Photo above: Families, students and staff all came together to celebrate the achievements of our Year 12s.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,

It was wonderful to celebrate the formal graduation of our Year 12 students last Friday evening. This was a formal occasion to acknowledge their achievements and hard work over their whole journey at Kennedy, and it was great to share it with families in such a positive way. Congratulations to our graduating students. We wish you all the very best for your bright futures ahead.

A reminder that our last day this year, Tuesday December 3, will commence with a formal Awards Assembly to acknowledge the achievements of students in Years 7 to 10. This service will commence at 8.30 am and we look forward to parents of award recipients joining us for this special celebration of student success.

2025 Teaching Changes

Planning is well underway for next year and the College is preparing to fill several roles as we confirm the farewells for some of our fantastic teachers. These changes include a number of long-term teaching staff who will be retiring at the end of the year and I would like to highlight their commitment and service to our College.

Thank you to:

• Mr Ian Wilmot                                Design and Technologies
• Mr Andrew Arnold                          Design and Technologies
• Mrs Catherine Van Der Kooij         Visual Art

While the above teachers go into retirement, we will also say farewell to teaching staff who will continue in other roles beyond Kennedy after having been an important part of the College over the last months and years. We are glad to have been part of your journey and to have contributed to your development as fantastic teachers. We wish you each the very best.

I would also like to announce that Mr Aaron Norman has been appointed the Head of Year for 2025's incoming Year 7 students. Aaron has been busy preparing the transition program for our new students and we look forward to him managing the Pastoral Care of our Year 7 students next year.

Mr Mark Ashby
Principal

Chaplain Chats

There’s an old song that has the line in it: “Looking for love in all the wrong places”. The phrase, “Looking for Love”, is a common one and we all know the idea behind what’s being said. It carries the idea that Love is a thing we want to have from others. It comes to us from another person. This phrase is implying that Love is outside of us and that is why we are looking for it.

We can read about the search for love in the Bible since love is the central and dominant message of the whole Bible story. Within these pages, the creator is described as forming things out of His being and character. Just like any artist, musician, author, designer, architect or movie director, His personality is all over the final product. This is how we can understand some things about the God of the Bible. His creation has love at its core because God is love. This means that love is at the centre of everything ever made.

A reply to the phrase, “Looking for Love”, would be to say, “it’s within each of us because we were made that way”. But, if loving is our design, why is it sometimes so hard to love? Living out from the love from within has many challenges and there can seem to be a bunch of reasons to stop loving.

Thankfully, we can turn to the Bible to discover God’s love and, with Christmas fast approaching, we get to see love in its full unrelenting wonder. Jesus came to show us what love looks like and has promised us the power to never stop loving, ever.

Let’s look for love in all the right places.

Year 7 Report

As we conclude the year, I am reminded of the Hungry Caterpillar analogy I shared at our Commencement Ceremony. Just as the caterpillar experiences transformation, so too have our Year 7 students grown through a year of learning, challenges and exciting activities. From Day Camp, socials and our Form Cup, to end-of-year celebrations and hosting our final community service event for seniors in our community, this year encapsulated the joy of giving, the privilege of learning and the spirit of togetherness.

Throughout the year, students have not only settled into high school life but have also refined their understanding of respect, kindness and inclusivity. These principles are foundational to our College community, and it has been heartening to see Year 7 students embody them in their interactions with peers, teachers and the wider community. Thank you to every parent and guardian who partnered with us to grow and guide our Year 7s.

As we approach Christmas, let us remember the true meaning of the season. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the ultimate source of joy and hope. His birth reminds us of the love and light we are called to share with others.

"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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Wishing all families a restful holiday and a blessed Christmas.

Year 8 Report

As we near the end of the school year, it’s a great time to look back on how much our Year 8 students have grown. This year has been all about personal development, where students have faced challenges, built resilience and discovered their strengths.

Friendships have blossomed, creating a lively and supportive environment. Students have learnt the importance of working together and showing kindness, making our school feel like a true community.

A big thank you goes to our student councillors who have helped support me and the year group throughout 2024. Your leadership and energy have inspired everyone and helped make our school events successful. Your efforts to listen to your classmates and organise activities have made this year special.

As Christmas approaches and families celebrate, we also acknowledge this can also be a difficult time for others. We pray for all students and families through this period and ask for blessings and comfort for those in need. Thank you for a wonderful 2024 and we look forward to an even better 2025.

Year 9 Report

As we near the conclusion of another school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate our Year 9 students who have recently finished their exams. Their hard work and dedication throughout the year has been fantastic and it’s obvious that they’ve honed their study techniques a lot since their first exam experience in Term 2. I’m sure that they’ll be sharing some great academic success stories throughout the holiday break.

For our Year 9 students particularly, transitioning to senior school marks an exciting journey toward increased independence and new opportunities. In the coming days, students will be busy clearing out their lockers and moving to the senior school block, where they will spend the next three years of their College experience. I encourage families to support their students as they prepare for this important change and new form teachers for Years 10-12. Our Year 9 students have established themselves well at Kennedy and will serve as fantastic role models for the younger cohorts.

As we near the Christmas break, let us take a moment to appreciate the joy and hope this season brings. In celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, I hope this time is filled with love, laughter and precious moments with family and friends. May this season of light and love fill your hearts with peace and your homes with joy. I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, refreshed and ready to continue our journey together.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:3.

Year 10 Report

It’s a busy end to 2024 for our Year 10 students, from a fantastic formal at the East Fremantle Yacht club to final preparations for next year.

The theme for our formal was ‘By the Shore’ and, while this was interpreted differently among our students, they all looked amazing as they came together on this beautiful evening.

