Hollypark BNS blog

St Patrick’s B.N.S, Hollypark, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Reminder:   School closed on Friday 2^nd – ‘Polling Station’

Dear Parents,

The end of September already – it’s hard to believe it!  The boys are well settled in now and working hard.  Punctuality has greatly improved. In the infant classes, all teachers stress the importance of the activity time for the boys – in helping build social skills etc.  In older classes – it means the boys are well on top of their work for the day – if they are in on time.  Doors open at 8.40a.m.

Our sixth classes were invited by Minister Hanafin on a tour of the Dáil last Thursday.  They travelled on the 46A and had a wonderful time at the Dáil.  Their behaviour on the bus and throughout was excellent.  Their teachers were delighted with them.

Mrs Wade’s class seem fond of the 46A and will use it once again tomorrow to go to Dun Laoghaire to visit the Lighthouse and do a geographical and historical trail devised by their teacher!

Mrs Lynch’s 4^th class have been invited to a Bord na Mona ‘Heartlands’ exhibition tomorrow in town.  They will travel by public bus.  Luckily for all these travels,  the weather has stayed fine.  Hopefully it will still be fine for our Parents Association’s sponsored ‘Sports for most of the Day’ day on Friday 9^th. Sponsorship cards can be handed in to members of the Parents Association (in the staffroom) every morning next week.

Our sporting season has well and truly started.  Our Senior Football team are as yet undefeated – after winning in a brilliant match last Thursday against Johnstown.  Our Junior Team put on the best display we have ever seen from a team yesterday in Glenalbyn against Laurence’s.  Luck was not with us – but we were so proud of the team – we can’t wait for their next match.  Due to the intense nature of the way the teams are playing – it is necessary that each boy wear a gum shield.

4^th Class handball is going very well on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8.15a.m.  There is a great turnout and it’s fantastic to see such enthusiasm.  The league will start soon.

There will be a meeting for Junior Infant parents in their son’s classroom on Monday night at 7.00p.m.  (note attached for Junior Infants).

Our focus for October will be on Manners, Respect and Courtesy.  Generally our boys have great manners and show respect to themselves and others – but we will work on this especially for October.

Our frás na seachtaine is An feidir leat?  ?  Is/Ní feidir liom …  The boys were excellent with their responses at assembly.  Our homonyms for October will be  of and off / where, were and wear.

Yours sincerely

Helen Kelly

30.09.09

St. Patrick’s B.N.S., Hollypark, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Dear Parents,

Reminder:  Registration for  Junior Infants 2010 -2011.

                   Boys in the parish – we are now accepting applications.

                   Boys outside the parish – registration date next Tuesday 15th September.

After School Activities beginning next week – please take it your son has a place in the activity you applied for- unless you have already been informed that the class/es are full.

Almost two weeks into the school year and the boys are working hard.  Our month’s focus as you know is a) neatness of presentation of the boys – themselves and their work b) being cheerful and giving eye-contact and c) Coughing and sneezing etiquette.  The boys doing well already with their own tissues and face cloths.

Most homework notebooks and copies are covered at this stage and the boys are working hard on their handwriting and presentation.  Please encourage your son with his handwriting whatever stage he may be at.  If necessary you can get a copy of our handwriting script from Miss Smith.  We will have a handwriting display for all classes at the end of September to celebrate all their great work.

Our Junior Infants will have their first full day on Monday.  We are very impressed with our newest boys!  They are progressing well and they coped extremely well with sharing yard time with all the boys up to 2nd class, for the first time today! 

The beginning of the year is always difficult traffic-wise.  Our older boys could be dropped some distance from the school so that they could walk some of the way themselves.  We are fitness conscious and will be having a month’s focus on fitness in the future – so the daily exercise from the beginning will get them into a great routine and ease traffic congestion at the same time! 

At 2.25pm. we  are placing cones to provide a clear path for our boys who need to cross with the lollipop lady.  Please stand clear of this ‘channel’ – standing clearly to the left or to the right.

Classes have their specific entrance doors.  All classes except Junior Infants come into the school building ‘on their own.’  If you want to see the teacher please make an appointment.  They are happy to speak to you but 8.40a.m. is not appropriate.  The boys require their teacher’s full attention at this busy time.

