College News,
Sports & Events
SCHOOL SAVINGS BONUS
In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.
The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.
The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.
For further information see below attachment.
IMMUNISATION CATCH UP SESSION
The City of Greater Dandenong Immunisation Team will be attending the school on the following days for a mop up session to deliver immunisation to students in Years 7 and 10 who were absent or hadn't completed consent forms when the Council previously attended.
Acacia Campus - Tuesday 8th October
Banksia Campus - Wednesday 16th October
Please note that a consent form needs to be completed irrespective of a yes or no response. The Dandenong Council will be phoning all parents whose children haven't been immunised to get a response.
Year 7
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – Gardisil 9 Vaccine – one dose
- Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (ie whooping cough - DTPa) (Boostrix vaccine) – one dose
Year 10
- Meningococcal ACWY
STUDENT VOICE AT KEYSBOROUGH COLLEGE
At Keysborough College we believe that giving our students a voice is a super important step in making our school a safe and inclusive environment. 😊
As much as your teachers and principals can help provide a safe, positive and orderly learning environment, we encourage you to speak up for yourselves and your peers in helping us create a space where you continue to feel comfortable, valued and supported.
There are numerous opportunities to get involved and share your voice! You can always reach out to any of our student leaders to raise issues and suggestions, join the various student led clubs and organisations at school, or personally contact our Year 12 Student Voice captains, Lataiya Saengjan (Acacia) and Emily Tran (Banksia), or email Ms.Haluwadana (Student Voice & Alumni Leader).
You will have received numerous emails from Ms.H during the year looking for volunteers to join our Student Voice focus groups for various projects. This is a great way to get involved in helping grow and build our school community. We have already had 324 students take part in various focus groups this year, allowing students to make suggestions, give feedback, and speak on behalf of their peers. If this is something you’re interested in, please register your interest by filling out this form: Student Voice focus group expression of interest.
As we move forward, we will also be looking to include Student Panels in our formal interview process for new teaching staff. This gives students the opportunity to take part in creating interview questions, sitting on an interview panel, and hearing from potential staff about their visions and teaching philosophies. If you are interested in joining a Student Interview Panel please register you interest at the link above!
Keysborough College values the importance of a safe learning environment. The schools policies are accessible on the school website and can be found here. Of particular importance are our Child Safety Policies which can be found at the following links;
- The Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
- The Child Safety Code of Conduct
- The Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy
If you ever have any concerns that you wish to raise with the school, please refer to our Complaints Policy which outlines the complaints and concerns process for parents/carers and community members.
Remember that the Keysborough College community is your community. We want, and encourage you, to have a say in how we build and grow this space! Your voice always matters!
INTERACT CLUB - SALVATION ARMY DONATIONS COLLECTION
The Interact Club is a student run club that hosts fundraisers for international and local charities. We recently concluded a successful donation drive to benefit the Salvation Army, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing essential services and support to individuals and families facing hardship.
The Interact Club chose to support the Salvation Army because of its commitment to helping the less fortunate in our community, and we believe it’s important to support organisations that have a positive impact on our own community.
Our school community generously donated a variety of items, including books, clothing, canned goods, and other essential household items. These contributions will be used to provide food, shelter, clothing, and other vital resources to those in need.
The donation drive was a great success, thanks to the overwhelming support and generosity of our students, teachers, staff and parents. We are incredibly grateful for your participation in this meaningful initiative.
The Salvation Army plays a crucial role in our community, providing a lifeline to those who are struggling. By donating to this worthy cause, we have not only helped to alleviate suffering but have also demonstrated the compassion and generosity of our school community!
Please watch out for more news about our cupcake sale next term! If anyone is interested in joining the interact club, please feel free to contact Ms. Haluwadana or I.
Christina Wright
YEAR 9 CITY EXPERIENCE - ACACIA CAMPUS
Last week, our Year 9 students embarked on an unforgettable learning experience in Melbourne’s CBD as part of our City Experience program. This program, designed to encourage independence, self-reflection, and personal growth, focused on developing essential life habits such as collaboration, empathy, mindfulness, and trust.
Each student selected one habit to focus on during the week, actively practicing it in real-life situations while observing how it impacted their interactions and wellbeing. From navigating public transport independently to completing group challenges, students had ample opportunity to put their chosen habits into action.
While the second half of the program was unfortunately postponed to Term 4 due to unexpected external events, students and staff are looking forward to resuming the program in Term 4 as a celebration of Year 9 and the end of their Junior School journey at the College.
