WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to all staff, students, parents and a special welcome to our new families. I hope 2016 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.

I also acknowledge and thank the Year 12s for one of the best camps ever held.

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.

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 and also they read the newsletter and keep informed and up to date with all events.

They also assist students to be organised, punctual and in full uniform.

This all contributes to student success and building strong relationships, and I thank you for your efforts.

Secondary schooling years are indeed difficult and challenging, but working together ensures the best for the parents and staff. Working together brings about the best outcomes for all the children in our care.

These respectful relationships are indeed part of the McKinnon Magic to which I often refer!

VCE CLASS OF 2015

Congratulations to our Class of 2015 for their outstanding results. Once again McKinnon was one of the top co-educational, non-selective schools in the State.

278 students completed Year 12 and applied to VTAC
92% received a university place
8% received a TAFE place
and of course you will recall - 15% of all study scores were over 40
9 perfect 50’s and 28% of students achieved an ATAR over 90
50% over 80

I congratulate all students, staff and parents for these wonderful achievements. Our strong partnership ensures the best educational outcomes can be achieved.

NEW STAFF

This year we fondly welcome new staff members to our College:

Melissa Brush - English Faculty

Daniel Casey - Languages

Belinda Crowe - English

Chloe Di Francesca-Mayot - Languages

Peter Eglezos - Art

Sam Florence - English

Shirley Munro - Technology

Matthew Shaw - History

Joshua Verlin - Business Management

Dean Marsh - History

Katerina Fonaris - Integration

We also warmly welcome returning staff:

Jon Stevenson, Emily Condell and Sue Gamble.

I hope they find their work with our community professionally rewarding.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Nomination Forms for the School Council 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 parent and DET representatives. Anyone with any queries regarding School Council Elections are welcome to contact me at school.

PARENT AFTERNOONS / EVENINGS

There are numerous information evenings and “get togethers” that will be held over the next few weeks. The Principal Class, Heads of Sub-schools, Student Managers and Teachers look forward to meeting as many parents as possible. 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.

I thank the Year 12 parents and the Year 7 parents who have already attended the first meetings and I look forward to seeing many parents at the next scheduled evenings.

Year 9 Parent Information Evening

Monday 15 February at 7:00pm

Year 11 Parent Information Evening

Thursday 18 February at 7:00pm

Year 10 Parent Information Evening

Wednesday 24 February at 7:00pm

Year 8 Parent Information Evening

Thursday 25 February at 7:00pm

Year 7 Parent Information Evening

Wednesday 2 March at 5:30pm

YEAR 12 CAMP

The Year 12 Camp was held last 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 Noble, Miss Felmingham and Mr Hudd 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.

I wish all the Year 12 students the very best in their endeavours.

UNIFORM

McKinnon is a full uniform school. We consider our students ambassadors for the College and expect all McKinnon students to wear their uniform with pride. All students in Year 7 to 10 are required to wear a blazer.

For terms 1 and 4 the blazer is optional – however it is the only outer garment permitted if the students want something warmer than their dress or shirt.

Again I thank parents for their support in implementing school policy. Anyone experiencing difficulties may contact the relevant Student Manager, Assistant Principals or myself.

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.

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.

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. Also, please do not park in front of local resident’s driveways.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS

Public Transport Victoria has written to me to ask that we communicate requirements to all students using public transport in Victoria.

All students aged 17 years and over, or those requiring a half yearly or yearly Student Pass (regardless of age) are required to obtain a 2016 Victorian Public Transport (VPT) Student Concession Card as proof of their concession entitlement.

The Victorian Student Pass provides travel for students on all metropolitan trains, trams and buses, all regional bus services and all V/Line train and coach services operating wholly within Victoria. The student Pass is issued on a myki.

The 2016 VPT Student Concession Card and/or Student Pass Application Form can be obtained from the General Office or from:

Metropolitan premium train stations
PTV Hubs (Southern Cross Station, Docklands, Geelong and Bendigo)
V/Line staffed stations and ticket agents
PTV Call centre 1800 800 007
Online at www.ptv.vic.gov.au

ACCIDENT INSURANCE / AMBULANCE COVER

The Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents/Guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs. Parents/Guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers.

PERSONAL PROPERTY INSURANCE

Personal property is often brought to school by students, staff and visitors. This can include mobile phones, iPods, electronic games, calculators, toys, musical instruments, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. The Department of Education does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Congratulations to all the Junior and Senior School Captains. Please find the Senior School leaders names below. Mr McLeod, Head of Junior School, has placed the names of the Junior School Captains in his report in the newsletter. All School leaders were presented with their badges at Assembly last Friday. We wish them well with their responsibilities.

2016 SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Bianca Pardo and Max Schepisi

2016 SCHOOL DEPUTY CAPTAINS

Sarah Andrew, Thomas Hourigan, Cassandra Semple and Matthew Wilkins

SRC PRESIDENT

Sarah Mullane

2016 SPORT HOUSE CAPTAINS

CHISHOLM

Captains: Tahlia Austin and Theo Papageorgiou

Deputy Captains: Maree Taig and James Hackett-Smith

FLYNN

Captains: Freya Parker and Joshua Dembo

Deputy Captains: Stephanie Adlington and Jack Strangio

GILMORE

Captains: Phoebe Ponsford and Jesse Maxfield

Deputy Captains:Alycia Alexiades and Aristotle Otis

MONASH

Captains: Caitlin Arneil and Thomas Stevenson

Deputy Captains: Mikaela Sharman-Smith and Cale Hirschman

2016 MUSIC HOUSE CAPTAINS

CHISHOLM

Captains: Honey Pedersen and Jason Pun

Deputy Captains: Yasmin Lamb-Tjahjono and Paul Poulios

FLYNN

Captains: Ella Zagroon and Chang Dae Yoo

Deputy Captains: Madeline Kellaway and Jordan Walters-Brown

GILMORE

Captains: Caitlin Cohen and Thomas Strudwick

Deputy Captains: Jessica Earls and Alexander Henry

MONASH

Captains: Catherine Flavell and Conrad Bria

Deputy Captains: Alina Wang and Jamie Morrissey

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 full of opportunities for personal success.

I look forward to seeing everyone throughout the year.

Pitsa Binnion

Principal

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