PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

YEAR 9 GRADUATION

On Monday 2 December we held a graduation ceremony where we wished our Year 9 students a successful transition to their senior schooling at the McKinnon Road campus. They have been an exceptional cohort of students who have embraced life and learning at the East Campus with enthusiasm. 

It is quite a different experience having two campuses and different learning environments and I know our students are grateful to have this opportunity.

I would like to thank Mr Quinn and Mr Machin for their incredible work as well as 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 then experienced three days of an Induction program to the McKinnon Road Campus to begin their Senior Secondary education. Over these three days, the students completed 'head start' classes for Year 10 English and Maths, they listened to the inspirational words of a fabulous guest speaker Olympian and Paris bronze medallist Jemima Montag, and engaged in our Peer Support & Leadership program. 

This program not only prepared students to apply for roles as Peer Support leaders for our incoming Year 7s, it also provided students with a range of general leadership, goal setting and resilience skills in order to assist with their transition to the senior school and any future leadership roles or jobs they may apply for. 

I want to thank Zoe Murdoch for her incredible leadership in putting the Peer Support & Leadership program together, as well as all the teachers who facilitated the program and brought such fabulous energy. The Year 9 students were inspired by the 3-day program and we look forward to them being part of the senior school next year. 

VCE RESULTS 2024

I am proud to share with you the outstanding VCE results for the Class of 2024. These exceptional outcomes are a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of our talented students. 

• 15 students received an ATAR of 99 or above

• 139 students received an ATAR above 90

• 234 students (63%) received an ATAR above 80

• 11 perfect study scores

• Median Study score: 33

• Study scores over 40: 17.7%

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 2024.

​GREAT VIC BIKE RIDE 

This year, The Great Victorian Bike Ride held its 40th year anniversary (1984-2024), traveling back to where it all began, mimicking the near identical route, cycling from Wodonga to Healesville over the 9-day event. McKinnon has been involved in this event since 1986, which started off as an experience offered to all students, but in recent years has been offered to the Year 8 & 9 students, with some Year 10 mentor students who provide support to their younger peers and help the staff who dedicate their time on the ride. 

Team MCK rode a total of 433 km and 2623m of elevation in mostly wet conditions, which included a 114 km day of cycling and a 77 km day of cycling on the now gravel surfaced Great Victorian Rail Trail. This event is not only physically demanding on the bike, but it is a true test of organisation, resilience, trust, maturity and self-development. We love watching each student grow and develop their independence over such a short, accelerated period. The memories they create will live long and we hope they have discovered a passion for cycling that will continue on. 

The event looks to be changing format next year, making it more affordable and hopefully boosting our numbers and involvement. I'd like to sincerely thank all of the staff involved (Miss Bell, Mrs Hooper, Mr Howe, Mr Machin, Miss Ponsford, Miss Sclarr and Mr Stevenson), not only for volunteering their weekends on the event, but on the training rides in the build-up. 

These devoted staff members ride every km with students, coach and motivate all students, camp in tents and endure all weather conditions. 

A special thank you to Mr Adlington and Mr King for organising and overseeing the event, their dedication is commendable.

KUMMARGEE CLOSING CEREMONY 

The Year 8 Kummargee - Rise Up program came to a close in a stunning closing ceremony, led by Mr King and attended by John Murray, our Bayside Peninsula - Koorie Engagement Support Officer (KESO), with a special music performance by Year 9 students, Vivienne Bernstein and Finn Asbreuk. 

Former students and families may know this program as "Survivor", but as we have moved to the East Campus, the program has been rebranded, allowing us the opportunity to engage with the Bunurong Land Council and build our involvement with Indigenous culture. Throughout the year, our Year 8 students have participated in ten events, competing and earning points for their group and form, aspiring for ultimate glory! 

