International Students FunFields Excursion

What an incredible day at the FunFields Theme Park on the 27 February!! As the Acacia International student leaders it was amazing to see everyone leave all their stress over studies behind, and have a blast, soaking in the Victorian sun at the waterpark. Every student and teacher was buzzing with excitement as we boarded three buses to the Theme park, filled with anticipation and adrenaline.

We enjoyed the day, floating in the lazy river, riding a crazy slide, and going on a scary rollercoaster; not a moment passed without laughter. Even during the lunch break, when everyone was full of enthusiasm, catching their breath, sharing their stories, bonding over shared interests and cultures. We are so proud of our community as we supported each other , from the moment we stepped on the bus, full of excitement, to the theme park, to the bus ride home, where everyone was tired but buzzing with the memories. Such days are also what make the time studying abroad special and worth remembering when we look back on our Australian high school experiences.

A massive thanks to our incredible teachers and coordinators, who take the time to organise these amazing days that we will forever keep in our hearts.

Resa and Roza (year 12 Acacia ISP student leaders)

Year 12 Sociology Excursion to the Koori Heritage Trust

On Friday 20th February, our Year 12 Sociology students travelled into the city to visit the Koori Heritage Trust for an engaging day of cultural learning. The excursion offered valuable insights into the rich history, traditions and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The day began with a guided walking tour along Birrarung Wilam and the Scar Tree, where students learnt about the continuing cultural connections to the land. Inside the Koori Heritage Trust, students explored a range of exhibits showcasing Aboriginal art, stories, and historical artefacts. They engaged thoughtfully with displays highlighting resilience, tradition, and the ongoing contributions of First Nations communities. The visit offered a rich learning experience that supported classroom studies and fostered greater appreciation for Australia’s diverse heritage.

Through thoughtful discussion and reflection, students deepened their understanding of First Nations perspectives and the importance of reconciliation in Australian society.

Ms Chieu and Ms Kean

Harmony Week Celebrations 2026

Congratulations to all of the students and staff who joined in on the Harmony Week activities at Acacia campus! The atmosphere particularly on the main day of final celebrations was a real buzz and it was so great to see everyone enjoying the extended lunch time festivities to celebrate.

The event was organized by the Year 12 VCE-VM/ PDS students as part of their curriculum along with their class teachers. This event requires a lot of planning and the success of the day was testament to the students all coming together and showcasing their planning and organizational skills. A big thank you to the staff who also helped at the various stalls and activities including our Well Being & House Activities teams. Amazing and a way to bring everyone together.

The message being promoted was ‘Culture Connects us All’ and its annual observance aimed to encourage inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural background.

The students had opportunity to enjoy the BBQ, food and drink stalls. The school band were also fantastic entertaining the crowds and there were numerous activities for the students and staff to join in on. This included face painting, photo booths, visiting the Greater Dandenong Council badge making stall and many more! The highlight was the cultural dress parade and cultural dance displays which was a spectacle of colour and joy.

Keysborough College students should be proud of the way they demonstrated our expected school RED values and supported this special event.

Thank you,

Year 12 VCE-VM PDS students & Mrs Riley, Mr Rae & Ms Neave

Harmony Day - International Students

Our Harmony Day was phenomenal!! Everyone was dressed in their colourful traditional dress which was a powerful way to celebrate our heritage. The beautiful traditional cloth attracts meaningful conversation among students, creating a shared sense of pride and belonging all around the school. Students proudly show off their traditional outfit on the “The traditional walk” with confidence, reflecting their identity within their culture.

Making bracelets was a meaningful way for our international students to honour Harmony day and showcase their individuality and creativity. Using colours, patterns, and letters that represent their identity and heritage, each student created a bracelet that represents their cultural background.

In addition to strengthening our sense of unity and belonging as a diverse community, the activity allowed us to celebrate our heritage. It was a wonderful experience that allowed us to celebrate Harmony’s Day ideals of inclusivity and respect while also sharing our stories and learning about cultures.

Resa and Roza (year 12)

Applied Learning Update

Term 1 has been a busy and productive time for students across the College.

Our Year 10 Applied Learning classes have been putting their building skills into action by designing and constructing storage racks for their work boots and gloves. They have also been preparing for the Community and Schools program, which will commence in Term 2.

This program provides students with the opportunity to work with our local feeder primary schools on building and beautification projects. It plays an important role in strengthening our existing community connections while showcasing our College in a positive light to future families.

