Student leaders and staff at Hennessy met with Archbishop Christopher Prowse on Wednesday 24 March, as part of his tour of all of the Catholic Secondary schools across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

He arrived at the college and spent half an hour dialoguing with the Senior Leadership Team of the College, where he shared some of his dream and vision for young people in the Church.

The leaders told the Archbishop of how they were trying to lead with kindness and be a voice for all students. They shared about their houses and the inspiration figures for the school, including our patrons and Monsignor Jerome Hennessy.

School Captain Liam Jewitt shared that he had always hoped to be school captain, and had a lot of enthusiasm for trying to live charitably and to demonstrate leadership skills.

School Captain Joy Cass said she was particularly focused on being someone approachable that students could talk to about anything, and she is hoping to continue this at University through studying primary teaching.

The house leaders each took turns to tell the Archbishop about the various initiatives they have been involved in, including fundraising for Caritas, Shave for a Cure, Harmony Day, 30 days of happiness and much more.

Archbishop Christopher was impressed with the wonderful leaders and affirmed them for the articulate way in which they spoke with him.

He encouraged each of them to look to Jesus as the best model of leadership, and more importantly, to develop a personal relationship with him.

The Archbishop meet with staff for almost an hour over morning tea, engaging in conversations about teaching and learning, and some of the challenges of the classroom.

Two year nine students, Anna Harden and Majella McGrath showed him PowerPoints they had created on Catholic Social Teaching, and he gave them positive feedback about how well they understood the Catholic tradition of love for the poor.

He ended with a meeting with the College Executive where they shared some of the positive ways Hennessy is working to be a light to students in difficult time. We discussed some of the challenges facing students around wellbeing and home pressures, mental illness, and the unique barriers that rural areas face in providing solace and care. The Archbishop left with a promise to look at how rural schools are resourced in the Archdiocese, and to pray for the community.

Hennessy Catholic College was very privileged to have this special time with our Archbishop and look forward to meeting him again in the future.