PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

BOOK WEEK

Last week we had a joyous celebration of reading and literacy during Book Week. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of our students as they participated in activities throughout the week at both our East and McKinnon Rd campuses.

Students tested their skills in book trivia, browsed for new reads at the book swap, and watched staff and students face off in lively debates about the joys of reading. Teachers shared favourite passages set to ambient music, the book baking competition delighted with delicious creations, and the week finished with a dress-up parade celebrating favourite authors and characters. 

You can enjoy more photos and articles about these events on the English page of the newsletter here.

A big thank you to the entire school community for getting involved in this wonderful week. A special thank you to the English faculty for volunteering so much of their time and energy, led by the effervescent Ms Douglas. Thank you also to the AV and Communications teams for their support, our staff debaters Ms Portelli, Mr Stevenson, Mr Hunt, Ms Hooper-Duffy and Mr Cukierman, and all teachers for reading, volunteering to help run lunchtime activities and for dressing up.

Happy reading!

YEAR 9 CAMP

This week, our Year 9 students faced the cold with courage, attending camp at Campaspe Downs in Central Victoria. Nestled in a beautiful bush setting, the campsite was home to a variety of native animals, including a curious mob of kangaroos that kept a close eye on the students.

Our students challenged themselves with thrilling activities like abseiling, canoeing, and high ropes. Evenings were packed with fun, from a fiercely competitive trivia night to round-robin sports challenges.

The true focus of the camp was fostering new friendships and strengthening old ones. Laughter and smiles filled the air, and it was clear how much the students supported each other. The McKinnon values of community and resilience shone brightly as every student embraced new challenges with new friends. This camp was undoubtedly one of the many highlights of the Year 9 experience, and we couldn't be more proud.

A big thank you to the student management team and the teachers for their incredible effort in making this camp a success.

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS 

The McK Respect Project continues to grow as a cornerstone of our school’s culture, reflecting our commitment to respect, equality and care. This year, the project will be highlighted through two major community events. The McK Respect Community Walk will be held on Friday 12 September, with an early finish at 2:30 pm for a 3:00 pm start. The Walk will conclude at 4:30 pm and will be a powerful demonstration of our community’s shared commitment to respect, equality and care.

Immediately following, the Community Footy Match will take place at 5:30 pm at Packer Park in partnership with the Old McKinnon Football Club. The match is non-contact, open to all genders and abilities, and is designed to bring staff, students, families and the wider community together in a show of unity. The Old McKinnon Football Club will also open their canteen to support the occasion.

Both events are grounded in the important work of addressing gender-based violence and highlight the role schools and communities can play in building a culture of respect and equality. They are opportunities to extend the McK Respect Project beyond the classroom, engaging the whole community in meaningful conversations about respect, gender equality and the role of the upstander. 

Registration details for both events can be found on Compass, and we warmly encourage families to join us in these celebrations of our shared values.