Photo above: SSWA Girls Basketball team.

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Term 3, we trust that everyone had a wonderful holiday and are now ready to continue embracing the ongoing opportunities at Kennedy. Term 3 promises to be an exciting term with many major events on our calendar. As we start a new semester, I would like to reinforce the mission and values of Kennedy that maximize the learning experience at the College. Kennedy Baptist College endeavours to the very best of its abilities, to provide educational opportunities of excellence in a Christian context. In doing so the needs for lifelong learning are also addressed. All staff at Kennedy are committed to this mission through our Christian ethos and the values of: Faith, Integrity, Boldness, Growth and Service.

Over the semester break, our students have had some wonderful occasions to reinforce these values. Our Year 11 students involved with the Cambodia Connect mission trip had the opportunity to experience very personal service opportunities whilst sharing with primary school students in Phnom Penh. Also, 28 Year 10 students had the chance to push their boundaries and develop new skills skiing and white water rafting in New Zealand. Thank you to our Staff who gave up their personal leave to be involved in these tours.

We look forward to sharing more opportunities during the Term 3 journey together.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Even today, most of us have at least heard what is called, “The Lord’s Prayer.” It begins, seemingly, in a very formal manner, with God designated as, “Father.” This has always brought to my mind the image of a young Lord of the estate in conversation with his parents, all speaking with clipped, upper class accents, calling each other, “Mother”, “Father” and “Son.” The problem with this image is that it is so far removed from what the term means, as to be laughable.

The word translated ‘Father” from the original text, is the word that so many new Dads wants to hear – Da-da. It is that initial recognition by the child as to who this person is and their importance in their life. It is a term of endearment, affection and an indication of dependence. It is the child sitting on the floor, calling out to their Daddy, with a smile and outreached arms, knowing that Daddy will instantly respond – with a smile on his face and a hug that provides insulation from all that would cause harm.

I know that not all of us have had such a person in our own lives but that doesn’t mean that we don’t yearn with the hope that is evoked by these words, because the ideal is so embedded in our psyche. No matter our age, we need to know that when we reach out our arms, that there will be a matching response from the other person and this is exactly what happens when we open our hearts and our hands to our Heavenly Daddy, for He has promised to meet us at our need, whatever that need is. (Matthew 6.31-33)

At Kennedy Baptist College all students are expected to strive for personal excellence in all that they do. Our Semester One Year 10 to 12 Awards Assembly celebrated the achievement and success of our students. We had a large number of students receive awards across all learning areas. Our Interschool Cross Country students and girls Basketball team were also congratulated on their outstanding achievement. Please click here for more photos.

Mrs Mandy Beaurain 
Public Relations Assistant

The College has over 40 students enrolled in the VET (Vocational Education and Training) in Schools programs, ranging in study areas such as electrics, aviation, education, plumbing, aged care, animal care, population health, hospitality, patisserie, beauty, computer repairs, automotive, business, events planning and more.

The students of Kennedy Baptist College have had many successes for the first half of 2017. We have seen one student being offered a fulltime Plumbing apprenticeship as a direct result of the good work he has done whilst on a work placement as part of his studies in Certificate II in Plumbing and Gas. Further to this, many of our students are now on work placements in industries ranging from carpentry to hospitality. We have students in hotels, animal hospitals, on-site with electricians and plumbers, in fast food outlets and aged care. Many of these students will choose a career in the field they are studying through the VET in Schools program.

Students enrolled in traineeships have been assessed by their assessors and the College is receiving glowing reports on all our enrolled students.
 

Soon students will be enrolling in courses at South and North Metropolitan TAFE and many external Registered Training Organisations for 2018. If your child is interested in pursuing any of these courses, please contact me in Student Support Services. 

Mrs Barbie Schiefler
VET Coordinator

Year 11 Chemistry Excursion

As part of their Year 11 Chemistry program, students were invited to attend the ‘Be a Metallurgist for a Day’ event that occurred at Murdoch University on Wednesday 28 June. The aim of the day is for students to gain a better understanding of the field of metallurgy as it relates to Chemistry while participating in a range of educational and practical activities.

We want to thank the Year 11s for their commendable behaviour and attitude all day.

Mrs Anita English
Science Teacher

SSWA Girls Basketball

Throughout Semester One, our senior girls Basketball team have represented the College playing 11 games against a range of schools across Perth in the WA School Sports Championship. In a historic achievement, the girls were undefeated in the regular season earning them a place in the grand final held during the final week of Term 2.

