Photo above: Year 7students during Extended Form. 

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families, 

Thank you to everyone for their support and co-operation as we navigate the current COVID situation together.

The College has implemented several contingencies to address the rising number of positive cases and close contact isolations. Now that we have moved to the “Very high Caseload” level, asymptomatic close contacts (other than household contacts) can attend College under a modified quarantine arrangement. Effectively they are still required to isolate but can leave isolation for the purpose of attending College. They must take a PCR/Rat on Day 1 and, if it is negative, they can attend College. Further details can be found in COVID Update #7 sent home earlier today.

I would like to reinforce that for isolations of just a week, students will be required to follow work at home through SEQTA and individual teachers may Direct message specific requirements. Should a whole year group have to isolate, as was the case last week, teaching staff will run their classes via Microsoft Teams. This proved to be effective with our Year 11 students last week.
 

Parents & Friends Association

The P&F held their Annual General Meeting last week and appointed the following parents to the important office bearer positions.

• President: Renee Puizina
• Vice President: Anita Cagney
• Secretary: Ivona Jercic-McFadyen
• Treasurer: Marie Spires 

Congratulations on these appointments. We thank them for volunteering to be involved in the leadership of the Association and committing their time to represent parents at the College. 

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Devotion

A few days later, Jesus went out to a mountain to pray. He stayed there all night praying to God. Luke 6:12

There are those great times in life when it feels like you are in a flow, and life is as easy as rolling downhill. But, sadly, many of us feel like those times are very few and far between. Then there’s the other flow in life; the only problem is that this flow seems against you, and it’s like trying to row a boat uphill. Have you ever had a season in your life when you felt like everything was coming against you? As a chaplain, I seem to get visitors that generally find themselves in the uphill rowing phase in life. I am however, so grateful for the view I get of life as a chaplain…

Over many years, I have become convinced that we all innately know how life should go. Somehow, we all know in the back of our minds that life should flow. It should be joyful and amazing. But I have noticed that our frustrations at the way things actually go seem to drown out our vision for life itself. I might be right in all my lofty observations and say that things don’t ever seem to work out how they should, but the real question I hear many people ask is, “how do we get into that flow of life?”. I haven’t come up with all the answers, but I have discovered one characteristic in those that found joy and flow in life. — it’s to do with perspective. 

Changing our perspective will allow us to see over the current obstacles and have a joyful flow for the future. Changing our perspective will enable us to have a long view. For me, a long view is when we see through things that are pushing against us, and we can see that it is all part of the bigger picture. 

A valuable key to gaining this unique perspective is to pray. Jesus was the most remarkable example as he did this one thing several times in his life. Luke 6:12 gives us a picture of Jesus going up to a mountain to pray. Can you imagine for a second the perspective the mountain gives us when we have problems in our little home or town? The mountain allows us to see over and out into the distance. This is the long view I was talking about. This new-found perspective is where we find joy; it’s all a downhill flow from the mountain top.

Year 7 Report

It has been a pleasure to experience the growth in our Year 7 students over the past weeks. They have begun to demonstrate independence as they move freely between classes, take ownership over their learning, and develop new friendships.

Extended Form on a Wednesday morning has allowed Year 11 Mentors to connect with Year 7s in four activity rotations. Multi-Sports in the Sports Centre, exhibited a range of physical talent while students with a passion for the environment took part in the KICK program, ‘Keep it Clean Kennedy’. Students also enjoyed pancakes cooked by our Chaplain, Mr Peter Chase and classrooms provided an opportunity for students to write a letter to their ‘future selves’ for placement in high-school graduation time capsules.

I have been impressed with the confidence Year 7 students have demonstrated when approaching staff with questions about their learning, advice with social dynamics and seeking opportunities to engage in activities provided by the College. Year 7’s are beginning to find their feet and although the coming weeks will prove to be an anxious time with assessments, I have faith students will continue to grow with the positive support from parents and staff together.

Year 8 Report

It’s been a challenging start to the year, with lots of changes around the College, events being postponed or cancelled, and adapting to life with masks. I am however really impressed with how the Year 8s have accepted these challenges and how they are just getting on with life. We were able to have a bit of fun this week during Extended Form with our student leaders running the session. There were board games, kahoots quizzes, tower building with spaghetti, marshmallows, and sticky tape. It was great to see the students interacting and participating but even more pleasing was seeing our student leaders rise to the challenge of running these activities. Next week we will be having a morning of sporting activity with a range of physical activities to choose from.