The challenges ranged from brain busting Maths and Science challenges, physical pursuits in Sport and the Aquathon, creativity in Art and History, multilingual skills in Language Perfect, as well as searching for checkpoints in Rogaining and Geography. In 2024, it was 8F who took out the victory by only two points over 8D, awarding them with a T-shirt that was designed by classmate Qolbi Kamila, which the students can wear to school over the remaining weeks of the year. 

The winning individual group though was Korumburra from 8A, who will join 8F in their celebratory pizza lunch. 

I'd like to thank Mr King and Mr Shaw for their hard work in planning, organising and facilitating this program throughout the year and to all teachers who ran challenges and assisted in the smooth running of each event. I can't wait to see what next year brings and who will be the 2025 champions! As a school community, we are committed to a greater understanding and appreciation of the Indigenous culture and the Kummargee program is key to this goal.

ELEPHANT ED 

Last week our Year 8 students participated in a Sex and Social media incursion hosted by a company called Elephant Ed. This company empowers hundreds of thousands of young people to make informed, positive and safe decisions about consent, relationships and growing up.

This session focused on the laws around sexting and how to be safe online. This incursion was extremely beneficial to all students involved as they learnt the Victorian laws around sexting and how to appropriately deal with certain situations if they were ever faced with them.

These topics are continued to be taught all throughout the Mind, Body and Soul subject in Year 9, encouraging young adults to make safe and healthy decisions all throughout their teen years.

Thank you to the PE staff at the East campus for facilitating meaningful conversations and special thanks to Ashleigh Bell for overseeing this program.

MCK RESPECT COMMUNITY WALK

Congratulations to everyone involved in the McK Respect community walk last Friday to reinforce respect, kindness and equality. It was a truly special event that sent the important message of our dedication to ending gender-based violence and fostering a culture of respect and inclusion. 

YEAR 6 TO 7 ORIENTATION

It is always a pleasure to welcome our incoming grade 6 students to McKinnon. Starting secondary schooling can feel daunting, but under the guidance of Pip Andrieux and our Year 7 leadership team, students enjoyed familiarising themselves with their new environment. We want them to feel as supported as possible before commencing Year 7 next year. I would like to acknowledge Assistant Principal Kellie Felmingham and Head of Years 7 and 10 Natalie Same for their support of the transition program. 

YEAR 7 ASSEMBLY 

The Year 7 assembly on Wednesday 11 December, marked the final occasion for the cohort at McKinnon Road Campus before transitioning to the East Campus for Year 8 and 9. The assembly reflected on the year’s journey and celebrated students who have excelled and embodied McKinnon’s values. 

Thanks to Addison Rood, Meredith Zhu, and Olivia Renz for singing the National Anthem, and to the Year 7 String Extension ensemble, conducted by Ms Amelia In, for their beautiful  performance of ‘Celtic Sunrise’.

Special thanks to our Year 7 leadership team for their organisation of the assembly.

CHOIR PERFORMANCE

Congratulations to all the students who took part in the Carols Service at the Bentleigh Uniting Church on Sunday 8 December. Thank you to Ms Blanka West for organising this performance and Ms Tracy Videon who joined the excursion and who also sang with the ensemble.

SHARK TANK SUCCESS 

In tremendous news, Jaimen Shamoun (Year 11) and his sister Jemma Shamoun (class of 2019) pitched their brand Ramla Body featuring the world's first sand-repellent product on Shark Tank, Channel 10, last night. They were successful in their pitch! Not one, but two Sharks, Maxine Horne and Jane Lu, combined to support Jaimen & Jemma and have invested in their business!

What an incredible experience for Jaimen and Jemma, and we wish them all the best on their journey ahead.

REPORTS

Semester two school reports have been published and I encourage you to go through these reports with your child. Reports provide important feedback and allow the opportunity for open conversations to reflect and identify areas for improvement.

As this is the final newsletter for 2024, I would like to thank our staff for their dedication in providing valuable learning experiences for our students. Thank you to our parents and carers for your continued support, which strengthens student learning and wellbeing. 

Our students have worked hard throughout the year, and I wish you all a safe and enjoyable school holiday. 

I look forward to 2025.