Junior School Report

Welcome back for an exciting Term 2! This term, as we remain focused on individual student learning and growth, let's channel our energy towards fostering strong social connections, resilience and active participation in school activities. Whether it's diving into challenging subjects, joining sports teams, engaging in wellbeing programs, or immersing ourselves in enriching incursions, let's seize every opportunity to thrive.

We trust that by now, everyone has had the chance to review their child’s Progress Reports via Compass. We strongly encourage all families to engage in constructive discussions about learning progress with their children and teachers. Additionally, we are pleased to announce the completion of the NAPLAN assessments for all Year 7 and 9 students. These assessments covered Writing, Reading, Language Conventions, and Numeracy, providing valuable insights into students' academic growth. Families can anticipate receiving the individual student results in June.

Year 7 at Keysborough College has been a whirlwind of excitement and learning, filled with activities that have fostered not only academic growth but also important social bonds among our students. Through events like Valentine’s Day and the vibrant activities for Harmony Day, our students have shown immense spirit and community involvement. One of the highlights of Harmony Day was watching our Year 7 Captain, Mehtab, perform a solo Bhangra (traditional Punjabi) dance, exemplifying the confidence and unique identities our students are developing here at Keysborough College. We hope to see this confidence grow as we progress this year.

It was great to see a large number of Year 7s applying for leadership roles this year; we’re pleased to announce that the Acacia Year 7 Captains are Atharv Pal and Olivia Vo, and the Banksia Year 7 Captains are Mehtab Kaur and Su-Ang Tamang. Congratulations to our captains, we can’t wait to see what you achieve this year and throughout your time at Keysborough College.

Reflection on starting Secondary school - Mehtab Kaur and Su-Ang Tamang

Our first term at Keysborough Secondary College was filled with new experiences and new relationships as we got to know our peers and teachers. At first, we thought Secondary school would be overwhelming and we were anxious with the thought of how different everything was going to be, compared to primary school. However, as soon as we finished induction week and learnt how to use our lockers, read our timetable and spent time getting to know our classes, everything became easier and we transitioned easily into our new environment. The highlight has been attending the Enchanted Maze Garden excursion. We loved the tube slides, trying to work our way out of the mazes, and looking at the aesthetic scenery on a hot summer day. Overall, school has been a really positive experience, filled with lots of opportunities! We cannot wait to attend our Year 7 Camp and make more memories with our teachers and friends.

Our Yr 8 students recently headed off to Camp Allambee, near Warrigal, to immerse themselves in the great outdoors; experiencing bonfires, night walks and adrenaline filled activities such as the flying fox, billy cart racing and the vertical climb challenge. Geocaching and the initiatives course were also excellent team-building activities.

We were lucky to have some sunshine while students had the opportunity to bond with their peers and teachers over the three days. All of our campers developed their communication and problem-solving skills, and faced their fears by trying new things. They were able to embody our 5Ps by showing persistence and being prepared. We’re enormously proud of all of our campers. Upon the return to school, students were already asking when their next camp was!

Our Year 9 students have embraced the Semester One theme, 'Actions Have Consequences', seizing numerous opportunities for growth and leadership development. Led by our Junior School Captains, students have played integral roles in events like the Year 7 Induction Program and Introduction to the 5Ps and House Activities, while also providing valuable input through focus groups, enhancing our college's programs and initiatives. Their

commitment has extended beyond the school day, as they volunteered during Open Night, impressing prospective families with their insights into life at Keysborough Secondary College. Our Year 9s have also been busy investigating and planning out their career pathways through Morrisby Testing, attending the Careers Expo and undertaking follow-up Morrisby Interviews. It’s wonderful to see such high-levels of engagement from our students in their pathways planning.

Special recognition also goes to Anna Pham, recipient of the Harding Miller scholarship for girls; and Sam McNess, who received the Freemasons Foundation scholarship, acknowledging his academic excellence and community engagement. Additionally, Esraa Gamal and Molly Sekhon have been selected for the Ardoch Youth Advisory Group, offering a unique opportunity for young people to become social advocates. These achievements underscore our students' dedication to our College R.E.D values and the commitment we make to nurturing well-rounded individuals who can positively impact their surroundings.

As the chill of winter draws near, it's important to ensure that all students are prepared with their full uniform each day. Let's ensure that we're all equipped and dressed for success as we navigate through the winter season ahead. To help keep everyone on track, here are some friendly reminders:

If your child is unable to wear the correct uniform for any reason, please provide a note explaining the circumstances. Our coordinators will be happy to issue a uniform pass and support families to access uniform items if required.
Remember, the PE uniform should only be worn on designated PE days to maintain uniformity and respect for the schedule.
As we transition into the colder months, it's important to note that black puffer jackets and hoodies are not part of the winter uniform. These items will be confiscated if students choose to wear them during school hours.
For those in need of new uniform items, they can be purchased at Belgravia Apparel (Bux Wear) located at 8/169 Cheltenham Rd, Dandenong.
Additionally, some second-hand uniform items are available for purchase at the College via appointment, though availability is limited.

With the dawn of a new term comes a golden opportunity for a fresh start. We urge all students to take the insights and advice gleaned from these discussions to heart and endeavour to embody the College's 5P Learning Behaviours in the classroom. By doing so, you'll be poised to maximise your educational journey here at Keysborough College. Together, we can make this term one that is filled with achievement and memorable experiences for all our students.

Ms Batchelor & Ms Williams

Junior School Assistant Principals