IMPORTANT DATES:
| 9 February | WPL Induction (all Year 10s and WPL Year 11/12s) P1 and P2 |
| 10 February | Year 7 Camp
Year 12 Retreat |
| 11 February | Year 7 Camp
Year 12 Retreat Primary Parent Afternoon (Year 4 and Year 5) |
| 12 February | Year 7 Camp
Year 12 Retreat Primary Parent Afternoon (Year 1/2, 3 and 6) |
| 13 February | Whole School Mass 9am |
| 18 February | Ash Wednesday Liturgies |
| 19 February | Year 10 Pelvic Pain Talk 9:30-10:30am
Year 8 and 9 Parent Night 6:00pm in the Library |
| 20 February | Merit Assembly |
| 23 February | Year 6 Camp |
| 24 February | Year 6 Camp
P & F Meeting 5:30pm |
| 25 February | Year 6 Camp
Bishop’s Day with student leaders in Bunbury (select students Year 9-12) |
| 26 February | Year 6 Camp |
| 27 February | Year 6 Camp
Chronicle |
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
Hello Kearnan College Community!
It has been wonderful to welcome back our students and families and to hear about their holidays. Our staff have all come back looking relaxed and they have been eager to get on with engaging and educating our students. We have all been so impressed with the manner in which our students, both young and old, have settled into the new school year and are looking forward to an exciting time ahead!
We have welcomed some new and returning staff members to the College. Mr Yoram Jobse has joined us as a secondary teacher, Mrs Jodie Lapinski is back as our Head of HASS and Mrs Tess Mills has returned as one of our Year 6 teachers whilst also sharing her talents as the Year 8 and 9 Drama teacher. Mr Charlie Chodorowski has stepped out of retirement again to fill in for the term before our new Design and Technologies teacher begins in Term Two.
One of the College’s key priorities this year is to enhance communication with parents. The email addresses of all staff members are available on the school website and our teachers would welcome contact anytime you have a concern or question about your child’s learning, or experience at school. I encourage you to contact teachers directly with your questions. Should you feel that your initial concern has not been adequately resolved, Our Heads of Learning Area serve as an additional layer of support should your query be related to learning and our Heads of Year can assist with pastoral care and wellbeing challenges. Our Deputy Principals, Mr Pedlar, Mrs Barton and Mrs McCarthy, and I can also provide further support at any time. Staff will generally aim to respond to emails within 2 school days, but if the matter is urgent, please call the office and they will assist you in making contact.
This year, we are holding Parent Information Meetings for all year levels. Some have already occurred, but meetings for Years 1-6 and Years 8 and 9 are coming up soon. Please check the term calendar for the dates and keep an eye on information being sent out with further details.
Forms have gone home this week to all families with a request to check contact and other information to ensure our records are accurate. It would be appreciated if you could take a few moments to go over the form and return it to school with any changes. If no changes are needed, please return the form with a notation that no updates are required. If your child has a medical condition that the school needs to know about, please ensure that we have the most up-to-date information on hand and that medications (including EpiPens) are within date. Mrs Kilrain in the office will be able to assist with this.
It has been lovely to see our students wearing their uniforms proudly upon their return to school. We greatly value the support of parents in ensuring our young people are meeting the College’s uniform expectations.
The first P & F meeting for the Year will be held on Tuesday, February 24 at 5.30pm in the staffroom. All parents and carers are warmly invited to attend and your participation is much appreciated. Our P & F plays a vital role in supporting the school with resources and other useful items and activities, as well as providing opportunities to enhance our school community. For further information about the P & F, please contact the school office.
Our College website contains a wealth of information about our school. I draw your particular attention to the Policies and Procedures page. Here you will find a range of useful documents, including our Uniform Expectations, agreements regarding the use of the internet and devices, Student Medication Form and our Disputes and Complaint Resolution Procedures. New this year, is our Parent Handbook, also found on this page. This document covers some of the things parents need to know about the College. Please check it regularly as updates and additions will be made from time-to-time. If you have any suggestions about items to include in the new Parent Handbook, please let us know.
PASTORAL CARE AND MINISTRY NEWS
Welcome back to all our Kearnan families for 2026. I would also like to welcome our new families to the College.
We’ve enjoyed a genuinely positive and encouraging start to the school year. Thank you to all families for the role you have played in this. As we embark on Week Two, I would like to share with you some information to help your child transition smoothly into a new school year.
