Welcome to Week 4!

Now COVID restrictions are eased, schools are trying to catch up on lost opportunities. The generosity of our teachers has ensured that there are many programs and opportunities to cater to a variety of interests and talents across the year groups. Some of the recent activities have included:

• Melbourne Cup activities expertly organised by our Year 12 leaders 
• The Shine Conference in Canberra attended by 22 of our CYSMA Youth Ministry students from Years 9 and 10. The students joined 550 other students to explore the theme ‘Let your light shine before others’ - Matthew 5:14-16
• The GRIP Leadership Conference in Dubbo for all those who nominated for senior leadership
• Man Cave Part 2 for our Year 9 boys  
• Love Bites Respectful Relationships Program 
• A driving simulator course for Year 10 students
• Our chess team was placed 3rd in the finals in the Riverina competition
• The HSC exams continue with the last exam (Physics) being held today
• Touch trials were held today for the Cootamundra Touch Carnival to be held next week

This selection of activities over a two-week period indicates how much Hennessy caters to developing and engaging the individual student. We are proud to be providing not just a quality academic education but also opportunities to cater to the development of the ‘whole person’.

Last Tuesday all staff attended an extended professional learning session covering the topics of understanding teenage boys and training to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. All Hennessy staff are frequently involved in professional learning to ensure they are keeping up to date to ensure that our students are offered a contemporary quality education.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday we are very excited to be welcoming our Year 7 class of 2023. Students will participate in a wide range of ‘getting to know you’ activities as well as subject taster experiences. It is always wonderful to meet our new students as a class group. If you know of anyone who is considering enrolment at Hennessy for 2023 please encourage them to contact the Front Office.

I am sure everyone is being challenged by the continual wet weather. Please keep our farmers and orchardists in your prayers as they face the challenges of too much rain for their crops.

Kathy Holding 
Principal 

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Year 12 HSC examinations conclude

Hennessy’s last Year 12 HSC exam for this year concluded today, much to the joy and excitement of our Class of 2022. Well done to all 57 of our outgoing senior students on your commitment and dedication to your education. I would like to acknowledge the skilled teaching and tireless efforts of all our teachers and staff at Hennessy for guiding our students through the challenging 2021 and 2022 Stage 6 years. We look forward to celebrating with students and families at the Graduation Mass and Dinner.

Year 11 into Year 12

In the last fortnight our Year 11s have commenced their HSC academic year. Their work is now directed towards the 2023 HSC in all courses. Therefore it is crucial that all students are active participants in their classroom learning as well as their revision and study at home. This means that students are expected to make a serious attempt at all assessment tasks, class work and examinations. For prolonged and unexplained absences from school, a warning letter may be issued for all subjects which will outline a course of action needed to be taken by the student to satisfactorily meet all subject requirements stated in the warning letter.

Subject Changes Years 8-10

Just a reminder that students in Years 8-10 may still; change elective subjects if they wish to and should see Mr Mergard about this. Those on a waitlist list should continue to be patient as they have already been as there will be movement late in the year. Students will be able to change courses until the end of Week 3 2023 as well which may also create vacancies.

IAN MERGARD
Acting Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES

Year 11 Reports

Year 11 Reports have been published this week and are available to parents and guardians via the Compass portal. They will be released to students on Friday. Congratulations to our wonderful Year 11 cohort who have completed the Preliminary course and are now in their final year of secondary education.

Janice Dunk
Acting Director of Studies

Term 4 is certainly flying by and as we edge closer to the end of the term it is important for students to remember that College expectations of behaviour and uniform are still consistent with other terms. All mobile phone are expected to be placed in the provided pouches at the beginning of each lesson to ensure a lesson without distraction is occurring. 

As a member of a College community our uniform is a symbol of pride and respect that we have to each other. Our uniform ensures that all students are valued for the gifts and talents they bring to our community as opposed to their access to certain brand names. A reminder in particular that socks for boys are to be navy with academic uniform and white for sports uniform, and for girls white with the academic uniform. There should be no brand names or symbols present on the socks.

Last week we had many celebrations of our wonderful community and how we live spiritually at Hennessy. 

