Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 3. Yesterday we had a wonderful assembly to farewell Year 12, there were many tears and much laughter as we paid tribute to this outstanding group of young people. I am sharing my speech here. 

‘It is lovely to be back and I would like to thank Mrs Wright for stepping into my shoes while I was away. I would also like to acknowledge Mrs McInerney, Mrs Nowlan and Mrs Schiller for stepping into new roles in my absence.

I am sure some of you sitting here today in Years 7 or 8 may be thinking that you will be at school forever and that the days drag by. I am sure if you asked our Class of 23 they would say that there were times when they thought school would never end, then suddenly they were in Year 11 and then in the blink of an eye they are sitting here today, their last formal day at Hennessy with very mixed emotions.  You survived common tasks, group projects, tests, assignments and even a change in canteen operators. But you made it Year 12!

On behalf of the Hennessy community I would like to say how much we have enjoyed having you, Year 12. You are a sociable, easy going, hard working group who do not make a fuss about things. You have been excellent role models for the younger students. You have excelled in a wide range of areas from football, soccer, netball, basketball, chess, dancing, hospitality to name a few. The Student Leadership Team needs special mention for their tireless work in achieving their goals and making Hennessy an even better place in 2023. Each one of  you have been leaders in your own way. I don’t know if you realise how much your behaviour and attitude is an influence on other students. Hennessy is a calm, friendly and welcoming school because of the standards set from Year 12.

Some of you may be thinking that once the HSC exams are over your learning has ended. A word of advice from someone slightly older than you, you never stop learning. In fact the more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know. Having just returned from an amazing adventure in England and Scotland,  I have learned how to catch the tube trains in London, never ever to eat black pudding or haggis, what to do if you have a flat tyre in a foreign country (with no spares), or about the bloody history of England and Scotland (thanks to my husband) and how to not get attacked by a very large red cow in the moors of Yorkshire. You will continue to learn because of the job you choose or the course you are studying but you will also continue to learn out of curiosity and necessity.

I hope one of the biggest lessons you've learnt at Hennessy is that we need other people to enrich our lives and we need to ensure that our actions help to make the world a better place. Year 12, some of you may query religion and even God but please know that your faith can get you through some rough times and give purpose to your life.

One last little bit of advice as you head towards your Higher School Certificate exams in October and November. If I had to choose the two best study methods they would be palm cards and past papers - they really work! Best of luck for your exams and while they are important they do not define you are so keep things in perspective.

As you move forward, remember that you are not alone. You have the support of your family, your friends, your teachers, and the entire school community. We believe in you, and we are excited to witness the incredible achievements that lie ahead for each and every one of you.

In closing, I want to leave you with a quote from Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Class of 2023, you are armed with this powerful weapon. Use it wisely, use it compassionately, and use it to leave a positive mark on the world.’

A reminder that students return to school on Tuesday, October 10. Best wishes to all our families for a happy, restful and safe break. 

Kathy Holding 
Principal