Principal's  Report  

VCE Results

As you may be aware, the past week saw the release of the 2024 VCE results, including the ATARs for students who undertook a scored VCE.

Before I outline the exceptional achievement of our 2024 cohort of students, I would like to remind all families that the ATAR and scored VCE is just one of the pathways available for students at Koonung. Together with scored VCE, some students undertake a non-scored VCE and in 2024 we saw the first graduates of the VCE Vocational Major (VM), in which students can undertake VET and School-based apprenticeships and Traineeships to achieve the VCE VM. I am particularly proud of the multiple pathways of our VM students, including Automotive, Bakery, Building and Construction, Electrical, Hospitality and Cookery, Design and Engineering. However, the vast majority of Koonung students (over 87% of students) undertake a scored VCE. 

Much is spoken about the VCE, ATARs and the Median Study Score of a school. We are pleased to share that the achievement of the 2024 cohort of students has been exceptional. You may be aware of the dux of the College, Sky Or and his outstanding ATAR of 98.15, but there were also over 40 other students who achieved an ATAR higher than 90 which constituted 27% of all students. With an average ATAR of 80, our students have in 2024 achieved exceptional results. 

We are also pleased to share that the high-level achievement of our students saw a Median study score of the College of 32. This sees the achievement of our Koonung students amongst the best of government schools in Victoria. Congratulations to our students for their hard work and achievement, a big thank you to our brilliant teachers and support staff for their work and thank you to you, our families, for your support as we work together to see our Koonung students work hard to achieve their goals and aspirations.

2024 NAPLAN Achievement in the Media

Earlier this month, the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) released the results of the 2024 NAPLAN for all schools in Australia. This is reported in the 'My Schools' website. While NAPLAN has not been designed as a point of comparison across schools, many media outlets choose to do so and publish articles using a range of metrics from the annual NAPLAN.

I will acknowledge that in both the Herald Sun and Age newspapers, Koonung was reported as being in the Top 20 of Government schools in Victoria based on student achievement in the NAPLAN. Both newspapers used different ways to evaluate their 'Top 20'. One newspaper used raw scores from Year 9, while the other used Year 7 and Year 9 scores. It was pleasing to be acknowledged by both media sources as a school where our students have achieved exceptional results. Here at Koonung, we use NAPLAN to both support individual students and to inform our practice in delivering the key 21st Century skills of Literacy and Numeracy. These 'results' confirm the exceptional work going on in our school to ensure that every young person is provided with the key skills to support them to achieve at their best, both now and into the future.

2024 AFLW Draft

Congratulations to Year 12 student Sienna Tallariti who this week was drafted by the Geelong Cats in the AFLW draft. After being acknowledged as the two-time winning Captain and Best player on the ground in the U/18 competition (Coates Talent League) Final (in both 2023 and 2024), we are so excited to see Sienna drafted into the AFLW. 

2025 College Leaders

Congratulations to the students who have been appointed to a Leadership role in 2025. A big thank you to all of the other student leaders in the College, including our Peer Mentors, Transition Mentors, Program leaders in areas such as Art, Music and Sport. 

Valda Wetlands/Heyington Street Bridge

We have received advance notice that the work on the Valda Wetlands/Heyington Street Wetlands bridge will begin in the second half of 2025. We have worked with the building authority, and Birralee Primary School to ensure that during construction of the new bridge, a free bus shuttle service will operate for Koonung students (and Birralee PS students) to transport across the freeway both before and after school every day. More details will be posted to families in the new year. 

2024- That's a wrap.....

As we finish the 2024 academic year and head into the Christmas and summer break, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students, staff and families of the College for your support this year.

I wish you a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and a safe, happy and enjoyable summer break.  We look forward to welcoming back our students on Wednesday 29 January (Year 7 and Year 12) and all other Year levels on Thursday 30 January

College social media channels 

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

OFFICIAL COLLEGE ACCOUNT

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

INSTAGRAM

OFFICIAL COLLEGE ACCOUNT

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

LIBRARY ACCOUNT 

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

STUDENT LEADERS ACCOUNT

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

ALUMNI PROGRAM SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

The Koonung Secondary College alumni program utilises social media to stay connect with alumni. 

FOLLOW THE ALUMNI PROGRAM ON SOCIAL.

Andrew McNeil

Principal

andrew.mcneil@education.vic.gov.au