Dear Parents and Care Givers

As Term 3 ends, I write to remind you about your responsibilities under the Education Act for ensuring your child has regular attendance at school. Not only is it a legal requirement under the Act  for students under the age of 17 to attend, but for senior students it is essential for them to maintain good study habits to ensure the best possible results for their senior schooling.

There has been a concerning pattern of behaviour recently amongst junior and senior students signing in and out of the College with parental permission. Students are required to be at school all day unless they have a scheduled appointment. This is College Policy and a condition you have agreed to uphold as part of your child’s enrolment with us. For significant repeated attendance issues, I can request a medical certificate to certify a reasonable absence from school. As a mandated reporting organisation, the College is required to report chronic non-attendance issues to FACS.

Parental support is essential. We are here to assist you with attendance issues and to make adjustments as needed. I could place students on afterschool detention for missing time, this is an unfair consequence for teachers to give up their time to supervise late students, and I am not asking staff to do this. Your child may lose their lunch break to make up time; this is also not ideal as this then affects their ability to concentrate in classes and places unfair burden, yet again on teachers who are entitled to a lunch break. It also does not teach your child anything about responsibility for their actions as a young adult. They do not get detention in the workplace they simply lose their jobs!

I have seen the latest Yr 11 end of course exam results and they are concerning. There is clear evidence a significant portion of the cohort are not utilising their time to study, revise and act on feedback provided by teachers and this is concerning for your child’s future.

It is our responsibility to prepare quality lessons, deliver the HSC curriculum as required by NESA, to teach your child in class, assess their assignments and give them the skills to pass their HSC but we cannot get the marks for them. This is up to them. 

You may receive a letter in your child’s Yr 11 report, which indicates our concerns for their pattern of study. Should you receive a letter, I would recommend contacting the College to meet with the Assistant Principal to discuss the best academic options for your child moving into Yr 12. 

I have attached the relevant NSW DET policy regarding attendance at school for the information of all. 

I hope the Holidays are restful and safe.

Good Wishes

Trazel

Compulsory school attendance

Regular attendance at school is essential for students to achieve quality life outcomes. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students.

Compulsory schooling

Parents or carers of children of compulsory school age are responsible for ensuring their child attends school every day. Children must commence school by age 6 and then complete year 10.

After Year 10 and until they turn 17, students must be:

• in school or registered for home schooling or
• in approved education or training (e.g. TAFE, traineeship, apprenticeship) or
• in full-time, paid employment (average 25 hours/week) or
• in a combination of work, education and/or training.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/attendance-behaviour-and-engagement/school-attendance

Congratulations to the class of 2019 as the complete their time at Hennessy and 13 years of school. Some students have already gained offers of employment and early entry to University but there are still many opportunities to come. 

Starting next week, students sitting HSC exams should be commencing a study schedule every day of approximately 4-6 hours and plan some down time during the weekends to re-charge.  Some teachers will be setting questions for students to do but even if they haven’t then students can be accessing past papers, completing them and sending them for feedback. Teachers may look at these over the break or will respond early next term.

 HSC TIMETABLE

Year 12 students should check compass as I have added their HSC exams – they should also check Students Online to ensure this is correct and to change their email to a private one.

Students need to check the Year 12, 2019 Google classroom page for the NESA Illness/Misadventure form and ensure that I know of any issues immediately so I can provide the correct advice.

Students must attend and sit all Category A exams to be course complete and no exam can be rescheduled so it’s vital I am aware of any reason a student cannot attend as early as possible.

YEAR 11 EXAMINATIONS

Year 11 have been going well with students attending in a timely manner. They will be receiving feedback and course introductions in Week 1 next term. Monday of week 2 will be a Transition morning and only after that, will students be permitted to change. A form will be available and they must have parent approval to change classes or discontinue subjects.

STAFF CHANGES

Many thanks to the staff who have been filling in while we have had staff on leave – Mrs Byrne, Miss Granger and Mr Fitzgerald have all helped and we thank them for their hard work.

Next term the following staff return so there will be some changes to Timetables:

Mrs McInerney, Ms Stadtmiller, Mrs Nowlan, Mrs Tyrrell and Mr McAllister. Mrs McGrath will also be back at school doing relief work in Term 4.

Wishing everyone a restful break and a reminder that school resumes Tuesday 15 October (Day 2).

 SHARON HIBBERT | Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

You are invited to a movie fundraiser to support the Country Education Foundation of Young. The CEF provides funds to students to enable them to pursue further study after leaving school. We support students from our two local high schools and the local TAFE campus. Those who have a genuine financial need are eligible to receive funding after submitting an application and interview. Our movie fundraiser featuring 'Maleficent' starring Angelina Jolie, is on Thursday 17th October commencing at 6pm for a 7pm screening. Tickets are available at the cinema or M&Ms music for $20 per person which includes a light supper. Please support our small Committee and enjoy a night out.