Religious Education at Hennessy Catholic College
Hennessy Catholic College is a co-educational Christian school in the Catholic tradition. In this way, we hope to inspire our students to strive for truth, beauty and goodness in their everyday lives with Christ as our centre.
Our college retains the beautiful buildings that were the former convent of the Presentation Sisters, and the legacy of our Catholic roots is evident across the grounds and the community.
Our house patrons are Venerable Nano Nagle (founder of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary), Blessed Edmund Rice (founder of the Christian Brothers), Venerable Catherine McAuley (founder of the Mercy Sisters) and Bishop John Gallagher, the first Bishop of the region. The lived example of our patrons guide our actions and values as a Catholic community.
Students at Hennessy Catholic College are provided with a formational and educative curriculum during Years 7-10 (stages 4 and 5), which introduces them to the traditions, beliefs and history of the Catholic Church, the study of scripture and prayer and the foundations of Catholic ethics such as Catholic Social Teaching to provide a academically rigorous foundation to their exploration of faith.
The senior curriculum (Years 11 and 12, or, Stage 6) provides students with choice around their continued religious education. The NSW NESA approved HSC subjects of Studies of Religion I and II which focuses on the expression of world religions and the influence of beliefs and practices in the lives of believers. Hennessy also offers a NESA endorsed course called Studies in Catholic thought which provides students with a pathway to explore Catholicism in more depth.
All HSC subject options give a rigorous presentation of the importance of religion in society and the importance of faith in the lives of believers through a Catholic lense.
Mission and Ministry
At Hennessy Catholic College, we take pride in our rich Catholic heritage, which is demonstrated outwardly in our mission and ministry. Our school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to deepen their faith through prayer, Eucharistic celebrations, and active participation in various religious events throughout the year. Hennessy Catholic College incorporated the liturgical calendar into the College life with liturgies and masses from Ash Wednesday and Easter to celebrating milestones like Hennessy Day and Graduation Masses.
In addition to fostering spiritual development, we are dedicated to embodying Catholic values through service programs, social justice initiatives, and fundraising efforts. Through partnerships with organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, Caritas, Project Compass, and Mission Australia, students actively engage in supporting local, national, and global initiatives championed by the Catholic Church. Opportunities for hands-on service are available, with students volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Van and the local Vinnies retail store throughout the school year, demonstrating our commitment to serving those in need within our community.
Our strong connection with St. Mary's Parish is evident in our Hennessy Parish Mass held once a term, where students, families and the parish come together to worship and strengthen their bonds with the wider Catholic community. Additionally, our involvement in the archdiocesan CSYMA program underscores our commitment to ministry, as students lead retreats for local Catholic primary schools, guiding them on their journey as they prepare to receive their sacraments.
Students also have an opportunity to develop on their own spiritual journey through retreat experiences within the College in Year 7 to 10 and an overnight retreat at Galong for the Year 11 students. At Hennessy Catholic College, we are not only dedicated to academic excellence but also to nurturing the spiritual and moral development of our students, instilling in them a lifelong commitment to service and faith.