Our Acacia students will be working with Keysborough Primary School, while our Banksia students will partner with Spring Parks Primary School. We look forward to sharing the before-and-after results of their work. Students will be supported by Ms Neave (Acacia), Mr Wood (Banksia), and Shane Stephens (Maintenance Team) throughout the program.

Our Year 7–9 Construct Program has also had a highly productive Term 1, with students designing and building possum boxes for use within the local community. Construct is designed to support students who may find the traditional classroom setting challenging, offering a more hands-on and practical learning environment.

Under the guidance of Shane Stephens (Maintenance Team), students are developing new skills while building confidence and a strong sense of pride in their achievements. This, in turn, helps foster a more positive connection to their learning and to school.

Nichole McCarthy – Applied Learning Leader Banksia Campus

Keysborough National Volleyballer: Eric Oo

Last year Eric was selected to represent Victoria in the Australian Junior Volleyball Championship. Eric did so well during the championship and at the end of that tournament he got selected to be part of the Australian Junior National Squad.

Last December Eric flew up to the Gold Coast to had his first training camp with the Australian Junior National Team, after this training camp Eric was selected in the U/16 Boys Australian Team.

This Easter holiday Eric will flight up to Canberra for another training camp with his Australian team mates in preparation for the 2027 Asian Championship.

Year 9 Geography Excursion to Dandenong Market

Year 9 Geography students from Banksia and Acacia Campus attended an excursion to the Dandenong Market. During the visit, students explored how the market provides affordable, fresh, and diverse food to the community.

They collected data by taking photos, speaking with vendors, and even sampling some of the delicious food on offer. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect their classroom learning to real-world experiences and deepen their understanding of food security.

Year 12 Physics at Luna Park

Our Year 12 Physics students recently visited Luna Park to see how science works in the real world. Instead of just learning from textbooks, students went on the famous Scenic Railway roller coaster to feel the forces of motion for themselves.

During the day, students used their phones to record data while they were moving. They used this information to complete physics calculations on-site. This trip was great practice for the students, as these are the same types of questions they will see in their VCE exam papers later this year. It was a wonderful day of both fun and hard work!

Year 10 STEM Grand Prix Excursion

Year 10 STEM students from both Acacia and Banksia campuses recently visited the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. While it was exciting to be at the race, our students focused on the technology and engineering behind the cars.

On the day, students spoke with experts about future careers in science and technology, they also explored university displays and interactive exhibits. The students reported that they loved seeing how the things they learn in class are used in the real world.

We look forward to more STEM excursions like this later in the year!

Year 10 Art Excursion

Students from Banksia and Acacia recently took part in an exciting excursion into the city, where learning stepped out of the classroom and into the vibrant world of art.

Their first stop was the NGV Ian Potter Centre, where students explored the First Nations exhibition. Here, they experienced firsthand the powerful work of Reko Rennie, an artist they have been studying in class. Alongside Rennie’s bold and contemporary pieces, students engaged with a rich collection of both traditional and modern artworks by First Nations artists, deepening their understanding of culture, identity, and artistic expression.

The group also visited Hosier Lane, Melbourne’s iconic street art destination. Surrounded by ever-changing murals, students gathered inspiration while observing a wide range of styles, techniques, and subject matter. This hands-on experience provided valuable ideas and research to support their own creative projects.

Overall, the excursion offered students a meaningful opportunity to connect their classroom learning with real-world artistic practice, sparking inspiration and broadening their perspectives.

Filomena Henderson

Assistant Art Learning Leader

Year 10 Applied Students Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Yakult!

The Year 10 Applied class recently went on an excursion to the Yakult factory for our Work-Related Skills subject, and it turned out to be a really fun and eye-opening day. As soon as we arrived, we were taken on a guided tour of the entire facility. It was interesting learning how Yakult is made, from the fermentation process all the way to bottling and packaging. We also learned about the company’s history, and it was surprising to find out that there is only one Yakult factory in all of Australia—and it’s right here in Dandenong South.

Throughout the tour, everyone was genuinely engaged. Students asked questions, watched the machines closely, and showed real curiosity about how everything worked behind the scenes. A definite highlight was getting to try both original and light Yakult samples, but watching the production machines in action came a close second. They were incredibly fast, precise, and almost hypnotic to watch.

Something that stood out to all of us was how clean, organised, and controlled the entire factory was. Every step of the process was carefully monitored, which really showed how much effort goes into ensuring each bottle meets high quality and safety standards.

We also learned about the skills needed to work at Yakult. Teamwork, communication, attention to detail, problem-solving, and strict hygiene practices are all essential. Of all the roles we learned about, the one that interested me the most was the machine operator position. Machine operators run and monitor the production equipment, fix minor issues, and ensure that bottles are filled, sealed, and packaged correctly. You don’t need a certificate to do the job, and most of the training is done on the job, which makes it feel like a hands-on and practical career option.

