Dear Parents,

It was fantastic to officially open the Kennedy Sports Centre on Wednesday 8 March. A large number of distinguished guests attended the ceremony including Mr Ben Morton, Member for Tangney, The Honorable Peter Collier MLC, Minister of Education and Mayor Russell Aubrey, City of Melville. Mr Ben Morton presented the College with a plaque to commemorate the opening and this will be permanently displayed in the foyer of the Sports Centre.

Easter Services

Kennedy Baptist College is a Christian faith based College committed to providing the best possible educational services. As Easter approaches it is appropriate to reflect on the basis of this faith foundation. Our Easter services provide the opportunity for this reflection as a College. These events are an opportunity for our community to come together and contemplate the Gospel message of Easter. Our Easter services are a compulsory event for all students but more importantly it is an opportunity for families to engage as a community. Supper will be provided after each service and this will be a great time for families and staff to interact in a social setting. We look forward to meeting with you on these special evenings for Kennedy.

Student Holiday Leave

Often some families opt to take vacations during term time. This occurs for many reasons, however it is very apparent that this practice has a negative impact on student learning and achievement. I would like to advise all families that this practice is a breach of the West Australian Education Act. We encourage families to examine the impact of these decisions and where possible decline from this practice. Students who are absent during the term for holidays may be unable to sit assessments at later dates and will need to take responsibility for the tuition they have missed during this time.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Psalm 136
Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel 
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

A few weekends ago I was reminded of the Latin phrase: Coram Deo, which is translated: before the face of God. Birthed in the Reformation, this phrase was an expression of the truth that everything we do is in His presence, under His authority and to His glory. This succinct phrase provides us with the very essence of what it means to be a Believer. A simple illustration of Coram Deo is that the work Jesus performed as a carpenter was as reverential and as worshipful as the work he did as a Rabbi. No matter what Jesus did – he only did and said that which his Father told him to do (John 5:19). There is no compartmentalization of our lives because there is no delineation between secular and non-secular activities and that ultimately there is only one audience that truly matters. It is an audience of one. It is the audience of God.

Students have settled into the routine of another school year. Year 7 students are making their way around the campus with ease and Year 8-10 students have had an opportunity to change their Electives. Year 11 and 12 students can make final adjustments to courses until 24 March. It is important to understand that only Year 11 students can make further changes to their courses after the Semester One examinations. Year 12 and lower school students cannot make changes to their courses.

Interim reports are now available for all students. All reports will only be available through SEQTA. I urge all parents to check their username and password in order to access reports. Queries concerning SEQTA can be emailed to Mrs Debbie Stewart at dstewart@kennedy.wa.edu.au.

Parent - Teacher evenings start with the Career Expo and Year 10 and 12 Interviews on Wednesday 22 March. This evening is a great opportunity for students and parents to find out more about study and career options after secondary schooling. The Expo and interviews commence at 2.00pm. Interviews for Year 8 and 11 take place on Thursday 23 March and Year 7 and 9 interviews are Tuesday 2 May. Information concerning making bookings for these evenings has been emailed to all parents.

Please note that Kennedy Baptist College closes at 1.00pm on Parent - Teacher interview days.

During  the next few weeks there are a number of exciting events and activities occurring as part of the Kennedy Pastoral Care Program.

On 15 March the College was involved in National Harmony Day which is a nation wide event celebrating cultural diversity. This coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. At Kennedy we had a number of special guests for Years 7-10 including a Bollywood Dancer, the Moorditj Mob Indigenous Performers and Lion Dancers as well as various multicultural food and celebration events for senior school students.

Another event Kennedy is participating in is the National Ride2School Day, to be held tomorrow as part of our College House Program. National Ride2School Day is an event involving approximately 2000 schools and 350000 students each year across Australia and is designed to encourage students to cycle to school as part of a healthy lifestyle. Last year the College had over 200 staff and students involved including the Science Department who arrived at the College dressed in their white lab coats. We look forward to another excellent event this year, and especially the free breakfast in the Beedawong cafeteria.

As a support to our fathers, the College is hosting an event known as Positive Fathering Adventures on Saturday 18 March from 1.00pm to 4.30pm. Our former College Counsellor Mr Kevin O’Brien will be overseeing this event, involving short presentations and fun activities followed by a relaxed game of cricket and a sausage sizzle. The event is designed for dads and their children to work together and get to know each other in a relaxed, casual and informative setting.

We look forward to the success of these upcoming events as part of our targeted and strategic approach towards continuing to develop a positive, supportive and inclusive culture at Kennedy Baptist College.

Wednesday 8 March was a significant day in the history of Kennedy Baptist College as our new Sports Centre was officially opened by Mr Ben Morton MP, Federal Member for Tangney and The Hon Peter Collier MLC, Minister for Education.

