St Albans Secondary Students Shine at Interact Multi-District Conference
On Sunday 11 August, seven students from St Albans Secondary College proudly represented the school at the Southern Region Multi-District Interact Conference, held at Balwyn High School. The event brought together Interactors from across Melbourne for a day of collaboration, leadership development, and inspiration.
Our students had the opportunity to share their recent fundraising efforts, highlighting the hard work and creativity that goes into supporting important causes through the St Albans Interact Club. Club president, Stephanie Truong, also played a key role on the day, delivering the project report presentation on behalf of SASC. Her confident presentation showcased the club’s recent achievements- including raising over $300 for a new street library in Cambodia- and set an excellent example of student leadership in action.
The group also enjoyed hearing from other Interact clubs about the wide variety of projects and initiatives happening across the region, exchanging ideas and building connections for future collaborations. One of the highlights of the day was a keynote presentation from a guest speaker representing the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The speaker’s powerful insights into global humanitarian challenges left a lasting impression on students, reminding them of the impact that young people can make when they engage with their communities and think globally.
The conference not only strengthened our students’ leadership skills but also reinforced the value of teamwork, service, and compassion. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing how they will bring their new knowledge and inspiration back to our school community.
Mr Dane Stammers – Psychology & Commerce Teacher | Commerce Learning Area Leader | Business & Community Partnerships Coordinator
Business and Community Partnerships Breakfast 2025
On Wednesday 13 August, St Albans Secondary College hosted its annual Business & Community Partnerships Breakfast, bringing together local leaders, educators, alumni, and valued supporters. Guests were welcomed by our Year 11 SRC students and enjoyed a chance to connect over coffee before formalities began. MCs Annastasia and Mitchell opened the event with an Acknowledgement of Country and extended a special welcome to representatives from the Brimbank City Council, the Department of Education, local primary schools and our many business and community partners whose support enriches the opportunities available to our students.
Guests enjoyed a hearty breakfast and fresh coffee served by a professional group of Vocational Major (VM) students, and a program of inspiring speeches. Year 12 students Vanessa Ngo and Arda Sipaloglu shared personal stories of their educational journeys, highlighting their resilience, ambition, and the importance of their wide support networks in helping them grow as individuals. College Principal, Craig Jennings then introduced guest speaker Deirdre Hardy, CEO of Future Connect, who spoke about bridging the gap between employers and young people in Melbourne’s west. Deirdre shared some exciting initiatives such as their YouthGrounds and Future Recruit programs and encouraged the guests to partner with Future Connect to provide future work placements, industry tours, and mentoring opportunities for young people in the local area.
The morning concluded with door prizes, acknowledgements, and heartfelt thanks to the many staff and students who contributed to the event’s success—especially our VM and VET Hospitality teams, who adapted quickly when teacher Ms Daniela Karner was injured just days before the breakfast (Wishing her a speedy recovery!). The event was a celebration of community, collaboration, and our shared commitment to expanding opportunities for our students.
Mr Dane Stammers – Psychology & Commerce Teacher | Commerce Learning Area Leader | Business & Community Partnerships Coordinator