Campus Principal Report

As Term Three draws to a close, I feel we need to reflect on the College Values and how we can always incorporate them into our daily life. At our school, we pride ourselves on upholding Respect, Excellence, and Diversity. It’s important that these values guide how we act, both at school and in the wider community. With holidays coming we would ask that we reflect these standards in our private and public life.

Let us make sure we are focused and heading in the right direction. Let’s work together to make our school a positive and productive environment. We expect all students to behave with respect towards each other, our staff, and our school environment. Any breaches of these expectations can lead to school-based consequences. 

The school has zero tolerance for any anti-social behaviours that go against our values, and we will work with all external agencies when required.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home. Please have a chat with your child about the importance of respectful behaviour, whether at school, in the community, or while travelling to and from school. Remember that we are always representative of the school and our families.

We’ve had many fantastic achievements and events this term, things the school community can be rightly proud of:

Medieval Day (All Year 8s)

Year 9 City Experience

Wakakirri Dance - nominated for a National Award after winning a state award

Winning the District Athletics

Multiple sports teams through to State Championships

RUOK? Day

Wear it Purple Day

Zoo excursion

Victorian Schools’ Music Festival

National Maths Competition

We are committed to ensuring all these continue and give you and your children the broadest range of opportunities. Let’s finish the term on a positive note, enjoy the holidays and the finish the year with a flourish. I can’t wait for the changes we have planned and worked on all year to commence in 2025 designed to enhance the learning outcomes of all students going forward. Coupled with our fantastic wellbeing leaders and youth workers the future and your children’s school life could not be in better hands.

As the great philosopher of the 21st century said

Have a great break.

Mr Richard Hastings

Banksia Campus Principal

I am thrilled to share some exciting news about our Performing Arts students! At the Wakakirri State Awards, held at the Frankston Arts Centre, they delivered a breathtaking performance of “Belonging,” which tells the story of warring alien tribes discovering unity. Their hard work and dedication were rewarded with the prestigious award for “Social Inclusion and Integration – Cultural Story.” Additionally, we are proud to announce that Keysborough College has been nominated for the 2024 National Award! A heartfelt thank you goes to Kathleen Spaull and Fiona Chamley for their unwavering support and leadership in the Wakakirri program this year. 

In other news, congratulations to the Year 9 Team—Joselle Bardwell, Nathan Tobin, and Aruna Malhotra—for their excellent planning of the City Experience. While the final three days were unfortunately cancelled due to city protests, our Year 9s demonstrated resilience and understanding. On Wednesday, they enjoyed a half-day school event featuring a BBQ and a movie. The Year 9 team are currently organising two additional City Experience days for Term 4 to ensure our students get the full experience. 

We also celebrated our Campus RED assemblies on Monday, September 16th, where we recognised six students for exemplifying our College values of Respect, Excellence, and Diversity. The performances by the Acacia Senior Concert Band, conducted by Tom Kenneth, and the College Stage Band, conducted by James Orr, were outstanding. These musical showcases highlighted the incredible talent within our College Music Program.

Our VCE-VM students recently embarked on a camp to the Grampians, where they had the opportunity to connect with peers from both campuses. The trip was marked by challenging hikes that pushed students out of their comfort zones, fostering teamwork and resilience. Feedback from the participants indicates that the experience was not only enjoyable but also a resounding success. We are proud of our students for their determination and spirit throughout this adventure!

On Saturday, August 31st, we welcomed over 80 Grade 6 students from our local primary schools to the Acacia Campus for auditions for our Keysborough Extension and Enrichment Program (KEEP). This program is specifically designed to support students of high ability, providing them with opportunities for advanced learning and growth. The students participated in a comprehensive testing session, and we look forward to notifying them of their results in early Term 4. We commend all participants for their enthusiasm and commitment!

Thank you to all parents and students who attended the recent Parent-Teacher Interviews. It was a pleasure for our staff to connect with families and discuss student progress. Your involvement is invaluable in supporting our students' growth.

As always, we prioritise child safety and maintaining an orderly learning environment. I recently communicated about some unacceptable behaviours within our school and community. However, I want to take this moment to commend the vast majority of our students who consistently align with our values and contribute to a respectful and reputable school environment.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community. Let’s continue to celebrate our wonderful achievements. Enjoy a safe and happy term break.

 Ms Fode

Acacia Campus Principal