Photo above: Our fantastic annual Kennedy Music Night.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,

As we approach the end of Term 2, I would like to extend my congratulations to all our students for their dedication and hard work. It has been a pleasure to witness the commitment and enthusiasm with which our students have engaged in their academic pursuits, striving to achieve their best possible outcomes.

Our College values of Boldness, Growth and Integrity have certainly been evident in our students approach to their studies and participation in various aspects of College life. Their efforts contribute significantly to the vibrant and supportive community we value at Kennedy.

Celebrating Academic Achievements

In recognition of our students' academic successes in Semester One, we are excited to announce two special Academic Award Assemblies next term:

• Year 10 to 12 Academic Awards Assembly on Wednesday 23 July (Week 1) 
• Year 7 to 9 Academic Awards Assembly on Wednesday 30 July (Week 2)

These assemblies are an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students, and we look forward to acknowledging their accomplishments.

Important Dates to Remember

A reminder to all families that Term 2 will conclude on Friday 27 June. We have a three week break between Terms 2 and 3, providing everyone with an extended period to rest and recharge before the new term begins. Term 3 begins for our students on Tuesday 22 July due to a Professional Learning day for our staff on Monday 21 July.

The remaining Term dates are as follows: 

• Term 3: Tuesday 22 July – Thursday 25 September
• Term 4: Monday 13 October – Tuesday 9 December

On behalf of the entire Kennedy Staff, I wish everyone in our community a safe and relaxing semester break. We look forward to welcoming students back in Term 3, ready to embark on another successful chapter of their academic journey.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Chats

In Australia today almost One million people indicate they have Aboriginal heritage. NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) is behind the week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and achievements. At Kennedy we join in honouring the Aboriginal people of Australia. One of the wonderful features of Aboriginal people is their understanding and stewardship of the land. This has always been a reminder to me of God’s design in creating humanity, to “tend and protect” (Genesis 2:15) the whole creation with Him. There are so many fascinating stories of the long-developed skill’s the Aboriginal people use to be gardeners with God.

Because of this culture, it comes as no surprise that almost half of the million Aboriginal people today, according to the 2016 to 2021 census, recognise the God of the Bible as the maker of the land and identify as Christian. There is an assumption that missionaries moved people away from their traditional beliefs, but there is more to the story. There are references from many elders, cited in a thesis by Labhaoise Upton (Flinders University, 2021) of Jesus being known by Aboriginal people before any visits by Europeans. One elder is quoted as saying, “…I believe that God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit were here, and created us on Earth as a caretaker… we Aboriginal people already knew the Holy Spirit and Jesus.” Another elder said her people had names for them, “Ngardaknya (God the Father), Ngkarte (Jesus), Utnenge Ngkarte (Holy Spirit).” Further to these early stories, 100 years ago near Alice Springs an Aboriginal elder, Nebu Judialong, had a vision of the Cross of Jesus being the place of true forgiveness.

Curriculum Report

I cannot believe that another busy term is concluding. Following on from the parent-teacher interviews, I would encourage parents to check SEQTA regularly to review feedback from teachers in the form of marks and/or comments. Further queries can be messaged via SEQTA directly to the teacher.

2026 Course Selections

Students in Years 8 to 11 have now selected courses for 2026. Selections were made electronically, with the student and parent/guardian signing off on the desired course selections. Please note that selections should have been completed by Monday 23 June 2025.

The Executive Team have been busy with Year 10 to 11 interviews. These interviews are an excellent opportunity for students to meet with their parents and a staff member to discuss their post-school ambitions. During these interviews, students' results, achievements and ambitions are used to assist in the course selection process.

Semester Reports

All student reports will be issued at the end of the term, on Thursday 26 or Friday 27 June. I would like to remind Year 12 students, this is their last report and as they approach the end of their Kennedy Journey, I encourage all Year 12 students to maintain a committed approach to their studies.

