Campus Principal Report
What an incredible few weeks it has been at Acacia Campus! Our school has been buzzing with energy, creativity and community spirit, with so many special events showcasing the talent and togetherness of our students, staff and families.
Our school production, The Addams Family, was nothing short of spectacular! The show was a true celebration of the creativity, talent and hard work of our students, both on stage and behind the scenes. A huge congratulations to all who performed, designed, built, danced, sang and supported the production. We also extend our thanks to the dedicated staff team who guided our students to success: Ms Chamley, Mr Rizopoulos, Ms Peacock, Ms Tascone, Ms Kent-Russell and Mr Cox. This production was a shining example of Excellence at Keysborough College.
Last week we celebrated our very first Keysie Week, and what a celebration it was! With activities across the week at both recess and lunch, it was wonderful to see our school spirit come to life. A big thank you to our Campus Captains Harry Brice and Christina Wright, whose idea has now become a lasting tradition! A special thanks to our Student Voice leader, Ms Haluwadana, for her oversight and leadership in supporting our student leaders to create an amazing week. Thanks to all staff who helped run events.
The week culminated in our spectacular Community Day on Saturday 13th September. From cultural dancing and sports to food trucks, stalls, a petting zoo and even a surprise visit from an elephant; it was a day to remember! It was inspiring to see so many families, friends and community members come together. A special shoutout goes to Ms Malhotra, whose tireless efforts ensured the day was beautifully presented and ran seamlessly.
Our Year 11 VCE-VM students also had an enriching camp experience in Week 7. The camp provided students with opportunities to strengthen teamwork, build resilience and grow in confidence.
Thank you to Ms Wong and Ms Jong for their leadership and organisation, and to staff members Ms Radosevic, Mr Rae, Mr Tobin, Ms Peach and Mr Boyd for supporting our students throughout the camp.
I also want to celebrate John Gildhouse, one of our Year 12 VM students, who recently showcased his barbering and hairdressing skills as part of his VM Community Project. In front of a crowd in the gym at lunchtime, John gave his mate a fresh haircut while raising awareness about road safety. A fantastic effort that combined talent with a powerful message. Well done, John!
Other Highlights
- RED Assembly: Our students’ respectful and engaged behaviour at the RED Assembly reflected the very best of our school values. It was wonderful to see our Year 8 Band students perform so well. Congratulations to all students who were acknowledged with an award at the assembly.
- Parent Teacher Interviews: With 364 students and their families attending, the evening was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came along, your support makes a real difference.
- Evacuation Drill: We had our evacuation drill on Wednesday 17th September. The drill was calm, swift and safe; a credit to both staff and students.
From the stage to the classroom, the sports field to the community, these events are a reminder of what makes Keysborough College so special. They reflect our values of Respect, Excellence and Diversity in action, and they show the strength of our school as the heart of our community.
We are proud of our students, grateful to our staff, and thankful for the continued support of our families and community.
Ms. Natalie Fode
Acacia Campus Principal
What a fantastic week it has been! We kicked things off with our RED assembly, where we celebrated six outstanding students from each year level for their efforts throughout Term Three. When we say “outstanding”, we’re not just recognising academic achievement, we’re also celebrating the personal and social growth that reflects our school’s core values: Respect, Excellence and Diversity.
Respect, in particular, is something that can be shown in countless ways; towards classmates, teachers, members of the community, and even the school environment itself. Whether it’s caring for our buildings, looking after the yard, or treating people with kindness, respect is at the heart of how we build a positive community.
Sadly, we live in a world where differing opinions are often met with aggression instead of understanding. That’s why it’s so important to remind ourselves that respect means listening, even when we don’t agree. We don’t have to share the same views, but we do need to respect each other’s right to have them. And it’s this very diversity of thought and opinion that makes human connection so powerful and meaningful.
Sitting back and taking in the spirit of Keysie Week really reminded me of what a special community we have here. The whole week was filled with moments of inclusiveness and joy with teachers and students simply sharing experiences together.
We came together for R U OK? Day, and I’d like to give a big shout-out to our wellbeing team for their enthusiasm and organisation. The message of care, connection and looking out for one another echoed right across the campus. Then, to top it all off, Saturday saw us gather for the Keysborough Community Day. A huge thank you goes to Aruna Malhotra for bringing such a wonderful event to life, a chance to relax, enjoy different cultures, and connect with people we don’t always get the time to see during our busy routines. That’s what true community spirit looks like, and it’s what makes our school so strong.
It left me reflecting; if we can live this way here, why can’t the wider world? Imagine if care and kindness replaced aggression, if community and sharing took the place of division, and if listening and conversation won out over trolling. What a better world we would all have.
Louis Armstrong’s voice still echoes with a simple truth: when we look for love, joy, and respect in each other and the world around us, the world becomes brighter. This week at Banksia showed me just how wonderful our world can be.
Mr. Richard Hastings
Banksia Campus Principal