Hennessy Lesson Cycle

In 2018 a lesson cycle was developed by KLA Leaders to attempt to create greater consistency in teaching across the school. The school also moved to a five period day. Staff continue to develop their skills in delivering ‘Five Quality Lessons a Day’. 

The Hennessy Lesson Cycle is explained below where the focus is on students working with the teaching as partners in their learning.

We believe that technology is a valuable tool to enhance learning and, as such, teachers have a number of platforms they use to support student development. The available platforms are outlined below:

• Whole School - Google Apps for Education (GAFE) including Google Classroom
• Years 7-10 - Education Perfect (most subjects), Stile (in Science), Mathspace (in Maths)
• Year 11 and 12 - ATOMI, Turnitin (for Assessments) 
• Microsoft Teams - for Online learning when needed

Assessment at Hennessy

Assessment at Hennessy has developed using current research to support best practice. In Years 7-10 Hennessy utilises an ongoing assessment model that focuses on the value of formative assessment. Formative assessment refers to a wide variety of methods that teachers use to conduct evaluations of student comprehension, learning needs, and academic progress during each lesson.Student complete small common tasks each term but the majority of what constitutes their overall grade comes from the teacher using a wide range of performance data based on observation, classwork and work completed at home. 

Year 11 and 12 have a formal assessment structure in line with NESA guidelines. 

Details of all our Assessment Policies and Procedures can be found under the Student Handbooks Tab. 

VET - Vocational Education Training

Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VET in Schools) are programs undertaken by school students as part of the senior secondary certificate that provide credit towards a nationally recognised VET qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Currently the College offers three classes where students have the opportunity to undertake an additional requirement - Hospitality, Construction and Sports Coaching. Hospitality and Construction also have an optional HSC examination so they can be included in the calculation of the ATAR if the only Category B subject studied.

VET courses also require 70 hours or work placement that is usually conducted during Year 11. We also offer students in Year 10 the opportunity to commence Hospitality in Year 10 subject to availability.

Students may also apply for a TVET course - a VET course run through TAFE NSW. These applications are available in November each year and are subject to availability from TAFE. They require payment of a fee to the College at the time of enrolment.