PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

National Reconciliation week is recognised this year from Friday 27 May – Friday 3 June. This is a time to learn about our collective histories, cultures, and achievements and to find ways we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

On Thursday 26 May we acknowledged National Sorry Day to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which are now known as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

We must all continue to do all we can to create a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The theme for reconciliation week this year is “Be Brave. Make Change”.

On Wednesday 1 June, we asked students to ‘Wear It Yellow’ and bring a gold coin donation to raise money for Children’s Ground - an initiative that supports Indigenous education in Australia. 

This was a fabulous opportunity to celebrate First Nations culture and take action to help brighten the future for First Nations children and their families.

As a country we must do all we can to care for some of our most disadvantaged communities and close the gap.

YEAR 9 CAMP

It was wonderful to meet the final buses on the return from Warrnambool. This camp has been an outstanding success and a wonderful opportunity to connect the year level.

Tower Hill and Flagstaff Pioneer Settlement were well received. The region really delivered a wonderful experience.

I hope the students have formed wonderful friendships and fond memories. 

REACH PROGRAM

The REACH Program was offered to all Year 9 Students over the last fortnight as part of their unique Year 9 experience. REACH facilitators provided a safe and supportive space for students to discuss and share their experiences, successes and challenges. 

REACH is a youth focused organization that invests in young facilitators to design and deliver transformative experiences for young people. They connect young people to create a sense of social belonging, have breakthrough conversations and build emotional resilience and courage.

A learning task set in the Year 9 Wisdom and Service Unit will ask students to provide feedback on their Year 9 experiences over the past two weeks and will include student feedback about their REACH experience. 

PROJECT ROCKIT

Project Rocket delivered a workshop to our Year 8 students on Wednesday 1 June. The focus of this session was ‘new ways to tackle bullying’. 

The aim is to provide students with a shared understanding of bullying in various forms, including online, verbal, and physical. By building literacy about why bullying happens and empathy for those it impacts, students are empowered to help create a culture that not only challenges bullying behaviour but equips them with strategies to deal with bullying as individuals and as a community. 

Through active participation in the workshop, students not only learned valuable life skills but had an enjoyable and memorable experience.

KINGSTON CROSS COUNTRY

On Wednesday 25 May we had ninety students represent McKinnon at Karkarook Park in the Kingston Cross Country Division. McKinnon once again had a successful day winning both individual and team events. 

McKinnon won 6 of the 10 team events. Good luck to the 42 students who have qualified for the Southern Metro Region Cross Country to be held on Thursday 23 June at Cruden Farm. 

What an incredible achievement! 

OLD MCKINNON / GLEN EIRA FOOTBALL CLUB

The partnership between our College and the Glen Eira Football Club continues to go from strength to strength. Current Year 12 student, Will Green, is the Captain of Old McKinnon and has been an imposing member of the midfield. 

Will’s efforts have earned him the rising star nomination for Round 6. You can read more about Will on VAFA’s website.

FINISH TIMES

From next week, all classes (7-12) will conclude at 3:10pm.

I thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding but I feel confident that we can move people quickly at the end of the day.

EXAMS

Years 10 and 11 exams will be undertaken in the coming week. These exams are an important part of our Teaching and Learning program. I know everyone will work hard to achieve their best.

Year 11 exams

Will be held from Friday 3 June - Friday 10 June

Year 10 exams

Will be held from Tuesday 7 June - Friday 10 June

Correction Day

Tuesday 14 June (pupil free day for all students)

ALUMNI VISIT

Matt Berriman - Class of 2002 - is a former professional cricketer, technology entrepreneur and now Chair of Mental Health Australia.

Matt returned to McKinnon to speak to Year 12 students about his pathway since leaving school. It was a great chance for students to hear about his resilience, and experiences with Mental Health issues. 

Matt highlighted that things don’t always go to plan, and how important it is to build a strong support network of people around you. 

Matt delivered an engaging, inspiring message to the McKinnon students and we thank him for his valuable time.

OPEN DAY AT EAST CAMPUS

We invite parents and senior students to visit our Years 8 & 9 campus on Tuesday 14 June on our upcoming correction day. You are welcome to attend between 9:30am and 10:30am or 1:30pm and 2:30pm. Student leaders will be directing people. 

We will host another open event later in the year, but it’s a great opportunity to see our magnificent east campus.

Please remember parking is limited so you may need to walk from East Boundary Road.