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Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Families,
Happy new year to all our families and welcome to Kennedy Baptist College for 2023. In particular, welcome to all of our new families who are joining us for the first time this year. We trust that everyone has had a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday and are now looking forward to commencing the new academic year.
Work has continued during January preparing and planning great opportunities for all students and we look forward to sharing these throughout the year.
Our goal at Kennedy is to equip students to seize these opportunities and strive for greatness in all that they do.
After reviewing the events that took place throughout a very busy 2022 we are extremely confident of continuing to provide opportunities for excellence this year and look forward to students embracing all that is on offer in another exciting year.
Work has now commenced on the refurbishment of the Auditorium with the Foyer being stripped out and preparations are underway for the new fit-out. This means some changes in the short term including the following:
- New fencing around the Lower Foyer has changed the approach to the northern drop-off area as this has been reduced to one lane. Your care and patience are appreciated with this change.
- Students will not have access to the Lower Foyer until further notice.
- Year 12 students will be using Beedawong Cafeteria Dining Area as their common room for Terms 1 and 2. Therefore other year groups will not have access to the Cafeteria dining area during this time.
House Names Change
As announced at our final Awards Assembly in 2022 we will be changing our House names at the start of this year. Our House Co-ordinators have completed a comprehensive process to provide as much community input as possible, and it was decided to use the names of native birds of prey for our new House names. The following names will be used from Day 1, 2023.
- Eyre House will now be Harrier House
- Forrest House will now be Falcon House
- King House will now be Kestral House
- Stirling House will now be Osprey House
Year 12 Results
Our Year 12 students produced very pleasing WACE results at the end of last year. Our highest ATAR score was 98.2 and 34% of our students achieved an ATAR of 90.0 or higher. Special congratulations go to Manuel Cruza and Charlie Morgan who achieved Certificates of Excellence for being in the top 0.5% of the state for Mathematics Applications. An outstanding effort.
Kennedy was also identified as a school with the highest-performing students in the course of Psychology.
The class of 2022 produced some pleasing results due to their hard work and the support provided by College staff to ensure students achieve their goals. However, these results also reinforce the fact that we need our students and parents to be realistic when selecting student academic pathways.
Our 2022 results support the College Administration view that some students are still attempting an ATAR pathway when they may have achieved better results in a more suitable alternative course completing the General course pathway.
Mr Mark Ashby
Principal
New Student Pre-Start Day
Pre-start Day is designed to help new students familiarise themselves with the College, get to know other new students, and meet the staff. Students will discover where their classes will be held, how the College day operates, meet their Form teacher and peer support students.
Pre-start Day for Year 7 Students
The pre-start day will be on Tuesday 31 January 2023 at 10.00am - 2.00pm. We ask that parents/guardians drop students at the 'turning circle drop off and pick up area'. The Year 11 mentors will be available to escort your child to the Year 7 area and will assist in settling in our new students. Students are to bring their own snacks and a water bottle. A sausage sizzle will be provided for lunch. The dress code is casual modest dress. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, bathers, and a towel for outside/water activities.
Pre-start Day for Year 8 to 12 Students
New Year 8 to 12 students will meet at 1.30pm in the Staff Lounge. Dress code is free dress (not your school uniform). Please bring your laptop/device if you have not already attended one of the Device Induction sessions. Parents/Guardians of new Year 8-12 students commencing at Kennedy are welcome to join them and the staff in the Staff Lounge for afternoon tea at 3.30pm.
Back to School Information
Term 1 will commence on Wednesday 1 February 2023 at 8.15am. Students are to wear their full summer uniform. The Administration office is now open for any inquiries or information. We look forward to a great start for the commencement of 2023 at Kennedy Baptist College.
New Uniform, Late arrival, and Early Departure Systems
Commencing this year, we are introducing a new uniform pass and late arrival/early departure systems which will be managed through Parent Lounge (via the Kennedy app).
Mobile Phone Use
“Mobile phones are not to be used from 7.45am, switched off, placed, and remain in the student’s locker until the end of the day.” Please refer to mobile device policy for more information.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Changes will be in place from the commencement of Term 1 and throughout the duration of the Auditorium building works.
- The student pick-up and drop-off area outside the Auditorium has been altered. Please see the map.
- Pedestrian access is through the carpark behind rooms 6.1 and 6.2 ONLY.
- Kennedy Buses afternoon departure will now be from the bus shed closest to the Outdoor Education wet area.
Term 1 Day 1 Arrangements
To alleviate traffic congestion, Year 8-12 students commence Day 1 Form class at 8.15am and Year 7 students commence at 8.45am. This arrangement is for Day 1 only.
Please be aware of traffic congestion around the College at drop-off and pick-up times. We ask for your support in the following ways:
- Refrain from coming early and parking within the College. Classes do not finish until 3.15pm.
- Review the timing of your pick-up. Pick-up areas are supervised by staff until 3.45pm. The Research and Study Centre is open until 4.15pm.
- There are two drop-off/pick-up points (see map) at the College. Using the Auditorium drop-off/pick-up point helps alleviate possible congestion along Farrington Road and reduces the frustration for users of this 70km/h public road. When accessing Farrington Road, please turn left rather than blocking all the traffic behind you by attempting to turn right.
Uniform Requirements
We wish to remind all students of the uniform requirements as per the Uniform Policy on the website.