YEAR 9 CITY EXPERIENCE - BANKSIA CAMPUS
On Monday, September 2nd, Year 9 students from Keysborough College Banksia gathered at Sandown Station at 8:15 AM and travelled to Flinders Street Station. My class (9F), along with 9G and 9E, visited the Sea Life Aquarium, where we enjoyed seeing various sea creatures and had fun with friends. After an hour, we returned to Federation Square. Later, 9F and 9G went to Eureka Tower's 88th floor, where we admired the view and enjoyed the peaceful rain. We then went back to Federation Square and returned to Sandown from Flinders Street Station.
On the second day, we were free to arrive in the city anytime but needed to be at Federation Square by 9:30 AM. 9F and 9E visited the Old Melbourne Gaol, learning about the Ned Kelly rebellion and the history of the prison. We then had free time before heading to the Shrine of Remembrance, where we learned about its significance to ANZACs and explored its historical artifacts and artworks.
On September 4th, we visited ACMI on Flinders Street. I found the gallery fascinating and took many photos. My favourite part was the gaming section, where I enjoyed playing PAC-WOMAN and achieved a high score. Later, we attended language group activities: French students went to NGV, Chinese students visited Chinatown, and Reading Program participants went to the State Library. I enjoyed NGV, with its inspiring artworks, though I found modern art less appealing.
On the fourth day, we participated in a city-wide scavenger hunt. Despite our efforts, we fell behind another group that finished in just an hour. Although disappointed, we tried to maintain our pride. We then visited the VIC Market, where I mostly explored the various stalls.
On the final day, September 7th, we visited the Royal Botanic Gardens. It was a sunny day, perfect for exploring. We learned about Indigenous hunting practices, felt possum fur, and made strong ropes from dried leaves. We also discovered interesting facts about local trees. After a break at Federation Square, we conducted project research at NGV, taking photos of the artworks. Finally, we returned to Federation Square and were dismissed, concluding our city experience.
Tau Tikaroa (9F)
CHINESE CULTURAL DAY
On July 25th, Year 9 students studying Chinese attended the Chinese Cultural Day at Box Hill Town Hall and engaged in a range of cultural shows and performances. Students participated in traditional games such as pot pitching and ring toss. Those who won were rewarded with Chinese souvenirs. Students respectfully interacted with event organisers and mingled with students from other schools, establishing new relationships and representing Keysborough College in a bright light. Even our bus driver commented on what a great school we were. Students came out of the experience knowledgeable about Chinese traditional culture and had a great time overall.
Kuenyang Dodeng 9J and Hadia Ali 9J
YEAR 9 SCIENCE STUDENTS AT ACACIA BUILD TERRARIUMS TO EXPLORE ECOLOGY
This term, Mrs. Malhotra and her Year 9 Science students had the opportunity to get hands-on with their learning during an exciting practical activity: Building Terrariums as part of their Eco-Systems unit. The project allowed students to explore key concepts like ecosystems, the interdependence of organisms, and the difference between biotic and abiotic factors in a controlled environment.
Building their own Terrariums
The terrarium project brought the theoretical lessons on ecosystems to life. Each student designed and constructed their own small, self-sustaining ecosystem inside a glass container. Using soil, sand, plants and pebbles, they carefully balanced biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components to create a stable environment.
The students were tasked with ensuring the right combination of soil, water, air, and sunlight (abiotic factors) to support the plants and any small organisms (biotic factors in soil) inside their terrariums. They were also encouraged to consider how these elements interact in nature and how organisms adapt to their environments.
Understanding Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Through this project, students gained a deeper understanding of the importance of both biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. They learned that plants, insects, and other living organisms (biotic factors) depend on non-living components like sunlight, temperature, and moisture (abiotic factors) to survive. Observing their terrariums over several weeks, they were able to witness real-life interactions between these factors, such as how too little water or too much sunlight could upset the balance of the ecosystem.
The terrarium-making activity not only allowed students to apply what they had learned in class but also fostered creativity and critical thinking. As their mini-ecosystems evolved, students were encouraged to analyse changes and problem-solve, adjusting their terrariums to create better conditions for the living organisms inside.
Overall, this practical project was a great success, providing an interactive way for Year 9 students to explore the complexities of ecosystems, while reinforcing their understanding of biotic and abiotic factors in a meaningful way.
The terrariums, proudly taken home by students and some displayed in Science lab, serve as a reminder of the delicate balance that sustains life and the important role humans play in maintaining healthy ecosystems on a larger scale.
