PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

BIG 3 VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT 

This year McKinnon were invited to play the ‘Big 3 Volleyball tournament’ with two of the top volleyball schools, Eltham and Rowville. With these teams hosting in Terms 1 and 2, McKinnon hosted the event on Monday 7 August at the Main campus. 

Our junior, intermediate and senior teams of both boys and girls competed in a fun competition in our two gyms, providing a positive atmosphere for our guests and supporters during lunchtime. 

The McKinnon teams that have progressed to play the Finals on Monday 4 September at Eltham are our Senior Girls and Junior Boys - Well done! 

Thank you to the teachers involved - Ellie Adler, Mara Karro, Liam Adlington and Sandy Hope as well as our coaches Minja Zlatic, Zoe and Tayla Fischer. 

YEAR 11 GAMES NIGHT 

The Year 11 Student Council Representatives organised the first ever Bingo/Games Night on Friday 11 August. Hosted by David Machin, the Year 11 students came along in their Aussie themed costumes ready for a great night - there were footy fans, lifeguards, lots of tradies and Bunnings employees. 

There was a donut eating competition, some classic bingo and some Aussie-themed trivia, as well as an electric performance from Year 11 Band 'Cold War'. The students raised approximately $2000 to support the Dragonfly Music Space - a music therapy initiative run by Headspace Bentleigh. This fantastic initiative was established in honour of former McKinnon student Jess Earls, who sadly passed away last year. Jess's friends and family attended the event, selling homemade Aussie style baked goods and stress relieving lavender bags. 

Thank you to our Year 11 Student Managers Lara Gambino, Peter Hunt and Natalie Same, as well as Myles Kelemen and the fantastic MAV team. This event was a huge success, and we look forward to featuring this event on the calendar on a yearly basis.

LIFE SAVING PROGRAM

The Hampton Life Saving Club and McKinnon Secondary College Life Saving Program was recognised with an Award of Excellence from Life Saving Victoria at their 20-year awards celebration over the weekend. 

I am immensely thankful to Zoe Murdoch who works with both Hampton Life Saving Club and here at McKinnon. 

It was Zoe who made this program possible, and programs like these are only possible with an exceptional group of people behind them, it really does take a village. Thank you to everyone involved in making this program such a success, including Hampton Rotary who provided funding to ensure students had thermal tops.

Thank you to the McKinnon staff Jemma Owen, Corey Marshall, Janine Mitchell, and Phoebe Ponsford, who jumped in the water and worked alongside the students and encouraged them along every step of the way. 

Read more from Zoe about the program here. 

IN MY BLOOD IT RUNS 

Last Friday, our Year 9 students were visited by Stacey Campton, who is a descendant from Gunggari country who has lived experience working in First Nations affairs for 30 years and Jane Vadiveloo, who is the CEO of the not-for-profit organisation Children’s Ground, which aims to create long-term change for at-risk Indigenous children, their families and communities. 

Jane was an advisor on the film In My Blood It Runs and students were given the opportunity for a Q&A session with the speakers. This event gave them invaluable insight into both the making of the film, and the wider issues it raises. 

As a part of our Reconciliation Week activities, the McKinnon community participated in the Wear It Yellow Day campaign run by Children’s Ground, which raises awareness and much-needed funds for Indigenous education. I was very pleased to be able to present Jane with McKinnon’s contribution to this important cause.  

I thank both Jane and Stacey for their time and Emily Condell for overseeing this experience.

GUEST LECTURER 

We were lucky enough to have Assoc. Professor Ben Wellings of the Monash School of Politics visit us to speak to our Year 10 Geography and Year 11 Global Politics students about the development of globalisation, its impacts on nation-states and citizens and the recent trends of increasing resistance to globalisation in developed nations.

It was easy to hear the excitement, curiosity and intellectual satisfaction of the students as they left the talk. 

I thank Professor Wellings for his time, and we look forward to more events at Monash University with the Humanities Faculty at McKinnon. Thank you to Josh Cukierman for organising.

SIR JOHN MONASH COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE 

Last week, nine of our Year 10 school leaders represented the school at the Sir John Monash Commemorative Service. This was held at the Victorian Parliament and was an opportunity for our students to engage in our parliamentary system while recognising the outstanding legacy of Sir John Monash. 

We thank John Coulson, a previous Principal of the College, for inviting us to this event. Josh Cukierman, our senior politics teacher accompanied the group and we thank him for taking time to attend this important event with our students.

SCIENCE FESTIVAL 

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. 

Both Campuses held a number of lunchtime activities on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 of August to celebrate. Favourites among these activities included making bath bombs, creating a bracelet using binary code, the Stroop effect competition, watching films from the International Science Film Festival and watching a watermelon explode! 

