Photo above: Falcon were victorious in our Interhouse Swimming Carnival last week.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,

Kennedy continues to make a wonderful start to the academic year with some very successful events. Our Year 7 Family Afternoon Tea was a great chance to meet teachers and staff, while the Year 11 Study Skills seminar and Kennedy Insight provided great opportunities for families to connect with the College. Thank you for working with us as we maximise opportunities for students. Throughout the year we will have many more opportunities for families to actively engage with our community. This includes:

• Our Easter services
• Parenting information evenings
• Teacher feedback afternoons
• Parent and Friends Association meetings
• Parent-focused social events
• Kennedy insights and parent forums

I encourage everyone to be involved with these opportunities and to contribute to our community.

Parents and Friends Association

The P. & F. held their Annual General Meeting earlier this week and appointed the following parents to the important office-bearer positions of:

President: Renee Puzina
Vice President: Jane Duff
Secretary: Alison Norman
Treasurer: Rebecca Flint

Congratulations on these appointments and to those members who were elected to other  significant positions on the committee. Thank you to every parent who participated in this process and in our first meeting of the year. I appreciate your willingness to be involved in the association and represent parents at the College.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Chats

A man once had two dogs that would spend time sitting on the back deck of the house, shoulder to shoulder with eyes focused. The dogs would look for doves that would land in their backyard. Together, with their eyes peeled, they would scan the yard and, if they saw a dove land, their reactions were instantaneous, both setting off to get the bird. They would never catch them, but the dogs would love shooing the birds away and then return to the deck to continue their vigil for the next unsuspecting one to arrive.

As the years went on, the eyesight of the older dog faded and he had trouble seeing the birds. Instead of giving up on this game, this older dog chose to lay and watch his mate. He knew his companion could see clearly and so he would watch for the slightest twitch, the smallest raising of his friend’s paw, and then he would jump up and run for the bird the younger dog could see.

In life, it is often difficult to see clearly. We might be too young to identify the dangers, too distracted by non-important attractions, or simply too old to see! Whatever the reason we have for not seeing clearly, the solution is the same: rely on the eyesight of another. This is how we can get our vision. Reach out and surround yourself with those you know who can see clearly. Don’t know what to look for? I would argue that the clarity of a person’s vision is measured by the way they do life.

Year 7 Report

As we delve deeper into Term 1, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our Year 7 students for their brave transition into life at Kennedy. It has been inspiring to witness their growing familiarity with the College environment, which will continue to blossom into social connections, academic achievements, and the exploration of numerous opportunities that are available to them.

One highlight was the participation of our Year 7 cohort in the Interhouse Swimming Carnival. Their enthusiastic involvement not only showcased their talents in the pool, but also reflected commendable sportsmanship among peers. Well done to those who swam competitively and to those who contributed to their House's success by cheering others on and positively engaging with one another during the day.

As the transition into secondary school continues, it's crucial to highlight the significance of fostering independence and developing organisational skills. As they navigate through new academic challenges and social dynamics, developing a sense of autonomy will empower them to thrive. Parents and guardians play a pivotal role in this journey by providing guidance, encouragement, and a supportive environment for their children to take ownership of their responsibilities. Together, we can nurture the growth of these essential life skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

As we progress into the latter part of Term 1, a strong emphasis will be on inclusion and fostering respect – respect for one another, for staff, and for school property. Romans 12:10 (CEV) reminds us to: Love each other as brothers and sisters and honour others more than you do yourself. Furthermore, I want to acknowledge the unique challenges that may arise for students and families during this transitional period. As Year 7 students begin to navigate their identities, it's natural for friendships and interests to evolve. Encouraging resilience and upholding respect amidst these changes is very important. Should your child require support, whether academic or emotional, our doors are always open. Please do not hesitate to contact me or our Year 7 College Counsellor Golda Newland.

Thank you for your ongoing support and care towards your child during this very important time of their lives. Working together will ensure their journey at Kennedy is filled with growth, resilience, and respect.

Year 8 Report

There is a lot happening early this Term for the Year 8 cohort, however the most talked about event is the Year 8 Camp coming up at Forest Edge Recreation Facility in Waroona during Week 8 of this term. The girls will attend from Monday to Wednesday and the boys will stay from Wednesday to Friday.

Students have been very excited with the prospect of staying overnight with friends and participating in some amazing activities, including raft building, abseiling, rock climbing, and flying fox. Please read through the information pertaining to camp that is distributed via email and direqt message. We recognise that with some excitement there may also be some anxiety from students (and parents) about the upcoming camp.

I would like to assure all parents that your child will be well looked after and that we have a fantastic Pastoral Care team with us at camp, including Chaplain Peter Chase. Our Pastoral Care team is always available to help students and families at school and we look forward to their positive influence at the camp.

Year 9 Report

The first social event on the Year 9 calendar was a hit! The buzz and chatter on Friday afternoon as students rode the bus to Perth Aqua Park afterschool was a great way to end a hot summer week at school. The vibrant inflatable structures greeted us like a playground of possibilities when we arrived and a hundred Year 9 students set forth from the buses to conquer the towering obstacles, trapezes, hamster wheels and speed slides, while others were ready to test their balance on floating obstacles.

What unfolded was a delightful spectacle of laughter, smiles, and splashing. Students embraced the challenges of the various obstacles with enthusiasm, cheering each other on and extending helping hands to those navigating the slippery surfaces. I am so proud of the positivity and behaviour that this year group exhibits at all school events. 

