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Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Families,
Happy New Year to all our families, and welcome to Kennedy Baptist College for 2021. I would like to welcome families who are joining us for the first time this year. We trust that everyone has had a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday and are now ready to commence the new academic year.
Throughout the holidays, work has continued at the College to upgrade facilities for students. This has included:
- The replacement of the remaining Block 4 air coolers with reverse cycle air conditioning. This will be an ongoing project across the campus.
- New carpets and furniture for Mathematics rooms in Block 1.
- The total repainting of Arts buildings.
Work has also continued preparing and planning great opportunities for all students and we look forward to sharing these throughout the year. Our goal at Kennedy is to equip students to seize these opportunities and strive for greatness in all that they do. After reviewing all events that took place throughout a very busy 2020, we are extremely confident of continuing to provide opportunities for excellence this year and look forward to students embracing all that is offered at the College.
Year 12 Results
We are extremely proud of our Year 12 students who attained outstanding WACE results. Our highest ATAR score was 99.0 with our students producing a median ATAR of 88.95 compared to the state median of 81.65. Kennedy Baptist College also had 15 students achieve an ATAR score greater than 95.0, an excellent effort.
Congratulations also to our students who achieved a Certificate of Excellence for being in the top 0.5% of Western Australia for the subjects of Biology, Human Biology and Mathematics:Applications. Special congratulations to James Currey who achieved the highest WACE examination mark for Mathematics:Applications, an excellent achievement.
Kennedy was also identified as a school with the highest performing students in the following Courses of Study:
- Biology
- Business Management and Enterprise
- Health Studies
- Human Biology
- Mathematics:Applications
- Physical Education Studies
- Physics
- Psychology
The class of 2020 produced some outstanding results due to their hard work and the support provided by College staff. These are outcomes that everyone is proud of.
Leadership Change
I would like to inform our community that Mr Wendell Pether, Deputy Principal: Pastoral Care, will be on leave in 2021 and the following staff will be in acting leadership positions for the year.
- Acting Deputy Principal: Mr Andrew Dunn
- Acting Director of Students: Mr Alex King
- Acting Head of Year 11: Mr Murray Dunstan
We look forward to these staff embracing their new roles.
Parking and Traffic
The traffic and parking situation at Kennedy is always a challenge given the constraints of our location. I would like to assure our community that we continue to address this situation with Murdoch University and Main Roads; however a permanent solution has yet to be achieved, and we continue to pursue options to improve this situation.
In the meantime, I encourage all families to help relieve the congestion by adopting the following strategies.
- Encouraging the use of public transport as Transperth buses have priority access into and out of the College.
- Utilizing the College’s private bus run that services areas not well supported by public transport. This would be an option for families in the suburbs of East Fremantle, Bicton, Attadale and Melville.
- Refraining from coming early and parking within the College. Classes do not finish until 3.15pm and it takes at least another 5 minutes for students to be available for pick up.
- Reviewing the timing of your pickup. Pick up areas are supervised by staff until 3.45pm. The Research and Study Centre is open until 4.15pm.
- Using the northern entry for pick up whenever possible. Traffic volume associated with Murdoch University operations is currently low. Families who travel south around Cockburn Central, Atwell, Success and Aubin Grove now have access to the Kwinana Freeway south via the Murdoch Drive Connection, which can be accessed via the road through Murdoch University.
- Refraining from attempting a right-hand turn onto Farrington Road as this is a major cause of congestion in the afternoons.
Please consider how to adopt one of these strategies so that you and your children can enjoy a safe journey to and from Kennedy.
Mr Mark Ashby
Principal
New Student Pre-Start Day
Pre-start Day is designed to help new students familiarise themselves with the College, get to know other new students and meet the staff. Students will discover where their classes will be held, how the College day operates, meet their Form teacher and peer support students.
Pre-start Day for Year 7 Students
The pre-start day will be on Friday 29 January 2021 at 10.00am - 2.00pm in the Lower Foyer. Our incoming Year 7 students are to bring their own snacks and a sausage sizzle will be provided for lunch. The dress code is casual modest dress. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, bathers and a towel for outside/water activities.
Pre-start Day for Year 8 to 12 Students
On Friday 29 January 2021 in the Staff Lounge. New International students are to arrive at 1.30pm with new local students to arrive at 2.00pm. Dress code is free dress (not your school uniform). Please bring your laptop/device if you have not already attended one of the Device Induction sessions.
Parents/Guardians of new Year 8-12 students commencing at Kennedy are welcome to join them and the staff in the Staff Lounge for afternoon tea at 3.30pm.
Back to School Information
Term 1 Day 1 Arrangements
Please note the following details:
- In order to alleviate traffic congestion, Year 8-12 students commence Day 1 Form class at 8.15am and Year 7 students commence at 8.45am. This arrangement is for Day 1 only.
- Year 8-12 timetables for continuing students can be accessed through SEQTA.
Copies of student timetables will also be issued during Form class.
- All new students to the College will receive their timetables on Prestart Day Friday 29 January.
- As normal classes commence on Monday for Years 8-12 students, any texts, uniforms including swimming gear or equipment needed for these classes will be required.
- Year 7’s are reminded to bring swimming gear for their Phys Ed classes during Weeks 1 and 2.
