College News, Sports & Events
ACACIA YEAR 12 PSYCHOLOGY VISIT MONASH SLEEP
Did you know that sleep apnoea is the most common sleep disorder and that you actually get paid to be a participant in sleep research? We discovered this – and so much more – on our fascinating visit to the Monash Sleep Lab! We learned about the impact of shift work on our body clocks, how melatonin affects our sleep, and got to see real-life sleep research in action.
Madison and Arian volunteered to be “sleep scientists” for the day, getting hooked up to wires that measured their brain waves, muscle and eye activity. We watched as they drifted into Stage 2 of NREM sleep, and could see how their physiological responses changed from awake to asleep right in front of us.
It was an eye-opening (and sometimes eye-closing!) experience that really brought our Psychology lessons to life. A huge thanks to Ms Haluwadana and Ms Komljenovic for organising such a fun and educational day!
CHESS INTERSCHOOL COMPETITION
On 28 August, eight of our students proudly represented Keysborough College at the interschool chess tournament hosted by Haileybury. Facing over 70 competitors, our students showed great courage and determination. A special congratulations to Hayden Nguyen, Harrid Chhoeum, Mina Tran, and Jacko Nguyen, who have qualified for the State Final in October — an outstanding achievement!
Left to Right - Cuong Huynh (staff), Mina Tran, Gou Tanaka, Aaron Tran, Hayden Nguyen, Triet Nguyen, Rotanak Srun, Jacko Nguyen, Harrid Chhoeum
International Centre: Lisa Ip & Mina Tran
A big congratulations to Mina Tran for achieving a bronze medal on the day and qualifying for the Secondary Girls State Final in October. Well done, Mina!
LIBRARY NEWS
Book Week happened!
In 2025, CBCA Book Week ran from 16-23 August. This year the Book Week theme was ‘Book An Adventure’.
Keysborough College students treasure hunted in the library! They completed a series of literary quizzes, reviewed their latest reads on a padlet, matched up staff with their favourite adventure, found out which wonderful piece of literature was the favourite of their teachers (The Harry Potter series being the series of choice for many of the Keysborough College staff- other favourites included Frankenstein, 1984, To kill a mockingbird, and The Lord of the Rings. Personally, I love the Enola Holmes series), and completed a passport activity. Library staff wore mystery hats for the ‘Which hat is that’ competition, and rocked T-shirts inspired by amazing books.
On Friday, prize winners were randomly drawn, and winners were awarded with a goodie bag, and were able to choose their own book for a prize!
There were also super special prizes sponsored by the Literacy Department- a book box set of the winners’ own choosing! Thanks Ms Yoon!
The book prizes will be in the libraries soon, winners.
Enjoy these photos of our beautiful libraries!
Library Reading Challenge
In other news: the finishing date for the Keysborough College 2025 Library Reading Challenge is approaching! 1st of November is the finishing date, so there is still time to complete your challenge of reading 15 books, especially as it is nearly holiday time. Some students are getting close! If you’re not sure how many you’ve already read, just check in at your nearest Keysborough College library.
Keep up the good work, and keep reading!
YEAR 7 CHINATOWN EXCURSION
On August 29th, Year 7 students undertaking Chinese went on an excursion to Chinatown to experience more about the Chinese culture. The students visited the Chinese museum, and they learnt about the history of early Chinese immigrants during Gold Rush in Victoria, and the traditional Chinese dragon dance parade.
They also attended a Kung Fu workshop, which was a new and fun experience. Students practised Chinese martial art and understood that Kung Fu is not about fighting, but about respect, defence and discipline. During lunchtime, students tried some authentic Chinese food. They also explored around Chinatown taking pictures, and buying souvenirs. Year 7 students really enjoyed this the excursion, and learned about the Chinese history and culture.
