College News,
Sports & Events
YEAR 8 VOLLEYBALL
Our Year 8 Boys Volleyball team ventured to Dandenong Stadium to play against other schools in the Greater Dandenong and District Volleyball Competition at the start of this month. The Boys team were surprisingly beaten 2 sets to 1 by a less skilled but more consistent Sirius College in Round 1, meaning we were out of Championship contention if we lost another Pool game. We were again slow to start against Minaret, losing the first set 17-20 before we settled down to win the next two sets. Our defensive work had been good all day, but inconsistent serving and attacking play, along with poor communication, was holding us back. A win against Lyndale would see us through to the semi-finals, which we did in a much-improved performance. We breezed through our semi-final against Carwatha 2-0 and again in the final against Dandenong. The boys were the best skilled team on the day, but they will need to be more consistent if they want to win the Southern Metropolitan Zone Finals in May. Last year, we beat the eventual Southern Zone winner, so hopefully, the boys can go one better this year. A special thanks to our two Year 10 student coaches, Tyson Phu and Eh Sue Kyaw, who, along with the team, showed excellent commitment to training and a positive attitude on competition day.
Harrid Chhoeum, Tyson Phu, Sela Kea, Cam Lorn, James Lawson, Nachum Mangoba, Pak Kanjanahoti, Triet Nguyen, Erick Chiv, Sa Ad Ya, Kennedy Prak and Eh Sue Kyaw
DISTRICT SWIMMING
This year, we had 10 students volunteer to swim at the District Swimming Competition - Jayden Ung, Lester Ung, Jessie Ung, Anna Pham, Jack Pham, Nancy Pham, Alo Naitoko, Savannah Misa, Ali Hamidy and Dylantra Sin.
Jessie Ung, from Year 12, was the only student from Banksia who won races to now qualify for the Southern Metro Zone Swimming finals, which will be held on Monday, March 27. Jessie was the overall Under 18-20 Girls Silver medallist for her two wins in the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke, Lester was the overall Under 17 Boys silver medallist with one second and two third place finishes and Nancy was the overall District bronze medallist for the Under 15 Girls with her two second place finishes.
VISIT TO METRO TUNNEL HQ
On Tuesday 7th & Thursday 9th March, Year 11 and Year 12 VCAL/VCE-VM Work-Related Skills Students from Acacia rand Banskia recently visited the city to learn more the Metro Tunnel, Victoria’s biggest ever public transport project. The Education Program at Metro Tunnel HQ, the project’s visitor centre, is designed to show students what the project means to them, targeting careers learning and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM).The audio-visual and augmented reality installations at the visitor centre helped bring the project to life. Students learned about the challenges of creating rail infrastructure to support our expanding population and experienced the world of tunnel boring machines through virtual reality goggles.
Their session with the program’s facilitators included a walking tour to view the Town Hall Station construction site. A careers discovery session explored the wide range of jobs available in large infrastructure projects and how they align with individual students’ skills and interests.
YEAR 7 ENCHANTED ADVENTURE EXCURSION
The Year 7’s of both Acacia and Banksia went to the Enchanted Adventure Maze Garden Excursion. During the excursion there were mazes, canopy walking, and the tube slides. For the mazes we played a game where we had to find someone in the maze, the first person who found them would get a prize!
During the canopy walk we would walk on bridges that were connected to trees, some people were frightened of the heights but most managed to go through. And last, the tube slides! I'd say that the tube slides was the most fun part of the trip, you could go with a friend or alone. And although we had to climb up hill to get to the slide, it was worth it. It was a great opportunity to get to know our classmates and fun!
Tamily B7E
Camp Allambee
This year, we’re lucky to attend the Year 8 Camp for free thanks to the program provided by the Government. On March 22nd, 88 students from year 8 Banksia were on the buses and arrived at Camp Allambee in just less than 2 hours. During camp, we got to try 8 different activities, such as Dangle Duo, Flying Fox, Giant Swing, Archery, Geocaching, Billy Carts/Bouldering and Campfire Cooking.
The activities were fun and all the groups worked well together. Whenever it’s time to do the activities, there would be an ensemble playing the percussion instruments to announce everyone. The food and the dampers that we made during the Campfire Cooking activity weredelicious. On our first night, we got to go for a bushwalking for 3 hours, discovered which plants onthe way that we can actually eat if we stuck in the bush and some knowledge about choosing thecorrect directions. On our second night, we had two choices to choose, which are either having aninteresting movie night or spending time sitting near the camp fire hearing scary stories and making marshmallows.All of the 3 days of camp were amazing and contains lots of remarkable memories that we madeduring those times.
END OF TERM MESSAGE FROM YEAR 12 CAPTAINS
Hi Everyone!
As a long successful term comes to an end, we can all look forward to a well-earned break. At the start of this term, we were all in new classes with new teachers, but now we all have got to know each other and are now settled in after such a busy term. Despite all the requirements for school, students still managed to help out in running events this term, such as the VCE-VM’s amazing preparation for Harmony Day, which was not just one day, but three! This included a barbeque, cultural dress day, and cultural performances that ranged from traditional dances to modern k-pop dances. Open night was also recently held on the 23rd of March with students from all year levels helping out with the teachers, showcasing our facilities and learning opportunities including performing in the school band and engaging with prospective parents and students of our Keysborough community. It was one of the College's most important annual student-led/involved events yet!
