Newsletter: Wednesday 17th June
- 6 hours ago
- 8 min read
Our New Principal: Ms Siobhán de Fréin
Dear Parents/Guardians, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Siobhán de Fréin as the new Principal of St Patrick’s Girls’ National School, Hollypark. Ms. de Fréin will formally take up her position on 27th August 2026. Ms. de Fréin is a highly valued and long-standing member of our school community, having dedicated 27 years of service to St Patrick’s GNS Hollypark. Her deep knowledge of the school, combined with her extensive experience, strong leadership qualities, and clear commitment to our values, make her exceptionally well placed to lead Hollypark GNS into the future. The Board of Management is confident that under Ms. de Fréin’s leadership, our school will continue to flourish, maintaining its strong tradition of academic excellence, care, and community spirit. Her vision and dedication will further strengthen the positive and inclusive environment that is at the heart of our school. On behalf of the Board of Management, staff, pupils, and wider school community, I would like to warmly congratulate Ms. de Fréin on her appointment and wish her every success in her new role. Yours sincerely, Arthur Hutchinson Chairperson, Board of Management St Patrick’s GNS Hollypark |
School Calendar 2026/2027
Key Dates: Term Three
Tuesday 23rd June | 6th Class Graduation | 6th Classes |
Friday 26th June | Final Day Term Three | All classes |
Thursday 27th August | School reopens for new school year | All classes |
After School Activities Schedule 2026/27
Sports Day: Thursday 11th June
Thank You!
Hockey
To our amazing hockey coaches Ms Henry, Ms Mc Nulty, Ms Cashman, Ms Dobey and Ms Coll always go above and beyond for the teams.
Special thanks to parents Fiona Walsh and Matt O Faolain who gave so generously of their time to ref and support the girls.
And well done to our girls who played an amazing final in Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club in March against St Andrews and were narrowly beaten by a final minute goal.
Tennis
Sincere thanks to parents Aine Mc Guinness, Karen Cruise and Carolina Gleeson who have provided guidance and support with our 3 Tennis teams in collaboration with Ms. Sweeney.
Thanks to Steve Landon, coach in Newpark Tennis Club for his support and for making courts available for our school team.
Special thanks to Leopardstown Tennis Club for hosting our recent tennis finals. Special congrats to our tennis girls who won the Leinster Primary Schools Division 2 Tennis competition.
Athletics
A huge well done to this years Santry team who trained so hard in the lead up to their track meet in Morton Stadium. The girls came home with an array of medals and PBS.
Special mention to
• Sophia Kelly who won the high jump.
• Amy Hughes who won a silver in the individual sprint U 12
• Rena Wu who won the art competition
• And our U 14 relay team – Kate O Reilly, Chloe Hsu, Cameron Barron and Milena with super subs Annelise Nolan and Hannah Carty
Huge thanks to Ms Mc Nulty, Ms Henry, Ms Conlon and Mrs Marnell for the early morning Friday training sessions to get the girls ready to compete.
Rugby
Massive thanks to parents Paul Jordan and Sarah Murphy for their help with the rugby team. Huge thanks to Ms O'Shea and Mrs Marnell for all their help too! 2 teams competed in the Leinster Rugby blitz in Old Belvedere Donnybrook in May. The girls did us proud winning both sides of the draw and were overall girls school winners on the day! We are so proud of our Hollypark Hellcats!
Golf
Huge thanks to Ms Lamont and Ms Dobey for their help with the golf team this term.
The team included
• Chloe Collins
• Lily Cruise
• Ellen Dywer
• Emily Reynolds.
The girls were runners up in the Castle Schools Cup 2026 competition.
Special thanks to parents
• Sarah Collins
• Sarah Harte
• Mary Breen
These parents kindly supervised at golf sessions.
GAA
The local club Fox Cab. Many thanks to coach Fearghal for his work with the girls throughout the year. Thanks to parent Edel Coyle for her support of the Gaelic team this year. Our school has a strong tradition of support and success with Fox Cab. Our 4th and 5th class girls recently took part in a Gaelic Blitz and we are looking forward to a successful Cumann na mBunscol campaign next September.
Camogie
The junior girls receive camogie with a Kilmacud Crokes coach early in the year. We look forward to continued support from the Crokes to further develop this sport in our school. .