At Kearnan College, we know that every school day matters. Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s academic success and overall wellbeing. When students attend consistently, they build strong routines, stay connected with peers, and have the best chance to thrive in their learning.
What the Data Tells Us
Recent national and WA-based research highlights the impact of attendance on student outcomes:
- WA state students miss, on average, 15 days per year in primary school and 25 days per year in secondary school — equivalent to roughly 16,000 children absent each day.
- There is no “safe” threshold of school absences: research shows any absence, even a day here or there, has a measurable impact on academic achievement, with effects that accumulate over time.
- National research also confirms that non‑attendance affects outcomes regardless of the reason for the absence.
This data only reinforces that every single day of learning truly counts.
How Parents Can Support Attendance
We deeply value our partnership with families. Here are some practical ways parents can help:
1. Establish strong routines
- Set consistent wake‑up, bedtime, and morning routines.
- Encourage preparation the night before (uniform, lunch, school bag).
2. Prioritise attendance
- Book appointments outside school hours whenever possible.
- Keep children home only when genuinely unwell.
3. Stay connected with the school
- Let us know early if your child is facing challenges with friendships, learning, or wellbeing.
- Reach out if there are barriers to attendance — we’re here to help.
4. Promote a positive attitude toward school
- Talk about school in an encouraging way.
- Celebrate effort, progress, and connection rather than just achievement.
Working Together for Every Child
Attendance is not just a number — it reflects a child’s engagement, wellbeing, and future opportunities. By working together, we can make sure every student at Kearnan College feels supported, connected, and able to achieve their best.
If you ever have concerns about your child’s attendance or need support, please contact the school. We are here to help every step of the way.
Head of Year Changes
There have been some changes to the pastoral team in the secondary school. Last year, we farewelled Mr Aaron Pedlar as a Head of Year and we welcome Mr Josiah Smith. The structure of our team is as follows:
Mrs Liz Collins – Head of Year 7
Mr Josiah Smith – Head of Year 8/9
Mr Riley Mason – Head of Year 10/11
Mrs Cecily McCarthy – Head of Year 12/Deputy Principal Pastoral Care and Ministry
Mr Smith has brought a wonderful sense of energy, organisation and care to the role and we know he will continue to enrich our pastoral space. Our Heads of Year have shown a deep commitment to student wellbeing which strengthens the heart of our College.
Positive Behaviours and Learning Changes
In 2026, the Positive Behaviours for Learning program has some minor changes, including the removal of demerit points for negative behaviours. Staff felt that this was creating a punitive rather than a supportive environment. Students will be awarded for positive behaviours and we will continue with our reward days in the middle of each term and at the end. We are looking into other ways for students ‘cash in’ their points throughout the term.
RISE Education – new in 2026
Thank you,
SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome to the 2026 Academic Year
A warm welcome to all our new and returning secondary families for the year ahead. All the College staff have been busy preparing and planning a great year of learning and engaging activities for students to thrive this year. As the new Deputy Principal of Secondary, I too am excited about overseeing curriculum delivery across Year 7 to 12, and are invested in securing the best education for the students in our care.
New Staff and Some Role Changes
The College welcomes Mr Yoram Jobse to the teaching and learning team. An expert in Economics, he will be teaching in the mathematics department and Year 10 HASS class.
Returning to the College for 2026 is Mrs Tess Mills. With her background in Primary and previously teaching in our Junior School, Tess is a great fit into our Year 7 and 8 Drama programs. An active member of the Repertory Club, she will surely bring an energised and engaging curriculum to these classes.
We also welcome Mr Josiah Smith in the pastoral care team as Head of Year 8 and 9. Josiah’s calm and thoughtful approach will be a great asset and resource for our students navigating the treacherous middle school years.
One of the College priorities this year is to expand our careers education through the secondary to expose and inspire students to engage in their education. Ms Emily Ardagh’s role has been reformed as the Careers Learning Coordinator, which involves all things extra-curricular education. Please keep an eye out for correspondence throughout the year from Emily to ensure your child doesn’t miss out on opportunities to engage with the workforce, vocational education, pre-apprenticeships, traineeships, university tours, medical outreach and exchange programs, scholarships and much, much more!