By Theara Puth & Ms Wang
DISCOVER WONDERS OF CHINESE CULTURE
Year 10 Chinese class had a wonderful trip exploring Chinese Culture at Box Hill Shopping Centre on August 28th. Travelling by train, students arrived full of excitement. They were separated into four groups to compete in an Amazing Race activity. They collected points by using their Chinese reading skills to find certain items, restaurants and grocery stores. Moreover, they recording the conversations ordering Chinese dishes in Mandarin. Through these engaging activities, students had the opportunity to experience direct communication in Chinese through the knowledge they have learned in class. Furthermore, this trip also brings a new perspective to Keysborough College students when they tasted authentic Chinese cuisine. Overall, the trip was both educational and enjoyable, leaving students with valuable memories and more confidence in using Mandarin.
By Quan Vo & Ms Wang
ELC GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP TO WERRIBEE ZOO
This term Keysborough English Language Centre class joined the year 10 Humanities Geography Field trip to Werribee Zoo.
Some reflections of the day are below:
I enjoyed going to werribee zoo because when we went to werribee zoo, I could see a lot of type of animals lived in Australian. I could enjoy my excursion with my friends and my career teacher. I have learnt a lot of things about animals and i have took many photographs with animal and friends. I saw a lot of things at werribee zoo : saw people feed the animals , saw people volunteer and teach everyone about animals. I'm interested in volunteer job because they do that for free and they want to do that besides that the job i'm interested is feeding animals because i think who want to be this job will very brave to feed and take care of the animals in the zoo.
When I first went to Werribee Zoo I felt really excited that I get to watch an animals that I had never seen before in my country. There are lots and lots of wild life animals like rhino, gorillas and more .....
When I went to the Werribee Zoo with my class, I enjoyed took lots of photographs, and I saw people doing shop assistant and selling foods to customer and it looks like a great job.
LEARNING IS FUN IN ELC MATHS
This was a matching activity for the topic of Linear Graphs where the students had to match up the correct graph with its equation, gradient , y intercept and points.
Poly Kouridakis
HOUSE ACTIVITIES AT ACACIA
Written by Ryanna Jean and Adna
Term 3 has been an action-packed one for our Houses, with plenty of competitions, celebrations, and spirit-filled events!
Every Thursday lunchtime, the gym has come alive with the mixed netball competition. Students and teachers have turned out in full force to cheer on the teams, creating an energetic and supportive atmosphere. The final round promises to be a thrilling one, with Team 1 facing off against Team 2, and the Teacher Tigers battling it out against The Iconicz.
One of the biggest highlights of the term was Athletics Day. The event was filled with energy, friendly rivalry, and an undeniable display of house spirit. Students competed, cheered, and painted their faces to proudly represent their houses. A huge thank you goes to Ms Stephens, Ms Henderson, and Ms Hendricks for leading the face painting, as well as the staff, house leaders, and especially Mr Campbell for all his hard work in setting up the day.
For our Year 12s, it was a bittersweet moment as they dressed up and ran their final 100m race together. Congratulations to Athena, who came out on top with 677 points!
The theatre was buzzing as Keysies Got Talent showcased the incredible talents of our students. Congratulations to all who performed in the finale, and a special shout-out to Miles, who took out the top spot with a moving performance of Promise by Laufey.
Last week, we celebrated Keysie Week with a variety of activities that brought students together each day including tug of war, sack races, duck duck goose, the netball competition, egg and spoon races plus a soccer penalty shootout!
It was a fantastic week of fun, teamwork, and laughter.
The competition for house points has been fierce, and here’s where we currently stand:
- 4th place: Athena – 14,795 points
- 3rd place: Poseidon – 14,816 points
- 2nd place: Apollo – 15,300 points
- 1st place: Artemis – 17,815 points
A big thank you to our house leaders, Mr Tobin, Mr Rae, Mr Masson, and Ms H, along with all staff members who have supported and run events this term. We can’t wait to bring you more exciting activities in Term 4, including end-of-year celebrations!
Small cans, BIG DIFFERENCE from donation success
Vice president: Mia Dafflitto
Keysborough College has once again participated in a canned food donation drive to donate to the Kingston Salvation Army to support families in need within our local community. The school contributed a variety of non-perishable items which included: pasta, vegetables, fruits, tuna and soups.
