Partnerships

Partnerships within and outside the school are an integral part of the Active School Flag process. An Active School Committee was set up in St. Patrick’s GNS, Hollypark with representatives from each of the 6th classes. From the outset of the process, pupils, teachers and parents were informed that the school had decided to work towards our second ASF and were kept up to date with progress via the Active School Committee, the school website and Ms. Gunning’s newsletters.

The Pupil Voice is central to all we do in Hollypark GNS and it was an important part of Active Flag process. We had regular meetings as a committee to share ideas and updates. Pupils in every class designed sports themed posters for our wonderful sports day parade in May. We held a competition for our active school slogan in October. Alanna McCarthy in Ms. Cunneen’s 3rd class came up with the winning slogan “When it comes to sport and fun, Hollypark is number 1.” The Active School Committee were involved in bringing out equipment for our sports day and active school week and helped to organise the events on the day. This October the committee were invited to a special tea party in Ms. Gunning’s office to celebrate all of their hard work so far and they got the opportunity to discuss their ideas on how best to work towards the flag.

Pupils from the active flag committee teach Game of the Week to the infant classes and plan to roll it out to first and second class in January ensuring that our break times are truly active. They bring skipping ropes out to the yard at lunch time. Our committee also update classes about upcoming events and distribute Active Break and Daily Mile Charts. The committee members are also committed to keeping our sports equipment tidy and accessible in our storage area. They led the whole school in dance activities in the yard for Feel Good Fridays.

Our Parents’ Association and wider parent body are truly committed to helping us attain our second active flag and helped organise a sporting fundraiser , our fantastic 3k run in September 2023 during our active week. This event raised €13,385 and some of the money was used to purchase new PE equipment.

We liased with the LSP in Dun Laoghaire and were delighted to receive some javelins and shotputs which will be put to great use when teaching our athletics strand. Our 6th classes have undertaken the Marathon Kids programme as a result of our meeting with Louise Callan our local sports officer.

Our school has a great relationship with many local sports clubs and we inform our parents about physical opportunities that are available in the locality. Avoca Hockey Club , Granada Football Club and Foxcab GAA club all had information stands at our sports day. We also invite several local clubs to give coaching sessions to our pupils throughout the year. St. Patrick's GNS has a strong and proud tradition of Gaelic football and we are very closely affiliated with the Foxrock Cabinteely GAA Club. All class levels from Junior Infants to 6th Class are taught the fundamental components of Gaelic football – skills development, teamwork and participation. Garry from the FAI coached our third and fourth classes and taught them fundamental soccer skills. Kilmacud Crokes coach Marie taught camogie skills to first class. All classes from 3rd to 6th were expertly coached in swimming by Trojan coaches in Newpark swimming pool during 2022-23.

This expert coaching and our strong links to local clubs have afforded our pupils past and present with great opportunity. They have proudly and successfully represented the school in the Cumann na mBunscol GAA football and camogie leagues, Leinster Hockey leagues, Basketball 3x3 tournaments, Abbotstown Athletics championships and the FAI 5 a side tournament.

At St Patrick’s GNS we celebrate the physical achievements and success of our pupils both during and outside of school hours through our website and Ms. Gunning’s weekly newsletters. Photos are displayed on our website and pupils’ achievements are celebrated in Ms. Gunning’s daily announcement and newsletters.

Active School Committee 2023/2024