Welcome to Week 6. How lovely is it to see these beautiful sunny days after the amazing rain over the past few weeks! 

Last Thursday I had the great privilege to announce the Student Leadership Team for 2020/2021:

Jannat Bakri, Joy Cass, Giselle Capra, Emily Dillon, Justin Garlick, Grace Gibson, Mia Hennock, Liam Jewitt, Olivia McLennan, Alice Stuart

Congratulations go to these ten students and to all the students who applied for leadership positions. Hennessy is very fortunate to have so many generous and dedicated students willing to take on leadership roles.

Tomorrow is the last day of the Year 12 Trial Examinations. The students have been very positive, focused and have commented on what a great learning opportunity sitting these exams is. They are strongly encouraged to carefully consider the feedback which their teachers will provide so they can continue to improve as they move towards their HSC exams in October. We have established a system of teacher mentors for those Year 12 students who want to take up this opportunity, many students have signed up for this opportunity. This mentor program will give these students extra support and encouragement as they complete Year 12.

Year 7 participated in activities on Monday based on ‘Belonging’. The sessions involved a variety of activities and reflections followed up with a barbeque and scavenger hunt. The students thoroughly enjoyed this event and participated enthusiastically in the activities. I was most impressed to see 103 Year 7 students line themselves up in the Hall in order of birth day date - in silence, quite an achievement!

By now you will have seen the new requirements for students; to stay home if they are unwell, get a COVID test and not to return to school until they receive a negative result. We acknowledge that these guidelines will inconvenience families, but we need to follow guidelines to ensure that we maintain a safe community. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions regarding these guidelines.

Take care

Kathy

TRIAL EXAMINATIONS

Well done Year 12 – probably the best we have ever had for attendance, being calm and collected and just taking each day as it comes. 

Next week from Thursday onwards (due to paper security) you’ll start getting feedback. It’s important that you listen to what is being said, read any feedback sheets and work on a strategy to improve. I suspect that exam skills need refining as well as more study on the content for most students – all of this is fixable and now the majority of assessments are over (only major works to go), you have time to finish off course content and hone exam skills. 

Now is not the time to slacken off as the greatest gain is usually between Trials and HSC where students can just focus on this area. 

We will also need to go through Confirmation of Entries for the last time – this will be on Compass for next week and bring a red pen with you. Students need to ensure they can log onto Students Online and will need to change their school email to a personal one before the end of 2020. They should also ensure that their mobile phone number is correct.

YEAR 11 SELECTIONS 2021

The lines are out after a very challenging process. Usually we would have had the Parent Information Night and Subject market but due to COVID this wasn’t possible. I am currently meeting with each student to go through their programs of study to ensure they have a suitable pattern of subjects and to explore options for those that have clashes. The Year 10 students are to be commended for their maturity, patience and willingness to problem solve, which is appreciated. I still need to see a few more and will update Compass with names as a reminder each day. 

However we still have the rest of this year and the first 3 weeks of next year as well before students get ‘locked’ into a pattern of study for Yr 11. 

YEAR 11 EXAMINATIONS

The draft timetable is ready and has been posted to students for checking. Students only need to be at school:

• Morning exam only – they may leave afterwards
• Afternoon exam – they need only come for this exam
• Exams morning and afternoon – at school all day using the library for study.

However students may stay at school all day and study in the library, especially if they need to use the busses.

Students need to be aware that they need to be prepared for all exams by checking the https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/rules-and-processes/exam-equipment-list - this includes black pens, clear water bottles and I’d also recommend spare batteries for calculators. The full equipment list is subject specific.

Students need to also know that no mobile phone can be brought into the exam room – we recommend these stay in cars or at home as we cannot ensure they are secure if left outside the exam room, even if in bags. If they are at school all day they may choose to leave their bags in the library foyer.

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning                                       Director of Studies

SHARON HIBBERT                                                                                 ANDREW FOURACRE 

Wellbeing at Hennessy

Last week the College Held the 2021 Student leadership elections and all 22 students presented excellent speeches to year 11 with the rest of the College watching via a live stream. Congratulations to the 22 students who put themselves forward in the service of the College. Next week the 10 Captains will attend the Leadership Retreat at Galong to identify their strengths, leadership styles and finalise their portfolios.

The Student Wellbeing and Action Group  (SWAG) came about as a need identified in last semesters Bullying Survey. While bullying is an issue at Hennessy, the group of students believe that they can target other areas of concern that include bullying, a greater student voice and sustainability. SWAG will give opportunities for students who are passionate about Student Wellbeing and Action (Social Justice). All are welcome to  attend SWAG meetings every fortnight to raise a concern of their own, learn about and take action on topics of importance. Students who attend develop their confidence and skills in leadership and communication, advocating for areas of interest, working together towards enacting positive change. 

