Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 2. The term has started off as a very busy one with lots of events already.

Last Monday our staff joined staff from Sacred Heart Cootamundra and St Thomas the Apostle, Kambah to learn more about how to establish predictable routines to ensure that our classrooms are safe, orderly and productive learning environments. Staff was very positive about the day and keen to continue with their routines. One of the topics that received a lot of discussion was the role of seating plans in ensuring that students do not need to feel anxious when they enter the classrooms.

I was privileged to go with Year 7 on their Collaroy excursion last week. This is a beautiful location but the rain was continuous and not ideal conditions for outdoor activities! Despite this, our impressive Year 7’s threw themselves into all the activities, had exemplary behaviour and did not complain at all. The Front Office at Collaroy sent the following feedback:

‘I am emailing today to pass on our gratitude for choosing us for your year seven camp and to say thank you for being great guests. All of our front of house staff noticed how great the group was and how well they represented your school last week. The way they charged on through the rain was amazing and despite the weather our staff all had a great time hosting them.’

Many thanks to Mr Luke Miller for his organisation of this excursion.

This year, the Year 11 Retreat to Galong had to be split into two groups based on Houses due to the large numbers. The Hennessy staff presented on the theme ‘Salt and Light’ and we also engaged a group called Character Builders to present to students. The students responded very positively and thoughtfully to the many activities and challenges presented to them. Many thanks to Mrs Mary Wright for her organisation of this event.

Mrs Duff also organised teams from Years 8, 9 and 10 to attend the Da Vinci Decathlon challenges in Canberra and Wagga. These opportunities challenge students to solve a wide range of problems and to use teamwork strategically to achieve the best result.

These events are just a sample of the activities which students have been involved in so far. I would like to acknowledge the many staff who give up their time to attend excursions, sporting events and extracurricular activities. Such events value-add to each student’s educational experience and are only possible due to the generosity of staff who volunteer to attend these events.

The annual cross-country and colour run was a great success with sunny skies and very engaged and happy students.Thanks to Mr Croese for his outstanding organisational skills and a reminder that the athletics carnival is next Monday, May 13. Students are reminded that attending these events is compulsory and they should treat their attendance as they would at any other school day.

Just a reminder that the College Executive are participating in the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout which is being held in Young for the first time. If you would like to contribute to this cause which supports homelessness in the western region please go to:

https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/hennessycatholiccollegeyoung

Finally, warm wishes to all our mothers and grandmothers for Mother’s Day on Sunday! It was very pleasing to see so many people attending Mass and the Mother’s Day breakfast.

An important part of the Wellbeing team's work is in the online safety space. We are often asked by parents and carers as well as students how best to support each other in the online world. Online spaces should be safe for everyone. If your child sees violent or distressing material, it is important to check in and talk to them about the content they have seen. We also recommend that children use devices in open areas of the home, rather than in their bedroom, so you can be attuned to how they are coping and what they are reading or watching.

Tips on how to deal with violent and distressing content
· Don't share it further – even if your intention is to help or raise awareness, you may cause distress to others.
· Report it to the platform to help get the material removed quickly.
· If the material is not removed, you can report it to eSafety. eSafety can notify the platform to either remove the content or block access from within Australia. Your actions could protect you and others from seeing that content again.
You can find more guidance and information about distressing online content below.

Relevant resources
We understand as a parent or carer you may want to take extra precautions against your children seeing disturbing content online. eSafety has a range of helpful resources including:
For kids and young people
· I saw something online I didn't like (for primary-school aged children)
· Dealing with disturbing content (for teenagers)
For parents and carers
· How to get started with parental controls
· General online safety advice for parents

Support services
If your child, or someone you know, has come across disturbing content online, there are a range of counselling services you can reach out to for help and support.
If a life is in danger call Triple Zero (000) right now.   
· Kids Helpline, for 5–25-year-olds: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au (webchat is also available).  
· headspace: support for young people, professionals, educators and families   
· Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au  
· Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au  
More support services, including state-based services aimed at parents and carers, are listed here.

Over the next 2 weeks students will be involved in 2 annual surveys that the College conducts. Next week, students will have time in SWS to take part in the Mission Australia Survey and in Week 5, students will engage in the Cyber Safety Project Survey. These surveys are integral in informing the College in both wellbeing and electronic device use both at home and in the College. We encourage parents and students to discuss with each other their responses to the surveys.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to spend time with our fantastic Year 11 students. Our Year 11 retreat is usually held over one night, and is an important part of developing our students' leadership skills as senior students and reflection as a member of the College community. Feedback from the students has indicated that the retreat was both meaningful and a great experience that they will cherish for many years to come. I thank all the staff who attended the retreat.

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Week 2, Term 2

Year 10

Students have completed their HSC Minimum Standards testing last term. To show they meet the HSC minimum standard, students need to achieve Level 3 or 4 in short online reading, writing and numeracy tests of skills for everyday life. If students do not make the minimum standard in any of the tests or they were away for the test they will repeat the test in week 5 of this term.

Year 12

The Trial HSC Timetable is being sorted. Students are reminded to email me if they have a clash on the draft timetable sent to them on the google classroom year 12 page. The HSC trial exams will be in Weeks 3 and 4 of Term 3. Students will only be required to be at school for their examinations but may access the library at other times.

The HSC timetable is now out and available. Your personal exam timetable is available from studentsonline.nesa.nsw.edu.au. This timetable lists your written exams and where you will sit for them (usually at your school). It also lists any other exams you are entered for, including oral exams for languages, performance exams and submitted works. Details of your performance exams or projects such as title of work or category (supplied by your school) are also available via Students Online. If you are undertaking oral or performance exams, we will post the time and venue on Students Online later this year. If there are errors or omissions in the exams you are entered for, contact your school immediately to supply us with the correct information. Take special care if you are entered for a VET course that has an HSC exam. If the exam does not appear on your personal timetable, you have not been entered for it. You must be entered separately for the exam if you expect to sit for it.

Mrs Holding and myself have finished our meetings with each KLA leader to discuss how the HSC data from 2023 can inform and improve our practice. These have been very insightful and the Leaders are now working with their KLA teams.

The annual athletics carnival will be held on Monday 13th May at Gus Smith Oval. Please see below for details.