Campus Principal Report

ACACIA CAMPUS

Here we are nearly half way through term 3 and the having successfully navigated our way through lockdown 5.0. I must again thank the students and staff who flipped so readily and ably into remote learning on the shortest notice we have been given to date. Acacia campus, whilst closed to most students and staff, still runs an onsite class for students who fit certain criteria. We had around 30 students ably supported by volunteer staff, both teaching and non-teaching, present every day. I would also like to acknowledge the parents who must also adjust quickly to remote learning and support their children, our students, in these times.

The school opinion surveys for students, staff and parents are currently in play. We are incredibly interested in the trends that may be identified given the situation last year and the return to onsite learning, with interruptions, this year. We have a 99% response rate at Acacia from the students and encourage the parents to provide this feedback to us as well. This will inform 

Over the holidays the improvements to the school environment were continued. We undertook upgrades to the area in the courtyard with new retaining walls that double as seating. This area is now complete.

Another great initiative, brought to me by the Year 11 Captain, Noon Musa, was our new flagpoles at the entry to the school. It is easy to walk past things that have been here forever and just accept the way it is. Upon Noon’s suggestion the campus has had three new flagpoles erected and are now proudly flying the recommended three flags. It continues to reflect the culture of the school and show that we live the values of respect and diversity every day.

Richard Hastings

Acacia Campus Principal

BANKSIA CAMPUS

Year 7

During this most recent lock-down our Year 7 students are demonstrating wonderful resilience and commitment to their learning yet again – engaging with their teachers and completing their work to the best of their ability in challenging circumstances. Many make use of the teacher Webex links when they can and are asking for help when they have problems with the work.

More recently in Investigate, our students have been undertaking further research activities into their Geography unit – examining and exploring issues around ‘Water in the World’ (for example water access, sanitation and hygiene) and the factors involved in Place and Liveability (population density, security, health, education, environment, culture). Each student has a chosen country on which they are producing a ‘Geography Portfolio’ for assessment later in the term.

We have very luckily been able to secure a placement at a different Camp in Term 4. The Year 7s were so relieved due to our previous camp being cancelled. 

Year 8

Medieval Day at the end of Term 2 was a success and students produced excellent Medieval Diaries, despite interruptions with remote learning. 

Our level ATOSS Data was fantastic and reflected exceptional work of Year 8 teaching team this year. 

Year 8 students are going strong during remote learning with great attendance. 

All our students have reflected on their Semester 1 reports and set new goals for Semester 2. Some of the examples of work that they were proud of were the projects that made in woodwork (jewellery box), skills that they learned in food tech, diaries that they created in Investigate, their Band performances, results that they got in PE, their progress in Chinese and French, A + on their posters in Literacy, nearly 100% on Maths and Science tests…and clay frogs that they made in Art!

Year 9

The Morrisby consultancy interviews took place throughout Week 3 and were very successful via WebEx. The majority of students commented on the usefulness of the information they received.

The City Experience has been moved to the last week of Term 3 following the delay due to COVID, we are very hopeful that we will be able to go out.

Year 9s continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience as we move into another period of remote learning, attendance and engagement remains high. 

Year 10

Firstly, we all need to acknowledge the Year 10 students on their resilience they have shown this year. Despite the lockdowns, changes to exam weeks, cancellations to sport, camps, excursions and various programs, they have continued to pick themselves up and go again. They continue to show maturity in how they behave and act at school, and was highlighted recently by the immunisation team with how well that process went.

The Year 10 cohort have this term increased the focus on careers and course selection. We have been working through tasks designed at increasing students knowledge of subjects, VCE/VCAL pathways, university courses and prerequisites. Therefore students will be able to make better informed choices during their Course Counselling interview on Tuesday 24th August.

Currently we are also within the Scholarship season! Many students have recently put their hand up to apply for a range of Scholarships available to Keysborough College students. These include Skyline, Kwong Lee Dow, Long Tan, ABCN, and the Ampol All Rounder. Many of these have been submitted, with more to come!

Year 11

All Year 11s have been participating in individual course counselling interviews in preparation of their transition into Year 12 in 2022. We have had a pleasing increase in parents and carers attending these online appointments with their son or daughter this year and with the inclusion of The careers department program  - we feel students have been well prepared in making these selections.

The first session of the ABCN girls’ leadership program which encourages young females to take up leadership opportunities in their community, setting goals and developing personal skills has been delivered.

All Year 11 VCAL students have been participating in mock interviews with outside professional organisations and College Alumni. This has given our students valuable experience in the real world preparing them for interviews with prospective employers, the Headstart program, possible apprenticeships or SWL work placements

Year 12

SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) appointments have begun this week with our student support team which runs for 3 weeks.

VTAC appointments will also start next week with our appointed CEAV course counsellors for all year 12 students in preparation for their applications to University and/ or TAFE. 

We also have recruitment companies booked in the second last week of term for students interested in apprenticeships/ traineeships (VCAL and VCE)

DVJS Employment Solutions (formerly Dandenong Valley Job Support) will be working with our PSD students and others with Individual Education Plans IEP’s in preparation for post-secondary education.

Pat Boyd

Banksia Campus Principal