PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

ART SHOW

The Opening Night and Award Ceremony for the Annual Art Show was held on Thursday 7 November, 2019. The standard of work was very impressive and reflected the great creative and artistic talent of our students and staff.

I would like to acknowledge Ms Helen Kuriata who, together with her staff, has coordinated such an impressive event. The support and encouragement from parents, grandparents, teachers and friends is greatly valued and appreciated.  

Congratulations to the Award winners and to all students whose contributions of work made it such a success. This is a showcase event that truly brings our community together!

EXAMINATIONS

Year 12 examinations are well under way and I thank the students for their dedication and commitment.

Year 11 exams commenced on Wednesday 13 November, Year 10 exams will commence on Wednesday 20 November and Year 9 exams will commence on Thursday 28 November.

These weeks are difficult and students feel overwhelmed but consistent effort, motivation and revision will assist them to be prepared and achieve their personal best.

PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION

Continuous improvement has always been part of the way we do business at McKinnon.  

Staff, students and parents always reflect on data sets and through careful analysis we work to identify possible areas for improvement.

I am so proud of our teachers for their professionalism and collaboration.

Their commitment to doing their best for the students in our care never ceases to amaze me.

DEBATING

McKinnon has once again hosted the Junior School Debating program run by the Debaters Association of Victoria involving keen students from Years 7 and 8.

The program is designed to provide training in the basic skills and structure of debating whilst also giving students an opportunity to participate in three friendly inter-school debates. We had participants from Caulfield Grammar, Xavier College, Beth Rivkah and Our Lady of Sacred Heart.

The program involves introductory training, a skills workshop, a demonstration debate by the adjudicators, rebuttal seminars and extended adjudication in the final round.

I would like to acknowledge Ms Fusun Ozcagli and Miss Rachel Walker for this wonderful opportunity to extend our students’ skills and talents. 

REMEMBRANCE DAY 

Mr Quinn was accompanied by Year 9 students, Louisa D’Ambra, Sophia Diegelmann, Alice Connolly, Arjun Jivanjee and Drew Thompson to the Bentleigh RSL Cenotaph on Monday 11 November for the Remembrance Day ceremony. 

McKinnon was also represented by the Music Department with Lewis Barclay (Year 9), Sonya Mikhaylova (Year 10), Adam Pacak (Year 10) and Daniel Rumanovsky (Year 9) accompanying our singers, Grace James (Year 10) and James Vassiliou (Year 10).  

I received a very nice letter from Mr Warrick McDonald, President of the Bentleigh RSL who said:

”Dear Pitsa

Once again I would sincerely like to thank you and Martin West for organizing your students to participate in our Commemorative Service.

The McKinnon Secondary College Saxophone Quartet and vocalists Grace James and James Vassiliou did an amazing job.  Our Members and Guests are very much appreciative of the student’s participation”.

Congratulations to all involved.

FAREWELL – Mr Sigi Siegreich

It was with great sadness that I received the news that Mr Sigi Siegreich passed away.  I would like to express our condolences to his family on behalf of McKinnon Secondary College. Mr Siegreich made an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the Holocaust with his inspiring story of survival. Our students were truly blessed to receive his first-hand account.  He will be greatly missed.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Chloe James (Year 12) who was invited to perform at the “Groove & Graze” event held on Saturday 26 October at Halley Park Bentleigh. Her backup group comprised Michael Birkett (Year 12) on keyboards, Josh Sacks (Year 11) on Bass and Grace James (Year 10) on drums. Three cover songs were performed as well as five originals written and arranged by Chloe. They did a fantastic job and their performance was well received. Chloe has been asked to perform again at a “Party in the Park” event in January. 

Well done to all for being such wonderful ambassadors for their school.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations Clare Wever (Year 11) who has been chosen for the role of Melbourne Choir Leader for the Australian Girls Choir in 2020. This is the most senior role in the Australian Girls Choir and a huge accolade for Clare. She is also the recipient of the Jean Oliver Memorial Scholarship for Choir Leader, reflective of her hard work and many achievements with the choir over the past eight years. This is a marvellous achievement for Clare. Well done!

In the Australian Girls Choirs 35 year history, two McKinnon Secondary College students have held the prestigious role of Choir Leader – Samantha Andrew was Choir Leader in 2013 and now Clare Wever in 2020. Chloe James (Year 12) who was the Choirs Melbourne Dance Leader for 2019. 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations Alyssa Nikolakopoulos (Year 9) whose story has been shortlisted for the 2019 Insight Creative Writing Competition. Her entry was one of the top seven in Year 9 out of hundreds of entries received across all year levels well done!

The winners from each year level will be announced and presented with their prizes by an award winning judging panel at the 2019 Insight Creative Writing Competition Awards Ceremony on 12 December, 2019

Well done Alyssa, this is a marvellous achievement.

WEARING OF HATS AT SCHOOL

We have had a number of queries from parents regarding the school hat. It is a requirement to wear the school hat during any sport class.  It is also recommended for students to wear the school hat during morning break and lunchtime during the hot weather.

Also ALL students must be in full school summer uniform.