Welcome to 2021!

Our theme for this year is ‘Inspiring futures of hope’. This theme is very appropriate considering the unusual times we are living in. It is the fourth part of our Hennessy Vision Statement:

Live Spiritually

Learn Dynamically

Act Justly

… inspiring futures of hope

We are encouraging students to dig deeply into their own personal reservoir of hope. Each of us have a personal set of beliefs and values and it is these we can call on to get through difficult times and to help us to achieve our dreams.

This year we welcome 76 new Year 7 students, 16 new students to join our Year 11 cohort as well as students into Years 8, 9 and 10. We also welcome Miss Beth Doherty, our new Religious Education Coordinator, Mr Peter Igoe-Taylor, the new Rice House Leader, Mrs Maryann Schiller, in a teaching role and Mr Phil Mitchell returns from leave.

It was wonderful to be a part of the Year 7 Meet and Greet on Tuesday night. Parents were given information but more importantly a chance to meet teachers and other parents.

Students seem very happy and are enjoying their new classes. Many of them confided that they were ‘over’ the holidays and looking forward to returning to school to their friends and the routine.

Our Annual Improvement Plan for 2021 focuses on three areas:

Spirituality. Miss Doherty will be working closely with teachers and students to develop their spirituality and to provide opportunities for prayer and personal growth. Next week Year 11 will participate in their two day retreat at Galong Monastery

Learning Dynamically. Hennessy is very proud of the achievements and growth of its students but we can always do better. I have challenged staff and students to be on a quest for continuous improvement. Last week all staff participated in an introduction to Catalyst which is a new archdiocesan teaching and learning initiative. This initiative will run over three years and aims to challenge teachers to focus on teaching strategies which are strongly evidence based.

Wellbeing. This year, our new student award system begins. This system was trialled in Term 4 last year. Students receive individual awards for their achievements across the three areas of Living Spiritually, Learning Dynamically and Acting Justly and all points contribute to overall House points. A big thank you to Mrs Janice Dunk and Mrs Jess Mcinerney for developing this new program.

We will also be presenting our new Wellbeing Framework which complements our Teaching and Learning Framework to guide our work in providing for the wellbeing of all our students.

COVID guidelines continue this year and all students, staff and parents are reminded not to attend school if they have been to a hotspot as identified by NSW Health. If you are unsure about the guidelines please contact the school.

Our annual swimming carnival will be held next Friday, February 12. Parents are welcome to attend but will need to sign in and sit in a separate area from students based on COVID  advice.

I am really looking forward to a happy, productive and busy 2021. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email (kathy.holding@cg.catholic.edu.au) if you have any concerns or queries.

Kathy Holding