On Friday we celebrate our Founders’ Day - Jerome Hennessy. Hennessy Catholic College named after the Reverend Monsignor Jerome Henessy who is remembered for being a tireless worker for the church. He was instrumental in the development of Sacred Heart Hospital, Mount St Joseph’s Old People's Home, Southern Cross Hall and schools. Today Hennessy Catholic College very much embodies the same spirit of which Jerome Hennesy was known for. Our connection to the wider community and school spirit is evident in all that we do, our participation in liturgies, masses and retreats ensure the continuation of our faith and the respect and dignity for which we treat each other with and ourselves is a testament to our College namesake. Thanks must be given to Mrs Jessica McInerney who has worked extremely hard alongside the House Leaders and PC Teachers to organise ways to celebrate the day to raise funds for St Vincent de Paul. 

Next week we will be visited by the Cyber Safety Project presenters. In the digital age it is so important that young people are able to ensure their own safety while they are online. Each of the year levels will hear a talk aimed at the results they submitted in a Cyber Safety survey. Teachers will also be hearing from the presenters in a staff development workshop in the afternoon and later that evening, in conjunction with the community council, the presenters have offered a discussion with parents. I encourage all parents to attend this very information session to work together in securing our young people’s online worlds.

The Year 12’s embark on their Year 12 Excursion to Sydney on Monday. The excursion is a fantastic opportunity for students to create memories as well as experience a hands on aspect to their learning. 

Last week I attended the annual year 11 retreat with the cohort. The retreat had been moved by a term due to Covid restrictions last term. The retreat was an incredible experience of fun, friendship and faith. The Year 11 cohort were responsible, respectful and willing to be vulnerable in a range of different settings. I was incredibly proud of the way the group bonded together and the positive and uplifting memories they created. A special thanks to the teachers who attended the retreat with me, Miss Buchanan, Mrs Cullen, Mr Mitchell, Mr Miller and Mrs Cullen. Some of the comments from retreat reflection included:

“It was good to get to know other people that I hadn’t really spoken to before in a mature environment. It was nice to not worry about being judged and the way that everyone was interacting without worrying about prior friendship groups and ideas of people.”

“Just thank you. I had people I wasn’t speaking to because of immature arguments that only got resolved because of this retreat. I really appreciate you for giving me a new perspective and PLEASE ensure the affirmations and forgiveness ceremony happens again next year”

“All in all, I enjoyed it a lot. I was surprised by this. The bus ride home was also more enjoyable, and I think that everyone had bonded a little bit, which made it easier to mesh together and interact on the way home.”

“It was amazing to see the way that people think about you and to think of all the unique ways you think about other people. To know that there are people you barely talk to that still notice things about you is amazing and eye-opening.”