2025 LHC Junior School Parent Information Handbook - Flipbook - Page 15
HENDRIKS
Listening
House Patron:
Joan Hendriks
LEE
Hospitality
House Patron:
Ethel Lee
House Colour:
Blue
House Colour:
Black
House Value:
Listening
House Value:
Hospitality
House Pastoral Leader:
Mr Anthony Murnane
T: 3399 0560
E: amn@lhc.qld.edu.au
House Pastoral Leader:
Ms Jen Davis
T: 3399 0561
E: jdv@lhc.qld.edu.au
House History
Aunty Joan Hendriks was an Aboriginal Elder and Past Pupil
of Lourdes Hill College. She was a descendant of the Ngugi
people from Moorgumpin (Moreton Island), and resided on
Stradbroke Island where she was near her people. Her family
were her priority and she valued the relationship between
family, community and a place of belonging. Aunty Joan
graduated from Grif昀椀th University as an Adult Educator in
the 1980s. Following her graduation she worked in the 昀椀eld
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and was
a member of numerous councils and committees. In 1993,
Aunty Joan was the 昀椀rst Aboriginal person appointed to the
National Catholic Education Commission and in 2011, QCEC
named The Aunty Joan Hendriks Spirit of Catholic Education
Reconciliation Award in honour of her. Aunty Joan continued
her close tie with LHC as our Elder in Residence until her
passing in January 2020. The students in Hendriks House
feel very fortunate to have been able to spend time with her.
Aunty Joan was as proud of Hendriks House as the students
in Hendriks were of her.
House History
Ethel Lee was born in Cloncurry in 1900. She was the 昀椀rst
Lourdes Hill College pupil in 1916. Some of Ethel’s greatest
achievements were, according to her own summation of
her life: attending Lourdes Hill College; developing life-long
friends at Lourdes Hill College – for example, Peggy Cullen;
studying to become a nurse and working at a convent; being
a loving wife to Mr John Hefferan and mother to her daughter,
Patricia Mary. Ethel loved attending Lourdes Hill College.
She was a representative in the 昀椀rst public appearance for
Lourdes Hill College at the Eucharistic Procession held at
Nudgee College. Daily Mass was also part of the Lourdes
Hill College culture when Ethel Lee boarded here. Ethel
appreciated the opportunity to attend Lourdes Hill College.
In her memoirs she suggests that Lourdes Hill College
guided her towards the goal of having a happy life, with a
wonderful husband, a loving family and true friends, some
from her school days. At Lourdes Hill College’s sixty year
celebration Ethel stated:
“Be proud of your school for there is much of which you
can be proud.”
House Prayer
House Prayer
Spirit of God, breathe in us.
In love, compassion and community, we come
together to pray as one.
We give thanks for the tradition on which Hendriks
House is built.
May we learn from Aunty Joan Hendriks to heal hurts,
reconcile wrongs and break down barriers.
Imprint the hand of friendship on our hearts that we
may always feel pride and belonging in our House of
blue.
Help us to remember: “It’s you. It’s me. It’s spirit.
It’s us. And together, we are proud to be a family of
Hendriks House.”
Amen
2025 PARENT INFORMATION HANDBOOK
Jesus, you knew what it was to live in community. Help us to receive
newcomers into Lee House, in the Benedictine spirit of hospitality
and welcome.
Give us the spirit of compassion needed so that we might act to
include others and embrace them in our circle of friendship.
Like Ethel Lee, our 昀椀rst Lourdes Hill College pupil, help us to make
lifelong friends during our time in Lee House.
Give us her determination so that we will have the perseverance to
study hard and achieve our goals.
And like her, allow us to see the great value in our school and our
House, while being both proud of our achievements as well as
humble in our successes.
We ask this in your name,
Amen
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