Year 7 Orientation Camp

Our Year 7 students recently attended their Orientation Camp at Phillip Island, and it was a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Across the camp, students embraced each activity with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. It was especially encouraging to see many new friendships forming as students supported one another, worked together, and stepped outside their comfort zones.

The camp provided a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with their peers and teachers while building confidence and a strong sense of community within the Year 7 cohort.

Troy Brodie

Yr 7 Year Level Leader

World Sleep Day

In early March, the Student Wellbeing team along with Ms Galante and Brenna celebrated World Sleep Day by organising a short presentation followed by a few episodes of Bluey in relation to sleep and its importance. Lucy and members of the wellbeing team helped make hot chocolates that were given out for free! There were lots of enthusiastic students who joined in this event which created a bustling and energetic atmosphere.

Lily - Yr 11

Student Wellbeing Group Member

Yr 11 Retreat

Our Year 11 students recently ventured to Lord Somers Camp for their retreat, and from a staff perspective, it was a privilege to witness students engaging so thoughtfully throughout. Students embraced opportunities for reflection and shared experiences, demonstrating maturity, openness and a growing awareness of their values and aspirations.

It was particularly encouraging to see the strengthening of connections within the cohort, as students supported one another and built a deeper sense of community. This experience has provided a meaningful foundation as they move forward with greater clarity, intention and purpose.

Yr 12 Retreat

Our Year 12 students recently participated in their Retreat at Rutherford Park, providing a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect and reconnect as they approach the final stage of their journey at Killester College.

Grounded in the theme of living a life of purpose, the retreat encouraged students to reflect on their values, their strengths and the impact they hope to have on the world. Through a combination of personal reflection and shared experiences, students strengthened their sense of connection with one another and deepened their understanding of themselves.

As they prepare for life beyond the College, the retreat offered a meaningful foundation for approaching the future with intention, compassion and a clear sense of purpose.

Yr 10 Dare to Dream Week

Dare to Dream was a jam-packed and engaging experience for our Year 10 students, dedicated to exploring new and exciting career opportunities and pathways for the future.

Students began with the Arrive & Thrive program, presented by Tyson Day. This dynamic session focused on building a personal brand and understanding the importance of a positive digital footprint. Students were introduced to LinkedIn, developed their own personal pitch and explored how to present themselves professionally in an increasingly digital world.

Students then participated in the Pipeline Program delivered by Empowered Women in Trades. This hands-on experience introduced students to skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical work and carpentry, sparking curiosity and building confidence. The program highlighted the wide range of opportunities available within these industries and encouraged students to consider pathways they may not have previously imagined. We extend our sincere thanks to the tradespeople who generously shared their time, knowledge and expertise, creating such meaningful and memorable experiences.

Throughout the week, students also heard from a range of industry professionals and visited Deakin University, further broadening their understanding of future pathways. This was an important opportunity for students to begin reflecting on their subject selections for next year.

With many people changing careers multiple times throughout their lives, Dare to Dream encouraged students to think broadly, remain open to new possibilities and begin considering where their future lives of purpose may lead.

Harmony Week

Last week we celebrated Harmony Week, culminating in a vibrant day of celebration on Friday.

Our students proudly showcased their cultural dress, reflecting the rich diversity of our College community, and shared performances of cultural music and dance that brought great energy and joy to the day.

It was a wonderful opportunity to honour and celebrate the many cultures, backgrounds and stories that make our school such a welcoming and inclusive place, highlighting the strength we find in diversity.

Yr 9 Leadership Conference

Our Year 9 students attended the Secondary Youth Leadership Conference on Thursday, 19 March.

Throughout the day, they participated in engaging keynote presentations and interactive sessions focused on self-discovery, empowerment and the development of essential self-leadership skills.

It was an inspiring experience that encouraged students to grow in confidence, reflect on their strengths and consider the kind of leaders they aspire to be.

Here are some examples of the feedback from students:-

Attending the Student Leadership Conference was a very valuable and inspiring experience. Many students from many year levels from different schools attended this excursion. This conference was led by Liam O’Connell and Bonnie Ryan-Rone, who held many activities and gave us the chance to engage with other young leaders across Melbourne. During the day, we got to listen to multiple guest speakers (Lucy Thomas, Lexy McDonald, and Wil Massara), who had different thoughts and opinions on what being a leader meant, teaching us through their experiences. Every one of the speakers had such inspiring insights, teaching us self-awareness and ideas for creating positive change. Overall, this conference showed me that being a leader isn’t just about the title, but about understanding yourself and supporting others, and having the confidence to take initiative.

Alina B

The leadership conference was a very life-changing experience for me. It taught me many important lessons, but the one that really stood out to me was that there are different types of leaders, there are those at the back who help run the show, side leaders and front leaders who show the way and guide you. The conference taught me that being a leader is hard, it's hard to speak towards others when you don’t exactly know what you are doing yourself. It takes a lot of confidence to put yourself out there. The leadership conference opened my eyes and showed me that not every leader will be the same, each leader leads in a different way and has different paths. The conference included many schools and had very engaging talks and sessions, which helped me understand how I can improve Killester. It also taught me that I shouldn't just say what I am going to do but take action. Gabriella R

Canteen