Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 3. Yesterday we had a wonderful assembly to farewell Year 12, there were many tears and much laughter as we paid tribute to this outstanding group of young people. I am sharing my speech here. 

‘It is lovely to be back and I would like to thank Mrs Wright for stepping into my shoes while I was away. I would also like to acknowledge Mrs McInerney, Mrs Nowlan and Mrs Schiller for stepping into new roles in my absence.

I am sure some of you sitting here today in Years 7 or 8 may be thinking that you will be at school forever and that the days drag by. I am sure if you asked our Class of 23 they would say that there were times when they thought school would never end, then suddenly they were in Year 11 and then in the blink of an eye they are sitting here today, their last formal day at Hennessy with very mixed emotions.  You survived common tasks, group projects, tests, assignments and even a change in canteen operators. But you made it Year 12!

On behalf of the Hennessy community I would like to say how much we have enjoyed having you, Year 12. You are a sociable, easy going, hard working group who do not make a fuss about things. You have been excellent role models for the younger students. You have excelled in a wide range of areas from football, soccer, netball, basketball, chess, dancing, hospitality to name a few. The Student Leadership Team needs special mention for their tireless work in achieving their goals and making Hennessy an even better place in 2023. Each one of  you have been leaders in your own way. I don’t know if you realise how much your behaviour and attitude is an influence on other students. Hennessy is a calm, friendly and welcoming school because of the standards set from Year 12.

Some of you may be thinking that once the HSC exams are over your learning has ended. A word of advice from someone slightly older than you, you never stop learning. In fact the more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know. Having just returned from an amazing adventure in England and Scotland,  I have learned how to catch the tube trains in London, never ever to eat black pudding or haggis, what to do if you have a flat tyre in a foreign country (with no spares), or about the bloody history of England and Scotland (thanks to my husband) and how to not get attacked by a very large red cow in the moors of Yorkshire. You will continue to learn because of the job you choose or the course you are studying but you will also continue to learn out of curiosity and necessity.

I hope one of the biggest lessons you've learnt at Hennessy is that we need other people to enrich our lives and we need to ensure that our actions help to make the world a better place. Year 12, some of you may query religion and even God but please know that your faith can get you through some rough times and give purpose to your life.

One last little bit of advice as you head towards your Higher School Certificate exams in October and November. If I had to choose the two best study methods they would be palm cards and past papers - they really work! Best of luck for your exams and while they are important they do not define you are so keep things in perspective.

As you move forward, remember that you are not alone. You have the support of your family, your friends, your teachers, and the entire school community. We believe in you, and we are excited to witness the incredible achievements that lie ahead for each and every one of you.

In closing, I want to leave you with a quote from Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Class of 2023, you are armed with this powerful weapon. Use it wisely, use it compassionately, and use it to leave a positive mark on the world.’

A reminder that students return to school on Tuesday, October 10. Best wishes to all our families for a happy, restful and safe break. 

Kathy Holding 
Principal

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Congratulations to Year 12 for completing their study at school - there will be more time to celebrate after the exams end (not before) but we wish you every success in the HSC and your future endeavours

This week is also the start of Stay Healthy HSC Check-In week across NSW.

• Check-In Week is an opportunity to check in with HSC students before they head out the school gates and prepare for their last lap – HSC written exams!
• Students Stay Healthy HSC hub for wellbeing tips.
• HSC Check-In Week kit and

Year 12 HSC examinations / Timetable

These will be added to Compass for students. Every student should log into Students Online to ensure their personal details are correct and to change their email to a private one so you can access results. Your school email will be void.

HCCY_HSC_Timetable_2023.pdf

HCCY_HSC_Timetable_2023 _pdf 103.86 KB

 

Illness and Misadventure during the HSC examinations

NESA has its own forms and these are on the Yr 12 Google classroom page. It’s also vitally important that if any student is unwell or suffers from misadventure they contact either myself or the front office asap on the morning of the exam

• Illness - this is for illness on the day or immediately prior to the exam. You MUST see a doctor on the day of the examination to have the correct form completed and in detail. The certificate can only cover you for 1 day and 1 exam.
• Misadventure - anything that impacts the student immediately prior to the examination and is unforeseeable - you’ll need evidence e.g. photos, written statements from witnesses.

