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Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome to Term 3. We trust that everyone had a wonderful holiday and are ready to embrace the ongoing opportunities at Kennedy.
This Term promises to be an exciting time with many significant events. I would like to reinforce the mission and values of Kennedy that maximise the learning experiences at the College. Kennedy Baptist College endeavours to provide educational excellence in a Christian context and equip our students for lifelong learning. All staff at Kennedy are committed to this mission through our Christian ethos and the values of Faith, Integrity, Boldness, Growth, and Service.
College Tours and Mission Trips
I had the privilege of joining our students and staff on the Cambodia Mission Trip over the school break. It was fantastic to see our students embrace and contribute to improving the lives of children living in poverty. I am sure that this opportunity has been a life-changing experience for many. Kennedy is committed to this outreach project and our partnership with Transform Cambodia. Congratulations to our students on a wonderful trip and thank you to our staff who gave up their holidays to facilitate the tour.
Cambodia is an important part of our College's mission and we are pleased to have resumed our ongoing program of tours and mission trips. Kennedy’s trips are designed to provide opportunities for students to enhance their life experiences, should they wish to be involved. A letter will follow with our planned Extracurricular trips for future years. I encourage all families to keep a look out for these opportunities and consider them carefully.
Awards Assembly
It was a pleasure to celebrate Year 8 and 12 achievements at our Awards Assembly yesterday. The presentation of Certificates of Excellence and Achievement promotes and highlights the exceptional standards that our students have attained. Congratulations to the recipients of these significant awards. We look forward to honouring all of our students at their Awards Assemblies in the next two weeks.
I look forward to sharing more celebrations during the Term 3 journey together.
Mr Mark Ashby
Principal
Chaplain Chats
It’s great how a drone camera can give such a different perspective by adding some distance to our regular view. I feel like the term break has been just like that, giving me space to take in a wider view and capture awesome “footage” of our Kennedy Community.
During the two weeks of school holidays, I found myself wondering how different individuals in our College were doing. A bunch were in Cambodia, some families in our community were experiencing grief and loss, and others were enjoying overseas holidays. I found myself pondering the wonder of community. We are many individuals, each with vast and dynamic stories, but all part of one connection: Kennedy Baptist College.
My personal reflections about what we are at Kennedy genuinely fills me with joy. I love being part of such a complex and vibrant group of humans. As the College Chaplain, I love my place in this community, and I look for ways to build belonging and make everyone feel connected.
Feeling cared for and thought about in a community is an avenue of connection and a tangible way to experience belonging. When one part of a community suffers, having others to feel with you makes community real. When one part experiences joy, having others to rejoice with you makes community feel amazing.
One area in which we grow the community of Kennedy is through our Wednesday focus on praying together, what we call it KPOW. I know no better way to etch the care of another into my own heart than to regularly hold them up in prayer and we pray together at Kennedy to grow community, to carry others and to increase our care for others. Praying is a deep and wonderful starting point to many practical expressions of community.
Please know that every member of our Kennedy community is invited to one of our three KPOW times held each Wednesday. Always feel free to ask us to pray for anything that you need.
Nothing is too small or too big to pray for.
Kennedy News
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Cambodia Mission Trip 2023
Kennedy Baptist College is thrilled to have resumed our yearly Cambodia Mission Trip. We would like to thank the staff and students who made this year’s trip such a success with the help of Transform Cambodia.
In our first Cambodia Mission Trip since COVID, over 30 of our Year 10 and 11 students chose to make the trip over the semester break to Phnom Penh to explore the region, teach disadvantaged children at our Kennedy Centre, and learn more about themselves.
College Notices
'Newman Indigenous Tour' Fundraiser
*Image credit: perpetualentertainment.com
We invite you to join us at Perth's 50-seat cinema complex, The Backlot, to view the inspiring Indigenous documentary Araatika: Rise Up! (MA15+).
This story follows how sporting greats worked together to develop a pre-game dance that celebrates Aboriginal cultures, and responds to the Maori Haka.
All participants will receive a box of popcorn on arrival and can purchase non-alcoholic drinks at the venue. There will also be a door prize drawn on the evening. Money raised will go towards helping Aboriginal communities in Newman and Jigalong through Kennedy's Newman Indigenous 2023 Tour.
Dance Showcase: Tickets Available Now
Tickets are now available for the annual Dance Showcase where Year 8 to 12 students will present "Screen to Stage". Tickets are available here. This event will be held at the Octagon Theatre, UWA 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley on Saturday 5 August at 7.00pm.
