PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

NAPLAN

2023 NAPLAN results are expected to be sent to the school this week and we will be posting them out to parents/carers next week. This will include information that explains how to read the report as well as a brochure explaining the 2023 NAPLAN reporting reforms.

There are changes to the way that NAPLAN data will be reported. Proficiency standards with 4 levels of achievement have replaced the 10 reporting bands and national minimum standards that were in place since 2008. Please refer to the Assistant Principals’ report for more details of these changes.

NAIDOC WEEK 

The first week of July was NAIDOC Week, an important celebration of Australia's First Nations people. McKinnon Secondary College is a proud advocate for Indigenous Australia, working hard to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and understanding across curriculum and school life though the Marrung Education Plan and the Department of Education. 

Both Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week are important events within the school calendar and continue to support intercultural understanding and respect for the oldest continuous culture on Earth.

REFUGEE WEEK 

The last week of Term 2, we celebrated Refugee Week to promote greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face, and the contributions refugees are making to the Australian community. Daily newsfeed posts were sent to students and staff during this week to educate us all about this global issue. The highlight of the week was a story of our own, Mark Soloviov, who is a Ukrainian refugee at our school.

Thank you to Mark who volunteered his story which touched all that attended his lunchtime talk during this week. Students and staff were also encouraged to volunteer, create or advocate to support refugees worldwide.

Thank you to Andrea Fowler for driving and coordinating Refugee Week.

YEAR 12 TRIVIA

Last term, we held the fourth (and most successful) Annual Year 12 Trivia Night. 

The ‘dance battle’ was fantastic - congratulations to Ari Goldenberg, and congratulations also to the best dressed - The Injustice Brotherhood who were absolutely hilarious and worst dressed - the staff team.

The winning trivia team? Well done to - Dads.

The organising committee worked tirelessly, and I thank: Victoria Polites, Valeria Camacho Acevedo, Tarkyn Isaacs, Bianca Sguario, Oliver Ledger, Om Wadhwa, Mabel Green, Mika Watanabe, Maggie Zhou, Thomas Wever, Greg Kurani, Ewan Daly, Annabelle Marsden, Lola Vaysman and Hadyn Collier. I also thank 'the men in black' for their efforts. The sense of community and celebration was evident. 

Thank you to all the staff in attendance: Myles Kelemen, Charlotte Douglas, Peter Hunt, Brock Lynch, Sofija Plavsic, Kylie Andrews, Natalie Same, Shane Papatolicas, David Dick, Lauren Maserow, Sam Florence, Cedric Chamontin, Nat Little, Kat Johnstone, David Machin, Nat Wood, Alistair McCooke, Chris Hudd, Helen James, Dan Blackmore, Kellie Felmingham, Michael Birkett and Caleb Goldwaser.

JUNIOR CONCERT

The Junior Concert on the last Wednesday of Term 2 was a wonderful evening of music celebration where our youngest musicians demonstrated their hard work and dedication.

The combined Year 7 Concert Band, conducted by Mr West and Ms Russo as well as combined String Ensemble, conducted by Mr Lee, performed beautifully. 

The Junior Choir, directed by Ms West, added depth to the performance with their harmonies and dynamics, while the Junior Stage Band’s performance, under direction of Mr Serebrianik, was impressive, with strong solos and tight ensemble playing.

Overall, It was a wonderful evening of music, and we look forward to more performances from these talented young musicians in the near future. 

All McKinnon music staff are congratulated for their hard work and dedication and thank you to Mr Serebrianik for overseeing the event.

MEDIEVAL DAY 

Our Year 8 History classes dressed up at the end of last term and went back to Medieval times to participate in a day filled with incredible activities including bridge building, trivia and puzzles, and castle building to name a few.

Thank you to all the teachers involved: Ms Arneil, Mr Perry, Mr Gurry, Mr Pantelios, Mr Laskaridis, Ms Walker and Ms Ozcagli. Particular thanks to Mr Shaw who organised this enriching event. 

YEAR 12 MUSIC NIGHT 

Congratulations to our Year 12 Music students on a fantastic Music Night last term. The level of performances were at the highest standard. There was such a range and depth to all the pieces being performed. 

We are so proud of our Year 12 Music students, and the hard work they have shown. I'd like to thank all the students involved, the audio-visual team, the staff who attended and helped with the evening. Thank you also to friends and families who attended the event, for their continued support of our students. 

Special thanks to Andrew Albanis for coordinating this truly great event.