Our Parents’ Association will be holding our annual ‘Sport for Most of the Day’ day on Friday 9th October.  This was a great success last year and great fun was had by all.  This year we will be having coaches for basketball, soccer, hurling, and gaelic football and rugby.  The teachers haven’t decided on their sporting activity.  In the past we have had cycling, badminton and tag-rugby.  We’ll let you know!  The boys will be receiving their sponsorship cards shortly.

Thank you again for your understanding with our ‘water’ problem.  It’s not fixed yet but they’re getting there!  We are so delighted with all the internal work done to the building – it’s like a new school!

Yours sincerely,

Helen Kelly

Principal

09.09.09.

Dear Parents,

Less than a week to go before school reopens.  We have had much work done in the school throughout the summer holidays.  In fact it is still going on but we are confident that we will ready just in time for the return of all our boys!

As you know swine flu has been in the news of late and we are conscious that we take the necessary precautions to keep our school environment as safe as we can.

A few simple things will help.  Using a tissue when sneezing or coughing is essential. 

Posters will be placed around the school reminding the boys to – Catch It  (use a tissue) – Bin it  -  Kill it  (wash hands)

To this end –

1) Please make sure your son has his own packet of tissues.

   We have put the recommended liquid soap in all bathrooms.

2) Please make sure your son has a face cloth in his     schoolbag. 

(He can use this as his own personal hand towel when he has washed his hands.  This will need to washed and replaced regularly!)

3) If your child is not well and showing any flu like symptoms, please keep him at home.

We look forward to seeing all our (old) boys next Monday 31st at 8.40a.m.

Our new Junior Infants and parents will enter through the lower door  - not before 9.30am.

Le dea-ghui,

Helen Kelly

Principal

24-08-2009

Dear Parents,

Ta béim ar an nGaeilge an mí seo agus tá gach duine ag iarraidh Gaeilge a labhairt agus a usáid i rith an lae.  For the month of March, we will be focusing on all things Irish.  Caint, ceol agus craic!  All greeting on the corridor is through Irish and the boys are making a great effort.  Every Tuesday we will be having lá na gaeilge which will mean only gaeilge being spoken up to 10.30a.m.   Maths through Irish was a great success in Senior Infants yesterday, as was senior handball training through irish at 8.15a.m. for example.  We are delighted  to have some of our boys playing traditional music over the intercom before lunch every day for the next few weeks.  Seán Keating (6^th) started the performances with his playing of ‘Amhran na bhFiann’ on Monday.    Most classes are preparing for class céilis during their P.E. sessions.   The 1st classes were very impressive on Monday.There are so many activities taking place for Mí na Gaeilge.  Thanks to Mrs. Wade for organising the various events and timetabling everything with such precision!

Class groupings from 3rd to 6th were treated to a story telling session with a seanchaí yesterday.  You could hear a pin drop – the boys were rivetted!

All classes are preparing for their performances in our school parade which takes place on the Junior yard on Thursday 12th.   Classes will also be paying a visit to other classes throughout the school to perform their Irish music or drama and to be entertained by other classes.  Tráth na gCeist takes place in all senior classes today with the final of Tráth na gCeist taking place on Friday under the stewardship of Mrs. Smyth.

Our Irish Mass, will take place on Friday 13th March at 10.00am.   It really is an amazing sight to see and to hear so many children with all their responses.  You are very welcome to attend.  Classes 3rd to 6th have been practising the mass responses and hymns most mornings from 8.45a.m.,   Please help your sons as they learn their responses and the words to the hymns.  The boys are doing a great job and we look forward to the Mass.  Miss Ní Ghabhann will be playing the harp in many of the classes over the coming weeks.

We are very proud of Donal Keane, a past pupil – who recently captained the winning Coláiste Eoin Junior debating team in the All-Ireland debating final for gaelscoileanna.

Sport – there is a lot more rain about, so we know the hurling season has well and truly started!  Our teams are well and truly ready for competition with all the training they have been doing. 

