IMPORTANT DATES:
| Mon 16 June | Musica Viva 11.10am |
| Tues 17 June | SAC Meeting 6:00pm
Highschool Cup |
| Wed 18 June | OLNA Year 11/12 |
| Thurs 19 June | Champion School Volleyball (C-week team) |
| Fri 20 June | Year 2 Assembly |
| Sun 22 June | First Eucharist |
| Tues 24 June | Year 10 Parent Info Course Selection 2026 |
| Thurs 26 June | Positive Behaviour Afternoon Initiative |
| Fri 27 June | Kelly Day
Academic Assembly Awards |
| Mon 30 June | Country Week (30 June – 4 July) |
| Fri 4 July | Reports Released
Year 4 Assembly Chronicle |
Hello Kearnan College Community!
Last week, I had the privilege of attending a retreat experience with many other composite and secondary school principals. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon my faith journey and to renew connections with my colleagues. Our Year 12 students also enjoyed their retreat in Busselton last week. As they begin preparing for the end of their school experience, it was a great time to reflect upon where they have come from and where they are heading.
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival is being held in Melbourne later in the year. This event has been running for ten years and provides young people with an opportunity to connect with others, deepen their relationship with Jesus and have a lot of fun! Registrations are now open for students (Year 9 and above) to join Bishop George and the Bunbury Diocese contingent who will be attending from November 28 until December 3. Students will travel in a group with those from other schools across the Diocese and some adult leaders from various parishes. For further information, please see here. The College and St Joseph’s Parish will provide a small amount of financial assistance to students who attend. If you are interested in having your child take up this wonderful opportunity, please contact Mrs Tempra. Pre-registrations close on August 15 and there are limited spaces on the official Bunbury pilgrimage available.
Kearnan College is an allergy aware school. In line with the recommendations of the National Allergy Council, we do not ban specific foods (eg. nuts) from being consumed at school. Instead, we use risk-minimisation strategies, such as hand-washing, or mealtime supervision, as appropriate to the age of the child, when needed. For our younger students, the teacher may request that foods that might easily contaminate shared items (eg. Peanut butter, Nutella) are not brought to school if there is a child with that specific allergy in the class, but you will be advised if this is the case. Otherwise, students are free to consume foods containing nuts and other common allergens at school. Our staff undergo regular professional training in anaphylaxis, including the use of auto-injector adrenaline pens (eg. EpiPens) and we require all students with a severe allergy to provide action plans from their GP.
I have quite a bit of staffing news to share this week. Mrs Amanda Fialkowski will be moving to Perth at the end of this term and so she, and her sons William and Nathan, will be leaving our school community. Amanda teaches secondary Digital Technologies and HASS and has been an integral part of the Kearnan community as a teacher since 2020, but has been part of the community as a parent for much longer. We wish her all the best in all of her future endeavours!
Mr Mitch Goddin will be finishing as our Design and Technology teacher at the end of the term to focus on his business interests. Mr Charlie Chodorowski will be returning to Kearnan as our D & T teacher from the start of Term 3.
As noted in the last Chronicle, we are currently reviewing our Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) approach to ensure it is continuing to work effectively. Thank you to the parents who provided feedback and ideas in our survey. On the whole, the responses from parents, students and staff were positive and helpful. Staff met last week to review the feedback and we are making some minor tweaks to the system. We aim to create an information document for parents, which will be available in due course.
Congratulations to Devon Larkworthy-Darke on being selected for the 2025 Junior International Tour to Singapore with Athletics West! We wish you all the best for this competition and cultural experience.
Mrs Megan Burvill will be finishing up at Kearnan at the end of Term 3, after 15 years at the College. Megan and her husband will be exploring new opportunities and focusing on a new chapter in their lives. We will be advertising for a new leader of pastoral care before the end of the term.
Dr Clare Omodei will be taking up a position at Edith Cowan University as a lecturer for Semester Two and so will be taking Long Service Leave. Miss Jane Dumper will be the full-time Year 1 teacher in Terms Three and Four. Ms Tammi Green, currently working on Wednesdays in a PE/Health role, will teach a variety of Primary classes on a Tuesday, which are currently being taught by Jane.