FUTURE SELF SEMINAR

With an eye on student agency, future pathways and connectedness, last term the Year 10 cohort had the opportunity to hear from a variety of young successful professionals from a variety of fields. A few of these guests were even former students. 

Each guest was paired with two Year 10 students who facilitated discussion with the guests and smaller groups from the cohort. The guests and leaders were as follows:

We are hopeful the cohort was receptive to the messages from our guests which were: follow your passion, work hard, be polite, open and courteous to others, and not being afraid to make a mistake! 

Thank you to Alistair McCooke for arranging this fantastic opportunity for our Year 10 students.

BASTILLE FESTIVAL 

We celebrated Bastille Day Festival at McKinnon last Friday 14 July with a host of entertaining and educational activities that were held to engage our students in the exploration of French culture, history, and traditions.

Congratulations to all students who participated and made the day a success. Thank you to Cedric Chamontin and the team of French teachers for organising this cultural event at McKinnon. 

YEAR 10 CAMP 

Last week, 250 Year 10 students travelled to Portsea for camp. They completed activities that included the flying fox, giant swing, high ropes, archery, orienteering, bush walking and beach activities. Other highlights included the taco bowl and souvlakis from the kitchen. They were very lucky with the incredible weather, no rain and blue skies every day! Overall, students represented McKinnon with aplomb, displaying exemplary teamwork, resilience and respect for the community.

I'd like to thank all of the staff who attended this event: 

Camp 1 - Kellie Felmingham, Krishna Fleming, David Machin, Myles Keleman, Dafina Spahiu, Hannah Sclarr, Sarah Mullane, Riley Price, Phoebe Ponsford and Molly McFarlane.

Camp 2 - Lachlan Noble, Natalie Same, Myles Keleman, Rekha Nayyar, James Bridges, Rachel Walker, Nick Gledhill and Eliza Portelli.

Special thanks to Kate Jobson who organised this event and led both camps.

VOCAL NIGHT 

On Tuesday 18 July we saw Vocal Night which showcases the talents of our many voice students across all year levels. The junior levels had group performances and this year we had two Year 12 singers with a band behind them. 

Performances included duets, including a sister duet between a Year 9 and a Year 12 student (Lucy and Mabel Green) and some self-accompanied items. 

The fabulous Year 12s showed off how much they have developed over the years. The grand finale was EVERYONE singing 'This Is Me' from the Greatest Showman. A truly tremendous performance. 

Thank you to Jacob Hollingsworth and Nick Xanthoudakis from the audio visual team and Caleb Goldwaser from the media team. I also thank music staff Clare Bugeja, Paschal Lee and Katarina Vrisk. Particular thanks to Blanka West for overseeing this entire night. Thank you to all the students, staff and parents/friends for your support of this lovely evening.

CROSS COUNTRY

McKinnon’s finest 15 runners headed out to beautiful Yarra Glen on Thursday 13 July to compete in the State Cross Country championships. 

There were some exceptional performances on the day and we are pleased to announce the following students who have won medals: 

• The 17-20 Girls team of Hannah Foran, Annabelle Sakurai, Caitlin Lyon, Keira Van der Linden and Gisele Hennequin won the Silver medal in the team event;
• The 15 Boys team of Luka Sideridis, Peter Tran, Benjamin Knoxand Benny Baldwin won the Bronze medal in the team event;
• Luka Sideridis of Year 9 won the Silver medal coming 2nd in the Boys 15 individual event.

We congratulate all the runners who competed on the day. To qualify to this level is an outstanding achievement in its own and we are proud of your efforts this year. Special thanks to Liam Adlington and Chris Hudd for coordinating this event.

WORLD INDOOR CRICKET

Congratulations to Year 8 student Harish Salwathura who has been selected in the Cricket Australia Under 16 Boys Indoor Cricket Team following his performance at the 2023 Indoor cricket National Championships. Harish will be travelling to Dubai for the World Indoor Cricket Federation Junior World Series in September/October.

We are so proud of your achievements, Harish, and look forward to hearing about your experiences.

2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Year 12 student Caitlin Lyon has received official communications that she will be a flag bearer at the Women's World Cup Matildas V Canada to be held in Melbourne on Monday July 31. You can read more about Caitlin’s success here. Congratulations Caitlin, we’ll all be watching!

NEW BEANIE AND BRIMMED HAT

There was a recent Compass post informing families that beanies and a new broad brimmed hat are now available to be purchased as uniform items.

The beanie is essentially part of the winter uniform and can be worn to and from school during terms 2 and 3.

The broad brimmed hat will be for the warmer months.