Education Week | Kyabram P-12 creates community leaders

By Jemma Jones

May 13, 2025

Kyabram P-12 College stands as a pillar of the Kyabram community, bridging generations through student-driven initiatives and active involvement in significant town events.

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You may have noticed that in most coverage of events around Kyabram, there is usually one or two representatives from the P-12 College — and that is no accident.

Community, one of the school’s three core values, motivates students to forge connections beyond the classroom, with the school actively fostering these relationships through diverse initiatives.

From reading to residents at Sheridan Aged Care and Warramunda Village, to putting on solemn ceremonies for legatees around Anzac Day, the mastermind behind these incredible community projects is Janine Kreymborg.

Kyabram P-12 College’s primary choir performs at Kyabram’s Anzac Day service this year. Photo: Jemma Jones Photo by Jemma Jones

In 2024, Ms Kreymborg assumed the role of community connections co-ordinator, a position specially created by the school to boost student engagement in the community through various projects.

“The community connections co-ordinator role was made to get our students involved with the community and basically give our students the opportunity to give back to Kyabram,” Ms Kreymborg said.

She spearheaded the project ‘For What They Did, This We Do’, which included getting students to put flags next to every veteran gravestone in the Kyabram cemetery before Anzac Day.

She has also created connections with local aged care homes, getting students to visit residents and do activities with them.

Kyabram P-12 College students clean gravestones at the town’s cemetery before Anzac Day. Photo: Jemma Jones Photo by Jemma Jones

Other community acts feed into the VCE-VM students’ community work hours, such as the students washing the resident transport vehicles at Sheridan Aged Care or just sitting and talking to residents to keep them company.

In the year since taking on the role, Ms Kreymborg has already left an indelible mark on the school community, making significant positive changes.

Principal Marina Walsh said she was very pleased with how Ms Kreymborg had contributed to the school environment through her new role.

“Learning happens all the time, not just in the classroom. Our college vision is to foster a supportive and inclusive learning community where every student is empowered to reach their full potential,” she said.

Kyabram P-12 College students Ronin, Jonno, Kaitlyn and Lily acted as newsreaders for residents of Warramunda Village. Photo: Supplied. Photo by Contributed

“Ms Kreymborg has co-ordinated many opportunities for our students to connect with the community during her time as community connections co-ordinator.

“We believe it is important to provide opportunities for students to learn how to be positive, supportive contributors to their community.

“They report back that they have positive experiences when they participate in such activities.”

While she is still growing in the role, Ms Kreymborg has a few ideas up her sleeve as to what she wants to do next.

“I want to get a group of students together and for us to all discuss what they would like to do and throw a few ideas around,” she said.

“I want them to take the initiative and take ownership of the community service they are committing.

“I want the kids to not take anything for granted. We’ve got so much in Kyabram to be proud of, and if we can get the kids out in the community, we can make some leaders.”