Welcome to the Week 6 newsletter. Friday night was a very special occasion as we formally farewelled our Class of 2024 with their Graduation Dinner at the Young Showground. The students looked both very grown up and stylish and thoroughly enjoyed their evening. A stunning sunset photo was a special memento for the occasion which truly celebrated their Year 12 Theme - ‘To Infinity and Beyond’. 

Many people helped to make this night so successful, a big thank you to the following:

Mrs McInerney for her overall management in ensuring such a successful event

Mrs Navori and  her amazing team of helpers for their professional beverage preparation and serving skills

Mrs Mergard for her photography prowess throughout the evening 

The House Leaders for their kind words for each student 

The office staff who planned this event for many weeks- ordering, double-checking and communicating 

Staff who helped with the awards , helped set up the pavilion and pack away afterwards

I am very pleased to announce that Mr Joe Kershaw will be Acting McAuley House Leader for Terms 1, 2 and 3 next year while Mrs McGrath is on leave. We are very fortunate to have Mr Kershaw taking on this important role.

Ms Philippa Butcher has tendered her resignation effective from the end of this year. Ms Butcher has accepted a position at Oran Park Anglican College. We wish her all the best in her move to Sydney and thank her for all she has done for Hennessy. 

Mrs Anna Cusack has also announced her resignation effective at the end of this year. Mrs Cusack joined the Inclusive Education Team Hennessy in 2020 and will be greatly missed for her smile and her friendly manner. 

We wish Ms Butcher and Mrs Cusack all the best and thank them for their contributions to Hennessy. 

The Hennessy Community Council met for the last time this year last Thursday evening. At this meeting, we farewelled Mrs Kerrie Murphy. Mrs Murphy has been on the Community Council since March 2023 and during this time she has been a greatly valued member for her insightful and helpful contributions. Thank you Mrs Murphy for all you have done. We will advertise for new Community Council members in the new year.

At this meeting, there was much discussion about how we can provide a balance between community events and allowing students to experience activities out of Young. One suggestion was to organise community trips for students, families and staff to events such as the State of Origin or shows in Sydney or Canberra. In early 2025, the Council will seek parents' input on ideas for such trips.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of 64 Year 5 students from St Mary’s, St Joseph’s Boorowa and Trinity Murrumburrah visiting Hennessy for their "Journey with Jesus" retreat. The retreat has been facilitated by Hennessy Year 9 and 10 students who have completed training to prepare them for this responsibility. Thank you Mrs Wright and Mr Quinn for organising this event.

November 21st is the day each year that Presentation Sisters across the world celebrate a special feast day of the Presentation of Mary at the temple. The celebration of Presentation stands as a reminder that Hennessy Catholic College, founded in the Presentation Tradition, carry on Mary’s joy for God and life with our pledge to go forth in any part of the world in joyful service, wherever we are needed.

Compassionate God, 

You raise up people from age to age to speak anew 

Your Word to us and to show us your ways. 

Such is Nano Nagle. 

In days when courage is needed, 

You give us this woman of strength to walk before us with conviction. 

In days of great change, 

You present us with a prophet whose faith is firm. 

As the light of her lantern brought hope into the lives made wretched by poverty and oppression, 

So may she inspire us to compassionate action for those in need around us. 

We make this prayer in Jesus' name. 

Amen.