YEAR 12 VM COMMUNITY GARDEN
On Monday 9th September the Year 12 VM students walked to Maralinga Community Garden and assisted with building plantar boxes for the Keysborough Community Garden.
This was a collaboration with Keysborough Bunnings and Maralinga Community garden and formed part of the students Community Project for Term 4. Students did a fantastic job in building the boxes and filling them with soil so that the garden could grow more produce.
YEAR 10 & 11 STUDENTS SPEND DAY AT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY LEARNING ABOUT BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Our students had a fantastic learning opportunity to further their Science / Biology study at the University of Melbourne and GTAC as part of Biomedical Sciences Day in National Science Week. They met with enthusiastic scientists, learning about current research, and looking at real life samples under light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes. Across the day our students learned about arthritis, cancer, MND, the brain, neural responses in zebrafish, the skin, malaria, and stress responses in mice.
They also accessed the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology undertaking a ‘treasure hunt’ uncovering real tissue specimens and historical anatomical models. This included looking at human bones dating back to the 1800’s!
Time spent in the AdaptLab allowed students to experience how innovative digital technology is used to study the human body utilising 3D VR heart models giving the opportunity to ‘hold’ the heart in the hand and examine the various structures making a human heart.
Students also had the opportunity to ask questions of current Biomedical Science Students about university life, joining social clubs, how they manage workload and stress, and how they are enjoying the experience so far.
All our students had a wonderful experience, the day provided insights into what biomedicine is today and the diverse range of careers and impact studying biomedicine offers, and importantly what a life studying at University could look like for our students.
Contact The University of Melbourne via:
Facebook - MDHS.UniMelb
X (formerly twitter) - @UniMelbMDHS
LinkedIn - mdhsunimelb
Instagram - @mdhsunimelb
SOUTHERN METRO REGION CROSS COUNTRY
Eight students qualified to compete at the Southern Metro Region Cross country event which was held at Ballam Park, Frankston. These students qualified after finishing top 10 at the Greater Dandenong Division meet.
The students were
Year 7-Luca Dimovski, Andrew Lam, Ariyan Narayan, Teresa Ung and Erika Pok.
Year 9-Daivik Asha Krishna, Landon Bowyer (all 3km) and from Year 11, Timothy Harrington (5km).
While none of the athletes qualified for State all of them should be very proud of their competitive spirit and achievements. Well done to all of the athletes representing the school with pride.
YEAR 10 DUMPLING PREPARATION
This week, students took centre stage in an interactive demonstration, showing their peers how to fold and prepare dumplings from scratch. The hands-on session featured a variety of dumpling styles, including traditional wontons and potstickers.
The demonstration highlighted teamwork, creativity, and skill, with students taking pride in their craftsmanship. The session ended on a high note as everyone enjoyed the delicious, freshly made dumplings. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from each other and celebrate the joy of cooking!
KEYSBOROUGH COLLEGE PATHWAYS
A traditional school setting like we offer at Keysborough College is not always the best educational setting for all students. At Keysborough College we pride ourselves in finding the best setting that suits and supports the educational opportunities for success for our students. Some will elect for a more adult environment of a TAFE setting where others prefer a more hands on approach to their learning.
In 2024 five Banksia students decided on the ECG pathway as their preferred learning environment. Education Centre Gippsland has a local setting in Dandenong. These students visited late in 2023 and enrolled for the 2024 school year. We have kept in contact with ECG and their parents and have been told how they have all flourished and have found a love for school that they were not able to find in a traditional setting. We have been incredibly proud to hear of their continued successes throughout the 2024 school year.
Today we received notification from ECG that two of these students will receive awards at their Presentation Evening. ECG only give three awards and two will be awarded to ex Banksia Campus students – Jhye Weber (Outstanding) and Alek Pritchard (Engagement). We congratulate these students on thriving in their new learning environment.
UNIT 2 WORK-RELATED SKILLS
As part of our assessment for Unit 2 Work-Related Skills, students from Acacia and Banksia attended a practice interview with an industry volunteer from Ardoch Education in Week 9. We designed this assessment as a "practice interview" to emphasize the seriousness and authenticity of the experience. By framing it this way, we aimed to help students understand the importance of preparing and presenting themselves professionally, just as they would in a real-world scenario.
How does the practice interviews conduct assist with your preparation for future jobs and careers?
