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Welcome to Week 4!
This morning I had the absolute pleasure of being on the interview panel for Year 11 applicants for the Student Leadership Team for 2023. This year we have an impressive 19 applicants for leadership positions. Students have shared their reasons for applying, why they believe they should be selected, and their ideas to make Hennessy an even better place. It is always inspiring to hear young people speak about their perspectives on leadership and to hear their ideas. The next part of the process is the speeches on Tuesday morning and then the team's announcement on Thursday. The new team will then attend a leadership retreat and vote as a small group for the College Captains. Our current leadership team is an outstanding group and this standard will clearly continue in 2023.
I am continuing to do enrolment interviews for 2023 for both Year 7 and Year 11 students. If you know of anyone considering Hennessy for next year, please encourage them to contact the College for an interview time.
Next Monday 15th August is the Feast of the Assumption and students will be attending a mass at St Mary’s at 9:00 am. Parents and parishioners are most welcome to attend.
The Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.
In an age of materialism, the Assumption points out the dignity and destiny of our human body, extols the dignity of womanhood, and turns our eyes to the true life beyond the grave. At Mass we ask Mary for the grace to keep our minds fixed on things above and to aspire continually to be united with her and to be brought to the glory of the Resurrection.
Don’t forget that next Friday, August 19, is a pupil-free day.
Please keep Year 12 in your prayers as they continue their Trial Exams next week.
Principal
Kathy Holding
On the 15th of August we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (The Feast of the Assumption). This a holy day of obligation for the Catholic Church who must attend mass on this day. The Catholic Church in Australia has deemed this day of the same importance as that of Christmas Day. To acknowledge our Catholic heritage, Hennessy Catholic College is looking forward to celebrating together with parishioners and families of the College.
Next week the Pastoral Care Team will be looking at the final results of the first round of the Year 9 Rewards System. We are looking forward to celebrating the wonderful achievements with the Year 9 students and will discuss with them their choice of reward. The new rotation of Year 9 Rewards system will begin at the beginning of Week 6 and students will be eligible again for the Year 9 rewards program at the end of Week 10.
This week I began the CSYMA (Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia) Program with Year 10 students who have chosen to develop on their faith journey. The students identified they would like to in particular develop their leadership and share in their journeys with other year levels, our primary schools and our parish. I am looking forward to the fruits of the Spirit that will develop from this program
A reminder from the Uniform Policy (as below) that hair that is below the back collar of the shirt, it must be tied up. Students who are not adhering to this policy will follow the procedures for not adhering to the policy.
Hair
The following expectations of hair are acceptable:
- Hair must be of a natural colour
- Hair that is longer than the back collar of the shirt must be tied up
- Boys must be clean shaven.
Mary Wright
Assistant Principal
Mission & Ministry
Teaching and Learning News
Learning Dynamically…Inspiring Futures of Hope
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Subject Selections Update
Year 11 2023
The lines are under construction and should be finalized soon. Once they are finalized, they will be published to students via Compass and then I will start interviewing students individually to gauge their Maths and English classes and they may reselect where they have clashes or have changed their minds.
Trial Examinations
These are now underway and Year 12 are to be congratulated for the calm and settled way they have approached each exam. A reminder though that they must bring sufficient equipment to each exam as borrowing is not permitted in the HSC. I have posted a list of exams and subject specific equipment for each week of the exams (this will come out on the Saturday before the exam week. Exams will be running as scheduled on the Pupil Free Day on August 19.
Year 11 End of Course Examinations
The Year 11 End of Course examinations will take place between Thursday 15th-Thursday 22nd September. The exam timetable should be available by Week 6.
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES
On Thursday 28 July we conducted our Semester 2 Parent-Student-Teacher conferences online. Teleconferences ran smoothly for the most part but technical gremlins affected audio or video links in a few cases. It seems a long time ago since we last were able to host face-to-face interviews. The uptake of conference sessions indicates that Hennessy families are dynamically engaged in learning. We are grateful for your ongoing partnership with the College and your dedication to your child’s education.
Ian Mergard
Director of Studies
McAuley House Social Justice Day
MCAULEY HOUSE SOCIAL JUSTICE WEEK
During week 6, McAuley House will be running a Social Justice Week highlighting ‘Food Poverty’ in Australia and collecting donations for the Young Food Hall. The Young Food Hall is a non-for-profit community organisation assisting local individuals and families in receipt of benefits and/or are low-income earners with grocery items delivered by Foodbank NSW, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables.
In support of the cause, we ask that all students donate a non-perishable food item or a voucher to local butchers for collection during week 6. Non-perishable items could include: pasta,cereal, biscuits, rice, anything canned, pancake mix, Muesli bars, kids snacks etc…Food donations can be dropped off to the House Leader’s office or to student representatives during PC.
In addition the Social Justice Day Touch Football tournament will run period 5 Wednesday 24th August. Students will compete in Year groups to find out which cohort has the best Touch Team. All students can wear their sports uniform on this day.
*On Wednesday at the beginning of period 5, all students and supervising teachers are to go to the admin lawn steps to have roll marked and await the start of the Touch Football comp.
Thanks,
Mrs McGrath
McAuley House Leader
Homelessness is not just a metropolitan issue. It touches all parts of our great state and that’s what the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout is all about. It’s about shining a spotlight on homelessness in regional NSW. It’s about locals supporting locals.
On Thursday 4th August, 32 Hennessy students from years 7 to 11 supported the cause and slept in the E10. The students braved the cold and wet to an experiential event where they are given nothing more than a piece of cardboard, a cup of soup and bread for dinner and will brave the cold for one night whilst learning about some of the harsh realities faced by those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Some students paid extra to have luxury items like a swag. The students then needed to attend school the next day and realise how difficult it is for some.
“A students view” from Bella Brownlie
On Thursday 4th August, Hennessy Catholic College participated in the St Vincents De Paul Sleep Out.
On this night students gathered in the E-Block area and listened to guest speaker Penny from the office at St Vincents De Paul. She informed students about the topics regarding Homelessness.
At the commencement of the night, activities were held in E10 by the accompanying teachers where students interacted with each other and played a variety of fun games. Students organised their sleeping arrangements and proceeded to settle in for the night ahead.
The next morning as students arose breakfast was provided in the senior hospitality room. We then proceeded to pack up and attend classes for the day. Overall, it was a fun evening, regardless of the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.
The lunch time basketball competition has started!!
We have six teams of mixed ages from year 7 to year 12 participating during the break times for ultimate victory.
Each team will play each other once, and then we will hold the finals in week 10. So far this week we have a had a win from the 'Straight Ballers' and 'CHN&AUS'.
At the end of this week, we will see who is the superior team from the 9/10 boys teams.
College Fee Statements have now been sent electronically.
Reminder that College Fees are due 26th August 2022.
On yesterday the Hennessy Years 7/8 and Years 9/10 teams travelled to Lyneham to compete in the Canberra 7s Rugby Union Finals.
Both teams finished 3rd overall at the ACT/SNSW region
.