Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families, 

I hope you were able to make it to one of our Easter Services this week. These gatherings are a meaningful way to nurture and support the community at Kennedy Baptist College. Building and maintaining a community’s culture is no small feat, and our Easter Services provide a special opportunity to come together.  

A big part of the service and sacrifice of each community member act as the glue that binds the community together. This reflects an important part of the Easter message. Easter is recognising that Jesus served and sacrificed himself for us, so that our sin could be paid. To help understand the idea of sin is to replace the word sin with selfishness, or the idea of living a self-first life. When we recognise that Jesus came to pay for the harm caused by the selfish actions, we all produce when we put ourselves first, it becomes clearer that Jesus died for all humanity.

A true and dynamic community cannot thrive when everyone is after their own interests. The Easter message is where Jesus offers us a way to surrender our self-obsession by accepting that He gave Himself fully to us. Jesus on the cross is the opposite of SELFISHNESS. I believe and know that when we begin a relationship with Jesus, we enjoy the power to make authentic community possible. We can build community with Him, rather than damage it by our self-centred focus.

I encourage all of us, including myself to personally respond to the Easter message Receiving Jesus’ generous, others-focused life in exchange for our own self-directed lives, we allow authentic community to grow and flourish.

Our Transition to Kennedy program wrapped up with an exciting day camp at Point Walter. We set off early for a day hosted by Scripture Union and were supported by their amazing team of leaders. Arriving at Point Walter we spent the day chasing the shade of the gum trees and enjoyed the gentle breeze from the Swan River. 

Students had the chance to strengthen their connections with their form classes through a range of fun activities, including fox holes, taking part in team challenges, climbing a rock wall, and tackling a rope obstacle course.

It was fantastic to see both staff and students fully enjoying the day. Despite the warm weather, everyone had an amazing time, filled with laughter, teamwork, Beedawong muffins and a chorus of kookaburras in the background. Click here for photo gallery.

Throughout the previous week, students who nominated for House Captain or Student Councilor roles delivered speeches to either their House or the Year 7 cohort. It was pleasing to see the effort and commitment each student brought to this process. With such a large number of nominees this year, it’s clear that there’s a real eagerness to serve and lead within this group, which is very encouraging.

A big thank you to all those who nominated themselves. No matter what the outcome, this serves as a reminder that leadership comes in many forms, and we all have the chance to lead and make a positive difference every day.

This commitment to leadership also ties into a broader lesson, one that the Apostle Paul addresses in Romans 14:12 and we unpacked a little during Extended Form. As we strive to lead and grow, we are reminded that we can only control our own actions and behaviour. Rather than focusing on how others may fall short, we are to promote unity and encourage one another. This message serves as a reminder that leadership isn’t just about titles, it is about how we choose to lead by example and support those around us.

As we approach the end of Term 1, I would like to take a moment to extend my best wishes to each of you and your families. May you enjoy a well-deserved break, stay safe during any travels, and have a joyful and peaceful Easter. I look forward to welcoming you all back, refreshed and ready for the challenges and opportunities of Term 2.

As we come to the end of a fantastic term, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible sense of community that has been growing within our Year 8 cohort. One of the highlights was undoubtedly our Year 8 Camp, where students displayed remarkable positivity, stepped outside their comfort zones, and encouraged one another in many meaningful ways. It was inspiring to see them expand their horizons, try new challenges, and strengthen friendships. Our dedicated staff also played a huge role, generously giving their time and energy to support and care for students throughout the experience. Many photos captured the joy and excitement of camp, and I hope these memories stay with the students as they continue to broaden their friendship circles and grow together. See photo galleries: boys and girls.  

This term has also come with its challenges. I want to acknowledge the resilience shown by many students and their families who have faced difficulties along the way. Whether it has been personal struggles, health concerns, or the loss of a loved one, I commend the strength and perseverance that has been displayed. These experiences, though difficult, help build character and shape us into stronger individuals. As a College community, we continue to stand alongside one another, offering support, encouragement, and prayer.

As we step into Term 2, I warmly invite all Year 8 mothers and mother figures to our upcoming Mother’s Day Breakfast. This is a special opportunity to gather, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and celebrate the vital role that mothers play in our students’ lives. I look forward to seeing you there and sharing this meaningful morning together.

Finally, as the holidays begin, I encourage all students to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy quality moments with family. Amidst the busyness of life, it is important to pause and reflect on the many blessings we have. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” May our students take this time to count their blessings, be grateful for their family and friends, and return refreshed for another exciting term ahead. Wishing you all a safe and joyful holiday break!

Firstly, I am proud of the Year 9 students and want to acknowledge their outstanding efforts. From Interhouse and Interschool Swimming to team competitions and even within the classroom, students continue to shine, with individuals displaying dedication, teamwork, and excellence. Well done to those students who have recently been selected for state and national competitions.