- Students are to wear full summer uniform including College hats or caps. Hats/caps are to be worn at recess and lunch (when in the sun). They must also be worn during sport lessons in the sun.
- The College jumper is to be worn if the weather is cool, not the sports jacket.
- Commencing this year, we are introducing a new uniform pass system which will be managed through Parent Lounge (via Kennedy app). Please see the frequently asked questions here for more information.
- Year 7 students are to bring their College bathers to all Physical Education classes for Weeks 1-3.
College Notices
Parents Invited - Chinese New Year Performance
Kennedy is looking forward to having Chung Wah Lion Dance Troupe perform on Thursday 2 February at 1.05pm. This year the lion dance will include a performance that is not commonly seen and is usually done at International competitions only. Kennedy would like to invite parents to join us for the lunch performance. Please kindly sign in at Reception before 1.05pm and you will be ushered from there.
Understanding Kennedy Communication Channels
Regular communication is an essential part of working positively and connecting with our teachers, students, and families to build our community. To maintain an ongoing and genuine dialogue with our College community, we have established a number of ways to share information, foster close relationships, and provide opportunities for families to partner with us in their child’s learning.
We encourage you to read through page 14 in the Kennedy Handbook and make sure you understand the Kennedy Communication Channels. These Communication Channels can easily be found and accessed through our Kennedy App.
Download the Kennedy App
We encourage parents to download the Kennedy App and have Parent Lounge and SEQTA App set up. The login details were emailed to parents prior to the start of the year.
SmartRider
New students will receive their Smartrider around the third week of Term 1. They will still be able to use their Smartrider from their previous school, provided there is sufficient credit on the card.
2022 Yearbook
The 2022 Yearbook will be available by the end of February 2023. Please note that the Yearbook will be sent home with your eldest child. The Graduation class of 2022 will be able to collect their copy at the Alumni afternoon tea on Friday 24 February 2023 from 2.00pm - 4.00pm.
Lunch Orders
Kennedy's cafeteria has chosen to use Our Online Canteen system to provide an easy and convenient way of ordering your child's meals. Students may purchase breakfast, recess, and lunch. Parents/students can purchase via online canteen or cash over the counter. No lunch orders will be taken after 9.00am. You can see our Canteen Online website here.
P&F 2023 AGM Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting will be on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 6.30pm in the College Boardroom, followed by our 1st General Meeting for 2023. For more information, please email the P&F.
Fees - Secondary Assistance Scheme
The State Government, through the Department of Education, provides financial support to eligible parents through the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS). The aim of the scheme is to assist low-income families with secondary school costs.
Eligible parents/guardians with students enrolled in Years 7 to 12, studying a full-time secondary course at a WA private school, will be able
to apply for the SAS in 2023.
The SAS consists of two allowances:
- $235 Education Program Allowance (payment made to the College, for the student); and
- $115 Clothing Allowance (payment made to the parent/guardian).
For all enquiries regarding the application process/forms visit our Reception or click here to download the form. Applications close on Thursday 6 April 2023.
Instrumental Music Program
There are now well over 100 enrolments for Instrumental Music lessons this year which is a wonderful start to the weekly music lesson program. At the end of Week 1, students taking lessons should receive their timetables from their Form teachers, and music lessons will commence in Week 2. Please note that Music Tutors will email out invoices to families directly.
If you wish for your child to learn a musical instrument at Kennedy but have missed the deadline, please complete an Enrolment Form so that you can go on the waiting list for a Term 2 start.
The Ensemble Program also continues to develop and these music groups will commence in Week 3 of Term 1 – with expressions of interest meetings with Music staff in Week 2 (this will be advertised in Student Notices). In 2023, the Music staff at Kennedy will be offering the following ensembles in 2023 (subject to minor changes).
Kennedy 'Beauty and the Beast' Production 2023
‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a timeless classic and was Disney’s first Broadway musical, opening in the Palace Theatre in 1994. A cold-blooded prince who was transformed into a beast as punishment for his selfishness, has an encounter with the imaginative and dreamy Belle. Through this encounter he is impacted by the power of love which changes him for the better. Kennedy Baptist College is delighted to put together this much-loved Disney tale in an entertaining and touching presentation, complete with orchestra and a talented cast drawn from Year 7 to 12 students. Join us on Thursday 2 March 2023 - Saturday 4 March 2023.
- Cast 1: Jenna Rodgers (Belle) / Ben Thomas (Beast) / Riley Verreyne (Gaston) – Thursday night (Opening night) and Saturday matinee.
- Cast 2: Gabby Anthony (Belle) / Lawson Sullivan (Beast) / George Sayer (Gaston) – Friday night and Saturday night (Closing night).
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, by phoning the College absentee line (08 6188 0698), or via email. 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 Opening Hours
The Uniform Shop will be open this term on a Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday from 8.00am to 3.45pm.
* Please note that the Uniform Shop is closed for lunch 12.30 to 1.00pm.
For more information,
email our Uniform Shop Manager, Mrs Quita Strachan.
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 & wraps to order via our online ordering system at www.quickcliq.com.au.
See the link for menu.
Volunteering Opportunities
We value the support of
our volunteers who contribute to the College community!
Volunteer opportunities for 2023 will be made available in Term 1. These opportunities will include, assisting at the Swimming Carnival, P&F Assocation and book covering.
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 9 February 2022.
