ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS' REPORT

EXAMINATIONS

In recent weeks all students in Years 9, 10 and 11 have completed examinations.  Many teachers and students put in a significant amount of additional work to ensure that academic excellence is achieved by all those who seek it.  This was a busy and challenging time for students and teachers alike, and we congratulate them for the outstanding efforts. Many senior students also completed VCAA General Achievement Test (the GAT) and we commend them for the dedicated way in which they approached this task.

CHROMEBOOKS

The College’s leadership team and teaching staff have been thrilled about the wide range of new learning opportunities facilitated by all Year 7 and 10 students having access to personal computing devices this year.  While the use of Chromebooks at McKinnon will continue to grow and evolve over coming years, we believe their presence in the College has already increased student engagement and allowed teachers to build upon our rigorous and successful academic program.  Having Chromebooks in every Year 7 and 10 class has enabled students to access online editions of their texts, undertake web-based research and demonstrate their learning by creating digital content such as documents, websites and presentations.  In addition, students have been able to access the wide range of resources teachers are creating to support student learning, such as podcasts, screencasts and class materials that were traditionally printed and handed out, but are now published online. The expanded use of Google Apps for Education has allowed online collaboration between students and teachers when completing work in and out of class.  We have established a strong on-going relationship with Google, to support our growing use of Chromebooks.

Most Victorian schools are moving toward all students having a personal computing device in school; as the first school in Australia to deploy such a large one-to-one Chromebook program, we are excited we have been able to deliver the benefits of ubiquitous access to digital learning devices, plus the collaborative advantages of the Google Apps suite.

In consultation with Monash University, we are currently designing a research project to evaluate the impact of our Chromebook program.  We are confident using Chromebooks at McKinnon will continue to enhance our academic program and help students develop critical expertise for the 21st century, including greater global awareness and skills in research, critical thinking, team-work and communication.

REPORTS

End-of-semester reports will be uploaded to Compass at the end of Term 2.  Please read these reports carefully and discuss with your child how they can further improve their academic performance in the second half of this year. 

APPROPRIATE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING

If your child uses Facebook, QoohMe or other social networking tools, please discuss with them the appropriate use of such technology. Any images or comments that degrade other individuals can cause significant harm and may, in certain circumstances, breach Victorian and Commonwealth legislation that prohibits offensive communication online.  Further information about safe and responsible use of the internet can be accessed on our website.

Serious consequences are imposed for students who post material on social networking sites that degrades, ridicules or vilifies staff members or students.  In cases where very offensive material is posted, members of Victoria Police are also notified by the College.  

Respect and integrity are core values of the McKinnon community that we expect to see demonstrated in all aspects of students' conduct. We thank all families for their support in this matter.

MYKI TICKETS

Many excursions require students to provide their own ticket for public transport.  Before any excursion using public transport students must ensure they have a myki that has a positive balance.  Read more at http://www.myki.com.au/

PAYMENTS VIA BPAY

If you are paying school fees by BPay, please email the Bursar's Office at finance@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au to advise us what the payment is for.  If we do not hear from you we will assume you are paying for the oldest outstanding item on your account & allocate accordingly.

We will no longer be refunding amounts under $50 unless we have a request in writing.  Instead these amounts will be credited to the most outstanding amount on your account.  At the end of the year, if you have a credit balance we will contact you as to whether you want the amount carried forward to the next year’s fees or would prefer a refund.