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Welcome to Week 8!
This morning it was my great privilege to announce the student leaders for 2020/2021:
College Captains
- Joy Cass
- Liam Jewitt
Gallagher House Captains
- Jannat Bakri
- Emily Dillon
McAuley House Captains
- Giselle Capra
- Alice Stuart
Nagle House Captains
- Mia Hennock
- Olivia McLennan
Rice House Captains
- Justin Garlick
- Grace Gibson
This group of students are already enthusiastically planning initiatives for next term. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of students as leaders.
Last Thursday we accompanied this group of students to the Galong Monastery. Our presenter for the day was Daniel Merza. Daniel challenged the students to consider what leadership involves, how to be effective leaders and to start a planning process for achieving their goals. Daniel works with student leadership groups and has written a book titled Get the Monkeys off your back.
Today is RUOK Day. We are really encouraging students to reach out if they need support. Hennessy has a multi-layered pastoral care support system beginning with pastoral care teachers, then House Leaders, Director of Students, Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Mission and the support of Catholic Care counsellors and outside medical specialists in this area. You are encouraged to visit their website to find out more about mental health for teenagers https://www.ruok.org.au
Tomorrow is Hennessy Day. Hennessy day is usually held in May and is a celebration of our College identity and recognising the work done by Monsignor Hennessy for the Young and regional communities. Due to COVID restrictions, we will be having modified activities with each year group and dress up themes. Please check out our social media for some photographic memories of the day.
YEAR 11 EXAMINATIONS
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.
A letter was emailed home last week about this with a copy of the timetable so if you have not received this please contact the front office. All exams are now on Compass as well the College website under Teaching and Learning tab and then Examinations.
HSC PREPARATION
Year 12 are winding down now with their studies and into revision in most subjects. Now is a very important time for them to formulate a study plan for their exams though, of course, they should celebrate the end of formal schooling with their peers appropriately.
Good luck to all those students who are having their major works marked this term.
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning Director of Studies
SHARON HIBBERT ANDREW FOURACRE
While social media has enabled many of us to stay connect during the Covid 19 Pandemic. It can also be an area of great concern for many of us who did not grow up in the digital jungle. Please take time to visit the eSafety website and especially their guide to many social media platforms https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide
Last week our 10 captains participated in their Leadership Retreat to Galong. They looked at what barriers would prevent them from achieving their best as leaders. They explored their own leadership style and how it balanced with other captains leadership styles. They then in the afternoon began to plan and implement their actions for the remainder of the year and into 2021. They concluded their retreat by running a Leadership Dine and Donate where they were in charge of the College Wellbeing Team and guiding them through preparing a meal for themselves and donating 50 meals to the local community.
Applications for the Peer Support 2021 leaders were given out this week. Thank you to Ms. Woods who is looking after reintroducing the group to the College. Ms Woods will be working with Mr. Simon Quinn and Mrs. McInerney. Students working across year groups and an avenue to address bullying at the College was one of the early concerns raised at the SWAG meeting. We are very excited about the rebirth of the group and there will be more news to follow.
David and Katie Kolber presented the Choicez last week to Year 8 as part of their Retreat Day and the following day to Year 10. They share a strong and at times confronting message about “Turning taboo topics into everyday conversations”. The presentations will be used in future as part of the Student Welfare Sessions. I encourage you to have a conversation with your child to see what was discussed.
Year 7 Immunisations will have their final immunisation on the 17th September. Some Year 10’s who missed there’s earlier in the year will also be having their immunisation.
As always if you have any concerns please contact your child’s PC teacher, House Leader or any member of the College Wellbeing Team.
Mark Chifley
Assistant Principal – Wellbeing and Mission
HENNESSY DAY -
Tomorrow we are celebrating Hennessy Day and we are having modified activities on this day. Students will be participating in a range of activities in their house in their year groups. Additionally, they will receive a small gift to celebrate 20 years of Hennessy.
RUOK WEEK ACTIVITIES
Rice House this week has been focusing on developing further awareness about mental health and breaking the stigma around it. Students have viewed a range of videos from looking at what is mental health to ways in which they can be asking their friends if they are okay. With the national focus of RUOK DAY happening on Thursday 10th September, asking your mate if they are okay has never been more important especially due to the current COVID-19 conditions.
If you or your child need assistance, some great resources and support services can be found at
Support services- https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens , https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/ and https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat
Discussion topics around mental health- https://au.reachout.com/ and https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums
Mental health tools and apps- https://au.reachout.com/tools-and-apps
Seeking assistance at Hennessy- https://perimeterguardian.wufoo.com/forms/mofx1kr0spbhmi/
HOUSE POINTS UPDATE:
McAuley = 193
Nagle = 189
Gallagher = 154
Rice = 125
YEAR 11 STUDY SKILLS SESSION WEEK 7
Last week Mrs Parkman and Mrs Hibbert ran a study session for the Year 11 students for the planning and preparation of their examinations coming up. Mrs Parkman has provided a range of resources
RATION CHALLENGE
Next week we have a number of students who are participating in the Ration Challenge, where they will eat like a refugee for a week. Thank you to Sarah Penfold and Hannah Mooney for coordinating the program. For more information on the Ration Challenge please visit - https://actforpeace.rationchallenge.org.au/
LOOKING AHEAD
WEEK 8
- 11th September - Hennessy Day
WEEK 9
- Ration Challenge
- 17th September - Year 7 Immunisations
- Commencing Year 11 Examinations
WEEK 10
- Year 11 Examinations continue
- Year 12 Final Week
- 24th September - Year 12 Graduation Mass
- 25th September - End of Term 3
Mrs Jessica McInerney
Director of Students
The art gallery, portrayed below, has been designed and created by Jasmine Sullivan with the use of the SketchUp application on Google suite. Jasmine has implemented the use of colour and texture creatively throughout this, impressive presentation of work.
The circular and hexagonal patterns created with the use of Sketchup on this page are designed and presented by Ryan Edwards, Will Whitechurch, and Luca Zhao. The boy's use of colour for this task in very impressive.
Jonathan Barnes, with the application of SketchUp, has created a dog house by following set instructions from a document and has then decorated it with his own choice of textures and colours.
Nagle house participted in Dine & Donate on Thursday the 3rd September. Nagle was pleased with the support from both students and teachers who worked together to cook some much needed meals for the less fortunate in our local community.
Thank you to all those who participated, it was a fabulous evening.