In the Design and Technology Centre we have secured a fantastic new teacher, Mr Seb Jennings who will commence Term Two. In the interim one of the region’s favourite teachers, Mr Charlie Chodorowski, will work Tuesday with our Year 9’s and Senior students. Welcome back Charlie!
In the interschool sport arena, Miss Courtney Webb has taken the role to coordinate all our College sporting events. Our first representative competition is the ACC Basketball Tournament for students in Years 7 to 9. Sign-up sheets are available NOW, and trial will be conducted next week.
Standard and Expectations of the College
At our welcome assembly on day one, I spoke to students about the importance of aspiring to uphold our high standards. We are proud to be at Kearnan, and we are proud to guide students to achieve a high level of conduct and behaviour.
One key aspect to this is the College uniform. It is imperative that students understand and adhere to this policy. Presenting yourself well with pride and respecting regulations is a key adult skill and a strong indicator for personal excellence and achievement. For students needing flexibility with the uniform policy, please write to Dr Gallin outlining your circumstances and apply for a uniform exemption. These will usually only be made on medical grounds. For those incidental times where students are not in the correct uniform, please write their PCG teacher a note.
Additionally, students were briefed on what jewellery and shoes conformed with the uniform policy. Parents, please read and understand the College’s uniform policy (available on our website) and support your child to be presented correctly for school.
Parent Information Nights
Last week during Day Zero, I had the pleasure of speaking to Year 7 families about the start of high school and the year ahead for our newest secondary students. It was fantastic to share information and meet parents and teachers. This commitment to the 45 minute session is a valuable investment for families to connect to the College and gain a deeper insight to College operations.
Thursday evening the Year 10, 11 and 12 families came together for the first information session about senior secondary. Meeting key College staff and understanding the complexities of WACE, ATAR and VET requirements is difficult and these sessions are the best way for families to support their child through the final years of schooling and into the wonderful, wide world of adulthood.
Some Changes to 2026
The college administration and leadership teams constantly review and refine processes to best support our students to learn and develop through the secondary years. We are excited for the year ahead and below is a short summary of some of our key changes.
Pastoral Care Group (PCG) – Homeroom has been rebranded as PCG. Whilst not much has changed within the 15 minute beginning of day session, we wanted to remind students that this time has their pastoral care at the forefront. PCG classes fall in the Pastoral Care team, overseen by Heads of Year and the Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care and Ministry), Cecily McCarthy.
R.I.S.E – Unique to Kearnan, we loved our Positive Education curriculum that is delivered to Year 7 to 10, however, we wanted to expand and stretch our students during this time to set them up for success at the College. With a revamped curriculum focused on Relationships, Identity, Skills and Empowerment – the RISE subject was born. Each Wednesday, Period 6, all Year 7-10 students participate in RISE lessons.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) – after a great pilot year of the PBL program, we saw many students engage with the program and continually strive for their best. After reflection and feedback from students and parents, the Pastoral Care Team have reviewed and improved the program. A summary of the changes was presented to students at Monday’s assembly. These are;
– PBL has expanded to include all students Year 1 to 12
– No negative points
– 2 reward events per term, based on student’s points balance for that term
– PBL points are not linked to their Good Standing
– Semester based recognition for exceptional PBL efforts (students in top 20%)
– End of year tiered awards – Bronze (100-199 pts), Silver (200-299 pts) and Gold (300+ pts) level
Students continue to earn points through the merit system by demonstrating positive behaviours through our four core expectations.
| Be Prepared | Be Respectful | Be Caring | Be a Learner |
Good Standing (GS) – All students start the year in Good Standing and it is their responsibility to maintain it to be eligible for College events such as the Ball, Country Week, Canberra, interschool sport and excursions.
Overseen by the relevant Head of Year, students who consistently acquire negative behaviours will see their GS move to ‘at risk’. Failure to improve their conduct, will see students lose their GS, resulting in ineligibility for Good Standing Events. This may also have financial implications for families. Serious student misconduct will also result in immediate loss of Good Standing.
Elective Subjects – Our teaching team continues to be innovative in producing quality programs to engage and inspire student curiosity. We have expanded our offerings for students in Years 7 to 10. Textiles (sewing) has been added, and our Netball/Basketball academies have combined to create ‘Academy’ as a high-performance sport course. We are also very proud of our Year 9 Mathematics extension program being led by Mrs Jackie Lockwood. Well done to those students who have been identified and selected for the program. More information over the year will be available about options for students.