Remember HSC exams cannot be rescheduled and you must attend to complete the  course completely OR  must have a valid reason supported by evidence to have the course counted if you do not turn up. Remember you can do exams if unwell and still put in an Illness/Misadventure Form.

Finally, well done Year 11 for completing your end of year exams. Have a great break and come back ready to start your HSC and final stage of schooling.                                                          

Andrew Morton
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning 

   

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES 

Congratulations to all Year 11 students on the conclusion of their end of course exams, which concluded on Thursday. Our students rose to the challenge and conducted themselves admirably throughout their examinations. I would like to acknowledge the work of teachers in preparing students for these exams. All the best with the marking of the exam papers! Year 11 students considering dropping a course of study as they head into Year 12 should wait until their exams have been returned, and their reports published, before requesting a change to their program. 

  

The end of Term 3 is the beginning of the College's Semester Two reporting season. Year 12 Reports will be available via Compass. Year 11 reports will be the next to be published, which will be available in Week 4 next term.

Ian Mergard

Director of Studies

From the Assistant Principal

This week I finished up my time as Acting Principal and I am in great appreciation for the support I have received from the community while I have been in this role. Below I have shared with you my reflections for the Principal’s Address at the assembly.

Over the past 5 weeks I have had the absolute pleasure of being the Acting Principal of our College. As you may know, I love this school. I love the staff, the students and the netball #upthehens BOK BOK. However, it has been a steep learning curve to step up into Mrs Holdings' large, quiet office and very comfortable spinny chair. 

When I first decided to be a teacher - my passion was to share my knowledge and love of learning with future generations. I did not ever think I would be a principal - nor did I aspire to be, however when presented with the option of who would sit in the very comfortable spinny chair, me or Mr Morton, it was an easy decision to make. 

The last 5 weeks have provided me with 5 very important lessons that I would like to share with you. So strap in - here are some lessons from the Wright play book for Elite Athletes and the general public.

Number 5 - Maths is important

My degrees qualify me to teach the following, Religious Education, Music and Political Science. I have been teaching for 17 years this year. My Maths has encompassed the following - in Religion, we mainly count to 3, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, 7, for the days of creation, 12 for the apostles then it's a case of 1-2 skip a few…. Jesus feeds the 5000. In music I mainly count up to 4 - or if I’m feeling extra fancy - I might throw in a 5,6,7,8. But we don’t let it get much more complicated than that - shout out to all the struggling drummers. In politics we count votes, but that's a very reasonable exercise in skip counting.

In the last 5 weeks, I have counted, my fingers, toes, multiplied, divided, given percentages, rounded to the nearest decimal point, added the calculator app to my home screen on my phone and sometimes I had to figure out what the algebraic equation was and kept on getting different answers to X. There was even a case of BODMAS and a little bit of a cry to Ms Carberry and Mr Kershaw about a Cartesian plane after googling “the thing with the X and Y on a grid” and not coming up with anything. I can honestly tell you - Times Tables are important. As someone who was convinced my 4 times tables would get me through life, I wish I had kept practicing my times tables, the last 5 weeks would have been much easier. Maths is important. 

Number 4 - Just Do it, and do it now

I got through my high school and first half of my university years as the Queen of Procrastination. I had convinced myself that I worked best “under pressure” and I should create that pressure by leaving everything to approximately 7pm the night before the task is due and working literally up to the minute the task was due.

Let me tell you, in this job, there can be no procrastination. There can only be preparation. If I leave something for the next day, not only will it not get done in time, I will also suffer the consequences of parents, students and staff looking for answers which I simply could not give not because I did not know, but because I chose to not know by not being prepared, letting them and most importantly myself down. I learnt very quickly that I needed to be even more organised than I was ever before, because who knows, I might just be lucky enough to get the Friday afternoon phone call to be one in 4 Catholic schools in the state of NSW that is selected to be Randomly NESA audited and given three days to prepare. And guess what, in my first week as acting principal, I was.