It will help me build up my confidence, it will help me improve my answers for a better sense of formality/professionality. It will help me build up on my communication skills for a better approach when talking to new people. This experience will help prepare/support me in a genuine interview and supposedly increase my chances of success. – Zubai Z
Make me improve my weakness to better my performance in interview situations. Also getting familiar with the environment of a one on one setting with an employer. – Jampal T
Regular practice exposes me to common interview questions, allowing me to develop tailored responses and reducing anxiety during actual interviews. – Seb E
I learnt how to interact with my interviewer and take on my feedback that was given to me if I ever have a real interview. – Alexcia T
What feedback did you receive during your practice interview, and how will you apply it?
I had to ask more questions at the end of the interview, I will apply this knowledge on an upcoming interview for a job. As well as the good posture, better communication, no mumbling and clear speaking. – Lucas N
I believe this is good feedback for me, and can be applied in talking to customers, presenting myself nicely to others. This practice interview has assisted me, it gives me an idea of what can happen and what I can do better for next time – Jaydin P
Feedback I got form this practise interview was to ask a question at the end of the interview when they ask ‘do you have any questions?’ so it shows I have an interest in the job I’m applying for. I can apply this next time when I’m going for an interview by looking up some of their values and ask about it to show I did some research and that I’m keen about the job. – Nathan H
What did you find most challenging about creating your cover letter and resume?
I think the biggest challenge while creating my resume was thinking of any reliable referee, since for a student like me with not much work-experience, it’s crucial for productive claims in an interviewer’s judgement when looking at my resume, and depending on the type of work I am applying for it’s important to include appropriate skills, talents or experiences. – Peter V
GREATER DANDENONG DIVISION TABLE TENNIS
Keysborough College Acacia campus had a Year 7 and Year 8 boys team compete at the Dandenong Table tennis centre in the Greater Dandenong Division competition.
Both teams were supported by two senior students, Lucky Saengjan and Sivly Sam who helped coach the boys on the day.
The Year 7 boys team of Justin Chhou, Amir Hussain, Sobhan Khalilzad and Khyle Vejerano came fourth overall out of 6 schools. They had a lot of fun and represented the school with competitive team spirit and sportsmanship.
The Year 8 boys team of Gus Zulli, Sumo Tran, Tristan Ta, Kingsley Nguyen, and Ker Laing Ly came second out of the four competing schools in their age group narrowly beaten by Dandenong SHS. They were a pleasure to manage and all of the boys are congratulated on their commitment to both training and the competition.
WAKAKIRRI NATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL
2024 has been a huge year for the Performing Arts students at Keysborough College! On Friday August 23, we took 36 students to perform at the Frankston Arts Centre as a part of the Wakakirri National Dance festival. Here, students represent the college and tell a story referencing the festival motif – this year the theme was ‘Belonging’. Our story centred around two warring alien tribes who learn that violence is not the solution and that their voices can be heard through peaceful protest.
The students rehearsed every Thursday after school during term 2 and the majority of term 3, to refine their skills and hone their emotional connection to the choreography. Through their dedication and hard work the cast did an outstanding job, winning their way to perform at the State awards on Monday September 9. Here we were presented with the award for ‘Social Inclusion and integration – Cultural story’. We also had honourable mentions for our student representatives Su-Ang, Jimmy and Lataiya who had great banter with the host of the evening, sharing their experiences and what being involved with Wakakirri meant to them.
Further to this, on the night of the state awards, it was announced that Keysborough College is a 2024 National Award Nominee. We won’t find out the results of this until after the publication of this newsletter but this accolade is testament of the hard work and dedication of the students involved and the creative vision and guidance of Mrs. Fiona Chamley. We also want to extend our thanks to Alumni Cassidy Laird-Smith who assisted with the rehearsals and volunteered to support the students on both performance evenings!
While we are thrilled with the reception of the performance, the thing I am really proud of is how the students conducted themselves while representing the college. Hallam primary school mentioned the Keysborough students in their speech at the State awards. They shared that one of their fondest memories from their night was getting to know the high school students at Keysborough and hanging backstage with them. We are so proud of everyone involved for their professionalism and commitment, you all truly shone.
Kathleen Spaull
Performing Arts Coordinator
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
This term the Music Department had a great amount of success! Term 3 is the time when the bands go out and Perform at the Victorian Schools Music Festival - VSMF for short, which was held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.
This year, our band conductors decided to try and perform in more Advanced Divisions. The Acacia Senior Concert Band, conducted by Mr Tom Kenneth, performed for the first time in the Advanced Division and earned a Silver award. The Acacia Intermediate Band, conducted by Mrs Lynn Beardmore, and Banksia Concert Band, conducted by Ms Lauren Pennefather, both performed in the Junior Band Division, both earning Silver awards. Finally, our College Stage Band, conducted by Mr James Orr, who performed in the Intermediate Band Division for the first time, earned their first ever Platinum Award.
