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There is a great deal happening in the College and I thank you for your continued support and engagement with our events.
Hennessy Day
We had the most wonderful Hennessy day on Tuesday. We were able to commemorate the founding of our school as Hennessy Catholic College ( 21/5/2000) and celebrate Fr Jerome Hennessy’s legacy through a moving liturgy and games. We were also able to raise some much-needed funds to support St Vinnies. I know Fr Jerome would have been proud to see so many students engaged in the broader life of the College.
Attendance at school and late arrivals
Attendance matters and we need your help this year. If your child is consistently late to school, research tells us this has a detrimental effect on their learning. A few absences every month can add up to weeks of lost learning over the year. Missing school, whether for excused or unexcused reasons, disrupts a student’s education. You can play a big role in improving your child’s attendance. If you have questions, please call your child’s House leader.
Thank you for your help with this.
New Staff
We are pleased to welcome Dr Donya Tabesh to the college community. Dr Tabesh is highly qualified, she holds a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Education), Master of Philosophy Geology (Environmental Geochemistry) Master of Geology (Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology) and a Bachelor of Geology. Dr Tabesh is joining the College until the end of the year. She will be teaching across the spectrum of subjects.
We are pleased to welcome Mrs Barbara Grainger to the college for the next month. She will be teaching in English. Mrs Grainger has a long association with the College and it is lovely to have her back.
Staff on leave
We currently have staff on indefinite leave. As with any workplace staff are entitled to have leave for a variety of reasons, they are also entitled to their privacy. Neither students, parents nor staff are entitled to know about a staff member’s personal business. As with any workplace classes affected by any staff member on leave, planned or unplanned, have their lessons covered by fully qualified professionals. I thank the parent community for your discretion in assisting your children to understand that the best way to enable staff to manage their personal business is to get on with their school-work.
AFTERNOON STUDY CHANGES
From Term 2 onwards afternoon study will be held from 3.30-4.30 only. There will be no study week 1 term 2 or the last Thursday of term. So far very few students have been using afternoon study so we may look at the feasibility of running two sessions next term.
SUBJECT SELECTIONS 2020 – SAVE THE DATE/S
Subject selections for 2020 will commence this term with Years 8 and 9 choosing their 2020 electives. This will be on 25th June with a Parent Information Evening to be held the same night commencing at 6pm.
Year 11 2020 will select early in term 3 on July 25th with an information evening the same night.
ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING HANDBOOKS
These are available on the College website and Hennessy Student Drive under Assessment and Forms.
It is vital all students are aware of policies relating to assessment. This especially relates to:
- Illness/Misadventure
- Procedures when absent
- Extensions
- Appeals
- Penalties for not following the correct procedure.
Students not following the correct procedures may find that they have incurred a penalty of the loss of all marks for a task or a Warning Letter. These have been posted to Compass several times as well as listed on classroom House pages. If in any doubt, students should always see their class teacher first and before tasks are due to ensure they are aware of what is permissible. However, I must approve all extensions, Illness/Misadventure applications and Appeals. The protocols and procedures are to ensure equity for all students.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN has completed for 2019 with students doing all their tests, including catch-ups were possible. There were some technical issues beyond our control unfortunately. Thank you to Mr Fouracre for coordinating these tests and to Mr Mitchell, Mrs Cronin, Mrs Nowlan, Mrs Schiller, Ms Carberry and all the other staff who helped run them.
For Year 11 students, who still need to meet the minimum standards tests for Reading, Writing and Numeracy, sessions have been set in the next few weeks for them to attempt these.
YEAR 12 REPORTS
Year 12 reports have been sent home; if you have any concerns please contact your child’s House Leader or the subject teacher.
HSC and Careers Expo – Sydney – this weekend
A great opportunity to find out information on Universities, Colleges and a whole range of employment and training options.
Over 150 Exhibitors. 115 Seminars.
Time: 10am-3pm (Saturday 1st June and Sunday 2nd June)
Location: Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park.
Details at: http://www.hscandcareers.com.au
Uni Information Night for Parents
Australian Catholic University (ACU) - Canberra - Parents Information Night – next week
Hear from staff and students, learn about the application process and discover how ACU can help your child get ready for university.
Wednesday 29 May 5.30pm – 7pm
Location: 301.1.20, Veritas Building, Corner Antill Street and Phillip Ave Watson ACT
Register here:
https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/events/2019/may/parent-information-sessions-canberra
University Open Days
La Trobe University (LTU) - Albury Campus - Open day (which is called Experience Clever) - 31st May - to register go to
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/life/events/experience-clever
Dates for other La Trobe Open days
Bendigo – Wednesday, July 3
Melbourne – Friday, July 5
Express your interest for these campuses at:
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/life/events/experience-clever
Year 12 students - ANU applications close in just 8 days!!!
This year the Australian National University are only accepting applications from Year 12 students via DIRECT online entry. The application process is currently open for another week and closes on 31st May. Students have already been briefed about this process and should be well underway and students can see me in the library if they need help or email me on leanne.mcgrath@cg.catholic.edu.au anytime.
TSFX – Year 12 - Trial Exam Revision Lectures – Sydney – July holidays
Date: Monday 8 July – Friday 19 July 2019
Online Enrolments are now open.
Students can save significant amounts of stress and time before their exams by having an experienced HSC teacher guide them through the revision process. The TSFX ‘Trial Exam Revision’ lectures have been designed with this purpose in mind, and to give students the skills and information they will need to perform to the highest possible standard in their trial examinations.