Socktober was organised by the Student Leadership Team and presented to the whole school. Students were encouraged to decorate their own socks and to wear funky socks and it was truly a memorable way to support Catholic Mission and all the things 

I have been absolutely privilege to work closely with Ms Jessica Buchanan in being involved with the CSYMA program at Hennessy. Last Friday the team of CSYMA students travelled to Merici to join with over 500 other students from around the Archdiocese to further develop our faith journey. We were welcomed by the CSYMA community and listened to amazing and inspiring leaders in Josh Angrisano, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Ross Fox and the Youth Ministers of the Archdiocese. We broke into workshops that helped inform us on how to involve ourselves and lead retreat such as ice breakers, testimonies and dramas. We listened to talks on leadership, making a difference in the world, St Vincent de Paul and the many ways the Catholic Church’s teachings positively impact our world. We had the opportunity to be prayed with and over and received a crucifix on a necklace to celebrate our faith. Our students were nothing but outstanding, they were respectful and reverent and took up as many opportunities as possible to be immersed in the program and with other students.

On Monday the CSYMA students were trained by Luke Maher from the Catholic Education office to deliver the retreat to the Year 6 students on Friday. Luke’s comments to me throughout the day highlighted the maturity and excellence of our students and he was truly looking forward to seeing them lead the Year 6 students on Friday.

We celebrated Hennessy Parish Mass on Saturday night at St Mary’s. A huge thankyou for all students and families who attended, it was so well received by our parish to see so many Hennessy students and staff actively engaged with their faith.

Next week we welcome Year 7 students to their Hennessy orientation days. A big thankyou to Mrs Jessica McInerney for all her hard work in organising these days and we look forward to meeting with our new and existing families for the Year 7 parent information evening at 6pm on Wednesday. There is still opportunity for students to be enrolled in Year 7 at Hennessy, please encourage friends and family who have not done so to contact the front office so their student can join the Year 7 cohort for orientation day.

Upcoming event reminders: 

Week 5 - Year 7 Orientation and Year 12 Graduation

Week 7 - Year 10 Camp and year 7 Camp

Week 8 - Year 10 Work Experience

Week 9 - Year 9 activities

Mary Wright 
Assistant Principal - Mission & Ministry

Girls enjoying thermodynamics testing hairdryers heat at different distances.

Many results after 5 minutes 5-20cm from hair dryer temperatures reached 90 degrees Celsius

Year 8 cooked up a storm during the week making Bacon Carbonara!

The goals of "Dine & Donate" are for Hennessy Catholic College to support the Hilltops community by preparing meals for the less fortunate, whilst strengthening our own community by sharing a meal together. 

We invite you to attend this event with you child to support our community. 

Cost for the afternoon is $10, which will be used to order food that will be cooked and any remaining profit will be donated to local charities.

This opportunity is available to all Nagle students in years 7-11. 

SUMMARY: 

What:  Nagle Dine & Donate

When: Wednesday 16th November (3.30pm - 5pm)

Where: HCC Restaurant

Cost: $10 per person or $20 per family

Year 9 Science have been learning about the impacts of plastic in our ecosystems. This week during a practicle lesson the students made a biodegradable plastic product from milk protein.

This week we had 21 Year 9 Students take part in Peer Support Leaders Training. Our day started off with some 'Get-To-Know-You' activities, followed by students pairing up and presenting a range of activities to the rest of the group. These activities included themes of resilience, relationships and antibullying. The Year 9 Peer Support Leaders demonstrated fantastic leadership and communication skills and have proven that they will be effective Leaders to facilitate the Peer Support Program with the 2023 Year 7 cohort in term 1 next year.

Applications are now open for the Australian Catholic University (ACU) Uni Step Up Online Program for 2023 Year 11 students.

Uni Step Up Online is a chance for students to get a head start on university by studying up to two first year university units while they are in senior secondary school.

Students will develop connections with current ACU Students and Staff while experiencing study at a tertiary level.

The program is funded through the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), and Uni Step Up is delivered at no cost to eligible students.

Participants who complete two Uni Step Up units may be eligible to receive an unconditional offer to a mapped ACU course.

Benefits of Uni Step Up Online:

• Receive credit for a university degree
• No costs involved
• Get a head start for university
• Small group sizes
• Pathways to further study

Uni Step Up Online is delivered online, one night per week during term times.

Applicant details:

• Link to register (School staff member recommendation, parental consent and full copy of latest report required).
• Applications are due by Wednesday 22 February.
• Semester 1 Unit - Online classes commence week of Monday 13 March.
• Semester 2 Unit – Online classes commence week of Monday 14 August

Programs are offered in:

• Business
• Exercise Science
• Health Science

Please see the flyers attached with this week's newsletter for more information. Interested students should see Mrs Parkman.

Students in 9/10 Food Tech had the task to design a brunch menu and then produce a meal in class. This was a part of the unit 'Food Trends.' Many delicious calories were consumed, and the students showcased great culinary talents.