I am going to be having surgery in Week Nine, so will be away for Weeks Nine & Ten. Mrs Heidi Tempra will be Acting Principal during that time and Ms Emily Ardagh will take on the role of Acting Head of Secondary.
I hope you have a lovely weekend!
SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
Week Seven is done and dusted and we are now looking at only 3 weeks left of the school term! The end of Term Two seems to involve lots of colds and flus ‘doing the rounds’, as well as high levels of exhaustion from both staff and students – hang in there everyone, the end is in sight.
Congratulations
Well done to Jason Lisser (Year 11) who was awarded a place through the Australian New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science 2025 Camp. Jason will be flown to Melbourne for the upcoming school holidays where he will visit science-based organisations such as RMIT and other Melbourne universities to learn more about Science on a National level. This is quite a prestigious opportunity and we are all very proud of Jason!
Year 12 Retreat
The end of last week saw Mrs Tempra, Mr Mason, Mrs Sheridan and Year 12s stay at the Busselton Baptist Camp for Wednesday through to Friday. The three days allowed some time away from the demands and busyness of life and school to reflect on the important parts of life; faith, family and friends. We reflected on our own personal journeys so far, and what the future could hold. It was a very special three days and the students learnt a lot about themselves and each other. I applaud the students for the willingness to commit fully to the three days, respecting others’ views and allowing a safe space for them all to feel comfortable. Thanks to Ms Chilvers for all the preparation that had been done for the retreat and to Mr Mason and Mrs Sheridan for their support and great tunes.
PBL Rewards
During Week Six our top merit earners for the first half of Term Two were recognised with a shared lunch. Students enjoyed pizzas supplied by Farmhouse Pizza in Manjimup.
These students have continued to demonstrate the Kearnan PBL expectations of:
- Be Prepared
- Be Respectful
- Be Caring
- Be a Learner
Well done to these students for your commitment to upholding the school’s expectations – you are fabulous role models for all!
Year 10 Subject Selection Night (For Year 11s 2026)
Remember to save the date for June 24, Tuesday where current Year 10 students and their parents are invited to attend the evening to hear about course offerings, senior school pathways, TAFE and Workplace Learning options, as well as the variety of ways we can deliver courses. Communication was sent home via email last week and a separate form will be coming out next week as for an indication of numbers.
End of Semester Reports
Year 7 – 12 Reports will be released/sent home on the last day of term. Please take the time over the holidays to sit with your child and look at the results, behaviours and comments. Celebrate those sections that deserve a high five and make a plan for those areas that could be worked on.
Parents Meetings
Thank you to Year 11/12 parents for attending parent interview meetings this week. It is always a great opportunity to ask questions and clarify how your child has started their senior school year. I would also like to thank the relevant teachers for their preparation of these interviews.
Transition Day
Wednesday this week saw more than 50 Year 6 students from neighbouring schools attend Kearnan for the day to experience some of the subjects on offer in the secondary school. They cooked, created, ran, caught, drew, ate, sawed, hammered, coded, navigated and baked for the day and got to meet some new friends. Thank you to the teachers; Mr Blincow, Ms Elson, Mr Chod, Mr Pedlar, Ms Piper, Mrs Failkowski and Ms Webb who planned and provided the wonderful activities for the students to complete.
Academic Awards Assembly
Friday June 27 is the Secondary Academic Awards Assembly where we recognise the top academic achievements in each year. It will be at 9am in the Parish Centre.
AI
In this amazing technological world we live in, the electronic tools and platforms that are available to learning are endless. Part of education is to teach students the critical thinking skills of how to filter and apply these tools, rather than using them as an ‘easy out’ with their learning. As schools try to keep pace with the options available to students, we cannot stress enough that the use of AI for assessments to produce the work is unacceptable. I urge all students to discuss with their teachers how the use of AI can enhance their learning, rather than replace it. Whilst this technology absolutely has its place in education, and teachers are embracing many of the benefits also, it is important that we do not replace the active learning component of education with digital options. We thank you for your support with this.
Enjoy your weekend!
