6TH CLASS GRADUATION

We will say a fond farewell to our wonderful 6th class pupils on Thursday, June 24th. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we will not be in a position to invite parents to the graduation ceremony. Instead, we will record the proceedings and a link will be sent to all 6th class parents to enjoy on the evening of June 24th. The annual guard of honour will be going ahead and details of this will be shared with you closer to the time.

LEAVING CERT, CLASS OF ’14-15

As the Leaving Certificate examinations begin today, let us keep our past pupils of 2014-15 in our thoughts and prayers as their secondary school years end. Knowing this group, they have the ability, talents, personalities and resilience in abundance to move on to the next exciting chapter in their lives. Hopefully, September will bring more normality, as they take the next step in their future lives.

I have included some special memories of our boys in Junior Infants and in 6th class! It only feels like yesterday when they walked in the door! 

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISING

A huge thank you to all of the families who supported the Mark Moriarty Lunchbox Cooking Competition. Almost 300 families have received the competition link and funds raised were in excess of €5,000, all of which will go towards the creation of the Trim Trail in the school garden. The competition closing date is June 11th. Please send a photo of the recreated recipe to the Parents’ Association at hollyparkboyspa@gmail.com. Mark will judge the entries and award a prize of a home cooking starter kit and a €150 voucher for Volpe Nera restaurant in Blackrock to the winner.

Good luck to all entrants!
Jo-Ann Crowley
Parents’ Association Chairperson

TRIM TRAILS

Trim Trails (sensory trails) are a series of individual stations scientifically designed to provide a range of exercise, gross motor skill development and movement breaks to children. Our SET team travelled to other schools this week to research various equipment and apparatus. We are currently at the design stage of our project and we hope to have more information to share with you in September.

BOOKLISTS

Purchasing of schoolbooks through the school has now closed.

SPORTS DAY/SCHOOL TOURS

Sports days were enjoyed by all classes last week in the glorious sunshine. This week, school tours are continuing at pace and all classes are getting to enjoy the outdoors. Well done to all staff for thinking outside the box to ensure that these special events continue as close to normal as possible. Our boys really enjoying their outings!

FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS

The sidestep or side gallop is a unique fundamental movement skill that involves the body moving sideways as it faces forwards. The skill is somewhat similar in nature to skipping with a flight phase as part of the movement, however, the movement is sideways and the lead leg never changes. While the sidestep is a basic fundamental movement skill, it is essential in a great deal of sporting activities such as moving from side to side in tennis, squash and badminton, tracking an opponent's movement in rugby or basketball or taking part in a dance routine.

To access a video showing the correct technique for sidestep, please click here.

CONCUSSION AWARENESS

With the boys returning to sports clubs and the beautiful weather we are currently enjoying now is a very busy time of the year. It is important to know and recognise the signs and symptoms of a concussion. I have attached a graphic for you as a reference.