A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to all staff, students, parents and a special welcome to our new families. I hope 2020 will be a most rewarding year filled with many wonderful opportunities for learning and growth.

Congratulations to the school community for such a successful start to the year. I have been very impressed with the excellent way in which students have returned to school looking their best in their uniform, organized with all their appropriate materials and ready to learn.

It is with tremendous pride and honour that I continue as Principal of one of the best schools in the State! I look forward to the wonderful opportunities ahead and give a commitment to continue to serve this community with dedication and professionalism, providing all children with many opportunities to thrive and shine.

OUTBREAK OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

Thank you to everyone for their support and understanding during this difficult situation.

As I mentioned through Compass communication, anyone who has returned from China from the 1st of February is to self isolate for 14 days as a precaution.

Below is a link to the most current advice from the Department:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/information-public-novel-coronavirus

PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION

Part of the secret to the McKinnon model of success with student outcomes is the very strong partnership that exists between parents and staff.

We value these quality relationships and I know students benefit from them tremendously.

Parents at McKinnon can be relied upon to attend concerts, drama nights, all information evenings but also they read the newsletter, Compass feeds and keep informed and up to date with all relevant events.

They also assist students to be organised, punctual and in full uniform.

This all contributes to student success and building strong relationships and I thank everyone for your efforts.

VCE CLASS OF 2019

Congratulations to our Class of 2019 for their outstanding results. Once again McKinnon was one of the top co-educational, non-selective schools in the State.

100% of our students were successful in attaining their VCE

Our Duxes (Jared Abidi & Betty Wang) achieved an ATAR of 99.90.

16% of all study scores were over 40

30% achieved an ATAR over 90

59% achieved an ATAR over 80

33 was the average study score

I congratulate all students, staff and parents for these wonderful achievements. Our strong partnership ensures the best educational outcomes can be achieved.

NEW STAFF

This year we fondly welcome new and returning staff members to our College:

Ms Karen Bares - Psychology/English

Mr Cedric Chamontin - French

Ms Clare Cocciardi - History/English

Ms Lucy Foskett - English

Ms Stephanie Georgiou - English/EAL

Ms Nell Henning - English

Ms Sandy Hope - Maths/Science

Ms Katherine Johnstone - Biology/Science

Mr Michael Lee - Maths/Biology

Mr William Lee - History/Global Politics

Ms Natalie Little - Maths

Ms Jennifer Lynd - French

Mr Alistair McCooke - Health/PE

Ms Rhiannon Parker - PE/Sport

Ms Sofija Plavsic - English/History

Ms Sarah Ridout - Science

Mr Frank Russo - ICT

Ms Megan Snell - English/Global Politics

Ms Fiona Tingate - Biology

Ms Claire Weiss - PE/Sport/Outdoor Education

Mr Connor McMahon - Science

Ms Deepti Arora - Finance

Mr Sokratis Gavrielatos - Integration

Argiro Lianos - EAL/Literacy Support

Ms Tamara King - Integration

Mr Aiden Bonney-Cole - ICT Support

Mr Kevin Eskandari - Specialist Technician

I hope they find their work with our community professionally rewarding.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

School Council elections are upon us and we will have Nomination Forms and Parent Information available in our next newsletter dated 20/02/2020.

PARENT AFTERNOONS/EVENINGS

There are numerous information evenings and “get-togethers” that will be held over the next few weeks. The Principal Class, Student Managers and Teachers look forward to meeting as many parents as possible. There is no doubt that one key aspect to success at McKinnon is the very strong partnership that exists between staff, students and parents in this community. See below for details and thank you in advance for your attendance and support.

Year 12 Parent Information Evening

Tuesday 11 February at 7:00pm

Year 7 Meet the Principal afternoon

Wednesday 12 February at 2:00pm

Years 8 & 9 Parent Information Evening

Monday 17 February at 7:00pm

Years 10 & 11 Parent Information Evening

Wednesday 26 February at 7:00pm

Year 7 Parent Information Evening

Tuesday 3 March at 5:00pm

YEAR 12 CAMP

I heard very favourable reports about the Year 12 Camp this week at Phillip Island and I congratulate all of our Year 12s for their respect, dedication, commitment and positive attitude. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Senior School Team, Mr Hudd, Mrs James and Mr Blackmore and all the staff who eagerly participated in the organisation of a very successful camp. I hope it is the beginning of a very rewarding year where incredible success eventuates. Most of all I hope the students feel a strong sense of belonging to their school.

I wish all the Year 12 students the very best in their endeavours and look forward to sharing in their success.

TOP CLASS

Congratulations to VCE students from 2019 Betty Wang (Music Investigation) and Orr Zaacks (Music Performance) who have been invited to perform for the Top Class performance in March 2020. This is a fantastic outcome for all their amazing work. Well done to you both for your achievement and endeavour!

SECONDARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT PRIVACY COLLECTION STATEMENT

(PRIVACY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS)

During the ordinary course of your child’s attendance at our school, school staff will collect your child’s personal and health information when necessary to educate your child, or to support your child’s social and emotional wellbeing or health. Such information will also be collected when required to fulfil a legal obligation, including duty of care, anti-discrimination law and occupational health and safety law. If that information is not collected, the school may be unable to provide optimal education or support to your child, or fulfil those legal obligations.