To enrol go to
http://www.tsfx.com.au/?hsc-program=trial-exam-preparation-lectures
Year 12 - University of Notre Dame (UND) - Sydney - Early offer program is now OPEN
Apply online directly to the Uni - no UAC application required for this Uni
https://www.notredame.edu.au/study/early-offer/early-offer-sydney
Applications close on 31st July 2019
Students can see me in the library if they need help or email me on leanne.mcgrath@cg.catholic.edu.au anytime.
UND Early offer Students and Parent Info Night – 2 July - Broadway campus
For students and parents wishing to learn more about the Early Offer program we are hosting an exclusive Early Offer Student and Parent Info Night. This event will showcase the benefits of the program and students can apply to our Early Offer program on the night.
Places are limited and students can register at
Year 12 - The University Co-op Scholarships Guide
Packed with all the details students need to know including:
- How to apply
- What you could get
- Eligibility criteria
- Applications deadlines
These scholarships are some of the most sought-after around, and they offer a lot more than just financial support. Students are nurtured throughout their degree, and given the tools and support they need to put them in a winning position on graduation.
I encourage you to support your student in applying. Please note: this Guide does not cover every scholarship offered at each Uni, it just covers 'co-op' scholarships. Uni websites are the best place to search for a variety of other scholarships on offer and a scholarship info night will be held at Hennessy in Term 3, 2019 – more details to follow
General access to this guide is restricted so a copy has been posted to the Year 12 Google classroom page.
Southern Cross University Mid-year Information Sessions
- Online information session – Wednesday 5 June 6pm – 7pm
- Online information session – Wednesday 19 June 6pm-7pm
Where could you go with a Southern Cross University degree? Finding the right university can be challenging. To make things a little easier and get you heading in the right direction, join the online info sessions and talk to our expert staff about your study options.
Register here https://www.scu.edu.au/study-at-scu/info-days/
Get a Taste of University Life at University of Sydney at the SANCTA Sleepover 31 August to 1 September
Student uni accommodation for females. Sancta is a residential college on-campus at The University of Sydney. Spend time talking with our current female Undergraduate residents from all over Australia and the world. Enjoy guided tours of Sydney universities on their Open Days (Saturday 31 August). Enquire with Amy Coleman: marketingdevelopment@sancta.edu.au
Keep in touch with Melbourne Uni
University of Melbourne Information Evening 12 December. 5.30pm to 8.00pm
Registration for this event will open closer to the date. To keep informed of events like this, register for updates. For prospective undergraduate students.
Year 10 girls - UNSW Exploring STEM Careers Holiday Program – Sydney 8-9 July
Registrations now open Join Science 50:50 and UNSW Women in Engineering for a one-day holiday program exploring careers in STEM. We will visit various organisations, meet professional scientists and engineers, and discover where they work and what they do. The program runs Mon 8th or Tues 9th July for female Year 10 students with an interest in STEM. Apply at: https://events.unsw.edu.au/event/exploring-stem-careers
Year 9 & 10 students
Agriculture and Vet Science Experience – University of Sydney Camden Open Day - 7 June
To give year 9-10 students a taste of agriculture and veterinary science. Activities include opportunities to explore aquaculture, cattle husbandry, a working wildlife hospital and soil science. $15/student covers morning tea, BBQ lunch and workshop materials. https://sydney.edu.au/content/dam/corporate/documents/faculty-of-science/industry-and-communityengagement/community-engagement/camden-open-day-2019.pdf
Electrical Apprenticeships
NECA Careers Paths. See where a career in electotechnology can take you. This electro career map shows you the fantastic opportunities that lie ahead. The sky is the limit! https://www.necatraining.com.au/electrical-apprentices/career-paths/#infographic
Years 7,8 and 9 students – School holiday workshop!
Space Squad 8 to 12 July 191 Dryandra Street Canberra
The YMCA Canberra Space Squad is Australia’s only live-in camp program for students in Years 6-9 who love space! It is an action-packed school holiday space experience that you won’t want to miss. For five days, we learn all about space, meeting scientists, engineers, physicists, astronomers and astrophysicists. We will visit and experience the Advanced Instrument and Technology Centre (AITC) and touch satellites, look at dwarf galaxies orbiting around Centaurs A, hear about how stars collide as well as visiting NASA deep space communications complex and Questacon and launching rockets and flying drones.
Tuesday 21 May saw the College Community take the time to join in celebrating Hennessy Day. It was wonderful to come together as a whole school for the Liturgy which was held in St Mary's Catholic Church. The Liturgy reminded us of those who have walked before us in shaping the traditions of our school. Thank you to Caroline Devlin for organising the Liturgy.
Following the Liturgy the students had the opportunity to purchase items from a number of stalls at the Hennessy Day Fete. The stalls were run by each House - Rice House sold milk shakes and 'spiders', Gallagher House sold cakes and slices, McAuley sold lollie bags and Nagle House ran games. All money raised from the Fete will go towards the Annual Vinnies Winter Appeal and I am please to say that as a College we raised $924.
The afternoon of Hennessy Day saw our PC classes competing against one another in a round robin of fun activities. The activities ranged from Sack Races, Karaoke, Tunnel Ball and Trivia and were run by our Year 12 students. The points table remianded close all the way to finish with the last round finally deciding the Hennessy Day champions. Victory went to McAuley 4!
Special mention must be made of the House Leaders and the Year 12 College Leaders for their work in organising and running the day, for their effort I say thank you. I would also like to thank the staff for their help in supporting and encouraging all our students throughout the afternoon of activities. Happy Hennessy Day 2019!
