PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

WINTER CONCERT

Congratulations to the Head of Music, Ms Megan Papworth and the Music Faculty for their wonderful celebration of music held at the Robert Blackwood Hall last week.

It was indeed a spectacular event that showcased the musical talents of our students. Concerts like these allow students’ talent to be recognised and celebrated!

It also allows our exceptional music program to be shared. It is about participation and excellence and provides a benchmark for schools and students in Victoria.

Thank you to the music staff for the difference they make. I also thank our guests who were in attendance including parents, grandparents and friends, as always.

I have received some wonderful feedback, some examples of which are below.

“Thanks for the great evening. Please pass on my congrats to all concerned. Quality performances all round. The demeanour of all the students in the finale (many of them juniors) indicates their respect for their teachers, the school community and how much they value music. Quite inspirational.”

“Congratulations to your staff & students for another amazing, talent packed evening I take our child’s great Uncle each year and each time out does the previous ...we smile all the way through and feel SO BLESSED again to know that our child is part of this wonderful school community at McKinnon.”

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

This week is National Science Week.  The Science Faculty are celebrating in a number of ways:

During lunchtimes the students are firing rockets, learning about snake safety, making useful objects out of plastic containers, making very large bubbles, testing medieval machines, experiencing Oculus Rift and learning how to handle lizards, stick insects and snakes.

During science classes the teachers are posing scientific problems for the students to solve.

Special incursions and workshops have also been organised for Year 8 and 9 students.

VCE students have competed in the National Science Olympiad examinations. Prizes for the various competitions running this week will be awarded at a future assembly.

There have also been presentations to students from the Materials Engineering Department at Monash University on 3D printing and solar panel technology and from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, a presentation on antibiotics.

The Science Faculty was also granted the rights to show winning documentary films from the International Science Film Festival.

Congratulations to the Science Learning Area Manager, Ms Sweeney and her dedicated team.

GAMING

The McKinnon Student Wellbeing team is excited to pilot the Game Aware program this term at McKinnon.

The Game Aware program is targeted towards students with possible gaming addictions and is designed to encourage responsible gaming through self-regulation. As part of the program, students from Years 7 to 10 have been attending weekly after-school sessions. These group sessions will hopefully result in our students having more insight as to why gaming plays such a big role in their life and to allow them to reframe the role of gaming in their life.

Andrew Kinch from Headspace currently facilitates the program. If you would like information about upcoming Game Aware programs, please contact Andrew, gameawareprogram@gmail.com.

RESILIENCE

Thank you to parents who joined Patty Etcell and I at the Resilience information evening. It was a great success with many important words of wisdom. Lee Collie our Public Relations Officer will be writing a piece summarising key aspects.

As I often say, raising children is the best, but most difficult undertaking! There is no rule book, but the messages shared at this event were a great reminder of what is really important to focus on with our families and friends.

VCE CENTRE

Our new VCE Centre building plans and detailed drawings were shared at Council sub-committee last week. Our architects discussed the proposed plans and we are thrilled.

The local member joined us for this meeting and parents shared their appreciation of the investment that has been made.

I attach the plans to this newsletter for the community to share. This new 3 storey wing will make a significant difference to the McKinnon Secondary College Community.