Wednesday letter 15th October 2025

HOLLYPARK TO CROKE PARK 

Senior A Football Team – Into the Final!

Congratulations to our wonderful Senior A Football Team, who won their semi-final yesterday! The boys now progress to the final in Croke Park next Tuesday — a truly exciting occasion for everyone in Hollypark.

Buses have been arranged, and pupils from 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Classes will attend to cheer on the team. A payment link for bus transport will be sent via Aladdin in the coming days.

A big thank you to Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Farragher for their time, energy, and dedication in preparing the team. Best of luck to the boys in the final — we’re all behind you!

Information for parents for the Croke Park finals can be accessed through the following links.

https://cnmb.ie/information-for-finalists/

https://cnmb.ie/information-for-finalists-school-spectators/

https://cnmb.ie/2025-football-finals-mon-20th-tues-21st/

Sports Blitz 2025

Thank you to all the coaches and parents who generously volunteered their time at our Sports Blitz last Friday.  Thanks to your support, we were able to create a wonderful day for the boys, which also allowed them to discover and enjoy new sports.  We also extend our thanks to all the teachers, SNA’s and staff in Hollypark for their invaluable help in ensuring the day ran efficiently and on schedule.

The event was a big success thanks to the following people: 

Anna from High5Sports, Hannah May Hip Hop, Denise O’Beirne of Dizzy Feet Dancing, Yoga with Jessica Barron, Alicia Harmon and Monica Strina, Gwen O’Looney DLR Sports Inclusion Disability Officer, Gary Crosson of Athletics Ireland, Dominick Smyth from Ultimate Frisbee, Basketball Coach Ryan from Clutch Academy, Hollypark parent Jana Langford, Stephen O’Shea of Monkstown Lawn Tennis Club, Stephanie Roche & Garry Zambra of St. Joseph’s Football Club, Ewelina & Miriam of Volleyball Ireland, Jim Stewart of Cricket Leinster,  Table Tennis with past pupil Joey Nelson, Kung Fu with Master Dong, the Sports Coaches at UCD, Freestyle Football Skills with past pupil (and Guiness World Record Holder!) Charlie Shakespeare, Avoca Hockey coaches Luke, Elliot & Kenny, Killian O’Sullivan of Blackrock College RFC, Hollypark parents Andrew Goodman, Stephen Sullivan, Neil Hanly, Finbar O’Herlihy, David Kirwan, Paul O’Grady, Conor Twomey, Donal O’Herlihy & Rebecca Coghlan.  
Thank you also to the parent volunteers who assisted with walking the 4^th and 5^th class boys to and from both Stradbrook and Bluepool, and to the parents who helped out within the school on the day.  And a final Thank You to the wonderful TY boys from CBC Monkstown, Oatlands College, St. Michael’s College, and Blackrock Educate Together, who were most helpful throughout the day.

 We have raised an incredible €20,000 and would like to thank all the boys and their families for their generosity.  For those who have yet to return their sponsorship cards, the teachers are collecting them in class every day this week.

Many thanks,

Sarah Walsh,

Hollypark BNS PA 

HALLOWE'EN DRESS UP

Halloween is upon us once again, and we are looking forward to seeing the boys dressed up for our annual Hallowe'en dress-up day, which will take place on Thursday, October 23rd.
Some boys have already begun their costume planning, and we are excited to see the variety of costumes they will be wearing, from spooky to silly and everything in between. Please find below the guidelines and requirements to follow for the smooth and safe running of the day:

• No accessories, e.g., nothing they need to hold in their hand or things that can be put down for others to pick up and handle.
• No long capes, dangly material or anything that may be a tripping hazard.
• Costumes should be comfortable and practical for sitting in the classroom for the day, e.g., no inflatable costumes.
• Be mindful that the costume won’t scare a younger student. If you think a Junior Infant will be frightened, then tone it down or reconsider.

Less is more when it comes to costumes and keeping it simple can often be the most effective. It is a very exciting day for the boys and with your continued support and understanding, we hope to make it another success.

Parents’ Association - Notice of AGM

The Parents’ Association will hold an Open Evening on Thursday, 6th November at 7 pm in the school. As part of the evening, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Parents’ Association will take place.

This is a great opportunity to meet other parents, learn more about the work of the PA, and see how you can get involved in supporting our school community.

If you are interested in joining the Parents’ Association or would like more information, please contact us at hollyparkboyspa@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing many of you there!