Today is the Feast of what is called the “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven”. We can think of this feast day as Jesus saying to Mary: “Welcome home, Mother!”

We have many families in our community who are facing challenges at this time. Please keep all these families in your prayers so that they may feel Mary’s presence and be comforted by her.

We pray to Mary:

Mary, our Mother, your total giving of yourself reminds us that we hold in trust from God our Father all our accomplishments and talents and gifts – trusted as we are to offer them in his service, and bring happiness and well-being to our brothers and sisters. Your “Yes” to God’s invitation to be the mother of his Son reminds us that prayer is not just words but is from the heart. We ask you to pray to Jesus for us that the Holy Spirit may live fully in us, too, so that we may pray in the way that each of us finds best. So may we be prepared to join you in saying “Yes” to God our Father, that Jesus may be born anew in our hearts. Amen.

The past two weeks have been action packed with events at Hennessy. Thanks to all the staff and students who have either organised or participated in the many opportunities that have been on offer.

Congratulations to Gallagher who raised funds for the Young Crisis Centre and ran a terrific inter-house competition last week which helped to raise the awareness of this important local cause. The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. The Gospels call us to place the needs of the poor and vulnerable first, so that their needs as well as the common good may be realised.

On Tuesday, staff at Hennessy engaged enthusiastically in a three hour professional learning opportunity after school, which focussed on ways that the College can continue to improve learning outcomes for all our students. There were many interesting and diverse professional conversations which took place and some great suggestions and ideas that will be pursued in the coming weeks.

I have been delighted to have interviewed many of our new Year 7 2020 enrolments. These students have been articulate and enthusiastic in how much they are looking forward to attending Hennessy next year. Feedback from parents at these interviews has been highly positive with regards to the teaching and learning that takes place at the College and how inclusive the students are, helping to provide a safe and happy learning environment.

I congratulate our Year 12 students for the mature way in which they have undertaken Trial exams this week. Please continue to pray for these students as their exams continue.

I will be finishing as relieving Principal next Friday. I thank all the students and staff for making me feel so welcome and for their support during my time at the College. I wish all in our community the very best for their future endeavours.