Finally, I would like to wish all families a restful break and I look forward to another exciting semester when we return.

Pastoral Care Report

As Term 2 draws to a close, I would like to recognise two impactful events that recently took place at, the student-led Gratitude Week, and our NAIDOC Celebration.

Gratitude Week

Gratitude Week at Kennedy was a celebration of appreciation led by the Student Executive Team in Week 8. A highlight of the week was when students came together to prepare and distribute delicious home-baked treats and purchased pastries to share with parents during morning drop-off, offering a token of appreciation for their ongoing support. Christian Connect students extended the appreciation to staff by sharing personal messages of gratitude. At the same time, Student Councillors thoughtfully wrote and delivered handwritten notes and small gifts to departments, recognising the dedication and hard work of our Kennedy staff. As students reflected on what they were most thankful for, a common thread emerged: deep appreciation for family and friends.

This initiative fostered a warm, uplifting atmosphere across the school, reminding us of the power of kindness and connection in building a stronger, more compassionate community.

NAIDOC Celebration

On Wednesday, the staff and students gathered in the auditorium to recognise NAIDOC Week and reflect on the 2025 theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.” This powerful message marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week. It celebrates not only the achievements of the past but also the bright future ahead, driven by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the enduring legacy of ancestors. It’s a tribute to intergenerational knowledge, cultural resilience, and the role of self-determination in shaping the future. The theme encourages all Australians to reflect on where we’ve come from and to uplift the voices and leadership of the next generation. Pastor Keith Truscott opened with a Welcome to Country and devotion, followed by a performance of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" sung by his wife, Stephanie. We also welcomed Rodney Rivers and his grandson, who played the didgeridoo and spoke about his life and cultural experiences. Our Chaplain, Mr Chase, offered a reflection to close the event. Throughout the week, Year 7 and 8 form classes took part in NAIDOC-related activities organised by the RASC, including creative “Maker Space” sessions. It was a meaningful week that encouraged students to learn more about First Nations culture and helped strengthen our College’s connection with our Indigenous community.

As we wrap up the term, we hope all our students have a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved holiday. Enjoy your break, make special memories, and return recharged for next term!

Kennedy News

2025 Kennedy Music Night

"Last Thursday, the College was bustling with miraculous sounds of instruments filling the stages as we held our annual Music Night. From the guzheng and Western band music of the 80s, 90s, and 21st century, guests were greeted with a flurry of dancing notes in the air as we stood up to present our pieces. Many highlights took to the stage, from mashups of our favourite tunes, such as "Party in the USA" and "Land Down Under", to a guzheng performance, which reflected the theme of "Around the World in 80 minutes" by embracing settings from different cultures, both local and international. And oh, who can forget the staff band as they sang "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys? Community spirit was reinforced as we screamed for a surprise from a few favourite teachers who rapped on stage! Or the vocal ensemble's magnificent entry as they sang "Siyahumba"! 

What made the night memorable was the feeling of school spirit, showcased through our hard work in the numerous acts, which added to the warm atmosphere of our college endeavours. It was a great experience, and I'm so proud to have been a part of Music Night this year!"

Nicole Wong, Vocal Ensemble and Year 11 Band.

Year 11 and 12 SAS Interschool Sport

This week, a large number of our Year 11 and 12 students represented Kennedy Baptist College in sporting competitions against All Saints’ College and John Wollaston Anglican Community School.

Our students participated in AFL, Badminton, Soccer, Volleyball, and Netball, with the aim of becoming the overall SAS champions. Kennedy had the pleasure of hosting the Volleyball and Soccer competitions, as they played against All Saints' College.

The Health and Physical Education staff have been working diligently throughout the term to coach and prepare the teams and are very proud of the student's participation and dedication.

ACC Year 7 AFL Carnival

Congratulations to our Girls and Boys Year 7 AFL Teams! This week they competed in the ACC Year 7 AFL Carnival with dedication.

