A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

FAREWELL MR EVANS

Our Assistant Principal Mr Ashley Evans is, sadly, leaving McKinnon. His family is relocating from Melbourne.

Ashley has made a significant contribution to McKinnon over the past 11 years.

In his capacity as Assistant Principal he has worked tirelessly to improve the educational experience at McKinnon for staff and students.

On behalf of our community I extend thanks and gratitude and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.

VCE ORIENTATION

Congratulations to Mr Noble, the Senior School Management Team and VCE teachers on running a very successful Orientation Program for our Senior School for 2017.

Students were given course outlines and a very good understanding of the course requirements for next year. They all worked very well and I hope they cope with all the set homework. All work is available on the VCE orientation google site. More importantly I hope they enjoy the learning next year and thrive both academically and socially.

YEAR 9 DRAMA

Congratulations on two excellent performances this week from our Year 9 Drama classes. Parents, friends and teachers were impressed with the talent displayed. I thank Ms Doctor, Ms Glanville and Mr Lynch for their work with these classes. Obviously there was great learning and much enjoyment.

PEER SUPPORT

Our 2016 Peer Support Leaders have been selected from a large number of possible candidates. Year 10 students immersed themselves wholeheartedly into the Peer Support training program. I congratulate those selected and wish them well with the very important role they play in assisting our new students’ transition into our school.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr van Langenberg for coordinating this critically important program.

The following are our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders for 2017:

Ariel Abramov, Bryn Armstrong, Zoe Bartholomeusz, Gabi Basman, Ryan Basser, Nick Batir, Katie Binks, Alex Boul, Josh Boul, Lee-Ling Bristow, Vishiwaharen BSM, Spencer Cornelius, Maddy Daemen, Ty Diamond-Gatoff, Jenna Dimitrakas, Anna Donnelly, Jack Doyle, Lachlan Dubout, Luka Duggan, Tahli Edwards, Daniel Ernest, Hamish Felder, Elana Fellini, Jonathan Fletcher, James French, Sophie Furman, Jasmine Garner, Amy Gilbert, Petar Glavinic, Alexander Goldin, Anthea Guerra, Anthony Hantzopoulos, James Hardy, Will Hardy, Cailyn Harris, Sienna Herterich, Alex Hunter, Joseph Inglis, Jordan Kellaway, Tejan Keller, Max Kennedy, Allan Keogh, Michael Koletsas, Giorgio Kondos, Evie Krieger, Ben Krieser, Mia Lopez, Phoenix Loquet, Sarah Mac Rae, Helena Manoussios, Stacey Mastrapas, Eva Mavropoulos, Tim Mullane, Joshua Nai, Ramanika Nair, Minh Ngo, Harry O’Dea, Ryan O’Donnell, Jemma Owen, Amy Price, Jack Richardson, Jake Roberts, Braydon Ross, Elinta Sen, Marcus Sjostrom, Carly Thurgood, Elizabeth Tsagliotis, Amanda Sarikoudis, Eli Schwedes, Lenore Segal, Sapna Sharma, Lilli Soprano, Cyrene Sparks, Zo-Ellen Stannus, Harry Stevenson, Wenjing Sun, Bobby Tang, Neo Taufa, Ervin To, Brianca Tran, Hugo Veselik, Jennifer Victor, Kavindi Walpita Gamage, Damian Walsh, Naomi Warren, Xin Er Wee, Ben Whittaker, Cassandra Wu and Jade Wulkan.

DECEMBER ENSEMBLE CONCERT

Congratulations to all the staff and students involved in the music concert which was held last Thursday 1 December in the School Hall. The standard of music was exceptional.

The growth and development that has occurred in our student’s musical learning over a very short period of time is outstanding. I would like to particularly acknowledge the efforts of our very talented Music staff – their passion, commitment and dedication allows all students to thrive.

Thank you to all parents, grandparents and friends who attended to offer support and encouragement.

I hope all the children continue to enjoy their music and pursue their talents.

FRENCH EXCHANGE

On Friday 9 December, Ms Dickson, Ms Antal, Mrs Fowler and twenty-two students are flying to Nice, France to take part in the second stage of the French Exchange program. After hosting their exchange partners earlier in the year, the students are very excited to live life in France, be part of a family and a school community. They will spend four weeks with their French families: two weeks of school and two weeks of holidays. During the school weeks, they will attend classes, help out with English lessons and go on excursions. Their two weeks of holidays will be over the Christmas and New Year period and the kids will spend that time in various parts of France and Europe. They will return in the late hours of the Sunday 8 January. We look forward to hearing all about what they have learnt, shared and experienced.

CRICKET AUSTRALIA LEADERSHIP FORUM

On Friday 2 December Clare Wever (Year 8), Catherine Braniska (Year 7), Karleen Han (Year 7), Mary Christofis (Year 7), Mia Borowitz (Year 8), Remi van Denderen (Year 8) and Talia Raman (Year 8) attended a Forum at Melbourne Girls College to participate in the Cricket Victoria Girls Leadership Forum. This Forum was a culmination of the online modules the girls had completed throughout the year. During the day the girls participated in workshops aimed at promoting ‘you can do’ mindset, igniting, guiding and nurturing leadership spirit. They also participated in a T20 blast cricket session and a discussion panel with Tony Dodemaide (former Australian cricketer and CEO of Cricket Victoria), Linley Frame (Olympic swimmer and former AIS Athlete of the Year), Mel Jones (Former Australian women's cricketer and current cricket commentator) and Rowie Webster (Current Women's Australian water polo player and Vice-Captain from Rio Olympics 2016).

The girls had a truly valuable experience and ended the day feeling invigorated and inspired. I would like to acknowledge and thank Ms Pemberton for coordinating this event for the girls.

GREAT VICTORIAN BIKE RIDE

The GVBR has been run for another year and I would like to thank so many people for their contribution to this marvellous event. I have received so many positive comments from parents celebrating their child’s participation in this opportunity.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their efforts: Mr James McLaughlan, Ms Carole Hooper, Mr James Van Pelt, Mr Daniel Farthing, Mr Liam Adlington, Ms Kath Cozens, Mr Kirby McConnon, Ms Naomi O’Brien, Ms Kally Alexandrou, Ms Pip Andrieux, Ms Chelsea Buntine and Mr Paul King. I would to thank the parents that provided extra support for the students - their assistance on the ride and their help on the training rides were invaluable. I would like to make special mention of Mr McLaughlan who organised the McKinnon team. The logistics of this event is enormous so a very big thank you to James for his tremendous efforts.

Congratulations to you all on this wonderful achievement.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Congratulations to Allan Keogh (Year 10) for his community spirit when he assisted an elderly lady who fell in McKinnon Road. He was on his way home from school after helping out as a Peer Support Leader for the Year 7, 2017 students who were attending Orientation Day. Thank you Allan for your good deed and showing the McKinnon spirit.

THISTLE MAGAZINE

We have had published a most impressive Year Book that truly captures the 2016 year. It is a celebration of a tremendous year of activity and I thank all the staff and students who made it all possible.

The Thistle was produced by Mr Andrew Krause, Mrs Grace Turner and Mr Adrian D’Ambra. I thank them for putting together such a wonderful ‘keepsake’ with many memories captured for students, staff and parents.

END OF YEAR

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families the very best for the holiday season.

Thank you for your kindness and support throughout the year.

I’d like to also thank the staff for their great work and the difference they have made and I look forward to the safe return of our entire school community in 2017!