Image above: Year 9 students during Extended Form.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families,

As we shift into Phase 3 restrictions, it is great to see the College returning even closer to its normal operations. Incursions, excursions and camps will be carefully reviewed to maximise the safety of all students before they commence.

Our Senior School students commenced Semester One examinations this week and, whilst this is typically a stressful time for students, it has been particularly encouraging to see them very engaged in their revision and preparation for these important assessments. We hope this hard work will be rewarded with great results for all.

Early Offers

Regardless of whether a Kennedy student is completing an ATAR or General program of study we expect them to strive for personal excellence in all that they do. This year’s change in the early offer process due to the COVID-19 environment has meant that many of our Year 12 students have already been able to apply for a university place. I would like to congratulate our students who have successfully received early offers to study at the University of Western Australia. These students have been offered places based on their Year 11 grades. This positive outcome is the result of students always giving their best. Offers from other universities will follow shortly and will be subject to a students' continued achievement in their courses. It is a great testament to our hard-working Year 12s and we anticipate that they will continue to work the best of their abilities for the remainder of the year.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

We are currently planning to provide opportunities for parents to meet with teachers to discuss student progress by reinstating our previously cancelled parent-teacher interviews. At this stage, a Year 11/12 afternoon is planned for Thursday 2 July from 2.00-7.00pm. Specific details will follow shortly. A lower school afternoon is planned for early Term 3 and we will endeavor to keep everyone informed as soon as dates and times are finalised.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Devotion

A discussion about racism with my children over the weekend has prompted this somewhat deeper devotional question. How are we to see the world when confronted by the spectre of global viruses, powerful nations in conflict, gloomy financial reports, degradation of our environment and racial protests around the world? Holding onto HOPE can feel like a very feeble defence to such an overwhelming list, but HOPE is the most powerful antidote.

Regarding racism, I have travelled to a number of countries, and I have seen many forms of social divide in different cultures. Race, gender, tribe, wealth, power, age, physical appearance and more, are all used as justification to separate, suppress and limit the value of another person. I have witnessed two lifelong friends become enemies as tribalism has sprung up, and the friends now fall on opposite sides of the new value system. Where is HOPE in all this? Is this how humanity is meant to live? Are we destined to be mired in perpetual conflict? Is a true, authentic human inspirational, or is it ok to aim low and say, “I’m JUST human”?!

My travels through villages in the Solomon Islands, provincial Philippines, visits to prisons in USA and New Zealand, and serving in Aboriginal communities, leaves me convinced there is only one truly complete and lasting bond that can fix all divisions. Deep within humanity is a longing to see that we are capable of so much more. Discovering that we have a Maker, a Designer has changed people in all the places I have visited. Reaching out to know Him, see like Him, enables us to look past the outward and find the blueprint that is stamped on every human being. I’m not sure when there’s an end to all the issues I listed earlier, but my Bible tells me the truth in Galatians 3:28 that ‘God does not see you as a Jew or as a Greek. He does not see you as a servant or as a person free to work. He does not see you as a man or as a woman. You are all one in Christ’. Jesus is the true authentic human and only with Him can we HOPE for the oneness we are all looking for.

Year 7 Report

As this year of change continues it can be easy to miss the ‘usual things’. Most of the Year 7 students are starting to find their place in the College. During Wednesday Period 1 last week we had Mrs Golda Newland (one of our College Councillors) talk to the students about change, particularly change in friendship groups and how despite this being ‘normal’ it can still be painful. We also touched on how rumours can affect friendships and that we have to be very careful with what we post and read on social media. If you find your child is struggling in any way, please let me know.

We also continued to work on the idea of positivity during Extended Form. We talked about being affirmed in Christ and focussed on the phrases; I am secure in Christ, ​I am accepted in Christ,​ I am significant in Christ​ and the bible passages that connect to these. This culminated in an excellent time catching up with the 11/7 Mentors and producing positive affirmation posters to put up around the College.

Year 8 Report

Congratulations to Mrs Nicole Robins on the early arrival of her son. Noah was born three weeks early on 8 June at 1.55pm. We wish Nicole and her husband all the best during this special time as new parents.

We are pleased to announce that Miss Jessica Kennedy will be the new acting Head of Year 8 while Mrs Robins is away on maternity leave. Please feel free to contact Miss Kennedy through direct message or email: jkennedy@kennedy.wa.edu.au for any concerns regarding your child.

Year 9 Report

Term 2 is in full swing and the Year 9s have returned to the ‘normal’ routine with enthusiasm. Someone remarked to me today that the Year 9s are a lovely cohort and I agree. They have matured so much and the ‘vibe’ in classes is very positive. During Extended Form this term we are rotating through a range of activities and the students have all participated well and are enjoying the extra time spent developing connections in Form class with their friends and with their Form teachers. The breakfast option has been popular as have the bushwalk, origami folding, Kahoot and Charades/Pictionary activities.

These have been stretching times; times of anxiety and worry for families, students and parents. Faith is the foundation of our belief as Christians and how wonderful to know that we have a faithful God. I love this verse from The Message Bible: ‘Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.’ Philippians 4:6. I trust that during these anxious times, we will find comfort in knowing that we have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and is there in times of need.