Term 1 Uniform Requirements
We wish to remind all students of the uniform requirements for Term 1. Students are to wear full summer uniform including College hats or caps, to be worn at recess and lunch (when in the sun). They must also be worn during sport lessons in the sun. The College jumper is to be worn if weather is cool, not the sports jacket. For girls, the College dress is to be worn at knee length or below. Please note:
- Students are expected to keep their hair neat and tidy. All hair is to be cut no shorter than a number 2 and hair that is collar length or longer must all be tied back and away from the face with the tie pointing towards the back of the head.
- Hair should be tied back with hair coloured elastic and hair accessories should be navy blue. Hair clips if used should match hair colour. Extremes of hair colouring or hair styles including long fringes, shaven sides, dreadlocks or shaven heads are not permitted.
- Boys must always have their face clean shaven. Sideburns should be no longer than the middle of the ears.
Kennedy News
Kennedy Centre Update
We have great news—our Centres are once again open to our kids!
2020 saw our Centres close due to Covid-19 but it allowed us to refocus, rebalance and recharge. We did not allow the closures to stop us from connecting with our kids and communities and we launched a range of initiatives such as Remote Online Learning and feeding the community through Operation Lighthouse to stay in touch. While remote learning has brought plenty of its own fun and novelty, we are thrilled to have the kids back 'home' and they are so glad to see each other again. Read more below and see how you can sponsor one of these children or be involved with the Kennedy Centre.
High School Musical Production
The College production of High School Musical is coming along really well. Students have come in during the school holiday to practice and it is exciting to see the scenes piecing the show together bit by bit.
Everyone has been so encouraging to each other and it is such a positive atmosphere during rehearsals. It is good to see them come out of their comfort zone and discover new skills and talents. We hope you’re just as excited as we are! It’s going to be a fantastic show.
Please keep an eye out for information on how to purchase your tickets. Performances will run over two nights on Thursday 4 March and Friday 5 March 2021 at 7.00pm in the College Auditorium.
College Notices
Fees - Secondary Assistance Scheme
Secondary Assistance Scheme
The State Government, through the Department of Education, provides financial support to eligible parents through the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS). The aim of the scheme is to assist low-income families with secondary school costs.
Eligible parents/guardians with students enrolled in Years 7 to 12, studying a full-time secondary course at a WA private school, will be able to apply for the SAS in 2021.
The SAS consists of two allowances:
- $235 Education Program Allowance (payment made to the College, for the student); and
- $115 Clothing Allowance (payment made to the parent/guardian).
For all enquiries regarding the application process/forms please visit Reception. Applications close on Thursday 1 April 2021.
Download the Kennedy App
The Kennedy App has been designed to further enhance College communication to our community and to provide easy access to important information about College events and daily activities at the College. The Kennedy app will be used as one of the main College communication channels to provide instant access to real-time information and correspondence from the College. Please click here to download!
2020 Yearbook
We anticipate that the 2020 Yearbook will be available by the end of February 2021. Please note that the Yearbook will be sent home with your eldest child. The Graduation class of 2020 will be able to collect their copy at the Alumni Afternoon on Friday 26 February 2021 from 2.00pm-3.00pm.
Kennedy Parent Handbook
The Kennedy Handbook is designed to be a useful resource for both students and parents. The handbook provides an overview of Kennedy values, facilities, staff, learning, guidelines and policies, procedures and much more. Read through the 2021 handbook here.
Tutoring Timetable
The tutoring timetable will be available on the website soon.
SmartRider
New students will receive their Smartrider around the third week of Term 1. They will still be able to use their Smartrider from their previous school year, provided there is sufficient credit on the card.
P&F AGM Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting will be on Wednesday 10 February 6.30pm in the Staff Lounge followed by our 1st General Meeting for 2021. For more information, please email the P&F.
Lunch Orders
Kennedy's cafeteria has chosen to use Our Online Canteen system to provide an easy and convenient way of ordering your child's meals.
Students may purchase breakfast, recess and lunch. (Gluten free options are now available) Parents/students can purchase via online canteen or cash over the counter. No lunch orders will be taken after 9.00am and ordered lunches will be served first. Click here for Menu and our Canteen Online website.
Absentees
Parents and guardians are asked to notify the College before 9.00am on the morning of absence via the absentee form on the Kennedy App under Parent Lounge, by phoning the College absentee line (08 6188 0698), or via email. For any other student matters or information, please feel free to email Student Services or stop by to talk to one of our staff.
Uniform Shop – Term 1 Opening Hours
The Uniform Shop will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8.30am to 3.30pm. * Please note that the Uniform Shop is closed for lunch 12.30 to 1.00pm.
The Uniform Shop will be open on Friday 29 January for Pre Start Day from 8.00am to 3.45pm.
Term 1 Cafeteria Menu
There are delicious items available in the Cafeteria such as fruit salad, sushi and freshly baked muffins and chocolate croissants each day! There are also some great online lunch options such as Butter Chicken & Rice, baguettes & wraps to order via our online ordering system at www.quickcliq.com.au.
Please see the Term 1 menu below.
Volunteering Opportunities
We value the support of
our volunteers who contribute to the College community!
Please keep an eye out for upcomming volunteer opportunities for Beedawong and the Interhouse Swimming Carnival.
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 28 January 2021.
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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
