Thank you to our guests and speakers from this week's NAIDOC Celebration!

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,

As we approach the end of Term 2, I would like to extend my congratulations to all our students for their dedication and hard work. It has been a pleasure to witness the commitment and enthusiasm with which our students have engaged in their academic pursuits, striving to achieve their best possible outcomes.

Our College values of Boldness, Growth and Integrity have certainly been evident in our students' approach to their studies and participation in various aspects of College life. Their efforts contribute significantly to the vibrant and supportive community we value at Kennedy.

Celebrating Academic Achievements

In recognition of our students' academic successes in Semester One, we are excited to announce two special Academic Award Assemblies next term:

• Year 10 to 12 Academic Awards Assembly: Wednesday 29 July (Week 2)
• Year 7 to 9 Academic Awards Assembly: Wednesday 5 August (Week 3)

These assemblies are an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students and we look forward to acknowledging their accomplishments.

Important Dates to Remember

A reminder to all families that Term 2 will conclude on Friday 26 June. We have a three week break between Terms 2 and 3, providing everyone with an extended period to rest and recharge before the new term begins. Term 3 begins for our students on Tuesday 21 July due to a Professional Learning Day for our staff on Monday 20 July.

• Term 3: Tuesday 21 July – Thursday 24 September
• Term 4: Monday 12 October – Tuesday 8 December

On behalf of the entire Kennedy Staff, I wish everyone in our community a safe and relaxing semester break. We look forward to welcoming students back in Term 3, ready to embark on another successful chapter of their academic journey.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

The growth of our College Culture here at Kennedy is one of the priorities we value most. The culture of a group of people is the effort of every individual contributing to the overall character of our college. Our devotional messages are one of the ways we continue the growth of our culture, to encourage thoughts, ideas and values in each person, so our cultural character grows as each person hears a common message  

As we finish the first half of the year, let’s review the threads of our devotional content to consolidate our journey so far this year. We began our year spending time in the greatest and most influential messages in the history of humanity, Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. This message has had a profound impact on humanity for 2000 years and as a college we were able to enjoy its influence on each individual. Jesus lifts our vision to see how we are created, a message that will never not be needed; to live for the lifting of others.  

In Term One we found that the middle of the famous sermon is prayer. Prayer is the centre piece of all that Jesus was teaching. It is the great invitation of God for us to speak to Him. The focus for Term Two was set as we discovered the middle of the Bible had the same centre as the sermon. The book of Psalms has been our culture growing message this term as we presented 7 Psalms as messages, given by God, to help us express every emotion we feel during the journey of life.  

As we finish Term 2, I would like to invite you to join us in praying for the many needs that a community of our size has. Please pray for our team heading to Cambodia during the holiday, also for all the health challenges being faced by many in our college at this time. I invite you to join us at KPOW next term to bring these requests to God as a community.  

During our holiday break, I want to pray for you all from Psalm 23:3, that "your soul is restored and you are lead in right paths by His love".

Curriculum Report

I cannot believe that another busy term is drawing to a close. It has been a productive period for our students, and we appreciate the continued support of families throughout the term.

Following the Parent–Teacher interviews, we encourage parents to check SEQTA regularly to review teacher feedback in the form of marks, rubrics, and comments. SEQTA also provides an opportunity for ongoing communication; any further queries can be directed to teachers via the messaging function. Maintaining regular engagement with your child’s learning can make a significant difference to their progress.

2027 Course Selections

Students in Years 7 to 11 have had the opportunity to select courses for 2027. Selections are completed electronically, with both the student and parent/guardian signing off on final choices.

Please note that selections should be finalised by Monday 22 June 2026.

The Executive Team has also been conducting Year 10 into 11 interviews. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for students, parents and staff to discuss post-school aspirations. Students’ results, achievements and future goals all play an important role in guiding course selection decisions.

Semester Reports

All student reports will be issued at the end of term, on Thursday 25 or Friday 26 June.

For our Year 12 students, this will be their final report as they approach the conclusion of their Kennedy journey. We encourage all Year 12 students to maintain a focused and committed approach to their studies in this important final phase.

As Term 2 concludes, we wish all families a restful and well-deserved semester break. We look forward to welcoming students back for another engaging and successful Semester Two.

Pastoral Care Report

As Term 2 draws to a close, I would like to recognise two impactful events that recently took place: the student-led Gratitude Week and NAIDOC Week Celebrations.

Gratitude Week

Gratitude Week at Kennedy is a celebration of appreciation led by the Student Executive Team in Week 9. The week started with the student leaders partnering with our College Chaplains, Peter and Suzie, to serve hot pancakes to our students, with a variety of toppings straight off the BBQ in freezing-cold conditions on Tuesday morning. It was a great way for our students to start the day and to spread gratitude throughout our community. A highlight of the week will be on Friday, when our Student Councillors come together to prepare and distribute delicious pastries to parents during morning drop-off as a token of appreciation for their ongoing support. As students reflected on what they were most thankful for, a common theme emerged: a deep appreciation for family and friends.  