The new Kennedy Baptist College Sports Centre is a dedicated sporting complex that is able to be configured to suit multiple basketball, netball, volleyball or badminton courts or be formed into a single ‘show court’ FIBA certified basketball court that delivers optimum comfort and performance. The sports courts are complimented by a dedicated fitness and strength gymnasium and ample change and shower facilities. Kennedy Baptist College was fortunate to receive financial support for this $3.6 million project from the Capital Grants Program and a low interest loan from the Government of Western Australia. The Sports Centre is a wonderful new facility for our students.

During the Assembly medal winners from the recent Interhouse Swimming Carnival were fortunate to be presented with their medallions by the Minister for Education The Hon Peter Collier MLC. Congratulations to Ben Wai, Lachlan Belke, Mia Hughes, Nicholas Kennedy and Hannah Butler who all broke records in their events. The final results from the Swimming Carnival were Eyre 4086, Stirling 3674, Forrest 3672, King 3500. Congratulations Eyre.

Click here for more photos of our Assembly and the opening of the Sports Centre and click here to see a video on our Facebook page. 

This Year we have two Easter Services on weekday evenings so that all students and families can attend.

• Tuesday 28 March: Eyre and Forrest families
• Wednesday 29 March: King and Stirling families

Services will commence at 7.00pm and I would like to emphasise that this is a compulsory event for all students.

This year our Keynote speaker is Mr Henry Olonga.

Henry is a former international cricketer turned photographer, singer, videographer, painter and public speaker. Through his desire for change and his Christian faith, he was convicted to put everything on the line and in 2003 he wore a black armband during an international cricket match in the 2003 Cricket World Cup to "mourn the death of democracy" in Zimbabwe. This bold political move lead to eventual exile from Zimbabwe, and now he lives in Adelaide with his family.

As part of our commitment to providing our students with quality educational opportunities of excellence, the College will be running another International Study Tour next year. The International Study Tour for 2018 will consist of approximately 28 Year 10 and Year 11 students (2017 Year 10s and 9s) and approximately 4 staff visiting:

• Berlin
• Rome
• London

At this stage, the Tour will depart Perth on the evening of Thursday 12 April 2018 and return on the morning of Friday 27 April 2018 (Term 1/Term 2 holidays). All interested parents and students are invited to an information evening in the Staff Lounge on Thursday 30 March at 5.00pm for more information about the purpose of this tour, the itinerary and the projected cost. We would love to see you there!

Mr Blaire Gersbach
Tour Coordinator

Tomorrow, Friday 17 March the College will be participating in National Ride2School Day! This event is so much fun and participants not only get a healthy start to the day but also receive a free breakfast at Beedawong Café at the end of their ride. 

What is happening:

• All participating students are permitted to wear their full sports uniform for the whole day. Those who are not participating will be required to wear their summer uniform
• All riders will leave Murdoch University Carpark 7 at 7.45am to make their way onto College grounds together
• All riders will lock up their bikes at the designated bike racks and then head to the cafeteria for breakfast

Where to meet:

There will be two places to meet;

• For those who are too far to ride straight from home: Corner of Barry Marshall Parade and Murdoch Drive (between St John of God Murdoch and Fiona Stanley Hospitals) at 7.30am (to then be taken to Carpark 7 by staff)
• For those who are riding from home: Carpark 7 Murdoch University at 7.40am​

What to wear:

• Helmet (compulsory)
• House sports uniform
• Any dress up in House colours
• Decorate your bike in House colours

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 2017. The SAS consists of two allowances:

• $235 Education Program Allowance (payment made to the College); and
• $115 Clothing Allowance (payment made to the parent/guardian).

For all enquiries regarding the application process/forms please visit Reception at the College.

Kennedy P&F Car Boot Sale

Repurpose your goods and help the environment!

• When: Saturday 25 March 2017
• Where: Kennedy Baptist College, Farrington Rd, Murdoch
• Time: Sellers from 6:00am -11.00am, Buyers from 7:15am - 11.00am
• Cost: Sellers - Cars $10.00, Utes $15.00​. Buyers - FREE entry

Pre-book a Space at the Kennedy P&F Car Boot Sale

Please email the Parents & Friends at pandfkennedybaptistcollege@gmail.com

The P&F are looking for volunteers to help on the day. If you can assist please email the P&F. We are also looking for cake donations for a cake stall on the day. If you are willing and interested to help please email the P&F at pandfkennedybaptistcollege@gmail.com

So come and make some cash from your pre-loved items or just come along and shop for a bargain!

Sausage sizzle, ice cream and coffee will be available for purchase.