2024-2025 Trips and Tours
We are delighted to resume our immersive educational experiences abroad and offer our students the opportunity to go on various tours in 2024 and 2025. We will be doing an official launch next week for expressions of interest. Please look out for an email next week with more information about the tour and to answer most frequently asked questions, or see a summary of the tours below.
Kennedy Insights
There are two Kennedy Insights planned for this coming term. These seminars for parents and guardians are designed to give families the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support their children’s safety and wellbeing. Kennedy will be hosting a Nutrition Workshop in Week 4 and a Mental Health Talk in Week 8. Please look out for more information on our social media pages and the next newsletter.
P&F Open Day Committee & General Meetings
We would love to see some new faces join the committee and become involved in the important work that the P&F does for the College. We are holding an Open Day Meeting on 25 July 2023 at 5.00pm in the College Boardroom. This will be followed by our General Meeting at 6.00pm. We do ask that if you wish to attend either of these meetings to please RSVP via the P&F email.
Medication Notice
In accordance with our student health policies and procedures, Kennedy can only administer paracetamol to students with parental consent. If your child has a condition requiring medication and you wish them to take the medication at the College, please complete a medication form which is available from Student Services. The Health Centre will then store your child’s medication under lock and key. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Uniform Notice for Term 3
Make sure to keep warm for the rest of winter with savings on soft-shell jackets. These jackets are currently on sale for just $100 with limited stock available. Purchases can be made online but it is recommend to visit the Uniform Shop for sizing.
Older uniforms can now be directly donated to the Uniform Shop. We encourage students and parents to continue to support Kennedy and the environment through these donations for second-hand sales. We require these uniforms to be in good condition.
Please contact the Uniform Shop Manager for more information via email.
2023 Kennedy Community Open Day
You are invited to our Community Open Day on Saturday 19 August 2023 from 11.00am to 3.00pm.
Bring your whole family to Kennedy for a great day of fun. From live performances, and explosive Science demonstrations to delicious gourmet treats - there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Journey through the College campus and look at all the students' amazing work!
Join the Open Day Team!
The P&F is currently looking for donations and coordinators to assist with the planning, preparing, and overseeing of a stall on the day. Please click here to sign up to assist, contribute or provide your input! Please keep an eye out for the P&F Connect Newsletter for more details as to how each year group can get involved.
Silent Auction Donations
Each year we get students involved by donating items for the Silent Auction at Open Day. Below you will find a list of what each year group is encouraged to donate. Students will receive a house point for items delivered. We would appreciate all Silent Auction donations to be dropped off at Student Services by Thursday 17 August 2023.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability
The nationally consistent approach to data collection (NCCD) provides all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with a clear picture of the number of students with disability in schools and the adjustments they are provided to enable them to participate in education on the same basis as other students.
The Australian Education Regulation 2013 (the Regulation) requires the operators of government and non-government schools (approved authorities) to provide information to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training (the department) for the purposes of the NCCD. The information will not identify individual students; no information that could reasonably enable the Department to identify individual students will be provided by approved authorities to the Department.
Further information regarding the NCCD can be found in SEQTA under Documents – Policies - NCCD Fact sheet for Parents & Guardians.
Absentees
Parents/guardians are asked to notify the College before 9.00am on the morning of absence via the absentee form on the Kennedy App under Parent Lounge or by phoning the College absentee line (08 6188 0698). Other student matters please email Student Services or stop by to talk to one of our staff.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is open from 8:00am to 3:45pm. Please note the Uniforma shop is closed for lunch 12.30 pm-1.00pm
Term 1 & 4: Monday - Thursday. *Closed on Fridays.
Term 2 & 3: Monday - Wednesday. *Closed on Thursday and Friday.
Beedawong Cafeteria
There are delicious items available in the Cafeteria such as fruit salad, sushi and freshly baked muffins and chocolate croissants each day, along with online lunch options to order via our online ordering system at www.quickcliq.com.au.
Please order online before 9.00am. See link for menu.
Volunteering Opportunities
We value the support of our volunteers who contribute to the College community!
Volunteer opportunities for 2023 will be made available in Term 2.
These opportunities include, assisting at the Interhouse sport carnival, P&F Association and book covering in the RASC.
Student Withdrawal
It is a condition of enrolment that at least 10 school weeks’ notice (not including scheduled school holidays) of a student’s withdrawal is given in writing to the Registrar at registrar@kennedy.wa.edu.au. In the event that such notice is not given, a 10 week withdrawal fee will apply per student.
We are always looking to improve our College and take care of our community. Will you please tell us how we are doing and review us on Google? Submit your review here.
The next newsletter will be published on:
Thursday 3 August 2023.