Considering our college bands were performing against other schools with music departments of more notoriety such as Trinity Grammar, Ringwood Secondary College, Caufield Grammar, and Wantirna, we are very proud of each and every person's hard work and involvement. Keep up the great work everybody and lets go for gold next year!!
KARATE WORKSHOP
On August 15th, a group of students participated in an engaging and dynamic karate workshop at the Shukokai Karate Dojos in Keysborough. The session, led by experienced instructors, focused on key values such as discipline, respect, and routine. Students were introduced to a variety of karate techniques and practices, allowing them to build physical skills while also fostering mental resilience and self-control. The workshop emphasised the importance of discipline both in martial arts and everyday life, helping students gain confidence, improve focus, and respect one another. It was an inspiring and enriching experience for all involved, offering valuable lessons that extend far beyond the dojo.
HARDING MILLER SCHOLARSHIP
We are proud to announce that several of our female students from both Campuses have applied for the prestigious Harding Miller Education Fund Girls' Scholarship. This scholarship provides an incredible opportunity for high-achieving female students to access resources that will help them reach their full academic potential. The program offers financial support, tutoring, and mentoring, enabling recipients to focus on their studies and pursue future career aspirations. Our students have shown remarkable dedication throughout the application process, demonstrating their ambition, resilience, and drive to succeed. We wish them the best of luck and commend their efforts in striving for excellence.The Harding Miller Scholarship not only recognises academic achievement but also encourages young women to overcome challenges and break barriers in their educational journeys. We are excited to see how these talented young women will continue to flourish and make the most of this opportunity should they be the successful applicants, which are announced in December.
'ENGAGE' PROGRAM MURAL
Over the past two weeks, a group of Year 8 students participated in a collaborative mural workshop with an artist-in-residence, transforming their ideas into a vibrant work of art on school grounds. The workshop focused on key skills such as creativity, problem-solving, patience, and teamwork, as students worked together to design, plan, and create a mural that reflects their unique vision. Under the artist's guidance, the boys learned about the artistic process and the importance of collaboration, with each student contributing their ideas and talents. This project has not only brightened our school environment but also strengthened the students’ sense of community and pride in their work. The mural will serve as a lasting testament to their creativity and cooperation.
JUNIOR PRODUCTION
Excitement is building as our Junior Production, Fight With All Your Might, the Zombies of Tonight, approaches! Students have been rehearsing tirelessly every Tuesday afternoon, and we are gearing up for extended rehearsals over the school holidays to ensure a spectacular show on November 15th and 16th.
This production has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to collaborate, bond, and express their creativity. Each rehearsal has been filled with persistence and teamwork, as the cast and crew work together to bring this thrilling story to life. From learning choreography to perfecting lines, our students have shown incredible dedication, and we can’t wait to see all their hard work pay off on stage.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to opening night. We look forward to sharing this exciting and creative journey with you all!
YEAR 7 STUDENTS EMBRACE STEM WITH MICROSOFT MENTORS
We are excited to share that 20 of our Year 7 students recently had the opportunity to participate in a special STEM program, in collaboration with mentors from Microsoft. Over the course of the program, students were introduced to the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to shape a brighter future for our planet.
Guided by experts from Microsoft, the students explored the positive applications of AI, including how it can be used to solve real-world problems such as climate change, healthcare advancements, and sustainable development. The hands-on experience ignited their curiosity and showed them the importance of innovation and technology in addressing global challenges.
This unique experience not only expanded their understanding of AI but also inspired them to consider future careers in STEM fields. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and achievements throughout the program and look forward to seeing how this experience will shape their future learning journeys.
Congratulations to our Year 7 participants for making the most of this inspiring opportunity!