This initiative fostered a warm, uplifting atmosphere throughout the school, reminding us of the power of kindness and connection to build a stronger, more compassionate community. 

NAIDOC Week Recognition

On Wednesday, our College gathered in the auditorium to recognise NAIDOC Week. This celebration honours the achievements of the past while looking forward to a bright future ahead, driven by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the enduring legacy of ancestors. The week serves as a tribute to intergenerational knowledge, cultural resilience and the importance of self-determination in shaping the future. It encourages all Australians to reflect on where we’ve come from and to uplift the voices and leadership of the next generation. The College invited Joshua Rivers to kick off our celebration with a Welcome to Country and share his life and cultural experiences. His son Cannan joined him to perform a piece on the didgeridoo, inspired by the creation of the Earth. Pastor Keith Truscott returned this year and shared his story in a thought-provoking and touching devotion. Our Chaplain, Mr Chase, closed the event with a reflection and prayer.

Throughout the week, students took part in NAIDOC-related activities organised by the RASC, including creative “Make a Space” sessions. It has been a meaningful week that has encouraged students to learn more about First Nations culture and strengthened the school’s connection with our Indigenous community. 

Kennedy News

Year 9 Social at Bounce!

The Year 9 students had an exciting time on their recent excursion to BOUNCE. They showed their skills on the interconnected trampolines and challenge zones.

Laughter and enthusiasm filled the space as students pushed their limits in a fun and active environment, making it a memorable time for everyone involved.

Cambodia Tour Training Day

As they approach their upcoming trip, our Transform Cambodia mission trip attendees participated in a group training day. The students and staff who are heading off to Cambodia in a few weeks spent the afternoon learning all about the country, cultural expectations, their itinerary and stories from previous years. 

They split into groups to do a variety of fun activities and exercises, building teamwork and teaching skills, while also having a bit of fun. The students had the chance to hear from Mr Britza, Ms Carey, and Mrs Warwick about their previous experiences on the mission trip, along with a talk from Mr Wayne Patterson, a representative from Transform Cambodia.

Find out more about our trips and tours here. 

ACC Year 7 AFL Carnival

Congratulations to our Girls and Boys Year 7 AFL Teams! This week they competed in the ACC Year 7 AFL Carnival with dedication and exceptional teamwork.

College Notices

Get Involved in Open Day!

As a valued member of our College Community, we invite you to play an essential role in making this day a resounding success. The P&F Association have set up a sign-up page on SignUp.com, where you can find detailed information about the event and sign up for the various opportunities available. Here are some ways you can get involved:

Keeping Children Home When Unwell

We kindly ask for your support in helping to maintain a healthy school environment by keeping your child at home if they are experiencing symptoms of a cold, flu or gastroenteritis (gastro).

These illnesses are highly contagious and can spread quickly throughout the school community. If your child has symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, or diarrhea, please keep them at home until they are well enough to return and are no longer considered contagious. Your cooperation helps protect the health and wellbeing of all students and staff, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to illness.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support in keeping our school community healthy.

Kim Lewis, RN
School Nurse

Free Dress Day - Friday 26 June

We have a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for Transform Cambodia when we hold a Free Dress Day on the last day of Term 2, Friday 26 June. 

Please note that the College Sports Uniform is also considered free dress and therefore a donation is still encouraged. If chosen, it is to be worn in its entirety as per the College uniform policy.

Please check your email for more information on guidelines. 

Upcoming Events:

Music Night is TONIGHT!

Don't forget to come down to the College Auditorium at 7:00pm tonight and support our talented students and staff. Bring along a gold-coin donation per person for entry and immerse yourself in a range of "Music from the Movies!" 

Back to School Information

Term 2 concludes for students on Friday 26 June 2026. Term 3 will commence on Tuesday 21 July 2026. Students are to wear their full Winter Uniform.

The Uniform Shop will also be closed during the first 2 weeks of the school holidays and resume with winter term days of Tuesday and Thursday from 14 July 8-4.15pm, closed 12.30-1pm. Additional days in Week 1 of Term 3:

• Monday 20 July from 11:30am
• Wednesday 22 July from 8:00am

The Administration office will re-open on Monday 13 July, during the last week of school holidays, however, please note that the office will be closed on Monday 20 July due to a Staff Professional Learning Day. 

Updating Your Details Through Parent Lounge

It is important that families keep their contact details up to date within Parent Lounge as this information allows the College to send out important communications through SEQTA, from both administration and teaching staff. When a student is under the care of both of their parents or guardians, each parent/guardian should have their details up to date.

Please check that the information for both parents/guardians, including email address and home address, is up to date within Parent Lounge by following this helpful guide.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 16 July 2026.