Principal Report  

Another busy term!

It is always very busy at Koonung Secondary College. Term 2 has begun with key events such as today's Athletics Carnival, the PFA Mother's Day breakfast, multiple excursions and activities including the Regional Chess championships, EMR Swimming, District sports, Careers Expo, Raise Mentoring, Music events (and don't forget the upcoming Autumn Concerts!) and Alumni speakers. Please take the time to read this month's newsletter that highlights the many programs and events featuring our students. 

Athletics Carnival

What a fantastic day at Hagenauer Reserve for our annual Athletics Carnival. The weather held off and a great day of athletics, fun and games culminated in seeing Conder House make the clean sweep of all Carnivals in 2024. Congratulations to Conder House and to everyone who participated today. 

Check out the Inter School Sports page of this newsletter for further reports of Koonung student's sporting achievements. 

International Program

I am pleased to announce that we received official confirmation this week of the renewal of our sister-school arrangement with Matsudo Municipal High School in Japan. This arrangement supports our language Department as well as build inter-cultural understanding between Australia and Japan. 

I am excited to welcome students and staff from our sister school to Koonung and Australia in July this year. This arrangement will also see students from Koonung travel to Japan in 2025 as part of the exchange aspect. 

60th Anniversary of Koonung Secondary College

Koonung Secondary College is turning 60! This year marks the 60th anniversary of Koonung proudly serving the Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Balwyn North, Box Hill, Box Hill North, Doncaster and surrounding communities. 

To commemorate the 60th anniversary, every current student and staff member has received a 60th Anniversary badge. We are also currently planning some special events to occur at the end of Term 3 and will communicate to current and past families and our wider community about the events. Please keep an eye out on our socials and Compass for more information. 

Capital Works update

While it was disappointing that Koonung didn't feature in this years' Victorian State budget with an announcement of further works as part of our Master Plan, I can announce that building will begin in term 3 on finishing our A block Middle Years Building. Construction is estimated to take up to 12 months and when finished, will see a building able to house the core curriculum program for students in Years 7 to 9.

While there will be some disruption as we return to having a building site on the College, the works will not impact on our curriculum program with our full program and curriculum maintained during the construction period. 

Top Acts- VCE Season of Excellence 

Congratulations to Toby Griffith (Year 12  who has been selected to perform Dennis Denuto at Top Acts 2024 at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Top Acts is showcase of VCE performing arts students who have achieved exemplary results in the studies of Dance, VET Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies, Music Contemporary and Repertoire Performance, Music Composition, Music Inquiry, and VET Music. Top Acts is coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) showcasing outstanding performances by VCE and VCE VET students from schools across the state.

This year, 136 students participated in Top Class, and only 22 students were selected to perform in Top Acts. 

Top Acts takes place at Melbourne Recital Centre – 31 Sturt St, Southbank – on Tuesday 28 May 2024 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are available now via the Melbourne Recital Centre. 

Kind, Safe and Fair

You may have heard through the media the recent news of two students at a Melbourne private school who were expelled for compiling a derogatory ratings list of female students. Regardless of intent, actions such as this have far-reaching consequences and impact on the well-being of others. I commend the leadership demonstrated by the school in supporting students' right to be safe when at school (and outside of school) and being clear in their messaging about maintaining high standards and expectations of self and others in all interactions. 

Here at Koonung our key mantra with students is around acting in a manner which is always kind, safe and fair. It is important that when our young people make decisions that impact on others, that they do so through the lense of being kind, being safe and being fair. I encourage all families to have a conversation with your children about how they act around others, both at school and on-line. 

Facebook and Instagram

The College utilises social media to provide quick updates, interesting events, and lots of photos to our community. 

We have one official Facebook page and three Instagram pages for members of our community to follow. 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/koonungsecondarycollege/

Instagram

Official School Account

https://www.instagram.com/koonung.secondary.college/

Instagram (Library Account)

https://www.instagram.com/ksclibrary/

Instagram (Student Leaders)

https://www.instagram.com/koonung_secondary_college/

Andrew McNeil

Principal

andrew.mcneil@education.vic.gov.au