WELCOME BACK

Welcome back, I hope you all had a lovely Easter break. Thank you to our school community for your patience and support over the last number of weeks. We are really delighted with the compliance shown by all to ensure the safety of our boys and staff. Work continues as normal in all classes and boys have been excellent since their return.
 

STAFFING

Due to Covid, we are experiencing many challenges with current staffing arrangements. We are currently using a combination of SET team teachers and substitute teachers to keep our classes open and avoid returning to remote learning. Class teachers are very much still linked in with their class through planning, zooming and learning.
 

COVID-19

If your child is UNWELL (unwell in any way including a sick tummy) or has any of the following symptoms of Covid-19, do not send them to school and contact your GP:

• A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
• Any other common symptoms of Covid-19 – a new cough, loss or changed sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath or an existing breathing condition that has become worse.
• Been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
• Been living with someone who is unwell and may have Covid-19.
• Other uncommon symptoms of Covid-19, such as sore throat, headaches or diarrhoea
• Returned from another country in the last 14 days.
• If your child requires Calpol or Nurofen, they are unfit for school and they are not to attend.
• After any absence, parents must fill out a return to school declaration on Aladdin Connect App.
• Parents and guardians must wear masks and follow public health advice during drop off and collection times.
   

STARS OF THE FUTURE

Congratulations to Max and Jamie Lyons, 4th class, who were very busy working as a team over the Easter break. The boys entered into an art competition for VanMoof. The boys are winners of the VanMoof - Ride The Future competition. Their submission will be entered in the VanMoof blog and will be shared with the rider community around the world and they will receive a bag full of goodies. Well done boys on your great achievement.

 

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

IT'S OK NOT TO FEEL OK

Boys, what a year it has been for you. Sacrifices, school closures, sport closures, not getting to see your friends. It has been difficult in the extreme. A year like no other. The good news is, that things are beginning to get brighter and better and you will be more resilient than any child has ever been at your age.

All of us in Hollypark are here to help you. We look out for you every day. We know some days you may be feeling sad and off form. That is totally natural and it is ok. Adults and teachers can feel off form too. What we do ask you is that you share these feelings with us or with a trusted adult. We can help, we can explain things, we can understand how you feel. We can help you to feel better. My door is always open, please come and see me anytime. We can talk, listen, discuss and understand your feelings. Help is only a conversation away.

There is a great saying, a problem shared is a problem halved.  

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!

This week is a special week for these boys.

Daniel Donohue, Giacomo Teatini, Griffin Nolan Harmon, Louis Jordan, Séan Keane, Ben Collins, Abel Luis, Sam Ennis, Tom Kearns, Christopher Sullivan and Michael Ennis.

We wish you a Happy Birthday boys!

GREEN SCHOOLS

Under the guidance of Ms. Quealy, Ms. Smyth and Mr. Ryan our Green Schools committee continue to be very active.

This year, the boys have located various sites around the school that promote the existence of wildlife. We have purposely chosen not to cut these areas so our pollinator bees can flourish. Joseph, Matthew and Ty are experts in pollinators and will help to educate the school in our plan. For more information click the link https://pollinators.ie

 

CREATIVE HOLLYPARK

Hollypark boys continue to wow us with all of their incredible talents. I have a few samples added to this week’s newsletter from 1st class, Junior infants, and great work like this adorns our colourful corridors the length and breadth of the school.

 

RAISING RESILIENT CHILDREN WEBINAR

Many thanks to Fiona Forman for her valuable experience and expertise on Raising Resilient Children webinar last week. Over 300 parents tuned in online and the feedback has been hugely positive. I shared the slides with all families last week. Amanda Cassidy, a parent and journalist also attended the webinar and subsequently interviewed Fiona. The interview can be found by clicking here.
 

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

It is lovely to see boys from all classes making use of our fabulous new outdoor classroom. Pictured are Ms. Crowe’s fifth class enjoying the sunshine whilst reading their library books. The outdoor room has been a great addition to our sunny courtyard and we look forward to getting great use out of it in the coming months and years.

 

Beir bua agus beannacht,

B. O’Donovan
21.04.2021