Dear Parents and Families,

Happy new year to all of our families and welcome to Kennedy Baptist College for 2020. In particular, welcome to all of our new 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 with excitement.

Throughout the holidays work has continued at the College to complete some major projects, upgrading new facilities for students. This has included:

• The replacement of some Block 4 air coolers with reverse cycle air conditioning. This is an ongoing project across the campus
• New carpets in Block 1
• The total external repainting of all buildings.

Work has also continued over the past weeks preparing and planning great opportunities for all students and we look forward to sharing these throughout the year. Our goal 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 2019, we are extremely confident of continuing to provide opportunities for excellence this year and look forward to students embracing all that is on offer at Kennedy.

Year 12 Results

We are extremely proud of our 12 students who produced very pleasing WACE results at the end of last year. Our highest ATAR score was 99.15 with our students producing a median ATAR of 86.2 compared to the state median of 81.0. Kennedy Baptist College also had 10 students achieve an ATAR score greater than 95.0, an excellent effort.

Congratulations also to Rachel Tebbit who achieved a Certificate of Excellence, for being in the top 0.5% of the state for Biology. An outstanding effort.

Kennedy was also identified as a school with the highest performing students in the courses of:

• Biology
• Business Management and Enterprise
• Health Studies
• Physical Education Studies
• Psychology

The class of 2019 produced some pleasing results due to their hard work and the support provided by College staff to ensure students achieve their goals. However, these results also reinforce the fact that we need our students and parents to be realistic when selecting student academic pathways. Our 2019 results support the College Administration view that some students are still attempting an ATAR pathway when they may have achieved better results in a more suitable alternative course completing the General course pathway.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

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

On Friday 31 January 2020 at 10.00am - 2.00pm in the Lower Foyer. Our incoming Year 7 students are to bring their own snacks and water for the day. Please note that a sausage sizzle will be provided for lunch. The dress code is casual modest dress and bathers. Please include a hat and sunscreen.
 

Pre-start Day for Year 8 to 12 Students

On Friday 31 January 2020 in the Staff Lounge. International students are to arrive at 1.30pm. Local students to join our International students 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 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.

Welcome to Kennedy Baptist College. As the first day of Term 1 2020 approaches, it is important that everyone is well aware of the details for Monday 3 February to make the commencement of the new school year as effective as possible. Please note the following details:

• 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 Pre-start Day Friday 31 January.
• As normal classes commence on Monday for Years 8-12 students, any texts, uniforms including swimming gear (goggles are optional) or equipment needed for these classes will be required.
• Year 7’s are reminded to bring swimming gear (goggles are optional) for their Phys Ed classes during Weeks 1 and 2.

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 2020.

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 our reception. Applications close on Thursday 9 April 2020.

Welcome to all our current and new parents and friends!

Here at Kennedy Baptist College, we would love for you to feel connected. It is our goal for you to enjoy social time with other parents, have a sense of belonging and get to know the year group your children are currently in. Our purpose as the P&F is also to communicate to you all the events, meetings, important College dates and general information and provide space for that connectedness. We look forward to seeing you throughout the year!

P&F AGM Meeting

Parents are invited to the Parents and Friends AGM meeting for Term 1 on Wednesday 12 February 2020 at 6:30pm in the Staff Lounge. Nominations for positions on the P&F Association will also take place during this meeting. Positions are as follow:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary

For more information please email the P&F.

During the Term 1 holidays in 2021, the College will be undertaking a 17 day cultural tour to the USA. This trip is aimed at students who will be in Years 10 and 11 in 2021 and will visit the cities of New York, Washington D.C. and Orlando.

There are still places available so if you are interested and would like to hear more about this tour, please contact Mr Rick Cricelli via email at rcricelli@kennedy.wa.edu.au, who will be leading this exciting venture.