The night really kicked off at 6.30 when DJ Stevo took to the stage and kept the party pumping for the next 3 hours. Students had sent in music requests and DJ Stevo was a massive hit as he incorporated these into his routine. Amazing cocktail-style food was brought out and students also loved the Krispy Kreme donuts for dessert.

There were several awards throughout the night, and they were won by the following students:

• Best Theme Dress Male – Austin F
• Best Theme Dress Female – Ava M
• Burning up the Dance Floor Male – Josh C
• Burning up the Dance Floor Female – Lorelei O
• Social Butterfly Male – Jasper S
• Social Butterfly Female – Lucy C
• Best Dressed Male – Harry S
• Best Dressed Female – Matilda B

Such an enjoyable night was had by all and the memories created will be remembered forever. A big thanks to all the staff who gave up their night during the week to make this happen.

As we prepare for 2025, our 11/7 Mentors have been completing training to help them welcome our incoming Year 7 students at tomorrow’s Orientation Day. Then, next week, all Year 10 students will spend a morning together as part of their ‘Transition Day’.

This includes having the College counselling team talk about what help our students can access next year and how to look after themselves, while our careers team will talk about pathways. I will be talking about the challenge of the next couple of years, and students will explore communication skills and the importance of relationships to help them get through.

I wish all our families a safe and relaxing break and look forward to seeing them all in 2025.

Year 11 Report

It’s been a little quieter with the Year 11s no longer on campus! The students had their final day on Monday 18 November, receiving their exam marks and details of their final assessments.

The summer holidays will provide students with plenty of time to rest up as they prepare for their final year of school in 2025. Our student leaders, made up of our 2025 Student Exec Leaders, Student Councillors and House Captains, will attend the Student Leadership Camp on November 28. They will learn about the qualities required to lead, will discuss ideas for upcoming events such as the Year 12 Ball and Spring Fling and spend time with student leaders from other year groups.

Tickets for the Year 12 Ball are on sale now and can be purchased via Parent Lounge. Please note that students need to return their signed ‘Inviting Outside Guests’ forms to me and have these approved before purchasing tickets for their ball partners. These can be scanned and sent to me via SEQTA.

I’d like to wish our Year 11 families a merry Christmas and all the best for the new year. I’ll be praying for our students to stay safe over the holiday break and pray that they have a restful time, where they can enjoy this amazing weather and quality time spent with loved ones.

Year 12 Report

How do I write this final Year 12 news article, knowing there will be no more for our Year 12s? It’s a poignant moment; WACE exams are now done and students have now left us to look towards their futures beyond Kennedy.

We made this farewell official on Friday last week when we held the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and celebrated them. It was a wonderful evening of community and everyone there basked in the joy of it. Of course, there were a few tears, but that is testament to the positive connections students have with us. There were so many student achievements acknowledged and talents shared. The staff singing of ‘The Blessing’ will stay with many for a long time to come and I have to thank all those who took part for making it such a powerful moment.

I must acknowledge, again, the dedication, care, compassion and grace that the Year 12 Form Teachers have extended to their students. When we set the goal of fuelling a warm community at the start of Year 11, I could not have imagined it would ignite the way it has and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.

We wish Miss Chyrmin Leong farewell as she leaves Kennedy to pursue more youth focused work with Nations Church. We are grateful for her contribution this year; she fitted so smoothly into the team and with her students. God Bless, Chyrmin.

Some of our Year 12s have been at Leavers week celebrations and we hope that they have enjoyed a positive and memorable time. Others are doing alternative trips and adventures while some are already working and beginning their careers. We pray that you go well, in whatever you are doing at this moment. This time between school and what comes next has an amazing sense of freedom for many and I hope they recognise and relish it. This is their moment and I leave them with Psalm 118: 24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Kennedy News

Remembrance Day

We will remember them. This sentiment guided our students through our Remembrance Day service last week and was reinforced by the museum display in the Research and Study Centre, coordinated by the Humanities Learning Area.

During the service, students had the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by many for our freedom and were taught about the resilience and courage of those who faced the harrowing reality of captivity. Year 10 students expanded on this theme with the story of one famous Australian Prisoner of War, Geoff Bingham.

Thank you to our students for leading and showing respect for this special occasion.

Conversations with Mrs Crump

Curiosity can be a positive motivation for young people. It might lead to a keen sense of awareness about a topic or a desire to learn about something new. 

However, along with the seeking of peer approval, and the viewing of celebrities, influencers and advertisers on social media platforms, curiosity has been a key driver for young people to begin vaping. Other factors include parental tolerance and smoking, stress and the availability of appealing flavours.

As electronic cigarette use increases, Director of Student Services, Mrs Christine Crump investigates the potential harms of vaping, including the destructive qualities of the drugs and chemicals inside of them.

College Notices

Annie Tickets Launching Soon

The Kennedy Baptist College Production Team has been working tirelessly alongside the Cast and Orchestra of ‘Annie: The Musical’ all year, preparing the College for what promises to be an outstanding run of shows in early 2025.

Sign up for notifications about Kennedy events, including the release of tickets for Annie: The Musical, by clicking here or find out more by clicking the button below.

SEQTA - Issues Viewing Assessments

A small number of parents have reported issues viewing assessments and other files on the SEQTA Engage mobile application. While we are not aware of what is causing the issue, this can be fixed by re-installing the application.

If you do re-install the application, make sure to note down the email address you use for logging in. This is usually the email address that you will receive parent communications to. If you do not remember your password, you can reset your password on the Log In page.

You will then be prompted to choose either a manual set-up or QR code. The manual setup is easier and asks for the Engage Web address, which is https://parent.kennedy.wa.edu.au/. After writing the address into the application and pressing enter, you should then be able to enter your username and password.

If you have any issues with this process, please email our Curriculum Assistant, Mr Justin Gunn, by clicking here.

The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 5 December 2024.