Our Year 12 Student Councillors and Vocal Ensemble with the Watoto Children's Choir!

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,

I hope Term 3 is off to a great start for all families.  

Before the term began, the College hosted the Christian Schools Australia (CSA) WA State Conference, welcoming staff from member schools for a day of professional learning, collaboration and fellowship.  

A key takeaway from the conference was the importance of fostering joyful school communities. The emphasis is on creating an environment where joy is evident in everyday interactions, celebrations and acts of service, enriching the experience of students, staff and families alike.   

There are many ways for our community to support and serve others throughout the year. One of Kennedy’s key goals is to provide as many opportunities as possible to engage with our community and for our students to make an impact through community service.

Over the coming weeks, we look forward to a number of exciting opportunities that will strengthen family engagement and community connection at the College, including:   

• Dance Showcase - Friday 7 August
  Next Friday night, our Dance Showcase evening offers dance students a wonderful opportunity to perform publicly in our community and promises to be a great evening.

• Interhouse Athletics Carnival - Friday 14 August 
  This compulsory event for all students will be held at the WA Athletics Centre, where students will compete and support the House teams.
  Please note that Homeroom will commence at 8.15am on this day to ensure the carnival runs to schedule. Families are warmly invited to attend and support students throughout the day.

• Community Open Day - Saturday 22 August
  Our Community Open Day is a great opportunity to visit the College, enjoy displays and performances showcasing student achievement and experience the hospitality of our community. Families are also encouraged to join our P&F volunteer team and contribute to making the day a success. We look forward to seeing you between 11.00am and 3.00pm.

• Father’s Day Breakfast - Thursday 3 September
  This special event provides an opportunity for dads and granddads to connect with one another and spend time with the College Community. Our guest speaker this year is Anthony Palmeri from Riverview Church, who also played in the National Basketball League 1 (NBL-1) level basketball for the Lakeside Lightning. Anthony will share insights on balancing the demands of modern life with the important role of fatherhood.

It was also a pleasure to celebrate the achievements of our Year 10-12 students at yesterday's Awards Assembly. The presentation of Certificates of Excellence and Achievement highlights the exceptional standards our students continue to attain across learning areas. Congratulations to recipients of these significant awards.

Next week we look forward to recognising the academic achievement of our Year 7-9 students at their Awards Assembly.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. We look forward to sharing more opportunities to learn, serve and celebrate together throughout Term 3.  

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Today I want to both flex my holiday adventure to you all and make a quick newsletter point. School life is very much a cycle, and as Term 1 and 2 have their own feel and focus, Term 3 is no exception! The middle of the school year feels like the peak of a long journey up a mountain. The second half of the year can feel like the descent back to ‘base camp’. The descent is not always easy, it can be challenging, but there is gravity that draws us on to the end of the school year adventure.

Life is a journey, an adventure. For the older readers, it can feel like life has a middle point, after which it feels a little ‘downhill’.  During my own journey, I have come to discover that adventure is God’s purpose of creation. God designed us for adventure, and the canvas of our adventure is all that He has created. The opening scene of the Bible is God creating everything for us to explore, with Him, that we might enjoy endless discovery. The climbing of a mountain, surviving through the school year, or life itself are all part of the same adventure when we see God as the designer behind it all.  

Curriculum Report

At the beginning of Term 3, the College holds two Award Assemblies to recognise the academic achievements of students across all year groups. Congratulations to all students who continue to apply themselves to revision, practice and their daily classwork. At the beginning of each year, the College also identifies and acknowledges students who have demonstrated significant improvement from Semester One to Semester Two. I encourage all students to remain focused and maintain their positive application both in and out of the classroom.

NAPLAN Results

NAPLAN results for Year 7 and Year 9 students have been distributed in Homeroom. Students have received a hard copy of their results and an electronic version is also available through SEQTA Reports. NAPLAN reports place students into one of four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Support. The NAPLAN report also includes a description of the skills and knowledge typically demonstrated by students within each category. Year 9 students who have not yet met the literacy and numeracy requirements for the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) will have their first opportunity to sit the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) at the beginning of Term 4. Further information regarding NAPLAN and OLNA will be shared with families in the coming weeks.