So the time to start that task is now, spend the extra 15 minutes finishing off the practice paper, get those atomi, edperfect, stile, edpuzzles ticked off, make sure your Google Classroom tasks are completed, and actually press the submit button. As a first century Jewish scholar famously wrote “if not, who? If not now? When?” - the person is you, the time is now. 

Number 3 - celebrate the wins

It’s important to know our limitations, but it's also important to celebrate our achievements. The only way you can check how far you have come is to look behind you. Take a moment, enjoy what you have achieved at this point. We all have room for improvement, but our first achievement is making our first attempt. Sometimes the bar is set high for us to reach: for example be part of the Hennessy Elite Netball Squad, or sometimes it is very low. 

Sometimes it's our friends and colleagues who point out our growth. Sometimes it's a realisation.Sometimes its concentrating on the one game you did win and not focussing on the 4 you lost. Sometimes it's the small wins that need to be celebrated to keep us going.

Number 2 - Always lean on the people around you

A reminder that no one can navigate life's challenges entirely on their own. Whether it's seeking guidance from your teachers, collaborating with classmates, or seeking emotional support from friends and family, leaning on others not only lightens the burden but also enriches our journeys. 

There were many times that I just didn’t know. I didn’t know the answer, the solution and sometimes the cause. But I always had people around me to ask the questions too and of course, I was scared I was going to be in trouble, or to be made to look like a fool because I didn’t know the answer but I leant on them anyway. And those people made sure they were not telling me what I was doing wrong, but gently guided me to recognise where I could improve and to dust myself off and try again. At Hennessy we have an undeniable reputation for unity, respect and setting high standards. All of these aren’t created on our own as individuals, but are created together and support our enduring successes.I know because I have been blessed enough to experience it.

And finally - and my most important lesson learned was to PRAY.

With all that was changing around me, from where my office was, to what I taught - I’ll be back with you Year 7’s next week - to the kinds of questions being asked of me. There was one thing that endured throughout and that was prayer. Each day I took a moment to start my day with a quick prayer, to centre me, before each decision, a quick prayer for guidance, at the end of each day a prayer of gratitude for all I had been able to do. 

And each weekend I participate in a community prayer, I return to mass, sit in the same spot we have for nearly 2 years - with my church crew who give no judgement about my unbrushed hair or my 4 absolutely wild children, being thankful that nothing here had changed, enjoying the routine and the thousands year old traditions and being humbled that I was one of tens of millions of Catholics around the world who are listening to the same bible readings, singing similar hymns and praying the same words. I have two quotes from St Paul’s letters that get me through each day and I would like to share them with you 1. From St Pauls letters to the Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” and 2. From St Paul’s letter to the Romans “The Pain that you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming”. And each time I return to these verses, it reminds me to pray to lift my anxiety, worry, sadness, uncertainty and place them in the hands of God - a burden that I do not have to carry alone. A moment shared with God to be grateful and to be truly happy and momentarily for inner peace.

I have returned to my office in A1, with a great appreciation for the patience and kindness that you have all shown me, in a job that I literally learnt while I was in it. I have always admired Mrs Holding and all the Principal’s I have worked with, being in this job for 5 weeks has certainly shown me that admiration was certainly well deserved. Being an Acting Principal has made me a better Assistant Principal, the lessons I have learnt will be brought straight back down to make me a better leader, teacher and person and I cannot wait to return to the pastoral care business with Mrs McInerney and the House Leaders. Congratulations to our Year 12’s who have formally finished their schooling and to the Year 11’s who have completed their Preliminary Examinations. I leave you with the great words of my favourite artist, guess who’s back, back again, Mrs Wright’s back (as Assistant Principal) - tell your friends.

From the Director of Students

My speech to the year 12 students..

First, I would like to congratulate you on completing your final schooling chapter. I would like to thank your amazing teachers, House Leaders, pastoral care teachers and support staff for supporting the students and all involved in getting these students here today ready to graduate and take on the world.  

