Photo above: The Year 7 girls' basketball team winning the ACC Year 7 Super Series! 

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,

As we reach the middle of our final term of the year, it has been wonderful to reflect on our students’ academic achievements in the recent Awards Assemblies and in our Specialist Sports programs.

Specialist Sports Achievements

Kennedy Baptist College is delighted to celebrate the recent accomplishments of our Specialist Sports program. We congratulate our students who participated in the ACC Super Series basketball competition, where both our Year 7 boys’ and girls’ teams reached their respective grand finals. We are especially proud of our Year 7 girls’ team for securing the championship title. In addition, our Year 9 girls’ team achieved an outstanding victory in the State Elite Competition grand final. These successes are a testament to the commitment and talent of our students and the significance of our specialist basketball program.

Kennedy Master Plan

Since its inception in 2013, Kennedy Baptist College has implemented a comprehensive Master Plan to provide exceptional facilities for our students. The third stage of this plan is now nearing completion. This phase includes the construction of a second storey comprising five interconnecting classrooms above the existing English rooms. These new spaces will primarily support study and examination areas, enabling the removal of several transportable classrooms from the northern side of the campus. Following their removal, additional car parking and landscaping will be developed to enhance convenience for families. The classroom construction is scheduled for completion by the end of this term, with the new car park expected to be finalised by the end of Term 1, 2026.

We thank you for your ongoing support and continued patience during this period of growth.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Chats

In the world of chaplaincy and pastoral support, we spend time engaging with people’s beliefs. Not just religious belief, but the beliefs about identity, purpose and what each of us considers important. If a person believes they are not important, it can motivate many decisions and actions that affect the individual and the community they belong to. Belief becomes a powerful motivator of a person’s thought processes, actions, and relationships. Each person’s set of beliefs shapes us, and therefore, it shapes each family, community and the whole country we belong to.

Epistemology is a branch of psychology that studies belief, truth, and personal justification to explore the nature of what people consider to be true. We learn about things through personal experience or by observing them firsthand. We value sources we trust and tend to disregard those we don't. When we feel certain about something, no amount of information, data, or argument can change that belief until a new, trustworthy truth challenges our understanding. This breakthrough in knowledge can occur gradually or suddenly and be referred to as an insight, a vision, an epiphany, or a revelation.

The beliefs held by each member of the Kennedy community greatly influence how we function together. Our mission at Kennedy is to help our students, families, and the entire community grow in their understanding of truth. We recognise that new beliefs about ourselves and our individual purpose are formed through personal experiences and trust. Therefore, at Kennedy, we strive to create opportunities for growth and to be trustworthy in all our actions, so that we can collectively strengthen our belief that Jesus is the Son of God.

Curriculum Report

Year 11 and 12 Exams

As it is now mid-term, the examination season for Year 11 and 12 students has begun. For a Year 11 or 12 course to be included in the calculation of the Western Australian Certificate of Education, students enrolled in ATAR courses must complete examinations. I wish all the Year 11 and 12 students well in their final examinations for 2025. I trust that the time that the College has invested in developing study skills and habits, combined with each student’s efforts in revision, will reduce each student’s anxiety during this intense period.

Year 9 and 10 Exams

Students in Years 9 and 10 will commence examinations in the coming weeks, with preparations to be completed both in class and through homework set by teachers. Students are regularly taught about how to revise and prepare for assessments and have learnt that a good study plan and regular revision are more effective than last-minute cramming. Students should set goals for each revision session to ensure they can effectively review content and allocate 20-30 minutes of study time to each subject each day (e.g., Monday = Maths; Tuesday = English).

Study Habits

I encourage parents to keep track of the time their child spends on homework in the coming weeks. It's important for students not to spend 3-4 hours each night preparing for exams. Additionally, please remember that Year 9 and 10 students must remain in their classes during examination periods and are not allowed to go home to study.

I would like to highlight that curriculum material is being taught right up until the last day of school. Students are continuously assessed, meaning that even after formal testing ends, teachers continue to observe students' understanding of the concepts presented. This information is crucial for determining final grades.

Reports are expected to be available through SEQTA on Tuesday, 9 December. Courses for 2025 are expected to be finalised also by Tuesday 9 December and available through SEQTA. To provide a small window for class changes, some information regarding Year 11 and 12 courses and Years 8, 9 and 10 electives may be released earlier. Booklists will be available on the Kennedy website also around Tuesday 9 December.

Pastoral Care Report

Celebrating Leadership and Community at Kennedy Baptist College  

Earlier this term, I had the privilege of announcing several Community Awards at our Year 12 Awards Assembly. These awards are a meaningful way to recognise the growth, service, and leadership of our Year 12 students, both within the College and in the wider community.  

