Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 2. The term has started off as a very busy one with lots of events already.

Last Monday our staff joined staff from Sacred Heart Cootamundra and St Thomas the Apostle, Kambah to learn more about how to establish predictable routines to ensure that our classrooms are safe, orderly and productive learning environments. Staff was very positive about the day and keen to continue with their routines. One of the topics that received a lot of discussion was the role of seating plans in ensuring that students do not need to feel anxious when they enter the classrooms.

I was privileged to go with Year 7 on their Collaroy excursion last week. This is a beautiful location but the rain was continuous and not ideal conditions for outdoor activities! Despite this, our impressive Year 7’s threw themselves into all the activities, had exemplary behaviour and did not complain at all. The Front Office at Collaroy sent the following feedback:

‘I am emailing today to pass on our gratitude for choosing us for your year seven camp and to say thank you for being great guests. All of our front of house staff noticed how great the group was and how well they represented your school last week. The way they charged on through the rain was amazing and despite the weather our staff all had a great time hosting them.’

Many thanks to Mr Luke Miller for his organisation of this excursion.

This year, the Year 11 Retreat to Galong had to be split into two groups based on Houses due to the large numbers. The Hennessy staff presented on the theme ‘Salt and Light’ and we also engaged a group called Character Builders to present to students. The students responded very positively and thoughtfully to the many activities and challenges presented to them. Many thanks to Mrs Mary Wright for her organisation of this event.

Mrs Duff also organised teams from Years 8, 9 and 10 to attend the Da Vinci Decathlon challenges in Canberra and Wagga. These opportunities challenge students to solve a wide range of problems and to use teamwork strategically to achieve the best result.

These events are just a sample of the activities which students have been involved in so far. I would like to acknowledge the many staff who give up their time to attend excursions, sporting events and extracurricular activities. Such events value-add to each student’s educational experience and are only possible due to the generosity of staff who volunteer to attend these events.

The annual cross-country and colour run was a great success with sunny skies and very engaged and happy students.Thanks to Mr Croese for his outstanding organisational skills and a reminder that the athletics carnival is next Monday, May 13. Students are reminded that attending these events is compulsory and they should treat their attendance as they would at any other school day.

Just a reminder that the College Executive are participating in the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout which is being held in Young for the first time. If you would like to contribute to this cause which supports homelessness in the western region please go to:

https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/hennessycatholiccollegeyoung

Finally, warm wishes to all our mothers and grandmothers for Mother’s Day on Sunday! It was very pleasing to see so many people attending Mass and the Mother’s Day breakfast.