Newsletter: Wednesday 10th December 2025
- hollyparkwebsite
- 14 minutes ago
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School Calendar 2025/2026
The 2025/2026 calendar is available on www.hollyparkgns.ie
Staggered Finish: Friday 19th December
Friday 19th December is the last day of term. We will close for a half day and operate a staggered finish as set out below:
Junior & Senior Infants & older siblings | 11:30am |
1st & 2nd Class & older siblings | 11:45am |
3rd - 6th Classes | 12:00pm |
“Have Your Say” Survey for Primary Schools
The Department of Education and Youth has launched its “Have Your Say” survey, inviting you as parents, guardians, school staff, and Board of Management members, to share your views on the future of your school.
This is an opportunity to express your wishes about key questions such as:
· Co-educational or single-sex schooling
· Denominational or multi-denominational patronage
· English- or Irish-medium education
The information gathered in this survey will play an important role in shaping the future of your school. For example, the Department may make decisions on patronage, such as whether your school remains a Catholic school or moves to a multi-denominational model like Educate Together or Community National School, depending on what is expressed in the survey.
Equally, the survey could result in changes to single-sex or co-educational provision in a school, or a change in the medium of instruction. I strongly encourage everyone to take part in the survey.
It is essential that the full range of views within our community is heard. Those who value maintaining a Catholic ethos within the school, including sacramental preparation, should ensure their voices are represented, just as those who would welcome change should do the same. It is only with strong participation that the Department can gain an accurate picture of what our school community truly wants.
I am pleased to share a short information video on the survey prepared by CPSMA and I would encourage everyone to make time to watch it. The video can be access by following this link:
The survey is very short and is available online at:
It will remain open until 16th December 2025.
Parents will need their Eircode to complete the survey. Staff will need the unique PIN that has been provided to the school.
Your input matters. Take the time to make sure your voice is included so that decisions about the future of our school genuinely reflect the views of our community.
Make sure to “Have your Say”
Key Dates: Term One
Junior Infant Christmas Play | 9:30am Friday 12th December | Junior Infants |
Senior Infant Christmas Play | 11:00am Friday 12th December | Senior infants |
The Moon & Sixpence Theatre | Monday 15th December | Whole School |
School Choir Charity Christmas Concert | Monday 15th December | School Choir |
Carol Singing at The Four Ferns | Tuesday 16th December | School Choir - 6th Class choristers |
Niall de Burca - Storyteller | Wednesday 17th December | Whole School |
Santa is coming to HPGNS!! | Thursday 18th December | Whole School |
Last Day of Term One (Early Finish) | Friday 19th December | Whole School |
First Day of Term Two | Monday 5th January | Whole School |
Staff Inservice School Closure | Wednesday 11th February | Whole School |
Staff Inservice School Closure | Wednesday 13th May | Whole School |
Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school
Use this page
to find out:
When it's OK to send your child to school or childcare
When to keep your child at home from school or childcare
Please note these key points to keep our school (and wider) community safe and well:
High temperature
If your child has a high temperature, keep them off school or childcare until their temperature:
goes back to normal
stays that way without taking paracetamol and ibuprofen
In children, any temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above is considered high.
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school or childcare until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.
Follow advice from your GP
If your child has been diagnosed with an infection such as:
impetigo
measles
mumps
scarlet fever
slapped cheek syndrome
chicken pox
Well done!
Congratulations Teddy & Skyler!
Congratulations Dáire!
Thank you Ava, Rebecca, Alex & Genevieve!
Congratulations Darcey!
Tea with the Principal
I was delighted to welcome three of our 6th Class teams to the office last week for hot chocolate and treats. This is a small gesture of appreciation for all of the work carried out by our 6th Class leaders.
There are eight leadership teams in 6th Class:
Student Council (which also includes 5th Class members)
Green Team (which also includes 1st - 5th Class members)
Amber Team
STEM Team
SESE Team
Active Team
Culture Team
Language Team
Last week I met the Amber Team, 6th Class members of the Green Team and the outgoing 6th Class members of the Student Council. I will meet the remaining teams during terms two and three.
