Campus Principal Report

Here we are, already approaching the halfway point of the year. Exams are on the horizon, reports will follow, and things are getting busy. But as I walk around campus, what really strikes me is the genuine care people show for each other. There’s a great mix of involvement, good humour, and plenty of mutual respect. Honestly, it’s a recipe for success if I’ve ever seen one.

Last Thursday night was a special one. Our Year 7 students stepped onto the stage for their very first public performance, they were fantastic! The room was packed with parents, siblings, and plenty of cheering. You could feel the nerves at first, but the support from the audience carried them through beautifully.

Big shoutout to the Year 7 team and our amazing Music staff for helping the students shine. And to all the parents, your support means the world. It’s such an important part of what makes our school community strong. There’s nothing quite like seeing a parent’s face light up with pride as their child performs. That’s something we’ve always valued at Keysborough College, and it’s something that continues to make me incredibly proud.

There’s always something to celebrate here at the college, and we love sharing those moments with you. Whether it’s in person, on our social media, through this newsletter, or via Compass, we want you to be part of the journey. So, if you haven’t already, make sure you’re signed up and following along, it's the best way to stay in the loop and share in all the great things our students (and school) are achieving.

As both students and parents, when we put in the effort, stay engaged, and get involved during our school years, we open up a world of opportunities for life after graduation. Whether it’s further study at university, hands-on learning through TAFE or apprenticeships, or heading straight into the workforce, the options are wide and exciting. Being active in school, joining clubs, participating in sports, helping out with events, or stepping up in leadership, helps build confidence, skills, and experiences that stand out to future employers and institutions alike. It’s not always just about the grades you get (though they matter too), it’s about showing you’re committed, capable, and willing to contribute. For those interested in trades or creative industries, vocational pathways are becoming more accessible through some great work by the leadership of the college. For others, university might be the right path, opening doors to careers in health, science, law, education, and more. Some may even combine work and study through traineeships. Whatever direction you take, the habits and values you build now, like resilience, teamwork, curiosity, and initiative, will help guide you. School is just the starting point. If you make the most of it, ask questions, take chances, and work hard, the future has a lot to offer: more than you might imagine right now.

Mr. Richard Hastings

Banksia Campus Principal

We’ve reached the halfway point of the term, and as always, the school is buzzing with activity and achievements.

Earlier this term, we hosted our annual Open Nights for prospective families. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our incredible programs and facilities. Our student leaders did a fantastic job guiding tour groups, providing a great example of authentic student leadership in action. We look forward to welcoming our new students and their families in 2026 and supporting their transition. 

A huge shout-out to our Year 10 VPC students who have worked tirelessly to give our gymnasium a much-needed facelift. By painting over the outdated timber, they’ve brought new life to the space. Mr Tobin worked hard to capilitise on some connections at Bunnings Keysborough to get some paint donated for this project. Special thanks to Mr Tobin and Mr Russell for their guidance and support of the VPC students throughout the project. 

Our volleyball teams had a fantastic outing at the recent Victorian School Cup tournament. The Year 8 boys, coached by Mr Campbell, and the Senior Girls, coached by Mr Van, represented our school with pride and skill. The Senior Girls secured second place while the Year 8 boys took out the championship on the day! Congratulations to all involved; a remarkable achievement!

On Wednesday 28 May, our Year 11 VCE Drama students performed their ensemble piece, the result of two terms of dedicated work. The performance was a great success, with staff, students and families in attendance. Well done to all Year 11 students and to Mr Cox for his leadership and support throughout the creative process.

This year, a new Humanities elective called Shark Tank has been introduced for our Year 9 students. As part of their learning, the students held a ‘Market Day’ on Friday 30 May, where they ran food stalls for their fellow Year 9 peers. The event was a great success, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit. Congratulations to Mr Ternola, Mr Mooney, Ms Mahbub and all the Year 9 students involved.

In other exciting news, a team of our students will soon compete in the Hydrogen Car Grand Prix. We are thrilled to share that Bendigo Bank has generously donated $1100 to support the team, and Johnny Boys has contributed a further $300. With funding in place, we’re now focused on getting the car race-ready. Stay tuned for updates as we prepare for this exciting challenge! Thanks to Ms Vieusseux for her expertise and guidance. 

The Acacia House Basketball competition has kicked off at lunchtime. It’s fantastic to see teams competing with great enthusiasm, and the atmosphere in the gym is electric! We’re looking forward to watching the competition unfold throughout the term. A big thank you to our House Leaders Mr Rae, Mr Alvarado, Mr Mason and Mr Tobin for organising and supporting this exciting event.

It’s always exciting to see our school community thriving with so many wonderful opportunities for students to get involved, challenge themselves and shine. Keep up the great work everyone.

Ms. Natalie Fode

Acacia Campus Principal