Photo above: Easter Service at Kennedy Baptist College. 

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families, 

The first term of 2022 has passed incredibly quickly and whilst COVID restrictions still have an impact on our operations, it has been rewarding to see our students continue to embrace the opportunities on offer at Kennedy. Highlights of the term include:

• the fantastic transition our Year 7 students have made into secondary school life with the help of their Year 11 Mentors.
• the wonderful way our Student Councillors are developing and growing as leaders in the College.
• the meaningful reflection offered by our modified Easter Services, and the excellent contributions from our Arts students.
• our swim team successes in the modified ACC competition against very tough competition and continued basketball and cricket participation in various competitions
   

Staff Changes

The end of this term will mark the end of several staff members’ time here at Kennedy. We wish them the very best for their future endeavours:

• Mrs Anna-Marie Smith, Head of Science
• Mr Craig Hill, Science Teacher
• Mr Warren Hodges, Director of Finance and Resources.

We will also have several staff commencing extended leave at the end of the term:

• Mrs Ronnie Hennighan, Long Service Leave
• Mr Ian Wilmot, Long Service Leave
• Mrs Janet Hair, Long Service Leave
• Mrs Olivia Rees, Maternity Leave.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support this term. We wish everyone a safe and relaxing term break.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Devotion

We have arrived at the end of one of the most complex school terms I have ever been through. Workloads and decision-making have been at a high level. I would like to congratulate and commend all students, staff, and families for making it to the end of Term 1.

Easter. When I think back to my childhood, Easter was a time of year that never meant very much to me. However, I do remember one moment as a teen, while watching an Easter movie, of being overcome with emotion that a man was dying for the people around him. I didn’t know anything about who it was or why it was happening. Since then it has come to mean so much to me, and throughout my years of being involved in community services for youth, I have been amazed at how much impact the Easter story has had on people. Everyone from both religious and non-religious backgrounds have asked, “what’s the point of Easter?”.

During the story of Easter, there are so many little stories that have so much meaning. Some small details like Jesus had someone carry His cross, Jesus was given vinegar to drink on the cross, and the sky went dark when Jesus died. There are many more wonderful facets of the story, I would encourage everyone to grab a bible and read the story of Easter.

One minor character in the Easter story has stood out to me this year. A Roman soldier was given the job of guarding the dying Jesus so no one could interfere with the execution. This soldier watched the whole event unfold before him while he was standing there. The Bible story captures his response when Jesus breathed His last breath. In Mark 15:39 we read,” When the centurion who stood facing Him saw that He cried out and gave up the spirit, he said, “Truly, this Man was the Son of God.”

The greatest point of the Easter story is to discover like this Roman soldier, that not only “was” He, but because of the resurrection three days later, that Jesus truly is the Son of God.

As Year 7 students finish their first term here at Kennedy, I am sure a well-deserved break is needed to recharge and reflect over the Easter holidays. Students have achieved so much in such a short time. I am proud of the manner in which the Year 7s have taken responsibility for their learning and made the most of the opportunities gifted to them at Kennedy. With the freedom to make choices about their education, develop new friendships, and accept challenges, students are encouraged to make good choices. Year 7’s are urged to ‘choose kindness’ and challenged to ‘act with integrity’.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Early next term we will be conducting a whole year group event at Point Walter in collaboration with Scripture Union. Students will engage with peers through the outdoors, including activities such as rafting, rock climbing and a high ropes course. We will be encouraging Year 7s to move beyond their comfort zones, develop communication skills and overcome personal challenges in an open environment. The theme for the day will focus on ‘everyday blessings’ and gifts from God for which we give thanks, such as our family, friends and health.

I pray for safe travels and making joyful memories as families gather over the Easter break.

Year 8 Report

This term has flown by and has been very intense but I have been really impressed with the Year 8s. The mask wearing, the constant changing of restrictions and rules and the disappointment of events not happening, mainly our Year 8 camp, but still they pushed through. During the term we talked about resilience and the ability to get through tough situations and I am proud to say that the Year 8s have shown resilience througout this term.

They are to be commended on their behaviour during our Protective Behaviour Thrive incursion in Week 8 with Andrea Musulin. Andrea spoke to the students about some very intense topics such as sexual assault, rape and sexting amongst other things. Our students were very mature as they dealt with these topics and asked some great questions.

