to your contributions, the Parents' Association were able to make valuable additions to our school over the year, such as the creation of the Sensory Room, the purchase of Play Equipment for the Junior Yard, investment in C-Pens (compact text-scanning devices that read aloud), and the refurbishment of our library during the summer break.

Additionally, every year the funds raised directly benefit the classrooms by providing essential supplies and new books for the library.  They also help cover the costs associated with PA organised events throughout the year, including parent evenings, Santa visits, communion celebrations and graduation events.  

Sponsorship cards were sent home last week, and we are encouraging all the boys to take part by completing chores in exchange for sponsorship.  Your support, in any form, is greatly appreciated.  We are looking forward to making this year's Sports Blitz another memorable and successful day! 

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
 

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day is being celebrated on Friday 20^th October. This year’s theme is Growing with DLD, which focuses on supporting people with DLD across the lifespan.

DLD is the most prevalent childhood disability with an average of 2-3 students presenting with DLD in every Irish classroom. A student with DLD experiences difficulties with language and communication that can significantly impact learning, literacy, behaviour and well-being. DLD also prevails into adulthood, with a prevalence rate of 7.5% across the population.

WHAT IS DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE DISORDER?

DLD is a brain difference that makes talking and listening difficult.  DLD poses a risk for social-emotional behavioral concerns. DLD is associated with risk for dyslexia and other learning disabilities. DLD is five times more prevalent than autism. DLD can last a lifetime, but help is available. If you would like to learn more please visit 
https://radld.org or https://dldandme.org/

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION FOR JUNIOR INFANTS IS NOW OPEN

SCHOOL YEAR 2024–2025

Applications must include:

1. Completed application form

2. A copy of birth cert

3. **A current utility bill** (only for applicants living within the parish) 

Click the link to view the Parish Map
https://hollyparkbns.ie/sites/default/files/image-uploads/Foxrock.pdf

**A current utility bill includes ESB, Gas bill, refuse collection bill, home phone bill etc. Please do not send personal bills. ie Bank statements, Mobile phone bills or insurance forms, etc**. 

To be returned to the school by hand or post only to:
Admissions
St. Patrick's BNS,
Hollypark,
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin
A94 FE02 

https://hollyparkbns.ie/our-school/policies/admissions-policy

PARENT TALK: 
NURTURING SELF-EFFICACY & GROWTH MINDSET IN YOUR CHILD

In a joint initiative, Fiona Forman, expert on wellbeing, has been invited to talk to the parents of Hollypark BNS & GNS on Thursday 19th October @ 7.30pm. Hollypark BNS are hosting the event in our school hall.

Fiona Forman (M.Sc. Applied Positive Psychology)

Nurturing your child’s sense of self-efficacy and Growth Mindset can play a powerful role in helping them to feel more resilient, confident and empowered to face challenges and grow towards their potential.

In this talk, Fiona will outline what self-efficacy means, as well as offering several ways to nurture it in your child.

Growth Mindset (Dweck,2012) - the understanding that our talents and abilities are not fixed, but that they can be developed through effort, practice, and persistence – will also be explored.

Fiona Forman - Bio

Fiona Forman is an author, speaker, facilitator and trainer in the area of well-being and Positive Psychology in education and parenting. She holds an M. Sc. in Applied Positive Psychology, the science of well-being, from the University of East London.

Having spent many years as a teacher, Fiona is passionate about placing well-being at the heart of school and family life, and she has seen first-hand the many benefits this brings to both children and adults alike. She is the co-author of Weaving Well-Being, an SPHE programme for children which is now widely used in Ireland and abroad. Fiona is also the author of Wired for Well-Being, a well-being programme for second level schools. Her junior programme, Welcome to Well-Being, has also been released in Ireland and abroad.

Fiona is also the mother of 2 young adults, which has deepened her awareness of the importance of equipping our children with the support and skills they need to thrive and flourish, despite the challenges of life.

Her latest book, BRAVER THAN YOU BELIEVE: A Parent’s Guide to Building Children’s Resilience using Positive Psychology Skills has recently been released.