Welcome to Week 2, Term 4. So much has already happened this term that it feels like school has been back for weeks! The Higher School Certificate exams commenced last Wednesday and will continue over four weeks. Mrs. Lee Armstrong, our Presiding Officer, has reported that our students have been calm, polite and focused during the exams to date. Speaking to students outside the exam, they appear to be well prepared which is a credit to them and their teachers.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday Mrs Wright, Mrs McInerney and I attended the Leadership retreat at Galong with our new leadership team for 2022/2023. The theme for the retreat was from Luke’s gospel - ‘Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.’  Students were challenged to reflect on their goals, strengths and weaknesses both personally and as a group. They were also challenged to see how Jesus is in their lives as leaders. A big part of the retreat was formulating goals for their time as leaders, after much discussion, they decided on goals concerning mental health, student voice and community and parent connections. 

On Tuesday we then installed the new leadership team at the Leadership Mass. Congratulations to our new College Captains - Sonika Brits and Jack Murphy
Gallagher House Captains; Tayliah Butcher and Elisabeth Hall
McAuley House Captains; Sienna Capra and Emily Pratt
Nagle House Captains; Tayla Collins and Sophie Moloney
Rice House Captains; Hayley Grotegoed and Luke Jewitt

The mass was attended by all students and the leaders’ families and parishioners. It was wonderful to have a college mass that is not affected by Covid rules! A big thank you to Mr Mitchell, Mrs Wright, Mrs McInerney and Mrs Riordan for their contributions to the mass. A vote of thanks must also go to Mr Stratford, Mrs Duff and Mrs Johnson for organising the luncheon afterwards.

Congratulations to Miss Bonnie Chen who has accepted a maths teaching position at St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm.  We wish Miss Chen all the best for next year but know she will be sadly missed as an excellent teacher and supportive and friendly colleague. 

This week is also the last week at Hennessy for Mrs Sharon Hibbert as she commences Long Service Leave before taking up her new Assistant Principal position at All Saints College, Maitland. Mrs Hibbert has made significant contributions to the growth of the college during her time here and is widely recognised as an outstanding teacher and leader. Her extensive curriculum knowledge has inspired and reassured the teachers at Hennessy and has helped to ensure that Hennessy students receive a quality education. All Saints College is very fortunate to have her join their leadership team.

Due to Mrs Hibbert’s leave, for the remainder of 2022, Mr Ian Mergard will take on the role of Acting Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning and Mrs Janice Dunk will take on the role of Acting Director of Studies. Congratulations and thank you to Ian and Janice for stepping into these leadership roles.

I have asked staff to make the Three R’s their mantra for this term to make Term 4 a successful, happy and productive term. The Three R’s are:

Relationships - students respond to strong staff/student relationships with good behaviour and productive learning, 

Routine - students feel safe when there is a consistent routine

Rigour - every student should be challenged to do work that is not too easy and not too hard for them

Please note that we do not have a Covid roadmap to follow anymore but we do encourage anyone who is sick to stay home until they are feeling better. Rapid Antigen Tests are available from the school on request for the remainder of the year.

Years 7, 9 and 10 have excursions coming up this term, please ensure that you complete the appropriate paperwork and payments on time. If payments are an issue please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kathy Holding
Principal