Savannah Misa – Year 10 Applied Learning Student

Year 12 VCE-VM Students Sharing a Cup of Kindness

Our Year 12 VCE Vocational Major students at Banksia have been working hard on their café-style project this term, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a real-world setting. This initiative has provided students with the opportunity to develop and apply their barista, customer service, and teamwork skills in an authentic environment.

Students arrived bright and early for their first shift at 8:00am, where they took responsibility for setting up, preparing orders, and serving hot chocolates to students and coffee to staff at Breakfast Club. They demonstrated initiative, organisation, and a strong work ethic as they managed the morning rush. This program will continue during Gold Week Thursdays in Term 2, and they will also continue to have the opportunity to serve our community at different events, further developing their confidence and practical skills.

In addition, students played an important role at Open Night, where they warmly welcomed members of the community and prospective families by offering a “cup of kindness.” They represented the school with pride, showcasing their abilities while confidently engaging with visitors, answering questions, and creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

Throughout these experiences, students have shown excellent teamwork, clear communication, and professionalism. They have learned to adapt to challenges, work collaboratively under pressure, and take pride in delivering quality service. These opportunities have significantly contributed to building their confidence, strengthening their employability skills, and providing meaningful insight into the expectations of the hospitality and service industry.

Banksia Wellbeing

Students at Banksia enjoyed a warm and welcoming Soup Day on the 5th of March, with fresh soup available to help keep everyone cosy and warm. It was lovely to see students come together to share a warm meal and connect with peers and staff in a relaxed environment. Events like Soup Day are a great way to support student wellbeing and create a positive sense of community across the school. Thank you to everyone who came down and supported the day! Stay tuned for our next food event at Breakfast Club.

The Banksia’s Culture and Community connect team continue to send out a variety of information around supporting young people including some ‘school holiday fun activities’. Keep your eye on your compass.

Sport

Term 1 sport was wrapped up by our Swimming team at the regional championships last week and our Year 7 Volleyball teams who played this week.

Banksia sent 6 swimmers to the Regional Swimming Championships this term (Hirthvica Dinesh, Cindy Vo, Derek Chhim, Aaron Tran, Joshua Kunkongkapun and Gou Tanaka). All of them did tremendously well to win at the District level but the regional championships are a big step up in competition. Our best results was Gou Tananka winning a silver medal in the 50m breaststroke.

The results were:

U12-15 Boys 200m Freestyle – Gou Tanaka – 6th

U12-20 Boys 100m Breaststroke – Gou Tanaka – 7th

U14 Boys 50m Breaststroke – Derek Chhim – 8th

U15 Girls 50m U14 Breaststroke – Hirthvica Dinesh – 8th

U15 Boys 50m Breaststroke – Gou Tanaka – Silver medal

U12-15 Girls 100m Freestyle – Cindy Vo – 7th

U15 Girls 50m Freestyle – Cindy Vo – 7th

U15 Boys 50m Freestyle – Aaron Tran – 5th

U14 Boys 50m Backstroke – Derek Chhim – 7th

U12-15 Boys 200m Individual Medley – Gou Tanaka – 4th

U15-16 Boys 4 X 50m Medley Relay – 8th

Our Year 7 Girls Volleyball raced through the competition this week, winning all of their pool games, semi-final and final in straight sets, with most opponents unable to score more than 10 points in a set. Their team play and control of the ball was impeccable.

Our Year 7 Boys team had a close game against Minaret College but weren’t really tested until they met the Acacia boys (of course) in the final. A see-sawing first set saw the boys just scrape through with a 24-22 win. Our slow 0-6 start to the second set was then countered by the best server in the boys competition (Roger Chhim) who got our team back in the game with 7 points in a row. After slipping to 10-13 behind, the boys got a bit of momentum up near the end of the set to finally win 20-17.

Thanks to the great work from our Year 9 coaches - Cam Lorn, Rosa Thorn, Shy Sounthakith, Ethan Chhay and Marcus Cu, both teams now progress to the regional finals on Wednesday, May 6.

Legal Studies excursion to Hall and Wilcox Lawyers (city)

On 26 February the Acacia Year 11 Legal Studies students travelled into Hall and Wilcox a large city law firm, to participate in the My Career Rules Program. My Career Rules gives students the opportunity to interact with professionals from specific jobs and industries, in this case professionals working in the legal industry, opening their minds to careers that reflect the current workplace.