As we journey through this Easter season, there’s a deep sense of joy and reflection across our College. Our Easter Services are a powerful reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and the Hope of the eternal life that He brings. I encourage the Year 9 students to be open to this message and the deeper meaning of Easter and I hope that families can reflect on the meaning behind it together.

As we grow together as a cohort, I would like to remind the Year 9s of the importance of kindness and forgiveness. We are all learning —and in learning, mistakes are part of the process. While we don’t always get it right, this cohort is a kind and supportive group. I encourage students to continue offering support to one another.

Finally, I wish families a refreshing holiday break and would like to leave you with a reminder of a phrase that has been shared before: “Be curious, not judgemental.” Curiosity opens the door to understanding, empathy, and growth.

On behalf of the College, I’m proud to share that our students represented the school with exceptional maturity and respect during the recent RAC bstreetsmart Road Awareness excursion. The event offered a powerful and confronting insight into the consequences of risky driving and highlighted the importance of road safety. Students heard firsthand from first responders and individuals impacted by road trauma, giving them a sobering, real-world perspective on the value of making safe choices.

We acknowledge that some of the content may have been distressing. If any student has been affected by what they saw or heard, our College Counsellors are available for support. We also encourage families to continue the conversation at home to help students process their experiences. Additional support is available through services such as Headspace, Youth Focus, and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

Looking ahead, in Week 1 of Term 2, our Year 10 students will be heading out to various locations for their Work Experience placements. This week away from the classroom is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the working world, develop new skills and explore potential career paths. We hope each student finds the experience valuable and gains a deeper understanding of the expectations and responsibilities of the workplace. College staff will be visiting students at their placements and are looking forward to seeing how they’re settling in. A big thank you to Mr Ernesto Ramirez, our VET/Workplace Learning Coordinator, for the time and effort he’s put into making sure everything is in place and students are well prepared.

As we approach the Easter break, we’re reminded of the true meaning of the season. Easter is a time of hope and renewal, marking Christ’s sacrifice—His death for our sins—and the promise of new life through His resurrection. We wish all our families a safe, restful, and spiritually enriching holiday.

Our Year 11 camp was an amazing time in Busselton. With an idyllic location along the Holy Mile at the Baptist Campsite our students arrived to find their dorms and get settled in. After a quick lunch we were straight out into our daily activities. The options of Par 3 golf, High ropes, Archery, Busselton Jetty & underwater observatory, Ngiligi cave & Simmos, Sunflowers animal farm, Yallingup maze & mini golf, fishing & surfing, there was an activity to suit every student.

Students had the opportunity to do an ‘amazing race’ throughout Busselton, where they had to work as a group to complete tasks. With challenging tasks such as burying someone at the beach, to a long walk on the jetty, or a photo with an International tourist, a conga line in a busy location, and some Op Shop formal wear inspired photos - it made for some epic photos, videos and memories. These photos will be judged early next term, and the winning team will be given a sausage sizzle lunch in Week 1.

In the evenings we had a quiz run by our Student Councillors and a Minute to Win it games night. The best memories came from activities such as blindfold bowling, darts, golf putting and chipping as well as various food games. These fun activities were followed by a devotion entitled ‘You just gotta live’ and ‘What are you waiting for?’. I shared my journey and life story and some moments in my life that have shaped my character and future. I encouraged students with a challenge to ‘step into love’ and accept Jesus into their lives.

We had such a great time, and it was a pleasure to organise this camp for a wonderful group of students. Click here for photo gallery.

I hope all families are looking forward to an amazing holiday break. I look forward to seeing the Year 11s back in Term 2 refreshed and ready to go!

As we wrap up Term 1, the Year 12 students have been busy completing end-of-term assessments. Year 12 can be a challenging and overwhelming year, but most students have learned that they can successfully cope with the workload.  With an organised study routine, students can achieve pleasing results. Creating a study planner and effectively managing time commitments certainly helps with this. 

Last week, during Extended Form, entrepreneur Mr Rael Bricker spoke to the students about diversity and harmony. He also provided students with an interactive colour test, enabling them to learn about their individual communication and leadership styles. Each student received a detailed colour test report explaining whether they predominantly display dominance, influence, steadiness, or conscientiousness (often referred to as DISC). Mr Bricker also spoke about the GPS approach to the future, where each student’s small steps forward can lead to a collective large change. Mr Bricker was an engaging speaker, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.  

This week we recognised Easter with Form challenges. This was a fun way to end the term, while still being aware of the real meaning of Easter. I hope to see our families at the upcoming Easter Services and would like to wish all our Year 12 families a happy Easter holiday. May this be a time of reflection, as we commemorate Jesus’s resurrection and victory over sin and death.  

I would like to finish off by encouraging you with the following Bible verse. Corinthians 6:14: "And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power." 

Kennedy News

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The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 1 May 2025