CLASS OF 2018

A most amazing Valedictory dinner was held at the Crown Palladium on Wednesday 24 October and 900 parents, staff and students were in attendance. Congratulations to the Year 12 Class of 2018 for a most wonderful evening of celebration!

I applaud their efforts and thank the parents and staff who were in attendance to join with us in recognising their achievements.

The Valedictorian this year was Bryn Ayres who reflected on a real love of his school and has grown into a confident, respectful young man!

I was absolutely delighted to receive a generous gift donated by the Year level of $1200 for State Schools Relief in my name. This thoughtful act really does reflect the cohort. They really have been a most respectful, kind and appreciative group.

They deserve success and happiness.

Thank you to Mr Hudd, Ms Andrieux, Ms Cozens and Mr Noble for organising this wonderful event.

EXAMINATIONS HAVE BEGUN

Our exam period began this week with the Year 12 English paper being sat on Wednesday 31 October. Although stressful I know the year level will do their best.

A story on Wednesday about our four sets of twins was in the Herald Sun and the link is below. Another nice note for the year level.

http://www.mediaportal.com/0zs1246173550

I wish all the students undertaking exams all the best.

MIPS INTERVIEWS

Course interviews are being conducted and I take this opportunity to thank the Careers and Student Management teams. These conversations give the opportunity to recognize student’s strengths and achievements and confirm a course where they may experience success in their schooling years.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

In recent weeks I have spent much time with parents dealing with some issues about students and I wanted to acknowledge and thank parents for their support. It is this strong partnership that truly is the magical ingredient for success at McKinnon.

It is difficult to raise a child and teenagers present challenges and are by nature risk takers. Their brains are not fully developed so they do not think through consequences or risks. They want to have fun and sometimes things turn out not as expected so please know that it is a normal thing for good kids to sometimes make bad choices.

Together parents and school staff will continue to educate, guide and influence these young people to always be respectful, have integrity and be their best selves!

I thank parents for their incredible support and we love being in the lives of their children and take this responsibility seriously and with pride.

YEAR 8 CAMP

Another successful camp where staff and students enjoyed a few days at Rawson Village completing challenges and building the invaluable strong relationships that serve all well going forward.

I thank the Year 8 Student Managers Mr Cukierman, Ms O’Brien, Ms Douglas and Mr Quinn, Head of Junior School, for their efforts in organising this invaluable experience. I also thank and acknowledge the many staff who attended and gave their time to make it all possible.

THISTLELONIAN REUNION

Another very successful reunion was held last Saturday night that brought together current McKinnon staff, past members and students from Classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2013.

It is joyful to see these people reconnect.

A tour was organised and they were so impressed with our facilities.

Thank you to the Thistleonian Committee, Geoff Woolnough, Melanie Lynch, Andrew Newton, Pam Dickfos and Jenny Cooke, Ian Jackson, Andrew Newton, Eddie Mest, Les McLeod, Jason Evans, Michael Kan, Lachlan Noble, Richard Long, Andrew Krause, Nick Xanthoudakis, Matthew Shaw, Marie Landini, Helen Naylor, Tania Burnell, Raelene Evans and all the volunteers who attended to make it possible. Our value of community was indeed celebrated on this occasion.

BENTLEIGH RSL

Once again a generous donation was provide by the Bentleigh RSL as a scholarship for Music students in honour of Perc Brierley an ex-student. I thank the Bentleigh RSL for the difference they make to the lives of children in our school.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Nicholas Karamihos (Year 9) who has been selected to the Sandringham Dragons. This is where many are recruited to the AFL. We wish Nick all the very best in his endeavours. Well done!

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Amit Samuni (Year 11) for his outstanding achievement in the 2018 Australian Science Olympiad Exam. I am delighted to report that based on his marvellous performance Amit will be attending the 2019 Australian Science Olympiads Summer School. This is a wonderful achievement and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavours. Well done Amit!

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Will Hardy (Year 12) who won both the Major Prize and the Audience Choice Award after a wonderful performance on recorders at the 3MBS Freemasons Victoria Young Performer Award on 20 and 21 October. He will now be representing Victoria in the 2018 National Young Virtuoso Award on 25 November in Brisbane. This is a marvellous achievement and we wish Will all the very best in this endeavour.