Well it’s been a busy term, with the days drawing in, reports, assessments and numerous events throughout the term as we emerge from the COVID world. It’s been great to see students being able to engage with all that they missed out on last year including highlights such as:

Hennessy Day, the Cross Country and the Athletics Carnivals

Catch the Wave Retreat

Basketball, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Tennis

Ceramics Art Incursion

ANZAC Day Service

Various University/Careers presentations, Careers market

History Incursion

Cowra Eisteddfod

Senior Study Evening

Debating

….and the list goes on!

Year 9 and 10 were involved in a highly successful ‘Catch the Wave Retreat last week run by the CSYMA team from Canberra with Miss Doherty’s assistance. Feedback from the students has been very positive. 

Congratulations to our Country Cup teams who played exceptionally well to get to the Regional Finals. On a cold and miserable day the U/13’s, U15’s and Open teams had some successes but were unfortunately knocked out of the competition. Mr McAllister, Mr Croese and Mrs McInerney supported the teams on the day.

The Dance for Sick Kids/Beanies for Brain Cancer Day held yesterday aimed to raise funds for those in need. It was organised by the Student Leadership team and Mrs McInerney and included the whole school dancing the NutBush as well as guessing competitions and a BBQ lunch. Again the generosity of our students in supporting worthy causes was showcased. 

CONGRATULATIONS...

Jannat Bakri (Year 12) who is the recipient of the Helen Handbury Leadership Award for 2021. The Helen Handbury Leadership Awards mark the outstanding contribution that the late Mrs Helen Handbury has made to community development in rural & regional Australia. The Awards recognise Year 12 students in rural & regional Australia who have shown outstanding community leadership. Jannat receives $5,000 for an international travel opportunity that she can undertake during her tertiary studies in speech pathology.

Congratulations Jannat - so well deserved!

STAFFING NEWS

We wish all the best to our staff taking leave next term and welcome Mrs Igoe-Taylor to our staff for the remainder of 2021. She will be teaching Religion and English. We also welcome Miss McLachlan who will be teaching English during Term 3. 

Mr Pippard has also officially retired, although we hope to see him back soon doing some casual days. 

MUSIC ROOM

There are big changes in Music. Mrs Riordan will take on most of the Music classes for the remainder of the year and while our new Music room is being completed, B1 will become the Music room so there will be room changes for classes using B1 and B3 until C1 is complete. These will all be on Compass.

TERM 3

A reminder that students return Monday, 12 July in Term 3 as the Pupil Free Day will be at the end of Term instead. This will be Day 1 of the cycle. 

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break and will see you all in Term 3. 

Mrs Sharon Hibbert

Principal (Acting)

SAVE THE DATE: YEAR 7-11 PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT INTERVIEWS

These will be held Thursday 22^nd July from 8am-6pm. Bookings are open through schoolinterviews.com.au using the code ne4dj. Again these will be a hybrid of face to face and zoom meetings.

Year 12 will still have class that day and supervision will be available in the library during school hours as well.

• 8am-1pm: Face to Face Meetings here
• 2pm-6pm: Zoom Meetings (codes will be available on the day)

Please note bookings close at 4pm Wednesday 21^st July.

7-10 REPORTS

These are available from 9am Friday June 23 from the Compass Parent Portal. If you have any issues with access, please contact the Front Office.

YEAR 11 2022

A subject market and Parent Information Night will be held on Tuesday 20^th July. Information has been emailed home.

TRIAL HSC TIMETABLE

This is now available and the exams will be put onto Compass early next term. Students need to start revising this holidays to prepare. The Trials will be held from Monday 2^nd August until Friday 13^th August. The HSC timetable has been published on the NESA website – please note exams cannot be rescheduled for the HSC.

Students are only required to be at school for their exams unless they have a morning and an afternoon exam – if this is the case they must stay at school all day. The library will be available for study.

AFTERNOON STUDY

Please note there will be no study in Week 1 Term 3 – study will recommence in Week 2.

YEAR 12 TRIAL PREPARATION

Year 12 have finally finished the majority of their assessments. It is recommended this holidays they do rest in week 1 but then start again in week 2 of the break by commencing a revision program which includes completing past papers. There are free lectures available online between July 5-9 they should sign up too - https://atarnoteslectures.com/nsw?mc_cid=13728b3437&mc_eid=e36498d918

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning                                       Director of Studies

SHARON HIBBERT                                                                                 ANDREW FOURACRE 

Immersion 2022– Information meeting Thursday 15th July 6pm

With international boarders not looking like opening until mid-2022 the College will be attending an immersion(s) to the Northern Territory next year during the July Break between terms 2 and 3. We are running an information session on Thursday 15th July. Catholic Missions Australia will inform interested students and parents on the requirements for the immersion in 2022. An invitation will be sent to parents with details and a RSVP to ensure we are Covid-19 safe.

Cyber Safety

The issue of Cyber Safety always tops the list of student and parent concerns and each day the Wellbeing Team addresses issues raised around student use of phones, being on line and assisting parents to support their child. With this in mind the College will be working in partnership with The Cyber Safety Project. The partnership will involve:

• A student survey which will then be used to tailor a presentation to each year group.
• A student lead inquiry project
• Staff will also participate in an a professional development workshop.
• There will also be a parent evening to share the findings of the survey and address parent concerns.

