CAPTAINS' CORNER

SENIOR CAPTAIN

Since the start of Year 7, many have dreaded the final VCE examination period, after all, it's the cumulation of 13 years of schooling over a few weeks, and for all Year 12s, these are the weeks where their efforts are assessed.

Once all the high school celebrations had finished, the fun was had and it was time for the Year 12s to focus on their final exams. During the weeks of, and leading up to, the exams, despite classes having finished officially, many students were coming into school to ask their teachers for feedback, work with their friends or find a quiet place to study. Although the ATAR system essentially being a competition, the help and support among the cohort is abundant - study or stress, there’s always someone to talk to.

With the English exam out of the way, a lesson that many people learnt is that they didn’t need to stress about it as much as they did. Of course, it is important to want to do well in your schooling, but McKinnon prepared us very well; practice exams, writing sessions, ex-student presentations and the like were at the disposal of all students. An overwhelming majority of McKinnon students had put in the work and used the resources available which led them to leave their exams feeling relieved and proud, not remorseful.

My message to younger students reading this, preparing for the final exams, is that there isn’t much to worry about, given you put a steady amount of work into your studies. At McKinnon, you are equipped with all the knowledge and skills you need to complete your exams with confidence, and when things get rough your classmates, teachers, student managers and even the principal team are there to help. 

At the end of the year, I won't remember worrying about my SACs and studying; it’s the events like trivia night, pancake mornings, Year 12 camp and all the friendships I have made along the way are what I will look back on when thinking about my final years of high school.

As the examination period comes to an end a sense of relief, but also a sadness that it has all come to an end, has left many of my classmates with a feeling that I can only describe as bitter-sweet. 

Harry Mills

Year 12 Student

JUNIOR CAPTAIN

At 11 am, on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns on the Western Front ceased after more than four continuous years of fighting. The conclusion of a great war resulted in 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded soldiers across the globe, with 60,000 deaths and 156,000 injured of our own Australian Soldiers. Remembrance Day is about honouring those who chose to fight and those who gave their lives fighting for their country.

Poppies are the symbol of remembrance for the First World War as they were amongst the first to flower in the battlefields and graveyards of Northern France and Belgium. Poppies are worn to remember the dead, keep the memory alive of the cause in which soldiers gave their lives, and as a bond of esteem for all the soldiers from the Allied nations. 

As November 11 approaches, almost 104 years since the war ended, many young leaders have been seen around the East Campus selling poppies, wristbands and keychains in order to raise money to support the poppy appeal. These poppies are an exact replica in size and colour of those that bloomed in Flanders Fields, and a purchase helps donate to the RSL, in which money is given in support to Australian veterans when they need it the most. 

Overall, Remembrance Day is such a special occasion so don’t forget to spare a moment’s thought and commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who have lost their lives.

Kayla Morgan

Year 9 Student