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Photo above: Families, students and staff all came together to celebrate the achievements of our Year 12s.
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,
It was wonderful to celebrate an annual milestone at Kennedy last week with the fond farewelling of our Year 12 students on their last official day. Our Year 12 Awards Assembly provided a great opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of our graduating students with recognition of achievements across all curricular and co-curricular aspects. It was great to see so many families join us for this celebration of our students and it was not surprising to see tears from students, parents and staff as we celebrated this special group of students. We thank the Class of 2024 for their significant contributions to Kennedy.
Kennedy prides itself on the care and support it provides for students and this was certainly reinforced by the heart felt message delivered by Form Teachers to their students. Our final opportunity to farewell our Year 12s is on Friday 15 November at their Graduation Ceremony. This too promises to be a great occasion.
Year 11 Examinations and 2025 preparation
As the weeks of Term 4 pass, examinations for Year 11 students are rapidly approaching along with our Year 11 Awards Assembly on Wednesday 30 October. Year 11 students now have only one week of formal classes before the examinations commence and I encourage all of these students to have a well organised study program in place as they prepare for these important assessments. Achieving the best possible grades now will certainly help to ease any pressure next year.
All Year 11 students have been informed that they will be expected to be at school for the day immediately after exams, on Monday 18 November. This will provide Staff an opportunity to review Semester results and provide students with preparation packages for 2025, as we work to prepare all students for Year 12 as best as possible.
Mr Mark Ashby
Principal
Chaplain Chats
I had the pleasure of speaking at a small church community last Sunday and this time together has continued to inspire me during this week. I spoke about God’s incredible love and how it’s not as simple and easy to understand as we might expect. There’s lots to say about how deep, how free and how unrelenting God’s love is. But when it comes to speak or write about God’s love, it’s hard to express with the wonder it deserves.
The only right way to communicate, and encourage others to lean into God’s great love, is to use words that have spoken to so many for the last twenty centuries:
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life... the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends... Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other… God’s love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us… there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord… Love does no wrong to anyone. That’s why it fully satisfies all of God’s requirements. It is the only law you need… Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity (John 3:16, John 15:13, 13:34-35 Romans 5:5, 8:39 and 13:10 Colossians 3:14)
As you try to understand this love, I would encourage you to follow Jesus’ advice in all the situations that you find yourself in this week:
“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is exactly like it: ‘You must love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)
Year 7 Report
The College values the partnership with families and appreciates the ongoing commitment parents/guardians have towards their children. As the year nears its end, it is natural that the tireless parental effort takes its toll. My hope is that all students and parents/guardians are encouraged to persevere and finish the year strong!
In Sticking With Your Teen by Joe White (Tyndale House Publishers 2006), parents are given practical advice for navigating the teenage years with wisdom and patience. Key tips for parents include setting firm boundaries and consistently following through with consequences. Sometimes this means saying “no”. Saying "no" establishes values and expectations and gives parents the opportunity to explain the reasons behind why we do or don’t do certain things. This approach fosters a respectful relationship and helps young people to make better choices in the long run.
The Year 7 Pastoral Care team focuses on supporting students by helping them develop a sense of identity, safety and confidence. Our Extended Form program, daily Form messages and devotions and Christian Education program have been key in achieving this developmental goal. This term, students will also benefit from a visit by the WA Police to learn about responsible online behaviour while professional basketball player Natalie Burton will inspire students to build essential wellbeing skills.
Our ‘Movie on the Big Screen’ event on 13 November will provide an important chance to balance work with play. This final Year 7 Social will provide the perfect opportunity to socialise after College hours, having fun with peers. Please look out for the invitation and more information about this event soon.
May Term 4 provide opportunities to work hard, rest when needed and enjoy every opportunity this season at the College has to offer – all with the aim to finish the year well.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Year 8 Report
As the Head of Year 8, I am proud to reflect on our recent donation drive for St. Patrick's Community Centre. Thank you to our students and families for your generous contributions. These essential items will go to those in need while the $2700 raised will help St Pat’s to continue their important work into the future. Well done on showcasing our commitment to making a positive impact in our community.
As we approach the mid-point of this Term, I urge all students to persist in their academic endeavours. This is a crucial time to focus on your studies and strive for your best. Remember: hard work now will pay off in the long run.
In addition to academic success, let’s continue to be kind and supportive to one another. Acts of kindness can make a significant difference in a person’s life, even if they are towards those we may not know personally. I encourage everyone to seize opportunities as they arise and make the most of your time at Kennedy. Your continued involvement in College life can lead to lasting memories and friendships.
To inspire us all, I’d like to share a Bible verse: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Let’s look out for one another and foster a supportive environment.
Year 9 Report
Our Year 9 students came back from the holidays feeling refreshed and ready for a busy term ahead, with exams coming up in Weeks 6 and 7. I encourage students to create a study schedule to help organise their time and break their subjects into manageable chunks. The Research and Study Centre staff have shared some great tips for developing positive study habits, which you can find by clicking here.