The collection was a great success, boxes around the school were filled, surprisingly the junior school students donated more than half of the cans! The main office of the campus had a different variety of pasta, families will appreciate the pasta as its long lasting and very tasty to eat!
The Interact Club would like to thank all students, teachers, members of staff as well as families who donated. Your donation has helped make a real difference!
THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL
The first week of September was a huge and exciting week for our Performing Arts and Music faculties, presenting Keysborough College’s 2025 musical production of The Addams Family. 77 students from across both campuses rehearsed twice weekly from the beginning of March, also attending school holiday and late night rehearsals, culminating in six stand out performances over four days.
Whether performing on stage as cast, assisting backstage as crew or playing the score as part of the orchestra, all students united to bring our show to life in stunning fashion. The hard work, dedication and focus displayed by all whilst also creating a real community “family” feel between students and staff of both campuses only strengthened the teamwork required to put on such an ambitious show.
The Production team would like to thank all students involved for their efforts, the staff that gave their time so willingly to assist in various ways and to the audiences for bringing the support and atmosphere to our performances. We are looking forward to working with our students again next year with Wakakirri and a cross-campus play and we’re already brainstorming possibilities for our 2027 musical production.
From our Production Team,
Fiona Chamley, Basil Rizopoulos, Deena Peacock, Lachlan Cox, Jaimie Kent-Russell, Ash Tascone and Angelica Tsiongas.
Photo credit: Deena Peacock
YEAR 10 ART EXCURSION
NGV French Impressionism Exhibition
Our Year 10 Art students from Banksia and Acacia recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the National Gallery of Victoria to experience the French Impressionism exhibition.
The exhibition gave students a first-hand look at how these artists broke away from tradition, using light, colour, and brushwork. Seeing the vibrant works up close allowed students to explore the Impressionist techniques we have been studying in class and to make valuable connections between theory and practice.
Many commented on how different the paintings felt in person compared to images in books or on screen. The excursion was not only educational but also inspiring, sparking new ideas for students own creative projects.
Filomena Henderson
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
It has been an exciting time in the music department this term, with festival performances, productions and primary school excursions!
Over the past three weeks, our concert, symphonic and stage bands have been participating in the Victorian School Music Festivals (VSMF). In Week 6, the Acacia Intermediate Band (Yr 8-10) conducted by Basil Rizopoulos and Banksia Concert Band conducted by Lauren Pennefather both scored Silver awards in their respective divisions! This was the first time that both bands performed in the intermediate divisions and they ‘conducted’ themselves very admirably, performing with great zeal!
Our Acacia Symphonic Band (Yr 8-12), conducted by Tom Kenneth, had an enormous achievement in the Advanced Concert Band Division scoring a Gold with a moving rendition of a ‘Mulan Medley’, followed by a fiery and energetic piece called ‘Allegria’. The guest clinician Dale Pointon, who is the lead director of Western Australian Department of Education centralised Instrumental Music department, commented that he had not heard any other school ensembles during the week that had played with the same level of passion and commitment to the music than with this particular group, which was high praise for our students to receive.
The Acacia Stage Band also had great success at VSMF this week, achieving a gold award for their performance. Whilst missing part of the trombone section, the band went on and performed valiantly. The adjudicator was very proud of their performance and efforts, with many positive and constructive comments for the band. A big thank you to their director, James Orr, for his efforts with the ensemble.
In Week 7, the entire arts team was in full flight with the production of ‘The Addams Family’. Students participated on stage and in the band, performing at an incredibly high standard, in arguably one of the best musicals Keysborough has ever produced! As a department, we would like to thank Basil Rizopoulos and Kate Gould, among the wider production team for their tireless efforts preparing the band and for their vocal coaching.
Finally, week 8 has been a busy week of performances for Keysy week and beyond! The Banksia Rock Band and the Acacia Symphonic Band performed at lunchtimes to help celebrate 15 years of Keysborough College. Additionally, the Banksia Year 8 Music Masters Band also participated in their first external performance, travelling to Harrisfield Primary School to perform as part of their arts celebration week. Well done to all students within these ensembles for demonstrating their college value of excellence throughout their performances.
