CAPTAIN'S CORNER

SENIOR CAPTAIN

Here at McKinnon, Term 3 is notorious for being one of the busiest terms that students experience. There are an incredible number of opportunities to participate in events throughout the term, such as the recent Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 6 August, as well as the upcoming Winter Concert, which is an unforgettable experience each year, involving all students who are part of the music program. Events such as these are known for how enriching they can be as they create new memories for students, and everyone has the chance to bond with others across different year levels. 

As a Year 12 student, it was amazing to watch other Year 12s have fun at their last House Athletics Carnival while simultaneously giving guidance to Year 7s who were participating in it for the first time. It truly was time to let that ‘McKinnon Magic’ shine. 

The House Athletics Carnival was, as usual, a success. A chilly day was no match for the warm spirit that students presented on the day as everyone competed in various events showing an immense amount of sportsmanship. Events such as discus, shot put, long jump, triple jump and the track events showed students cheering on people they didn’t even know but got to know as the day progressed. Not to mention the iconic Year 12 Quidditch match which let Chisholm shine as they caught the Golden Snitch (Mr McCooke) in an exciting final against Monash, which proved to be an entertaining way to mark the Year 12s final Athletics Carnival. 

Congratulations to everyone who participated and thank you to the teachers who organised the carnival and helped on the day as well as the Interact Club for selling delicious sausages and little treats for the students.

On another note, as the rest of the school is preparing for an exciting second half to the year, the Year 12s are counting down the days until their graduation which is only two months away - a day that used to feel a million miles away and was the last thing on our minds. The Year 12s are now getting ready to complete their final SACs of the year before beginning their preparations for the October/November exams. Keep going Year 12s, you’ve demonstrated hard-work, determination and drive this year and the finish line is in sight!!

Amelie Villella

Year 12 Student

JUNIOR CAPTAIN

On Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 August, Mck Volley had the opportunity to play for the School’s Cup, an event filled with excitement, teamwork, and unforgettable moments between The Div 1 and Honours teams.

Day One began with an early arrival and plenty of nerves. It pushed us to communicate better and adapt our strategy. We ended the day with one win and a stronger sense of unity.

Day Two was even more intense. With multiple games scheduled, stamina became just as important as skill. We focused on improving our rotations, blocking, and court coverage. Our teamwork really started to click, leading to some amazing points where everyone contributed. Even in the games we lost, we felt proud of our fight and the progress we’d made.

Day Three was the final game. By this stage, we’d settled into a rhythm, made fewer errors, and read the court more effectively. Our last match was our final push. Full of energy, trust, and smart plays. We celebrated every point, whether from a powerful spike, a solid block, or great defence.

Walking off the court for the final time, I felt a mix of exhaustion and appreciation. Over the three days, our team learned far more than just volleyball skills. We gained a deeper appreciation for teamwork, resilience, and staying positive under pressure. 

The Volleyball School’s Cup was an amazing experience, and the lessons from it will stay with us both on and off the court.

Ruma Lee

Year 9 Student