Campus Principal Report

As the term draws to a close, it is important to reflect on what a smooth (yet busy) start to the 2023 school year it has been! It’s been wonderful to see so many events and opportunities happening in each year level to really enrich our students’ education.

I would like to highlight to the school community that we often receive feedback from members of the public when they have contact with our students. It makes me super proud when the feedback is positive - it’s always such a boost to share with staff. On this occasion, I would like to share two recent instances of positive feedback. Firstly, our VCAL/VCE-VM students attended an excursion to ‘Victoria’s big build- metro tunnel construction’ on Thursday 9th March. We received a phone call from a gentleman who wanted to provide some lovely feedback in regards to some young men from Keysborough College. The boys had worksheets with them they were completing when they came across a press conference happening in Rainbow Ally in the city. The boys were respectful of the press conference and the topic of discussion (a new safe injection site). The boss of the Salvation Army came over to talk to the boys and thank them for their consideration and behaviour at the press conference. So, who were these boys? Our Year 12 VCAL students: Lazar Basic, Ohmaid Farhad, Richard Sam, Adam Halabi, Mahsi Noorzaye, Sinasi Ozalemdar, Peter Poloaiga and Jayze Tekii. Well done boys, for representing our College so well!

Secondly, we received feedback on Friday 24th March following our Open Night (which was held on Thursday 23rd March). The person commented on how well both the Acacia and Banksia Open Nights were organised showcasing the facilities and the students themselves – and noted being welcomed by the school band, which set a positive and engaging tone for the evening. But the most impressive thing they went on to say, was about our students. They said, ‘the attitudes and demonstrated behaviours of the students themselves spoke volumes. We witnessed happy, social, and engaged students.’ Specifically, they spoke about their student tour leaders, Palak Arora and Emma Vu (both of Year 11) The person noted that both Palak and Emma performed their role as tour guides exceptionally well and were so helpful including checking if any parents or students had questions throughout the tour. Thank you Palak and Emma for representing our College and displaying every aspect of our RED values.

Here is a snap shot of some whole year level activities recently undertaken:

Our Year 7s enjoyed a fun day out at Enchanted Garden on Friday 3rd March. It was a time for students to continue to get to know the peers in their class outside of our school setting and build connections with each other and their teachers. Students participated in a range of activities that ranged from a large tube slide, several mazes, team building activities, canopy walk, aerial playground and life size team puzzles.
Our Years 8s had a combined excursion for both English and Humanities on Thursday 16th March. Departing the school and heading straight to Ricketts Point, they conducted some critical research for their Year 8 Humanities assessment, followed by a fun afternoon at Luna Park to engage in some thrilling activities to help provide prompts for their upcoming poetry assessment in English. They also went to Camp Allambee on Monday 20th March- Wednesday 22nd March. They noted some highlights included the giant swing, the flying fox and the initiative course!
Our Year 9s headed off to Dandenong Market and surrounds on Friday 10th March to conduct some field work linked to their Humanities Common Assessment Task. They enjoyed time at the market and experienced the culture of our local community.
Our Year 10s recently attended an excursion to Federation University on Thursday 9th March. They had a full day program of lectures and activities to help immerse them into University Life and what is on offer post-secondary school.
Our Year 11s recently attended an excursion to RMIT University on Monday 27th Feb to engage in a full day program run by the university.
Our Year 11 and 12 VCE students had an incursion on Friday 10th p.4, run by online platform - Edrolo. Edrolo provides interactive video theory, formative assessment, exam practice for many VCE subjects. When accessing the platform, students are able to watch a range of pre-prepared videos put together by expert teachers that align with the VCAA study design. It is an additional tool that students can draw on to consolidate their knowledge and skills.

We are really proud of our year 7 and 9 students who recently completed the NAPLAN tests. Conducted online, students took the process very seriously, maintained their concentration and tried their best. The NAPLAN test window opened on Wednesday 15th March with the writing test to begin with followed by reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

I would like to acknowledge the fantastic work of the Year 11 and 12 VCE-VM students who put on fantastic ‘Harmony Week’ celebrations for the campus. A time to celebrate culture and diversity; this celebration really helps to make the fabric of our College.

I will be taking maternity leave very soon to welcome my second child. I will be leaving at the end of Week 3 of Term 2. I want to thank everyone for their support during my time as Acacia Campus Principal. It has been an honour to lead this campus and something I have been so proud to do. I look forward to returning to the College in mid 2024.

Natalie Fode

Acacia Campus Principal

Diversity is such a large part of our school community. Diversity of background, culture, religion, gender, orientation, opinion in fact anything that makes us the unique individuals we are. Our Year 12 VCAL class did such a great job promoting and planning Harmony Day, it is an event that our college truly embraces. Our student representative on the College Council said at our last meeting it is the highlight of events at our college. I can only second and endorse that opinion.

Our students and staff come dressed in their heritage outfits, adding colour and flavour to the school. It is a great time for people to learn and be educated about other cultures. However the range of diversity spans so much more than just our cultural heritage, it encompasses our entire being, who we are, what makes us different.

Keysborough College has such a proud history of valuing every member of our community, and provides a safe space in which our students can develop into the wonderful young people they dream to be. Our job as educators is to help these students develop the skills and resilience to become adults with wisdom, to lead communities in the future, to walk the path with their friends and family and to ultimately lead a satisfying and fruitful life. A life that values and respects diversity and what it brings. Along the way, they can impart some of the great things that they learn through the culture and support of the school. Our legacy is not in the moment, it is the kind act, friendly shoulder or wise decision that will be made in the future. Diversity is what makes society so interesting, great decisions are not made by people agreeing, they are made through discussion and arguments with people of differing opinions. What we must always make sure of is that we value their input no matter if we disagree with their opinion. Everywhere out there, there will be opportunities to find likeminded people, who share your values, who will support you through thick and thin, friends and family who value you for the unique individual you are. Our job is to help you find your place in the world and realise your dream.

I wish everyone of you the best for Easter and that you have a wonderful school break. Come back in term 2 ready to continue the great work that we have all done so far this year. Look after yourselves and enjoy your time. Remember that a little bit of kindness goes a long long way.

Richard Hastings

Banksia Campus Principal