Photo above: Year 12 Last Day.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Families, 

It was wonderful to celebrate two significant milestones at Kennedy last week. The Year 12 Awards Assembly provided a great opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of all Year 12 students across a wide range of curricular and co-curricular aspects of the College. 

Similarly, the activities afterward honoured these students and reflected on their significant contribution to Kennedy. It was not surprising to see tears from students, parents, and staff as we farewelled this special group of students. Kennedy prides itself on the care and support it provides for students and this was certainly reinforced by the heartfelt messages delivered by teachers to their students. It was great to see so many families join us for this celebration. Our final opportunity to farewell the Year 12 students will occur on Friday 18 November at their Graduation night. This too, promises to be a great occasion.
 

Year 11 Examinations and 2023 preparation

Examinations for Year 11 students are now approaching. There are less than two weeks of formal classes remaining before examinations commence on Monday 7 November. I encourage all candidates to have a well-organised study program in place as they prepare for these important assessments. Achieving the best possible grades now will certainly help to ease any pressure next year and improve their opportunities for early entry offers for university places in 2024.

All Year 11 students have been informed that they are expected to be at the College on Monday 21 November. This will provide staff an opportunity to review semester results and provide students with preparation packages for 2023. Our goal is to prepare all students for Year 12 as best as possible.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Chats

Growth - Seeing the Year 12s off in this last week from their 12ish years of schooling has made me reminisce a little about the whole growth journey of people. Seeing our Year 12 young adults head out of the regular 8:15am to 3:15pm, five days a week rhythm of Kennedy life, moves me to pray for them to find their way into purposeful, productive, and joy-filled adulthood. I have found myself in many conversations about parenting lately with both parents and students. Students talking about parenting is such a fun conversation and I wish that many of you could hear these ‘experts’ tell us parents about how it’s done!

The one thing I do find, both as I talk to people and through my own parenting, is that there is one statement that slows down my reactions to children and students making bad or poorly thought-out decisions. My natural quick response is to correct them and tell them how they should act, but many times that is not received all that well by the young person in front of me. The statement that has helped me focus on the growth of the student, or my own child has been, “it’s a good thing I’m raising an adult and not a child”. This one statement going off in my head has changed the way I manage each moment of growth for every young person I interact with.

Watching this Year 12 cohort head out into the next stage of adult life has just confirmed to me that by allowing them to fail, supporting them through poorly thought-out decisions, and helping them find their way through challenges all work towards the adult they are becoming. Fully grown adults acting like children is not a pretty sight but it's great being part of a community that looks to grow adults, something that every student at Kennedy will become.

Year 7 Report

As the end of Year 7 approaches, students have been busy immersed in the many College events taking place in Term 4. Many have put their hand up for leadership positions, including Student Councillor and House Captain for 2023. Prepared with speeches and the confidence to address their peers, it has been wonderful to witness the growth in confidence and maturity of Year 7 students.

The sun is shining, summer is within reach and students are looking forward to spending extended holidays with friends and family. It is tempting for adolescents to consume more hours on their devices with extra breathing space away from the daily college routine. To assist families with monitoring their child’s device use and safety, Kennedy welcomes ySafe, Australia's leading provider of cyber safety education. ySafe will deliver a parent session on Friday 18 November from 8.30am. This event is for all current Year 7 families and prospective 2023 Year 7 families. In this parent session, ySafe's professionals will cover key topics such as trending social media platforms and how to make these safer, research-based information on gaming and screen time, and step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cyber-safe home. I encourage all parents/guardians to attend. Our hope is that this valuable information will encourage conversations with your child and promote the safe use of their devices at school, with friends and at home. To register, please click here. To complement this event, the student workshop will take place the following week on Tuesday 22 November.

Year 8 Report

It is hard to believe that we are already in Week 3 of Term 4, I am sure we are all starting to look at all the end-of-year activities.

This week we had the Student Leadership Elections for next year’s Student Councillors and House Captains. Seeing students bravely put up their hand to serve within the College community and be a leader within the year group gives me much joy. I love seeing how these students have grown over the past two years! I would like to give a big thank you to this year’s student leaders who have been a part of helping organise College-wide events, and activities and created some fun activities during Extended Form for their peers. They have been incredible, and I thank them for their time and effort, which has been above and beyond!

As we look to finish the year well, I know students are tired and lacking in energy, but I am hopeful that we can take solace from the following Bible verse.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31. 

Year 9 Report

This week, several Year 9 students applied for student leadership positions as Student Councillor and/or House Captain. It takes courage for students to apply, and I want to thank those who presented speeches to the cohort. I would also like to encourage more students to apply for future roles. Being a part of the student leadership team is an amazing opportunity, which helps students develop confidence in skills such as communication and organisation.

