IMPORTANT DATES:
| Fri September 26 | Students Conclude |
| Mon October 13 | Pupil Free Day |
| Tues October 14 | Students Commence
Book Fair Week |
| Wed October 15 | Yr 12 Farewell Liturgy
Yr 12 Farewell Dinner |
| Thurs October 16 | Thank Your Cleaners Day |
| Fri October 17 | Chronicle
Book Fair Sales |
Hello Kearnan College Community!
This week, we bid a sad farewell to our wonderful Year 12 students who finished their classes today. They are about to embark on their post-school journey, whatever that may look like. We have some students preparing for ATAR exams, others planning to enter the workforce, some looking forward to further studies next year and a few making plans for travel and adventure! We are so proud of this group of young people who have made a valuable contribution to the College in their time here. We wish them every blessing for their futures. We will see them back next term for their farewell liturgy and Senior School Speech Night. Best of luck to our ATAR students who will be sitting their mock exams during the holidays.
We also say a very sad goodbye to the amazing Mrs Megan Burvill today. Megan has taught at Kearnan for 14 years and been instrumental in leading our wellbeing and pastoral care programs, pivotal in our sports coaching program and has been an all-around fantastic person to work with. She has had a huge impact on our staff, students and families and will be sorely missed. Megan is looking forward to new horizons with her husband which may or may not involve relaxing by a pool in Bali!
Whilst we say goodbye to Mrs Burvill, we are excited to welcome Mrs Cecily McCarthy as our Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care and Ministry) next term. Cecily has made numerous visits to the College this term to get to know the staff and students and to have a thorough handover with Mrs Burvill in the Pastoral Care space and Miss Chilvers around Ministry. Cecily is very excited to begin her work with our staff and students, and we are excited to have her here!
As usual, we have had a very busy few weeks. We celebrated Rooney and Kelly Days, RU OK Day, Laudato Si Week, the Year 8 Retreat, NAIDOC Week and our primary classes completed their two weeks of swimming lessons. We all need a holiday after all that activity!
Don’t forget to mark October 25 in your calendars as this is our Centenary celebration. We will be having open classrooms from 11am until 12pm and then a delicious catered lunch. Tickets for the lunch are available from here.
The Term Four Parent Calendar can be found on the school website. Please make note of any important dates and keep an eye on future newsletters and communications from the school in case anything changes.
One of the events on the calendar is the primary school Grandparents’ Picnic on November 14. On this day, grandparents (and parents) are invited to bring along a picnic lunch and some chairs or rugs and make themselves at home on the school oval to enjoy lunch with their grandchildren. Students will send home invitations with further details next term.
Yesterday, many of our very talented students performed at the Music and Dance Afternoon. The performances were a testament not only to natural talent, but also to determination and a commitment to practising their skills. I was so impressed! Thank you to Mrs Jacob for organising the event and to Mrs Elson and the Food Science students for preparing the delicious snacks.
Congratulations to Violet Pearce (Year 12) who has been shortlisted for an interview for the Beazley Medal: VET Award for outstanding achievement in VET 2025. This medal is awarded to the student who has demonstrated the most outstanding overall performance in a vocational education and training program. To have made it to the shortlist is a massive achievement and we wish Violet well in her upcoming interview!
SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
Term 3 Wrap-Up
Well, we’ve made it! Whether we sprinted, strolled, or crawled to the finish line, congratulations to all our students on completing another term. It’s been a jam-packed few months, and I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our students, staff, and families for their unwavering commitment to every task, event, and moment in between.
Farewell to the Year 12s
Today, our secondary students gathered to farewell the Year 12 cohort, who have now officially completed their formal schooling. As they prepare to embark on a variety of post-school pathways, we are incredibly proud of the young adults they’ve become and the legacy they leave behind at Kearnan. Whether they’ve been with us since Pre-Kindy or joined more recently, each has made a unique and lasting contribution to our College’s story.
We look forward to celebrating their journey further next term at the Farewell Liturgy and Senior School Speech Night—two special occasions for families and our wider community to acknowledge their achievements. All relevant details have been sent home, but if you need to confirm anything, please don’t hesitate to contact the front office.
Year 12 ATAR Mock Exams
Best wishes to our Year 12 ATAR students who will be sitting their mock exams in the second week of the holidays. Remember to breathe deeply, trust your preparation, and avoid overthinking—your hard work will pay off, and we’re cheering you on!
