PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
WELCOME BACK
Welcome back to all staff, students, parents and a special welcome to our new families. I hope 2021 will be a most rewarding year filled with many wonderful opportunities for learning and growth.
Congratulations to the school community for such a successful start to the year. I have been very impressed with the excellent way in which students have returned to school looking their best in their uniform, organized with all their appropriate materials and ready to learn.
It is with tremendous pride and honour that I continue as Principal of one of the best schools in the State! I look forward to the wonderful opportunities ahead and give a commitment to continue to serve this community with dedication and professionalism, providing all children with many opportunities to thrive and shine.
VCE CLASS OF 2020
Congratulations to our Class of 2020 for their outstanding results. Once again McKinnon was one of the top co-educational, non-selective schools in the State (2nd in fact).
100% of our students were successful in attaining their VCE
Our Duxes (Thuy Khue Nguyen & Mia Trauffler) achieved an ATAR of 99.90
17.22% of all study scores were over 40
88 students achieved an ATAR over 90
62.4% achieved an ATAR over 80
85.9% of all our students received an ATAR above 60
Median ATAR was 85
33 was the median VCE study score
I congratulate all students, staff and parents for these wonderful achievements. Our strong partnership ensures the best educational outcomes can be achieved.
PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION
Part of the secret to the McKinnon model of success with student outcomes is the very strong partnership that exists between parents and staff.
We value these quality relationships and I know students benefit from them tremendously.
Parents at McKinnon can be relied upon to attend concerts, drama nights, all information evenings but also they read the newsletter, Compass feeds and keep informed and up to date with all relevant events.
They also assist students to be organised, punctual and in full uniform.
I hope we will be able to have events going forward.
This all contributes to student success and building strong relationships and I thank everyone for your efforts.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Thank you to the many parents for your incredible support with our Uniform Policy and implementation. We worked with our School Council and changed our provider to Bob Steward from the start of this year. The shop is located at 466 Centre Road, Bentleigh and should be very convenient for all.
I ask for everyone’s patience as we transition. They are working hard to secure all uniform items in all sizes.
Please help us to make sure your son/daughter is properly dressed as they arrive to school. We have a very formal uniform and I want everyone to be compliant. This will indeed require all of us to work hard to keep standards high.
FACE MASKS IN SCHOOL
Last night the Government has implemented mandatory mask wearing indoors. A positive COVID case has been detected in the South East. Staff and students will wear their face masks indoors. We hope this will not be for very long. Thank you for your understanding and support.
NEW STAFF
This year we fondly welcome new and returning staff members to our College:
Ms Mary Ho - Information Technology
Ms Gail Llewellyn - Economics/Commerce
Mr Nick Gledhill - English
Mr David Dick - English
Mr Peter Hunt - English
Mr Andrew Stevenson - Maths/Science
Mr Tony Nguyen - Maths/Science
Ms Ashley Matthews - English
Ms Melinda Howard - English/French
Ms Sapphire Zavalianos - Numeracy Support
Mr Nicholas Palatianos - Integration
Mr Matthew Kulesza - Integration
Eriks Stepanuks - IT Support
Chelsea Stanley - Communications/Facebook/Twitter
Tom Broadbent - Working with the Communications team
Staff Returning
Ms Lara Gambino - Psychology
Ms Kellie Dickson - English/German
Mr Benn Buntman - Maths/Sport
I hope they find their work with our community professionally rewarding.
PARENT AFTERNOONS/EVENINGS
There are some information evenings and “get-togethers” that will be held over the next few weeks – some virtual and some face to face. The Principal Class, Student Managers and Teachers look forward to meeting as many parents as possible throughout the year. There is no doubt that one key aspect to success at McKinnon is the very strong partnership that exists between staff, students and parents in this community. See below for details and thank you in advance for your attendance and support.
Year 12
Parent Information Evening (Face to Face)
Tuesday 09 February from 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Years 8 & 9
Parent Information Evening (Virtual)
Monday 15 February at 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Years 10 & 11
Parent Information Evening (Virtual)
Wednesday 24 February at 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Year 7
Parent Information Evening (Face to Face)
Tuesday 02 March from 5:00pm – 6:00pm
YEAR 12 CAMP
I heard very favourable reports about the Year 12 Camp this week at Phillip Island and I congratulate all of our Year 12s for their respect, dedication, commitment and positive attitude. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Senior School Team, Mr Hudd, Mrs James, Mr Blackmore, Ms Felmingham, Mr Noble and Ms Etcell and all the staff who eagerly participated in the organisation of a very successful camp. I hope it is the beginning of a very rewarding year where incredible success eventuates. Most of all I hope the students feel a strong sense of belonging to their school.
I wish all the Year 12 students the very best in their endeavours and look forward to sharing in their success.
TOP CLASS MUSIC 2021
Congratulations to Joshua Sacks (Class of 2020) who has been invited to audition for Top Class Music. This audition will determine if Joshua will showcase his work in the 2021 Top Class Music Concern to be held on Tuesday 30 March. Well done Joshua for your wonderful achievement.
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Nomination forms for the School Council elections are now available from the General Office. Included in this newsletter is a link you can access which explains our School Council Elections. Nominations are being called for 1 parent member, 1 School employee member and 1 Student member. Nomination forms are available from the General Office. Anyone with any queries regarding School Council Elections are welcome to contact me at school. Closing date for the return of nomination forms is Friday 19 February at 4:00pm.
SECONDARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT PRIVACY COLLECTION STATEMENT
(PRIVACY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS)
During the ordinary course of your child’s attendance at our school, school staff will collect your child’s personal and health information when necessary to educate your child, or to support your child’s social and emotional wellbeing or health. Such information will also be collected when required to fulfil a legal obligation, including duty of care, anti-discrimination law and occupational health and safety law. If that information is not collected, the school may be unable to provide optimal education or support to your child, or fulfil those legal obligations.
For example, health information may be collected through the school nurse or wellbeing staff member. If your child is referred to a specific health service at school, such as a Student Support Service Officer, or school-engaged psychologist, the required consent will be obtained.
Our school may use online tools, such as apps and other software, to effectively collect and manage information about your child for teaching and learning purposes, parent communication and engagement; student administration; and school management purposes. When our school uses these online tools, we take steps to ensure that your child’s information is secure. If you have any concerns about the use of these online tools, please contact us.
School staff will only share your child’s personal or health information with other staff who need to know to enable the school to educate or support your child, or fulfil a legal obligation.
When our students transfer to another Victorian government school, personal and health information about that student will be transferred to that next school. Transferring this information is in the best interest of our students and assists that next school to provide optimal education and support to students.
In some limited circumstances, information may be disclosed outside of the school (and outside of the Department of Education and Training). The school will seek your consent for such disclosures unless the disclosure is allowed or mandated by law
Our school values the privacy of every person. When collecting and managing personal and health information, all school staff must comply with Victorian privacy law. For more information about privacy including about how to access personal and health information held by the school about you or your child, see our school’s privacy policy:
https://www.eduation.vic.gov.au/Pages/schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx
Throughout this notice, ‘staff’ includes principals, teachers, Student Support Service officers, youth workers, social workers, nurses and any other allied health practitioners and all other staff at our school. This includes employees, agents and service providers of the Department, whether paid of unpaid.
PUNCTUALITY
All students should arrive at school by 8:30am to give themselves enough time to be organised for an 8:50am start. Lateness is considered a lack of respect and it impacts negatively on the good order of our school. Please assist us to ensure everyone is prompt each and every day.
Parents should nominate a drop off and pick up point with their children outside the school buildings. The school reception foyer can become very congested during the day and is not the place to meet your child after school.
TRAFFIC – SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS
I would also like to remind all parents to be careful when driving along McKinnon Road. It is very congested and at times dangerous. Please be aware of street signs and adhere to road rules. Parents are being booked daily by parking officers from Glen Eira Council.
The school car park must also not be accessed by parents during school hours.
The speed limit is always 40km per hour along McKinnon Road and U-turns are not allowed. We have many students riding bikes so please be careful parking and opening doors.
Thank you once again for allowing me the privilege of continuing to serve this community. We will endeavour to do all we can to ensure this important time in your child’s life is rewarding, engaging and prepares them for success and happiness.
I look forward to seeing everyone throughout the year.