McKinnonNEWS

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS' REPORT

Michael Kan
Michael Kan
Richard Long
Richard Long
Lachlan Noble
Lachlan Noble
Peter Quinn
Peter Quinn
Kellie Felmingham
Kellie Felmingham

EXAMS (Years 10-11)

Students in Years 10 and 11 will undertake their exams over the coming weeks. Subject teachers have provided students with the specific details about their exam, including specific dates, exam structure/content, and revision resources. We wish all Senior students the best of luck during the upcoming exam period. 

EXAMS (Year 9)

Students in Year 9 will undertake a series of Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Writing, Reading, Maths and Science on Wednesday 30 November. These tests will take place during periods 1 - 4 with normal classes resuming period 5 and 6 on this day.

 

The results from these assessments will provide our senior staff with valuable information to meet each student at their point of need when they enter the senior school at the start of 2023.

BOOKLISTS FOR 2023

Campion Education is again the booklist provider for McKinnon Secondary College.  

 

Senior School

Most senior school students have had their courses for 2023 confirmed. Once this has been done, families can start organising their booklists. Orders need to be completed online - the link to Campion Education is on the College website or can be accessed here. Families will need to create an account (if they don't already have one) and if prompted, the 4-digit code is 4WMD. 

 

Orders need to be placed by Friday 25 November to ensure home delivery before the end of the year. Campion has again included a set-charge to cover the packing and home delivery costs. 

 

Junior School

Information about 2023 booklists for the Junior School (Years 7-9) will be shared with families in the coming weeks.  

 

Sustainable School Shop

For families interested in buying/selling secondhand books, information about the Sustainable School Shop is available here (link is also on the College website). Please ensure you check the edition of the book on the booklist before purchasing any second-hand texts.

YEAR 10 (2023) - PHASE II OF OUR CHROMEBOOK PROGRAM

All Year 9 parents have been emailed instructions for purchasing a new Chromebook for their child. This is a very important process and ensures students have a reliable and up-to-date computer, but also a device that connects seamlessly to our network and is within its 3-year extended warranty. Some students’ devices are starting to process more slowly and showing signs of 'wear and tear'. We do not want these issues to adversely affect student learning, especially as they enter the Senior School next year. 

 

Organising an upgrade now is the best option, rather than leaving it until next year. The new model has improved features, such as a faster processor and better battery life.

 

If students in other year levels need a new Chromebook, the ordering detailed are as follows:  

  • Click on this portal link: http://mckinnonsc.technologyportal.com.au
  • Enter the school Access Code - MSC2023 (for the ‘Purchase’ section)
  • When entering your child’s details, the 'Student Username' is their McKinnon student code

McKinnon’s Chromebook program plays an incredibly important role in delivering an effective and engaging curriculum to our students. Its success relies on all students using a standard platform and we thank all families for their ongoing support.

CHROMEBOOK DONATIONS

If your child has upgraded their Chromebook and their previous device is still in good working order, families might be interested in a new donation program. We have made contact with an organisation that provides laptops to indigenous communities. So, if you are not going to use the old Chromebook at home, this is a great opportunity to help support the education of other young people - simply bring the old Chromebook to our IT Office and we will organise the rest.

UNIFORM

Please ensure your child continues to come to school in the correct uniform at all times. Facial piercings such as nose studs and eyebrow piercings are not acceptable - students will be asked to remove such piercings on-the-spot, prior to attending class. We expect students to wear the uniform with pride and it is an important part of our school culture. All students should now be wearing summer uniform. 

 

Please note: Blazers are optional in Terms 1 & 4;  however, when travelling to/from school, students wishing to wear an outer garment must wear the blazer (rather than the College jumper).

COMPASS - PARENT/CARER LOGIN DETAILS

Parents need to ensure their Compass username/password is secure and confidential. As student absences can be approved online through the parent portal, it is not appropriate to share your username and password with your child. If you believe your password is not secure, it can be changed by logging on to Compass, clicking on the ‘cog’ icon (top-right corner) and selecting ‘Change My Password’. Given the importance of Compass for communicating with families, it is also worth going to ‘Update My Details’ and checking that all contact details (email and mobile phone) are correct.  

SENIOR SCHOOL END OF YEAR PROGRAM

Following Year 10 and 11 exams, our Senior School students will be undertaking an end-of-year program to provide them with support and guidance, and also help them build strong foundations for a successful 2023. Full summer uniform is expected. 

 

Details of the program are as follows:

 

Year 10 Program (Thursday 24 November - Period 1 - 4) 

This year we are delighted to launch the Tomorrow Man/Woman program for our Year 10 students. The aim of this session is to promote respectful relationships by exploring unique factors that impact males and females, including gender equality, vulnerability and body image. At alternative times, students will complete a study skills session using the High Performance Mindfulness program.

 

Year 10 and 11 Reflection Day (Friday 25 November)

Students will attend one lesson for each semester 2 subject. Exam results will be returned during this time and teachers also give detailed feedback on how students can improve their performance in future assessments.

 

VCE/VCE-VM Orientation Week (Monday 28 November to Friday 2 December)

Classes for 2023 begin in this vital Orientation Week. Students attend their subjects for next year and engage in rigorous classroom activities designed to promote the key content and skills required. Formal classes for  all Senior students conclude on Friday 2 December.