Semi-finals of our 4th class gaelic football league take place today and tomorrow.  The final will take place on Monday.  Miss Larkin began a soccer league for 6th class last Thursday at lunchtime.  Once the teams and fixtures went up, the excitement and enthusiasm was palpable in our oldest classes.  We look forward to some great matches.Well done to our chess team who secured a victory, in great style against Castleknock last Friday.  Well done to Luke Gaffney (6^th) who was selected along with one other Kilmacud Crokes player for a South Dublin Gaelic Team.

Second classes are busily preparing for their Sacrament of Reconciliation, which takes place next Tuesday evening at 6.30pm.    A reminder that the boys will need a white shirt.

A Bebo cautionary note : having spoken to some principals, there appears to be unsavoury activity on bebo pages from children as young as 5th and 6th .  The Junior years in secondary school are worrying enough  -  but at primary school level, it is important to pull the plug.  Social networking at this age should really involve actually playing with their friends!  Having spoken to some 6th class parents, they are coming under pressure from their sons.  The usual – ‘Everyone else is allowed!’  is not the case.  Please resist!  It is important that you monitor all your son’s computer and mobile phone activity.  It is interesting to note that recent research has shown that exposure to computer games at a very young age (under seven) can cause damage.  As teachers we do see the serious lack of concentration in children who have access to computer games etc for prolonged periods.

Goal badges will go on sale from tomorrow, from your son’s class teacher.  The cost is 2 euro.  It is great to see all the boys wearing them on their uniform at our St. Patrick’s Day Mass and even better to know that by doing so, the boys are helping others!

The Book Fair will take place next week – open to parents from 8.45a.m. to 10.00a.m. and from 1.30p.m. to 3.00p.m.  The Book Fair will also be open from 6.30p.m. to 8.00p.m. on Thursday 12th.  Thanks to Mrs. Lynch for organising the event and to members of The Parents’ Association for running it.

The closing date for booklists is March 23rd.  Many of the books are available second hand from boys in more senior classes, so please don’t feel the need to buy all new books.

SchoolText.ie: We are registering with Schooltext to enable us to send school related messages directly to multiple parents – if you wish to join please return registration form to your son’s teacher –if you have more than one child in the school please put all your sons’ names on the form.

Blazers: If you are finished with your School Blazer and would like to donate it to the Parent’s Association for use in their rental scheme please drop it into the office as some stage.

Drama:   There will be NO Drama this coming Friday.

Le dea-ghuí,

A hotly contested final took place in Hollypark headquarters today (9^th March). Seán Keating played Amhrann na bhFiann before the game and set the tone for the afternoon. Both teams braved the elements to produce fine flowing football and great teamwork.

It was Clare who took full advantage of the strong wind and found Craig Lynch in great form in front of goal, scoring 1 – 3 in quick succession. Ronan Hayes was having a superb day in midfield and set up scores for the energetic Sam O’Kelly and Hayes fired over a couple himself as well. Limerick worked tirelessly against the breeze and Hugh Kenny showed his class blocking down and shooting over himself to keep the game in close contention. Jack Caffrey and Harry Forde popped up with scores that left Limerick trailing by 6 points at half-time. With Limerick playing with the wind advantage in the second half the classy Hugh Kenny and David Cullen turned the screws and started notching up a few more scores. James Bredin was superb at full back and kept out the impressive Patrick Somers and Max Wharton. Adam Crossan also made a fantastic save from a Kenny shot to keep Limerick out.

Oscar Cahill worked end to end and Alan Tiernan and Conor Glesson were in fine form in goals and kept Eoghan Mellott and Sam O’Kelly at bay for much of the second half.

However, with Craig Lynch and Ronan Hayes in fantastic form two more goals came and Clare ran out winners by 4 – 10 and 3 – 8.

Well done to members of all teams who played in the 4^th class league. Teamwork and skills levels were excellent throughout.

Well done boys!

Mr. O’Donovan

09.03.09.

St. Patrick’s B.N.S., Hollypark, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Dear Parents,

Reminder: Thursday 12^th Februray – School closes at 2.10 p.m. for Parent/teacher Meetings.

