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Welcome to Term 4. I hope everyone had a restful break. Staff spent the first day back developing a new Wellbeing Framework, fine tuning teaching and learning expectations, looking at the new RE courses and completing their mandatory training for CPR and asthma.
One of the topics for the first day back was also the development of a new student awards system. You will read more about this in Mrs McInerney’s section in this newsletter. We will trial this process in Term 4 and seek feedback from students, staff and parents then formally launch it in 2021. The concept is to reward student’s efforts and achievements across a broad range of areas and to have a levelled system for students to work towards higher stages of attainment.
Even though the HSC exams don’t start until next Tuesday, there has been a steady stream of Year 12 students attending study sessions this week. I am hearing stories of students working hard over the holidays and sending lots of sample answers to teachers to check and provide feedback for. Hennessy is very fortunate to have such dedicated and generous teachers to help students to achieve the best possible outcomes possible.
On Tuesday we were very privileged to have our two new priests visit - Father Jiss Sunny and Father Yofeph Neonbasu. Father Joseph has been working in Darwin and Father Jiss comes from Gungahlin. They are both very keen to meet the students and to become a big part of the Hennessy community. On Tuesday they will be concelebrating the Leadership Mass for our new student leaders and we are looking forward to getting to know them better and for their ongoing spiritual guidance.
A group of Year 10 students have been involved in interviews for peer support this week and will commence training in Week 3. The Peer Support Program will officially begin next year. Year 10 students will work with groups of Year 7 students on a variety of activities and programs. This program is an excellent opportunity for leadership for Year 10 students and to assist new Year 7 students as they settle into high school. A big thank you to Miss Lucy Woods and Mr Simon Quin for taking responsibility for this program.
Due to COVID restrictions we are still unable to have a face to face Community Council Open Forum. We are currently planning a virtual Open Forum on Tuesday, October 27 with a guest speaker who specialises in mental health - we will send out more details next week.
Updated COVID restrictions have not changed a lot since Term 3. We are still not able to have adults on site when students are present unless this is considered essential. Students and staff are not to attend school if they are sick and need to provide a negative result before returning to school. We will be allowed to have Year 7 orientation days after November 12.
It is so refreshing to see such abundant rainfall, we continue to pray that the weather is kind to us as we move into harvest and fruit picking times.
Please do not hesitate to phone or email me if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s education or wellbeing.
YEAR 12 HSC EXAMS
These start week 2 and continue until November 11th. All exams are also on Compass and students have personal exam timetables via Students Online. If any student is unwell or has an issue with attending an exam they should contact me in Week 2 and Mr Fouracre from week 3 onwards each morning to go through Illness/Misadventure procedures – forms for NESA are on the Yr 12 Google classroom page.
YEAR 12 2021 TRANSITION
The transition to Year 12 starts in Week 2 and it is after this point you will be able to discontinue subjects and change the level of your class in SOR, English and Maths. Maths Extension 2 and History Extension 2 have also start next week.
STAGE 5 ELECTIVES
I am still moving students where possible so appreciate the patience everyone has shown. It is not too late to change as well!
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REMINDER: Every student must bring the correct equipment each day. This includes: - A pen/s - Ruler - Calculator - Fully charged laptop - PE clothing (when appropriate) - Specialised equipment (for specific classes) - An exercise book (as a back-up) Students should check Compass each evening to pack their bag for the following day with all necessary equipment so they can access learning appropriately.
Teachers are constantly reminding some students who are not equipped for class and consequences may be given to help them remember! Presently they are being loaned equipment which is often not returned and/or damaged so this will not be an option in future.
If you have any questions about this, do not hesitate to contact myself or your child’s class teacher. |
Please note I will be on leave starting week 3 of this term – Mr Fouracre will be acting Assistant Principal and Mr Mergard will be Acting Director of Studies for the rest of Term 4. I wish everyone all the best for the remainder of 2020.
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning Director of Studies
SHARON HIBBERT ANDREW FOURACRE
Welcome back to the final term of what has been a very unusual year. Hopefully this will be a settled term and allow students to finish the year and look forward to a return to some type of normal in 2021.
Year 12: Thousands of Year 12 students across Australia are set to commence their final exams next week in what has been an extraordinary curve-balling year, a super stressful and testing time for many, including parents. October also happens to also be Mental Health Awareness month.
Please find the link From Daniel Merza, in which he I unpacks 5 tenacity tips to help parents support their child to manage stress and avoid distress so they can finish school strong and create a hopeful future. Daniel has been working closely with our new student leadership team.
Here is the link to the article http://www.danielmerza.com/articles/exam-stress-tenacity-tips-for-parents
In week 3 Year 10 students will be able to participate in the Driving Simulator program. This will prepare the year 10 students for the responsibility of driving a car once they obtain their licence. This program will be run as part of the Year 10 PDHPE course. Students will be made aware of their time next week.
I hope you find this of value.
Uniform: With the hotter months upon us the College has added the boys over shirt to the College’s uniform for terms 4 and 1. This is available through YES embroidery. Students who have the college shirt will be required to tuck them in.
Can I please ask your support in ensuring that students only wear their PE uniform on the correct days. Students can only wear their PE uniform to school on the following days:
- They have Sport
- 2 practical lessons, for example both a practical PE and a practical PASS class or
- Have a practical class first period and will need to get changed at the end of the lesson
Students are able to check on Compass if they have a practical or theory lesson. Thank you for your support.
Student Illness: A reminder that if a student is feeling unwell they need to report to the front office and the front office home. This will ensure that the College can offer the appropriate support to all students.
As always if you have any concerns please feel free to contact your child’s PC teacher, House Leader or any member of the Colleges Wellbeing Team.
