Newsletter: Wednesday 10th September 2025
- hollyparkwebsite
- Sep 10
- 8 min read
Admission to Junior Infants September 2026
Application and Decision Dates for Admission to 2026/2027 school year
The following are the dates applicable for admission to Junior Infants 2026/2027
The school will commence accepting applications for admission on | 29th September 2025
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The school shall cease accepting applications for admission on | 24th October 2025 @ 3:00pm
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The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application is | 14th November 2025 |
The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is* | 28th November 2025 @ 3:00pm |
Note: the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s Admission Policy.
*Failure to accept an offer within the prescribed period above may result in the offer being withdrawn
The school cannot accept applications for Junior Infants 2025 before this process commences.
Once the admissions process is open, applications may be posted to the school or delivered by hand. As original documents supporting the application must be included, applications cannot be made by email.
School Calendar 2025/2026
The 2025/2026 calendar is available on www.hollyparkgns.ie
Key Dates: Term One
Class Photos | Friday 12th September | Whole School |
Wellbeing Week | Week beginning Monday 22nd September | Whole School |
GOAL Jersey Day | Friday 10th October | Whole School |
STEM Week | Week beginning Monday 13th October | Whole School |
Children Online - What's Really Going On | Wednesday 15th October 7:30pm | Parents of GNS & BNS Venue: BNS |
Hallowe'en Dress Up Day | Friday 24th October | Whole school |
Midterm break | 27th October - 31st October | Whole School |
PT Meetings | Week beginning Monday 17th November | SI - 6th Class |
No After School Activities for one week to facilitate PT Meetings | Week beginning Monday 17th November | 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 |
Start & Finish Times
Start Time | Finish Time | |
Junior Infants from tomorrow 11th September | 8:40am | 1:20pm |
Senior Infants | 8:40am | 1:20pm |
1st & 2nd Class | 8:40am | 2:20pm |
3rd- 6th Class | 8:40am | 2:20pm |
School Uniform
Girls should wear the school tracksuit on PE days only.
For health and safety reasons, girls must wear appropriate sporting footwear in order to avoid injury.
School uniform trousers, as an alternative to the school uniform skirt, are available from our uniform suppliers The Schoolwear House.
For health and safety reasons, stud earrings only are permitted. Dangly earrings (to include hoops) are not permitted.
Nail polish, lip gloss, make-up (including mascara), fake tan, fake eyelashes and fake nails are not allowed. Pupils will be asked to remove make up on arrival in school. Wipes will be supplied.
A Day to Remember at the Irish Open!
We are sure that many of you were glued to the action on the 18th hole at the K Club on Sunday evening…. Well, last Wednesday Anna, Anneliese, Chloe, Emily, Lauren and Olivia from 6th class had the opportunity to attend the ProAm at the Irish Open!
Our visit began with a special venue tour, taking in some of the most iconic spots: the 18th hole and Grandstand, the 1st Tee, and the Driving Range, where the professionals and amateurs were busy warming up.
The girls then joined a creative writing workshop with Simon Blower from Pobble, where they imagined what it would feel like to play the final hole of the Irish Open; stepping right into Rory McIlroy’s shoes for the day! Their writing pieces were full of excitement, nerves, and the thrill of the crowd.
On the day, the girls collected plenty of autographs from professional and amateur golfers… and even a few caddies! They loved soaking up the atmosphere of the tournament and experiencing this iconic venue first-hand.
We hope the day inspired the girls to keep practising their swings and continue their golfing journey, and maybe even sparked a few future Irish Open stars!
Thank you to Ms. Dobey and Ms. Lamont for taking the girls to this wonderful event!
Wellbeing Week: 22nd - 26th September
Theme of the week - BÍ CINEÁLTA – BE KIND |
We are looking forward to celebrating Wellbeing Week when we will enjoy:
Mindful Monday
Thankful Tuesday
Wellbeing Wednesday
Thinking Thursday
Fitness Friday - coinciding with European Active Day
Did you remember to bring in your plain white t-shirt for decorating?
We will be decorating and wearing our Wellbeing T-Shirts to school on Friday 26th September as part of European Active Day. If you haven't already done so, please drop in to the Class Teacher by this Friday. Thank you!
Green Schools
Research has shown that outdoor learning can have huge benefits for children in terms of wellbeing and academic performance. The children really enjoyed spending time and learning in our outdoor space during the last term. We would like to thank the parents and grandparents who supported us in the creation of this outdoor learning space last year. The PA are busy recruiting parents/ grandparents who might be able to help develop this space further so that the children can use it throughout the year. Please contact the PA if this is something you could help us with.
The Green School Committee Reps would also like you, the parents, to take a bit of time at weekends or afternoons to help increase your daughters’ awareness of local biodiversity. To help you with this please look at our September’s Nature Spotter Sheet.
This Spotter Sheet includes photographs of the Hawthorn Tree with haws (berries) the Red Admiral Butterfly, Blackberries and Brambles, the Forest Shieldbug, Ash Tree ‘keys’ (seeds) and Ripe Apples. All of these can be spotted in the local parks and green areas. If parents are too busy they might ask grandparents to help!!! Thank you!
Well done!
Violin Lessons
Violin lessons for Senior Infants to 3rd Class will commence next Tuesday 16th September. Our new Violin Teacher Ms Eva Paturyan will focus on aural training, music theory and the basics of violin.
The rationale for this initiative is to give every child in the school the opportunity to experience learning a musical instrument and playing the instrument in a group setting. We have found in the past that many of the girls really enjoyed learning the violin and went on to continue with lessons outside of school after their initial introduction.
The girls will have the use of our school violins. All sheet music, necessary to participate, will also be provided.
Class Photos
County Photos will be taking photos of all classes on Friday 12th September. Girls are asked to wear school uniform on Friday. If the class is timetabled for PE on Friday, the girls may bring their tracksuit and change after the photo.
Homework
Homework should be within the capability of the attentive child, based on work already done. Homework enables parents to follow their daughter’s progress.
Homework should always be checked, and the journal signed daily by parent/guardian.
Homework is assigned for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings and is not generally assigned for the weekend.
Recommended Times for Homework
Junior/Senior Infants: Class Teacher will advise.
1st/2nd Class: 20 – 30 minutes
3rd/4th Class: 30 – 40 minutes
5th/6th Class: 40 – 60 minutes.
These are suggested times. In practice, the time taken will depend on each child.
If parents feel a child is taking an excessive amount of time to complete work, they should discuss this with the Class Teacher.
Please click here for Homework Tips.
Smart Phones and Smart Devices
The Hollypark GNS community strives, in line with best practice, to create a calm and safe sanctuary, free from the distractions and potential complications posed by social media and the use of personal smart devices. To this end, Hollypark GNS is a smart device free campus. Children are not permitted to use phones/smartphones or smart watches whilst on school grounds (including the yard and the astro pitch).
We strongly support our PA No Smartphone Voluntary Code.
5th and 6th Class
Children in 5th and 6th class who need to bring a device to school in order to facilitate their journey to and from school must seek written permission from Ms. Gunning by completing and signing a Phone Request Form. [Please see our school's Acceptable Use Policy, Appendix A (page 16)]. If given permission, children must hand the device to their teacher at the beginning of each day, and they may collect it when they are going home. The school takes no responsibility for these devices during the day.
NCSE INFO
Traffic and Safety
One Way Traffic System
Traffic Safety
I am sorry to say that the school receives many calls and emails from upset and frustrated residents outlining the ongoing inconsiderate driving and parking in the vicinity of the school at drop off and collection times. The school also receives emails from concerned parents from time to time. Below is an extract from a recent email from a parent: - 'I am increasingly concerned about the safety of children walking to and from school. We walk the girls to school via Foxrock Avenue and, since the start of term, I have observed several instances of drivers mounting the footpaths and driving in a way that poses a serious risk to pupils and families. I have also spoken to a number of other parents who have witnessed similar behaviour. Today I witnessed two cars mount the footpath, with one of them dragging a rock that was on the grass verge with them. Our children should feel safe on the footpath.
Many of us are actively encouraging our children to walk to school. However, this recent pattern of dangerous driving is making some parents reconsider whether walking is the safest option at the moment.'This parent is justified in her concern. Our neighbours are justifiably upset and frustrated. I am appealing to our parents in the strongest possible terms - especially those who are driving - to put the safety of our children and our local community above all else. |
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.
After School Activities 2025/26
Please contact providers directly for all updates.
Post Primary Open Evenings
Dominican College Sion Hill Tuesday 30th September 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Rathdown Senior School Monday 15th September 3:30pm - 7:30pm
Holy Child Killiney Thursday 18th September 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Loreto Foxrock Thursday 18th September 6:00pm - 8:00pm
St Joseph of Cluny Thursday 25th September 5:00pm- 8:00pm
Blackrock Educate Together Tuesday 30th September 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Sion Hill Tuesday 30th September 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Loreto Dalkey Thursday 2nd October 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Rockford Manor Thursday 2nd October
Cabinteely Community School Thursday 2nd October 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Cabinteely Community School is also running 'Sampler Saturdays' in September and October for 6th Class pupils in subjects such as Home Economics, Art and Woodwork. For further information please check: Instagram @cabinteelycs.
Birthdays this week in Hollypark!
Isobel Farrell
Mollie Hudson
Dáire Kate Carnus
Kate Nolan
Ciara Treacy
Emma Flattery
Luna Isabelle Matthews
Fiadh O'Hanlon
Lara Ruby Martin
Kelly Mairead Gooney
Sophie Falkner
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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