Dear Parents

Welcome to Term 3. We trust that everyone had a wonderful holiday and they 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 term calendar. As we start a new semester I would like to reinforce the mission and values of Kennedy that maximise 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 10 students had the chance to push their boundaries and develop new skills skiing in Queenstown, 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 our Term 3 journey together.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

During the last two assemblies, the theme was, “Finishing well”. The film clip shown at those assemblies was from the Mexico City Olympic Games, 1968 and depicted the marathon runner, John Stephen Ahkwari of Tanzania, who entered the stadium almost an hour after all of the other runners had crossed the line. He was bleeding and his knee had been dislocated at the joint. He had been repeatedly asked by officials to quit the race but he had refused their requests. As he passed the finishing line he received huge applause and almighty cheers from the spectators who were still in the stadium. When asked why he didn’t quit, his reply was, “My country did not send me 10,000 miles to start the race; they sent me to finish the race.”

Paul, the Apostle, uses the imagery of being a competitor in a race, throughout his letters. Towards the end of his life, after 30 years of ministry, it is in his second letter to Timothy that there is a sense of completion. Paul is in a Roman gaol, waiting for his execution when he writes, “... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race…” and the grammar of this verse is an indicator that there is nothing more for Paul to do. He knows that his race is over, but also that he has run in such a way that there were eternal consequences. For him, the prize would be the wreath worn by the victor. Paul finished well.

Whatever stage you are in the race, have the same attitude as Paul; to run in such a way that you give your all, choosing never to quit and your goal being to finish well.

Photo Above: Mr Ashby at our Semester One Awards Assembly.

Our Semester One Awards Assembly celebrated the achievement and success of our students. We had a large number of students receive awards across all learning areas of the College.

Mr Ashby opened the Assembly. He spoke about commitment and success in examinations and that ongoing study of any kind involves commitment. Commitment is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity or organization. Commitment is about achieving goals through characteristics such as dedication, devotion, loyalty, faithfulness and fidelity; characteristics that are all synonymous with the values of our College. At Kennedy our curricula programs aim to help students develop a great sense of commitment.

Mr Ashby shared Victor Yushchenko’s story. Who stood for presidency of the Ukraine in 2004. Although his face was disfigured and he almost lost his life when he was mysteriously poisoned, he was determined to stand for presidency. On the day of the election Yushchenko was comfortably in the lead, despite the state-run television station reporting that he had been decisively defeated”.

In the lower right-hand corner of the screen a woman provided a translation service for the deaf community. She refused to translate, and then went on to address all the deaf citizens of the Ukraine. She signed, “They are lying and I am ashamed to translate those lies. Yushchenko is our president.” 

“Without the unwavering commitment of the deaf community, democratic justice would not have been achieved.” Just like Yushchenko’s story it is hoped that all students who have worked to the best of their abilities, showing great commitment, will be rewarded with personal best results.

Mr Ashby finished his address with acknowledging the hard work and commitment of both staff and students.

During the last week of Semester One the Student Councillors held activities around the College grounds. Taking on the Olympics theme, the students enjoyed and took part in an egg and spoon race, limbo dance challenge and sumo wrestling provided by Nations Youth. The semester ended with a delicious Mr Whippy ice-cream.

During Term 2 the Year 7 Extension and Enrichment class had a curriculum focused on water.

Each student was provided with the opportunity to explore any element of water and present their project to parents. On Tuesday 28 June students set up displays in the Lower Foyer to show their work and ideas. There was a variety of information presented including: Water Consumption; Evaporation of Water from Trees and Water Quality.

Well done to the Kennedy Baptist College Chess Team who thoroughly enjoyed their day at the Interschool Chess Tournament held at Leeming Senior High School last semester on 21 and 22 June . Although our team came in 4th overall, we had some excellent individual results.

• Ignatius Yap: Certificate of High Distinction (for finishing in the top 5% of players in our region)
• Blair Maloney: Certificate of Credit (for finishing in the top 25% of players in our region)
• Amy Lewis and Hannah Butler came in 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Female category.

Thanks again to IGA Winthrop and all the families who support the College by shopping at IGA Winthrop.

By registering with IGA Winthrop, part proceeds from your shopping are returned to the College and contribute toward a number of projects such as the development of an outdoor environmental learning space here at Kennedy Baptist College.

For more information visit Winthrop IGA Supermarket or click here for more information.

Excursion to the Gravity Discovery Centre (GDC) at Gingin

On Friday 24 June, the Year 12 Physics students boarded the bus for the long drive to Gingin, where we were met by David, our informative tour guide. In the gallery David demonstrated many activities relating to the Physics topics studied by the students. We climbed the 222 steps to the top of the leaning tower of Gingin to
re-enact Galileo’s experiments to show that different mass water filled balloons experienced the same gravitational acceleration.

The main purpose for the GDC is the search for Gravity Waves as predicted by Einstein. They were discovered last year. David explained how the interferometer operated with a small scale model and using a trampoline, demonstrated how Gravity Waves operate in the fabric of space time. In the Centre’s Cosmology Gallery the students followed the timeline for our Universe from the beginning of time until today.

Using the giant Conical Pendulum we took measurements to determine the mass of the earth; however the most popular apparatus was the spinning capsule that measured the maximum G-force the students could bear as well as the smoke cannon.

Mrs Richter 

FEE INFORMATION

Family Statements were posted to all families in the second week of the school holidays.

Please ensure that all fee payments are accurate and up to date based on your nominated payment option. If extra charges have been added due to subject changes, camps etc and adjustments have not already been applied to include these costs, please make a one off payment to cover the charge/s.

• Monthly instalments: Please check that fees have been deducted each month from February - June.
• Term 3 and Semester Two payments: Fees are due Friday 29 July 2016.

If you have any queries regarding your statement, please contact Mrs Michelle Willans, Accounts Receivable on 9314 7722 or email fees@kennedy.wa.edu.au

Our Kennedy Baptist College Community Open Day is fast approaching and we are excited to host you. For any other information or if you wish to be a part of this amazing day, please contact Administration on 9314 7722.

Kennedy Baptist College Booth at Garden City Shopping Centre

During the second week of the holiday break, administrative and leadership staff members operated a Kennedy Baptist College information booth at Garden City Shopping Centre. It was wonderful to receive so many enquiries from prospective parents and relatives and to speak with current families and former Kennedy graduates.

Click here for print version.

Minke Terblanche and Reuben Darch

Congratulations to  Minke Terblanche and Reuben Darch who have been selected to represent Western Australia in the 2016 Golf Team. This team will be competing at the School Sport Australia National Championships in Adelaide, SA from 13 to 20 August 2016.

This is an honour and often represents a significant stepping stone in ultimate achievement of senior and national selection. We wish them all the best.

Open Day at Kennedy Baptist College 
Saturday 27 August - 10.00am to 2.00pm

Only a few weeks to go before Kennedy Community Open Day on Saturday 27 August from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Planning is wellunder way and there are a numerous areas in which you can assist the College. We would love to hear from you if you are available. to help. The Open Day is a great opportunity to come and see what is happening at the College; see some of the work from the students, presentations, performances and displays. The new Science class rooms will be open too.

The P&F run a variety of stalls on the day including an array of delicious food stalls as well as a Craft stall. Open day is a major fundraiser with the money raised this year going towards the funding of equipment for the new Sports Centre and Gymnasium currently under construction.

If you are able to help out, please contact us via our email  pandfkennedybaptistcollege@gmail.com

Help required as follow: