PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
A Message from the Principal
$9 MILLION ANNOUNCEMENT
As promised in the election commitments $9 million has been provided in this State Government first budget to fund the new construction of buildings at McKinnon Secondary College.
The Senior School leaders, Matt Mahoney, Allira Lignos, Nic Champman, Jess Osburn, Callum Lloyd, Liss Gibert and I attended a meeting at the Bentleigh Basketball Stadium on Tuesday 5 May.
The Hon. Daniel Andrews, Premier, the Hon. James Merlino, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and our local member for Bentleigh Mr Nick Staikos, were there to inform us of this exciting news!! This 9 million dollar provision will definitely change the look and feel of our school.
We will be removing two light timber construction wings that were built in the 1950's and a few of our outdated portables. These will be replaced by a new 3 storey building with more suitable teaching and learning spaces. It also includes a brand new Year 12 Centre big enough to cater for our increased number of students and new Music Studios.
We are very grateful and will now begin to work with School Council and our architects to realise the next stage of works.
Click here to watch news report (from 4min 15sec)
SAFETY IN McKINNON ROAD
Please be careful to observe and obey all signs in McKinnon Road. Traffic congestion is a continuing problem along McKinnon Road and we ask for your cooperation in driving carefully and ensuring the safety of all children around the College.
After a number of ‘near misses’ in recent weeks (with students almost hit by passing cars), we unfortunately had a Year 7 student hit by a car while cycling home from school on Wednesday 6 May. He is recovering well and will return to school shortly; our thoughts are with young Callum, his family and the family in the vehicle that collided with him - this was an accident caused by poor weather and severe congestion combining to reduce everyone's visibility.
Students are reminded to use the school crossing when the flags are displayed, and to take extra care when crossing McKinnon Road before and after school. If parents are collecting students after school, we encourage you all to park in the side streets near the school, to reduce the congestion in McKinnon Road itself.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS SUCCESS
Congratulations to the year 12 group performance rock band “The Sons of Daniel” who won the Southern Metropolitan Battle of the Bands competition.
They won 1st place for the best original composition and also the best overall performance.
From here they go to the State Battle of the Bands in August to compete against the winners of the Regional competitions.
We could not be more proud of the boys!
Well done and thank you for flying the McKinnon banner so very, very high!
CROSS COUNTRY
Our annual Cross Country is being held tomorrow Friday 8 May, periods 5 and 6. This is a compulsory school event and I expect all students to participate. Obviously there are some students with physical conditions that prevent them from participating and they are exempt. Also I am aware some have medical appointments and medical certificates can be provided for these students. Everyone else is expected to participate and I thank parents for their support of these important school activities.
DRUGS 101
Thank you to the many parents who attended the Drugs 101 Parent Forum. The experts provided sound advice and the material definitely will allow for important conversations. Preventing kids from making the wrong choices is very important as is building resilience. I congratulate and thank all the staff who made the event possible.
OPEN NIGHT
Our annual Open Night was held earlier this week for prospective parents and students. It is a night where staff and students showcase a little of the McKinnon magic and do so with great pride. I congratulate all the staff and students involved for their dedication and commitment to our community.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FORUM
On 29 April 2015, Ms Anna Zhang and three Year 11 International students Crystal Wang, Smile Su and Lambert Zou attended The International Student Forum 2015 at the State Library. The Forum is an annual event sponsored by the Victorian Government for students and teachers from schools with an International Student Program to share experiences and identify ways to maximise the benefits of internationalising schools.
The Forum started with a Welcome by international student representatives and an address delivered by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Hon. James Merlino. There were 120 students from 36 schools in attendance and 36 accompanying teachers. It was a wonderful day for exploring ideas and identifying opportunities to strengthen the program across all schools in Victoria.
A LITTLE ABOUT THE MCKINNON FAMILY
This section is new to our newsletter. It is written by an impressive writer whom I have known for a number of years. It showcases a little about individuals in the McKinnon community. Enjoy.
Pitsa Binnion
Principal
AN OUTSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE
Until December 2014 I worked for an educational publisher, managing a national professional learning program for teachers.
With a teaching background, I travelled all around Australia visiting schools from all sectors - a job that lasted for twenty-something years.
A visit to McKinnon Secondary College was always a stand-out experience.
Over the years I had developed a high regard for the leadership staff during the many business appointments that took me there and I often crossed paths with McKinnon staff at significant external conferences and educational seminars.
As an 'outsider' this school always had a different feel to it...something I could never put my finger on.
Recently the Principal invited me to contribute to the school’s fortnightly newsletters, beginning with stories about members of the school community.
As I spent time getting to know the staff and students the secret to the school's academic and pastoral success started to unravel...it is all due to the amazing culture that the staff and students have worked hard to attain. This coupled with the relationship they have forged with the surrounding community outside their gates!
Walking through the front doors I'm struck by an aura - a buzz of mutual respect, pride, dedication and a steadfast commitment from teachers to enable the students to achieve beyond their very best.
The young people and teachers I spoke with each described this working partnership along with a common loyalty to maintain the school's reputation. The teachers are 'enablers' in the true sense of the word.
I am in awe of the situation there...
Lee Collie
Public Relations Officer
ALLIRA LIGNOS – SCHOOL CAPTAIN 2015
Allira is 'into' fitness, mainly running and swimming. Cathy Freeman has been her inspiration, overcoming many hardships to win an Olympic Gold Medal.
She has a part-time job at the local pool teaching weekly swimming classes to young people aged between 3 and 13. She's also a life guard there during the summer months. This part time job required extensive training.
She would encourage other teenagers to have a part-time job, believing it helps equip them with skills and qualities they may require for future work. She also likes the pocket money, suggesting it makes her less dependent on her parents.
After finishing Year 12, Allira would like to spend some time travelling - maybe return to Nepal or possibly to Africa? She's keen to do some volunteer work overseas.
Allira learnt to play the violin when she was in Grade 2 at Armadale Primary School. A highlight for her was when she played in the "State School Spectacular" at Hisense Arena a few years ago.
Her heart was beating overtime when Allira's name was announced as School Captain at the first School Assembly earlier this year. She was filled with pride and takes the role very seriously. She is very grateful for the fantastic support she's had from her cohort and tries to be a really good role model for all of the other students.
She enjoyed visiting the local Member of Parliament; representing the school at the recent ANZAC Ceremony; presenting awards at McKinnon Primary School and delivering a speech at an assembly at nearby Murumbeena Primary School.
Once when waiting at Malvern train station she helped rescue an elderly gentleman who had slipped between the platform and the doorstep on the train. She would like to see the gap between the station and the train fixed to make it safer for all passengers.
Allira thinks all of her teachers are really friendly and easy to get along with and they all want their students to achieve. In her opinion a good teacher relates to teenagers' experiences and makes the students relaxed to enjoy their learning. "We are always encouraged to try our best".
She would like to be remembered as someone who became involved in everything at school, someone who gave everything her best shot and someone who didn't judge.
MATTHEW MAHONEY – SCHOOL CAPTAIN 2015
Matthew has always aspired to achieve great academic results. Ever since commencing secondary school his aim has been to have the best score that he can possibly manage. After leaving school he would like to study commerce at University, combined into a double degree with something related to technology - possibly computer science.
When his name was announced as School Captain Matt was initially surprised and then felt tremendous pride. He believes the School Captains have a serious responsibility to be powerful role models. He's very aware that the younger students really look up to the Year 12s. As a member of the Senior Student School Council, Matt knows that it's important to have a voice, to make suggestions that can lead to improvement. The Council has been asked to work on the definition of "a global citizen". Matt says: "We need to think beyond our local community, and remember that our actions here affect people in other parts of the world!"
On weekends Matt is a football umpire for the S.M.J.F. League and the S.F.N. League. He umpires senior games on Saturdays and junior league games on Sundays. He is also part of the A.F.L. Mates program and is really looking forward to attending an A.F.L. umpire training session this season. He enjoys mentoring the younger umpires.
He credits his part-time job for helping him to develop leadership skills, confidence and people skills. It has also required him to have clearer communication skills and to strike a balance between school work and his other commitments.
Matt enjoyed playing the game but unfortunately he suffered injuries whilst playing in the Under 15s team. It was then he decided to give umpiring a go that turned out to be a good decision!
Matt hopes to have the opportunity to trial for the V.F.L. squad in the upcoming years.
Earlier in the year Matt participated in a leadership camp at Lord Somers. It really changed the way he thought about things. He likes the notion of "work without recognition". He even started to help out more around the house after the camp!
Aspiring to run his own business one day, Matt is aware that he will have to call on his leadership skills. He admires Mrs Binnion's leadership style, describing her as "Fantastic. Unique. She knows everyone. She talks to everyone. She knows what's happening with EVERYONE and not just the high performing students!"
Matt is a great ambassador for McKinnon Secondary College.
This is what he would say to any prospective parents:
"The school encourages extra-curricular activities and provides an academic education. The teachers are dedicated to achieve outcomes. For example there are Maths Help Classes at lunchtime.
In the senior school there is a culture of 'work hard, do your best'. Teachers are well prepared and willing to help students outside of classes. Teachers and students work together in a partnership. Students feel very supported.
I have discussed Year 12 English assessments with a fellow umpire who attends another school. The guy seemed quite confused, without direction or clarity. We're lucky at our school. At the start of each Year 12 class there's a list of what we will cover during the lesson and then we tick each line we've covered at the end of the class - the formal terms are 'Learning Intentions' and 'Success Criteria'. Teachers have a timely assessment turnaround. You really feel that you are letting the teachers down if you don't deliver".
BILL MANOLAS – KEY LEARNING AREA MANAGER (MATHEMATICS)
Bill has been a teacher at McKinnon Secondary College for 32 years which makes him currently the longest serving staff member. He has performed every staffing role at McKinnon, everything from Lost Property Manager to Acting Assistant Principal! Bill lives and breathes Maths and loves teaching the subject.
In the early days of Bill's educational career schools didn't have computers. He managed a central computer lab at a Regional Office in Dandenong Rd. The centre allowed local schools to access the new technology and Bill's expertise.
Bill is affectionately known as the "Master of Standardisation". Research shows that the analysis of a school's data combined with the implementation of proven, 'evidence based' strategies drives the improvement of students' results. Coming from a scientific background Bill attests to this theory. The school has drawn on Bill's expertise to analyse the student achievement data. In turn, the results are shared with the staff helping to guide their teaching. This has been one of the most positive changes Bill has observed at the school over the years.
Ironically, Bill a Maths teacher, was born on the Island of Samos in Greece. This was the birthplace of the great Mathematician and philosopher Pythagorus whose theories had such a decisive effect on world-wide Mathematical thought. Bill's family emigrated to Australia when he was only five. Throughout his childhood he observed his parents’ financial battles. It made him more determined to pursue a good education and to secure a worthwhile career.
Bill thinks a good Maths student is someone who is resilient, someone who perseveres. He says it can be easy for students to give up. "We need to help them 'hang in there'". There are lunchtime maths classes to provide extra support for the students.
Bill believes that good Maths teachers show passion for their subject, have high expectations and they care for the kids. That care will definitely be reciprocated.
What makes McKinnon Secondary College such a good school? "It starts at the top...the leaders are passionate about the school being exceptional... the managers help implement the plan... the staff work really well together".
Bill has an unusual but fascinating hobby! He makes 'polyhedrons' - colourful 3 dimensional multi-sided models. Some of the models take Bill hours to assemble but he likes the challenge of making them and giving them away.
MARG BOURKE – HEAD OF GEOGRAPHY
Marg is a teacher totally dedicated to her students. She feels a sense of achievement in her job and takes tremendous pride in her school. She cares about the school's reputation. "I want the students to come away with a love of learning and caring for the environment. I hope I'm inspirational. I try to get them excited. I love it when I get positive feedback about my teaching".
Marg commenced teaching at McKinnon in 1985. She admits the Geography curriculum looks a lot different from her early days at the school. Over the years Marg and her colleagues have re-shaped the Geography program by offering lots of hands-on activities that appeal to young "geographers", at the same time enticing the students to seek out more information. A popular activity was a fire proof house designed by the students. The house had to be suitable for certain topographic features that the students needed to learn about. They could see why fires occur and how topography impacts on the ferocity of a fire. Marg defines the term "geographer" as someone who is constantly making observations about the world around them and making connections between these global features. "A geographer is the kid who looks out of the car window asking questions about their surroundings as the family vehicle drives along". Geography gradually became a much more popular subject. Marg boasts that they now have some multiple classes in the senior levels!
Marg has a theory why McKinnon Secondary College is such a great school. She thinks it's because most of the staff are 'on the same page' as well as the fact that there's terrific collegiality amongst the staff with all working together. The longevity of the staff is also a contributing factor.
She also has ideas about what defines 'a good student'. A good student has a Wunderlust for knowledge and they derive excitement from that. They need to be prepared to have a go, to take initiative, be independent learners, take a risk, take some challenges! Resilience is also a good quality. "I love the kids to death. I kill them with kindness!"
Marg is reflective about certain people who have had a profound influence on her life. She remembers one of the nuns at her primary school - her kindness and love of children - and wonders if she 'caught' those qualities from that teacher! Her Dad fostered her love of sport and geography and Wunderlust for everything and she has her Mum to thank for her organisational prowess.
Marg recalls having a unique experience years ago. She has vivid memories of learning to ride a horse bareback on her uncle's farm when she was a youngster.
Marg treasures a special family heirloom - a silver brooch. It's a Celtic design with Irish gemstones that she takes to Peer Support groups. Like her mother, she is very attached to her Irish heritage.
Marg's commitment to the environment is something many people wouldn't be aware of. In her radical environmental lobbying days she used to regularly attend Peace marches. Back then they were usually non aggressive events. She helped start the 'Murumbeena Anti Uranium Group'. It was a group of like-minded citizens dedicated to the cause!
Marg thinks she has an "eclectic" character – certainly a fitting description.