Welcome to the last week of Term 1. Today, of course, is Holy Thursday and is part of Holy Week. The Passion of Christ was described in the homily on Palm Sunday as an example of humankind acting very badly, a classic case of bullying, judgmental behaviour and unkindness. We were challenged to consider how we are behaving in Holy Week in 2021? Have we developed personally since Holy Week last year? What do we still need to work at?

On Wednesday we were fortunate to have a visit from Archbishop Christopher Prowse. Archbishop Prowse met with students and staff and was keenly interested in the academic and faith life of the students in a secondary setting.

Last week Mr Peter Igoe-Taylor led the Year 9 boys in a day to focus on respect. The boys listened to guest speakers and completed various activities. A small group of Year 11 girls visited Canberra to attend the ‘She Leads Conference’. Both these days, and the previous Year 9 girls’ days, were initiatives promoted by the student leadership team. Our Student Leadership team is working hard to have a true voice within the College and to develop activities across a wide range of year groups and interest areas.

Today we farewelled various staff:

• Mrs Donna Watson has been lab assistant at Hennessy since 2006 as well as very capably chairing the WHS Committee. Mrs Watson’s skill and expertise will be greatly missed. She will be replaced by Mrs Katrina Hudson.
• Mrs Jorja McGrath will begin Maternity Leave and we wish her all the best on the birth of her second child and look forward to seeing her back at Hennessy in 2022. She will be replaced as McAuley House Leader by Mr Andrew Bigwood and her PE classes will be taught by Miss Emily Coffee, who joins us from Dubbo.
• Mrs Danielle Hudson has been one of our Catholic Care counsellors since 2007. She is moving on to another role with Catholic Care and Miss Rebekah Sheely, who is already here will increase her hours. We thank Danielle for her care of our students over the years and we will miss her gentle wisdom.

The Parent Teacher Student Interviews were held last Thursday in hybrid form for the first time. Attendance was equal to past years with about a third of interviews being online. Any feedback regarding these interviews would be greatly appreciated.

We begin to move into reporting mode with Year 12 being the first to receive semester reports early in Term 2. This year we will join many other schools in making all our reports available online via Compass instead of hard copies. Reports will be in PDF format. Any families who wish to have hard copies will be given the opportunity to request this closer to the reporting dates.

School returns for students on Tuesday, April 20 with a chance to visit the local Careers expo for Years 10 and 12 on the first Tuesday back and our annual Cross Country and Colour Run on the Wednesday of the first week. In Week 2, the College will undergo a Registration process on April 28, 29 and 30 - looks like a busy start to the term!

Please save the date and join our parent community for an Open Forum Community Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 28 from 6:00 pm in the Hospitality Restaurant. Nibbles and drinks will be served, we will go through the scheduled Community Council Meeting and have David and Katie Kobler from Choicez speak to us. The Koblers visit the school annually to talk to students about making good choices. Their parent talk will be about raising teenagers in a world of sexting, cyberbullying and pornography. These are difficult but very important topics and I can assure you that the Koblers are very practical and engaging speakers.

I would like to wish all our families a peaceful and relaxing Easter break. I hope you have a chance to spend time with loved ones and to enjoy the beautiful Autumn weather.

Please do not hesitate to contact me by email (kathy.holding@cg.catholic.edu.au) if you have any concerns or queries.

As we head into Easter, which my Year 8 Religion class now knows is dictated by cycle of the moon, we continue to be challenged by the theme for Project Compassion and the words of St Oscar Romero;  “Aspire not to have more, but to BE more.”  These words challenge us to venture into a new experience of compassion. The students have been aspired this Lenten season to definitely to be more, whilst being guided by the Catholic Social Teachings. They have been involved in Harmony Week,  St Patrick’s Day, Bullying No- Way, The 30 Day challenge, Clean Up Australia Day and Dine and Donate, just to mention a few.

On Wednesday 28^th and Thursday 29^th of April YourChoizes will present  to both year 8 and Year 10 students. The students will be grouped into boys and girl sessions. Some of the topic that will be covered are below. The presenters from YourChoizes will also present a parent evening at 6pm. The parent presentation will cover some of the same topics, but also answering any questions you may have, empowering you to navigate the minefield that it can be looking after a teenager. I encourage you to attend.