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.” – Pablo Picasso
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
House Cross Country
On Tuesday 27 May, the Primary classes ran our House Cross Country event. With our secondary sports coaching students helping with the set up and maintaining safety on the track, our primary students put all their effort into running the track to the best of their ability. There were some close, competitive races and we were proud of all the runners, who showed outstanding sportsmanship and gave their best effort. Thanks to all the parents who came out to enjoy the sunshine and watch their children compete.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Interschool Cross Country
We are very proud of our Interschool Cross Country team who came third overall, competing against many schools from the region. All our students demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and competed to the best of their ability, which is all we can ask for. Our Year 5 boys were awarded the highest scoring boys’ team. There were some outstanding individual efforts, and we congratulate the following students;
YEAR THREE:
Otis Ipsen – First place
Jude Brown – Second Place
Ivy Doherty – Second place
YEAR FOUR:
Penelope Howe – Second Place
YEAR FIVE:
George Howe – Second Place
Mackenzie Watson – Second Place
YEAR SIX:
Quinlan Dronow – Second Place
Year 2 Play Adventure
Mr Smith’s Year 9 Outdoor Education students led our Year 2 students on a wonderful play adventure into the bush along the Deanmill Walking Trail. Younger students were paired with older students and together they had to solve some challenges of building bridges over water and making cubby structures. Mrs Kammann reported that everyone returned to school a little muddier but so happy and tired after the wonderful fun experience in the great outdoors.
Sean Choolburra Incursion
“Today, we had an incursion in the assembly hall. I sat down with friends to listen to a torest strait islander called Sean Choolburra, he showed us many things and was also related to many famous people. Sean was a voice actor in Bluey, a famous Australian TV show. Sean invited some people to the stage and showed some interesting cultural dances, he is very outgoing and funny. He told us lots of tales and made us sing a famous song, replacing the words with “they burnt the rice” yes, just only that sentence, it was based of a story when the rice was burned. my favourite story was about when a mighty warrior got turned into a little bird, and painted himself with ochre. It was very interesting and a fun way to share his culture.” – By Keira Harris
“On the 11th of June, Sean Choolburra came to Kearnan College to teach us his culture. Firstly, he taught us about his culture and the costumes. He showed us a instrument he made from a material that can be found on the beach. It was like a maraca and the handle had the Torres Strait flag on it with blue for the water. Then he showed us a funny dance that went like left, right, left, left right, left. It was funny and had to join in too. Then he showed us he could talk every language. How cool! Secondly, he taught us a song based of Kendrik Lamar. That one went like ‘They burnt the rice. They burnt the rice.’ It was so funny. Then he put grey orche on him and told us a story about a girl who wanted bush honey, and she got a lizard to climb a tree and get with her grass dress, but he ate all the honey, and he ate the entire skirt. That’s how the frilled neck lizard got his frill. Finally, he showed us a dance based on the oldest animal in the world. He said if anyone guessed, they would get two boomerangs. No one guessed it and it was a dragon fly and that was what happened at the incursion from Kindy to Year Seven with Sean Choolburra.” – By Louis Lyster
First Holy Communion
On the June 22, we have a number of our students receiving the Eucharist for the first time. We look forward to their special celebration and know they are getting excited as they continue to prepare to receive this Sacrament. The Mass is at 8.30am, followed by morning tea in the Parish Centre. Please keep these students in your prayers: Cleo De Campo, Brynnlee Drake, Imogen Nock and Shaye Reeve. Thank you to Mrs Harris and Mrs Kezich, from our parish, for preparing our students.
Student Council
Mrs Harris, Mrs Prestedge and the Term Two student council have been very busy raising money for Mary MacKillop International who provide education, health assistance and support for the marginalised in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Peru. The Student Council facilitated a money chain which raised $382.60 and a sausage sizzle raising $890. Congratulations on their efforts so far. They still have plans for the end of the term- stay tuned!
Running Club
We continue to have some keen runners join in laps on Wednesday and Friday mornings. There have been some noticeable improvements in the fitness of some of our runners, which is great to see. Weather permitting, we will continue to run throughout the rest of the term. Thanks to Mrs Hayley De Campo who has been at every run, marking laps and encouraging our athletes to keep on going!
Musica Viva
Next week we will be entertained by musicians, ‘Musica Viva’. This year’s performance is called ‘Imagination Exploration’ and we look forward to enjoying their musical talent. Mrs Jacob has been preparing our students for their visit.
