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Students enjoying the new Technologies Centre.
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome to Term 4 at Kennedy Baptist College. I trust everyone has had a restful break and students are eager to continue embracing their opportunities. This term will continue to provide a wide range of educational experiences for all students. Classes have commenced in the new Technologies Centre and students are engaging with the new spaces and facilities. In November, examinations will be held for students in Years 9 to 12, which will assess Semester 2 content.
Year 10-12 Awards Night: Tuesday 20 October
Next Tuesday, we celebrate and give thanks for our Year 10 – 12 students' wonderful achievements. I would like to remind families that this is a compulsory event for students and details were sent to families on Tuesday 13 October. It would be wonderful to have as many families as possible joining us for this special celebration. Please note that due to the current COVID restrictions, refreshments will not be served after the formal ceremony.
Year 12 Last Day: Friday 23 October
Next Friday, we will honour and farewell our Year 12 students at a special Assembly to acknowledge their last official day of classes at Kennedy. We wish them all the very best as many of these students commence their final preparations for the WACE examinations, which will then be used for university entrance. The Year 12 Graduation will then take place on Friday 20 November, after the WACE examinations. I hope all our Year 12 families can join us for both special events. Please note that because of current COVID-19 restrictions, students are only permitted to invite two guests to these events.
Mr Mark Ashby
Principal
In Memory of Nick Kentish
On 8 October, a beautiful Funeral Service was held in memory of Nick Kentish (Year 8), who passed away on 23 September after a two year battle with cancer. Nick was so courageous, always kind, and considerate of others. His friends described him as "always cheerful and happy; you can’t forget that type of person." He was such an inspiration to both staff and students here at Kennedy, and we continue to pray for his family during this time.
Chaplain Devotion
Part 2. If God was all-loving and all-powerful, why did He allow suffering in the world? E.g. Earthquakes, tsunamis, virus pandemics?
I would like to continue with the second part of my conversation around the universal challenge of suffering and faith. I wouldn’t consider myself an expert on suffering but through my professional journey of cancer nursing at RPH, working with type 1 Diabetes families, and 20 plus years serving the community as a youth pastor and Chaplain, I have a long exposure to the interaction of suffering with human life.
Many before me, over centuries, have asked and contributed to answering the opening question. Throughout the ages, the question of pain, suffering and evil are said to present a challenge to belief in God. If there is no God, then suffering just is with no purpose. There is no issue with suffering being part of life because there is no right or wrong, good or bad. Without God, evil ceases to be evil, as there is only random existence. However, with a real God, scholars and thinkers describe suffering as a TRI-lemma between 3 assumptions.
- God is all-powerful and can do anything He wills
- God is all-loving and values His beloved creation
- Evil is a reality as there is no life that exists without pain and suffering.
To fully explore the interaction of these assumptions, we will need more newsletters, however, to land this week I will remake the point from Part 1.
I have witnessed throughout life, many people pushing through the challenge of suffering, pain or evil. These people endure with an energy that shows they believe there is something worth living for. At times, some people lose hope and give up on life, to which there is a universal cry within all of us that there should always be hope. Belief in God states that suffering, pain and evil are not the end of the journey of life. Look for Part 3 in our next newsletter.
Kennedy News
College Assembly and Technologies Opening Term 3
Our Term 3 Assembly was once again a significant day in the history of Kennedy as the final stage of our initial Master Plan was officially opened by the Hon Sue Ellery, Minister for Education. The new Kennedy Technologies Centre is a dedicated STEM facility that provides an excellent space for woodwork, metalwork, engineering and CAD studies. The new classrooms and workrooms are complemented by a breakout space on the 1st floor with a beautiful view looking out onto the northern section of the campus. The Technologies Centre is a wonderful new facility for our students to engage in cutting edge technologies and explore creative and innovative solutions for their STEM studies.
During the Assembly, we also reflected on Term 3 with a Student Council report, Kennedy Day Video and with the presentation of the Athletics Awards.
Thank you to all the staff, students and our Kennedy community for a great Term 3! Please click here for photos.
Interschool Athletics Carnival Update
The Interschool Athletics Carnival at WA Athletics Stadium was a perfect day for our students to compete. The field was incredibly competitive and the margin for error small as three schools quickly emerged as contenders for the overall aggregate champions. Kennedy finished strong in the relays and placed 3rd overall. Kennedy placed first in the junior boys aggregate and we hope this will play a key role in our future success. Thank you to our Athletics Captains and a special mention to Daniel Kempson, who competed in his final Athletics Carnival and has played an integral role in the team for many years excelling in both track and field events. I would also like to acknowledge the following individual achievements.
- U/13 Male Champion – Jack Hoogerwaard
- U/14 Female Runner Up Champion – Emma Kempson
- U/16 Male 3rd place – Kye Brindle
- Open Female 4th place – Kyrah Daniels
Please click here for more photos.
