PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

VCE ORIENTATION

Congratulations to Mr Noble, the Senior School Management Team and VCE teachers on running a very successful Orientation Program for our Senior School for 2019.

Students were given course outlines and a very good understanding of the course requirements for next year.  They all worked very well and I hope they cope with all the set homework.  All work is available on the VCE orientation google site.  More importantly I hope they enjoy the learning next year and thrive both academically and socially.

TRANSITION

On Tuesday 11 December over 406 Grade 6 students descended upon us for the start of the transition program. It was a day of orientation and information but also a chance to instil excitement about the journey ahead.  Every child is unique with his or her own special personality, qualities and skills that we aim to nurture and develop.

Transition is all about change. Our new Year 7s will be exposed to different perspectives on the world they live in. Many will find this exciting and respond to the challenge of examining their own perspective in the light of alternative viewpoints. Some will find the transition to secondary school difficult, even intimidating. We will do all in our power to ensure that every one of our new students becomes inspired at the possibilities that new learning opens up for them. We will also make sure that parents successfully navigate this change along with their children.

As well as offering exciting opportunities in teaching and learning, McKinnon Secondary College has expectations of both parents and our new Year 7s. Our behaviour as global citizens is integral to the success of our academic program.  

PEER SUPPORT

Our 2019 Peer Support Leaders have been selected from a large number of possible candidates. Year 10 students immersed themselves wholeheartedly into the Peer Support training program. I congratulate those selected and wish them well with the very important role they play in assisting our new students’ transition into our school.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Ms Fiona Wallis for coordinating this critically important program.

The following are our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders for 2019:

Timothy Cheng, Phoebe Ho, Tomer Singer, Emma Langley, Tamanna Sharma, Liming Yang, Genevieve O'Brien, Coco Greenberg, Nina Lopez, Clare Wever, Ben Sams, Annalie Grima, Stephanie Goldenberg, Ethan Shapiro, Jarryn Berger, Varshnaavahene BSM, Niki Shulev, Jeremy Zhou, Steven Li, Ethan Lazarus, Patrick Cropper, Jarryd Harris, Darcie Harper, Aleksandra Petrovska, Coco Parker, Erisha Tayal, Nick Paizis, George Dimitrakas, Sophie Roberts, Sophie Sakurai, Nicholas Howe, Moran Vernik, Thomas McGlone, Tash Johnson, Chantelle Hay, Emma Farrell, Keisha Harcourt, Henry Zhou, Richard Zhang, Olivia Dunn, Stella Panozzo, Kitty Connolly, Isaac Wilson, Misha Svyatitskiy, Sonja Pitt, Ruby Frost, Floyd Oakley, Yanni Kontos, Ella Hayat, Doris Feng, Tayla Fischer, Eliana Min Fa, Dylan Clifford, Skyla Isaacs, Mary Christofis, Josie Green, Kya Kahan-Taylor, Alex Kraus, Jedd Stein, Oliver Lopez, Nicola Karavendzas, Kun Liu, Elise O'Donnell, Stav Modelevich, Mia Borowitz, Jack Middleton, Roisin Lyon, Jeffrey Chum, Isobel Stein-Fooks, Lachlan George, Joshua Sacks, Sarsha van Denderen, Yifan Yang, Harry Fletcher, Thanh Trung Tran, Phoebe Lock, Ella Smith, Sam Gorley, Will Sharp, Camille Meric, Jessica Salisbury, Ken Wong, Aliyah Mink, Remi van Denderen, Audrey Sguario, Kaitlin Foldvari, Mina Aziz, Natalie Skobtchenko, David Hantzopoulos, James Liao, Oscar Yuen, Patrick Mullane, Annissa Koletsas, Elle Angelopoulos, Kalia Torcasio, Caleb Gering, Talia Raman, Killian Ford and Samantha Toler.

JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSIC CONCERT

Congratulations to all the staff and students involved in the Junior School Music Concert which was held last Thursday 6 December in the School Hall. The standard of music was exceptional.

The growth and development that has occurred in our student’s musical learning over a very short period of time is outstanding. I would like to particularly acknowledge the efforts of our very talented Music staff – their passion, commitment and dedication allows all students to thrive.

Thank you to all parents, grandparents and friends who attended to offer support and encouragement.

I hope all the children continue to enjoy their music and pursue their talents.

FRENCH EXCHANGE

On Thursday 29 January, Ms Dickson, Ms Antal and I chaperoned twenty-two students and flew to Cannes and Nice, France to take part in the second stage of the French Exchange Program. After hosting their exchange partners earlier in the year, the students are very excited to live life in France, be part of a family and a school community. They will spend four weeks with their French families: two weeks of school and two weeks of holidays. During the school weeks, they will attend classes, help out with English lessons and go on excursions. Students will return on Sunday 23 December.  We look forward to hearing all about what they have learnt, shared and experienced.

THISTLE MAGAZINE

We have had published a most impressive Year Book that truly captures the 2018 year.  It is a celebration of a tremendous year of activity and I thank all the staff and students who made it all possible.

The Thistle was produced by Mr Andrew Krause and Mr Adrian D’Ambra.  I thank them for putting together such a wonderful ‘keepsake’ with many memories captured for students, staff and parents.

MONASH HEALTH FOUNDATION

I received a lovely letter of thanks from Monash Health Foundation thanking us very much for our incredible fundraising efforts on behalf of Monash Children’s Hospital and I quote: 

“On behalf of every child and family at Monash Children’s Hospital – thank you for your thoughtful and generous support.  Thank you so much, we are so grateful.”

They are so thankful for the generous support and hard work through the Run McK Relay event.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY - THANK YOU

I received a message today from the Glen Eira Leisure Centre complementing our students on their behaviour.  The message is as follows:

“Hi James,

Thank you very much for your support and your students. They were great ambassadors for McKinnon Secondary and the quality of the young people you are educating.

They were the best group of inclusive support students that we have had attend the event and I am sure that they learnt some valuable life lessons from volunteering.

On a personal note you were fantastic volunteering to do jobs without even being asked from directing wheelchair traffic to carrying out gymnastic equipment. I really appreciate the effort you put in to the day.

Can you please pass on your principal’s email or forward this email, because I just want them to know what an incredible job you and the students did.

Thanks again.”

I would like to acknowledge Mr Bridges and the students involved for their wonderful attitude and for being great ambassadors for this community.

END OF YEAR

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families the very best for the holiday season.  

Thank you for your kindness and support throughout the year.

I’d like to also thank the staff for their great work and the difference they have made and I look forward to the safe return of our entire school community in 2019.

Pitsa Binnion

Principal