As the year ends, I find myself reflecting on my time as Principal at Hennessy Catholic College. This is my third year at Hennessy and I feel that I have made a difference to the life of the school in my time as Principal.

We have had numerous successes including the introduction of the Vertical Pastoral Care Model and the refinement of the learning agenda. We have implemented a new timetable and are working with our data to inform how best to develop quality teaching practices, a refined lesson cycle and 5 quality lessons a day. That way we can be confident we can serve the students at the school to maximise their outcomes.

Part of my role has been to keep the profile of Hennessy high in the community and I feel I have been able to do this through my extensive involvement in the Parish and through my participation on the Economic Development Committee at the Hilltops Council, and most recently on the Joint Library facility steering committee.

I have also had the responsibility of ensuring that our profile remains high in the Archdiocese and I have made a point of ensuring that Hennessy is a school about which everyone is talking!

One of the great privileges of being a Principal is celebrating the Catholic life of the school. I have the immense task of ensuring the Mission of the Catholic Church is embedded in our school. This is a tough part of any Principal’s duty statement. We have had numerous whole school Masses over my time here and these culminated last week with the combined St Mary’s and Hennessy celebration Mass commemorating Nano Nagle and the Presentation heritage on which Catholic Education in Young and the region is founded. I would like to thank Fr Tom Thornton, Fr Trenton Van Reesch, Fr James Onoja and Fr Praveen Paul for being such significant support to me and to the Hennessy staff and students over this time.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teaching and support staff at Hennessy. I am blessed to have worked with such dedicated people who work tirelessly for the school. Without them, Hennessy would not be the school of choice in the region.

Finally, I would like to thank our students and parents for being in relationship with us. Hennessy would not be the community it is without you.

I welcome Mrs Kathy Holding to Hennessy; she will be an excellent Principal who will lead the school into the future.

I will always remember my time here and I have been blessed to have walked the journey with you all. As I leave, I know that Hennessy Catholic College encourages us all to Live Spiritually, Learn Dynamically, Act Justly and Inspire Futures of Hope. Thankyou.

Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Principal