Principals' Report
Principal's Report
On behalf of the College staff I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes for the future to the Year 12 cohort of 2018. We are extremely proud of the excellent overall results which included some outstanding individual and subject scores. It is easy to be excited by very high individual ATARs and study scores, however, it is important to acknowledge and value each individual story. Some of the greatest accomplishments can be found in less heralded results. A combination of individual determination, support, compassion and encouragement by has allowed many to achieve a successful VCE outcome. Therefore, it is important to recognise the significant personal growth achieved by each of our students. Whilst the number can be quickly forgotten the journey is the triumph and should be remembered.
We look forward to hearing of our students’ tertiary and career pathways when the VTAC Course Offers are released in January.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of each of the staff members who contributed to the students’ journey through the College as well as the Senior Sub School team. The successful completion of VCE is a collective responsibility, which is the result of hard work and support by students, their families and friends in partnership with the College.
Congratulations to Jiwon Lee who is the Dux of the College with an ATAR of 99.65.
Alexandra Forman earned a perfect 50 in Further Mathematics also.
148 students completed their VCE with 99% Satisfactory Completion
142 achieved an ATAR, 6 students were unscored
23 students were awarded the VCE Baccalaureate
The Median Study Score = 32 (2017 = 31)
10.8% of study scores earned 40 or above (2017 = 8.94%, 2016 = 7.5%)
Median Study Score for Year 11 Students completing Unit 3/4 = 36
14 Students earned ATARS above 95 (9.5%) (2017 = 10, 7%)
26 Students earned ATARS above 90 (17.5%) (2017 = 22, 15%)
13 Studies/subjects achieved a Median study score of 32 or above. (2017 = 11)
With particular success for students studying all areas of Mathematics.
Specialist Maths = 36, Maths Methods = 35 Maths Further = 35
Legal Studies, Drama and Geography all achieved Median scores of 34
I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank all members of the School Council and PFA for their contributions and support of the College, our programs, our staff and students. I would particularly like to acknowledge Kyle Joustra for his commitment and expertise as our College Council President. He has been a tremendous support and passionate advocate for Koonung. The Bennie, Martin, Gerraty and Owens family are also finishing with us and have contributed enormously through their work with PFA and other committees.
Thank you also to our Student Leaders and Student representatives on School Council who have provided much appreciated student perspective to our meetings. Tom Shelley, Jasmine Wolridge and Chris Thomson have been active members of the committee and I wish them well in their future education. Eric Zou will continue in his student role next year and I look forward to the election of further representatives.
I would like to wish all of our families and staff a restful and safe Christmas and Happy New Year and thank you for your support of the College. To those families who are leaving us, I wish you all the best for the future. To our returning families, and those beginning with us in 2019, I look forward to a prosperous and productive year ahead.
Marianne Lee
Principal
Staff Update
As the 2018 school year draws to a close we sadly farewell the following staff who will not be with us in 2019:
Fiona Kyrkou (retiring), Mark Quinlan, Craig Canning, Mimi Chow, Bronwyn Hicks, Amanda Huang, Mario La Marca, Josh Pearce, Stuart Rowe and Jane Thornton. We thank each of these amazing people for their valuable contribution to Koonung Secondary College and wish them well in their future endeavours.
In addition Tory Nokes will be starting family leave and the following staff will be extending their Christmas break and taking Long service Leave in 2019:
Michael Kyrkou, Sian Taylor, Tony Sensi
Sandra Greenhill
Assistant principal
Mark Quinlan to head Box Hill Senior Secondary College as Acting Principal
This week we were notified of some very exciting news, Mark Quinlan has secured the role of Acting Principal for 2019 at Box Hill Senior. Mark was Acting Principal at Sherbrooke Community School at the end of 2017 and he has been Assistant Principal at Koonung for 5 years. Mark has had a significant impact on the learning outcomes of so many of our students, his passion for teaching and learning and ensuring that all students have an opportunity to flourish in a supportive environment are key characteristics that we are sure he will take with him into this new role. Mark will be missed in 2019, however, he will be literally "just up the road".
The end of an era - farewell Fiona Kyrkou
It is appropriate to acknowledge Fiona Kyrkou and her esteemed career in Education. The class of 2018 will be Fiona’s last group of students as she will retire at the end of the year. Fiona has provided exceptional care for many students during her long and distinguished career. Thank you Fiona for your hard work and dedication to the staff, students and parents of Koonung Secondary College. Fiona is looking forward to new life challenges and opportunities. We will miss her expertise both in the classroom and in the Senior Centre.
Marianne Lee
Principal
With the last of her four children finishing at Koonung, Cath Bennie reflects....
Hi to the Koonung community,
I’ve been asked to write down a few reflections on my time at Koonung from a parent perspective. For the last thirteen years, my family has experienced many positive changes to the school; a new science and food technology precinct; improvements to buildings and grounds;
new subjects, camps and overseas trips; clubs, and endless learning opportunities for students, along with many opportunities for personal development across the Arts, Sport, and extra curricular activities. We have appreciated the leadership of four wonderful Principals, and the contributions of many outstanding teachers. I have watched the PFA representation of the school become fully engaged in supporting the parent body and staff and enriching the school community. As well as change and improvement, there have been aspects of Koonung that remain the same:
- the warm and inclusive atmosphere that we experienced on our first school visit that convinced us that it was the right school for us, still remains.
- the dedication of teachers to go the extra mile with extra help, attention and encouragement, ( especially in Year 12) , is still an asset .
- the opportunity to “ have a go “ and join in is still available to every student, regardless. The relationship between the teacher the student and the parent is still highly valued and positive.
Koonung has given my four children a lot more than just an academic education. It has also been a wonderful, inclusive and positive community to be part of.
I have been so enriched by my involvement at Koonung as a parent and I wish you every success in the future. You are in good hands.
Cath Bennie