Congratulations to Mr. Igo-Taylor who planned and ran the Year 9 Boys day. The theme for the day was Respectful Relationships. The boys were addressed to by Mr Igo- Taylor, Mr. Aaron Seaman, Mr. Mark Bolger, Mr. Roy Jewitt and Mr. Nick Hall that gave life lessons on respect, resilience and what it means to travel from being a boy to a young man. Thank you to the guest speakers, being all local men and known to the students their messages had a great impact. The boys were also taught survival skills by Rice House Captain Justin Garlick and competed in a challenging cardio boxing session with Mr Bob Ashton in the afternoon, Mr Miller broke into a sweat just watching. All the speakers an activities allowed for an atmosphere that challenge, yet allowed the boys to explore the ideals of respectful relationships. 

The College continues to explore an immersion for students in year 11 and will be able to announce an option in early next term.

Wishing you and your families a relaxing and Holy Easter.

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

Mark Chifley

Assistant Principal

Wellbeing and Mission

TERM WRAP UP

This term has been a very successful one with the initial stages of the Catalyst initiative in learning. Some strategies staff have been using include:

• Cold calling – every student can be asked a question at any time
• Clarifying what students have understood
• Scaffolding tasks
• Simplifying tasks to reduce cognitive load
• Lesson reviews
• Learning Intentions

These are all part of the Hennessy learning Cycle we have been using for 3 years but it’s gratifying to see staff continue to strengthen their skills in initiatives we had already begun.

YEAR 11 AND 12

Take a break – you need to now rest up and relax for the first week of the holidays.

Week 2 – start doing all those tasks you may not have done in Term 1. These could include:

• Study notes
• Classwork
• ATOMI videos
• Assessments (if you have any due early term 2)
• Practice papers for topics done – Year 12

It’s helpful to be ready for Term 2 so you can get started fresh and up to date.

CAREERS EXPO

The first day back for students in April 20^th. On that day Year 12 and Year 10 will be attending the Careers Expo at the PCYC. This will be on Compass. Year 12 will be leaving immediately after their name is marked off for PC. If they are late to school they will not be transported to the venue.

Have a wonderful, safe and blessed Easter break.

SHARON HIBBERT                                                                                 ANDREW FOURACRE 

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning                                       Director of Studies

Hennessy Catholic College held a moving Easter Liturgy on 1 April to mark the most important event in our Church’s liturgical calendar. 

Organised by Religious Education leader Ms Beth Doherty, the ceremony brought together a 30-piece choir led by Mr Damien Foley, and featuring soloists from Years 7-12. They used the song “Broken Vessels” which was woven expertly throughout the liturgy. 

Five stations of the cross were marked by readers from each grade level, marking Jesus’ condemnation, his way of the cross and crucifixion.

Poetry was used for each station and a reflection question relevant to the lives of the students was included. 

Artworks of the five stations were done by Year 8 students using the Lino cutting process. 

Thank you to all of the students who were involved in setting up the liturgy and gave so generously of their time. 

The cross country will be held Wednesday 21^st April ( week 1 next term), at the Young race course. The first race will start at approximately 12:15am. There will be staggered starts as follows: 

• 16 and 17yr boys and open boys and girls will race first 
• 14, 15 and 16yr boys and girls and 17yr girls will run next 
• 12 and 13yrs boys and girls will run last 
  
  
• Colour Run option will conclude the cross country. Please note that student can participate in both events. If students wish to progress to the next level they must compete in the cross country. 
• For the colour run please ensure that you child has returned permission note and paid the front office

 

DISTANCE:            

What an eventful term it has been, there has been lots going on in the college over these last 10 weeks and we have watched you all embrace the challenge of stepping out of your comfort zone and taking advantage of opportunities presented in and out of school. 

Special mention to the year 11 house vice-captains; Eliza, Charlotte, Amelia and Charlie, who have stepped up in their roles and are a great addition to our leadership team.

These last few weeks have brought many sporting events, where Hennessy has seen great success, in particular, opens league tag and the Jordan McLean Cup. 