Today as you sit before us, in your primary school uniforms reflecting on your schooling and where the last 13 years have gone, this is where it all started, then fast forward to 2018 when 12 different schools turned into one. You walked through the gates to assembly in the hall - greeted with energy and enthusiasm by Miss Payne, with your shiny shoes, nice crisp freshly ironed blue shirts. Some started with speed, “BEEP BEEP”, others trying to find their spot on the grass with a few territory wars. You were the first to start the House System, where you were bright eyed and ready for high school. From Day 1, you were bound for greatness and look how far you have come.  

Let’s reflect on some of the schooling highlights.  

• Your endless quotes and teacher recounts through your explicit journaling  
• Sydney excursion - the walking, whinging, opportunities, food runs and late night movies 
• Your academic successes! You have pushed and challenged each other throughout your schooling, we cannot wait to see your HSC results 
• First of the House system as vertical Pastoral Care and some certainly checking their points and keeping us on our toes to make sure there was no ‘cheating’ when it came to point allocation of the House Cup, first silver awards, first gold awards  
• Ancient History’s very own Minotaur  
• Wordle challenges  
• The Leadership Lounge  
• The new Big Girls in the house 
• The endless A1/A2 conversations, counselling, and life discussions  
• Spiders? Who would have thought a simple spider could bring so many fears and tears in Cambodia 
• Your cooking abilities or lack of - even those who put metal in the microwave in Food Technology  
• Your anatomy lessons  
• Alans modified uniform arrangements  
• Just ducking out to my car! Whoever knows what for?  
• Helping to design the most colourful Year 12 graduation ever 
• Tenpin bowling champions 
• The winning Urban Challenge team who was without a leader  
• Cooper’s driving ability  
• Those who had modified names for a period 
• Cambodia, where some formed fond memories and friendships 
• Individual driving ability, some even needing some teacher assistance to help with their parking and take offs 
• Chess Tournaments - our first ever College Chess Captain and Riverina Champions  
• The friendships you have formed, even those fond memories shared in the bathroom toilets  
• The endless kitchen changes and modifications - as a group, the only ones who have continued to have kitchen time out 
• The epic PE parties well planned by our party specialist  
• Our cultural integration and acceptance of diversity  
• Dress ups - on point! Style and fashion gurus this week we have seen an elaboration on your Year 7 Melbourne Cup outfits - we certainly had some great horses that year! 
• Sporting successes and highlights - records broken, except for this week as the teachers dominated the students in the Year 12 challenges 
• The Kahoot requests 

Today is to reflect on the outstanding achievements of the graduating class of 2023 and the amazing experiences and stories over your years at Hennessy, which have helped us grow into the people we are today. As a cohort, we believe that we encapsulate the school’s values of Live Spiritually, Learn Dynamically and Act Justly which have been shown through our time at high school, I personally would like to congratulate you as a group who is united, you have supported your peers, been there for shoulders to cry on, picked up your mates when they needed you most. You are such a beautiful group who have been reflective of those you have encountered, selfless young people who will inspire the world.  

Your schooling has been fun, and we have learnt so much along the way. So, as you leave here today, remember this is where you came from, remember the values you learnt and remember the moments which shaped who you are today. We wish you every success with your future and cannot wait to hear from you all about the paths you choose.  

Good luck in your HSC.  

Jessica McInerney
Director of Students

Welcome, beloved reader, to the final edition of the Leaders Lounge for Term 3! This is the last installment you will enjoy from the Leadership Team of 2023. On behalf of the Year 12 cohort we are so immensely grateful for this past year and the support that Hennessy has provided. 

During Week 9, Hennessy took part in a range of RUOK Week activities planned by the Leadership Team. RUOK Day is a mental health awareness initiative that Hennessy has adapted into an entire week of wellbeing related activities. House groups participated in an RUOK themed Kahoot and mindful chalk drawings during PC. Thursday’s hot chip lunch deal was also a hit with staff and students alike, proving the Leadership Team’s theory that food does in fact bring people together. The end of term assembly also took place on Tuesday of Week 9 where we recognised some recent events and achievements of students over the past few months. Geography awards, House Cup Silver awards, the Year 8 camp, Year 11 agriculture success and an insightful speech from our Acting Principal, Mrs Wright. 

