PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to all staff, students, parents and a special welcome to our new families. I hope 2014 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 2013

Congratulations to our Class of 2013 for their outstanding results. Once again McKinnon was one of the top co-educational, non-selective schools in the State.

100% of our students were successful in attaining their VCE.
Our dux – two students achieved an ATAR of 99.85.
30.1% of our students were ranked in the top 10% of the State.
124 achieved an ATAR above 80.
65% of all Year 12’s were ranked in the top 30% of the State.
17% of study scores were above 40 and there were 13 perfect 50’s.
244 applied for a tertiary place and 97.5% have received a round one offer so far!

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

COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

McKinnon Secondary College became a Member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) in 2013 and we are seeking to become internationally accredited over the next 15 months. I see this process as a clear structure for continuous improvement for our already very good school.

Mr Hughes is the co-ordinator of this process and we thank him and wish him well in driving this improvement.

NEW STAFF

This year we fondly welcome 13 new staff members to our College:

Mr Phil DeSalvo – Physical Education

Mr Mark Drummond – Biology/Science

Mr Greg Exell – Mathematics

Mrs Kate Jobson – Business Management

Mr Joshua Kamener – German

Mr Paul King – Physical Education

Ms Chloe Krommydas – Mathematics

Ms Lauren Mauger – Mathematics

Mr John Rorke – English/Business Management

Mr Dmitry Serebrianik – Instrumental Music

Ms Fiona Wallis – Science

Ms Sarah Wills – Mathematics

and

Ms Janette Sulemanovski - AFL Trainee

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

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Nomination Forms 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 5 parent representatives and 2 DEECD 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.

All Information Evenings will be held in the School Assembly Hall.

Year 7 Parents meet the Principal

12 February at 2:00 – 3:30pm

Year 12 Parent Evening

12 February at 7:00pm

Year 11 Parent Information Evening 17 February at 7:00pm

Year 9 Parent Information Evening 20 February at 7:00pm

Year 10 Parent Information Evening 24 February at 7:00pm

Year 8 Parent Information Evening 27 February at 7:00pm

Year 7 Parent Information Evening 11 March at 5:30pm

YEAR 12 CAMP

I had the good fortune to attend the Year 12 Camp last week at Phillip Island and I congratulate all of our Year 12s for their respect, dedication, commitment and positive attitude. An exceptional tone and it was a privilege to be there! 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 will be optional if the weather forecast is 25°C or above. The school jumper is also not required under the blazer in terms 1 and 4.

BUT for all other days it is compulsory for all students in Years 7 - 10 to wear their blazer to and from school and at school if they wish. (In terms 2 and 3 it will be compulsory every day and their school jumper will also be required).

The VCE school uniform policy has not changed. They have a choice to wear a blazer or their bomber jackets. It is a requirement for senior students to wear their bomber jackets or blazers on the way to and from school each and every day unless the temperature forecast is 25°C or above.

Again I thank parents for their support in implementing school policy. Any one 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.

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.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS

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

A number of students were issued with transport infringement penalties last year across the State.

Students must have a valid student concession card and a valid student pass. Students must touch on with their Myki card every time they travel – even if they have a valid student pass.

Students who have a student pass, or who are over 16 years of age, must also carry their concession card at all times whilst travelling. Without a concession card their student pass is not valid. Application forms for the Public Transport Concession Card and Student Pass are available from our General Office and manned stations.

AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS

It was great to see the Bhargave family featured on the front page of the Bentleigh Leader last week as they became Australian Citizens in the Glen Eira Council’s Citizenship Ceremony. Sharda and Shubham have been wonderful members of the McKinnon Community and we wish them continued success.

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.

SENIOR SCHOOL

2014 SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Nick Parkinson & Rachel Walker

2014 SCHOOL VICE CAPTAINS

Ainslie Ponsford & Georgia Riordon

2014 MUSIC HOUSE CAPTAINS

FLYNN

Captains: Nick Parkinson & Alex Samulenok

Vice Captains: Emile Groud & Rachel Walker

GILMORE

Captains: Connor Dariol & Morgan Dooley-Axup

Vice Captains: George Charters & Ruby Willis

MONASH

Captains: Michael Aguilera & Lori Spilkin

Vice Captains: Daniel Loader & Sophie Higham

CHISHOLM

Captains: Peter Cho & Mia Singh

Vice Captains: Matthias Lamech & Seika Chen

2014 SPORT HOUSE CAPTAINS

FLYNN

Captains: James Landman & Phoebe Parker

Vice Captains: Liam Adlington & Nadia Elkin

GILMORE

Captains: Ainslie Ponsford & Hayley Barnes

Vice Captains: Ben Hardwick & Madi Colla

MONASH

Captains: Marcus La Greca & Jessica Kroumer

Vice Captains: Jonty Sharman-Smith & Sophie Higham

CHISHOLM

Captains: Antonie Van Zyl & Ashleigh Haw

Vice Captains: Darcy Taig & Amy Bismire

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.

Pitsa Binnion

Principal