PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

VCE RESULTS 2025 

I am proud to share with you the outstanding VCE results for the Class of 2025. These exceptional outcomes are a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of our talented students.

• 123 students received an ATAR above 90

• 227 students (55%) received an ATAR above 80

• 9 perfect study scores

• Median Study score: 33

• Study scores over 40: 12.5%

Well done to all of our VCE students on your achievements! I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful teachers, support staff, and parents who have worked closely with and supported the Class of 2025.

JUNIOR ART SHOW

On Monday 1 December, the McKinnon Visual Arts Community celebrated the incredible work of our Junior Artists at our annual award ceremony and exhibition opening.

Congratulations to all award winners and thank you to our incredible Visual Arts team, led by Ms Jessica Rogosic for arranging this incredible exhibition.

GREAT VICTORIAN BIKE RIDE

This year, the GVBR saw 88 McKinnon Secondary College students take on a five-day journey starting at Port Campbell and venturing along the Great Ocean Road to finish in Camperdown. 

Thank you to Mr Adlington and Mr King for their work in organising and coordinating this year’s trip, as well as all the staff involved to ensure this experience was as enjoyable and as safe as possible. Congratulations to everyone involved!

YEAR 9 GRADUATION

Congratulations to our Year 9 students who have now graduated from our East Campus. The Graduation Ceremony was held on Tuesday 2 December where we acknowledged our Year 9 students and wished them all the very best for a smooth and successful transition to their senior schooling journey back at the McKinnon Road Campus.

Special thanks to Mr Quinn and Mr Machin for their incredible work as well as our wonderful Student Managers at the East Campus. I also acknowledge and thank Mr Chris Pantelios who leads the Wisdom and Service program and who produced the certificates.

PEER SUPPORT

After graduating from the East Campus, our Year 9 students took part in a three-day Induction program at the McKinnon Road Campus to begin their Senior Secondary journey. During this time, they participated in ‘head start’ classes for Year 10 English and Maths, listened to an inspiring address from Paralympic triathlete Liam Twomey and engaged in our Peer Support & Leadership program.

This program not only supported students in preparing to apply for Peer Support roles with our incoming Year 7 cohort, but also helped them develop broader leadership, goal setting and resilience skills to assist with their transition into senior school and future opportunities. 

I would like to thank Phoebe Ponsford, Natalie Same and all staff involved in delivering and supporting the program. Our Year 9 students were truly inspired, and we look forward to welcoming them into the senior school next year.

YEAR 6 TO 7 ORIENTATION

It is always a joy to welcome our incoming Grade 6 students to McKinnon. We know that starting secondary schooling can feel overwhelming, and we want them to feel as supported as possible before commencing Year 7 next year.  

Under the guidance of Pip Andrieux and our Year 7 leadership team, students enjoyed familiarising themselves with their new environment. I would like to thank and acknowledge Assistant Principal Kellie Felmingham and Head of Years 7 and 10 Natalie Same for their support of the transition program.

YEAR 7 ASSEMBLY 

On Wednesday 10 December, we held an assembly for our Year 7s, which marked the final formal occasion at McKinnon Road Campus before they transition to the East Campus to embark on their Years 8 and 9 studies. The assembly reflected on the year’s journey and celebrated students who have excelled and embodied McKinnon’s values. 

Thanks to the Junior Singers for singing the National Anthem, and to the Year 7 String Extension ensemble, conducted by Mrs Clare Bugeja, for their beautiful performance of ‘Drowsy Maggie’.

Special thanks to Ms Natalie Same and our Year 7 leadership team for their organisation of the assembly.

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION FORUM

I was honoured to be invited by The Honourable William Alstergren AO, Chief Justice and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, to attend the Family Violence Prevention Forum on Friday 5 December, alongside Patty Etcell, Head of Wellbeing.

This important national forum highlighted the alarming prevalence of family and domestic violence in Australia and brought together leaders from sport, education, business, government and media to focus on prevention and cultural change, particularly in addressing violence against women.

At McKinnon, we have a strong and ongoing commitment to taking a stand against violence of any kind. Attending the forum prompted meaningful reflection on the work of our McK Respect Project and reinforced the vital role schools and communities play in creating respectful, safe and connected environments.

The statistics presented were confronting and underscored the seriousness of family and domestic violence in Australia. The forum also reinforced that meaningful cultural change is possible when leaders, schools and communities work together, strengthening our commitment to continue this important work in 2026.

SOCIAL MEDIA LAWS

We wanted to reassure our community that we are not expecting the school's teaching and learning program to be affected by the new laws banning social media for people under 16 years old. Our internet filter already blocks student access to social media and messaging platforms in order to help them focus on their studies while at school. As always, we will continue to be guided by the Department of Education to ensure the health and wellbeing of our students.    

REPORTS

Semester two school reports have now been published and they provide important feedback and allow the opportunity for open conversations to reflect and identify areas for improvement.

I encourage you to go through these reports with your child.  

Thank you to our wonderful McKinnon community for all of your support throughout the year. I am so proud of our staff and students and their incredible results and accomplishments. 

I wish you all a wonderful festive season and restful break over the summer, and I look forward to a new school year in 2026.