Photo above: Class of 2022 Graducation. 

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families, 

It was wonderful to celebrate the graduation of our Year 12 students last Friday evening. This was a formal occasion to acknowledge their achievement and hard work and it was great to share it with families in such a positive way as we reflected on their journey at Kennedy. Congratulations to the Class of 2022, we wish them the very best for their bright futures ahead. 

A reminder that our last day for students (Tuesday 6 December) will commence with an Awards Assembly to acknowledge the achievements of students in Years 7 - 10. This Assembly will commence at 8.30am and we look forward to everyone joining us for this special occasion. 
 

2023 Planning 

Planning is well underway for next year in many ways, but several staffing changes have been confirmed that I would like to share. This includes a number of long-term teaching staff who will be leaving Kennedy at the end of the year. I would like to highlight their commitment and service to our College:

• Mr Ben Pether, Health and Physical Education 
• Miss Katie Hair, Health and Physical Education 
• Mrs Caroline Kiely, Arts 
• Mrs Carolyn Tan, Humanities.

There are also several other staff who will be finishing their time with us. This includes: 

• Mr Jonathan Crane, Christian Education 
• Mrs Heather Crane, Education Support.

Mrs Nicole Robins will be on Maternity Leave next term and we wish her the very best. It has also been wonderful to have had a number of staff join us for fixed-term contracts covering a range of leave replacement positions this year. I would also like to acknowledge their hard work and thank them for contributing to our services at Kennedy: 

• Mr Alastair Smith, English 
• Mr Tate Campbell, Health and Physical Education 
• Mr Grant Douglas, Health and Physical Education 
• Mr Rufus Gill, Science 
• Miss Jean Liew, Science.

Staff who will be taking on new roles in 2023 include  

• Mr David Orr, Head of Year 7 
• Mrs Judith Russell, Acting Head of Year 11 
• Mrs Vanessa Fernandez, Protective Behaviour Co-Ordinator. 

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Chats

Because there are many homes that our students come from my hope for these newsletter articles is to grow our Kennedy community to produce the next generation. I hope this short story I read a few years ago helps us grow our young people.

I met my wife Kim in high school when we were 15 years old. Ten years passed and Kim was my closest friend, and we joyfully made the decision to marry. Strangely, the closer we got to the wedding; the more I was filled with a paralyzing fear. Was I ready? Was I making the right choice? Was Kim the right person to marry? Would she make me happy? Then, one fateful night, I shared these thoughts and concerns with my dad, and the conversation that followed I will never forget.

My dad giving his response to my concerns was such a moment for me. With a knowing smile, he said, “Seth, you’re being totally selfish, to make this really simple: marriage isn’t for you. You don’t marry to make yourself happy, you marry to make someone else happy. More than that, your marriage isn’t for yourself, you’re marrying for a family, for your future children. Who do you want to help you raise them? Who do you want to influence them? Marriage isn’t about you. Marriage is about the person you married.”

It was in that very moment that I knew that Kim was the right person to marry. I realized that I wanted to make her happy; to see her smile every day, to make her laugh every day. I wanted to be a part of her family, and my family wanted her to be a part of ours. And thinking back on all the times I had seen her play with my nieces, I knew that she was the one with whom I wanted to build our own family.

My father’s advice was both shocking and revelatory. It went against the grain of today’s “philosophy”, which is if it doesn’t make you happy, you can take it back and get a new one.

No, a true marriage (and true love) is never about you. It’s about the person you love—their wants, their needs, their hopes, and their dreams. Selfishness demands, “What’s in it for me?”, while Love asks, “What can I give?”

Year 7 Report

Kennedy welcomed ySafe presenter, Patrick Thomas, who delivered an engaging and relevant session on cyber safety. Parents were introduced to the latest social media trends, and strategies to develop safe mobile phone use and gaming boundaries for adolescents. Kennedy has teamed with ySafe, Australia’s leading experts in cyber safety as we work together to ensure students are safe, educated and prepared to explore the digital world. 

All Kennedy parents have been granted access to the ySafe Online Safety Hub. This hub is designed to help schools support parents with cyber safety resources and encourage parents to take an active role in teaching their children about online safety. The hub is a meaningful resource for parents and schools to act as a central place for everyone’s cyber safety needs and questions with tutorials and research-based information.

I highly recommend all parents explore the Online Safety Hub with their child/ren. ySafe will conduct a student workshop to inform and educate Year 7s about safe online practices. Students are encouraged to have open communication with parents as they navigate adolescence with technology.

Year 8 Report

As Term 4 comes to an end, I was reminiscing about the start of the year, masks being worn, events cancelled, and a lot of uncertainty. To say the Year 8 students have been challenged this year is an understatement and the different things that we have faced and persevered through have been relentless.

Through all the challenges, I have watched an amazing bunch of students grow and develop into the beginnings of young adults and I am so proud of all that they achieved. The Year 7-10 Awards Assembly will be held on the last day of term and will be a celebration of all that the students achieved. We hope you can join us for the morning. 

Our big focus next year is identity, and our discussions, through the Pastoral Care program we will be exploring the topic around 'who we will become'. Traditionally Year 9 is another challenging year but I am hopeful for a great, positive year as we navigate through friendships, increasing workload, and students starting to think about their future.

May you all have a safe and fun Christmas holiday break and I look forward to starting next year fresh and ready to go.

