Photos of the 2020 Photography Competition displayed in the Administration Office. 

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families,

I trust the term is going well for all families. One of the major goals of Kennedy is to provide as many opportunities as possible to engage with our community. Over the next few weeks a number of exciting occasions will be provided to maximise family engagement with the College. This includes:

1. Our Community Open Day on Saturday 22 August is a great opportunity to visit the College, view displays and performances of current achievement and enjoy the College’s hospitality. Throughout the day appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that current COVID-19 restrictions are adhered to. We look forward to seeing you on campus between 11.00am and 3.00pm on the day.
2. Our annual Father’s Day breakfast on Thursday 3 September will be a great time for Dads and Grandads to join us at the College and share with other men in our community. Our guest speaker this year is Jim Walker. Jim is a former CEO of Westrac and now works as a Director on a range of corporate boards. It will be great to hear Jim speak about balancing corporate life with being a dad and grandad.

We hope you will embrace these events to help us further grow as a united community.

Vale Joseph Tan

Last week we were saddened to hear that Joseph Tan passed away unexpectedly. Whilst not known personally to most of our community, Joseph was a great servant of God who gave his all for the cause of our mission. Joseph was a founding member of the Boards of Winthrop, Somerville, Mandurah and later Kennedy Baptist Colleges. The Board always appreciated Joseph’s godly countenance and wise counsel on a whole range of matters, especially his legal advice. Joseph was also a wonderful negotiator and it was a privilege to work with him. He cared about people and demonstrated that with his words and deeds, even at the negotiating table. Joseph’s contribution to the work of all these colleges was invaluable. We express our condolences to Evelyn and their family and assure them of our prayers at this time.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Devotion

I would like to encourage you to ponder this statement.

The PRESENCE of anxiety is unavoidable, but the PRISION of anxiety is optional.

Fear and Anxiety have the ability to close doors that you wish were open to you. If you want to meet new people but that makes you highly anxious then it could close a door you would like to be open. If too many opportunities and hopes become closed down, then you can feel imprisoned by what you fear.

I have heard a number of wonderful solutions for anxiety over the last few weeks. I have also met several students that inspire me by the way they face their fears and do each day. As our opening statement tells us anxiety is unavoidable but there are keys to opening the prison doors of fear so we can walk free.

Max Lucado has written, Anxiety and Gratitude cannot share the same heart.

In the bible, the book of Philippians takes the approach that rejoicing and thankfulness will guard our hearts from anxiety. A second solution to anxiety follows thankfulness, thinking about positive things. The best thing about these approaches to anxiety is that they help to introduce us to the God of Peace.

As a College, we are always looking for ways to bring the antidote to fear, anxiety and hopelessness. Week 4, next week is our BE BRIO week. “What’s BRIO?” I hear you ask. Read the last newsletter to find out. During our BE BRIO week, we will be encouraging thankfulness and focusing on the positives of our College, the great students and staff that spend their days here. Have the conversation with your child and ask them what it means to BE BRIO.

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

Year 7 Report

What an exciting but busy second half of the year we have before us.

Firstly, congratulations to all the Year 7 students who were awarded certificates at their first Awards Assembly. It was great to see so many students receiving certificates for a high number of A Grades as well as those achieving the highest mark in their subjects. It is a great time for all Year 7 students to renew their commitment to their studies and reinvigorate their desire to achieve. This is not to say that all students who work hard will achieve A grades; rather it allows students to achieve their maximum potential and be proud of what they have achieved – whichever grade that may be. The self-knowledge that they have worked with integrity and done their best should make students proud of their achievement at any level. 

Upcoming we have the Interhouse Athletics Carnival and Community Open Day, It has been great to see the enthusiasm showed by the 7s with sign-ups. I look forward to watching them compete with zest and have fun in a different environment.

Lastly, I charge the Year 7s to approach each opportunity with vigour and integrity, to make every challenge an opportunity and to continue to grow into the great young people I know they can be.

Year 8 Report

I am now in full swing as the Head of Year 8 as Mrs Nicole Robbins is on Maternity Leave and it has been a great experience so far. Being in the role for a few months now, I have met many new faces and it has been wonderful to have the opportunity to assist this group of young adults' as they venture their way through the various obstacles high school and Year 8 pose.

We are continuing to focus on our Positive Education Program in our Pastoral Care sessions. We specifically focused on physical wellness and self-control so far and will continue to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to approach their learning in a positive way and to look after their mental health.

Looking forward this term, we have many events on the College calendar such as the Interhouse Athletics Carnival, Kennedy Day, RUOK Day and Community Open Day. The big event for our Year 8 students looking even further into the year’s calendar in Term 4 being the Year 8 Camp at Forrest Edge. This term we will begin to prepare for our Year 8 Adventure Camp with more information disseminated to students in Week 5. Please remember if you have any queries do not hesitate to contact me at jkennedy@kennedy.wa.edu.au

Year 9 Report

While schools in Melbourne face online teaching once again, we are very blessed that things are more ‘normal’ here in the West. It was good to be able to celebrate the successes of the Year 9 students at their recent assembly. Congratulations to all those who were up on stage and also to all those students who continue to do the best that they can in their studies.