This year’s award recipients were:  

• ADF Long Tan Award – Cerys So  
• ADF Future Innovators Award – Coby Bridson  
• Ampol Best All-Rounder Award – Teagan Rooney  
• Kennedy Community Leadership Award – Aria Ellie  
• Year 12 Parents and Friends Association Award – Jared Ranieri  

Each of these students has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities during their time at Kennedy. Many have actively participated in our leadership programs, which are a vital part of our Pastoral Care framework. These programs offer students opportunities to embody the College’s values, foster a sense of community, and develop into role models and responsible contributors to college life.  

We also recently completed the application and selection process for our 2026 Student Councillors and House Captains. Thank you to all students who applied for these important positions, and congratulations to those who will serve in 2026. In Week 8, we will host our Student Leadership Camp, which will support their development and prepare them for their roles next year. This camp will also mark the first opportunity for our Student Executives to lead their teams.

Digital Wellbeing: Upcoming Presentations for Students and Parents  

As part of Kennedy Baptist College’s commitment to supporting students and families in navigating the digital world safely and responsibly, we are pleased to host two presentations by Ms Rebekah Nijsen, a specialist in digital education and online safety.  

Student Presentation – Wednesday 26 November  

Topic: Building Awareness in the Digital World  
This interactive session will help students understand the risks and challenges associated with social networking, online gaming, and the increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI). Topics include:  

• The emergence of “companion AI” and its potential risks  
• Verifying online information  
• Benefits and limitations of AI in daily life  
• Critical thinking in digital environments  
• Implications of new social media legislation  

Students will be encouraged to reflect on their online interactions and make informed, responsible choices. 

Kennedy Insights Parent Presentation – Thursday 27 November

Rather than prescribing strict rules, this presentation aims to empower families to make confident decisions that promote digital well-being.  

We strongly encourage all parents to attend this valuable session and continue the important conversations that begin with our students. 

Kennedy News

Intergrity in Action: Jordyn Heal's Inspiring Example

Integrity is one of Kennedy Baptist College’s core values, and recently, one of our students outstandingly embodied this principle.

Year 9 student Jordyn Heal demonstrated remarkable honesty and character when she discovered a valuable item at Westfield Booragoon Shopping Centre. Without hesitation, Jordyn handed the item to the shopping centre's management, who then transferred it to the police to help locate its rightful owner. 

After the designated 60-day holding period passed with no claim, the police recognised Jordyn's integrity by returning the item to her and presenting her with a Certificate of Appreciation. This was their way of acknowledging her exemplary action and highlighting the importance of doing the right thing. 

The presentation took place in the presence of her parents, Head of Year Mr David Orr and Principal Mr Mark Ashby.

Jordyn's aspiration to one day become a police officer made this moment especially meaningful, showing that her values and ambitions are already aligned.

We commend Jordyn for being an inspiring example of integrity and an excellent representation of Kennedy Baptist College.

Uniting Care Crisis Bags

Last week, the Year 11 Children, Family and the Community students made 30 crisis care packs for people experiencing homelessness in partnership with Uniting WA. Earlier in the year, Mr Powell, the Senior Manager for Community and Corporate Engagement, spoke to the class about the 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in WA and what we could do to assist.

Last term, the students organised a bake sale with delicious cookies and slices to fundraise for the packs. We then used the money raised to buy toiletries, tinned foods, underwear, thongs, towels and other essentials. Mrs Neilson, our Food Technician sewed sturdy denim drawstring bags to hold it all, and I will be delivering them this week. This was a great community project for the students to demonstrate generosity, service and kindness to those in need.

Ms Ann-Marie Frazier
Year 11 Children, Family and the Community Teacher

Sports Update

Term 4 has been a busy one, especially on the sporting front.

We want to acknowledge and congratulate the recent successes in our Specialist Sports Programs and competitions that have been running at Kennedy in Term 4. We have had outstanding performances from our junior basketball teams, the Kennedy cricket teams and other accomplishments through Triathalons and AFL. 

Make sure to check below to read more about our student's successes!

College Notices

2026 College Calendar 

Please refer to the College Calendar in the Parent Lounge for major events for 2026. Any year group specific events will be made available in the new year. 

Beedawong Cafeteria Closure - Friday 21 November

Please be advised that the Beedawong Cafeteria will be closed on Friday 21 November, due to preparations for the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. 

There will be a Sausage Sizzle available at lunch, with all proceeds going towards Transform Cambodia.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 27 November 2025.