Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families,

Kennedy has had a wonderful beginning to the year. Thank you to all of our families for this great start and for your patience as we grappled with road works impacting on traffic flow. It has been very pleasing to see our students quickly embrace the challenges and opportunities of Kennedy during the early part of the academic year. The great outcomes that have already been achieved will hold our students in good stead over the next four Terms. We look forward to an exciting and productive year of partnering with our students and their families.

It was a pleasure to welcome our new Year 7 students and their families to the College last Monday. Kennedy is a community built on the partnership between College Staff and Families and there is no doubt that maximising this partnership benefits all of our community members. Educational research shows that greater parent engagement leads to higher student outcomes, reinforcing the importance of staying connected. We encourage all families to engage with the College community throughout the year, building relationships that support both students and parents. Our Year 7 families recently had the opportunity to do just that at the Families Afternoon Tea, where they connected with each other and the teaching staff.
 

Welcome to New Staff

By continuing to be an employer of choice, the College has the opportunity to welcome exceptional staff to teach and care for our students. It has been fantastic to meet and see our new staff excelling in their roles. We warmly welcome:

• Mr Robert Ford - Head of Sport
• Ms Hannah Bavenstock - Home Economics
• Ms Danielle Berkelaar - Visual Arts
• Mr Aaron Rozells - Science
• Mrs Coral Steenkamp - English
• Mrs Kirsten Edward   English
• Mr Lawrence Grant - Mathematics
• Mr Jean Aucamp - Mathematics
• Mrs Jennifer Groom - Inclusive Education
• Mrs Zeljana Stronach - Counsellor
• Mrs Anita Handley - Health & Physical Education
• Mrs Naomi Ohlson - Library Assistant

We also congratulate Michaelyn Temu on her transition to the role of Office Manager, following her valuable contributions as an Attendance Officer, and Suzanne Warwick, who has stepped into the role of Chaplain.
 

2026 Timetable Change

After ongoing review, research, and investigation of timetable models by our curriculum leaders, the College has made the decision to modify the structure of the daily timetable. The current timetable is made up of 7, 50 minute classes per day. Next year, the College will change to a timetable that has 6, 55-minute classes per day. This change will impact on a wide range of our operations, including:

• Start time
• Timing of recess and lunch
• Curriculum and subject structures

Details of these changes will be shared throughout the year as we further develop the timetable. The intention of this change is to provide a more efficient curriculum with fewer interruptions for students in order to maximise learning outcomes.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

As the holidays fade in the rear-view mirror, I would like to add my welcome to the Kennedy College community. 

‘Community’ is one of my common words. I use it a lot around the College and I have loved seeing our community all back together this last week. Growing and maintaining a sense of community is both my personal and professional mission. Given the size of the Kennedy Community (close to 3500 people) it is a big job to maintain the ‘common unity’ so that everyone feels they belong to a dynamic and caring network of people. Up until now, I have only felt like I have been scratching the surface in supporting the vast connections that make up our College.

2025 has marked the beginning of a new chapter for Kennedy Chaplaincy! This year has started with the added highlight of welcoming a second chaplain at Kennedy. Mrs Suzanne Warwick has started this year as a permanent (3 days per week) chaplain to increase the capacity of our Pastoral Care. Mrs Warwick and I will be growing our Chaplaincy service to better care for students. We also recognise our students come from homes that manage some big and common challenges. 

Our mission at Kennedy is to support the whole community so that every member knows they are valued and created for a life of purpose. Mrs Warwick and I are here for you. If there is any way we could support your child or family, please reach out! Send us a Direqt message via SEQTA or come find us in the Health Centre. We look forward to doing 2025 with you all.

It was wonderful to witness the excitement and enthusiasm on the faces of our Year 7 students as they were officially welcomed into the Kennedy community during the 2025 Commencement Ceremony. After taking part in the 2024 Orientation Day and Pre-Start Day, it was a special moment to mark their official beginning with the ceremony where they received their commencement certificates and Bibles. This event truly set the stage for their journey at Kennedy, creating an uplifting atmosphere for the years ahead.

I would like to encourage students with this quote; “There is no elevator to success; you have to take the stairs.” This is a perfect reminder of what lies ahead in high school; a path that will include both triumphs and challenges, along with many opportunities to grow. We’re here to support both students and parents through the ups and downs of these next few years.