One of the values at the College is Integrity, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. I always encourage students to be truthful and to make sure that their words and actions reflect a strong moral conscience. This then will be reflected in their friendships, their behaviour and their own personal self-esteem. Whatever we feed our mind on, will be reflected in our words and behaviour. I love the verse in Philippians 4:8 which says, ‘Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things.’ There are many influences on our young people these days through the internet and social media. Please be vigilant in terms of what your children are watching and how they interact on social media. It is a good time to make sure that devices and phones should not be in their bedrooms at night when they are unsupervised.

This term in Extended Form we will have two sessions on what Work Experience will look like next year when the students are in Year 10. This will be a new experience for them and is a reminder that they are growing up fast.

Year 10 Report

As always, Term 3 is a busy term for all Year 10 students. Many students have already completed their subject selections for Senior School and are actively making plans for future study beyond High School. It is amazing to think of the progress these students have made in such a short space of time, only four years since they first came to us as Year 7 students, quiet, meek and excited for their futures. The potential I see in them fills me with great confidence in the future of our wonderful country.

All Year 10s have been given an opportunity to give back to their College and they now have the opportunity to assist the incoming Year 7s of 2021 by becoming an 11/7s Mentor. Most of our current cohort remember the help and support the 11/7s Mentors gave them when they first started at Kennedy. The constructive nature of the program has helped numerous students gain a positive start to their Kennedy journey which is an invaluable beginning. Not only do students receive excellent training in interpersonal skills and leadership, but it also enables eligibility for College Colours. College Colours is a visual recognition of student excellence and their positive contribution to the College community. Students have already had the eligibility criteria explained to them, please contact me if you would like further explanation on the above. I would encourage every Year 10 student to consider going beyond themselves and apply for College Colours and the 11/7s mentor program.

Year 11 Report

Welcome to the first Head of Year report for the second semester. I cannot believe that the Year 11s only have about 10 weeks of school left. I recognise that there is so much to do and so little time. This means that we need to be efficient and well organised in our studies and assessments.

During Extended Form in Term 3 we will continue to look at our Positive Education Program with our focus being “Integrity.” I understand that this could be a challenging concept for a young adult as being true to oneself and maintaining high ethical standards is often difficult in today’s world, and can come at a personal cost. But students have demonstrated high standards in this regard which, has inspired us as staff and I look forward to the rest of the term with the Year 11s.

We had a very successful Awards Assembly last week and I was very proud of the Year 11s. I believe they are an exceptional year group. We have seen how good the Year 11 cohort is by their commitment to serve others through community service.

One of the favourite events on the calendar for the Year 11s is the River Cruise! At present this event is still on and your child will receive their official invitation and information soon. Please note that the cost is $65 and the date is set for 11 September from 6.00pm to 10.00pm.

Lastly, I would like to thank all parents for the neat appearance of all students at the commencement of the term. This was much appreciated.

Year 12 Report

As we start the Year 12’s final (full) term of high school there is a tinge of excitement in the air as their future awaits and their time at high school comes to a close. After speaking with our College Psychologist Mrs Plenty about our students, she let me know that this is a notoriously tough term for the 12s. The stress from school, the uncertainty of the future and the sadness (or sometimes joy) that their high school time is coming to an end can contribute to a perfect storm of emotions for them. I have been talking to the students about making the most of their final term and handing on the following advice.

1. Be mindful of one another
2. Expect that there will be higher stress and most people will be on edge
3. Don’t take it out on each other
4. Be aware of your emotions and also how others are feeling
5. Talk to someone

We have tutoring available for every subject after school and students have their form teachers, teachers, Year 12 mentor, Mrs Plenty and myself that they can come and talk to at school. If you are concerned or have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at the college. I am looking forward to this exciting term ahead and I don’t want to just get over the line but rather strive forward and finish strong.

Kennedy News

College Notices

Father's Day Breakfast Invitation

Please join us for this year's Father's Day breakfast with guest speaker and Mr Jim Walker. Jim is a former CEO of Westrac and now works as a Director on a range of corporate boards. It will be great to hear Jim speak about balancing corporate life with being a dad and grandad.

Date: Thursday 3 September 2020
Venue: Kennedy Staff Lounge
Time: 7.15am - 8.30am

For catering purposes, we would appreciate your RSVP by clicking here before Friday 28 August 2020. Grandfathers are also welcome! Read more and RSVP below.

You are invited to our Community Open Day on Saturday 22 August 2020 from 11.00am to 3.00pm.

Bring your whole family to Kennedy for a great day of fun. From explosive Science demonstrations to delicious gourmet treats from our cafeteria, there's something for everyone to enjoy! Journey through the College campus and make sure you stop for a sneak peek of our brand new Technologies Centre!

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The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 20 August 2020.