Welcome to Week 8. Our vertical pastoral care class system is one of the strong Hennessy pastoral initiatives. This means that students form strong bonds with one teacher they meet with each day and their pastoral care group from Years 7 - 12. Mrs McInerncy has been organising ‘state of origin’ games between various year groups this week. This is a great way to bring in some healthy competition and to bring together students from all year groups in their breaks. In the final match Year 11 (NSW) narrowly defeated Year 10 (Queensland) in a very close and exciting game.

After discussion with the Hennessy Executive Team and the School Community Council, the current mobile phone policy will be extended to include no mobile phones for Year 7 and Year 8 in 2025. We are aware that much of the cyber bullying and inappropriate use of phones does occur out of school but this is a small step for students to spend time each day without their phones. As a College, we will continue our commitment to offering ongoing educational support in this area. Next week the Cyber Safety Project presentations will occur for students from Year 7 - Year 11. An excellent source of information for parents is also the eSafety Commissioner’s website https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources Students can bring phones to school to safely store in the Front Office if parents require contact with their child before or after school.

Last night the College Executive Team of myself, Mrs Wright, Mrs McInerney, Mr Mergard and Mrs Woods spent the night at the Young Railway Station as part of the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout. Soup and rolls generously made by our Hennessy students and served by community members and Miss Rogers and Mrs Cafe greeted us on our arrival. We were involved in various activities to heighten our awareness of homelessness and we learned the very challenging fact that there are currently 52 homeless people in Young (this does not include ‘couch surfers’). 43 people participated in the Sleepout last night in Young, including our colleagues from St Anne’s. Temora. The night was chilly and rainy and we learned that 3 pieces of cardboard and a sleeping bag does not make for a very restful night! 

Our Hennessy team has so far raised a total of $13,239  for this important cause. Donations are still being accepted until the end of June via the link below.

Hennessy Catholic College Young

Thank you so much to those who have already generously donated.

 ‘Let us do without hesitation whatever good lies at our hands’
Frederick Ozanam (Founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society)