Photo above: Students enjoyed spending time together during our first Extended Form for the year.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,

Kennedy continues to build on a successful start to the academic year with some important community events. It was a pleasure to meet so many Year 7 parents at our special afternoon tea this week. Our Year 7 students have settled into Kennedy life extremely well and this event was a great way for parents to meet our wonderful staff.

College Ball

It was also fantastic to join our Year 12 students and Staff at their Ball on Friday 9 February. Frasers Restaurant in Kings Park was the perfect location for our students to for our students to celebrate the start of their graduating year. It was obvious that our students had a fantastic night and enjoyed each other’s company, and it was evident that the success of the Ball was in part due to the outstanding approach of our students.

Congratulations to all Year 12 students who are to be commended for their exceptional attitude on the night, as well as Mrs Russell and the Year 12 Counsellors for their great efforts in organising a wonderful evening.

Interhouse Swimming Carnival

After reviewing the effectiveness of our Interhouse Swimming Carnivals over the past few years, we are implementing a significant change this year as a trial. This year, carnival attendance is compulsory for Year 7 students only, along with those Year 8-12 students who have chosen to compete.

Many factors have contributed to this decision and is based on ensuring student and staff time is utilised to the very best. For all students not attending the carnival, this will be a regular day at school with compulsory class attendance expected where regular curriculum activities will be completed.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Chats

While watching a basketball game on TV, in which one team had lost 25 games in a row, the camera showed a couple sitting in the crowd. The picture (see below) captures the moment that someone who had lost hope that their team could win has their belief stitched back together again. I was hit with the fact that while one sign is unblemished, the other shows all the damage of the ruin. In this lady’s hand is a sign that has been repaired or redeemed.

The word redeemed is a rare word and is commonly used in our modern-day vocabulary to refer to some religious event. However, the effect of redemption and what it can produce is very common for every person. Redemption generates hope. Hope is fuelled by the idea that things, situations, relationship, and human bodies can be redeemed, repaired or restored. Redemption implies that something is made to function in a perfect way and when its not functioning that way we know its damaged. We encounter redemption when we head to hospital to find restoration for breaking bodies. We find redemption when spring arrives and wildflowers bloom in the wheatbelt. We participate in redemption when we repair connections with our family or old friends.

We read the story of redemption in the Bible. The theme of redemption is threaded through a tale of original perfection, broken humanity, a process of restoration, and then a final and full return to perfection. The entirety of the Bible story places the whole of the redemptive power in the hands of a character: the Redeemer. The Redeemer is the one who knows the original design, and has the power to restore the broken to its original goal.

If your hope is low or you need some level of redemption in any part of your life, whether it be in your body, your relationships, your mental state or any other part of life, please be reminded today that Jesus the Redeemer is at work. Whatever we hand to Him, He can begin the redemption work and restore things to its perfect original purpose.

Curriculum Report

I would like to welcome all families to Kennedy Baptist College and the 2024 academic year. Important curriculum dates and a link to the College Assessment Policy have been emailed to parents of all students in Years 7-12.

Some of the important dates are in reference to course changes. These dates are fixed and are as follows:

• Years 8, 9, and 10 – opening from this week, refer to student notices for details; closes Friday 1 March
• Year 11 – course changes open; closes Friday 1 March
• Year 12 – course changes open; closes Friday 15 March

Kennedy Baptist College aims to deliver the curriculum, as defined by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), in an engaging and effective way. SCSA defines the teaching and learning program for all students in Western Australia from Primary through to Year 10 and all syllabuses are now part of the mandated curriculum for the planning, assessment, and reporting of student progress in Western Australia. The Languages curriculum applies up to Year 9 and will be implemented for Year 10 in 2025.

Year 11 and 12 students select and complete up to six courses. All General & ATAR courses offered to students have the teaching, learning, assessment and grading standards are also defined by SCSA. If a student is completing a VET qualification, they will complete a course defined by an industry standard with specific learning and assessment requirements.

To effectively deliver the curriculum, we rely on our families being familiar with policies, procedures and staff/student expectations. It is important to keep an eye out for emails and letters from the Curriculum team as this is how we communicate all essential information. The team consists of myself, Mr Tim Jiow (Director of Studies) and Mr Justin Gunn (Curriculum Administration Assistant).