It was a daunting prospect to be facing Willetton SHS - winners of the championship 18 times in the past 21 years. The girls were excited for the challenge and played fantastically on the day emerging victors 59 to 44.

Team Captains Rebecca Thomson and Hayley Mant accepted the Championship shield from Mr Jonathon Wood at this week’s Assembly. Courtney Green (MVP) and Amy Jacobs (Coaches Award) also received their awards from Mr Wood .

These achievements have been possible by the ongoing support of the following people: Mr Mark Ashby and his team for building an excellent facility to train and play our games in; Mr Andy Stewart from Coaching Hoops, for his continuing work with the Basketball programs; and the girls for their ongoing efforts and commitment representing the College with excellence.

Mr Ben Pether
Health & Physical Education Teacher

This year the Community Open Day will be held on 26 August.

Open Day is a great way to see the College campus, view student work and meet Kennedy staff. The College will be open from 10.00am - 2.00pm. We hope that you set aside this day to join us for amazing food, free events and great entertainment.

Form more information about our Community Open Day, please visit our website here

Mitch Thomas

Congratulations to Mitch Thomas who has been selected to represent Western Australia in the 2017 Cross Country team. This team will be competing at the Schools Sport Australia National Championships in Hobart from 10 to 14 August. We wish Mitch all the best. 

Ethan Raine

Congratulations to Ethan Raine was selected to be one of 16 players to represent WA on the U/15 WA State Ice Hockey Team. During the second week of the July school holidays the WA State Ice Hockey Team travelled to Melbourne to participate in the U/15 Kurt Defris Ice Hockey National Championship. After four days of intensive ice hockey against QLD, SA, NSW and VIC, the U/15 WA State Ice Hockey Team were victorious in bringing home the gold medal.

Next P&F Meetings

• Open Day P&F Co-ordinators Meeting on Wednesday 2 August at 5.00pm in the Boardroom.
   
• Jamming with the P&F - Saturday 29 July at 2.00pm in the Beedawong Cafeteria. (Please see details below.)

Volunteer Committee for College Open Day

The Kennedy Baptist College Open Day is on Saturday 26 August from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Planning is well underway by the P&F for our various stalls and activities that will run on the day.

Open Day is a great opportunity for current and future families to come and see what has been happening in the life of our College. Student work will be on display, presentations will take place and an opportunity for you to have a look at the new Sport Centre and facilities that Kennedy offers.

Donations of items:
Donations of items for silent auction hampers by year group is as follow:

• Year 7 - BBQ and Garden Items - eg: BBQ Apron, seeds and garden gloves.
• Year 8 - Chocolates and Lollies.
• Year 9 - Toiletries/Hair related products – eg: soaps,bath oils, hairclips.
• Year 10 - Pet Items – eg: food, collars, brushes, toys.
• Year 11 - Gourmet & Kitchen Items. (Non-perishable please)
• Year 12 - Sport and Stationery related items.

Further information will be sent through on when these items can be dropped off at the College. 

Volunteering for Open Day:
We will need your help both in the lead up to preparations and on the Open Day itself. Please email your contact details and let us know how you can assist pandfkennedybaptistcollege@gmail.com
 

Jamming with the P&F

The Open Day for Kennedy is fast approaching and part of the preparation is the 'Jamming with the P&F' event which is on Saturday 29 July from 2.00pm in the Beedawong Cafeteria. Last year was a delightfully industrious afternoon making Jams, Chutneys and Lemon Butter to be sold on the P&F stall. Using Thermomixes we whipped up over 80 jars of deliciousness in a few hours.

Ways you can help are:

• Join us on the day - Reserve your spot and bring your thermomix, apron and knives - we can have a maximum of 11 machines. If you do not have a thermomix, we would still love to have you along to help on the afternoon. Limited space available!
   
• Donate jars and lids - The smaller/medium sized jars are the best. Please bring to Student Services from Monday 24 July or on the day.
   
• Donate ingredients - Such as sugar, butter, lemons, limes and fruit suitable for jam.
   
• Donating old Kennedy Uniforms ready for the bin. (These will be used to decorate the jars.)

Please bring donations to Student Services from Monday 24 July or on the day.

Please email the P&F on pandfkennedybaptistcollege@gmail.com to book a spot or ask any questions.