Photo above: Interhouse Cross Country. 

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families,

Across Australia students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will complete the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests next week. NAPLAN may have been a feature of your child’s schooling for some time now – it was first introduced in 2008.

The NAPLAN tests are diagnostic tests designed to provide an understanding of a student’s performance at the time of assessment in the areas of reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy skills. It tests the literacy and numeracy skills that your child has developed over time in the school curriculum. The results provide schools, states and territories with information regarding the progress of education programs and what needs to be prioritised when addressing improvements.

NAPLAN should not be considered the sole measure of your child’s ability.

We will assume that all students complete the testing process to the best of their abilities and use these results to assist individuals to the best of our abilities. 
 

Mother’s Day Breakfast 

It was a pleasure to have so many of our Kennedy mums and grandmothers joining us for breakfast this morning. Our Student Councilors did a wonderful job helping out and it was great sharing together with our guest speaker Danielle from Hillsong Church. We greatly appreciate yet another opportunity to involve parents in our community. Thank you for joining us. Please click here for photos. 

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Devotion

Last week I had the pleasure to be with a small number of Year 12s as they took a couple of hours out of their week to attend the Bible Society’s National Masterclass online. Firstly, I wanted to commend those students that chose to “seek first the Kingdom of God” in the face of their very heavy workloads. The masterclass was a 2-hour online workshop that looks to lift the vision of Year 12s as they head into, and through, their final year of schooling. In the Masterclass, there were two short talks given, and I wanted to focus on the content of one of those talks given by Justine Toh.

In writing these newsletter articles to help us all see the Kingdom of God more clearly, Justine Toh blessed me as she landed a nugget regarding God’s kingdom. She explained our society can push our Year 12s (and everyone else) to get their sense of “value” from their achievements. If a person’s achievement, test results, are less than expected, by themselves or others, then that person’s value can feel less. Justine went on to contrast that to a story Jesus told in Matthew 20. Jesus began the story with the phrase “The kingdom of Heaven is like…” Jesus then went on to describe a farmer who hired workers for his fields. Some were hired at 9am, some at midday, some more at 3pm and even a few at 5pm. At the end of the day, the farmer paid everyone the same! What! - Our earthly view is that those who worked more should get more. Jesus’s story, which is about the Kingdom of God, makes it very clear that each person was valued the same, just because they worked.

What’s the point here? God’s kingdom, God’s value system is that every person is of equal value! God wants you to know that YOU are valued. What you do, does not add or reduce your value to Him. He calls you to use your value to work with Him.

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 20:16

Year 7 Report

It is good to be back. After a well-rested long service leave, I have loved getting back into teaching and getting to know the Year 7 students. A big thank you to Mr Ross Macauley for looking after the Year 7s for me during Term 1. He did such a fantastic job and I am sure he will enjoy seeing them around the College.

At the end of Term 1 we had our Student Council and House Captain elections. Congratulations to those students. We now have 12 Student Leaders that will represent our Year 7 cohort for 2021. I have been very impressed with the students who were selected, and I am looking forward to working with them.

I am reflecting back to Week 1 of Term 2. We had such an amazing time at our Year 7 Team Building Day at Point Walter. It was such a beautiful location and spectacular weather, students had a great time digging fox holes, rock climbing and running around, up and down the hills during various activities. It was a long day, and I was really impressed with the overall energy and enthusiasm of the year group. The Team Building Day marked the end of our Year 7 Transition period into high school, and for the rest of this term, we will be focusing on building relationships and continuing to challenge ourselves to give our very best in everything we do. Please click here for Year 7 Team Building Day photos.

Lastly, it is great to see that the majority of students are making the most of the opportunities at Kennedy and I am aware of how the 7s have already built numerous friendships - I look forward to guiding the students over the next six years as they continue their Kennedy journey.

Year 8 Report

With the beginning of Term 2, another opportunity arises for students to demonstrate their learning and improve themselves. Students of all levels have the ability to learn and develop, and we encourage all Year 8 students to use the opportunities available to them to make the most of themselves.

The Year 8 Adventure Camp at the end of last term was an amazing experience for the Year 8 students. It was great to see friendships strengthened and new friendships formed between students. I loved watching students participate in the activities and facing their fears and step outside their comfort zone, even if it was only sleeping in a foreign bed for two nights out in the bush. The rock-climbing and abseiling activities and also the team-based challenges were a great way to get the students working together and encouraging one another to be able to complete the task. At night we had more team-building games and some powerful testimonies from the Nations Youth team which challenged students about their faith and what they believe. Please click here for Year 8 Adventure Camp photos. 

Well done to all students who participated in the camp and congratulations to them on their behaviour and attitude. Anecdotally I have noticed a much better attitude amongst the Year 8 students and more positive behaviour towards each other. I look forward to this continuing.

