PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

FAREWELL CLASS OF 2025

This week our Year 12 students celebrated a number of events that mark the end of their schooling. This includes dress up day, the staff vs student dance off, the Year 12 Assembly and of course, culminating in the Valedictory dinner which was held at the Crown Casino Palladium last night.

I thank our Year 12 students for behaving so respectfully and for creating such fun and memorable moments.

It's always a pleasure to celebrate the Valedictory with the parents/carers of our Year 12 Students on this auspicious night. As we know, the connection between families and the school helps provide our students with the best possible combination of support, care and inspiration. 

Congratulations to everyone who helped arrange these celebrations and to all staff who have supported our Class of 2025. I wish you all the very best for your exams.

RESPECT WALK/FOOTY 

On Friday 12 September, our McK Respect Community Walk and Footy Match once again showcased the strength, compassion, and unity of our school community. Families, students, staff, alumni, community organisations, representatives from the Department of Education, and members of the Glen Eira Old McKinnon Football Club came together in a powerful show of support for respect and equality.

This year’s event reflected months of planning and collaboration. Our sincere thanks go to the McK Respect Staff Working Group, and to Ben Reid and Patty Etcell for their leadership and coordination of both events. We also extend our appreciation to the many students who played a vital role, from those who created original artwork, composed the McK Respect song, and performed on the day, to our college leaders who hosted the event, the students involved in our McK Respect Student Working Group, and our Vocational Major (VM) and Art students who contributed by creating signs and artwork for the day.

The Interact Club also played an important role, hosting a community barbecue and fundraiser in support of Safe Steps, raising awareness and funds for women and children affected by family violence. A special mention goes to the Years 11 and 12 students, staff, and former students who laced up their football boots for the Old McKinnon vs New McKinnon match, demonstrating teamwork, school pride, and the enduring connections that make our community so strong.

At McKinnon, we continue to affirm that violence and disrespect will never be accepted or excused. Together, we remain committed to creating a culture where every person feels safe, valued, and respected.

YEAR 10 CAMP 

From Monday 6 – Friday 10 October, our Year 10 students embarked on an unforgettable camp adventure, travelling from Melbourne to the heart of Halls Gap then travelling via the historic towns of Bendigo to Echuca. Along the way, they immersed themselves in local culture, explored the rich history of the regions, and connected with the landscapes and stories of Country.

Sleeping in tents, students embraced the spirit of adventure hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, camel riding, bungee trampolining, and building memories that will last a lifetime. This unique experience not only strengthened friendships but also fostered a powerful sense of community and appreciation for the land and its custodians.

Thank you to Rochelle Travitz and Phoebe Ponsford for organising this camp and Kate Brown, Ben Reid, Alistair McCooke, Hannah Sclarr, Stephanie Poland, Romy Greenberg and Lani Hammam for staffing this experience.

POSITIVE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK 

I want to share with you, a really lovely email that was sent to me by a member of the public regarding the students that were on the Year 10 camp:

‘I am currently staying at the NRMA Holiday Park Echuca.

I wish to compliment you on the behavior of your students over the last two days.

When I saw the buses pulling in I thought, oh no here we go again, as I have been exposed to multiple school camps in my travels.

However, what I have witnessed over the last two days is the most well behaved, polite and considerate group of students I have seen anywhere, they were also well supervised by their teachers.

You students are a credit to their teachers, to you and to your school.’

Well done again to our Year 10 students, for upholding and living our values, and representing yourselves, and our school so well.

STATE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR

Congratulations to James Suntoso (Year 9) (Orchestra - violin) who participated in this year's State School Spectacular held on Saturday 13 September at the John Cain Arena. This amazing event showcases many talented students.

Thank you, James, for representing McKinnon and for your contributions and dedication to the arts. Thank you also to Natalie Same and Rochelle Travitz for attending this ‘spectacular’ event!

THEATRE NIGHT

On Wednesday 8 October the Year 12 Theatre Studies students took to the stage for their final performance night at McKinnon.

Each student showcased a chosen script excerpt from a play of their choice as well as presented a statement of intention. They were also lucky enough to have a mock exam panel present to offer invaluable feedback and prepare students for this important exam. After months of planning and development, the result was an evening filled with diverse and engaging performances. It was wonderful to see the students demonstrate not only technical skill but also maturity in their approaches, imagination, and courage in sharing their work publicly. 

These performances were incredibly positive and supported by friends, family and the McKinnon Community and serve as crucial preparation for their upcoming Performance Examinations.

A special thank you goes to their teacher Ellie Adler, who has provided wonderful guidance to allow each student to succeed. I would also like to acknowledge Lucy Angell and Miranda Barber for volunteering their time to assist on the mock examination panel as well as Andrew Krause for photographing this event.

Congratulations once again to our Year 12 performers on an outstanding night of theatre, it was a true celebration of their artistry, commitment, and passion for performance. We wish them all the best as they take the next step into their final exams.

MEDIA NIGHT 

On Thursday 9 October 2025, McKinnon Secondary College hosted its annual Media Night in the Alan Lawrence Theatre, celebrating the creativity and hard work of the VCE Media students in both Years 11 and 12. 

The evening showcased an impressive range of student media productions including short films, music videos and print designs such as magazines, picture books and comics. 

Award Recipients:

• Best Picture: Stop and Smell the Roses - Davita Jontof-Hutter (Year 12)

• Best Cinematography: MILK RUN - Tommy Barton (Year 12)

• Best Narrative: Delilah - Ella Su (Year 12)

• Best Print Production: Shades of Likeness - Hudson Browitt (Year 12)

• People’s Choice Award: Stop and Smell the Roses – Davita Jontof-Hutter (Year 12)

Special thanks to Peter Quinn, Christopher Babidge and 2024 alumni Kirra Irving and Jade Perzuck, who served as judges for the evening. Additional thanks to Leisa from the Visual Arts faculty, Van from facilities and the MAV team for their support in facilitating this wonderful event. 

Finally, congratulations to both Anna Bourke and Eliza Portelli for all their hard work and support they have provided for the VCE Media Students in 2025. 

GOOGLE GEMINI

McKinnon has a long tradition of leadership in educational technology. We're excited to announce that during Term 4, students will gain access to Google's AI assistant - Gemini.  

Our focus will be on supporting students to use Gemini as part of their studies. We do not want it to be a replacement for their own thinking, but rather, as a tool to amplify their learning opportunities. Importantly, as Gemini is embedded within our Google Workspace, it operates under our strict privacy protocols, ensuring a safe and appropriate experience for all students. Moreover, it integrates seamlessly with our existing online systems and apps, such as Google Classroom.  

This initiative is a vital step in preparing students with the critical thinking and practical skills they need to thrive in an AI-integrated world.