One of the highlights in Term 1 is the Interhouse Swimming Carnival. It was drastically different from previous years, but it was great to spend the day with about 35 Year 8s and see them compete against each other and give it their best in the pool. Congratulations to the students who qualified for the ACC Age Championship events being held over the next fortnight (replacing the Interschool Swimming Carnival).

I wanted to finish with an encouragement from Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." In this ever-changing world where we are not sure what’s happening day by day, rest assured there is a God out there who cares for us, who is a constant, and we can put our faith in him. 

Year 9 Report

We are already halfway through Term 1 and Year 9 students have shown a lot of flexibility with some events being modified into smaller gatherings. For Extended Form, students have spent time with their Form and House groups choosing from a few activity options. This time is valuable as students in this cohort will support each other over the next few years, and we are working toward our goal of having harmony within the year group.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents of the Digital Citizenship College Agreement that students have signed, particularly about not getting involved in or forwarding any conversations or images that are unkind, mean, or bullying. May I ask that you please notify the College if this is occurring. There has also been a great deal of communication regarding face masks recently and demerits issued for not wearing them correctly. If your child has had difficulty wearing a mask for extended periods of time, I encourage you to have a conversation about ways to minimise the impact, such as making the most of their time outdoors, addressing the masks and keeping everyone safe. I understand that they can be frustrating, however students have now received many reminders and we must follow the mandate to protect the vulnerable members of the College community.

On another note, I am looking forward to guest speaker, Mr Andrew Beck, from St Catherine’s College UWA who will be sharing with our students in Week 7 for Harmony Week. I hope this talk provides some insight into Indigenous cultures and experiences. Week 7 will be a fun and engaging week for all students. 

Year 10 Report

I have been very proud of the way our Year 10 cohort have respected other members of our community, both here at Kennedy and within their wider networks, by taking required measures to limit the spread of the COVID virus. Students have generally been wearing their masks correctly as per the government mandate and ensuring appropriate social distancing. I would like to thank all students for their continued efforts in this area.

Unfortunately, the social event we had planned for this week has not been able to go ahead due to the increasing COVID case numbers here in Perth. The student councillors and I will continue to look for opportunities to run social events.

As Term 1 continues and tiredness may start to set in, let us remember that “the faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.^” (Lamentations 3:22)

Year 11 Report

“Every challenge you encounter in life is a fork in the road. You have the choice to choose which way to go.” - Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

Challenge has been the watchword for Year 11s recently. To begin, the challenge of their first formal assessments. For many, this confirmed they were on the right path, for others it presented choices between continuing with current courses or changing direction and switching to alternative courses. In this, they actively practised our first Year 11 goal: wise decision making.

Then, unfortunately, the Year 11s had to begin facing the challenges of testing, isolation, and Off-Campus Learning. While COVID brings with it confusion and anxiety, students accepted what they could not change and transitioned into alternative modes of learning with good grace. It was an active demonstration of another Year 11 goal: assuming accountability for self and their learning.

The Year 11/7 Mentors are nearing the end of their formal program, having carried out their duties admirably. All involved have gained and grown from the experience and it has again proved invaluable in helping build the College community.

The term is moving quickly and it is satisfying to reflect on how connections within the year; between Form Teachers, students and myself are developing so positively. They represent a great start to our final Year 11 goal of mutual respect and tolerance. For all this, I am again grateful and enjoying seeing everyone safely back on campus.

Year 12 Report

"Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours". Mark 11:24.

Our prayers were answered as we were able to go ahead with the Year 12 Ball. There were some nervous moments in the build-up to the evening but by God’s grace the event was able to go ahead, and the students took full advantage. What a wonderful evening it was only to be matched by how stunning all our students looked. Our students and guests enjoyed incredible views, spectacular company, and far too much use of the word “fit check/nice fit”. I want to commend our students on their exceptional behaviour throughout the evening.

Looking ahead, the Year 12s are focused on performing to their best and working hard to achieve their goals. I encourage all students to embrace life’s challenges, see the positives in all situations and have faith. As we enter times of uncertainty, focus on what you can control and enjoy every aspect of your Year 12 experience. This will surely be a time like no other so embrace it and live it well.  

Kennedy News
 

College Notices

Fees - Secondary Assistance Scheme

The State Government, through the Department of Education, provides financial support to eligible parents via the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS). The aim of the scheme is to assist low-income families with secondary school costs. For all enquiries regarding the application process/forms please visit our Parent Reception. Applications close on Friday 8 April 2022.
 

Kennedy COVID-19 Information

As the College is required to report positive student and staff cases through the Independent School Association (AISWA), parents must contact the College using the Kennedy Covid Hotline if their child tests positive. A member of the College Executive will follow up as soon as practicable.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 24 March 2022.