       Monday and Tuesday 16^th and 17^th February – School closed for Mid-term Break

I’m sure you will enjoy the lovely valentine cards that you will receive from your younger sons, in particular, at the weekend.  The displays around the school are indeed giving us all ‘that loving feeling’.  Teachers are so overcome that they will be doing ‘homework light’ to celebrate this feeling towards the bakers among their classes, who on Thursday night will be making beautiful creations for our only cake sale in the year on Friday.  We do compliment our boys on their ability to follow recipes and to produce something special when it is required!  A reminder to parents that coins in a bag as opposed to ‘paper money’ is much more manageable on the day.  For parents who are still thinking about volunteering to help out on the day, I can assure you that particularly with our younger boys trying to negotiate the experience and our most senior boys who are adept at doing deals, it is well worth ‘being a fly on the wall’!  So go ahead – give your name into the office!  

Last week was indeed a ‘long’ week weather wise!  We were delighted with the attendance from all, particularly teachers, some of whom had to travel very long distances.  Hopefully it is all behind us now.

Our focus for the month, as you know is on a) positivity – I can do it (as opposed to giving up at the beginning!) b) being cheerful – a smile goes along way and c) a motto for the month , especially yard – ‘If it’s not nice – don’t say it!  At all assemblies the boys agreed that this motto could get them through their whole lives!  For our older boys, I spoke to them of the strategy of biting their lip, rather than saying the hurtful thing – both on yard but also at home.  The lip would be sore for a short while whereas feelings of family members etc would take much longer to heal.  Also suggested were running around the garden, kicking a ball or absenting oneself to their bedroom and having ‘quiet time.’  Please let us know if we can support you – if it is required.  We have had some success!

Our frásaí na seachtaine is related to yard this week. If a child falls etc. the teacher will ask ‘Cad a tharla duit? The boy will respond in Irish. Various examples are around the school e.g. ‘Thit mé agus ghortaigh mé no chos’, ‘Bhuail me mo cheann….’.

Our homophones – herd/heard caused no problem to all at assembly, so tail/tale have been included for this month. You’re/Your for last month still caught a few boys out at Monday’s assembly.

All classes from Senior Infants to sixth class are entering the I.N.T.O./E.B.S. handwriting competition.  We are delighted with the excellent standard of handwriting and presentation in the school.  Good luck to all!

Ms. Daly/Mrs. Bonners’ class went to ‘Music in the Classroom’ at the National Concert Hall. The boys had been preparing themselves with the pieces to be performed for the last few weeks. A great time was had by all!

Sport – the 4th class lunchtime gaelic football league has begun again with Mr. Devlin and Mr. O Donovan.     Once there was the slightest thaw – they were out!    Hurlers accepted the week off – due to adverse conditions – but are also back on track – with a rematch for the Seniors against Scoil Treasa on Friday in Glenalbyn. Our Juniors may have a match tomorrow in Glenablyn also. We are staying confident!  Mini Olympic Handball Players have been showing up for training at 8.15.a.m. all weathers.  It is a great omen for our chances at the trophies this year – such a level of dedication!

Blazers – if you have school blazers that you are finished with, the Parents’ Association would be delighted to have them for their rental scheme, for communion.

Le dea-ghui,

Helen Kelly

Dear Parents,

School Closes early tomorrow Thursday at 1.25 p.m for all boys to facilitate a staff meeting

Parent/Teacher Meetings –Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February.   School will close for the boys at 2.10pm. on those days.   Some meetings have been arranged on other days, for times before school and after school.   These have begun already.

It is great to see so many parents, mums and dads, around the school.  School and home working together makes all the difference and helps ensure that the boys are well on the way to reaching their potential.  If you need to see your son’s teacher at other times during the year, please feel free to make an appointment.  It is important that we know about issues causing concern, as early as possible.  That way, it can be dealt with before it gets out of proportion and out of hand.