Fr Kelly Endeavour Awards Assembly
Today we celebrated the Fr Kelly Endeavour Awards, recognising students who have shown determination, resilience, and the spirit of Fr Kelly across their subjects. It’s important to remember that grit and perseverance are just as worthy of recognition as top marks, and I’m proud that these awards allow us to honour both. A full list of recipients will be published in next term’s Chronicle.
2025 Student Leadership Team
As we farewell our Year 12 leaders, we extend our sincere thanks to:
- Head Girl: Lola Lauren
- Head Boy: Hudson Lyster
- House Captains:
- MacKillop: Tess Miller & Sienna Davey Smithin
- Kelly: Naomi Clark & Jett Lyster
- McCormack: Lara Edwards & Oscar Matthews
- Rooney: Charlotte Cumming
We also acknowledge our Year 11 leaders, Imogen Jacob (Service Captain) and Reid Marshall (Rooney), for their outstanding contributions alongside the Year 12s. Their dedication and leadership have been exceptional, and we look forward to their continued involvement next year.
2026 Student Leadership Team
Congratulations to our newly appointed 2026 student leaders:
- Head Students: Jason Lisser & Amelie Windberg
- Service Captain: Liana Ellis
- House Captains:
- McCormack: Summer Smith & Layla Grainger
- MacKillop: Alexia Love & Imogen Jacob
- Rooney: Charlotte MacGuire & Reid Marshall
- Kelly: Ava Pardini & Charli Omodei
We commend all students who nominated for leadership roles—putting your hand up is no small feat, and your courage and willingness to serve are deeply appreciated. While not everyone can wear a badge, every Year 12 student is a leader in their own right, and your contributions will continue to shape our College in meaningful ways.
Year 8 Retreat
Thank you to all who participated in the Year 8 Retreat in Week Eight. It was a wonderful day of reflection and connection, and staff were impressed by the thoughtful engagement of our students. Retreats offer a valuable pause from the busyness of school life and help strengthen bonds within the cohort. Special thanks to Ms Chilvers for her excellent organisation.
2026 Electives
Planning for 2026 is well underway, and students have now selected their electives. If your child has not yet submitted their choices and would like to do so, please contact the front office next term.
Year 8/9 Winter Carnival
Congratulations to all students and staff involved in this week’s Winter Carnival in Bunbury, and a special thank you to Mr Mason for his leadership and preparation. As always, our students represented the College with pride and excellent behaviour. And yes—the traditional fast food stop on the way home was a hit! Hungry Jacks, Maccas, or KFC… which team are you on?
Check out the school’s Facebook page for a full write-up of the day—it’s a great read!
Farewell Mrs Burvill
How do you say goodbye to someone who has become such a cornerstone of our College? From camps and carnivals to wellness initiatives, mentoring, and the countless unseen moments of care and support, Mrs Burvill’s impact has been profound. Her office has been a place of calm and kindness for so many, and we are deeply grateful for everything she has given to our community.
We wish Mrs Burvill and Brendan all the very best for the future—may there be plenty of time to relax and enjoy the next chapter. You’ve more than earned it!
As the weather begins to brighten, we hope the upcoming break offers everyone a chance to rest, recharge, and refocus. Term Four will be here before we know it—and let’s not even mention the word ‘Christmas’ just yet!
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
— John Lubbock
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Disco
What a fantastic evening we had at the Earth Wise Disco last Friday! A huge thank you to Mrs Harris and our amazing DJ, Miss Prestedge, for creating such a fun and lively atmosphere. With the support of our wonderful Student Council, the event was a great success. We’re also incredibly grateful for the generous food donations from our school community — they kept our dancers energised and added to the fun atmosphere. Our student councillors truly shone throughout the night, serving customers and managing the money with professionalism and cheerful smiles. Their dedication and teamwork were impressive and made us all proud. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the night so memorable!
Rooney House Day
Despite the wet and chilly weather, our school community came together to celebrate Rooney Day with great spirit and enthusiasm. The day began with a liturgy organised by Ms Thomas, where Rooney students led parts of the service. In the afternoon, students enjoyed a range of fun activities. The enjoyment grew even more when the rain cleared, allowing outdoor games to go ahead, bringing lots of smiles and laughter.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Rooney Day so special — rain certainly didn’t dampen our joy!
