ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS' REPORT
PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT CONFERENCES
Bookings can now be made for our Term 1 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences. Teachers will be available for 5-minute conversations on both Monday 3 April and Wednesday 5 April. These interviews will be done remotely using Google Meet. Normal classes will not run on these two days; teachers, however, will be leaving lesson plans on Compass. This ensures students have work to go on with at home when they are not attending their online interviews. The booking system will close on Thursday 30 March at 5pm.
These interviews make a significant contribution to maximising students’ academic performance as we celebrate student success and discuss strategies for further improvement. Please note that these conversations complement the feedback provided through Learning Tasks and Progress Reports, so ensure you have accessed this information in Compass prior to attending the interviews.
YEAR 7 AND 9 NAPLAN TESTS
Our Years 7 and 9 students have recently completed their NAPLAN tests in the areas of Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. We wanted to thank all students for their efforts and mature approach to undertaking these assessments. There are still a few catch ups scheduled for students who have missed an assessment, and these will be shown on the Compass schedules of these students.
YEAR 9 CAMP AND JOB READY SKILLS PROGRAM
From 15 - 26 May we have organised the new Year 9 Camp and activities program. During this time we will be running 4 camps of approximately 100 students to Warrnambool over a two week period. Students will depart from McKinnon Secondary main campus by bus to Warrnambool. We will stay at the local caravan park and explore campus life at nearby Deakin University. Here students will explore historical themes through the study of the Shipwreck Coast and gain appreciation of the indigenous presence in the area with a guided tour of Tower hill by an Indigenous guide. Students will also be shown around the Deakin University site and learn about student life at a regional university campus.
When in Warrnambool we will also be exploring how regional towns support those in need, through community service volunteer programs. We will be listening to a number of community service providers at Deakin University. This is linked closely to our ‘Wisdom and Service’ subject in which all students will be required to contribute to our local community later this year.
BIKE SAFETY WHEN RIDING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Our Glen Eira Council Crossing Supervisors have mentioned to us that when students cross East Boundary Rd with their bikes, some students are mounting their bikes and riding against the traffic down East Boundary Rd towards McKinnon Rd. This is not only illegal but highly dangerous.
We have also had several reports that students are choosing not to wear their helmets as well which is very concerning.
We have mentioned these issues to students at lunchtime and after school announcements as well as through the newsfeed but we would appreciate it if parents and carers can reinforce these safety concerns with their child.
WINTER UNIFORM
Families are reminded that all students should be in full winter uniform from day one of Term 2. School blazers must be worn to and from school. It is also important to note that nail polish and facial piercings are not acceptable at school. Thank you to all families for your continued support of our uniform policy.
APPROVING STUDENT ABSENCES
Please continue to provide the College with explanations for student absences, either using Compass, emailing
absences@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au or calling 8520 9050.
As mentioned at the Information Nights, it is vital that parents do not share their login password with their child. If you feel that your child might have access to the parent portal please contact the General Office to obtain a new password.
EARLY DEPARTURES FROM SCHOOL
Please be advised that it is the school preference that students in Years 7 to 9 that are required to leave the college early due to illness or appointment must be collected by a parent/carer. We are unable to dismiss students without adequate supervision. Any student that is feeling unwell at school must report to the Health Centre and where relevant College staff will contact families. We ask that parents/carers do not call students during the school day. If you wish to discuss this further or have any queries please contact Mr Peter Quinn, Assistant Principal.