For example, health information may be collected through the school nurse or wellbeing staff member. If your child is referred to a specific health service at school, such as a Student Support Service Officer, or school-engaged psychologist, the required consent will be obtained.

Our school may use online tools, such as apps and other software, to effectively collect and manage information about your child for teaching and learning purposes, parent communication and engagement; student administration; and school management purposes. When our school uses these online tools, we take steps to ensure that your child’s information is secure. If you have any concerns about the use of these online tools, please contact us.

School staff will only share your child’s personal or health information with other staff who need to know to enable the school to educate or support your child, or fulfil a legal obligation.

When our students transfer to another Victorian government school, personal and health information about that student will be transferred to that next school. Transferring this information is in the best interests of our students and assists that next school to provide optimal education and support to students.

In some limited circumstances, information may be disclosed outside of the school (and outside of the Department of Education and Training). The school will seek your consent for such disclosures unless the disclosure is allowed or mandated by law.

Our school values the privacy of every person. When collecting and managing personal and health information, all school staff must comply with Victorian privacy law. For more information about privacy including about how to access personal and health information held by the school about you or your child, see our school’s privacy policy:

https://www.eduation.vic.gov.au/Pages/schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx

Throughout this notice, ‘staff’ includes principals, teachers, Student Support Service officers, youth workers, social workers, nurses and any other allied health practitioners and all other staff at our school. This includes employees, agents and service providers (contractors) of the Department, whether paid of unpaid.

LOCAL SCHOOLS COMMUNITY FUND

The Local Schools Community Fund provides funding of up to $200,000 for each Federal electorate to invest into small scale school projects.

I am delighted to advise that McKinnon SC has been successful with our school’s project application and we have been awarded $18,000 which will greatly assist with the New Gymnasium Carpark project.

I thank the local Federal Member Tim Wilson for his support.

FUNDRAISER

School Council has worked tirelessly over the years to improve the facilities and grounds.

Much work has been undertaken and we appreciate everyone’s support.

This year we are constructing a second gymnasium (we would be the only school with this many students to only have one gym).

We ask every family to consider purchasing a brick to help us complete this project.

It is a tax deductable donation that will make a huge difference here!

The School Council Fundraiser Form can be obtained from the General Office, Finance Office or you can download the form from the link below:

On behalf of School Council I ask for your generous support.

Please buy a brick!

VICTORIAN SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES

I would like to acknowledge Bao Dan (Danny) Pham and Thuy Khue Nguyen who both scored very well in their Vietnamese First Language, a subject they both studied through VSL.

Congratulations to both girls on this wonderful achievement.

PUNCTUALITY

All students should arrive at school by 8:30am to give themselves enough time to be organised for an 8:50am start. Lateness is considered a lack of respect and it impacts negatively on the good order of our school. Please assist us to ensure everyone is prompt each and every day.

Parents should nominate a drop off and pick up point with their children outside the school buildings. The school reception foyer can become very congested during the day and is not the place to meet your child after school.

MOBILE PHONES AT McKINNON

Students must not use their phones from 8:30am until the end of the day bell (including recess and lunchtime). We are committed to following through to help your child concentrate better in class, build stronger relationships with their peers and ultimately improve their mental health.

This decision was made through extensive consultation with students and staff and after reviewing the current research on the subject. It is now government policy.

Students are required to keep their phones at home or leave them in their lockers at school. If parents have an urgent need to contact their child over the course of the day they can leave a message at the school office.

Thank you in advance for your support.

IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR STUDENTS USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public Transport Victoria has written to me to ask that we communicate requirements to all students using public transport in Victoria.

Please note the following:

PTV Approved School Student ID

Since the launch in January 2019, hundreds of Victorian schools have signed up to participate in the PTV Approved School Student ID program, making it easier for Victorian students and their parents to access concession fares and student pass products.

The PTV Approved Student ID is effectively your school’s student ID card with the PTV logo. This flexible option means that students no longer need to arrange, pay for and carry the dedicated PTV School Student ID (available from stations/ticket agents for $9.00) to travel on student passes or concession fares.

This year the McKinnon student ID cards will include the PTV logo. These will be distributed to students in the weeks following photo day, which this year is Thursday 13 February 2020.

For further information email ticketingservices@ptv.vic.gov.au

TRAFFIC – SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS

I would also like to remind all parents to be careful when driving along McKinnon Road. It is very congested and at times dangerous. Please be aware of street signs and adhere to road rules. Parents are being booked daily by parking officers from Glen Eira Council.

The school car park must also not be accessed by parents during school hours.

The speed limit is always 40km per hour along McKinnon Road and u-turns are not allowed. We have many students riding bikes so please be careful parking and opening doors.

ACCIDENT/CAR INSURANCE/AMBULANCE COVER

The Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents/Guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs. Parents/Guardians can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers.

PERSONAL PROPERTY INSURANCE

Personal property is often brought to school by students, staff and visitors. This can include mobile phones, iPods, electronic games, calculators, toys, musical instruments, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. The Department of Education does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.

Thank you once again for allowing me the privilege of continuing to serve this community. We will endeavour to do all we can to ensure this important time in your child’s life is rewarding, engaging and prepares them for success and happiness.

I look forward to seeing everyone throughout the year.

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