Finally, thank you to all staff, parents and wider members of the Keysborough community for your ongoing support of our Instrumental Music program. It is this support that allows for all of these events to happen so successfully!
Ms Pennefather & Mr Kenneth
ACACIA WELLBEING NEWS AND EVENTS
🍽️ Acacia Breakfast Club – Start Your Day Right!
Join the Wellbeing Team in the Café every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a free breakfast and a great start to your day!
✨ Here’s what’s on offer:
🥓 Bacon, eggs, and beans – every Friday
🍎 Fruit cups, whole fruit, and cereals – available Monday, Wednesday & Friday
🥤 Fresh fruit smoothies available for the next few weeks – get in early to enjoy one!
Everyone is welcome – come fuel your body and mind for the day ahead!
Riteman Muay Thai Excursion
On Friday 29th November, the Year 9 boys from our Riteman Mentoring Group took part in an exciting excursion to Extreme MMA. Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of activities, including:
🥊 MMA skills workshops
💪 Fitness circuits
🛑 Pad and bag work
The boys from both participating schools demonstrated great effort, focus, and teamwork throughout the session
To round out the day the group returned to the Riteman offices, where they took part in a mindfulness session, well done to all the boys for representing their schools so positively!
Uniform Vouchers – Get Ready for the Warmer Weather!
As we head into the final term and the warmer months ahead, it’s important that all students have access to appropriate summer uniform items. State Schools’ Relief (SSR) uniform vouchers are now available to support families in need.
If you’d like more information or need assistance, please visit the Wellbeing Office and have a chat with Casey – she’s happy to help!
R U OK day
Thursday 12th September, Amidst the excitement of Keysie Week and netball, we took time to recognise R U OK? Day.
The Wellbeing Team invited students to write a letter to a friend, simply asking: "R U OK?" – a small but powerful question that can start important conversation.
Students responded with thoughtful messages, showing care for their peers and helping to spark open conversations around mental health and connection.
Wear it purple day
On Friday, August 29, 2025, we proudly joined the Wear It Purple Day celebrations alongside the Greater City of Dandenong and our Wellbeing Team. During lunchtime, students enjoyed a variety of fun and creative activities including badge-making, hairspray, nail painting, and much more!
Wear It Purple Day is all about empowering, celebrating, and fostering safe and inclusive spaces for young people in the LGBTQIA+ community. We’re proud to stand together in support, promoting kindness, acceptance, and belonging for everyone.
BANKSIA WELLBEING NEWS AND EVENTS
Wear it Purple Day was celebrated at Banksia on 22nd Aug to show support for our LGBTIQA+ young people. By wearing purple, people sent the message that we are promoting an inclusive environment where these young people have the right to be proud of their identity and that they are seen, supported, and valued. This day aims to create safer spaces for these young people, to combat prejudice and social injustice, and to celebrate the diversity of the rainbow community. At Banksia we were joined by Southeastern Community Links. Our students enjoyed lots of fun activities, games and giveaways.
R U OK? Day is an annual event which aims to foster connection, reduce stigma, and remind everyone that asking "Are you OK?" can save a life. On 11th September Banksia celebrated beginning with breakfast where students and staff could sit and chat. At lunchtime we were joined by the City Of Greater Dandenong Youth and Family Services. Led by our R U Ok banana and DJ Dylan everyone enjoyed karaoke, dancing and lots of laughs. There were activities, education and giveaways. Remember though any day is a good day to ask R U Ok? and don’t forget to check on yourself too 😊
Iced Tea Day at Breakfast Club!!!
Students started their morning on a high note at Breakfast Club’s special Iced Tea Day. The event brought a burst of flavour and fun to the usual breakfast routine, with a variety of refreshing iced tea options on offer. The atmosphere was buzzing as students lined up to grab their chilled drinks, enjoying the chance to try something new while connecting with friends before classes began. Laughter and smiles filled the space as cups clinked and conversations flowed, proving that a simple twist on the morning menu can spark a sense of community. The success of Iced Tea Day has left both staff and students looking forward to more themed mornings in the future.