When you are in the school, please take the opportunity to admire all the work on display throughout the school.   Your sons’ art, poetry, creative writing in both Irish and English and projects in  various subjects, are well worth a look! There are excellent castles on display outside fourth class.  The Chinese New Year has also been marked with a very interesting display on the same corridor.  Australia Day has been marked at the other end of the corridor with projects on display by 3rd class.  The whole school enjoyed their night free of ‘normal’ homework last Tuesday.  The pictures and writing they did on the inauguration of Barack Obama as American President are well worth a look!  There are four displays throughout the school.

The boys are working hard on presentation of themselves and their work.  Please support them.  A reminder – school shoes need to be worn with the uniform!

Our frás na seachtaine for this week is ‘Cá bhfuil cónaí ort? Ta cónaí orm i gCarraig and tSionnaigh/ i gCarrraig Dubh/ i nGráinseach an Déin/ i Stigh Lorcáin . . . .    The homophones we are working on for this month, throughout the school are ‘your’ and ‘you’re’  -  always problematic!Mrs. Smyth’s 2nd class were enthralled by a lesson on engines (with an engine!) given to them by Dean O Sullivan’s dad last Wednesday.

Sport – the 4th class football league is progressing well, with huge enthusuiasm.Hurling training is better than it ever was, with greater attendance, enthusiasm and skill being shown by all .   Well done to our Senior team who won their match against Scoil Treasa last Friday in Glenalbyn.  Hard luck to our two Junior teams who lost on Monday in Ballyboden.  Mr. Burke and Miss Melia were happy with the teams and are confident in their potential. A reminder to all boys playing at lunchtime – they must have a change of bottoms and footwear. U13 and U11 mini-olympic handball panels have been chosen and team – training for both squads has begun in earnest, before school.  Good luck to the Senior handball team, who play their first two league matches today in Loughlinstown.  Good luck to our chess team who play their first match today also.

There is much work being done on our website at the moment.   Thanks to a parent Mr. Lacey, who together with Miss Larkin hope to have it up and running again very soon.  We’ll keep you informed.

Thank you to all parents who have made voluntary contributions and/or contributions to our building upgrade fund. Your contributions are much appreciated and are welcome any time.

Le dea-ghui,

Helen Kelly

Principal

Dear Parents,

Parent/Teacher Meetings:  Wednesday 11^th and Thursday 12^th of February.

The school celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the U.S.A. yesterday with a night free of normal homework.  Instead our Junior and Senior Infants were to draw a picture inspired by the event.  Senior boys were to listen to the President’s inaugural speech and to write about it.  We will have a noticeboard of their endeavours and newspaper clippings.  In all classes from Junior Infants to Sixth, the boys had great knowledge and interest and were well able to discuss the importance of this event.

The boys are really working hard on presentation of themselves and their work – our January focus.  Please make sure your son has the basic equipment – full size ruler, red biros, colouring pencils etc.  Our Junior Infants are making great progress on their homework. Most boys have their yellow folder in every day.  Well done boys.

Sport – Our 4th class football league began this week.  The first few matches have been very exciting – with great energy and enthusiasm being shown by all teams.  A change of footwear and bottoms – necessary for attendance, guarantees a team 1 point before they even kick a ball!

Our Junior Infants are fully ‘independent’ now.  Like all the other boys in the school, their teacher walks them out in the afternoon.  They did very well on their first day yesterday, in poor weather conditions!

Our sixth classes had their Accord day yesterday, covering various aspects of the R.S.E. programme.  Great reports were had from all classes.  The Confirmation programme is under way, with the first parent meeting being held in the church last night.  The Ceremony of Light will be held on the 24th March and Confirmation will be on April 2nd.  First Confessions for 2nd class will take place on the 10th of March.

Hurling and Olympic Handball are all going strong.  Attendance at training is vital.  We have our sights set on some trophies this year and training is the key.We are delighted to report that we have chess teams competing in inter-school competitions.  Thanks to the parents who are involved and to Mr. Scott for his expertise. Our quiz teams under the guidance of Mrs. Smyth have resumed ‘training’ for quizzes that will take place in the coming months.

There is great work being done all through the school and I have the opportunity to see samples of wonderful work and hear about excellent behaviour and attitude as many boys from all classes present themselves and their work to the office on a regular basis. The office is exempt from our healthy eating regime, which is going very well in all classes.  Lunches are healthy, yet exciting and all lunch rubbish is being ‘recycled’ home.  Our green schools campaign is well under way and we will keep you informed of developments as they occur.

