Senior School Report

Years 10 and 11 Acacia Campus students this semester have had virtual sessions provided by VicRoads and the Fit2Drive Foundation to assist students in becoming safer road users. 

The Year 10 Road Smart program focused on providing beginner drivers with the skills and information they need to become safe drivers. This was delivered via a virtual workshop where students were able to participate in question and answer sessions and discuss video simulations to better understand driver safety. 

As part of the Road Smart school program, all Year 10 students are eligible for a free driving lesson with an approved instructor. Visit Road Smart to find out more.

Year 11 students participated in the ‘Steer Right’ program which focused on equipping students with the knowledge of relevant road laws to support their Graduated Licensing System (GLS) journey. They explored common issues that young road users experience and this program provided them with skills to make safer road decisions. 

These programs continue to demonstrate the colleges commitment of educating students’ beyond the classroom and supporting their development of essential life skills. 

Road Smart Education Program

Funded by the Victorian Government, Road Smart is an initiative that supports and enhances Victoria’s Graduated Licensing System. The program is designed to build the knowledge, skills and behaviours of Year 10 students (or equivalent).

Both Banksia and Acacia Year 10 students have very recently participated in an online interactive session during Pathways. As part of the Road Smart program, students have the opportunity to complete eLearning and receive a FREE in-car session, reinforcing the key road safety messages they learn in-class. All students are now eligible for a free driving lesson once they have their Learners Permit. It is valid until students are 19 years old. Visit Road Smart to find out more. Please email roadsmart@roads.vic.gov.au should you require any assistance with accessing your free driving lesson.

Here is the link to the Learner Permit Test which is now online https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/your-ls/learner-permit-test-online

Reflections from Year 12s

With the year coming to an end for us Year 12s, I can't help but think about all the great moments I had at Keysborough Secondary College. I've made so many memories, and created many new friends since my first day as a Year 7.

As exams continue to roll, I congratulate all my fellow Year 12s for pushing through towards the finish line in the midst of a very tough year. We have all been resilient during these circumstances, and I wish you all nothing but the best for the future. We have been persistent all year long with our studies, and big thanks to our teachers for doing the best they can to keep us motivated and eager to learn. 

I've enjoyed my six years of secondary education at Keysborough College, and am proud to have been surrounded by such a positive and supportive community. I wish the rest of the year levels all the best as the year approaches the end.

Nathan Neung

Acacia Campus Captain 

Being an International Student Captain has taught me to become a more confident and also compassionate person, having a chance to be more connected with my overseas friends, sharing our mutual experiences in Australia; voicing our opinions and exploring interpersonal skills that my introverted personality wouldn’t have allowed me. I am grateful for the guidance and assistance from teachers, International Coordinators as well as the very welcoming friends to make me feel like I belong in a place 5000km away from home. 

In the experience of an overseas’ student in 2021, I can say is somewhat overwhelming. The pandemic has not made lives easy for all of us, the pressure of studying year 12 and no direct support from families is daunting, nevertheless, it was very nice to get some extra sleep during remote learning. But there is always light at the end of the tunnel, we managed to pull through an exhausting year and I’m proud of the achievements we made. I hope next years’ international students will continue to feel the same way like the rest of us did at Keysborough College. I wish them all the very best.

Khanh Phan

International Student Captain

Congratulations to Ovin Herath in Year 11 for his  selection in the prestigious National Mathematics Summer School. The (NMSS) is a two-week residential program held at the 

 Australian University in Canberra, offered only to a very small selection of highly motivated and gifted students from all over Australia. 

Ovin will have the chance to work with leading statisticians while attending tutorials on some of the more advance fields of Math including

 Number theory, Knot theory, Topology, Cryptography and Chaos theory.

Melissa Williams -Yr 11 TTL Banksia Campus

It has been a huge term for the Banksia Senior School.  Some great, some not so great, but that has been the theme of 2021!  

We were thrilled to welcome back our Year 12 students after the GAT on 5th October. 

 Having students in the school make the whole place so much more enjoyable.  Hearing the laughter of our students enjoying seeing each other again makes everyone happy once again.

We missed seeing our Year 10 and 11 students but are thrilled they are now back on-site full time.  

It was sad that the Year 12’s did not get their celebration day.  As an Assistant Principal it was very difficult telling the whole Year 12 cohort that due to the

 risk of Covid that at the 11th hour their planned celebration could not go ahead.  However, I was so proud of the way the year level dealt with the disappointment and found a way to briefly celebrate together at the end of school that day and then moved onto preparing for their exams and completing their certificates.

The VCAL students came back into school to complete their certificates.  Some of the projects the students completed for the finalisation of their course was outstanding.  For the VCE students their exams got underway successfully with the English and EAL exams on Wednesday 27th October and they will run through until 17th November.  

Graduation will be held for the Banksia Campus on Thursday 25th November and we are looking forward to celebrating the amazing achievements of all 

our Year 12 students who have done an incredible job this year completing their VCAL and VCE certificates under the most difficult and trying circumstances.  

Jonathon Boyd - Assistant Principal Senior School - Banksia Campus

Exam season is well and truly upon Year 12 VCE students who sat their first major exam, being English/EAL, on Wednesday 27th October. They finished the 3 hour exam in style with a celebratory BBQ with their teachers. We continue to wish our 12s every success in their exams and beyond!