It is natural to feel a bit stressed or anxious as we approach exams. That’s why it's important to prioritise healthy habits and make sure your child is getting enough sleep, staying active and eating well. If things ever feel overwhelming, please remember that I, along with our College Counsellors, am here to support students through this journey.
Work Experience Monday 28 April – Friday 2 May 2025
Students are required to complete the SmartMove Certificate by the end of this Term. Please note that they will need to do two modules: The General Module and one Industry Module. Please start on the General module first.
Your choice of Industry module will depend on where you will be doing your work experience. For example, if you will be doing work experience at a vet hospital, choose the Veterinary and Animal Care industry module; if you are doing it at an automotive mechanic's, pick the Automotive industry module. Parents and students can talk to myself or form teachers if you are unsure to which industry your work experience belongs.
If students are unsure where they will be working and want to complete the SmartMove Certificate first, please pick the Business and ICT Industry module. This is the generic industry module of choice. The SmartMove Certificate should be completed by 6 December.
Year 10 Report
What an exciting time for the Year 10s! We are having our Formal tonight at East Fremantle Yacht Club. We’ve been looking forward to this event all year and I’m excited to see the students get dressed up, hit the dance floor and share dinner together.
Preparations should be well under way for the upcoming exam period. The Year 10s are experienced at exams but they do require a bit more focus and effort as they cover multiple terms worth of work. I will be offering some more support to students over the coming weeks with my study planner guidance. Please let me know if you would like me to meet with your student.
The other exciting thing we have coming up this term us the training for our 11/7 Mentors. This will take place after the exams and will help to prepare 75 students to guide the incoming Year 7s for 2025 through the orientation process. Although this is extra work for the students, it is a great opportunity for our students to practice leadership skills and give back to the community, especially with most applicants noting that they benefited from this program when they were in Year 7.
We will have our annual transition day on the Wednesday 27 November during Week 8. This is a day where we talk through the transition from Year 10 to Year 11 and how to best prepare for upper school. It is always a positive day as we talk through the big changes and look at the challenges related to ATAR and general courses. It is great to finish out the year with a real positive look to the future and I’m excited to be organising this day for them.
So, there’s plenty happening as we finish out 2024. Please pray for our students that they can get through this exam period and that they enjoy the activities and events the College has organised.
Year 11 Report
Our Year 11 students have been working hard, submitting their final assessments and, in many cases, preparing for exams. It’s important that all students remain motivated and end the school year on a positive note.
Here are some useful tips for students preparing for exams:
- Ensure that you have a study planner to set aside time to study and revise course information.
- Organise your study space – ensure that you have enough light, a comfortable chair and a clean desk to work at. Background music helps but stick to instrumental music rather than listening to your favourite songs.
- Explain your answers to others – discuss course concepts with your parents and speak about what you have learned at school. Teaching others can be a great way to learn.
- Take regular breaks – avoid studying for hours on end without taking time out for yourself. Breaks could include having a drink of water, eating fresh food or even going for a walk.
- Stick to water on exam days – avoid drinking coffee, energy drinks or soft drinks on exam days. Drinking plenty of water will keep you hydrated, which is essential for your brain to work at its best.
I will be praying for all the Year 11 students, as they complete their courses. It’s been a wonderful year and I look forward to seeing our students return in 2025 for their graduation year.
Year 12 Report
As I write this, the Year 12s have finished their term at Kennedy. General courses have been completed, Semester 2 exams have been written, marked and returned and final grades are being distributed. The last academic hurdle is WACE exams for our ATAR students, and we pray for minimal stress and maximum success in this time.
The last few days for the Class of 2024 were packed with final celebrations. Monday was Dress-Up Day, with the theme of, “What do you hope you’ll be doing in 10 years from now?” It’s good to know we have plenty of lawyers, tradies, nurses and even police officers in the making. Students regrouped for Tuesday’s “Fremantle Amazing Scavenger Hunt”. We decamped to Fremantle to complete a series of challenges, which required teamwork, camaraderie and a sense of fun – all of which our 12s have in abundance.
Wednesday was a day of mixed emotions as we celebrated their last day with a final Awards Assembly. It began with a big breakfast together; possibly the earliest many have got to school, ever. Thank you to the Beedawong staff for providing such an amazing spread for us all. The formalities of the Awards Assembly provided the opportunity to honour all Year 12 students and recognise those who have excelled academically, and in community work, leadership, sport and the arts. The talent and presence students who spoke and performed during the assembly was also worthy of note. And who will ever forget “KennedyLand”?! The Year 12 Form Teachers and myself had so much fun practising, filming and performing our tribute to the Year 12s. I hope it is yet another positive memory they can carry with them.
But that wasn’t even the highlight. As the 12s made their way through the Walk of Honour, cheered on by Kennedy students and staff, we marked this incredible milestone with our warm and loving community.
