Principal Report  

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VCE Results for 2025

As you may be aware, the past week saw the release of the 2025 VCE results, including the ATARs for students who undertook a scored VCE.

Before I outline the exceptional achievement of our 2025 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 others the VCE Vocational Major (VM), in which students can undertake VET and School-based apprenticeships and Traineeships to achieve the VCE VM. At Koonung, the vast majority of Koonung students (over 85% of students) undertake a scored VCE. I am particularly proud of the multiple pathways of our VM students, including Automotive, Building and Construction, Electrical, Landscaping, Horse training, Allied Health, Childcare and Plumbing. I would like to congratulate our Applied Learning Excellence Award winner for 2025, Tanar Marksand acknowledge his pathway in electrical.  

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 2025 cohort of students has been exceptional. You may be aware of the dux of the College, Luca Brincat, and his outstanding ATAR of 98.5, but there were also over 34 other students who achieved an ATAR higher than 90 which constituted 25% of all students. 

With an average ATAR of 79, our students have in 2025 achieved exceptional results. For all students, ultimately ATAR is just a number and only relevant for a few months for the purpose of VTAC applications. What is more important than any score, is the support of our pathways approach for each and every student. 

We are 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 all of 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.

Transition into Year 7 in 2026

Welcome to all of our new Year 7 2026 families. Thank you for joining us online earlier this month at our family information session and it was great to meet all of our 200 new students at the statewide Transition Day. We look forward to working with you over the next 6 years. 

Uniform update

Please note that Year 7 students in 2026 are required to purchase both the new sublimated dark blue sports polo (not the light blue shirt) and the soft-shell jacket (not the spray jacket). Both the spray jacket and light blue polo sports shirt are being phased out and are not available for sale to 2026 Year 7 and 8 students through the second-hand uniform shop. Both items will also be removed from the second-hand uniform shop at the end of Term 2 and will not be collected for sale in 2026. 

Key dates for Return to School 

Please see the Important dates page in this newsletter for a full list of 2026 key dates, but here are few to support the return to school in 2026 processes

Wednesday 28 January 

Year 7 and 12 return (full academic uniform)

Thursday 29 January 

Year 8-11 return (all students in full academic uniform - Year 7 in sport uniform)

Monday 9 February 

School Photos - (All students in full academic uniform) 

Year 9 Parent Information session (6:30pm online)

Thursday 12 February

Year 7 Transition picnic - Picnic for all Year 7 families

Monday 16 - Wednesday 18 February 

Year 7 Camp 

Tuesday 24 February 

Swimming Carnival

Thursday 5 March 

Parent/Teacher/Student interviews (11:30am - 7:30pm online)

Monday 16 - Wednesday 18 March 

Year 8 Camp A

Wednesday 18 - Friday 20 March  

Year 8 Camp B

Wednesday 25 March 

Cross Country Carnival 

Presentation Evening

We recently held our annual Presentation Evening at a new venue, The Round in Nunawading. It was a fantastic evening of acknowledging those students and community members who best reflect our College values, and our motto of 'Excellence through Endeavour'.  Attached is the program acknowledging our Award winners, and see the Presentation Evening page in this newsletter for photos and further details. 

Chicago, the Musical success continues

The Annual Lyrebird Awards (the official awards for Amateur/High School Musical Theatre) have been announced and our College musical, Chicago, was nominated for many awards. We are delighted to announce that we  had a very successful run with the following awards being won. These awards are a recognition of the hard work and enormous commitment from our students and teachers. We are extremely proud of everyone involved. 

2026 Student Leadership

Congratulations to our all of our 2026 student leaders. We wish them well for the year ahead. 

Farewells

The end of a school year is often a bittersweet time. While it is a time of renewal and looking forward to the new school year, with new students and staff, it is also a time of sadness as we say farewell to members of our College community. 

Firstly, to all of our Year 12 students and families who have their last child with us in Year 12 - thank you and all the best. We appreciate your support of the College over the years and wish you every success in your future. 

To other students and families leaving Koonung for a variety of reasons, including moving or options at other schools, we wish you all the best. 

Finally, to our staff who are leaving us at the end of this year, thank you for your service to our students and community. I would like to acknowledge the staff who are departing Koonung Secondary College this year. Some staff are on leave and some staff will be moving into roles at different schools. I would like to thank all staff moving onto other things in 2026 and beyond and thank them for their service and care of Koonung students. 

Allira Howe

After 18 years at Koonung, many of those in Leadership, Allira has accepted the Assistant Principal position at Balwyn High starting in 2026. Allira has worn many hats at Koonung- PE teacher, Health teacher, Community Leader, Head of middle School, Head of Senior School and most recently Assistant Principal. Our loss is Balwyn's gain, but this is an outstanding example of system wide leadership development, and we wish Allira all the best in her new role. 

Bec Ting- 

Bec has worked in Learning Support this year and is moving into the field of Wellbeing and will be undertaking further study in 2026

Justin Barker

Justin has completed multiple short-term roles at Koonung in 2025 and has been versatile in supporting student learning in a range of areas. Thanks Justin and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. 

Kaiyi Cao

Kaiyi has supported students in 2025 in Mathematics and will be undertaking some overseas trips before returning to Melbourne later in 2026. Thanks for your work with our students this year Kaiyi. 

Fahina Fonua

Fahina has supported students in the English faculty and in Literacy tutoring on a yearlong position in 2025. We wish Fahina all the best in 2026. 

Philippa Ziegenhardt

Philippa has been on a family leave replacement position in the Wellbeing Team as a counsellor. Philippa has been an invaluable member of the team and supporter of our students. Thank you and all the best in the new role in 2026.  

Steph Dalo

Steph has completed her permission to teach program with us in Humanities and VM and will be leaving Koonung and moving to Zanzibar in Africa in 2026. Thanks Steph and all the best. 

Luke Ewart

Luke has been with Koonung since 2024 and undertaken roles in Physical Education and Commerce. Luke will be moving interstate in 2026 and we wish him the best with his future endeavours. 

Chevelle Alderton

Chevelle has been based at  Koonung since 2024 as the Headstart Learning Leader. Chevelle's work has seen her work with over 40 schools in implementing the VM program. Chevelle is moving into the Careers field and will be undertaking further study in 2026. 

Kirby Sens

Kirby has worked at Koonung for 8 years as a Wood and Food teacher and more recently as our Learning Specialist in Student Engagement. Kirby will be on 12 months leave in 2026 and will basing herself out of the Gold Coast.  

Colleen Siomos

After 18 years of exceptional service in Humanities and Commerce to the students of our community, Colleen has decided to follow her passions in 2026 and undertake a new role out of Koonung in a specialist Vocational Major school. Thank you Colleen for the many years of service to our community and we wish you great success in the new role. 

Kate O'Keefe

After 20 years of service at Koonung, Kate will be on leave for 2026. Have a great time Kate and enjoy the break. 

Allison Hart

After 15 years of service at Koonung in Health and Food Technology Allison will be taking leave in 2026 before moving into retirement. Allison has inspired a love of cooking and nutrition in thousands of students over her time, and we will miss her calmness and support of all students. All the best Allison and happy retirement.  

Helen Galouzis

With over 23 years of service in Department schools, and 14 at Koonung in the Admin team, Helen has supported students, staff and families as the face of the College in administration. Helen will be taking a period of leave before (possibly) retiring in 2026. Thank you Helen, enjoy retirement and we look forward to hearing tales of travel both in the caravan and on the water. 

Have a happy, safe end enjoyable holidays

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 SOCIALS.

Andrew McNeil

Principal

andrew.mcneil@education.vic.gov.au