PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

We welcomed back all year levels this week and how marvellous it was to see the school come back to life. The opportunity for students to reconnect with their friends and be face to face with their teachers brought all of us much joy.

We have between 5 - 6 weeks left of the school year and we really will do all we can to make sure every child finishes as well as possible.

Our teachers will be concentrating on helping students to transition back to reconnect with their friends and of course to engage with the learning and deal with any learning gaps. We will do all we can to get every student ready for a very successful 2022.

EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS 

I was thrilled and honoured to be a finalist in these very prestigious awards. The award was given to the Principal of Balwyn High School, Deborah Harman. Deborah is a most worthy recipient, a mentor and friend of mine. I am delighted for her. I am truly already a winner, serving the McKinnon community and having an exceptional team of people around me - it is such a blessing! I thank you all for your support and encouragement.

EAST CAMPUS 

This is such an exciting chapter for our school. 

The building is so impressive and we really are fortunate all our current Years 7 and 8 students will make the move to the East Campus next year and we hope a transition visit may be possible during the final weeks of school in December this year. 

Staff are getting ready to make the move and the courses and activities are being prepared. I know you will all be very thrilled and proud to be in such beautiful surroundings. 

GYMNASIUM BUILD ON OUR BOTTOM OVAL 

Oh my goodness - the beautiful gymnasium! Light and grand. The project is totally built from family contributions and support. 

The Principal Class visited on Friday for the first time and it is absolutely beautiful. The proportions of the gym could reference the Parthenon! It has a conventional pitched roof with a colonnaded entry facade with eight window columns (the same as Vitruvius) and a polycarbonate marble frieze. We absolutely love it!

I applaud the efforts of our architects H2o and the builders Jointly who have really paid attention to detail and are delivering a project that will serve this community for many generations.

MELINA AYRES 

It's always wonderful to read about the success of past students. I share an article about Melina Ayres - Class of 2017. She is going from strength to strength!

McKINNON SNOOKER HALL

I am delighted to inform the school that we have recently received a set of five snooker tables complete with all the equipment required to play the game. All of this is due to the efforts of Jemma Wines (mother of Beau Asbreuk in Year 9H), who negotiated with the Victorian Billiards and Snooker Association (VBSA) to purchase and deliver this incredible resource at no cost to the school. 

Jemma and the VBSA have offered to coach students and staff in snooker and support the school in the introduction of the McK Snooker Club. The long term goal is to compete with other schools and create a vibrant and inclusive snooker culture at our school. It is exciting to note that the tables will be available for lunch time use and for class time use by the PE and Maths faculty. I am extremely grateful to Jemma and all the staff who made this happen.

UNIFORM

Until 5 November, students can choose to wear summer uniform, winter uniform or PE uniform. They are not to mix and match. If they have shorts on then a short sleeve shirt with the McKinnon logo and a straight cut hem enables them to wear their shirt untucked. A long sleeved shirt must be tucked in at all times.

Again, I thank everyone for a wonderful transition back to school and wish them happy weeks ahead.