Positive Behaviour Learning
We have been recognising students who are working hard to be prepared, caring, respectful and be good learners. Over the term we have rewarded students who have shown effort to demonstrate the school expectations and we have been impressed by the volume of students who have been awarded merits by their teachers. Last week, our top merit earners for the first half of Term Two were recognised with a PBL reward lunch. Students were treated to Pizza from Farmhouse Pizza Manjimup or an ice-cream depending on their year level. Well done to our reward recipients. At the end of the term, our PBL reward will include watching a movie in the comfort of our pajamas. Students need to earn at least 20 merit points to participate in the PBL reward.
Staying Healthy
With winter upon us, there has been an increase in flu-like symptoms and vomiting bugs. When your child is unwell, please keep them tucked up in bed to recuperate and get back to full strength. Being at school when they are unwell is not fun for the child or their peers, who may also be exposed to bugs. Thank you for your understanding.
Thought of the Week
“Good words bring good feelings to the heart. Speak with kindness, always.” ~ Rod Williams
Have a lovely weekend,
OUTDOOR EDUCATION - Camp Ocean Beach
On May 21, Mr Smith, Mr Pedlar, Ms Webb and the Year 9 Outdoor Ed class embarked on an adventure. Destination – Ocean Beach, Denmark.
It began at lunch, with many hands making light work of packing the bus – backpacks, pillows, tents, eskies, fishing rods, teacher’s swags, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm and nerves. Beginning at the end of Term One, with Mrs Burvill’s help, our students had planned for this expedition – this planning included meal plans, a food list, and what equipment to pack.
With the bus packed, we all thought we were ready – and in the immortal words of students around the globe: “the wheels on the bus go round and round…..”
Arriving at camp in the late afternoon, students quickly set up tents – and got to cooking dinner. There are two things to mention at this point in the story, the meal of choice was overwhelmingly Mexican wraps, and that some tents were set up well, and others…less-well.
After dinner, with stars in the sky, students were guided from camp – across Prawn Channel, through the scrub, and onto a section of beach where the Wilson Inlet meets Ocean Beach. It was there that students participated in some hotly contested challenges – spotlight, Mr Pedlar being the perfect home that often moved from his original position, who could make the tallest castle (no lights, pitch black), and who could dig the deepest hole. Students lost, students won, and most of all, students had fun.
There wasn’t much to say once the students and teachers went off to sleep, other than some of Year 9 boys had a talent for talking.
The next day, with a sound sleep by all (especially Mr Pedlar), students were up early and into breakfast. The morning activities, which were student led, consisted of fishing, taking really long showers, and a beach walk for a lost bracelet.
The beach walk was the highlight of the morning, with a couple of girls discovering that a king wave, during the early morning, had landed hundreds of fish onto the beach. All the while, the fishers caught what fishers often catch, nothing.
Back at camp – students got ready for the main event of the day, surfing. With a 4 metre swell at Ocean Beach, the right call was made to move surfing to Parry Beach. For two hours students learned how to surf, and then actually surfed, with most succeeding, and all enjoying the experience. With tired bodies, our next adventure called – a short trip to William Bay National Park. Students explored Elephant Rock and took a dip in ‘fresh’ conditions at Greens Pool.
All this might have read like it was a big day, but Mr Smith had one more adventure in mind, a beach walk back at camp.
You will recall that I mentioned some put their tents up well, and others less-well. Some also took the advice to zip up their tents, others decided not to. Here is where it mattered.
The forecast wasn’t looking great, there was a tight window for the last activity. The students all wanted to go, sort of like how a 3 year-old wants to go to bed after a lolly bag. With such enthusiasm, the students left camp, walked across Ocean Beach and found all those fish dumped by the king wave. It was then that Ms Webb and Mr Pedlar (who assured me the weather was missing), mentioned that they had felt a couple of large drops. The drops kept coming.
We all ran, but not fast enough. It hadn’t begun with a sprinkle… In a matter of moments, we were all drenched.
In the weeks that have followed the students have assured me it was their favourite part of the camp, and I believe them!
That night was spent getting dry and warm at the camp kitchen where students were treated to a meal of fish and chips.
The boys didn’t show their talent for talking, and everyone slept well, especially Mr Pedlar.