We are very lucky to have such a great 6th Class group - they make a real difference!
School Choir
Thank you for the brilliant response to our concert. We are looking forward to singing for you on Monday evening.
Ticket sales via Aladdin are now closed. All tickets purchased via Aladdin will be sent home with the girls on Friday and Monday. If you wish to buy tickets at the door on the evening please note it is cash only.
Junior Infant Christmas Play
Friday 12th December @ 9:30am
Senior Infant Christmas Play
Friday 12th December @ 11:00am
We are sorry, but due to the restricted space available in the hall, we kindly ask that only two adults per child attend the shows. For health and safety reasons, please do not bring hot drinks into the school building. |
Sincere thanks to Dad, Ciarán Maher, who has kindly recorded both of our shows. We will share these recordings with our families.
Green Schools
Parish News
Getting ready for Christmas
Bambinelli Sunday
Bambinelli Sunday was introduced by Pope John Paul II. The idea was for families to bring the infant Jesus from their cribs at home to be blessed on the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday).
An extra dimension is to wrap the infant in Christmas paper. The plan is that these wrapped and blessed infants are placed in the home crib and then on Christmas morning the first present to be unwrapped is the Baby Jesus, the greatest gift of all time and a powerful sign of the true meaning of Christmas.
CyberSafeKids
The new CyberSafeKids Gadget Gift Guide supports parents and guardians in making safer, more informed decisions when purchasing smart devices for their children during the festive season and throughout the year.
Packed with practical advice, safety tips, and guidance on responsible use, the guide highlights the benefits and potential risks of today’s most popular smart devices, from VR headsets and gaming consoles to AI-powered toys and smartphone alternatives.
TOP TIP: Whatever the smart device, don't allow it into bedrooms at night—charge all devices in communal areas of the home overnight!
Voluntary Contributions 2025- 2026
Sincere thanks to the 98 families who have already made a Voluntary Contribution to the school for 2025-26.
It may interest our families to know that you can choose to make frequent small payments to your Voluntary Contribution via Aladdin at any time during the school year, up to and including 31st August 2026.
Any and all contributions are very much appreciated and make a real difference to your daughter's learning environment.
PA Update
Feed Our Homeless: Annual Christmas Appeal
Casanova's Big Pizza Giveaway!
We were delighted that Hollypark GNS was chosen as one of the winners in Casanova's Big Pizza Giveaway!!! Casanova's have donated vouchers to our school which we will raffle amongst the girls next week!!
Traffic and Safety
Please note: It is illegal to park in a way which interferes with traffic flow or obstructs or endangers other road users, for example:
[Dublin Street Parking Services] Once again I am reminding our parents/guardians/minders to drive and park with consideration for our children and our neighbours - many of whom are elderly and vulnerable. |
Morning Drop OffIn the interest of the safety of all pupils, parents/guardians are not permitted to drive into the yard for drop-off or collection. Thank you to the many parents/guardians who abide by this rule. |
One Way Traffic System
Traffic Safety
Please use the church car park at drop off and collection times and walk the last 6 minutes with your child.
80% of our pupils live within 2 kilometres of our school. Please encourage your older children to walk with their pals to and from school.
Please ensure that younger children are held by the hand when walking with them to and from school.
Please do not block the driveways of local residents when parking. Many of our residents – often elderly - are virtual prisoners in their own homes at drop off and collection times. And when they speak up are often subject to abuse.
Please park legally and with care.
As things stand, in the event of an emergency, it is unlikely that a fire tender or ambulance would be able to access the schools, or any homes in the vicinity, at drop off and collection times.
Birthdays this week in Hollypark!
Saorla Plunkett
Riley Yixin Mildner
Mollie Doolin
Olivia Buckley
Rosie Ryan
Chloe Flattery
Emily Reynolds
Fainche
Advertising on our school newsletter
If you would like to place an ad on our school newsletter, please email Suzanne at the office hollyparkgns@gmail.com for further details and pricing.
HPGNS
United in Friendship, Together We Strive!
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