Year 12 ATAR Revision

Year 12 students are now entering their final weeks of scheduled classes, with the conclusion of Term 3 marking the end of formal lessons. ATAR students will undertake College written examinations during the second week of the school holidays and the first three days of Term 4. This is an ideal time for parents and caregivers to discuss revision schedules with their child and consider ways to support them during this intensive period of study. Simple but effective strategies include setting aside time to connect over a coffee or lunch, establishing a dedicated study space, and ensuring the family respects designated study times, particularly younger siblings. These measures can make a significant difference in helping students remain focused and confident as they prepare for their final assessments.

Thank you to all Year 7 to Year 11 families for completing course selections for 2027. Students and families will be advised of their course allocations later this year. Where possible, this information will be released during Term 4. I appreciate your understanding of the complexity involved in constructing a timetable that meets the needs and preferences of all students.

Pastoral Care Report

Watoto Children’s Choir

It was a wonderful privilege to welcome the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda to Kennedy Baptist College for our first whole-school Pastoral Care Time of the term, as they commenced their Western Australian tour. Through vibrant music, energetic dance and personal testimonies, the choir shared not only their culture but also their faith, speaking about the hope and purpose they have found through their relationship with Jesus Christ. A highlight of the visit was seeing several staff and students invited onto the stage to learn a new dance, creating a memorable and joyful experience for all. Our Year 12 Student Councillors were also delighted to spend recess with the choir members, playing games and building new friendships. The visit was a special opportunity for our community to experience a different culture, hear inspiring stories of faith and resilience and celebrate the connections we share as part of God’s global family.

Year 11 / 7 Mentor Program

During Pastoral Care Time in Week 3, our Year 10 students will be invited to apply for the role of 11/7 Mentor. This program equips Year 11 mentors to develop skills in communication, teamwork and leadership by supporting our incoming Year 7 students as they begin their Kennedy journey. It is a rewarding opportunity that contributes to both personal growth and the development of our college community.

Kennedy Day

Leadership is an effective pillar of the Pastoral Care program here at Kennedy Baptist College. One of the key student-led events this term is Kennedy Day, happening in Week 6 on Wednesday 26 August. The day will begin with a student-organised assembly followed by an extended break, where students can enjoy Boost Juice, Bubble Tea and Ice Cream from supplied food vans. The regular Beedawong cafe menu will be available for in-store purchases only (no online orders).

2027 Student Executive Leadership Team

We are also starting the process of selecting our 2027 Student Executive Leadership Team this term. Candidates will go through a comprehensive selection process that includes written applications, interviews, peer voting and staff feedback. These student leaders will play a vital role in mentoring others, organising events and embodying the college's values across campus.   

Welcome to our new staff

We are also pleased to welcome two new members to our Pastoral Care team. Samuel Ridyard has joined the College as our Psychologist, available on campus five days a week, and Emily Jenner has commenced as a Counsellor, available on campus four days a week. We are excited to have them supporting the wellbeing of our students, bringing valuable skills and experience to their roles. We look forward to the positive contribution they will make as they partner with students, families and staff in fostering a caring and supportive College community. 

As Term 3 progresses, we encourage all students to take advantage of the opportunities and services available at Kennedy. For those who may need extra support - whether academic or personal - our Pastoral Care Team is here to help.   

Kennedy News

2026 Cambodia Tour

Every year, a group of Kennedy students and staff travel to Phnom Penh to work alongside Transform Cambodia to volunteer and teach in their schools. From delicious dinners, wonders of the world and spiders, the biggest highlight of all was the relationships formed with the people in Cambodia, and with each other.

Click below to read more about this amazing tour!

Pedal Prix Race #1

Last Sunday, the Kennedy Racing Team competed in its first Pedal Prix event of the 2026 season at the Kwinana Motorplex. Five Kennedy teams took to the track for the challenging six-hour endurance race, including four Lower School teams, two of which were all-girls, and one Senior School team.