Assembly & Elizabeth Bear
Our Year One students delighted us with their recent class assembly, showcasing the many ways they shine in their own unique and wonderful ways. They confidently shared their learning in literacy and numeracy, entertaining us all with their enthusiasm. Miss Dumper and Mrs Ramiro were very proud of how confidently each one of the students spoke into the microphone and remembered their parts so well. It was a joyful celebration of their growth and learning. Well done, Year One!
Elizabeth Bear was presented to our very deserving Year 3 student, Emily Spillman. Emily is a valued member of Kearnan College. She consistently exemplifies kindness, patience, and respect. She treats both peers and adults with genuine courtesy, always displaying thoughtful manners and a caring attitude. A natural leader and skilled problem solver, Emily supports others with calm encouragement and quiet confidence. Her compassionate nature and strong work ethic are evident in all she does. Emily approaches every task with determination and always strives to do her best, generously offering help to friends whenever it’s needed. Congratulations, Emily!
Music & Dance Afternoon
Our student musicians showcased their talents at the Music and Dance afternoon on Thursday. Many of our students receive musical tuition from instructors outside our school, then they spend hours practising their skills each week. Mrs Jacob prepared a program that allowed all students to participate, sharing their talents with families and friends in a wonderful celebration of the arts.
P&F Family Walk
We are yet to entice a large number of walkers, but the ones that showed up on Tuesday afternoon enjoyed a beautiful walk and chat in the sunshine, followed by a sausage sizzle. Thanks to Jess Durbin for her enthusiasm and organisation, Mrs Kilrain, Miss Kilrain and Dr Gallin for the BBQ cooking and Mrs Kaleha Brown for helping serve the tasty food.
Cricket Carnival
On Friday, WA Cricket ran the Warren-Blackwood School Cup. Our Years 3-6 took part in the action competing against the local schools. Playing a modified version of cricket, students had the chance to develop their batting and bowling skills in a fun and supportive environment. It was a big day, but our students conducted themselves with good sportsmanship and great teamwork.
Spellademic
Last week, two Kearnan teams competed in the regional Southern Forest Spellademic. Our teams; Astrid Dronow, Milla Crowd, Georgia Stoiche, Milla Fitzgerald, and Ruby Nguyen, represented the school exceptionally well, achieving impressive scores against some of the best spellers in the area. We are very proud of all of you!
This year, our students are working with a new spelling program, and it is already showing pleasing results.
Year 3 Excursion – Timber Park and Electricity Museum
On Monday, the Year 3 class set out on foot to explore some of Manjimup’s unique landmarks — the Timber Park and the Electricity Museum. This excursion was designed to deepen students’ understanding of our local history, industry, and community, and to make meaningful links with their learning in HASS and Science. The day gave students the chance to see real artefacts, hear stories of the past, and connect classroom learning with lived experiences. They came away with new insights, curiosity, and plenty of enthusiasm.
What We Saw and Learned
Timber Park
- “I saw all the tools used to cut down trees.” – Meenakshi
- “I saw a chainsaw and axe at the Timber museum.” – Hendrix and Raph
- “I saw what bullocks were, I didn’t know what they were before.” – Benji
- “I learned how heavy an axe was and the timber colours of different trees.” – Emily
- “I enjoyed hearing from people what life was like in the timbermills.” – Lucy
Electricity Museum
- “I learned how large wind turbines are.” – Oakley
- “We enjoyed when we had the chance to dress up in high-vis uniforms at the electricity museum.” – Ariana and Ivy
- “I found out what clocks and meter readers looked like in the past.” – Stella
- “I enjoyed pressing the buttons to make noises.” – Hendrix
- “I enjoyed seeing the generators.” – Meenakshi
- “I enjoyed seeing how we can make and save electricity.” – Evelyn
- “I enjoyed watching others touching all the buttons that said ‘do not touch’ in the Power Up museum.” – Astrid
A Day to Remember
The excursion was not only a chance to step back in time but also to look forward at how energy is made and used in today’s world. Students returned to school buzzing with knowledge, stories, and new questions to explore in the classroom.
LEGO
This week we had some very excited students. Through an application with the Rotary Club of Ascot, we received a big tub of LEGO and as a result, Mr Smith has started a Lego Club, and in future years hopes to participate in an exhibition at Bricktober. Thanks Mr. Smith, you’re a champion!
Farewell and Thank you, Mrs B!