Aims for the School Year Ahead
Students progress through secondary school with each year presenting different challenges. Our staff understand this and we create an environment to help students grow and develop, with our product being young adults being prepared and ready for the adult world. Below is a summary of my address to students at the day one assembly
|
Year |
College Focus |
Student Focus |
| 7 |
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
| 11/12 |
|
|
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome Back
We are so happy to see the excellent way our students have commenced the school year- from our youngest Pre-Kindy students to our big Year 6’s. On Monday, there were so many smiling faces, glad to be back with friends and excited for the year ahead. We welcome new students and their families to Kearnan College, and we know that our community will make you feel welcome. Our staff have been working diligently over the past few weeks preparing the classrooms to ensure everything is in place for a smooth start to 2026.
Parent Information Sessions
Our Primary teachers will be hosting information sessions to share key details about teaching and learning for the year ahead. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and gain insight into the important learning focus for each year level. We strongly encourage all parents to attend.
| Wednesday 11 | Starting time | Thursday 12 | Starting time |
| Year 4 | 3:15 pm | Year 6 + camp | 3:15 pm |
| Year 5 | 4:15 pm | Year 1 and 2 | 3:30 pm |
| Year 3 | 4:00 pm |
There will also be further opportunities for parents to speak with classroom teachers during our dedicated early‑close meeting day on March 23. Lessons will conclude at 12:00 pm for teachers to schedule individual meeting times from early in the afternoon through to later in the day.
Opening Mass and Student Leaders Commissioning
Next Friday, February 13 at 9:00 am, we will come together as a school community to celebrate the beginning of the 2026 school year. Our celebration will include a Mass during which Father Joe will bless the 2026 leaders’ badges and formally commission our new student leaders into their leadership roles before the badges are presented to our Primary and Secondary leaders. Parents are warmly invited to join us on the courts for this special occasion.
Morning Fitness
This term is shaping up to be a very active one for our students, with both House carnivals and Interschool carnivals on the calendar. Beginning next week, students in Years 3–6 will take part in morning training sessions to learn a range of team games, develop their skills and, of course, have some fun. Our Year 6 students will take the lead for this training and we look forward to seeing how they start to develop House spirit.
Wellness Wednesday
We continue to encourage all students to wear their sports uniform with their House shirt each Wednesday. Wearing sports attire allows students to enjoy comfortable clothing throughout the day, and many classes use this time to participate in activities designed to support student wellbeing. Thank you for helping your child come prepared each week.
Sun Safe
At Kearnan College, we are committed to helping our students develop strong sun‑safe habits. With high UV levels common throughout Terms One & Four, it is important that all Primary students protect themselves when outdoors. Our “No Hat, No Play” expectation means students must wear their school hat during playtimes, sport and any outdoor activities. Students without a hat will be asked to stay in a shaded area for their safety. We kindly ask parents to ensure their child’s hat is clearly labelled and brought to school each day. By working together, we can support our students in staying sun aware and safe.
Resources
Our learning programs in the Primary school are now well underway, and students are already engaging enthusiastically with their individualised learning and a range of exciting classroom activities. Thank you to all parents who have purchased the required books and materials for the year. Your support helps ensure teaching and learning can begin smoothly from the very start of term. We are aware that some students are still waiting on back‑ordered items, and we will ensure they are fully supported and not disadvantaged while these resources arrive.
Week One
Thought of the Week
“Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen” ~ Conan O’Brien
Have a great weekend,
PARISH NEWS
| Location | Day | Time | |
| Saturday Vigil | St Joseph’s, Manjimup | Every Saturday | 6pm |
| Mass | St Joseph’s, Manjimup | 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays | 10:30am |
| 2nd & 4th Sundays | 8:30am | ||
| Mass | Sacred Heart, Pemberton | 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays | 8:30am |
| 2nd & 4th Sundays | 10:30am |
Ash Wednesday, 18 February Mass: 5:30pm at St Joseph’s, Manjimup and 9:00am at Sacred Heart, Pemberton.
Stations of the Cross is every Friday during Lent at 7pm at both St Joseph’s, Manjimup and Sacred Heart, Pemberton.
COMMUNITY NEWS