Both teams succeeded in impressive results, with the Boys team finishing 4th overall, and the Girls team finishing in 2nd. We couldn't be prouder of their hard work and success!

Year 8 Public Speaking Competition

A massive round of applause for our Year 8 students who stepped up and spoke out in their cohort's Public Speaking Competition!  

In front of judges, parents, and their peers, these young voices demonstrated extraordinary courage, confidence, and passion—tackling topics that mattered to them and inspiring everyone in the room.  

Topics included questions such as, ‘Can one person really make a difference?’, ‘What matters more, talent or hard work?’ and ‘Does winning matter more than trying your best?’. The students also persuaded their audience on ‘Why their pet chicken could run the country better than a politician’, ‘Why students deserve a three day weekend’, and an engaging delivery on ‘How to procrastinate like a professional’! 

After a tricky deliberation from our adjudicators, 3 students came on top with Luhozyo Siwale coming in third place, Alayna Magnus in second and Oliver Annandale as the winner. 

Win or lose, each speaker walked away a champion, and we couldn't be prouder!

Hong Kong Independent Schools Foundation

During week 8 we had 20 students from the Hong Kong Independent Schools Foundation visit the school as part of a Basketball Cultural Exchange.

The students came to Kennedy to play a number of matches against our specialist Basketball program teams from Years 7 to 10. The students had a fantastic time with a unique experience playing and interacting with students from another part of the world.

On Thursday, after an exciting match playing our Year 8 basketball elective students, the Kennedy and Hong Kong Students had the chance to get to know each other over recess. The international students then went off in small groups to a variety of English classes. Thank you to Ms Bernice Tan, Ms Surene Van Rooyen, Ms Liandri Stander and Mr Alistair Smith for allowing them to experience an Aussie classroom.

College Notices

A reminder to all parents and guardians:
When registering to Flexischools, please connect the correct student number found on their Smartrider. This will enable families to add funds directly for cashless payments in our cafeteria. Flexischools is an online canteen management system that will replace Quickcliq starting in Term 3.

*Please note that any amount added to the Smartrider through Flexischools is not used for Transperth. 

Friday 27 June is the last day that Quickcliq will be available for use to order from Beedawong Cafeteria, as we transition to the Flexischools app from Term 3. 

Quickcliq will still be available for placing orders at the Uniform Shop.

Please check your email for any additional information regarding the setup of your Flexischools account.

Get Involved in Open Day!

As a valued member of our College Community, we invite you to play an essential role in making this day a resounding success. The P&F Association have set up a sign-up page on SignUp.com, where you can find detailed information about the event and sign up for the various opportunities available. Here are some ways you can get involved:

Free Dress Day - Friday 27 June

We have a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for Transform Cambodia when we hold a Free Dress Day on the last day of term, Friday 27 June. 

Please note that the College Sports Uniform is also considered free dress and therefore a donation is still encouraged. If chosen, it is to be worn in its entirety as per the College uniform policy.

Please check your email for more information on guidelines. 

Back to School Information

Term 2 concludes for students on Friday 27 June 2025. Term 3 will commence on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Students are to wear their full Winter Uniform.

During the holidays, the Uniform Shop will be open Monday 14 July to Wednesday 16 July 8.00am-3.45pm (closed 12.30-1.00pm). The Uniform Shop will be reopened to usual hours from 11am on Monday 21 July.

The Administration office will re-open on Monday 14 July, during the last week of school holidays, however, please note that the office will be closed on Monday 21 July due to a Staff Professional Learning Day. We hope that you have a restful and safe semester break. 

Save the date for our Annual Dance Showcase, Places to go, People to meet, on Friday 8 August. 

All Kennedy Dance students have been busy learning and rehearsing for the 2025 Dance Showcase. Tickets will be made available in the next Kennedy Newsletter, on Thursday 17 July. 

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 17 July 2025.