Thank you to Cherie Marks, Jennifer Wallace and the Science Faculty Team for coordinating these events.

UN GLOBAL CITIZEN PROJECT 

On Monday 7 and Thursday 17 August 2023, a number of McKinnon students participated in a three-hour virtual bootcamp to learn more about international cross-cultural communication. The workshop is based on experiences in a previous environmental challenge - the Ocean Project. 

This online conference allowed students to have discussions with students from other schools around the world in breakout rooms. A Reflection Journal accompanied this virtual program with resources, self-reflection activities, and best practice frameworks to help students on their journey as culturally competent global citizens.

Thank you to Project Global Citizen,  Craig Shim (Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists) and Astrid Hofmann (CTC, Cultural Transition Consulting) for guiding students through this engaging Bootcamp.

GIGS ON THE GREEN

Our school provides students with a wide range of opportunities to get involved with music. As well as our thriving and esteemed Music program, students are also able to perform at Gigs On the Green. Bands rehearse weekly, either before school, lunchtimes or afterschool. Most of the bands are organised by the students with guidance by our Music staff. 

On Wednesday 10 August, we were delighted to witness an outstanding performance by Handgrenade Hearts - Max Wiseman (drums/vocals), Antonia Darmos (bass/vocals) and Declan Martin (guitar/vocals). This band exemplifies the high level of performance, and the enjoyment students get from music making with one another. 

This is only a snapshot of the great performances we get to hear. Other performances coming up in the term are from our VCE Music Performance students, as well as students getting involved in 'Cultural Diversity' week.

Thank you to Andrew Albanis for coordinating and overseeing Gigs On the Green events.

NETBALL 

Last week the Senior Girls, Senior Boys and Year 8 Girls Netball teams headed to the State Netball Centre to compete in the All Schools Netball Championships. The teams competed against the best Public, Private and Catholic schools in the State. The students played some amazing Netball against some tough opposition. It is such a great experience to compete at an elite level and all students should be proud of their performances. Good luck to the Senior Girls who continue their Netball journey at the SSV State Netball Finals in September.

Thank you to Jen Pemberton, Liam Adlington and Georgia Schmidt for championing these students.

VTAC INFORMATION EVENING

Thank you to the Year 12 parents who attended the VTAC Information Night last week. Some critical dates are fast approaching for our Year 12 students. I wish them all the best with their decisions. We are here to help through the process of applying for courses after Year 12. I am very grateful to Mrs Barrow, Ms Felmingham, Mr Zachest, Mr Blackmore, Mr Hudd and Ms James for their guidance.

WINTER CONCERT

Our annual Winter Concert is being held at the Robert Blackwood Hall on Wednesday 30 August. This is always an impressive occasion and a highlight on the school calendar.

I encourage parents, grandparents and friends to attend and celebrate together the showcase of musical talent of our students. 

Tickets are on sale here.

I thank the music team for their efforts and look forward to a very successful event.

OLD McKINNON  

A significant cohort of both alumni and current McKinnon students play football every weekend in the Seniors, Reserves, and Thirds sides for Glen Eira Gryphons. With so many students involved, we have 2 Under 19 boys sides in the VAFA competition, in addition to the women’s team.  

Joel Chilcott (Class of 2022) recently received the VAFA Rising Star Nomination. Joel came up through the Old McKinnon/Glen Eira U19s program and has become a permanent fixture in the table topping Glen Eira Gryphons senior squad in 2023. 

The Old McKinnon women’s side play in their Semi-Final this Saturday 19th August, 9:20am at Ross Gregory Oval in Albert Park. 

We wish our players all the best for their finals. 

Read more about Old McKinnon Football Club here. 

VALE ANDREW JACOBS

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Mr Andrew Jacobs, one of our instrumental music teachers.  We have been advised by his family that Mr Jacobs died in a car accident last week on Thursday evening. His funeral is now being arranged.

Andrew was an integral part of our school’s music community for decades.  He taught oboe/bassoon/double reed and conducted a variety of ensembles.  His enthusiasm for music and dedication to our music program inspired so many of us, and his absence will be felt by all.

Mr Jacobs also taught at several other schools, where he will also be greatly missed.

On behalf of our school and our school community, I have conveyed our deepest sympathies to Mr Jacobs’ family at this difficult time.  Our thoughts also go to the many students and staff who knew Mr Jacobs as a teacher or colleague.

Wellbeing support is available to all students at school if required. If you feel your child would benefit from speaking with our Wellbeing team, please contact Patty Etcell, our Student Wellbeing Coordinator, 8520 9000 or via email, pattye@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

Additional support is available through Kids Helpline (1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au) or Parentline (13 22 89 or parentline.com.au) should you need it.