Thanks to the Parent’s Association for their donation of €200 to the Niall Mellon Fund and €300 to the Art Club – which caters for the Special Needs Children of the area. They are already preparing for their next event – A Valentines Cake Dale on the 13^th February.  Over the coming weeks notes requesting ‘helpers’ for the day – will be appearing in schoolbags.

Le dea-ghui,

Helen Kelly

Principal

21.01.09

Dear Parents,

Athbhlian faoi shean is faoi mhaise daoibh go leir!

The boys had a great break and are raring to go for the new term. A new year, a new term and the boys and teachers are all determined with their resolutions – it has been such a positive start! Our focus for this month is on presentation both of the boys themselves and of their work. In general the boys are excellent in their wearing of the uniform. Shoes, not runners are to be worn with the uniform. Ties are available in the office for €5.00 for those who may have lost them!

Presentation of work is very high. It really helps though if both copies and especially homework notebooks are covered. Having the correct equipment, pencils (sharpened) rulers, red biros etc. is an essential starting point. From 1st to 6th classes, please encourage your son to take responsibility for this area of organisation.

We also have a renewed emphasis on our silent zones (corridors) this month and the boys are making a great effort as they move through the school building.

We received. a lovely card from the Foxrock conference of St. Vincent de Paul thanking the boys for filling so many hampers before This year ‘the enomlity of the boys’ donation overwhelmed ‘ them. It was great to hear that so many boys had worked around the home to earn money themselves to buy some things to put into the hampers. Thanks to Mrs. Bonner fur involving us in this very worthwhile project.

Our Junior Infants are really ‘growing up.’ On Monday they attended their first assembly in the company of our 6th class boys. The Junior Infants for the most part showed a very good level of attention and concentration. The sixth class boys showed a great level of understanding, interest and caring towards the youngest members of our school! This pairing of class groupings must be repeated!

From next Tuesday, January 20th, the Junior Infant boys will be showing further independence. Like all the other classes, at the end ofthe school day, they will be walked to the exit point by their teacher. Parents will remain at the Junior Infant pickup point and their sons will be sent down to them.

Parent/Teacher Meetings will be held on – Thurs 11th and Friday 12th February. Your son’s teacher will advise on available times over the next few weeks.

Sport – Handball – U11 and U13 teams will be chosen over the next two weeks.

Hurling is starting up in earnest this week. We would love a day out in Croke Park!
4th class boys are getting ready for their gaelic football lunchtime league, which starts on Monday with Mr. O’Donovan and Mr. Devlin. The leagues last year proved a great success, with every boy who wanted to take part, being given the opportunity. Boys going to training etc at lunchtime, may only do so if they have a change of bottoms and footwear.

Four of our first class boys — Eric Pembrey, Sean O’Sullivan, Jamie Balmaine and Jeff Kenny were very lucky to be chosen in a lottery to play for a U7 Leinster rugby team that will play a half-time match against an U7 London Wasps team at Twickenham on Saturday. We look forward to hearing all about it!

There will be a meeting for 6tb Class parents this Thursday at 8 p.m. – explaining the Accord programme for 6th Class which takes place next Tuesday. There will be a Confirmation meeting in the church for the same parents- next Tuesday night at 7.30 p.m.

Our fras na seachtaine for this week is ‘Conas ata an aimsir? Ta se fuar I scamallach I ag cur baisti. …. Our last fras ‘Nollaig Shona Duit’ as a competition resulted in all school staff being so greeted hundreds oftimes a day as the boys tried to increase their individual scores! We are back to timing within class for this week’s fras! Buiochas le Dia!

The library will be up and running again next week. Please get your son to return his library book if he did not do so before Christmas.

Thank you to all those parents who have made a voluntary contribution and/or a contribution to our building upgrade projects. Your contributions support the daily running costs of the school and are much appreciated. Your contributions are welcome at any stage.

Le dea-ghui,

HelenKelly
14.01.09.