PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

VCE ORIENTATION

Congratulations to Mr Noble, the Senior School Management Team and VCE teachers on running a very successful Orientation Program for our Senior School for 2014.

Students were given course outlines and a very good understanding of the course requirements for next year.  They all worked very well and I hope they cope with all the set homework.  All work is available on the VCE orientation google site.  More importantly I hope they enjoy the learning next year and thrive both academically and socially.

PEER SUPPORT

Our 2015 Peer Support Leaders have been selected from a large number of possible candidates.  Year 10 students immersed themselves wholeheartedly into the Peer Support Training Program. I congratulate those selected and wish them well with the very important role they play in assisting our new student’s transition into our school.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Van Langenberg and Ms Lehmann for coordinating this program.

The following are our Peer Support Leaders for 2015:

Steph Adlington, Alycia Alexiades, Tom Anderson, Sarah Andrew, Tahlia Austin, Sangeetha Banakar, Katina Bechter, Dani Benedykt, Isabella Blumberg, Conrad Bria, Lachlan Bridgman, Sofia Carter, Kristen Cartledge, Chelsea Chum, Alannah Clifford, Caitlin Cohen, Daniel Cui, Hannah Curry, Nina Diaz, Ellie Drenth, Kendal Dubout, Hagar Eren, Sian Evans, Travis Fein, Catie Flavell, Orla Ford, Nevoh Fridberg, Callie Georgiadis, Hanna Gutkin, James Hackett-Smith, Siobhan Halford, Ella Harrold, Kevin He, Alex Henry, Imogen Hooper-Duffy, Tom Hourigan, Renee Huang, Christopher Kaev, Madi Kellaway, Harrison King, Ursula Kirk, Nikki Krainz, Tom Krieser, Krystal La, Leo Laucher-Linares, Craig Little, Wendy Liu, Joel Ludik, Jihanne Mahir, Chelsea Martin, Jesse Maxfield, Anna McCooke, Ella McEwan, Pattricia Michelis, Olivia Morgan, Sarah Mullane, Aska Narai, Monique Newman, Ellen Nichols, Harry Nicola, George Nikolakopoulos, Eren Ozenir, Bianca Pardo, Freya Parker, Anthony Paxinos, Phoebe Ponsford, Jessie Quirk, Lian Rabinovich, Nick Rayson, Bailey Sandler, Max Schepisi, Cassie Semple, Amit Shahar, Mikaela Sharman-Smith, Thomas Stevenson, Jack Strangio, Tom Strudwick, Narre Taig, Karen Talker, Eden Tenenberg, Linnet Thomas, Daniel Tong, Alina Wang, Ally Weinberger, Hitomi Weston, Matt Wilkins, Jess Williams, Ella Zagroon & Maggie Zhou.

MUSIC TOUR TO ICELAND AND ENGLAND

Mr Martin West, Mr Tony Brooks and his wife Libby and Mrs Gayle Whittaker along with the following music students from the McKinnon SC Orchestra: Harry Amner, Seii Chen, Peter Cho, Daniel Cui, Benjamin Gaonsalveza, Matthew James, Havah Klajn, Jonathan Lee, Misha Machlak, Winnie McCooey, Jamie Morrissey, Connor O’Reilly, Sonia Ryter, Max Schepisi, Camille Stone, Avinash Thandaoori, Daniel Tritt, Nicholas Whittaker and Moran Zhou are enjoying a very successful Music Tour to Iceland and England.  We hope they are having a wonderful time and I know they will bring back some lasting memories.  They have met up with our very successful ex-student Elena Xanthoudakis who is enjoying opera success in the United Kingdom. 

JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSIC CONCERT

Congratulations to all the staff and students involved in the music concert which was held last Tuesday in the school hall.  The standard of music was exceptional.

The growth and development that has occurred in our student’s musical learning over a very short period of time is outstanding.  I would like to particularly acknowledge the efforts of our very talented Music staff – their passion, commitment and dedication allows all students to thrive.

Thank you to all parents, grandparents and friends who attended to offer support and encouragement.

I hope all the children continue to enjoy their music and pursue their their music and pursue their talents.

