PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

ACEL VICTORIA HEDLEY BEARE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

ACEL VICTORIA HEDLEY BEARE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

On Monday 12 November, 2018 I was invited to a ceremony where I was announced the recipient of The Hedley Beare Educator of the Year Award for 2018. A highlight of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) Victoria Branch is the annual celebration and presentation of awards. This award is in recognition of educational leaders who, in the view of their peers, have made a significant contribution to the understanding and practice of educational leadership.

The ACEL Victoria Hedley Beare Educator of the Year Award is given to an outstanding ACEL member who upholds and contributes to the aims and objectives of ACEL, promotes ACEL activities and excels as a leader within an educational setting.

I was truly honoured to receive this very prestigious Award.

ART SHOW

The Opening Night and Award Ceremony for the Annual Art Show was held on Thursday 8 November, 2018. The standard of work was very impressive and reflected the great creative and artistic talent of our students and staff.

I would like to acknowledge Ms Helen Kuriata who, together with her staff, has coordinated such an impressive event. The support and encouragement from parents, grandparents, teachers and friends is greatly valued and appreciated.  

Congratulations to the Award winners and to all students whose contributions of work made it such a success. This is a showcase event that truly brings our community together!

EXAMINATIONS

Year 12 examinations are well under way and I thank the students for their dedication and commitment.

Year 11 exams commenced on Wednesday 14 November, Year 10 exams will commence on Wednesday 21 November and Year 9 exams will commence on Thursday 29 November.

These weeks are difficult and students feel overwhelmed but consistent effort, motivation and revision will assist them to be prepared and achieve their personal best.

UNTERNEHMEN DEUTSCH - ENTERPRISE GERMAN

On Friday 9 November, 2018, the following Year 10 German students celebrated their participation in this national project initiated by the GOETHE INSTITUT AUSTRALIEN – Jeffrey Chum, James Liao, Mannie Psarakis and Travis Chun Yu.

Nina Liu, Jeffrey Chum and Ms Andrea Fowler were invited to participate in a panel discussion with students and teachers to talk about their experience.

Congratulations to all students involved. I would like to acknowledge Ms Fowler, Mr Nutting and Mr O’Brien for organising this truly wonderful initiative that gives our students another opportunity to shine!

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

One of the great pleasures of my job as Principal is seeing McKinnon students take the values that they learn here at school and live by them out in the community. 

Recently, the Glen Eira Council opened the new skate park near GSAC, and so far it has been a marvellous success. The design is comparable to any excellent skate park in Melbourne, and even better than that, there is already a wonderful sense of community and inclusiveness that means that young people of any age feel welcome there.

This is no small part due to the leadership shown by the following McKinnon students Ido Lupo (Year 12), Spencer Cornelius (Year 12), Cameron Duncan (Year 12), Ben Howells (Year 11), Jack Richardson (Year 12) and Jesse Scholz (Year 12). These boys have, of their own volition, mentored younger people who want to improve their skating, and were even approached by the Council to offer advice about the park's layout. They tested out the dimensions of the ramps to make sure they were appropriately safe and challenging. 

These boys show that leadership doesn't always mean wearing an official badge, but leading by example. In fact, their good work here only came to my attention when Mr Noble took his six year old daughter to try out her new scooter. A skate park full of older kids could be an intimidating place, but they took her under their wings like they have many other children there.  It is this kind of modesty and civic-mindedness that makes our McKinnon community so successful.  Well done, boys!

WEARING OF HATS AT SCHOOL

We have had a number of queries from parents regarding the school hat. It is a requirement to wear the school hat during any sport class. It is also recommended for students to wear the school hat during morning break and lunchtime during the hot weather.