Year 10 Report

The focus for our Year 10 cohort continues to be resilience. Research by Dr Andrew Wicking and Warwick Dean indicates that resilience is lowest in Year 9 and 10 students, resulting in high levels of anxiety, depression and having a negative impact on learning. Our focus for improving this in our cohort has been to educate and nurture resilience amongst our students. The research indicated that students should undertake real-life and experiential challenge-based learning to help foster and develop resilience; a challenge for the College during these current times. I would encourage parents to foster and promote opportunities for students to immerse themselves in challenges that will develop their resilience outside of the College.

An area of focus for our spiritual resilience has been the “teens top questions” covered in Christian Education; focusing on questions students regularly ask about faith, Jesus and spirituality. These lessons have enabled students to develop an understanding of the importance the College places on faith, and our reasons for ensuring students are exposed to it. This has also allowed for students to ask questions, discuss theological points and gain a much better understanding of what it means to be a Christian. We appreciate all students taking part in these lessons and acting with appropriate respect. 

Year 11 Report

When you read this, the Year 11’s will be sitting their exams and we are all aware of the stress they are experiencing. It has been a difficult time to gain momentum as the distance learning, due to COVID-19, was very disruptive, and most students found it less efficient to learn in isolation as opposed to being in a structured, routine environment. Many students are also transitioning to more young adult challenges, which they are finding daunting. Obtaining drivers licences, along with the associated responsibilities and making career choices in a fast-changing world, can be very scary when a few years ago their choices were so simple and childish compared to now.

I know these challenges are not only felt by the students but by the whole family and we would like you to know that we are praying for not only the students but all the family members who support them. I have found my faith very helpful in times like this as I know, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...” (Philippians 4:13). I believe prayer is useful for every facet of our lives and it strengthens me to know I am not alone in any challenge. May God bless you all to achieve the goals you have set for yourselves.

Year 12 Report

After a one week delay, the time has come for our Year 12 exams and there was definitely an air of nerves around last week as the students prepared for this exam period. For the first time ever, our General students will have their Externally Set Tasks during this time as well and this has obviously added some more stress to their term. I will be praying for the 12s during this time and hoping that they give their best by preparing well for these tests and exams.

As we have passed the halfway mark for the Year 12 students, I am excited for them as their thoughts will continue towards options for next year and their future. With the current global situation, it has made thoughts of the future take on an extra level of complexity. I have been encouraged by this bible verse and I will be passing it onto the Year 12s and praying for wisdom in their decision making for both next year and their future.

James 1:5-6, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind."

Kennedy News

CONNECT - Where Faith and Life Combine

Christian Connect is a network of students who enjoy exploring how to merge robust and genuine faith with daily life while being a student at Kennedy. CONNECT is our name for an open and welcoming network, available for all students regardless of their background or where they are on their faith journey. Connect students have a couple of arranged times in the weekly flow of the College where they gather.

Wednesday lunchtime is our student lead time of prayer. Room 4.1 is opened during lunch and anyone who wants to pray together is welcome to bring their lunch and their needs for prayer. Prayer points that students have are written on the whiteboard, then we bow our heads and lift our hearts to God. Lately, we have been praying for relief of exam stress, general anxiety, particular family needs, staff unity and many student’s health needs.

Thursday lunchtime is our CONNECT gathering where we meet in the room called THE HUB (behind the Food Tech Labs). Every Thursday is different, sometimes we have guests coming in to share personal faith stories or short messages to encourage students. We enjoy student-led worship with singing, we open the Bible to see what it says to help us live purposeful lives. We connect with each other as we do life, to enjoy that much-needed sense of belonging and value.

CONNECT is many other things that help the culture of Kennedy to explore the interface of faith and life. CONNECT invites youth pastors and guests in to energize lunchtimes, run student programs and present to Christian Education classes. We also look for ways to lift the mood of the College and to make every student feel like they belong. 

College Notices

Download the New Kennedy Mobile App

The College is introducing a new Kennedy app. This 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 new 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. It will be updated regularly to ensure the College community is kept updated with regards to College activities and events. Our new Kennedy app includes the following information:

• Calendar - The Calendar section displays all events occurring in the current week or those that are up-and-coming. College events can be easily subscribed to, shared and saved for later reference.
• Notices - The notices section keeps you informed of important daily notices as they become available. Push Notifications will also be sent to notify you of any urgent or important information. e.g. if the buses are late. The notice section will allow the College to alert you.
• Newsletter - Receive the latest newsletter directly through the app, or peruse the newsletter archive.
• Links - Links to social media and other relevant websites. Links to other relevant applications like social media, lunch orders, uniform shop, P&F and other websites.

SEQTA and Parent Lounge

Within the app, you will have easy access to SEQTA and our new parent portal that is coming shortly called Parent Lounge. As log in details will be required to access Parent Lounge, please lookout for an email regarding this soon. Due to the set up for Parent Lounge, a few parents may experience login issues with SEQTA. If you do experience this issue, please email Mrs Debbie Stewart at dstewart@kennedy.wa.edu.au.

How to get the new app

Click here to follow these simple steps to quickly and easily set up your new app.

SEQTA Engage app

Please continue to use SEQTA Engage app If you would like to receive push notifications from SEQTA.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 25 June 2020.