We would also like to mention Hannah Hewitson who inspired us all with her bravery and strength when she shaved her head to send a powerful message of hope. Hannah has raised over $3000 so far, which is more than double her goal. The school alone raised $700 toward Hannah’s goal, well done Hennessy. If you havn't yet and still wish to donate it's not too late the link is active until the 30th of June

We’d like to wish you all a very safe and happy Easter holidays, enjoy your time off and we will see you all next term.

Student leaders and staff at Hennessy met with Archbishop Christopher Prowse on Wednesday 24 March, as part of his tour of all of the Catholic Secondary schools across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

He arrived at the college and spent half an hour dialoguing with the Senior Leadership Team of the College, where he shared some of his dream and vision for young people in the Church.

The leaders told the Archbishop of how they were trying to lead with kindness and be a voice for all students. They shared about their houses and the inspiration figures for the school, including our patrons and Monsignor Jerome Hennessy.

School Captain Liam Jewitt shared that he had always hoped to be school captain, and had a lot of enthusiasm for trying to live charitably and to demonstrate leadership skills.

School Captain Joy Cass said she was particularly focused on being someone approachable that students could talk to about anything, and she is hoping to continue this at University through studying primary teaching.

The house leaders each took turns to tell the Archbishop about the various initiatives they have been involved in, including fundraising for Caritas, Shave for a Cure, Harmony Day, 30 days of happiness and much more.

Archbishop Christopher was impressed with the wonderful leaders and affirmed them for the articulate way in which they spoke with him.

He encouraged each of them to look to Jesus as the best model of leadership, and more importantly, to develop a personal relationship with him.

The Archbishop meet with staff for almost an hour over morning tea, engaging in conversations about teaching and learning, and some of the challenges of the classroom.

Two year nine students, Anna Harden and Majella McGrath showed him PowerPoints they had created on Catholic Social Teaching, and he gave them positive feedback about how well they understood the Catholic tradition of love for the poor.

He ended with a meeting with the College Executive where they shared some of the positive ways Hennessy is working to be a light to students in difficult time. We discussed some of the challenges facing students around wellbeing and home pressures, mental illness, and the unique barriers that rural areas face in providing solace and care. The Archbishop left with a promise to look at how rural schools are resourced in the Archdiocese, and to pray for the community.

Hennessy Catholic College was very privileged to have this special time with our Archbishop and look forward to meeting him again in the future.

As the term draws to an end, the Year 7 and 8 Agriculture students have been able to appreciate and understand in detail the true meaning of "paddock to plate '.

Students in 8.4 have successfully completed the unit, making Hamburgers. The students we able to use the lettuce they have grown, and eggs they have collected from the school chickens in their own hamburgers.  Which they thorougly enjoyed.

Our college chickens have been busy laying. 7.4 made pancakes from the eggs from the ag plot.  We were also able to successfuly raise chickens that arrived as day old chicks.  All have now been sold and are well welcomed by their new homes.

8.5  have only recently started their Hamburger unit, with the recent wet days providing the perfect opportunity to get the lettuce seeds in the soil in the green house. The students recently ventured to the Ag plot, to dig and prepare the soil for planting of carrot seeds.

Year 8 have been doing lino prints. They have been doing relief as well as reduction prints and these are examples of some of the students work. 

Yr 9/10 art have been working with clay this term. Here are some examples of the coil pots that have been created.

Yr 11 have been working on individual projects that reflect artists of their learning.

Brianee Taylor- reflects the work of Barbara Kruger in her choice of colour (red/white/black) and Jeff Koons use of common objects -  consequently Brianee reflects upon society, consumption and the advancement of technology and consequent waste. 

Mackenzie Fliedner - has looked into the work of portrait artist Sarah Lucas and Graffiti artist Banksy and consequently taps into her drawing skills to capture a portrait of her sister.

