PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

PAT TESTING

Well done to all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 who undertook PAT testing last week. This data is insightful and guides our staff to provide targeted teaching to best support your child's needs.

YEAR 12 OUTDOOR ED CAMP

Thanks to Daniel Farthing and Delmar Zachest who led our first Year 12 Outdoor Education camp for the year last week. These experiences make learning come to life and are critical to the delivery of the Outdoor Education VCE program. 

KUMMARGEE - RISE UP

Last Friday we launched a special program for all Year 8 students, the ‘Kummargee - Rise up’ Challenge. The program, formerly The MCK8 Challenge, includes challenges in all areas of student learning.  

We have now connected this program to include a strong emphasis on indigenous cultural appreciation. Working with the Bunurong Land Council over the last year, we now have permission to use place names in traditional language for each team. 

To officially launch Kummargee on Friday, we had Kobi Sainty, from the Land Council to conduct a formal Welcome to Country to all Year 8 students in the gym at the East Campus, followed by entertainment from Scott Darlow, who is an aboriginal song writer and storyteller.  

It was a fantastic morning and I am so proud to have this association with the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation to help us understand the culture of the people on whose land we live.  

I would particularly like to thank Paul King and Matthew Shaw who have made this program possible, due to their hard work over the last year.

SENIOR BOYS CRICKET  

The Senior Boys Cricket team had an astonishing victory in the SMR Quarter Final held on Tuesday against SEDA College. 

Senin Seymour (Year 11) compiled 152 not out, off just 50 balls in a wonderful display of batting. 138 of those runs came from boundaries with Senin smashing 15 sixes and 12 fours.

Lewis Sellenger’s (Year 12) 40 runs off 20 balls, and Rajit Kalra’s (Year 11) 93 runs off 33 balls, helped the team finish their 20 overs on 5/300. Lewis then did an incredible job with the bowling as well, collecting 4 wickets as we comfortably defended the total.

Next week the boys move onto the SMR Semi Final where they will face Melbourne High, and hopefully later that day the SMR Final against either Dromana SC or Koo Wee Rup SC.

What a fantastic team effort. Thank you to Chris Hudd for his coaching expertise.

SUN PROTECTION

During Terms 1 and 4 all students must wear their hat when they have PE/sport classes outdoors. We want to maintain a sun-smart culture. If students do not have a hat, they will not be able to participate in the activity and they will receive a detention. Sunscreen will always be available, and sports teachers will encourage students to use it. 

Our uniform supplier Bob Stewart does not currently have any sports caps in stock. If students do not already own a McKinnon sports cap, they can wear another hat until the new stock arrives (e.g. broad-brimmed or baseball cap). This can be worn during sport/PE, at recess/lunchtime and to/from school.

We will inform families when the new stock of hats has arrived at the uniform supplier.

THERAPY DOGS

Last week, we welcomed back Luke from Miracle Paws along with his wonderful therapy dogs who bring so much joy and comfort to our students and staff. This is one of the many ways the Wellbeing team is helping students be more comfortable and less anxious at school.  

DENTAL SCHOOL PACKS 

McKinnon Secondary College has now engaged with Smile Squad which is a free dental program for government school students. The program begins this term where students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will be receiving an oral health pack.

In the coming months we will learn how the program will deliver annual oral health examinations (that take place at school) and follow up treatment as needed.

This is a free initiative provided by the Victorian Government.

COMPASS

Communication with students and parents/carers is critical for all of us to ensure we’re across the many things happening at school.

Compass newsfeeds and posts need to be read regularly, as does the newsletter.

SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS 

It is so important that parents pay their voluntary contributions as our school relies on these funds to provide the very best opportunities for our students.

These voluntary payments support us to provide the best possible facilities and outdoor environments for our students. They also allow us to deliver learning programs that we would otherwise not be able to afford.  

The difference these generous contributions make is significant and we thank all families for their support of their child's education and the buildings and surroundings in which they learn. 

The finance office is located at the Main Campus and is open 8:15am - 4:00pm School Days.