Now, as they leave Kennedy, we offer again the Bible verse and lesson on Wisdom delivered by their Form Teachers (Proverbs 4:4-9). In a time that every single Year 12 will need a new level of wisdom, we remind them of the words of James (1: 5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Kennedy News
Champions Read
This year’s Champions Read started off with the entire College reading in our first Extended Form for the Term. It was amazing to walk around the College to take photos and witness an atmosphere of calmness and quiet everywhere! It’s always astounding how reading has the power to calm the racing mind and the create stillness and peace.
The RASC has come alive in this time, with students walking through a life-size wardrobe into the winter realm of Narnia and entering a whole range of competitions, from ‘guess the book in a jar’ to a ‘beat AI’ contest. Earlier in the week, the competitive instinct of our students was honed into a dress-up competition with students (and staff!) arriving to school in the costumes of one of their favourite book characters.
World Teacher's Day
We are incredibly proud of our teachers and their passion for educating and inspiring our students. World Teachers' Day tomorrow is a chance to celebrate our Kennedy teachers and thank them for all of the hard work that they do, in and out of the classroom.
Some great ways to let your teacher know how much you appreciate them is to share a "hats off" selfie, make a "hats off to Teachers" selfie GIF on the World Teachers' Day website, or simply by telling our teachers how great they are. If you're sharing to social media, make sure to use #WorldTeachersDay2024 and tag @kennedy_baptist_college!
Visit the World Teachers' Day website to find out some other great ways to highlight our teachers.
Parents and Friends Association
The P&F Association has had another successful year of supporting the College community, including the raising of over $8000 during our Community Open Day. These funds will be used to proceed with the purchase of microphones and of a shelter near the Murdoch Sports Oval.
Email the P&F for more opportunities to volunteer and help our community during this Term and consider joining the team as we approach 2025, with the Association's next Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 4 March 2025 a great way to meet other passionate parents of the College.
College Notices
Important Dates for Term 4
Please make sure to check Parent Lounge regularly for notifications and important updates on College events. There is a significant number of Specialist Sports games and events during this Term, including a Year 7 and 8 Specialist Basketball Tournament and a Year 9 Specialist Cricket Camp both in Week 4.
This busy sporting calendar is occurring during exam season for many of our students, with major examination dates as follows:
- ATAR Written Examinations for Year 12: 28 October to 15 November
- Year 11 Examinations: 4 November to 15 November
- Year 9 and 10 Exams: 13 November to 18 November
Year 11 Awards Assembly
Another highlight of this busy Term is next week's Year 11 Awards Assembly.
On Wednesday 30 October, we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our Year 11 students with families of award recipients joining us for this special celebration.
Fotomakers Photos Available to Purchase
Fotomakers WA have made a range of group photos available for families to purchase, including recent Sports, Music and Academic images.
Access the Fotomakers' gallery by clicking here or click on the button below for the full guide.
Upcoming Kennedy Insight
Raising young adults comes with its share of challenges, and the new digital world has created both possibilities and risks for social, physical and emotional development.
As part of Kennedy Baptist College’s efforts to give our parents and community, we have invited Psychologist Luke Spagnolo to speak on how to form healthy digital habits during Week 8 of this Term.
Click the link below to find out more and RSVP. Community members are welcome to this adult-only event.
Employment Applications Open for 2025
Our staff are essential to our mission of providing an excellent education that sets our students up for lifelong learning.There are a number of teaching roles available to apply for as we prepare for 2025.
Please see our website for more details and how to apply if you or someone you know is suited to one of these roles, .
Uniform Care Guide
The Uniform Shop has published a useful guide for parents and guardians on how to best look after student uniforms, including advice on keeping blazers and knitwear clean and tidy.
Click here for the guide.
Absentees
Parents and guardians are asked to notify the College before 9.00am on the morning of absence via the absentee form on the Kennedy App under Parent Lounge or by phoning the College absentee line (08 6188 0698). For any other student matters or information, please feel free to email Student Services or stop by to talk to one of our staff.
Uniform Shop – Term 4 2024 Opening Hours
During Term 4 of 2024, the Uniform Shop will be open Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 3.45pm.
* Closed Fridays.
* Closed for lunch 12.30 to 1.00pm.
For more information, please email our Uniform Shop Manager.
Beedawong Cafeteria Menu
There are delicious items available in the Cafeteria such as fruit salad, sushi and freshly baked muffins and chocolate croissants each day! There are also some great online lunch options such as butter chicken & rice, baguettes and wraps to order via our online ordering system at www.quickcliq.com.au. See the link for the menu.
Volunteering Opportunities
We value the support of
our volunteers who contribute to the College community!
Volunteer opportunities for 2024 will be made available in Term 4, including assisting the P&F Association with their volunteering efforts and book covering in the RASC.
Student Withdrawal
It is a condition of enrolment that at least 10 school weeks’ notice (not including scheduled school holidays) of a student’s withdrawal is given in writing to the Registrar at registrar@kennedy.wa.edu.au. In the event that such notice is not given, a 10 week withdrawal fee will apply per student.
We are always looking to improve our College and take care of our community. Will you please tell us how we are doing and review us on Google? Submit your review here.
The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 7 November 2024.
