Photo above: Year 9 Photography Excursion, image taken by Callum Walker. 

Dear Parents,

To ensure that Kennedy can continue to provide a high quality education to every student there are a number of increasing College costs that need to be met. With this in mind the College Board has made the carefully considered decision that tuition fees will be increased by 3% in 2018, an increase of $250 for next year. The decision to increase tuition fees was not taken lightly and it is worth noting that the education CPI currently operates at over 3%.

Our fees for next year will be:

• Fees per Student: $ 8610
• Fees for Overseas Students per student: $ 18210

Kennedy Master Plan

Since Kennedy commenced in 2013 a master plan for the College campus has been implemented resulting in the development of outstanding facilities for our students. We have now commenced the next phase of the plan with the redevelopment of our Technologies facilities. This will involve the refurbishment and development of new amenities for Food and Textiles, Mechatronics and Materials. The first part of this process will involve the construction of new Food and Textiles workshops where our currently vacant old Science laboratories are located. This improvement will be the beginning of new facilities that will contribute to our changing curriculum to meet student’s future needs with a focus on STEAM, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

Year 12 Graduation

Next Friday night, 17 November, is a special night for our Year 12 families. We look forward to a great night of celebration as our Year 12 students graduate from Kennedy Baptist College. Our formal proceedings for graduation commence at 7.00pm. We hope you can join us.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

The Lord is my Shepherd
Psalm 23:1

Within this song we find eight covenantal names of God the first being the term Lord, the English interpretation of YHWH. This is the name given to Moses by God in Exodus 3: 13-14 and it is God revealing part of His own character to His people. He is the “I am.”

This name, fundamentally, describes the truth that God is. He was, and He is, and He is to come. There has never been a moment when God hasn’t existed, and there will never be a moment when He won’t exist. But the emphasis of this name as used in this Psalm, is not on the eternal existence of God but rather the promise that He will always be present with His people.

David was a shepherd before he was King. A shepherd spent his (or her, Genesis 29:6) whole life with the sheep. Early in the morning he would walk out with them to find pasture (and the shepherd would lead the sheep and they would follow him); he would then spend the whole day with the flock (because there were no fences), protecting them against wild animals and robbers; then in the evening he would lead them back. It would be the body of the shepherd which would become the door across which none could pass. Jesus picks up this metaphor in John 10 where He emphatically aligns Himself with not only the Shepherd of Psalm 23 but also states that He is the “I am.”

Jesus is our ever-present God who is our ever-present Shepherd. Amidst all the hustle and bustle and the cacophony that fills our every day, I need to be reminded to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18).

Examination for Year 11 begin next week and continue for a fortnight. Year 11 students only come to campus if they have an examination; however, all Year 11 students are expected back for their final day of College on Monday 27 November.

Year 8 -10 examinations begin Thursday 16 November and take place in the morning immediately after Form. I can assure parents that it is not common practice for students to leave the College after an examination. All students should remain on campus and participate in scheduled classes. Students are being assessed in all classes and the end of the year is a very productive time, particularly in elective classes. I would also remind parents that the College does not reschedule examinations for any students.

Year reports will once again be available through SEQTA with information about Year 7-10 grading visible in the Documents section of SEQTA Engage. Booklists for 2018 will be accessible on the College website shortly. Information concerning streaming in Years 8-10 for 2018 will be visible through individual student timetables for 2018. These timetables will be available before the end of the year ensuring that all parents can access the information required to complete booklist orders.

SEQTA 2018

SEQTA access in 2018 will change. It is anticipated that for the beginning of the 2018 school year parents will be able to create their own passwords and possible usernames within SEQTA. In order to make this change the College must have current email addresses for all parents/guardians. Please update your contact information by emailing admin@kennedy.wa.edu.au

As this is the last time I will be writing in the newsletter for this year, I would like to congratulate all students who have made the most of the opportunities presented to them in and out of the class room. I continue to be impressed by the willingness of students to learn and particularly for the ownership they have on their learning. Thank you to all staff, I am grateful that you all continue to invest your lives in the work of Kennedy Baptist College. The dedication of each individual is noticed by many and appreciated by all.

I pray that Christ will be very real for each member of the Kennedy Baptist College community this holiday period. God Bless.

The establishment and maintenance of a safe and positive learning environment is a major Pastoral Care goal for Kennedy Baptist. Research shows that such environments lead to greater academic and social outcomes for all students.

