PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

National Reconciliation week is recognised on 27 May - 3 June each year. This year, the theme is “Be a Voice for Generations” and encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, learn, work and socialise.

This is a time for all Australians to learn about our first nations peoples' histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

National Sorry Day was on Friday 26 May, when we remember and acknowledge the hurt and damage caused in the past by our governments when they forcibly removed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities and cultures.

This year's theme 'be a voice for generations' asks each and every one of us to use our words and our actions to create a better, more just, and equitable Australia for all.

We were very fortunate to have Belinda Duarte AM address our school community at the General Assembly today. Belinda is a proud aboriginal woman and CEO of Culture is Life, an organisation which is dedicated to Aboriginal-led solutions for the support of wellbeing of the indigenous youth in Australia.

As a former elite athlete, Belinda is working on innovative projects to influence the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to improve relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. 

She has been appointed to the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, is a director of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, MCG trustee, Board Member of the AnnaMilla First Nations Foundation and Djaara Aboriginal Corporation.

What an inspiring individual. I thank Belinda for her time, for sharing her story, and for her insight.

WEAR IT YELLOW

This year the whole school will again be participating in 'Wear It Yellow Day' tomorrow Friday 2 June. This will be a casual dress day and we encourage everyone to wear a splash of yellow, red or black (to represent the Aboriginal flag).  

Please bring a $2 donation and all money raised will go to Children's Ground, a charity that supports indigenous communities through education, health and wellbeing.

EXAMS

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

YEAR 9 CAMP

It was wonderful to hear how much fun our students had in Warrnambool. This experience has been an outstanding success and a wonderful opportunity.

Both Tower Hill and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum were well embraced enthusiastically by the students and staff. The region really delivered a wonderfully broadening experience, exploring the indigenous heritage and the stories from the Shipwreck Coast of southwest Victoria.

In addition to the camp component, the Wisdom and Service program for students back at school has proven to be very popular. The sense of belonging and undertaking programs to learn a range of new skills have helped our students feel accomplished whilst providing certification for their resumes. This included First Aid, Barista, Food Handling, Bronze Medallion training among many other exciting programs on offer.

SENIOR ENSEMBLES CONCERT

The Senior Ensembles Concert was held on Tuesday evening in the Assembly Hall. The concert featured performances by all Senior Core Ensembles, as well as Chamber Strings, Saxophone Quartet, Senior Singers, Senior Percussion Ensemble and Senior Stage Band. 

The event was a wonderful celebration of students working together at a high level, and the enjoyment was obvious for performers and the audience. 

Thank you to Clare Bugeja for overseeing the organisation of the concert, the AV team, ensemble directors and all music staff. 

KINGSTON CROSS COUNTRY

On Wednesday 31 May we had 100 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 22 June at Cruden Farm. 

Thank you to Mr Hudd, Mr Adlington, Mr Landini and Mr Woolhouse for their support.  What an incredible achievement! 

COMMUNITY

Communities are judged on how they treat their most vulnerable, and last week, there was an incredible example of care and kindness demonstrated by some of our students to a vulnerable member of our community. 

A carer from Claremont Terrace Aged Care on McKinnon Road approached a group of our students near the local McDonalds after school. She asked them if they had seen an elderly resident from the Aged Care Centre. The resident had gone for a walk but members of the public had contacted the Claremont Terrace with concerns for her wellbeing. Straight away our students sprung into action calling their friends in surrounding streets to help. Through their concentrated efforts they luckily located this resident and helped them to return home.

This is outstanding work, and this is living our value of community.  This generosity of spirit is commendable and contributes positively to our society.

Congratulations to these Year 11 students:

Asher Dunne, Luke Kennedy, Kane Vaughan, Aidan Jobling and Kieran Wall.

STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR

The Department of Education and Training’s Performing Arts Unit auditioned students from across the state for this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular cast and crew.

Two of our students have secured roles in this year’s Spectacular core performing company which will be held in September. They are Vicky Bui (Year 8), for lighting and Briana Portella (Year 11) as a Principal Dancer. 

These students are incredible ambassadors for McKinnon, and we wish them all the very best! 

VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONS

The McKinnon Senior Girls Volleyball Team are School Sport Victoria State Champions, after defeating multiple teams in pool play and claiming victory in both the semi-final and grand final. Their remarkable performance not only highlighted their resilience and ability to excel under pressure but also showcased their outstanding teamwork. 

Congratulations to the McKinnon girls team for their well-deserved title as State Champions!

GOLDSTEIN AWARD

Liah Gizbar of Year 12 recently represented McKinnon at the "Zoe Daniel 1 Year On" event.  In 2022, Liah was awarded the Goldstein award, presented by Zoe Daniel MP, in recognition for her tremendous advocacy on social matters, enthusiasm and integrity. It was a night of great community reflection and discussion and we thank Liah for her continued service in upholding the values of McKinnon and Goldstein.

Thank you also to Kellie Felmingham and Natalie Same for accompanying Liah to this event.

WEHI PROGRAM

Congratulations to Tanvi Patil of Year 10 who has been accepted into the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Work Experience Program in June. 

As part of this week-long program, Tanvi will work alongside researchers in an internationally competitive laboratory, gaining hands-on experience with experimental design and medical research. 

This is a highly competitive program, with only 24 positions available to Year 10 students from across Victoria. Congratulations Tanvi, we wish you all the very best. 

EMBRACED EXHIBITION

Congratulations to Lucia Roohizadegan - Class of 2018 - whose art has been selected into the The Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers exhibition in Canberra. This exhibition is curated by Embraced, Socially Driven Arts Projects.

This is a fantastic achievement, and we are very proud of Lucia.

YEAR 12 THEATRE STUDIES 

In the last edition of the newsletter, I congratulated students on their performance of The Secret in the Wings, which was also attended by local member Nick Staikos. 

Nick has informed me that he acknowledged all those involved (including both teachers and students) in Parliament this week.

Congratulations again to:

Students: Ashley Blutman (Year 12), Lani Hammam (Year 11), Yvette Lipovetsky (Year 12), Lena O’Hanlon (Year 12), Stefanie Panagiotopoulos (Year 12), Bella Rubenstein (Year 12), Aziz Sharipov (Year 12), Hugo Tran (Year 12), Tom Wever (Year 12), Meirav Berger (Year 12) and lighting operator assistant Lulu Elliott (Year 11) 

Staff: Lucy Angell (Theatre Studies, Drama, English Teacher, Production Coordinator and Director) and Michael Birkett (AV Technician)