STUDENT VOICE REPORT ACACIA
Celebrating Community Spirit at Keysborough!
Written by Kylie Chung (Student Voice leader)
This term has been a busy and exciting one for our school community, and the Student Representative Council (SRC) has been at the heart of it all!
At the end of Term 2 we held our much-anticipated Pyjama Day. Students arrived in their cosiest pyjamas, oodies, and onesies, bringing warmth and colour to the school grounds. The SRC team worked hard in the kitchen preparing hot chocolates and stacks of pancakes, which were sold at lunchtime alongside a fun photo booth experience.
Thanks to gold coin donations and sales, the day raised nearly $700—a fantastic achievement! These funds were donated to the Pyjama Foundation, which supports the learning of children in care. A big thank you to everyone who dressed up, donated, and joined in on the day.
More recently, our school came together for Keysborough Week, a celebration of community, participation, and the unique "Keysie spirit." The week was filled with activities organised by student leaders, ensuring every recess and lunch break was an opportunity to get involved and have fun.
The week kicked off with a free dress day and a special Year 12 tradition—students recreating their childhood photos, which were proudly displayed in the senior building to much laughter and nostalgia. At lunchtime, the VM students hosted a popular sausage sizzle to fuel the fun.
Throughout the week, students enjoyed a wide variety of activities, including tug-of-war, musical chairs, a soccer penalty shoot-out, prize raffles, and much more. Two major highlights included the Keysborough’s Got Talent finals and the always-entertaining Teachers vs Students Netball Game, both of which were crowd favourites.
The success of Keysborough Week was only possible thanks to the incredible efforts and energy of both staff and students. Together, we celebrated what makes our school community so special.
On behalf of the SRC and student leaders, thank you to everyone for your ongoing energy, support, and participation in 2025.
END OF TERM MESSAGE FROM OUR ACACIA CAMPUS CAPTAINS
As Term 3 winds down, we want to congratulate our VCE students for the effort and resilience shown so far this year. The upcoming holidays are a valuable opportunity to both recharge and to prepare for the final stretch.
Make sure to take a real break first: sleep in, spend time with family and friends, and reset. But also use the time wisely; map out a realistic study schedule, revise key content, and practise exam questions under timed conditions. Even short, regular sessions can make a big difference.
The last term will be intense but remember; consistency beats cramming. Balance rest with revision, look after your wellbeing, and enter Term 4 confident and ready for exams.
You’ve got this! The finish line is in sight!
Acacia Campus Captains
Christina Wright & Harrison Brice
KSC STAFF HEALTH & WELLBEING COMMITTEE
2025 Highlights
This year, we welcomed the introduction of our Staff Health and Wellbeing Committee at the college! The committee’s goal is simple: to support the health and happiness of all staff, help everyone feel more connected, and boost staff morale.
The committee is made up of passionate staff, both teachers and Education Support (ES) team members, who act as Wellbeing Ambassadors. Together, they’ve worked on lots of fun initiatives to keep staff feeling supported and engaged. Here are some highlights from 2025:
💜 Fun Wellbeing PD Sessions – Held at the end of each term, led by teachers and ES staff. These sessions are not only enjoyable but also a great way to meet new colleagues in a relaxed setting.
Feedback: “We had such a fun afternoon! One staff member even met three other colleagues for the very first time. These sessions are perfect for getting to know each other better.”
💜 Special Events & Celebrations – From a coffee van on Parent-Teacher night, report-writing day breakfast, winter soup days, to RUOK morning tea – we’ve celebrated it all!
💜 Staff Wellbeing Newsletter – Sent out each term, packed with helpful tips and fun updates.
💜 Staff Intranet Link – A handy spot for wellbeing resources and workplace support information.
A huge thank you to all our SHWC members for their time, energy, and creativity in making 2025 a year of wellbeing and connection for our staff!
Lynda Portelli
Chair, Staff Health and Wellbeing Committee