BANKSIA TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Banksia Campus held their Track and Field Championships on Monday, August 19th, in beautiful, blue sky autumn conditions. Attendance and participation was quite high, with the general atmosphere for the whole day being very enthusiastic and jovial. We had four new records set by Revival Samaeli (U18-20G Discus), Raymond Tang (U17B 1500m), Shya Sounthakith (U12-13B 800m) and Elina Chhor (U12-13G 800m)
Our champions on the day were:
U12/13 Male Athletics Champion AARON TRAN
U12/13 Female Athletics Champion ELINA CHHOR
U14 Male Athletics Champion NATHAN DIEP
U14 Female Athletics Champion SOLINA CHHENG
U14 Female Athletics Champion SANDRA SAVOEUTH
U15 Male Athletics Champion SELA KEA
U15 Female Athletics Champion ALYSSA DALE
U16 Male Athletics Champion EH SUE KYAW
U17 Male Athletics Champion RAYMOND TANG
U18 Male Athletics Champion PION BRANDON IN
U17 Female Athletics Champion ABBIE PASCOE
U18 Female Athletics Champion SREYLIN KEA
GREATER DANDENONG AND DISTRICT TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
For the third year running, the Banksia Campus was crowned as District champions in the Greater Dandenong and District Track and Field Championships, held at the Springvale Athletics Track on Monday, September 9. We now have our largest team (41 students) moving forward to the Southern Metropolitan Track and Field Championships next term, and if any of them win there, the State Finals await. Banksia won the Senior Girls competition overall, along with the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Boys.
Congratulations to all of the 90 students who made up the team and put themselves forward to compete against the other local schools. Amazing job!
WILLIAM COOPER INSTITUTE MONASH UNIVERSITY EXCURSION – ‘YOUR FUTURE, OUR FOCUS’ EVENT
KSC Banksia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students Tahlia and Mackenzie attended the ‘Your Future, Our Focus’ event at Monash University, Clayton Campus on the 8th of August. This event showcased Monash University’s exemplary capacity to support and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students via the William Cooper Institute.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from local secondary schools attended the event and everyone enjoyed the insights into Monash University and the William Cooper Institute.
The students participated in two mini hands on activities and got to explore a curated hub with all areas of study showcasing a range of opportunities. They were split into groups with Monash Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student ambassadors who led them through the day. Key faculty focus was around IT and Engineering where students showcased their knowledge and creativity.
In all, our students Tahlia and Rex had a great time and got to speak with current students and staff to explore their interests for university.
Jenny Nguyen | Youth Worker
SarasCare is a multifaceted organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities facing various challenges. Guided by Sanatan values, we operate under a comprehensive framework of Rescue, Develop, and Empower. Our initiatives range from youth support and community engagement to incubation services for startups. We are committed to fostering resilience and growth within communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
If you would like more information, please speak to Carly at Banksia and Joey at Acacia.
WEAR IT PURPLE DAY
Friday the 30th august Marked the annual wear it purple day which aims to empower, foster, celebrate and create safe and inclusive spaces for young people in the LGBTQIA+ community, Both our Acacia and Banksia campuses celebrated with lunchtime activities including jelly eating contests,badge making and games.
R U OK DAY
Thursday 12th of September was National R U Ok Day and our college was awash with yellow. Banksia campus had a lovely breakfast and a special visit from the City of Greater Dandenong’s Youth Services during our lunchtime activities.
At Acacia we celebrated the day by making lemonade because as we know when life gives you lemons you make lemonade! We also celebrated by making and sharing cheese toasties and practising our conversation skills.
BA-DEE-YA UV IN SEPTEMBER
From September, solar UV increases in Victoria, which increases melanoma risk (melanoma can kill). Everybody needs vitamin D, which you can get from UV, or eating fish, or supplements. How much UV you need for vitamin D, depends (see link)… but nothing healthy about a tan. Lighter skin tones need less UV exposure than naturally darker skin tones, for the same vitamin D benefits. Want to be active outdoors in peak UV, then get in the right gear! Live, and predictive, regional UV tracking from ARPANSA (thankyou technology).
Preventable UV cancer information from Cancer Council.
https://www.sunsmart.com.au/uv-radiation
Benjamin Ratcliff
Secondary School Nurse | Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces | South East Victoria Region
LIBRARY NEWS
Book Week happened! Book Week ran from the 17th to the 23rd of August. In 2024, Reading Was Magic. Students enjoyed quizzes; hats, maps, and suitcase activities; and matching Keysborough College staff with their favourite childhood and teenagehood books! (The most popular staff childhood books were The faraway tree series, and The famous five series; and the most popular staff teenagehood books were The lord of the rings, and Tomorrow when the war began). Please enjoy this photo of Banksia Junior students enjoying the magical world of reading, and an amazing ‘Reading is magic’ display created by Ms Pascoe.
You may have noticed all four of the Keysborough College libraries have been updated with new furniture and shelving, but even bigger changes are coming to both the junior libraries! Keep an eye on them to see what happens!
Don’t forget to drop in to your nearest Keysborough College library before the holidays to grab something to read over the break!
Stay safe, and keep reading.