Students were introduced to the company and taken on a tour of the amazing modern offices, given a talk about the legal industry work undertaken by Hall and Wilcox. Following this students participated in a café-style discussion, where they met mentors from a range of careers and pathways within the firm.

Students learned about the range of different jobs and pathways available in a modern legal firm, from IT and detailed legal work to reception and Human resources. Mentors shared their career paths, which often involved detours and various stops and starts before sharing a delicious lunch.

Students took a lot away from the day. One noted The legal field is different to what i thought while another learned that “your atar doesn't define what you can do”. Overall it was a great experience.

Music

Term 1 has seen some fantastic musical moments at the college! During week 9, we saw the Acacia year 8s perform for the first time as part of the Harmony Week festivities, in addition to the senior bands. They did a fantastic job for their first performance and we look forward to hearing them again at future events!

At Banksia Campus, the Banksia Concert Band, as well as of our talented senior musicians, also participated in the Harmony Day performances, showcasing some excellent musicianship. A big congratulations goes to all who participated in sharing their talents!

We would also like to congratulate and thank both of our senior concert bands at both campuses for representing the college so well at our recent Open Nights. They expertly demonstrated their RED values to our wider prospective community and we are delighted by their efforts.

Over the past few weeks, our year 7 band musicians have also begun rehearsing in their band classes, and have been making some excellent sounds so far! The music team has been incredibly impressed by their dedication and efforts, with so many students proactively taking their instruments home to practice!

As this term draws to a close, we look forward to next term and some exciting events coming up. Our year 7 concerts will be occurring next term, with the Banksia Year 7 concert occurring on Wednesday, May 27th at 6pm in the Gym. All families and friends in the Keysborough community are warmly invited to attend to see the amazing efforts of our year 7s as they take to the stage for the first time! For Acacians, please stay tuned for further details to be announced soon!

From the entire music department, we would like to wish all families a safe and restful holiday, and to all music students, happy holiday practicing! We look forward to seeing you on the flipside for another excellent term of music making!

Ms Pennefather & Mr Kenneth

Banksia & Acacia Music Leaders

Library

Rotary/ Dymocks Donation

In the last edition of the school newsletter, you would have eagerly read the Library’s article about the generous donation of funds that were made available to be spent on library books at Keysborough College, that was sponsored by Noble Park- Dingley Rotary Club, and partnered by Dymocks Children’s Charities.

The books have started coming in- students will notice the special Dymocks/ Rotary stickers in these books. At the RED assemblies on Monday at both Acacia and Banksia campuses, we had representatives from Rotary come along and give a speech about the Rotary/ Dymocks

donation programs and the importance of literacy, and symbolically present a selection of these books to our student leaders

Reny Frighetto from Rotary presented at the Banksia

RED assembly, and at the Acacia RED assembly Rex Carter from Rotary presented, along with Kevin Tran from Dymocks, and the moment was captured by a photographer from the Dandenong Star Journal, so keep an eye on the Journal for that one!

School holidays approacheth!

Make sure to drop in to your closest Keysborough College library to borrow some books to read over the holidays! Don’t forget you can borrow audio and e-books too!

Have you read the Enola Holmes series? These books can be found in both junior libraries. 10/10 can recommend.

National Young Leaders Day

On Friday the 27th the senior school Year level Leaders had the exciting opportunity to attend the National Young Leaders Day hosted by Halogen. This nationally recognised event is one of the largest gatherings of student leaders in Australia, bringing together thousands of young people to develop their leadership skills and be inspired by real-world experience. The event was held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre which ensure that the atmosphere was electric from the minute our student leaders walked in.

Our student leaders heard from many aspiring leaders such as; Adrian Beck (author), Nick Hudson (Community servant and founder of “push up challenge”, Jacqui Bell (National ultra-marathon runner) and Catherine Laga’Aia (lead actress in Moana live action movie). These guest speakers and outstanding leaders in their respective fields shared their personal experiences about their leadership journeys offering helpful insights and skills for young student leaders on how they could improve their own leadership qualities. Catherine Laga’ Aia a crowd favourite of the student leaders, due to her humble personality and achievement in the movie Moana promoted the importance of staying true to yourself and spoke passionately about her 3 core values of perseverance, self-belief and staying true to who you are.

The Keysborough Secondary College Senior School Year Level Leaders were fortunate enough to meet and take a photograph with Catherine after her presentation as picture below.

Keysborough College Newsletter

RESPECT EXCELLENCE DIVERSITY

Issue 2 · 08 Apr 2026

In this issue