GREAT VICTORIAN BIKE RIDE

The GVBR has run for another year and I would like to thank so many people for their contribution to this marvellous event.  I have received so many positive comments from parents celebrating their child’s participation in this very positive opportunity.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their efforts: Mr James McLaughlan, Ms Carole Hooper, Mr James Van Pelt, Ms Chelsea Buntine, Mr Daniel Farthing and Mr Stuart Baker.  The parents involved were: Mr Eric Meuleman, Mr Brian Schepisi and Mr Duncan Moncrieff.  Their assistance on the ride and their help on the training rides was invaluable.  I would like to make special mention of Mr McLaughlan who organised the McKinnon team.  The logistics of this event is enormous so a very big thank you to James for his tremendous efforts.

Congratulations to you all on this wonderful achievement.

MEDIEVAL DAY

This day was a great success. The students took part in workshops and learnt about medieval weapons, dance, crime and punishment and tournaments. They feasted on roasted chickens and entertained each other in a grand medieval banquet, capping off a successful semester of history of the middle ages.  I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Cukierman for organizing this wonderful event for all Year 8 students.

FRENCH EXCHANGE

I have received a number of emails from Ms Dickson who is currently overseas with the McKinnon SC French Exchange. She has informed me of the great time the students are having and the experiences and memories they will have to remember for the rest of their lives.  I would like to acknowledge and thank Ms Dickson for her efforts as well as Mr Hubert for coordinating this outstanding experience for the students.

WORLD CHALLENGE

I have also received emails from Mr Quinn, who coordinated the World Challenge in Nepal this year.  The students are very well organised and enjoying all that this adventure has to offer.  I would like to acknowledge the following teachers for their efforts, Ms Kally Alexandrou, Ms Pip Andrieux, Mr Tim Blackwood, Mr Phil De Salvo, Mr Stephen Gurry, Mr Greg Hoskin and Mr David Machin and we wish the students all the very best for the remainder of their journey.

BOOKSTALL

Another major undertaking at the end of each year is the Bookstall.  I would like to acknowledge Jo Robinson who has coordinated and organised this very difficult task extremely well.  I would also like to acknowledge the many volunteers who assisted in the Bookstall over the last few weeks.  Thank you for your efforts: Yvette & Jaris Rener, Lynette Kohlhagen, Ada Wan, Patricia Loh, Judith Abbott, Yvonne Huggins, Di Exell, Ann Yarrow, Haroula Vayenas, Marlene Bronstein, Debbie Warner, Debbie Rosenberg, Jun Li, Nitzan Schell, Faye Robjant, Christine Dawe, Anne Marie Williams, Lien Diep, Alexia Keats, David Zivin, Maree Tomaras, Angela Baxas, Sharelle Hill, Sally Strudwick, Michelle Fein, Dale Gilkes, Jayne Sullivan, Leanne Frost, Jeny Katz, Sherril Aicowitz, Hilary Mann, Vesna Simic, Sally Zhou, Basak Poran, Kath Leech, Natalie Mc, Rosemaree Morina, Glenda Haw, Pandora Fernandez. This initiative provides significant assistance to our families.

THISTLE MAGAZINE

We have had published a most impressive Year Book that truly captures the 2014 year.  It is a celebration of a tremendous year of activity and I thank all the staff and students who made it all possible.

The Thistle was produced by Mr Andrew Krause and Mrs Grace Turner.  I thank them for putting together such a wonderful ‘keepsake’ with many memories captured for students, staff and parents.

SENIOR SCHOOL BBQ

I thank the following staff and students who organised and helped at the Senior School BBQ during Saturday 29 November, 2014, State Election Day:

Mr Lachlan Noble, Ms Kellie Felmingham, Mr Alan Stubbs, Mr Dan Blackmore, Ms Kate Daly, Ms Raphaella Roden and her son Taj, Mrs Emma Mullane, Callum Lloyd, Ainslee Ponsford, Jenny Tran, Rachel Walker and Giorgia Riordan.

CONGRATULATIONS

Gill Highnam, parent of Jack (Year 11) and Sophie (Year 9) and a McKinnon Secondary College School Council member represented the Glenhuntly Athletic Club at last weekend’s Victorian Relay Championships.  The Lady Hunters won the women’s 4 x 1500m 40-plus final.  Great effort Gill and congratulations to your entire team!

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Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families the very best for the festive season.  

Thank you for your kindness and support throughout the year and I look forward to the safe return of our entire school community in 2015!

Pitsa Binnion

Principal