Year 9 Report

It is incredible to think that 2022 is almost over! Our Year 9 students have shown tremendous growth over the course of the year and come 2023 will transition to Year 10, which is exciting.

Proverbs 1:5 reads: ‘A wise person will hear and will increase learning; and a person of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.’ The ideal motivation for seeking wisdom is not so much obtaining it for ourselves, but attaining a position where we can guide others. Students and adults should always have a desire to learn because, through wisdom, we can teach others.

Students recently finished their examinations and will be looking forward to getting their results back next week. Some will be happy with their marks; others will reflect on how they can improve their exam preparation to ensure they reach their full potential. The benefit of commencing examinations in Year 9 is that it provides students with valuable experience that will help prepare them for Senior School.

This term, our student leaders for 2023 were elected. Congratulations to those who have been selected to serve as Student Councillors and House Captains. I am looking forward to spending time with the student leaders at the Leadership Camp and discussing plans for next year.

I would like to wish you all a safe and merry Christmas. Enjoy the holiday break and quality time spent with loved ones.

Year 10 Report

Well, what a year has it been! As we approach the finish line, I would like to congratulate all Year 10s on making it through the year, and in particular, successfully making it through Semester Two examinations. I know that many students were stressed and anxious during the exam period, but they handled it with aplomb, and ought to be proud of the work they put in.

The Year 10 Dinner Dance at the East Fremantle Yacht Club on Thursday 3 November was a night I’m sure the students will never forget. They enjoyed delicious food and drinks, snapped some great shots in the photo booth, and danced the night away, coming away from the dancefloor very sweaty!

At the end of this year, I will be taking 12 months of maternity leave. Mrs Judith Russell will be the Acting Head of Year 11 in my absence. Judith has significant experience in pastoral care roles, and I know that she is looking forward to getting to know next year’s Year 11s.

Over Christmas, I ask all students and their families to spend some time reflecting on what the birth of Jesus means for us. We rest in the knowledge that we have a Saviour who wipes our sins away, giving us true peace and endless joy in Him. 

Year 11 Report

And that is a wrap! The Year 11s officially finished their academic year on Monday after many of them sat their Semester Two exams or completed Work Experience.  As communicated to the students, I want to acknowledge and commend everyone who put in the effort to study to the best of their ability and sat their exams or went to workplace training to upskill and learn new skills that will help them in their future endeavours, well done!

It is remarkable when we reflect on how much our students have grown and matured over the past 11 months.  They have navigated through schooling while still experiencing the impact of the pandemic. Some students have reassessed their academic options and considered alternate pathways, others enrolling in external courses to provide opportunities for career prospects after graduating.  All while forming new friendships with their peers. 

As a cohort there have been many highlights this year, on Monday we spent the last period of the day together, celebrating and farewelling a couple of our students, before “Santa” arrived with presents for the students for next year – toasted sandwich makers and games. Then it was to the oval for a 50m slip and slide, water pistols, Christmas carols, and icy-poles - it was a lovely way to farewell the students for 2022. 

For any students wishing to drive to school next year, please ensure you read and understand the Colleges Student Driver Guidelines, which was sent to all Year 11’s this week via Direct message. The Student Driver Guidelines can be found here. Finally information regarding the Year 12 School ball and Leavers’ jackets payments is available via Parent portal.  

The Year 12 School ball will be held on Friday 17 February 2023 at Fraser’s Restaurant in Kings Park. Please see Parent Lounge for more information and payment regarding the Year 12 Ball and leavers jackets.

Working with this amazing group of Year 11s has been my absolute privilege. The Form teachers and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing our cohort mature into strong, independent young men and women. I pray for all the families to have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and summer holiday. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Wonder, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Year 12 Report

It was fantastic for our Year 12s to finish off their time at Kennedy with the graduation last Friday evening. Amongst the celebration of finishing their high school education, there was moments to pause and reflect on their journey at Kennedy. From their first days in Year 7 to walking across the stage at graduation there were many memories that I am sure will stay with them for the rest of thier lives.

I am excited to see how our students will positively impact the wider community as they start the next chapter of their lives. In reflection of this year, students have shown great resilience and perseverance to overcome several challenges. They have been able to do this while enjoying their time with each other and at Kennedy. I reiterate the words I spoke at Graduation again and encourage the Class of 2022 to always learn, be curious not judgmental, and seek Jesus in all they do. Please click here for graduation photos. For those who are heading to Leavers, we pray for safe celebrations. 

I am extremely proud of all our graduates. They are now closing one chapter in their story, and I wish them all the best as they start the new chapter. Kennedy will always be a place that welcomes you. I look forward to seeing you at The Class of 2022 Alumni Afternoon Tea on Friday 24 February 2023 where you can pick up your yearbook.

Have a lovely break and God bless you all.

Kennedy News
 

Research and Study Centre Student Clubs

Not only does the Research and Study Centre provide support for students with their research and study skills and actively promote reading throughout the year, but we also encourage students to activate their creativity and collaborate with others through clubs. This year we have also actively encouraged students to run their own clubs, with our support. Hundreds of students have taken advantage of one or more of the Extracurricular clubs. During break times, the Research and Study Centre is a hive of activity and creativity! See the list of student-led clubs via the link below. 

College Notices

The next newsletter will be published on:
Tuesday 6 December 2022.