Welcome to Week 8. It was lovely to join St Mary’s students and staff and many parishioners at the Presentation Mass last Tuesday. Venerable Nano Nagle is one of our College patrons and founder of the Presentation Sisters. The Presentation Sisters arrived in Young in 1886. Nano Nagle is a great example for Hennessy, and particularly Nagle House students, because of her strong faith, resilience, vision and kindness.

The College is a little quieter this week as our Year 10 cohort participates in Work Experience in various locations both locally and further afield. Work Experience is an excellent opportunity for students to ‘taste’ various careers and the world of work. Huge thanks to Mrs Leanne Parkman for coordinating this important opportunity and to Ms Kathryn Ryan for assisting her in ensuring that all placements are compliant with legal requirements.

Next Wednesday evening we will acknowledge student excellence in academic, sporting and community service areas for students from Years 7 - 11 at our annual Presentation Evening. Parents of students receiving an award should have been notified by now so they can attend this special evening with their sons and daughters.

Last night we held our final Community Council Meeting of the year. At this meeting, we worked through a process to transition our current Community Council to a School Community Council. All community councils, schools and P&F’s across the archdiocese are going through a similar transition process. This is a summary of the role of the new council:

1.1 The School Community Council (Council) provides a crucial point of connection between the school community and school leaders. The Council provides a framework for welcoming parents and other members of the school community to participate in school activities, to become actively involved in the life of the school and to support the mission of Catholic education in the school.

1.2 The Council is advisory in nature, though is able to make decisions in relation to the expenditure of money raised through Council led fundraising activities. While the Council does not have governance responsibility or decision-making authority in relation to the school more broadly, the Council provides an important forum for consultation, a means for members of the community to share their skills and talents for the common good, and a framework for the Principal to draw on the collective wisdom and insights of the parent cohort. The Council also provides invaluable support to the school through community-led activities.

1.3 The Council welcomes participation by all parents and other members of the school community.
Next year we will be seeking new members to join the council through an expression of interest. Meetings will now be held once a term rather than each month. There are also plans to hold at least one fundraising event and to form a working committee in this area. Please contact Mrs Natalie Turner (Council Chair) if you would like further information.

A Prayer for Peace
For those who are fleeing: sanctuary
For those who are staying: safety
For those who are fighting: peace
For those whose hearts are breaking: comfort
For those who see no future: hope

Kathy Holding
Principal