Campus Principal Report

On Monday, Acacia Campus hosted 'Yoga Day', and it was a resounding success. All year levels participated in a 30-minute yoga session, led by professional instructors who guided students through gentle movement, breathing and mindfulness practices.

We are incredibly thankful to Ms Aruna Malhotra for organising this initiative. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the day as “relaxing and enjoyable”, particularly following the stress of exams. Others noted it was a “unique break” from their regular routine, with several students saying they’d love to have yoga more regularly. The fruit provided at the end of the session was also a well-received touch and appreciated by all.

Congratulations to our talented Year 7 students and dedicated Music Staff on their sensational performances at the recent Year 7 Band Concert on Monday evening. I have attended many Year 7 band concerts over the years, but this one stood out as one of the best of Semester 1. The gym was packed with proud parents, carers, and families, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere. A big thank you to all staff who came along. Ms Bardwell and Mr Zabala were beaming with pride as they watched their students perform so confidently.

Pyjama Day was also held on Monday 30 June, perfectly coinciding with Yoga Day. Students embraced the theme wholeheartedly, showing off warm PJs, Oodies, and ‘Hello Kitty’ pants. The student leaders did a fantastic job organising pancakes and hot chocolate at lunchtime, making the day extra special. Many staff also enjoyed the relaxed dress code and cosy atmosphere!

Our Year 7 Acacia students recently returned from an action-packed three days at Camp Rumbug. This camp marked their first high school camp experience and was filled with outdoor adventure activities that pushed students out of their comfort zones and helped build friendships. A heartfelt thank you to the staff who gave up their time to attend and support our students throughout the camp.

In Week 10, Mr Kenneth and Ms Pennefather led a successful Band Camp for students in Years 8 to 12 who are studying Instrumental Music. The camp was both educational and fun, with highlights including enthusiastic participation in the evening ‘heel and toe polka’ and lots of laughter. The energy, bonding, and musical finesse made it a memorable experience for both students and staff.

Our most recent RED Assembly was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the students who exemplify our College values of Respect, Excellence and Diversity. It was heartening to see the wide range of achievements and positive contributions made by students across all year levels. The assembly served as a great reminder of the strong, supportive culture we are building together. 

Ms. Natalie Fode

Acacia Campus Principal

It’s easy to just keep moving through the year, but every once in a while, we need to stop and reflect on what is happening. I’ve been part of Keysborough College for many, many years now. In fact, I’ve spent 35 of my 42 years in education at the Springvale South site. I’ve taught the parents of students sitting in our classrooms today and, in two memorable cases, a grandparent too. I’ve shared countless moments of joy, challenge, and growth with the families and young people who’ve passed through our school. And through it all, one thing has remained constant: there’s always been something special about this place.

Lately, though, walking through the gates of Keysborough College, Banksia Campus feels even brighter. It’s not just the familiar faces, the ripple of laughter from students, or the excited hum of conversations before the bell. It’s not even just the dress up days like last Wednesday, where all students get to express themselves and what great costumes there were. It’s something deeper, a true, tangible sense of belonging. A sense of being part of something built not just with bricks and books, but with respect, care, and kindness.

On Monday, we were lucky enough to have Mr Sykes speak to our whole campus. His message about preserving and strengthening the culture we’ve built struck a chord with everyone. Because here, respect isn’t a value tucked away on a poster, or a word mentioned at assembly. It’s something you can see and feel in every corner of the school. It’s in the way students greet one another, the way they include someone new, and the pride they take in the diversity that defines us. With over 50 cultural backgrounds represented, our campus is a living, breathing example of how the world should be. 

A culture like ours isn’t created overnight. It takes time. It takes work. It needs to be lived, day after day. From lunchtime soccer games that mix year levels and nationalities, to Winter Wonderland Wednesdays where no-one’s left on the sidelines, to our House Leaders introducing new traditions like the Mental Health Awareness Ice Bucket Challenge, these things matter. They build connections. They create memories. They remind us to care for one another.

One of my favourite sayings is “In a world where you can choose, choose kindness.”  This year’s Attitudes to School Survey results tells me our students are living it. Across Connectedness, Confidence, Respect for Diversity, and Positive Teacher-Student Relationships, our results not only climbed, but soared, well above state averages and significantly passing last year’s results. These aren’t just numbers; they’re evidence that our young people feel safe, valued, and proud to call this school theirs. But, as Mr Sykes said, ‘culture is fragile, we have to work hard to maintain it’. 

Our staff walk that same path. In every classroom, they foster spaces where every voice matters, guided by our Teaching and Learning model of Engage, Explain, Enrich, Evaluate. I just returned from a walk around the school, popping in to nearly every class, what I saw was students engaged in their learning, teachers actively interacting with them and a wonderful rapport between the two. From inside the classroom to celebrations of athletics day victories and record-breaking runs, to the debut of our new Year 7 bands, which packed 600 seats with proud families, our school spirit is thriving.

And while we celebrate the culture, kindness, and connection, we never stop aiming high. From STEM club successes to debating trophies and remarkable academic growth, our students are constantly reaching for their next achievement, supported every step of the way.

At Banksia Campus, respect isn’t just a word. It’s the heartbeat of our school. It’s who we are. And I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.

Mr. Richard Hastings

Banksia Campus Principal