Campus News
Kurnai College
Graduation
Celebrating the Class of 2026
The 2026 Kurnai Graduation Ceremony is just around the corner, and it promises to be a night of celebration, reflection, and pride for our Year 12 graduates, their families, and staff. This special event marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, honouring the achievements of our graduating students.
Event Details:
Wednesday 18th Ocotber
- Graduating Students: Arrive at 6:00pm for formal photographs in the GPAC foyer.
- Families & Friends: Arrival from 6:30pm. Theatre doors open at 6:40pm.
- Ceremony Start: 7:00pm in the GPAC Theatre.
During the ceremony, each graduate will be presented with their official graduation certificate on the main stage. The formal proceedings will run for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to mingle, reminisce, and capture more special memories. A light supper will be provided.
Ticket Information:
- Graduating Students: $40
- Tickets can be purchased via Compass. Students will receive their ticket upon arrival at GPAC on Graduation night.
- Payment options include full payment via Compass, School Savings Bonus funds, or Centrepay. For guidance on payment options, please contact your campus office.
- Family & Guests: $40 per ticket (no limit per family)
- Tickets can be purchased through GPAC with the link on Compass
- Or in person at the GPAC Box Office, 32 Kay Street, Traralgon, open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 and sharing this memorable evening with our school community!
Celebration Day
Our Year 12 students made their mark in true Kurnai style, arriving in impressively coordinated fancy-dress outfits to celebrate the end of their secondary school journey!
The celebrations began at the Leisure Centre, where students enjoyed a delicious breakfast and morning tea before diving into a fun-filled day of activities, music, and laughter. From games to photo moments, the atmosphere was electric as everyone came together to reflect on their time at Kurnai and share in the excitement of what’s ahead.
To cap off the day, students took part in an incredible colour run 🌈🏃♂️🏃♀️— a vibrant and joy-filled finale that perfectly captured the spirit and energy of the Class of 2026.
We wish all our Year 12 students the very best as they take their next steps beyond Kurnai College. You’ve worked hard, made lasting memories, and truly earned your celebration.
Congratulations, Class of 2026! ✨
SRC
Annual Hot Dog Eating Competition
The annual Kurnai College Senior Campus Hot Dog Eating Competition took place on Tuesday, 15 September, and it was an event for the books!
We had a fantastic turnout, with plenty of enthusiastic spectators cheering on our competitors as they battled it out for hot dog glory. We held four heats, challenging students and staff to eat two hot dogs as quickly as possible to secure their place in the final.
Congratulations to Brodie, John, Kai and Amelia, who each won their heats and earned their spot in the championship final.
The final was an incredibly close contest, with all four competitors giving it their all. After a frantic finish, John was crowned the 2026 Kurnai College Hot Dog Eating Champion.
Huge congratulations to John and all our competitors for getting involved. And a special thank you to everyone who came along to support, cheer and enjoy the spectacle! Also, a shout-out to Pearl and Jett for helping set up and run the event.
We’re already looking forward to seeing who will take the title in 2027 and seeing if the staff will ever get a title!
World's Greatest Shave!
On 15 October, the Kurnai College Senior Campus community came together for a fantastic World’s Greatest Shave event, raising funds and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation.
We were fortunate to have the wonderful Kellie from LV FLO join us for the day. As a qualified hairdresser, Kellie generously put her skills to work, completing the majority of the haircuts and helping make the event a huge success.
A big shout-out to Lachlan, Brodie, Jett, Kai and Derek, who bravely shaved their heads for this important cause. Hunter and Arabella also got involved, opting for significant trims in support of the fundraiser. In an extra special contribution, Lachlan donated his two long plaits to Sustainable Salons Australia in Sydney, where donated hair can be given a new purpose.
We also discovered some impressive barbering talent, with Atta showcasing his skills and helping out on the day! A huge thank you goes to our Student Representative Council (SRC) crew for their hard work setting up the event and firing up the BBQ to keep everyone fed and involved.
The generosity of our community has been incredible. To date, our World’s Greatest Shave team has raised just over $1,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation. Adding to this achievement, the 2026 University Campus Recycling Project has raised significant funds throughout the year, and the SRC voted to donate these funds to the same valuable cause. This brings our combined fundraising total to nearly $2,000 and counting!
