Welcome to Week 3. This week our Community Council has been very active in spite of COVID rules that they need to meet virtually. On Tuesday night the guest speaker for the Open Forum was John Harper. John Harper is an important name in regional mental health, he regularly runs discussion groups and presents at conferences and is well known for his Mate Helping Mate series of podcasts. John discussed issues of mental health for both adults and students and presented a very engaging and common sense approach. Two of his messages were that mental health is everyone’s business and we can all help others by being good listeners/neighbours/friends. John also spoke on the importance of seeking professional advice when necessary. A big thanks to Mrs Linda Cavanagh for organising this event.

Several issues concerning the girls uniform options were also raised and will be tabled at the next Community Council Meeting. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or a member of the Community Council if you would like an issue to be discussed. The current parent members are: Linda Cavanagh, Peita Payne, Natalie Turner and Charlie Cleverdon.

On Wednesday night the Community Council met virtually again to ratify the budget for 2021. The Council also supported the very exciting news that we will extend the current Music Room to double its size and to have three internal soundproof practice rooms. Funds for this will come from the Community Council Building Fund and College funds allocated to building and maintenance. We are hoping to begin this project in early 2021 subject to Hilltops Council approval.

Today a group of Year 10 students will begin their Peer Support training. This is a great initiative for our incoming Year 7 students and a leadership opportunity for our Year 10 students.

Last Friday Dolly, the black labrador, had a brief visit to the College in her role as the Hennessy Wellbeing Dog. She will make short weekly visits this term to familiarise herself and the students with her role. A big thanks to Ms Trisha Stadtmiller for initiating this program, doing this training and bringing Dolly to school.

Please continue to keep our Year 12 students in your prayers as they work through their HSC examinations. The exam supervisors are describing this group as calm, well-prepared and polite.

Today the local police spoke to the whole school community on the dangers of inappropriate use of mobile phones and social media and the law in relation to inappropriate activities. The world of technology is an amazing one which many of us did not experience as children. Whilst technology offers many benefits it can also create many issues when used inappropriately and the young people in our care need support and guidance in navigating this complex new world. At the end of the day nothing can beat face to face friendships as opposed to online ‘friends’.

I hope you take some time over the weekend to enjoy our beautiful green environment after all the recent rain.

Kathy