SCHOOL NEWS

MCK CHESS CLUB 

McK Chess Grand Prix EAST CAMPUS (update)

 

Last week and this week, some 35 participants in Years 8 & 9 kicked off the annual McK Chess Grand Prix tournament at the East Campus. This is the largest ever turn out for the competition at East. Well done to everyone who took part, you have made history!

The preliminary phases will last for 2.5 weeks. While there will still be some games over the Year 9 Camp period, the final play-off for the top handful of players will happen during Week 6-7.

 

For all the latest info, visit McK Chess GP East.

 

McK Chess Grand Prix MAIN CAMPUS (update)

 

Meanwhile, Event 2 of the Chess GP at the Main Campus has also started this week. Over 40 players will battle for the McK Chess Classic title in three separate divisions over the next six weeks. This event is played under the longer time of control of 12 mins per player (akin to the McK Chess Championships and inter-school competitions) where much higher quality games are expected. These matches will also count towards the overall GP ladder to determine the ultimate winner(s) of the McK Chess GP tournament (main) in 2023.

 

To follow the McK Chess GP, please go to the official website.

 

Weekly lunchtime session

 

Come join us for some social or practice games on the Wednesdays at the Main Campus (Room A07 & A08) and on the Thursdays at the East Campus (Room V2.6). McK Chess Club is totally free for everyone and no signup is required. Simply show up and play!

 

Important note: No food is allowed inside. Also, the club usually won’t begin until 10-15 mins into the 1st half of lunch, so please eat your lunch first then come to the chess club.

Sandy Law

McK Chess Club

YEAR 10 INFORMAL FORMAL

On Friday 31 March, the Year 10 student Council, along with the Student Managers and a committee of helpers held the second Year 10 Informal Formal at McKinnon Secondary College. This event was essentially the Years 11 and 12 formal that all Year 10 students dream of, but minus the stress and hassle associated with buying an over the top outfit and spending hours getting ready!

 

This night was a wonderful opportunity for us to meet new people and form relationships that will last us until the end of high school, all in a comfortable and enjoyable environment. Everybody got out of their comfort zones and joined into the buzzing night, filled with music, singing and dancing, as well as a retro gaming area, catering to everyone’s appeals and ways of having fun.

 

The evening began with a photo wall with props, which we all took advantage of by capturing memories of the night that will last us a lifetime. This was followed by pizza and drinks, and then hours of enjoyment. Even some teachers got involved in the energetic dance circle that was formed, encouraging everybody to have their time to shine on the dancefloor. Most importantly, everyone was cheering everybody on, regardless of if they were friends or even knew each other. Everyone contributed to create a beautiful and safe atmosphere so that all students and staff present on the night could have the best time possible!

Finally, the night concluded with a variety of awards. We had a best glow-in-the-dark themed outfit award, a couple best dancer and best dressed awards, along with a best couple award. These were elected and presented by the Informal Formal committee, and they motivated us to put effort into our outfits and give it our all on the dancefloor.

On a whole, this experience was something that brought our year level closer, and helped us to meet new people and ignite friendships. What a beautiful way to finish the term!

 

Afroditi Ioannidou

Year 10 Student

PEER SUPPORT - OVERVIEW

Peer Support at McKinnon Secondary College is a whole-school initiative which links older students in Year 10 with a group of younger students in Year 7. The program runs all of Term 1 once per week and involves student led discussions and activities. The Peer Support Leaders act as mentors; educating and supporting younger students on how to handle peer pressures, navigate secondary school and teach a variety of life skills. The incredible outcome of the program results in the Year 7 students having a strong sense of belonging and building positive relationships with their peers. 

Jack Gromer

Peer Support Co-ordinator

YEAR 10 LEADER REFLECTIONS

Everyone’s transition into high school is a different experience, however, an underlying theme which is common to most is the limited amount of knowledge given that comes with the huge shift from primary to secondary school. And who better to share experiences, stories and anecdotes than those who have been at the school for a few years and gained insight that only a student can have? 

 

Peer Support was an amazing way for Year 10 students to connect and relate to Year 7 students, through eight sessions spanning over the course of Term 1. These sessions occurred once a week and were filled with amusing games centered around informative discussions exploring different aspects of high school life. It was really sweet to see the Year 7s become friendly with each other over the course of the program, and see different groups merge, hold conversations and include everyone. 

 

As leaders, we were also able to see the Year 7s begin to open up to us, where they would quite often ask questions or even just recount their new experiences with high school. I look forward to seeing all the Year 7s continue to flourish throughout high school. I’m very proud of them all!

Kayla MorganYear 10 Student

 

Seeing the Peer Support program flourish in past years is what enticed many of us to be a part of this wonderful experience. Replicating, if not bettering, our Year 7 Peer Support experience was certainly high on everyone’s bucket list, which is why stepping into those roles, personally, created a sense of enthusiasm to wanting to provide the best possible start for the new Year 7s. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Peer Support program this year, as I’m sure many did. The decision to change the Peer Support Leaders from Year 11s to Year 10s certainly proved beneficial towards our leadership, communication and cooperation skills and has set us up well for the future. 

 

The Program highlighted that our ability to connect with the Year 7s also proved beneficial in their new, and undoubtedly daunting, start to high school. While many sessions aimed at tackling common problems and how to appropriately solve and overcome those challenges, it also provided a safe environment where the Year 7s could come and express any worries, concerns, or inquiries they might have had and enjoy their time at McKinnon by playing a few fun, team building games. 

 

By the end of the program, all the Year 7s had grown into looking more comfortable and capable to their start to high school and I hope to see them continue to grow more in the coming years.

Alexander Rowe Hansen Year 10 Student