Timothy 4:15 reads, ‘Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.’ This verse refers to leaders being persistent, diligent and confident and to live a life that sets a strong example to others. I would like to thank the students who led as Student Councillors and House Captains this year, as all have been outstanding role models.

Our Year 9 students will be attempting their examinations in Week 6. This is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of their coursework from this semester. Students should ensure that they have a study timetable at home and are revising the work they have learned in class. Please note that the College offers Tutoring for all MESH subjects, which will greatly benefit students who attend, leading up to the examinations.

Year 10 Report

As we continue with great velocity towards the end of the year, it is lovely to see the Year 10 cohort growing in maturity and kindness. Lately, I have noticed students looking out for one another and standing up for one another. I am very encouraged by the strength of character I see on display.

Next week, we will be celebrating a significant milestone in the Kennedy journey with a Dinner Dance at the East Fremantle Yacht Club. I hope all students are looking forward to a night of dancing, food, and socialising! 

We are currently in the process of selecting our Student Leadership team for 2023. It takes a great deal of courage to put your hand up for a Student Council or House Captain position, so I commend all students who have done so. Next year’s student leaders will be announced next week. 

In Weeks 6 and 7 of this term, on 17-22 November, all Year 10 students will be completing Semester Two examinations. As Semester One examinations were cancelled, students may be out of practice when it comes to preparing and adhering to a study timetable. I encourage any students who need support with this to come and see me or make a Study Skills appointment at the Research and Study Centre.

Year 11 Report

Our Year 11s are rapidly approaching the end of their academic year. Their last day at the College is Monday 21 November 2022. All Year 11 students are expected to attend and be at the College on this day.

We are all excited about what next year will bring but I want to remind our Year 11s that there is still a lot of learning and revision to be done for the upcoming exams and completion of assessments. The increase in workload for exams/tests, often brings additional stress, anxious thoughts, tiredness, and sometimes panic in students. I want to remind students and parents of the support they have available here at Kennedy, and that your child has the opportunity to see the College Counsellor or Chaplain at any time. I would also encourage them to create a study timetable, take breaks, exercise, eat healthy food and prioritize sleep!

To the students who have organised to complete Work Experience for general classes through the Careers Department, and the students sitting exams, your Form teachers and I wish you all the best and we will commit to praying for you. 

I would also like to congratulate the recently elected Student Executive for 2023, Head Boy and Head Girl; Xavier Cureton and Amie Hugo, and Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl; Dulaj Heenkenda and Gabby Anthony who will be leading the College in 2023. Our students have just completed nominations for the Student Councillors and House Coordinators for 2023 which will be announced shortly.  

On another note, please be aware that there will be information for 2023 sent to you in the coming weeks, specifically relating to the Year 12 leavers' jackets and the Year 12 College Ball.

Lastly, I would like to leave you with this encouraging Bible Verse. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Year 12 Report

It has been an absolute privilege to journey alongside this cohort. Although I missed some special moments with the 12s last week, I am proud to say that the birth of our little girl has brought so much joy. I look forward to celebrating with the Year 12s at their Graduation Ceremony on Friday 18 November.

Last week was a wonderful time of celebration for our Year 12 students. On Tuesday they came to College dressed up in the career they would like to be working in, in 10 years' time. Students had a special mentor lunch with some delicious pizza and took the time to say goodbye to their mentors. We enjoyed the rest of the day on the oval with a waterslide, BBQ and some social time.

On Wednesday, the last day, students started the day off with an amazing, delicious buffet breakfast put on by the Beedawong staff, they worked hard to set out the area in such a lovely way and created a memorable feeling for students. Families then arrived for the Awards Assembly where we celebrated the outstanding achievements of our students in their academic pursuits and Community Service. The year-in-review video brought laughter and tears and the heartfelt messages from Form teachers were well received. At the conclusion of the Assembly, the College formed a guard of honour and cheered the Year 12s as they made their way down to the oval. Upon arriving at the oval, the Year 7 students greeted and celebrated them with decorations and confetti. What a memorable week and a great way to celebrate six years of schooling!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank this fantastic group of young adults and thank all the parents who have supported our efforts. God bless all our Year 12s, and wishing you all the best for your WACE examinations. Click here for all photos. 

Kennedy News

College Notices

Parent Volunteer Afternoon Tea 

More than 100 parents have volunteered at the College this year across a variety of activities.

We would like to honour and thank you at a special afternoon tea on the final day of the term, Tuesday 6 December 2022 at 2.00pm - 3.00pm in the Kennedy Baptist College, Staff Lounge. Please RSVP by Tuesday 29 November to Mrs Janet Hair by return email or call 93147722.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 10 November 2022.