During Extended Form this term we will be focusing on ‘Wellbeing’. We started this last week with a period on Gratitude. I encourage parents, in these challenging times, to chat with your charges and encourage them to focus on those things they can be thankful for. "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15. The following link has some great ideas on how to foster gratitude in your home. https://sunshine-parenting.com/a-grateful-family-is-a-happy-family-5-practices/

Year 9 Report

While the start of term has once again been impacted by the unknown of COVID-19, I encourage you to not let it stop you from looking to the future with hope and confidence. 

It has been great to see the way Year 9s have started the term and accepted the challenge of wearing a face mask all day, however inconveniencing it has been. I am reminded of a phrase I have heard many times before, “this too shall pass”.  

While some College events have been postponed and even cancelled, I have been so impressed by the understanding and acceptance of the students to still get involved and make the most of every opportunity. The high level of interest in attending the St Bart’s Community Service trip has been wonderful to see, and we hope to still do two more visits this term. The students really enjoyed the Extended Form activity on Wednesday, where they were given the opportunity to write a letter to themselves that will be reopened and read on the day of graduation. Hopefully, this will provide an opportunity for them to reflect on how far they have grown as a person. 

We are all facing challenges in our lives, some more than others, but I encourage you to take comfort in a verse from the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.  I pray this verse reassures you, and gives you peace and comfort, and to know that the community that is Kennedy Baptist College is here for you - you are not in this alone.  

Year 10 Report

The start of Term 2 saw a buzz in the air with the Year 10s comparing stories of their personal encounters from their Work Experience placements in Week 1. It was refreshing to see a change in their attitude and eagerness to share the positive and indifferent experiences they had, including comparing the different jobs undertaken and different starting times. 

When addressing the Year 10s, I surveyed the cohort and asked whether their work experience was a ‘success.’ (99% of students did, which was a great result.) Success in the form of enjoyment and as a guide to where they see themselves in the future, success in the form of encouragement towards their skills and talents out of College, and success in learning new skills. I referred to how amazing and different every student is and how we all have been given individual gifts and talents. 1 Peter 4:10 says, As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.

The coming weeks will be busy with assessments and tests, and I have asked all the Year 10s to personally reflect on what their goal is moving forward for their future. What grades do they need to attain to get into certain courses for next year, and what report cards do potential bosses want to see. As the days go by, they should focus on their goal and work towards achieving it. While students are not expected to know at this age what they want to do for the ‘rest of their lives’, I want to encourage them to give themselves as many options as possible. 

After exams, students and parents will meet with the Executive Team for Subject Selection Interviews. Attending the upcoming Careers information night is an invaluable experience for students and parents, and I look forward to meeting you there.

Year 11 Report

It was a pleasure to get to know the Year 11 students better through conversations at Rottnest Year 11 Transition Camp. The group enjoyed spending time together and were fortunate to be blessed with great weather. I would like to thank the staff members who dedicated their time to help support the students at the camp. Please click here for Year 11 Transition Camp photos.

This term, students will need to focus on improving study techniques and working to the best of their ability in their courses. With mid-semester exams coming up, I would encourage every student to have a study planner and to manage their time effectively so they can achieve their potential. Recently, our Head of the Research and Study Centre, Mrs. Yurisich, sent an electronic copy of a study planner template to the students, please see the article here. It is essential that pupils use a study planner in Year 11.

In the coming weeks, the Year 11s will be trialing a self-reflection tool called iYarn, that will encourage students to think about how they are travelling in terms of key areas such as mental health, sleep and safety. Research shows that such check-ins provide significant benefits for students, such as improved student engagement and dialogue, improved awareness and action and as a means of balancing life between College and home.

In Christian Education classes the Year 11 students have been studying the power of prayer. A quote that comes to mind is from Philippians 4:6 which reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I will continue to pray for students who are feeling anxious. May God provide them with a sense of peace and comfort during challenging times.

Year 12 Report

Our Year 12s had so much fun participating in the Interhouse Cross Country this year, and I was so pleased to see them all come together in their House colours. As always, life seems busy, and time passes extremely quickly. Exams commence in three weeks, and there is so much to do before then.

All students enrolled in a General Year 12 course and/or a Foundation Year 12 course are required to complete the externally set task (EST). The EST is compulsory and forms part of the school-based assessment. These externally set tasks are very important and provide clear feedback of whether General students are achieving their goals. We cannot emphasise enough how important it is for Year 12 students to plan their time and be organised. I have recognised that it can become very stressful when students don't keep up with their study plan, creating unnecessary anxiety.

Once again, I remind students that exercise and a nutritious diet are essential to a healthy lifestyle. Students must ensure they get enough sleep and leave their mobile devices off for a few hours. According to the Gonski Institute, "About a third of families allow their children to use their digital devices after bedtime every single day. Furthermore, three of five students who struggle in school regularly sleep with their digital gadgets." Students who have an online device in their room at night most likely will spend time online when they should be sleeping. Our students' mental and physical health is a priority, and we encourage them to develop healthy lifestyle choices now that will benefit them throughout their lives.

I pray that their final year at College will be a wonderful and satisfying experience and that they will seek to grow in wisdom always. I would love to leave you with this verse from Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to him, And he will make your paths straight.

Kennedy News

College Notices

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 20 May 2021.