“It was an awesome day out filled with laughs and fun memories to share for years to come!’ - Ruby Trezise (Year 9 Student)

“[The social] was so good!! Just spending time with your friends outside of the school grounds and the Aqua Park was massive!’ - Alice Cosmelli (Year 9 Student)

Year 9 students will have further opportunities to build and strengthen friendships at Kennedy. Whether it's a school sports team, music ensembles, or student leadership, participating in group activities encourages teamwork and promotes positive health and wellbeing. Thank you to all families for the support of your child’s passions, interests, and endeavours as they journey through high school at Kennedy.

Year 10 Report

It’s been a hot start to the year as our Year 10s settle into the rhythm of being back at school. Our form teachers have been adjusting to having new students and they have spent some time getting to know each other during extended form periods. The second half of the term switches focus to work experience as we host some protective behaviours sessions about how to keep safe while in a work environment away from school. This is an exciting time for our students as they think about their future and potential career pathways.

We are taking all Year 10s to the RAC bstreetsmart event at the RAC arena later in the term as we lead into the keys4life during health classes in Term 2. Bstreetsmart a very impactful event as they recreate a car crash and the emergency response. We will hear from crash survivors and other people involved with road trauma. As this can be quite confronting, please have a chat with your student and let me know if you have any questions or queries. More information regarding the event will be coming out shortly.

I am regularly praying for our students for safety, inclusivity, and to feel a sense of belonging in our community. Please do not hesitate to let me or our Chaplain Peter Chase know if there’s anything I can pray for your child or your family.

Year 11 Report

Year 12 Report

In the words of the song, “Oh what a night”! The Year 12 Ball at Fraser’s in Kings Park was unforgettable. Students were dressed to impress in beautiful gowns and sharp suits and the night was one of laughter with photo booth and dancefloor never empty. As the evening unfolded, it became evident the Ball is not just an event but that it reflects unity, community and the fun spirit of our Year 12 cohort. This was the perfect platform for friendship, community and celebrating each other.

Now, attention turns to academic work. First assignments have been submitted, first assessments have been sat and students are beginning to navigate their route through their final year. Staff at all levels are ready to support them as they aim for WACE graduation and ATAR exams. This week, the major WA universities and South Metropolitan TAFE visited Kennedy, presenting students with information about their courses, campuses, and application processes. They will return in Term 3 so that students have another opportunity to consider and weigh their options. We will distribute more information about open days, events and seminars as universities and TAFE centres release it. Please watch messages carefully for this information.

Finally, we must trust the words written in Jeremiah (29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD”, as we farewell one of our wonderful Year 12 Form Teachers, Vanessa Fernandez. Her Kestrel 1 students have benefitted from her commitment and guidance, and she has been an integral part of building the warm community of Year 12s. We wish her only the best in her new position, but she will be greatly missed.

Kennedy News

Interhouse Swimming Carnival

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Interhouse Swimming Carnival last week. Our students had a great time swimming for their Houses in a bold new format that saw an increase in the level of competition between students. Thank you to our parents for embracing this new way of doing our Interhouse Swimming Carnival. We will now measure the success of the carnival and consider how it may be improved for our students in the future.

Well done to our House Captains and House Coordinators (Mrs Stephanie Manns, Mr Liam Austen, Mr Ross Macauley, and Mrs Amy Godsall) for bringing great energy, including some masterful commentary on the microphone, and for the Year 7 students who are already proudly supporting their Houses. There was plenty of reason for these students to cheer with multiple records broken, including the Free-style Open Boys record in the final swim. All top three finishers touched the wall within a second of each other with Daniel Eve taking the crown of King of the Pool. Kaitlyn James was similarly crowned Queen of the Pool with a fantastic performance throughout the day.

Yet their efforts for their houses were not enough to stop Falcon, who left with the shield this year. Congratulations!

College Notices

New School Production - Annie the Musical

We are incredibly excited to announce that our College has chosen the musical 'Annie' for our 2025 whole-school production. The production dates are set for Thursday 27 February to Saturday 1 March 2025 with plenty of work to undergo over this year.

Part of our preparations will include auditioning for lead or minor roles, as well as the Production Orchestra. Auditions will be held in Term 2, between weeks 2 to 5. Please see Student Notices for more information on the roles that are available to fill and for the audition process to take place. Rehearsal days will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays after school from Term 3 (with Tuesdays for the Production Orchestra). Then during Term 4, rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays for all Cast and Orchestra. 

We look forward to bringing this Broadway hit to the Kennedy community as we give our students the opportunity to participate in a fantastic production!

Join a Kennedy Club!

Have you ever wanted to beat a teacher at Chess, engineer a trike for speed, or debate a current affair with other students?

Kennedy Clubs are a great way for students to find and participate in their own hobbies with other students, exploring what they love and making new friends. Many of the clubs at Kennedy are student-led and give opportunities for learning problem solving skills while helping our students grow socially.

If you think that your student would be interested in joining a club or activity, click on the link below to discover what is available in 2024. Please note that several club activities take place after school and require application while other opportunities can be easily joined during Recess and Lunch. Information regarding these after school activities can be found in Student Notices or by contacting the relevant staff member.

2023 Yearbooks

The 2023 Yearbook is a great way to look back on last year's success as we continue to strive today. Yearbooks will be going out through form from today to the oldest sibling.

If you are a 2023 graduate who has not collected your Yearbook order and have no siblings at the College, please come into the Administration Office to collect your book. If you have a current sibling at Kennedy, they will collect the Yearbook.

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 non-government school, will be able to apply for the SAS in 2024.

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, please download the form or speak with one of our reception staff.

Applications close on Thursday 28 March 2024.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 14 March 2024.