HAPPY NEW YEAR

I wish our whole school community a happy New Year. The latest lockdown is not the news we wanted and I miss having the boys in the building. However, we also know that the Government have made this decision in order to keep all of us safe. Well done to you all for your engagement with SeeSaw and Zoom over the past 3 days. We understand how difficult a time it is for you and your family. We are continuing with the curriculum and the teachers have done an amazing job to continue teaching, learning and assessment from their homes. The support and positive feedback from you, the parents, has been incredible and we thank you for your continued support.
 

MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION

Dear Hollypark BNS Parents’ Association,

On behalf of our wish families, we would like to thank St Patrick's Boy's National School Hollypark for their generous donation of €2,000. Your support will go towards creating a magical moment in the lives of sick children. Please find your receipt and certificate attached.

Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim – to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, to bring hope, strength and happiness. Since 1992, Make-A-Wish has granted wishes for more than 2,600 brave children across Ireland. A wish granted is true magic for the child, providing respite from their normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatment. Make-A-Wish does not receive any government funding and relies overwhelmingly on the kindness of the Irish public to continue granting wishes to seriously ill children.

Thank you again from all the team at Make-A-Wish and from our Wish families.

 

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION IN AID OF THE CAPUCHIN DAY CENTRE FOR THE HOMELESS

Thank you everyone for supporting our Christmas Collection in aid of Homeless. We managed to raise a fantastic €5035.14 in vouchers. It was a busy time for all charities this Christmas and we are very aware of the many financial demands on all families.

Our collection will enable the volunteers at the centre to provide weekly food parcels and daily hot meals for the many families who struggle with their daily food requirements in our city.

We were delighted to hear that some of our Hollypark boys used their own money and did extra jobs around the house so that they could buy the vouchers for our campaign. We are so impressed with our boys who continue to selflessly think of others during these difficult times.

Brother Kevin Crowley and all the Volunteers at the centre send their sincere thanks to everyone in the Hollypark community for their donation. Your generosity enables them to keep going and help families without homes and people in need. They wish everyone a safe and Happy 2021.

Go raibh maith agaibh go léir agus Míle Buíochas.
 

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS /SET

We thought it would be helpful to introduce you to the SET team that are working with your boys this year.

Our SET team who work with our classes and our boys with SEN (Special Educational Needs) are coordinated by Mrs. Annette Lynch who is also Deputy Principal). We are extremely lucky to have a SET with each year group. These are qualified primary school teachers with additional qualifications and expertise in Special Educational Needs. We aim to give support beginning in Junior Infants as early intervention can minimise greater challenges when boys are older. Our SET team also work with the whole class at times. Support is given in-class, in small groups or on a one-to-one basis depending on the needs involved.

SET TEAM

Junior Infants: Ms. Hynes
Senior Infants: Ms. Ní Ghabhann & Mrs. Webbley (Job-sharing)
1st Class: Ms. Larkin
2nd Class: Ms. Fitzsimons
3rd Class: Ms. Quealy
4th Class: Mrs. O’Callaghan
5th Class: Mrs McCarrick & Mr. Ryan
6th Class: Mrs Smyth & Mr. Ryan

CORMAC’S WEEKLY BLOG

I know boys are missing school and would much rather the interaction with their teachers and friends just like term 1. I asked Cormac Kavanagh in 5th class to share his thoughts through the eyes of an 11-year-old. Cormac will continue to keep us posted via his weekly blog which will be published on my Wednesday letter. Thank you, Cormac, for sharing this with us. I am looking forward to next week already!

The life of an 11-year-old during this latest lock down.

When I got my Christmas holidays, I was super excited. I was thinking about the presents I might get and the free time I would have spending time with my family and friends. However, this Christmas because of Covid restrictions, I did not get to see my nanny and cousins in Tipperary for the first time ever. Christmas was still really fun though and a bit more relaxed. I really enjoyed going for cycles as I got a new bike for Christmas. I was delighted when the news came that we would not have school until the 11th of January. Extra days holidays - woohoo! But then the news came a few days later that schools would not be reopening until early February - well that was a different story. I realised I would not be able to see my friends for ages. Sports training was also cancelled so that ruled out meeting them there too. However, I was happy when Ms. Power sent a message that we would have zoom classes so at least I will be able to see my classmates on that. So, for now it is a case of being back to home schooling and See Saw again, I’m sure the teachers will keep us busy, which will be good (kind of!).

Cormac Kavanagh, 5th Class.
 

STARS OF THE FUTURE

Before Christmas, 5th class pupil Seán Montayne helped to paint the pictures attached.

Artist Shane Sutton was commissioned by Dublin City Council to paint a 40-metre hoarding that will be in place for 2 years on the exterior of a building site in Portobello. Shane normally paints astronauts and space scenes and his artistic name is ‘Spacer’. However, he chose to paint swans due to their large presence on the canal in Portobello.

The painting took 2 weeks (as the weather was not favourable on some days) and was done using aerosol spray paint. Seán was invited along to learn this new technique due to his huge interest in art. He learnt that it is not as easy as it looks and to wear old clothes when you are painting, but it was a huge amount of fun. Thanks to Shane for the invite!
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!

This week is a special week for these boys.

Harry Cruise, Andrei Geyger, Liam Bernin, Max Jones, Killian Doherty Heaney, Jake Marston, Christoph Thomas, Milo Cunningham, David Finnegan

We wish you a Happy Birthday boys!
 

COVID 19: ONLINE SAFETY ADVICE FOR PARENTS FROM WEBWISE.IE

These uncertain times have led to an understandable disruption to family life, with parents and children spending more time than usual at home, and online. Digital devices are providing many benefits, whether it’s to help children to continue their education through distance learning, using social media to connect with their friends and relatives, or using technology for entertainment, such as streaming content from Netflix or YouTube. While all families have their own unique circumstances, many parents have similar concerns when it comes to their child’s use of technology. How can parents strike the right balance between online and offline activities, and help their kids have a positive relationship with technology, and the internet? Follow the link for more information: https://www.webwise.ie/parents/covid19-online-safety-advice-for-parents/

Beir bua agus beannacht,

13.01.21