After 15 wonderful years at Kearnan College, we bid farewell to Mrs Megan Burvill, whose contribution to our school community has been truly outstanding. Over the years, Megan has taken on many roles, including PE teacher, librarian, Special Needs Coordinator, shared Head of Junior School, Head of Pastoral Care, and various teaching positions in the secondary school. Throughout her time at Kearnan, Megan has always brought a positive perspective, joy for learning, along with deep knowledge and genuine care for our students and families. Our students are seen, known and valued.
Over the years, Megan’s role evolved, but her commitment to student wellbeing has remained constant. She created safe, welcoming spaces where students felt seen and supported and introduced wellbeing programs that have become a vital part of our school culture. Her leadership in pastoral care, including her push for Kearnan to be the first school to bring external health professionals into the school, has made a lasting difference in the lives of many students and families.
As our Primary Physical Education teacher for many years, Megan’s passion for sport saw her coordinate carnivals, where she trained our students to do their best. In later years, her sports coaching programs gave older students opportunities to grow their skills and confidence when working with younger primary students. Her mentorship of student coaches has helped shape young leaders who continue to represent Kearnan with pride.
As Megan and her husband Brendon begin a new chapter in Bali, we thank her for the wisdom, warmth, kindness, dedication and friendship she has shared with us all. Her legacy will live on in the programs she has put into place, the students she supported, and families she has helped. We wish her every happiness for the future.
Quote of the Week
“I can do things you cannot. You can do things I cannot. Together we can do great things.” ~ Mother Teresa.
Hoping everyone gets to rest and enjoy some family time together. We look forward to seeing all students back ready for Term 4 on Tuesday 14th October.
Wishing all families a wonderful break,
Farewell Message from Mrs. B
Though I write this with a touch of sadness, the feeling that rises above all is gratitude.
It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the wonderful students, staff, and families of Kearnan. I’ve had the privilege of supporting many families throughout my time here, and I am truly thankful for every moment spent with our students.
As I move on, I carry with me a beautiful parting gift from the College—one that will serve as a daily reminder of Kearnan, its incredible young people, and its powerful message: Seek Truth.
So, my final words of wisdom to you are:
- Seek truth in the words you speak to others.
- Seek truth in the words you say to yourself.
- Seek truth in what your body tells you.
And always remember this one simple truth:
You will never get to have today again.
A powerful reminder to live in the present and make the most of each day.
Young Yarnz
Last week, our secondary students enjoyed an engaging and meaningful session with Lanie from Young Yarnz. They explored the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country, gaining a clearer understanding of their significance.
Students also learnt about the concepts of mob/family, Country, and the importance of identity and connection to Country. They created acrostic poems using their names to reflect their values, connection to the environment, and sense of self.
Young Yarnz brought a fun and fresh approach to learning about Indigenous culture, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of our nation’s First Peoples.
Lanie also shared a short documentary about her Pop, Sam (Mr Kimberley), who told his story of growing up in the Kimberley and being part of the Stolen Generation. To finish the session, some students had the opportunity to create sand artwork using traditional Aboriginal art designs, expressing their creativity in a hands-on way.
A special thank you to Talison for their generous donation, which helped make these workshops possible.
P&F
The P&F are excited to join up with the art department to bring a student art showcase and auction to life again this year.
The event will run alongside Kearnan Centenary Celebrations and display art works from across all year groups.
Once again, the Kindy to Year 6 classes have been working together to create exclusive, class art pieces that will be available for auction. This is your chance to get your hands on a beautiful piece of your child’s junior school history! The auction pieces were a hot ticket item last year, so it is an opportunity not to be missed.
Senior students (and even staff!) have had the option to bring in additional pieces which will also be available for sale via silent auction.
A glass of bubbles and a grazing table will be available to kick the night off!
We invite families to attend and see the beautiful work students have created.
Friday October 24, from 5:30pm in the Art room.
PARISH NEWS
| DATE | St Joseph’s Manjimup | Sacred Heart Pemberton | |
| Time | Type | Time | |
| 27.09.25 | 6:00pm | Saturday Vigil | |
| 28.09.25 | 8:30am | Mass | 10:30am |
| 04.10.25 | 6:00pm | Saturday Vigil | |
| 05.10.25 | 10:30am | Mass | 8:30am |
| 11.10.25 | 6:00pm | Saturday Vigil | |
| 12.10.25 | 8:30am | Mass | 10:30am |
COMMUNITY NEWS
For more information or to enrol please visit the VacSwim website: here.