In our Extended Form time, we have been enjoying some fun activities, providing social interactions aimed at building and maintaining friendships. We have also started our Build program where we have been discussing the issue of racism in society and watched a program on the ABC entitled ‘The School that Tried to end Racism’. This has been challenging and again the students have been very mature in their approach to this topic. 

As Term 1 comes to a close, I would like to wish you all a great holiday. I pray that everyone can return safely and ready to go next term.

Year 9 Report

With the conclusion of Term 1 just around the corner, I would like to summarise my recent talk with Year 9s and encourage conversations around effort and the rewards of revising effectively.

Some students appear to be “coasting” and achieving satisfactory results. I would love to see a shift from this approach to one where all students try to improve their results one task at a time. Students should not compare themselves to their peers to define success but focus on improving their own work. This approach does require study and hard work but seeing improved grades is a satisfying feeling that all students can strive for. It has been fantastic to see parents and guardians actively monitoring assessment results on SEQTA and I am proud of everyone who has worked hard for their marks this term.

My hope is that students are habitually contemplating the input that Form teachers offer them. Romans 10:17 states that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ”. On some mornings a verse or thought shared in Form may be just what someone needs to hear.

It has been my pleasure to step into the Head of Year position for Term 1 and I wish all Year 9s the best for the remainder of the year.

Year 10 Report

As we approach our first break of the year, I would like to share a quote that I love:

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” – Alan Cohen

The beauty in this quote is that it reminds us that there is a time to work hard, but that God has also given us time to rest. I know many Year 10s have been working hard this term to achieve their best in academic, sporting and community endeavours. Congratulations to all students on the completion of a productive, and hopefully personally rewarding term. 

We were recently fortunate to hear from Jacqui Moore from Worksafe WA about making safe decisions in the workplace. Although our work experience program is no longer going ahead next term, I hope that students will benefit from the information Jacqui presented as they enter the workforce or continue part-time or casual jobs.   

In addition to sitting examinations in Term 2, Year 10 students will also begin the process of selecting their subjects for Year 11. There will be plenty of information available and opportunities to seek advice from College staff.

I wish all Year 10s and their families a restful break.

Year 11 Report

As Term 1 comes to a close we reflect on all that has happened. There is no doubt it has been a challenging term for most Year 11s facing the stresses of COVID on top of settling into their courses. But there are many positives to celebrate and we have had some interesting times during Extended Form. Students completed their collaborative art pieces that reflects each individual and the collective. We tried some games from around the world to celebrate Harmony Day and we finished the term with an Easter egg hunt.

Peter 3:9 says “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” There is no doubt that time is flexible; for many the holidays cannot come soon enough and we find ourselves wishing time away. So it is good to remind ourselves to notice the daily positives in the midst of the busyness. To notice the friendship displayed across the year, the new connections formed, the individual successes of students and the resilience shown in facing tougher times. I hope everyone has a peaceful holiday and takes the opportunity to recharge and reset and come back happy to face Term 2.

Year 12 Report

“Put God first in everything you do” – Denzel Washington. 

As we approach the end of term, this is a timely reminder that putting God first is important. God will not lead you down the wrong path.

Yesterday we had a year group Easter egg hunt that was fun but also a great reminder of the important event of Easter. Each day we are given a new beginning as is the symbolic nature of an egg representing new life. I encourage our Year 12s to reflect on this over the holidays as they enjoy a well-earned rest in preparation for the challenges ahead.

Next term our students will be sitting examinations and externally set tasks. We wish all students the best for these challenges. With only two terms of life at Kennedy left, the planning for the end of year events is well underway. To fully enjoy these final events, I challenge every student to give their best. Sometimes, to give your best there are sacrifices that need to be made but the reward for this, along with hard work, is worthwhile. Students will only have one chance at Year 12 and we want to see every student achieve their best.  

Kennedy News
 

Back to School Information

The Administration Office will be closed for the term break from 4.00pm Friday 8 April 2022 and will re-open on Tuesday 19 April 2022. (The Administration Office will also be closed on Anzac Day, Monday 25 April 2022.)

Students commence Term 2 on Tuesday 26 April at 8.15am. Students are to wear full winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3. We hope that you have a restful and safe break during this school holiday period.

College Notices

Fees - Secondary Assistance Scheme - Close Friday 8 April 2022

The State Government, through the Department of Education, provides financial support to eligible parents via the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS). The aim of the scheme is to assist low-income families with secondary school costs. For all enquiries regarding the application process/forms please visit Reception. Applications close on Friday 8 April 2022.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 29 April 2022.