Soccer
Every week Stephanie Roche inspires our football girls in the academy after school sessions. Our senior classes took part in a soccer blitz on 4th June and a great day was had by all. Thanks to Steph for organising this special year end event.
Also special thanks to coach and grandad Garry Zambra for his time and work with the girls throughout the school year. There is a strong link with Joey’s Football Club, and we are regular participants in the club’s annual blitz. We have some very talented footballers in the school, and we look forward to hearing about their future successes.
On 8th June, 30 of our club soccer players took part in the Monster Kickabout with Sports Direct & Champion Coaching in Wayside. The girls had a be a brilliant morning full of football, fun and plenty of smiles for all involved!
Cycling
Thanks to parent Rebecca Ghariani for her application to DLR to secure balance bike workshops for our Infant classes. Our fifth classes also annually take part in cycle safety workshops organised annually by Ms Henry.
Swimming
Well done to all our swimmers who completed in the Leinster and Irish schools Gala in the National Aquatic centre. Thanks to Ms Carroll for her work with the team.
Ballet
Many thanks to Ms Conlon for organising a very special experience for our 1st and 2nd class girls.
We had a visit from the Irish National Youth Ballet (INYB) who provided a delightful and enriching experience for the children. It introduced many pupils to the art of ballet, an expressive form they may not have encountered before. The performance and accompanying workshop supported the curriculum by enhancing students’ cultural awareness and appreciation of the performing arts.
Contemporary Dance
Thanks to Hannah Mae for her work with the girls this term. She has collaborated with the girls to choreograph a wonderful sports day dance. Thanks to Hanah Mae for giving so generously of her time. The girls particpated in hip-hop and contemporary dance sessions throughout Sports Day.
Massive thanks to our caretaker Kevin for all his help leading up to and during the day. This set-up is a mammoth task.
Suzanne in the office works continuously behind the scenes to support whole school events, including Sports Day. Thanks for everything you do for us!
Thanks to the DLR Sports Partnership Team for making the equipment available. Thanks also to Gráinne Parker for her workshops with the 6th class girls this term.
We would like to give a big shout out to Sean and Glen Daly aka the Daly Brothers for all their weekly work with the girls providing an excellent PE programme for our girls. Daly Exercise also generously provided the bouncy castle for the girls to jump around and have a blast!!
SPORTS DAY Results
Sports Days don't just happen. They take a lot of planning and teamwork. The teachers in Hollypark are second to none. Special thanks to the teachers on the Sports Committee. They model successful teamwork and friendship for the girls every day. And this is led by Mrs Marnell.
All of the girls were Super Stars on the day. There were lots of smiles, fun with friends and success for all. You all gave of your best and we are so proud of you all!
Well done!
Well done Grace, Alice & Rebecca!
Well done Alice!
Well done to Alice in 1st Class for winning 1st place in an open competition at the recent Féile Íosagáin Championships. Alice is a regular winner on the Irish Dancing circuit and is hopeful of a qualification shot for the World Championships next year. Keep up the great work, Alice. We're very proud of you.
Well done Genevieve!
Well done Zihan!
Well done Leah, Anabel, Elodie & Sophie!
Voluntary Contributions 2025- 2026
Sincere thanks to the 243 families (that is 62% of all our 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
Tesco Community Fund
A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us in the @TescoIrl Community Fund in Stillorgan over the past few weeks. We’re delighted to have received our donation of €513 today!
Thank you to Adrian on our PA who works so quietly behind the scenes and is the driver behind this initiative
Mass Café: Volunteers Needed!
Fr Philip is looking for volunteer parents for the Mass Café (in the Parish Centre) on Sunday 19th and 26th July.
PA AGM: Monday 14th September |
Traffic 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. |
One Way Traffic System
When travelling to and from the school please use the one way traffic system outlined below to alleviate traffic congestion.
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!
Mia Akkerman
Lucy Doyle
Milena Gallagher
Hayley Lyons
Audrey Kiernan
Rachel Finan
Juliette Dunphy
Emanuela Campeáo
Theodora Hardie
Amelia Feeney
Kate Wang
Belle Laura Crotty
Kate O'Reilly
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.
Advertisements in this newsletter are shared for information purposes only.
Inclusion does not imply endorsement or recommendation by the school.
HPGNS
United in Friendship, Together We Strive!
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