This partnership will support the entire College community in raising awareness of Cyber Safety concerns.

The Survey – July 13th during SWS

Students will participate in a Student Digital Habits Survey. This survey is completely anonymous and please  email me at mark.chifley@cg.catholic.edu.au if you do not consent to your child being involved. The aim of this survey is to capture an insight into how students across each year level are living, learning, connecting, and playing online. Information collected in this survey will be used to inform a tailored educational program that meets the needs of the students and College community. Insights will be published in a Digital Habits Survey Report, which will be provided to the College. General insights may also be included in the Cyber Safety Project National Digital Habits Survey Report.

To learn about how the Cyber Safety Project handle information provide to them, you can view their full privacy policy via www.cybersafetyproject.com.au If you have any questions, you can submit them directly to the team via info@cybersafetyproject.com.au

Parent Evening – August 9th

More information will be sent early next term.

The eSafety Commissioner offers great information on keeping kids safe on line and ways to support parents Webinars for parents and carers on the eSafety Commissioner Website   

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

Jannat Bakri has won the Helen Handbury Leadership Award for 2021

The Helen Handbury Leadership Awards mark the outstanding contribution that the late Mrs Helen Handbury has made to community development in rural & regional Australia. The Awards recognise Year 12 students in rural & regional Australia who have shown outstanding community leadership.

Jannat receives $5,000 for an international travel opportunity that she can undertake during her tertiary studies in speech pathology

Congratulations Jannat - so well deserved!

The Rugby Union 7s Gala Day was held on Thursday 10th June. Students from Year 7-12 participated on wet and muddy fields. Perfect rugby weather! 

7/8 Girls 7/8 Boys 1 (White)

The 7/8 girls' team was put together with a variety of abilities. This team went through undefeated into the semifinals, with an amazing show of team spirit in their 3rd game with every student given the opportunity to score a try. The semifinal against Mount Austin came down to the last minute with Eliza Taylor and Amber McKay teaming up to progress into the final. The girls found another surge of energy to go up against Kildare to win 12-0. Indigo Heard was named players player with outstanding technique and impossible tackles being accomplished throughout the day. The 7/8 boys 1 (white) team was made up of rugby union, rugby league and touch players. This team went through undefeated into the semifinals, where they came against our other Hennessy team. Students showed great sportsmanship and spirit to overcome a strong defense to progress through to the final. Students were exhausted going into the final, to unfortunately loss 2-1 in the dying minutes. Seth Anderson was named players player with a great show of teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit. 

Both teams progress through to the next round in Canberra in Term 3. 

11/12 Boys

The 11/12 Boys came up against a tough lineup of teams from Kildare, TRAC and WWCC. Students were won 2 games and lost 2. Due to the small number of teams, the top 2 teams progressed straight through to the next round. It came down to Mater Dei and Hennessy on for and against to see who would come in 2nd. Our boys came in 3rd. Special mentions go to Jack Ruskin, Malachi Murray and Josh Flick who put their body on the lines. Josh Flick was also named players player for the day. 

7/8 Boys 2 (Blue) 9/10 Girls 

These boys were also made up of union, league, and touch players. The boys showed determination in their 2nd game to progress through to the semis against Hennessy 1. Students showed great defense to unfortunately loss, however, they showed great sportsmanship by cheering on their classmates in the finals. Players player was Nick Canellis, who assisted in numerous tries, plays, and wasn't afraid to get involved in all contact situations. These boys finished 4th out of 9 teams.

The 9/10 girls were up against numerous tough, determined, and enthusiastic teams. The 9/10 girls were excellent in defense, with numerous hard hits coming from our girls. Unfortunately, these girls lost both of their round matches, however, they did make it into the 3rd playoff. In the playoff, Mater Dei were victorious, with some calls not going our way. All players put their bodies on the line to stop breakaways. Players player goes to Amelia Rowan who never gave up all day. These girls finished 4th out of 6 teams.

Special mentioned to Imogen Noakes (7/8 girls), Ned Flick (7/8 boys 1 (white)), Lachlan Dabin (11/12 boys), Joy Cass (9/10 girls) and Clare Flick (7/8 boys 2 (blue)) who assisted with each team's warm up, relaying messages and overall encouragement to all players. 

Thankyou also goes to Maryann Schiller, Luke Miller and Andrew Bigwood for all their help on the day. 

On Wednesday 23rd June, the student Leadership Team along with the Community and Family Studies class cooked a BBQ and hosted lolly and chocolate guessing competitions to raise funds for sick children. The funds were just over $1000 that will be evenly split to Dance for Sick kids and Mark Hughes Foundation to support families in need. 

Congratulations to Dylan who guessed 324 and there were 331, Lillee guessed 222 and there were 220 and Emma guessed 82 and there were 81. Well done to all the students who were involved in the guessing competition. 

A fantastic day and great cause, well done Hennessy students. 

Have a lovely holiday.

Mrs McInerney

Various year groups have been experimenting and exploring with Clay.  

Rory O'Brien is creating a clay bust as part of her HSC project.

Year 11 HSC students recently attended a clay workshop.

As part of this terms unit - Chicken or the Egg, our year 7 students enjoyed cooking and eating pancakes made using the eggs produced by our onsite chickens.

They also had the joy of watching some of the eggs in the incubator hatch.