The abundance of community continued on Wednesday where Year 12 house leaders ran their final house meetings alongside the new leaders for 2023/24. Year 12’s from each house were showered in a mix of thankyou cards, plants, hats, chocolates and even a dash of embarrassment if one was lucky enough to be part of the Rice house meeting. 

The Year 11’s are currently sitting their Preliminary Exams, we wish them all the best during this time and for their remaining highschool journey. A special shout out to the new Leadership Team for 2023/24, there are no doubts that they will lead the school with pride and continue the incredible legacy of leadership etched into Hennessy’s history!

Whilst this time is extremely exciting for the Class of 2023, we would like to take a moment to reflect. Attending school is the one thing that has remained constant throughout our childhood, we can hardly remember a time where school wasn’t a major part of our lives. Graduating is certainly one of the biggest changes for us all; but the time for a new chapter has come. On behalf of the graduating class, we are eternally grateful for the fun we’ve had and the lessons we’ve learned. With the HSC fast approaching, the final stretch has arrived, goodluck to Year 12 as we take on our final challenge as high school students. 

On a more chaotic note, the final week for Year 12 has been one of pure fun and laughs. Throughout the week, Year 12 have graced the school grounds in great style. An abundance of movie/TV icons on Monday, Tuesday saw an array of decades stretching from Ancient Greece to the 2000’s. Year 12 entering the gates on Wednesday decorated in sweater vests, walking sticks and acquiring some sudden back pains. It’s safe to say that Thursday’s primary school uniforms will top off the year perfectly! Some intense lunchtime sport challenges have played out between Year 12 and the brave staff (who will be forced to accept their inevitable loss), battling it out in games of volleyball and basketball. The farewell assembly on Thursday will complete our time here at Hennessy, nerves and excitement are reaching their height, the time has come for the 2023 cohort to depart in style. Beloved reader, the final edition you will enjoy from the 2023 Leadership Team has reached the final sentence. 

This is Hayley Grotegoed officially signing out!

On Monday the 18th of September, students who attended the 2023 Cambodia Immersion Program shared their experiences with the ladies of the Mercy Associates. The Mercy Associates have consistently supported this program, providing a donation for the Sisters of Mercy Orphanage in Phnom Penh. Students reflected on the trip and spoke with members about the building project and the visit to the orphanage on the final day. This year, at the orphanage students were able to assist with housekeeping duties, packaging food for families and playing with the children. The support of the Mercy Associates is greatly appreciated and is a valued element of this life changing trip.

Security is being increased with access to wifi at the College and a new login to BYOD wifi will be needed (your usual CE account).

This will be happening  in the holidays on Wednesday 4th October.

• All students will need to login to wifi when they return on Tuesday 10th October. Instructions  will be posted to Compass.
• Login details are the same as used now, but are on a different system, not the Google account in use daily. 
• If there are any issues, students are to see their PC teacher in class first, who will then complete a password change.  

Please expect there to be some issues and plan for offline work on the first day back.

FAQ - Answers

1. Details are saved after first login, so only need to do it once, not every time.
2. This will affect any personal devices on BYOD wifi, including both staff & student mobile phones.
3. It doesn’t affect CE/School devices which use CECG wifi for laptops & CECG-DEVICES for Chromebooks & iPads.
4. Password requirements are 10 characters, minimum of 1 upper case, 1 lower case & number or special character. No general/simple words.
5. Accounts are locked after 5 failed login attempts. It automatically unlocks at 30 mins.

As part of their unit on Medieval Europe, 8.2 spent their last history lesson of the term testing their ballistas. Points were awarded for the most aesthetic ballista, the most accurate and for the ballista that shot their arrow the furthest. There was lots of thought that went behind the designs (and some meddling between the groups too). A great way to end the term. Well done to all students in 8.2 History.