Welcome to the last newsletter of 2021.

‘Inspiring futures of hope’ has been our theme for 2021. This has been a very appropriate theme in the times we are living in at the moment. COVID has certainly turned our worlds upside down but has also helped us to focus on the things that really matter - our family, our friends and our faith. 

At this time of year  it is so busy but also a time to celebrate the achievements and milestones of our students. I had the great privilege to be a part of our Year 12 Graduation Mass and dinner on Friday night and was so grateful that parents could also attend. We began with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Father Jiss and organised by Miss Doherty. We then moved to the formal dinner which was organised by Mrs McInerney and Mrs Tanner.  The Class of 2022 looked so smart and grown up in their formal gear! The evening was a time for gratitude, reminiscing and fun.  

Yesterday we then recognised students from Years 7 - 11 who have excelled academically, on the sporting field, for their pastoral achievements and for their contributions to the Hennessy community. Again it was delightful to see so many parents and special guests able to be a part of these ceremonies.

This morning we held a morning tea for students who have received Gold or Silver Awards in 2021. There were 20 recipients in total with special recognition going to Elisabeth Hall in Year 10 and Stephanie Clark from Year 7 who received Gold Awards. This award system recognises students whose achievements fall into one of the three categories of ‘Live Spiritually’ ‘Learn Dynamically' or to ‘Act Justly’. They must have achieved in the three areas to move onto a new level. A particular vote of thanks needs to go to Mrs Janice Dunk who has managed and designed this new system and has recorded over 6000 student achievements in 2021.

All the best for the next chapter in your lives to those students who are leaving Hennessy to pursue a new career, go to university, go to TAFE or on to a new school. I would like to extend thanks to those staff who will be leaving us at the end of the year - Mr Chifley, Miss Doherty, Mr Fouracre, Mrs Keith and Mrs Tyrrell. We will miss you and wish you all the best at your new schools. I would also like to thank Father Jiss and Father Joe for their support of the College and to wish Father Joe all the best for his new appointment.

I would also like to thank Mr Schmidt who will be stepping down from his role as TAS/VET Leader to return to a teaching role and to Mr Bigwood for being Acting McAuley House Leader this year. Your contributions have been greatly appreciated.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their support of Hennessy this year and to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a safe and enjoyable break and many good times with family and friends over the holiday period.

Mission Australia Survey – Last week Mission Australia released its yearly youth report. The College Wellbeing team uses the report findings to address issues and target student concerns for 2022.

In the next few weeks, the College will receive a Hennessy based report based on our student responses. The College will look at student responses to address these concerns through the Student Wellbeing Sessions, the SWAG group and classroom discussions.

Nationally the 3 leading concerns for youth in 2021 were – Covid 19 (46%), The Environment (38%), Equality and Discrimination (35%).

Assistant Principal handover - This week I also handed over to Mrs Mary Wright who will take on the Assistant Principal position next year. Mary brings a lot of educational knowledge and is passionate about student wellbeing, I can assure you that the students are in good hands for 2022 and beyond.

As this is my last newsletter I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Hennessy community who has made my time so enjoyable and enriching.  As I have often said to the students the greatest part of Hennessy is the students and this continues to be the case, but the students are a reflection of their parents and the guidance of the College staff.

Hennessy is a great community and I say that as a teacher and a parent of a past student. My Tom on his first day at Hennessy stated that” Dad, I walked across the playground and 3 teachers knew my name and who I was. I spent 4 years at my old school and nobody knew me”. That has stuck with Tom and myself and we have been truly privileged to be part of this great community and will greatly miss it.

I hope that Christmas for you is a time of rest, relaxation, and family.

Mark Chifley

Assistant Principal

YEAR 12 2021

Congratulations to all students for completing their HSC exams - it was a pleasure to be with you last Friday to celebrate the end of school with you.

Don’t forget ATAR’s are out on the 20th January and I’ll be emailing you asking for help collecting these. In the meantime - please try and have some down time before your next adventure starts (though I know many of you are already working). 

2021…THAT’S A WRAP!

It’s been a long year and I would like to thank the KLA leaders and all staff for their capacity to be adaptable as we went through another unexpected lock down. But we all got through it well and students generally coped well with the changing learning styles. 

A thank you to our departing KLA leaders - Mr Fouracre, Ms Keith, Mr Schmidt and Miss Doherty Your contribution to learning has been appreciated by students and the learning teams you have led. 

A reminder school starts for Years 7,11 and 12 on Tuesday 1st February (Day 2) and for Years 8-120 the following day. Timetables will be loaded to Compass the week before. 

I wish all students and their families all the best for the Christmas break and look forward to seeing you in 2022. 

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES

REPORTS 7-10

Hennessy teachers and staff are busily completing Year 7-10 Semester Reports. Reports will be published via Compass and parents can download PDF versions of their child’s report. Keep an eye on Compass for an alert when reports are ready.

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning                                        Director of Studies

SHARON HIBBERT                                                                                 IAN MERGARD 

Today we celebrated the achievements of students who attained Silver and Gold Awards in our House Awards Program. Students have gained points throughout the year for their involvement and success in the 3 key areas of Living Spiritually, Learning Dynamically and Acting Justly. Congratulations to our Silver Award winners, who gained 30 or more points overall, with at least 3 in each key area. These students include; Sarah Dillon, Eliza taylor, Emily Pratt, Charlotte Doldissen, Brianee Taylor, Sarah Miller, Damon Xia, Jordan Beath, James Payne, Chelsea Cleverdon, Sophie Grainger, Jorja O'Brien, Bella Brownlie, Nicholas Louttit, Jasmine Sullivan, Lillian Williams, Madeline Wegmann & Eliza Butt. Additionally this year we were pleased to present two outstanding students with a Gold Award, for cumulating 50 or more points, with at least 5 in each key area. Congratulations to Elisabeth Hall and Stephanie Clark.

Thank you to Music students for sharing your talents at both Academic Awards assemblies yesterday.

Senior students were very generous in supporting junior students to provide a live national anthem. Well done to Liam Wiles, Joshua Reeves, Faith hardy, Lillie Gunning, Zailee Coupland and Lachlan Li. Lachlan also entertained on piano with a Chopin Polonaise. Year 12 Music class all performed together with Trysta Willoughby leading in a cover of Demons by Imagine Dragons. A great performance - and for some, a first time experience - by Talia Arthur (keys), Poppy Amuso (vocal), Jasmine Scott (vocal), Taylah Allen (electric bass), Thomas McEvoy (double bass), Charlie Tuckfield (keys), Jordan Beath (electric guitar) and the amazing Lily Payne on Drums. Congratulations.

Year 7 Ag students have relished the opportunity to utilise the produce grown in the Ag plot to create some tasty dishes.  As part of their paddock to plate education the students enjoyed some pancakes today made from the eggs produced by our chickens.