 One positive change that the group has championed is the reintroduction of Peer Support at the College in 2021.

The group meets once a fortnight during break 3 on Wednesday. Please see Mrs Mergard if you have any questions

The Year 8 Retreat will take place next week at the College on Wednesday 2^nd  and will be directed by Miss Devlin and the Your Choizes and will explore the ideals of respect of self and others. The Year 10 Your Choicezs presentation will take place on Thursday 3^rd  and focus on Respectful Relationships. 

Hennessy College is very aware of the importance of community engagement. To this effect I attended a meeting yesterday to meet with local groups to begin seeking avenues to reengage students who are struggling with the formal requirements of education. 

TikTok has been across the media of late and students should not be posting to TikTok in their College uniform. This gives a clear message to anyone seeing the post exactly where they are for 6 hours a day. I recommend that you read the pdf

As always if you have any concerns please contact your child’s PC Teacher, House Leader or any member of the College’s Wellbeing Team.

Mark Chifley

Assistant Principal – Wellbeing and Mission

RED DAY

During Week 4 our Year 11 Vice Captains hosted Red Day for Ronald McDonald House Charity. It was a huge success with waves of Red around the College and students getting on board. On this day we raised over $600 towards Ronald McDonald House. Well done to Mia Hennock, Joy Cass, Liam Jewitt and Justin Garlick for their support of this. Additionally, thank you to the Harrision Family for donating socks and Young McDonalds. 

ABSENCES/LATENESS 

Students are required to provide explaination for their absences and this needs to be on their day of return. Additionally, we have a lot of students who are late without any notes, under the Education Act students need a reason for their absences. 

HAPPENINGS AROUND THE GROUNDS

• Year 11 study session Week 7 
• Halo Competition 
• College Basketball Competition 
• Lots of Assessment Tasks 
• SWS next Tuesday is a acaedmic wellbeing session / goal setting 

LOOKING AHEAD

WEEK 3 

• Tuesday 4th August - Social Justice Day 
• Wednesday 5th August - Year 12 Study 
• Friday 7th August - Year 11 Leadership Nominations Due

• Year 8 Retreat 
• Year 10 Choizes Presentation 
• Nagle Dine and Donate 

Mrs Jessica McInerney 

Director of Students 

Gallagher House had the opportunity to lead the Hennessy community in Acting Justly through their Social Justice initiative for 2020. Tuesday 4 August was stamped as Social Justice Day and a group of proactive students planned and delivered an excellent activity with the theme of Giving Hope to those living with Cancer. The students used the Cancer Council’s daffodil theme to make the school community aware of how many people are touched by cancer. Many students and staff took up the option to wear something yellow with their uniform for the day. SWS time included a presentation that educated our students about the importance of supporting those people affected by cancer, a key message of this was that it is important to always remember the power of a simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear and a kind word. Following the presentation all students and staff were given the opportunity to write a message, prayer or wish on a paper daffodil. The daffodils were collected and stuck on posters to spell out the word HOPE. It was an example of how the Hennessy community comes together in solidarity to show support for those who need it. 

My thanks to everyone who participated in the day, particularly those Gallagher students who drove this very important initiative.

Mr Luke Miller

Gallagher House Leader

Hennessy Catholic College is conducting a 4-hour Asbestos Awareness course, specifically aimed at Year 10-12 students, to enhance their employment prospects beyond school.

This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skill for individuals to be able to identify a range of Asbestos products and materials, whilst carrying out all types of construction work. They will complete a nationally recognised Statement in Asbestos Awareness.

Tuesday 1^st September 2020 from 11am until 3pm. Cost $130 per student

Any interested students should see Mrs Parkman or Mr Schmidt as soon as possible.

8.1 students working on their common task. The brief is to create a board game on road safety and it must include statistics, rules and support services. Watch this space for the finished product and how well the game boards come together.

Recently select students in the Year 11 Preliminary and HSC Hospitality course completed 35 hours of Work Placement. A special thank you to those businesses that agreed to take on students for the week and share your industry knowledge; Juicy Lucy, Urban Retreat, Art of Espresso, Rappjam Catering and The Rusty Table. 

Pictured here is Harriet Taking orders at Urban Retreat. Since her placement, Harriet has gained part time employment and can be found working both FOH and BOH duties at Urban Retreat on weekends. 

Congratulations to Sarah Mc Donald who recently competed at the Orange dance eisteddfod.  Sarah danced wonderfully on the day and successfully placed:

1st in the Intermediate Tap Championship.

1st in 14's National Character.

3rd in 14's Tap Ensemble.

3rd in 14's Waltz Tap.

3rd in 14's Jazz.

Year 7 were busy preparing Fried Rice this week in Food Technology. They focussed on a variety of skills including frying, boiling, chopping, slicing and grating.