There’s always something special about seeing fresh faces and new uniforms as we embark on this journey together. Mr Ashby reminded us of the importance of living out our values, especially integrity. His message encouraged us to carry the enthusiasm and high standards we begin with throughout our entire high school experience.

For parents looking to connect with others in the Year 7 cohort and the broader Kennedy community, attending events such as the Year 7 Families Afternoon Tea is a great way to start. Throughout the year, there will be many opportunities to engage with the College, from the Arts Production and Kennedy Insights to Community Open Day and joining the P&F. We look forward to many years of building relationships and shared experiences!

Welcome back to a new school year! It has been wonderful hearing about the holidays and seeing students return with energy and enthusiasm for the year ahead. I hope everyone feels refreshed and ready for the opportunities and challenges that Year 9 will bring.

This year, we continue to focus on the values of kindness and forgiveness. Students were spoken to about how we often make mistakes as a part of learning, to be quick to forgive and recognise that we are not perfect - all these will help build stronger relationships. As students navigate friendships, academic challenges, and personal growth, choosing kindness and showing forgiveness will help them develop resilience and strong character.

This is a significant academic year as students prepare for their first formal exams. While this may feel like a big step, we encourage every student to give their best effort, develop good study habits, and approach challenges with a positive mindset. With support from both home and school, we are confident they will rise to the occasion.

Above all, we hope to instill in our students the value of love, as taught by Jesus— a love that is patient, kind, and uplifting. Let’s work together to make this a successful and rewarding year for all.

Our Year 10 students have had a fantastic start to the year, spending time reconnecting with one another and getting to know their new Form teachers; H1: Mr Andrew Yong, H2: Mr Lester Sim, F1: Joyce Toh, F2: Mr Milton Forsdike, K1: Mr Aaron Rozells, K2: Mr Jonathan Groom, O1: Ms Sarah Paton-Diggins, O2: Ms Liandri Stander. During our first week of Pastoral Care time, including Extended Form, students engaged in relationship-building activities and "get-to-know-you" games.

As they embark on their journey through upper school, Year 10s have been offered the encouraging words of Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Together with the Year 10 Form teachers, I encourage students to be open to discovering more about God and exploring how the Christian faith can be a positive and guiding influence in their lives. We look forward to a year of growth, connection, and faith-filled learning!

The Year 11 students have had a great start to the year. The jump into upper school while nerve-wracking at times, comes with it a sense of a rite-of-passage and one that has been fully embraced so far. 

We have a busy term ahead and planning is well under way for our Year 11 camp which will be in Week 9. Students will be placed on a camp either Mon-Wed or Wed-Fri and they will head down to Busselton Baptist Campsite. This camp is designed to be a chance to provide students with opportunities to build relationships and take a breather to reflect on all that’s happened so far this year. Students will have a choice of a range of activities, from the more intense (surfing and high ropes) to the more relaxed (Sunflowers Animal Farm & Busselton Jetty Tour). I am really looking forward to this camp with our students and believe it will be a core memory from their Kennedy journey. More information will be out shortly.

Over the holidays as I had time to reflect and pray for the students in the year group, I sensed this year was going to be a great year of growth in both maturity, classroom behaviour and focus on classwork. I am hoping the below Bible verse will inspire them and realise that they can have someone to lean on and trust in during times of worry, stress and pressure. Isaiah 40:30-31 ‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.’

The final year of schooling for our Year 12 students has commenced, presenting exciting new opportunities. This week during Extended Form, students received their 2025 Leavers Jackets. From Monday, many students also moved into the Lower Foyer Common Room, a space only for the Year 12s for recess and lunch, a privilege that I am sure they will appreciate.

At our first Assembly, the Year 12’s were reminded that they are now the most senior students on campus and will be looked up to by the younger students. Because of this, it is imperative that they set high standards for others to follow. These standards include wearing their uniform correctly and with pride, being punctual to classes, attending College regularly, and positively representing the College on and off campus. Undoubtedly, this outstanding group of young men and women will make us proud.

Our Year 12 students are looking forward to celebrating the Year 12 ball, which takes place at Fraser’s State Reception Centre in Kings Park on Friday 21 February. I can’t wait to see everyone dressed up and looking amazing. This event always holds precious memories for our students.

I’d like to encourage our students to view 2025 as a new opportunity and for a fresh beginning. Isaiah 43:18-19 states “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” This is a powerful message of hope and renewal and students should be encouraged to look forward, rather than dwell on the past.

College Notices

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 13 February 2025