Welcome back to our College community for 2023 and a special welcome to our new Year 7’s, 11’s and many students joining us from Years 8 to 10, we are so pleased to have you as a part of our College. This year we have set the bar high for achieving in so many aspects of our College life. This year’s theme is “Walking Together”, as directed by the Archbishop, and we have embraced the idea of walking together through our College Vision statement to Live Spiritually, Learn Dynamically, Act Just… inspiring futures of hope.

In the short two weeks that we have been at the College for 2023 I have already seen the fantastic care and community that our students show each other. I have been lucky enough to be involved with the Year 7 and 11 orientation days and watch the leadership occuring with the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders and their Year 7 groups. 

As our focus on the wellbeing of students continues, we are specifically addressing Student Voice within our wellbeing program. This year, after a successful consultation around some of our policies last year, we have launched Year Level Captains. Two Year Level Captains will be voted for by their peers in upcoming weeks to be their representative voices to the Student Leadership Team and the College Executive. We have already had a great response from the Year 9 and 10 students who will be making their speeches and begin the voting process next week, and will be followed by the Year 7 and 8 students in Week 4. I am looking forward to working closely with this team of students, and I encourage any students who have yet to nominate themselves to please do so on Compass. 

Our Pastoral Program focus this year is to ensure that our students have high expectations both in the classroom, on the College Campus and in the community. Each Year Level has a pastoral program focus, ensuring that the aspects of leadership, community and healthy relationships as well as faith are addressed throughout the year. Pastoral programs can be found in every classroom in the College and will be released on Compass in the near future. 

As a College we know the pride that students have in wearing the College uniform and understand that the uniform provides a level playing field in allowing students to demonstrate their academic, sporting, musical and community values. Last year, after a successful consultation process, a Uniform review was held and the revised Uniform policy (available on Compass) was released at the end of last year. A process has also been developed for the policy that involves:

First infringement: Warning - PC Teacher records on Compass

Second infringement: Detention - PC Teacher sends an email to parents/ caregivers

Third infringement: Detention - House Leader sends an email to parents/ caregivers

Fourth infringement: Detention - House Leader calls parents/ caregivers

Fifth infringement: Full day withdrawal - Director of Students/ Assistant Principal calls parents/ caregivers.

We understand that there are times when there may be issues with uniform that can not be avoided. Please contact your students PC teacher with details in this case.

This year we are also focussing on Child Safety, each classroom has displayed the below poster to encourage students to speak out when they see or are feeling that they are not in a safe position. As the Child Safe Advocate for the College, I take this role very seriously as the safety and wellbeing of children is the College’s number one priority.

As the year continues to progress I wish all families the very best for 2023 and may we continue to Walk Together on our journey at Hennessy Catholic College.

Mary Wright
Assistant Principal - Mission & Ministry