With the holidays coming up, we want all of our peers to enjoy their well-earned break by spending time with family, friends and relaxing. However, keep in mind that a balance between fun and study is possible, and we encourage everyone to use the holidays as an opportunity to catch up or revise for the return to school in Term 2. Next term, the student leaders are planning some fun events to run. If anyone has any suggestions, please let one of the school leaders know, and we’d be happy to make it happen! Happy holidays!
LUNA PARK/RICKETTS POINT
On Wednesday the 15th of March, our year 8 students travelled to Luna Park in St Kilda for 2 hours of unlimited rides. There were eight rides open to the students, as well as food and drinks. The year 8 students showed great resilience by overcoming their fears to go on each of the different rides and experience many different emotions. Upon returning to English class, they wrote about these experiences and feelings in their poetry.
After Luna Park, students got back on the bus and travelled down the coast to Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Beaumaris to complete fieldwork for Geography. Students observed the impact the waves, weather, humans, and animals have on the flora and fauna around the coastline.
LIBRARY NEWS
Did you know?
The library is more than just books. Although in the library, we think books are great, we also have a range of online resources available. Have a peruse of the library catalogue, you might be surprised at the resources you find there!
The library holds online subscriptions for three newspapers- the Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the Age.
We also hold a large (and growing) collection of e-books and audio books. Have a browse! Check out the Dystopian section, the Latest Additions, the Wellness Collection, and more!
Don’t forget to ask your friendly library staff if you need any help – with research…. book recommendations…. technology support… stationery….. and make sure you return your overdue items, so other people can borrow them!
What is the Keysborough Chronicle? Elena, in Year 11 at Acacia campus explains.
“Following the success of the junior school Oracle, the senior school at Acacia campus have decided to launch our very own senior school newspaper now titled “The Keysborough Chronicle”. Our Newspaper began last year with a crew of keen students interested in contributing to the student voice. Though organised and supervised by senior school librarian Ms Talbot, the Keysborough Chronicle newspaper crew is largely student led. In the past year, we have released climate change articles, interviews, book reviews, opinion pieces and more. If you’re interested in journalism, editing, photography or simply sharing your thoughts and opinions, you are more than welcome to join through existing members or directly emailing Ms Talbot at Acacia campus.”
Elena
TERM 1, YEAR 8 RECAP
We have had a big Term 1 in Year 8 and wanted to share some of the highlights.
In Week 8, we did a bumper excursion to Luna Park in St Kilda and Ricketts Point Marina in Beaumaris. We had the VIP treatment at Luna Park, with the whole park to ourselves for 2 hours which was lots of fun. The scariest ride was the Pharoah’s Curse where we were suspended upside down in the air! In the afternoon, we completed fieldwork as a part of our Geography work in Humanities. We examined landforms and how the environment is sustained and treated. The weather was perfect as we examined rockpools, explored the beach and surveyed the public. Thank you to Ms Tomlinson for organising this afternoon for us.
In Week 9, 100 students from our year level went away for 2 night and 3 days to an adventure camp 90 minutes from school. Some of the highlights included the giant swing, the flying fox and the initiative course. All of the activities required us to cooperate and communicate as a m,.
Camps and excursions are a great way to meet new people in your year level and get to know your teachers better outside of the classroom. Some of the best school memories are made during our extra-curricular opportunities and we’re so glad that we were given opportunities this early in the school year. We highly encourage other students to consider going on the camps happening in their year level later in the year. Thank you to the staff that made camp happen through organisation or attending. We are very grateful.
Gianni Finocchiaro & Blake Ariens, Year 8 – Acacia Campus
LORD AND LADY SOMERS CAMP
In January this year four students from Keysborough College were lucky enough to attend the Lord and Lady Somers Camp. This is a camp for young people aged 16-18 to experience a week like no other down and the beautiful camp sight in Somers. Lord Somers Camp and Power House run a range of camps and experiences for young people from all walks of life and Arthur Hingley, Jackson Tiara, Jenny Saard and Chelsea King attended the camps.
The students participate in a range of activities that include tug of war, cross country running, team building and challenge activities. All the students who attended the camp have said it was a week like they have never experienced before.
Keysborough College is very lucky to also partner with the Rotary Club of Dingley and Noble Park who have very graciously assisted the students to attend with very generous sponsorship. Jackson, Arthur and Jenny recently attended one of Rotary’s meetings to share their stories of camp and to thank the club for their support.
For any student in Year 11 who is interested in find out more about the Lord and Lady Somers Camps please visit https://www.lscph.org.au/ or speak with one of Arthur, Jackson, Jenny and Chelsea at school. There will be another camp in January 2024 and we are looking for students who would be interested in the amazing experience.
ISP team wishes to congratulate Meichou Te for her nomination as a finalist for the Academic Excellence category of the Victorian Global Learning Awards.
Meichou will attend the ceremony on the 8th June and we wish her all the best in being awarded the honourable accolade.
The International Education Division holds the competition every year and schools with International students can nominate students for various categories, including sports and community participation.
Well done to Meichou. Your efforts have got you to this point. May you continue to make the most of educational opportunities.