To help new families, we have constructed a list of frequently asked questions, along with some answers on how to best support your child or children on their College journey. Please see the below link for this useful guide.

Pastoral Care Report

We have had an exciting start to 2024 welcoming returning and newly enrolled students. Kennedy strives to provide our families the best start possible to College life with several important events and programs.

The Year 7 Commencement Ceremony held on the first day of Term 1 is such an event and is a significant step on the Kennedy Journey. It was fantastic to have our Year 7 students walk proudly across the stage to receive their Commencement Certificate from Mr Ashby and their Kennedy-embossed Bible. This ceremony followed our Pre-Start Day, where new students from each year group met and spent time with their Heads of Years and Student Leaders. Our 11/7 mentors and Student Councillors had a significant role in welcoming our new students to the College on this day and have continued to be a positive influence during the school term. We appreciate the time that our leaders took out of their holidays to welcome and show students around the College and help them to prepare for their first day.

Our student leadership is vital to the development of good culture and remains one of the four pillars of our Pastoral Care strategy. The Student Leadership Program provides opportunities, mentoring and training for students to actively participate in the College’s decision-making processes, and helps our students to develop lifelong leadership skills.

The Executive Student Leadership team have already been embracing the opportunities their roles provide. They have been building on their goal of unity between year groups by going to every form class to introduce themselves and to inspire the next generation of leaders. Year 7 students can join the Kennedy leadership team later in the term by applying for Student Councillor or House Captains. We look forward to the new leaders joining the group once appointed.

I would like to encourage our students to talk to any members of our Pastoral Care team if they have any concerns or would like extra support. I look forward to a fantastic year ahead.

Kennedy News

College Notices

Swimming Carnival

Parents have been emailed communication explaining the format for this year's carnival, which includes the following information. The Swimming Carnival is a compulsory event for all Year 7 students and information regarding the carnival has been sent to Year 7 families via email. If your child is in Year 8-12 and has nominated to participate in the carnival, then you will be sent an invite through Parent Lounge excursions with the appropriate information. If your child is in Year 8-12 and has opted to not participate, then they must attend school as per normal. All regular classes will be running for these students.

Students who use the Kennedy Bus transport service or catch Transperth buses from the College will not arrive back from the Swimming Carnival in time to catch either bus. Students have three options:

1. Students can walk across to the 'Discovery Way, Murdoch University' bus stop to take Transperth buses to Murdoch Train station.
2. Parents can pick up their children from the College at 4.00pm.
3. Any student being picked up directly from HBF Stadium must be collected by the time the buses depart the stadium at 2.30pm. Otherwise, students will be required to return to the College on the bus.

If your child is driving to and from the event or parents are collecting from HBF Stadium then written permission needs to be emailed to absent@kennedy.wa.edu.au before the day of the Carnival. These students will be required to sign in and out at the carnival. Staff will not be phoning parents for permission for a student to leave the event on the day.

If your child is sick or unwell on the day, then please follow the normal absentee procedures.

New Student Smartriders

Transperth Smartriders have been ordered for all new students, provided that they have had their photo taken. Smartriders are expected to arrive and be handed out to students by the end of Week 5.

Any student that is yet to have their photo taken has been sent a Direqt message.

Instrumental Music Program Commencement

Families are advised that the Instrumental Music Program commenced at the start of this week for those enrolled in Term 1 music lessons. Timetables and invoices were sent directly to families from the relevant instrumental music tutor and need to be settled within two weeks of the invoice date so as to not result in cancellation of lessons. Music record books are used in these lessons and can be purchased through accepting the relevant invite on the Parent Lounge.

Music Ensembles

Kennedy Baptist College offers a wide range of experiences and opportunities with our Music Ensembles. The Ensemble program will start in Week 4 from Monday 19 February.

Please click here for more information on the variety of music ensembles offered. Any additional queries may be directed to Mrs Janelle Anthony.

Alumni Afternoon Tea

The Graduation Class of 2023 is invited to attend our Alumni afternoon tea on Friday 23 February 2024 from 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

This will be a great opportunity to spend time with your old classmates and share stories about your summers, as well as your plans for the future. Your copy of the 2023 Yearbook will be available to collect at the afternoon tea.

We are excited to see our graduates return as you prepare for your next steps or may already be making strides in a new role after school.

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 29 February 2024.