PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

JUNIOR ART SHOW 

The Junior Art Show opened on Monday afternoon celebrating the incredible creativity and achievements of our Years 7, 8, and 9 students. The event brought our school community together in a display of artistic talent, with parents, families, friends, and staff filling the space to admire and engage with the students' impressive work.

We were honored to have Katie Zhou, a McKinnon alumna and now an accomplished independent designer and illustrator, officially open the show. Katie shared her fond memories as a McKinnon student and offered invaluable advice to inspire and motivate our students as they continue their artistic journeys. 

Congratulations to all the students whose work was exhibited, seeing the student work displayed at our Junior Show is one of the opportunities I look forward to every year! Events like the Art Show are a cherished tradition at McKinnon, marking the end of the year with community celebration and appreciation of our students' work. I can’t wait to see many of these outstanding pieces displayed around our campus as a testament to our student’s talents!

Thank you to our head of Visual Arts, Peter Eglezos, and our dedicated art teachers for their guidance and encouragement, as well as to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success. Thank you, as well to our student helpers who volunteered their time to help serve food and coordinate the event. Thank you to April Thomas (Year 7), Audrey Gelberg (Year 10), Stella Thakrar (Year 8), Aroush Shariq (Year 8), Shivani Kumaran (Year 8), Riya Saini (Year 8), Tanvi Lanka (Year 8) and Stefania Trapetsa (Year 8). 

EXAMS

Well done to our Years 9, 10 and 11 students who undertook their end of semester exams last week at the McKinnon Rd Campus. These exams are an important part of understanding areas of strength and areas for improvement as well as allowing students to reflect on their results and achievements. This was our Year 9 students first experience of exam conditions, and they conducted themselves with maturity throughout both Numeracy and Literacy exams.

DAY OF THE DEAD

It was a sensational experience for the McKinnon Year 7 students of Spanish to participate in the Día de los Muertos incursion at the Road Campus last Wednesday. The students immersed themselves in the vibrant traditions, music, dance and history of this significant cultural celebration, engaged in creative activities, and explored the Spanish language in a fun and interactive setting outside the classroom.

Thank you to the Spanish Language Team for organising this cultural incursion and to all the staff who contributed to making the event a memorable experience for the learners.

VCE ORIENTATION

Thank you to Ms Felmingham and the senior team for organising the VCE Orientation week.

During this important week, students spend the week engaging themselves with learning and understanding VCE expectations. I know teachers have provided students with work to ensure a very successful 2025 program.

END OF YEAR MUSIC CONCERT PERFORMANCES

It has been fantastic to see the musical development of the students over the past 12 months. The work from all of the Instrumental music team, staff and students alike, was brilliantly on display at the two end of year performances: East Campus celebrating their growth and success on Tuesday 19 November that included Year 8 Strings, Year 8 Extension Strings, Year 8 Bands, Keenan Strings, Ovenden Band, East Choir, World Music Ensemble and the Junior Stage Band; and the Junior Concert where the Year 7 Strings, Year 7 Bands, Junior Singers, Year 7 Percussion and the Intermediate Stage performed on Thursday 28 November. 

Thank you to all the parents and friends who came and supported their students, and to the MAV team for their ongoing work with the Performing Arts team.

STATE FINALS

Congratulations to our sporting teams for representing McKinnon Secondary College at the State Finals over the past two weeks.

• Year 8 Boys Tennis: State Champions
• Year 7 Girls Hockey: State Runners Up
• Year 7 Boys Tennis: State Runners Up
• Year 8 Boys Volleyball: State Runners Up
• Inter Girls Cricket: State Runners Up
• Year 7 Girls Tennis: State Finalists
• Year 7 Softball: State Finalists
• Year 8 Baseball: State Finalists
• Year 8 Girls Tennis: State Finalists

We are all very proud of their performances and sportsmanship throughout the year. To read the full sporting report, visit the Sport News - State Finals page.

LUKE KENNEDY

Congratulations to Year 12 student Luke Kennedy who was drafted to the Western Bulldogs with Pick 62 in the 2024 AFL Draft!  Luke is Chisholm House Captain and is an exemplary leader within the school community.

He is a defensive and speedy midfielder who was part of the U18 premiership-winning Sandringham Dragons team this year. He won a senior best-and-fairest at Ormond as a 16-year-old and placed second in the Sandringham Dragons’ count this season, along with winning the Fierce Dragon Award.

This is such an exciting time for Luke and his family, and we look forward to watching his sporting journey in 2025!