St. Patrick’s B.N.S., Hollypark
Dear Parents,
We are into the last month of 2015 – it’s hard to believe it! Our monthly focus is threefold – The real
meaning of Christmas – Doing something for others (SVP Hampers) and – Compliments and good deeds.
Preparing St. Vincent de Paul hampers, is very much part of our focus this month. The boys are
fantastic at doing jobs to earn their own money to buy luxury items and supermarket vouchers.
Practising for Christmas plays and Carol Service is in full swing at the moment and dulcet tones can be
heard wafting through the air on a regular basis everyday.
Junior and Senior infant plays take place tomorrow week – 9.30am and 11.30am respectively – and 1st
classes will perform in the last week. There is much excitement about the shows. We can’t wait!
As you know we have been working for some time now, on comprehension and word problems as our
targets based on the literacy and numeracy strategies. Please continue asking you son questions about
any of his text -based homework. We find our boys can find systems to answer written comprehension
quite successfully – yet they do not have full understanding. Extra oral comprehension, in this case
asking questions on a daily basis should help bridge the gap. It will also give you an idea of your son’s
comprehension level. We would appreciate your feedback at the Parent-Teacher meetings at the end of
January.
Our more senior classes are busy revising for their tests. The boys have worked so hard - we know
they will do well. They have a schedule. Please encourage them to keep up to date. It is great training
for the future. In 4th/5th assembly on Monday, we discussed the use of mind maps – especially for
history and geography – reducing topics from texts to very short important points only. There should be
no panic in the lead up to tests.
Thanks to Mrs. Perrera and her team of mums for making advent wreaths with our 5th and 6th class boys
last week. Our 4th, 5th and 6th class boys will attend mass in Foxrock Church next Tuesday, December 8th
at 11.15am.
Frasaí na Seachtaine: ‘Mí na Nollag atá ann’ agus ‘Chuaigh mé go dtí an siopa agus cheannaigh mé
bronntanas do___________’.
There is much beautiful art on display throughout the school – reindeer art in Senior Infants using
handprints – arresting ‘circle’ art from Ms Daly/Mrs. Burke’s class – Van Gogh inspired art from Mrs.
Smyth’s 3rd class and Mrs. Ryan’s 2nd class – Picasso inspired art from Mrs. Brennan’s to mention but a
few. Please feel free to come in and admire the beautiful work on display.
We were delighted to welcome the Sam Maguire to our school today, with Dublin player Michael
Fitzsimons and Padraig from Kilmacud Crokes. There was a great reception in the hall from 4th, 5th and
6th class boys and in classrooms from the other streams. You can see the photos on our website –
hollyparkbns.ie.
There are still a few Christmas Annuals left for sale at 4euro.
Our own Christmas cards will be arriving this week hopefully.
Well done to our wonderful boys from 3rd to 6th and staff, who were named ‘Best Croke Park
Supporters 2015’. We will get some new sports equipment with the 100 euro prize.
Le dea-ghui,
Helen Kelly
02/12/2015