Thank you to everyone who shaved, trimmed, donated, volunteered or supported the event in any way. Your efforts are making a real difference in the fight against blood cancer, and we are incredibly proud of our Kurnai College community for getting behind such a meaningful cause.
Together, we’re making a difference, one shave at a time!
Reaching New Heights at Hardrock Climbing
A crew of Sport, Aquatics and Recreation students headed into Melbourne this week for a day of climbing at Hardrock Climbing.
The group impressed with their bravery, determination and ability to scale some of the tallest walls the Hardrock Centre has to offer, with the top-rope walls reaching an impressive 16 metres high.
It was certainly a daunting prospect at first, with some students less than keen to tackle the heights. However, after conquering the smaller walls and building confidence and trust with their belayers, it was onwards and upwards quite literally!
By the end of the session, students were taking on bigger challenges, pushing themselves outside their comfort zones and discovering just how high they could climb. It was a fantastic opportunity to develop not only their climbing skills, but also their confidence, teamwork and resilience.
A great day was had by all!
Lockers
Reminder that lockers need to be emptied by students by the end of Term 4. Now is a great time to start emptying them. Donations of second-hand textbooks are welcome at the Library. All locker contents will be disposed of.
🗝️ Need a Locker? 🗝️
If you’d like a locker this year, it’s easy to get started! Simply:
- Bring your own lock.
- Find an empty locker and secure it with your lock.
- Come to the office to record your locker number.
Make sure your locker is registered so we know it belongs to you. Happy organising!
Mobile Phones
📵 A reminder to all students: mobile phones are not permitted between 8:25 am and 2:50 pm, including during lunch and recess. The only exception is for payment at the Kurnai Kafé or the University Café.
If a phone is confiscated:
- First offence: Collect from the advocate office at the end of the day.
- Second offence: Collect at the end of the day and parent/guardian will be contacted.
- Third offence: Parent/guardian must collect the phone.
- Fourth offence: Referred to the Campus Principal.
Please follow the rules to avoid disruptions and keep our campus focused on learning.
Kurnai Kafé
Your Go-To Spot on Campus!
The Kurnai Kafé is open daily to keep students fueled and refreshed throughout the school day.
Here’s what’s on offer:
Before School: 8:00 am – 8:20 am
Grab a hot drink, a delicious toastie/croissant, or fruit salad to start your day right.
Recess: 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Enjoy a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus cookies and slices for a sweet treat.
After-School Study Club
Mondays & Thursdays in the Library
Looking for a quiet place to catch up on classwork, revise with friends, or get support from teachers? Join us in the Library every Monday and Thursday after school from 2:50pm onwards for our After-School Study Club.
This is a fantastic opportunity for students to stay on top of their studies in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whether you're finishing homework, preparing for assessments, or simply want a space to focus before heading home, the Study Club is here to help.
🍕 Bonus: Food is provided on both days!
Fuel your brain and your body while you study.
We’re also excited to have two tutors available on Mondays to offer even more support:
- York – Specialist in Mathematics
- Ryan – Expert in English, English Literature, and History
Make sure to seek them out in the library if you need assistance with your work. They’re here to help you succeed. Come along, get ahead, and make the most of your time after school!.
Leaving School Grounds
Important Reminder for Students
Students are reminded of the procedures in place for leaving the school grounds during the day.
🔹 Leaving at Lunchtime to Go to the Shops: If you are leaving campus during lunchtime to visit the shops, you must sign in and out at the Front Office.
🔹 Arriving Late or Leaving Early (Outside of Lunchtime): For all other times (e.g., arriving late in the morning or leaving early), you are required to sign in or out at the Advocates Office, not the Front Office.
📝 Parental Permission is requiredto be allowed to leave campus during lunchtime. Your parent or guardian must complete the Compass Event: UN Permission to Leave the Campus 2026. Students will not be permitted to leave the school during lunch without this permission.
These measures are in place to ensure student safety and maintain accurate attendance records. Please follow the correct process at all times.
Student Driver Policy
If you drive to school, please ensure you have signed the Student Driver Policy at reception.
Students are not permitted to use their vehicles during the school day unless they have prior approval for a valid reason, such as an unavoidable medical appointment. In such cases, a certificate of attendance is required upon return.