Our focus for each student is to: 

• Learn free from disruption
• Be treated courteously
• Enjoy a clean and safe school
• Be free from discrimination
• Have their property respected

To ensure this, we have a comprehensive behaviour management system, which focuses on the need to be transparent, fair and consistent across the College. Each year we continue to work, train, plan and strategize to achieve this outcome at all times.

One of the ways we support our behaviour program is to focus on growing a positive and encouraging environment, and thus any negative behaviour is minimised. This includes:

• Teachers showing genuine interest in each student in their care
• Praise and encouragement is given
• Physical awards are given through Commendation Letters, Prizes and Trophies
• Acknowledgment to peers in class; at year assemblies and whole College assemblies
• The House Points System

Overall with a transparent, fair and consistent discipline policy and a focus on the positives-our desired outcome is that students are trained to be self-disciplined and take responsibility for their own actions in a caring community.

It is our determined view that every student has the right to the best possible education they can obtain at Kennedy Baptist College.

The Assembly on Wednesday 8 November was hosted by Year 7 students. During the year, students from Year 7 have been visiting the Lakeside Seniors Group as part of their community outreach program and we were pleased that many of the seniors joined us for this Assembly.

After we acknowledged students for the exceptional results achieved in a variety of competitions, it was time to congratulate, announce and present badges to the Student Executive and House Captains for 2018.

Our recent trips to Canberra-Sydney and Newman then both had the opportunity to share their experiences with the College. Please click here for photos.

After the Assembly, the Student Executive and House Captains along with staff and parents enjoyed a Morning Tea in the Staff Lounge. Please note that photos have been sent to your child through SEQTA. 

Mrs Mandy Beaurain
Public Relations Assistant 

We are in the final week of Champions Read and have had a wonderful response from our students. Last Wednesday for Extended Form all our Year 7 to 10 students read for an hour. Kennedy was unusually quiet and it was lovely to see everyone taking part.

At the moment, Forrest are in the lead, but that can all change and the winning House will be announced in our final Assembly and awarded the Reading Shield. Check our website under the tab Champions Read for more photos. http://kennedyrasc.weebly.com/

Examitis!

We have seen a bit of this around the College - worry and procrastinating are two symptoms of examitis and we want to help your child overcome this!

Three simple actions can give immediate relief!

1. Plan your study – In 15-45 minute segments (this differs with each student) with five-minute breaks, and use a timer with mini-goals set so the time is used well.
    
2. Summarize your notes/the textbook and test yourself on them – spread this over time, and then teach what you have learnt to someone/something!
    
3. Have balance – sleep for nine hours, be active, eat well, read a book.

Following these guidelines will help your child to feel in control, to study effectively and to have time off. For more tips, visit the study skills section of our website - http://kennedyrasc.weebly.com/study-skills.html

Do not forget we also offer individual study skills tutoring by request and general tutoring after school on Wednesdays.

Mrs Virginia Yurisich
Head of Research and Study

As part of the Pastoral Care program here at Kennedy, the Year 7 students have been meeting monthly with a local seniors group at Lakeside Baptist Church.

On Wednesday 8 November the Seniors from Lakeside came to Kennedy for our Assembly run by the Year 7 students. After the Assembly some of our Year 7s had a chance to chat with our visitors at a special Morning Tea.

Mrs Mandy Beaurain
Public Relations Assistant

Please RSVP for the Volunteer Afternoon Tea by Friday 25 November to Mrs Janet Hair on 9314 7722 or by email at jhair@kennedy.wa.edu.au

Kennedy Baptist College commends our students for their hard work and commitment. Kennedy is proud of their achievements and we wish them all the best. 

Georgia McCabe

Congratulations to Georgia McCabe who has been selected to represent Western Australia in the U/15 Girls team for the Softball National Championships. This team will be competing in January next year. We wish Georgia all the best.
 

SSWA Triathlon

School Sport WA conducts the Secondary Schools Triathlon Champion, in partnership with Triathlon WA. Year 9 Student Daniel Kempson competed in the SSWA Triathlon on Thursday 2 November. Daniel claimed the State title for the intermediate age category and now has the opportunity to participate in Sydney next year. Daniel represented the College in an outstanding way!

Stay Connected

Apart from reading about us in the newsletter the best ways to find out about what is happening with the P&F are:

• To come along to a meeting. Our next P&F meeting date is set for next year on Tuesday 6 February 2018 at 7.00pm in the Staff Lounge. We have one meeting a term and this is a good opportunity to hear about what is happening in the College. Please email the P&F for more information.
   
• Join our facebook community – Kennedy P&F. This is also a really good way to find/sell second hand items such as uniforms, text books etc.

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