Hannah Rolls - researched Bansky and Freida Kahlo and delved into photoshop which has resulted in a number of images of her pets, who she has collaged into significant locations around the world

On Thursday 31st March the Open Boys Soccer team had a trial game against Young High School to help with their preparation for the upcoming Canberra/Goulburn Gala day in Term 2. Despite going down 3-1 the boys showed great promise and know what they need to work on now before heading to Canberra to take on the other schools in our Diocese. We would like the thank Young High School for their great sportsmanship and the volunteers from the Young Lions Soccer club who helped both schools with their preparation and the running of the trial game.

On Friday 26th March, a group of year 11 students attended the SheLeads conference at ANU in Canberra. The theme of the day was Wild: Harnessing personal adversity into superpowers. They heard from a variety of speakers including Bec McConnell, a professional mountain biker, and April Hélène-Horton, the first plus size bikini model to appear on Australian billboards. The girls were also present with a panel of 4 passionate young women who spoke on their unique views of adversity and the barriers they had witnessed, this panel included Leah House, Jakita Smith, Jannessa O’Connell and Krishaa Tulsiani. Each of these women are extremely passionate and are all involved in women's rights activism within Canberra. Each speaker had remarkable stories about adversity and resilience. The girls participated in two workshops throughout the day, one facilitated by two youth leaders from the YWCA focusing on unconscious and conscious bias and the other run by Lightbulb Improv which allowed the girls to thrive in stressful situations. Overall, the girls thoroughly enjoyed the day and are working towards implementing similar activities within the College.

Charlotte Doldissen

This term students from the Year 9/10 iSTEM elective have been going head-to-head in a wide range of engineering challenges. They have been working collaboratively on a wide range of projects from building bridges to bionic hands. We would like to thank Rotary Young and the Science and Engineering team from the University of Newcastle for putting together some of these challenges which have been helping our students develop their problem-solving skills in an fun and engaging way.

Congratulations to Sarah Miller in Year 7 whose poem ‘The Day That They Left’   will be published in the ANZAC Day commemorative booklet which will be distributed to households in the Riverina. Special commendation went to Elisabeth Hall (Year 10) for her poem ‘Demondrille Street Dawn Service' and Lillian Williams (Year 10) for her prose ‘The Battle of Bullecourt’.  The ANZAC writing competition is an initiative of Deputy PM Michael McCormack to showcase the talent of students in the Riverina.

Hennessy Chess Team were successful beating The Riverina Anglican College (TRAC) 4 - 0 in the first round of the Country Secondary Schools Chess Competition.

This was the first time they played a match via the internet using the platform "Chesshere.com". As the photo shows, they used the physical chess sets to model their virtual match, quite successfully.

Second round is against West Wyalong High next term.

Players Were:   Michael Perry, Rylee O'Brien, Kody Thompson, Ethan Smith

Registrations are now open to Play Soccer!!!

SEASON 2021 JUNIOR SOCCER REGISTRATIONS

The 2021 season is fast approaching and registrations are now open to play, referee and coach soccer this season. Teams are being selected in the school holidays so we need all players registered so teams can be selected evenly. PLEASE jump online and register, it’s very easy.

Getting started

For all information to register go to: https://www.playfootball.com.au

Steps on how to register:

If you are re-registering:

1. Click the link listed above
2. If you are re-registering click on the re-registering to play this season
3. Type in Young Lions
4. Select Young Lions Soccer Club (Lachlan)
5. Scroll down to get started

If you are new to football:

1. Click on the the link posted below
2. Click on the New to Football image
3. Select the appropriate age group for your child
4. Type in postcode of 2594
5. On the map click on Young
6. Click on the Find out more
7. Register Now
8. Scroll down and click on Get Started

Costs

All regos are $100.

We encourage you to please use your active kids vouchers found at Service NSW.

Socks are $15 and Shorts are $25.

Competition

The competition will start off with a gala day on the 1st of May and conclude with the Grand Finals on the 28th of August. We have age groups in the following divisions; 5,6,7,8,10,12,14,17.

Kickstart Soccer

This program is designed for children with a disability aged 5-16 who would like to participate in a team sport and learn to play soccer in a structured, fun environment.

The focus of the program will be on skill development, active participation and having fun.

For further information about the program please contact Leonie Dunn at kickstartsoccer@younglionssoccerclub.com.au

Keep Kicking