The students delivered an outstanding performance throughout the day. The Older Junior Girls team completed more laps than any other all-girls team, winning their category, while the Older Junior Boys team achieved an impressive second-place finish in their division. Despite experiencing two rollovers and several mechanical issues, the Senior Boys team demonstrated great resilience to finish fifth in their category. 

Competing against 42 school, community and corporate teams, Kennedy's teams finished in 12th, 13th, 14th, 32nd and 34th positions overall. These results are a testament to the hard work, determination and teamwork of all our riders, support crew, and staff.

We are appreciative of the following sponsors for partnering with us:

• Kontrakt
• Lifespan Mortgage Services
• Elliptic Legal and Patent Services
• Integrated Industrial
• Force by Emeco
• GripFactory
• Frankd MTB Apparel
• DMI Signs
• Thuroona Services

Thank you to all parents and Kennedy staff who joined us on the day to support our students, and congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic start to the season. The team is now focused on its next challenge in Busselton on Sunday 23 August.

Mr Brad Gunter
Pedal Prix Coordinator

Year 12 Community Service - Eat Up!

This week we began our partnership with Eat Up Australia as part of the Year 12 Community Service activities. Eat Up Australia are a not-for-profit organisation who visit schools and corporate groups providing all the ingredients needed to make sandwiches that get distributed across Western Australia to schools for students who can't afford lunch or don't have access to food.

Our Year 12 Harrier students got straight to work, efficiently creating a production line to get the sandwiches made, wrapped and stacked. Every 100 sandwiches made, we rang the bell to signify how much progress we were making. In our time, we were able to make 1372 sandwiches, an amazing effort. It was a genuinely fun and rewarding time for all of us, to do something practical and beneficial for those in our community in need. We look forward to the remainder of our Year 12 students getting their opportunity to be involved later this term.

Mr Scott Britza
Head of Year 12

College Notices

2027 Term Dates

To help families prepare for next year, Kennedy has released the Term dates for 2027 on our website. 

• Term 1 Monday 1 February to Friday 9 April
• Term 2 Thursday 29 April to Friday 25 June
• Term 3 Tuesday 20 July to Thursday 23 September
• Term 4 Monday 11 October to Tuesday 7 December

Please note that these dates differ from public schools.

New to the Gym?
Want to get fitter and stronger, but not sure where to start?

Students are welcome to come along to the Gym Introduction Session on Mondays at 3:30 pm. Our Gym supervisor, Bec, will:

• Give you a tour of the gym
• Show you how to use the equipment safely
• Teach you some beginner-friendly exercises
• Help you set fitness goals
• Create a personalised training program
• Answer any questions you have

No experience is needed—every student is welcome! Bring a friend along too!

Whether you want to build strength, improve your fitness, or simply gain confidence in the gym, this session is the perfect place to start.

The gym will also be open before school to students from 7.00am on Mondays and Wednesdays all term, and after school until 4:15pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. It will be great to see you there!

2026 Community Open Day

You are invited to our Community Open Day on Saturday 22 August 2026 from 11.00am to 3.00pm!

This is one of the biggest events on the Kennedy calendar with live performances, explosive Science demonstrations, and delicious gourmet treats on offer as families and community members explore our fantastic College. Make sure to spread the word about this opportunity to journey through the College campus and discover all our students' amazing work.

Ingredients needed for Jam and Chutney Making!

Upcoming Events:

Kennedy Dance Showcase - Elevate

Join us at Kennedy Baptist College’s Dance Showcase, Elevate. Our Dance students from Years 8-12 will take the stage in a celebration of creativity, passion and growth.

Tickets are now on sale.

Save the Date - Father's Day Breakfast

Save the date for our Father's Day Breakfast held on Thursday 3 September 2026 from 7:15am to 9:30am. More details and ticket information coming soon. 

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 13 August 2026.