Welcome back to the 2024 school year to all our parents, carers, staff and students! Last week was a week of three days of learning for staff. This professional learning covered a variety of topics including an archdiocesan system day focusing on quality teaching and learning and an introduction to our launch of consistent classroom routines.

This year we welcome Mr Jonathon Watson to our staff. Mr Watson is beginning his teaching career and is very excited to be a part of the Hennessy community. Mrs Amy Mergard has moved into a full-time role this year and Ms Cassie McLachlan will continue in a part-time role. We are very fortunate to have teachers for all our classes as this is not the case across the state in all schools.

This year we have chosen a theme that combines the Archbishop’s wish to make this the Year of the Holy Spirit with the Learning Dynamically aspect of our school Mission Statement. Our theme for 2024 is:

Learning Dynamically through the Spirit’s Fruits

The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit are:

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Three of these gifts will be explored each term with students.

You would have read in Compass about our new classroom routines initiative this year. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or if you would like to walk around with me to see this in action. When I move around the school I observe very calm classrooms and students engaged in their learning. I would like to thank the teachers for their support and collegiality in commencing these routines.

This week is a very busy week with photo day yesterday, Tomorrow Woman program for girls in Years 10 - 12 today, and our annual swimming carnival on tomorrow. Ash Wednesday is next Wednesday and parents are very welcome to attend our liturgy in the Hall at 9:00 am.

The Year 7 Meet and Greet for parents and carers is on Tuesday 13th February is a great way to meet other parents and your child’s teachers. The evening will commence with an information session in E10 followed by drinks and nibbles on the parish lawn.

I am looking forward to a wonderful year.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23)