College Notices
Parent Information Evening:
Pornography & Sexual Health
At Kennedy Baptist College we place high value on the social and emotional development of the students in our care. As part of this student development, we are hosting a presentation for parents on Wednesday 4 November from 6:30pm - 8:30pm in the Kennedy Auditorium. The theme of the night will be on pornography and sexual health. This presentation will focus on providing an overall picture of teh current Australian youth sexual culture. Please note that the event is free with RSVP below.
Policy Changes and Updates
We have recently updated the following policies which can be accessed on our College website:
- Mobile Phone Policy (Kennedy Handbook)
- Staff Code of Conduct
- Student Code of Conduct
- Student Safety and Wellbeing Policy (previously known as the Child Safety Policy).
We are also in the process of reviewing our complaints policies. We welcome your feedback on any of the updates.
Year 10-12 Annual Awards Night - Tuesday 20 October
On Tuesday 20 October we will celebrate the achievements of our Year 10-12 students at the Annual Awards Night. This is a compulsory event for all Year 10-12 students. Parking will be available at the College and a shuttle bus will also operate from Murdoch University Car Park 7. Students need to be at their Form rooms by 6.20pm in formal winter uniform. Parents will gather in the Lower Foyer before the ceremony. Formal proceedings should conclude by 8.30pm. Please join with us as we celebrate together at our 2020 Awards Night. Please note, due to the current COVID restrictions, refreshments will not be served after the formal ceremony.
Cafeteria Closure - Friday 23 October
The Cafeteria will be closed for breakfast, recess and online lunch orders on Friday 23 October due to our Year 12’s final day events. It will re-open at lunch (1.05pm) for limited over the counter items such as sausage rolls, pies, burgers and wraps, drinks and ice-creams.
Tutoring Timetable Term 4
Click here for the Term 4 Tutoring Timetable.
Extracurricular Timetable
Kennedy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including Mock Trial Competition, Dance and Music. After-school programs and interest groups include Book Club, Film Club, Fitness, Photography Club, Study Skills, Science Club, Board Games, Robotics and Maker Space (Craft). Please click here for more information.
Instrumental Music Recitals – Wednesday 28 October to Thursday 30 October
Opportunity for parents and families to meet and discuss instrumental music progress with tutors!
Wednesday 28 October to Friday 30 October: Instrumental Music Solo Recitals will run between 5.00pm and 6.00pm in various locations. This is an opportunity for students to build their performance skills and also allows time for parents and family members to discuss their child’s instrumental progress with individual tutors. Students learning at the College are warmly encouraged to take this performance opportunity to demonstrate their skills on their chosen instrument.
Tutors will be in attendance on the following dates to facilitate the performances of their students:
- Wednesday 28 October – Students of Megan Burne (Piano), Anthony Dodos (Trombone), Della Huang / Michelle On (Strings), Matt Keesing (Guitar/Bass), Caleb Quartermaine (Percussion), Intermediate Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble.
- Thursday 29 October – Students of James Calvert (Saxophone / Clarinet), Mia Matthiessen (Vocals), Vince Pavitt (Drums), Joel Waddell (Guitar / Piano / Trumpet), Carolyn Thomas (Vocals).
- Friday 30 October – Students of Rebecca McGregor (Flute), Tristan Wills (Piano), Michelle Wood (Piano)
If there are any students who cannot perform on their allocated tutor date, please email Janelle Anthony to arrange another performance date.
Absentees
Parents and guardians are asked to notify the College before 9.00am on the morning of absence via email, phoning the College (08 6188 0698), or by filling in the online absentee form on the Kennedy App under Parent Lounge. For any other student matters or information, please feel free to email Student Services or stop by to talk to one of our staff.
Term 4 Cafeteria Menu
There are delicious items available in the Cafeteria such as potato gems, hot chocolate, chocolate croissants, chocolate or berry mousse and freshly baked muffins! There are also some great online options to order from at www.quickcliq.com.au,
Please see the Term 4 menu below.
Volunteering Opportunities
We value the support of
our volunteers who contribute to the College community!
Our current volunteer opportunities are:
- Beedawong Café
- Book Covering
Student Withdrawal
One term (10 school weeks) notification in writing is required if a student is being withdrawn from the College. Failure to give 10 school weeks’ written notice will attract a fee of 25% of the total annual fee. Please address a written notice to Mr Mark Ashby via the Registrar.
We are always looking to improve our College and take care of our community. Will you please tell us how we are doing and review us on Google? Submit your review here.
The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 29 October 2020.
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PO Box 26, Bull Creek, Western Australia 6149
t: 08 9314 7722 | f: 08 9314 7732
e: admin@kennedy.wa.edu.au