The next day was wet, and after getting drenched the night before the decision was made to leave early for home.
“The wheels on the bus go round and round.”
Back to school.
Back to the real world.
Back from a camp filled with fun, enthusiasm, rain, and not-tired-at-all-teenagers.
I would like to thank all those that attended the camp, their parents, and my reliable colleagues – Ms Webb, and the weatherman, Mr Pedlar.
Mr. Josiah Smith
Outdoor Education
josiah.smith@cewa.edu.au
EISTEDDFOD
PARISH NEWS
| DATE | St Joseph’s Manjimup | Sacred Heart Pemberton | |
| Time | Type | Time | |
| 14.06.25 | 6:00pm | Saturday Vigil | |
| 15.06.25 | 10:30am | Mass | 8:30am |
| 21.06.25 | 6:00pm | Saturday Vigil | |
| 22.06.25 | 8:30am | Mass | 10:30am |
| 28.06.25 | 6:00pm | Saturday Vigil | |
| 29.06.25 | 10:30am | Mass | 8:30am |
WE ARE HIRING
St Joseph’s Parish is looking for a cleaner for our Parish Centre.
The position is paid and only for 2 hours a week.
Times and day are negotiable. Immediate start if possible.
Anyone interested or if you would like more information, please contact the Parish Office!
PH: 9771 2873 EMAIL: stjosephsparishmanjimup@gmail.com
COMMUNITY NEWS
School Photos – KAPTURE
Following our recent school photography by Kapture, you can now view and order any special photos taken this year.
When visiting https://kapture.com.au/School-Sports-and-Events-Gallery you will need to enter our school code under the Sports & Event tab to access the gallery: XJRFLE
Dear Parents,
The school photo orders will be coming home from Week 7. Please note the following:
- Magnetic photo frames and additional prints are slotted between the prints of your package.
- Key chains are packed separately and distributed by the school office to the classroom teachers, who then distribute to the students. Check with your teacher if you have not received yours as yet.
- Sibling photos (if applicable to your school) are delivered to the eldest child and placed inside their photo package as additional prints if applicable.
- Digital negative orders will be sent to your email address supplied within 3-5 days of the school photo delivery. Don’t forget to check your junk mail folders.
- You are still able to place additional orders via the Kapture website. Use the same school code as previously supplied.
If you ordered photos more than 10 days after photo day, your order will be handled separately and mailed directly to your home address within the next 28 days. Check your confirmation email for more information.
Kind regards
The Kapture Crew
The WA Student Assistance Payment
Just 3 weeks left to claim!
The WA Student Assistance Payment helps with school costs — don’t miss out.
$150 for each Kindergarten and primary student
$250 for each secondary student
Claim now through the ServiceWA app, online or by post in a claim form.
Claims close Friday 4 July 2025.
Visit www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap for eligibility info and how to claim.
Foster Care – Department of Communities Fostering and Family
The Department of Communities Fostering and Family care team is coming to East Manjimup Primary School to talk about foster caring and how to become a foster carer. There is an ongoing need for foster carers in WA. Opening your heart and your home will make a difference to a child or young person’s life.
· Foster carers are volunteers who provide a safe, stable and secure environment to children who are unable to live with their birth families.
· There are many reasons why a child may require care, but one of the most important things you can offer them is a safe and stable home.
· Registering as a foster carer is an incredibly selfless act, that can make an enormous difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
· It can also be a profoundly rewarding experience for carers and their families.
· Opening your heart and your home is a chance to help change the course of a child or young person’s life and help to heal the trauma they have experienced.
· The Department of Communities is undertaking a series of Foster Carer Information Sessions to promote the message that everyone can contribute to keeping WA’s children safe and connected.
· You’ll hear about what foster care is (and isn’t), what to expect as a carer, and answer your questions.
· I strongly encourage anyone who is curious about foster care, or has considered becoming a carer themselves, to attend the session.
· To learn more about foster caring or to complete an online enquiry form visit: fostercare.wa.gov.au
The session at EMPS will be held on Tuesday 24 June, in Room 13, from 3.15 – 4.15pm. This is open to any interested people in the community so please do spread the word.
Host a Japanese Exchange Student
