PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

What a term, semester and year we have had!

I hope, in fact, we never have another term like this one, however, the adversity has indeed highlighted some need for change.

We quickly adjusted to the requirements of online learning and I could really not be more proud of the entire community for their collective efforts.

Staff worked very hard to ensure learning continued and parental support was much appreciated.

The gratitude shown by parents and students towards teachers and staff at the school was another indication of the strength and value of this community.

ONLINE COMMUNICATION

Last week we saw the tragic events in Melbourne’s northwest of a school boy killed because of an online situation.

People need to be very careful how they communicate with others, at all times – but online in particular.

Although the school cannot monitor or be responsible for what people say and do online at home after school, it is an expectation that students will represent their school and family at all times.

Our values as a school should hold everyone in good stead. Respectful conduct should be something everyone strives to achieve online.  It is totally unacceptable to humiliate or discriminate anyone online.

It is appalling how often one hears of the “keyboard warriors” who are quietly confident to be offensive online. They say things they would never say to anyone face to face. I ask parents to please have yet another conversation with their children and remind them of the saying many of us grew up knowing clearly “If you have nothing good to say about some-one, don’t say anything at all”.

It is tragic that a life of a 15 year old was take so soon. I think anger escalates quickly these days and people are very reactive and rude far too often.  We need to be vigilant with our children.

Many young people cannot think situations through properly so they take unnecessary risks and act in inappropriate ways.

PREMIERS AWARDS

I received an invitation to the Premier’s VCE Awards in April but unfortunately due to the Coronavirus restrictions the event was postponed.

The Premier’s VCE Awards recognise the outstanding results of individual students and pays tribute to the Principals, teachers and families who play a valuable role in supporting these students during their VCE studies.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the McKinnon Secondary College Premier’s VCE Awards recipients for their 2019 studies:

• Jared Abidi for Top All-Round VCE High Achiever and Computing: Software Development
• Caleb Gering for Economics
• Qiyue Lu for Further Mathematics
• Camille Meric for French
• Yinghui Wang for Music Investigation

I would like to congratulate these students on receiving these prestigious Awards and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

So many of the world’s problems stem from intolerance or a lack of understanding of difference and diversity. McKinnon has been at the forefront of addressing this through our association with the Council of International Schools. As an accredited school with the CIS, we are focused on delivering our vision and values – wisdom and service – in ways that really matter. We can go a long way to achieving this by becoming globally-minded citizens. What does it mean to be a global citizen? This is a question we have been examining in great depth as a part of our CIS journey. A global citizen is a person who is educated in the different ways that the peoples of the world live their lives. It is an acknowledgement that our priorities are not necessarily universal. By the same token, it is a recognition that we share a common humanity which values fairness, justice and equality of opportunity. A global citizen also understands that diversity is a strength, not a weakness. 

Undoubtedly, there is much to be done to cure the ills of modern society. To remedy the situation, it is our task as educators to guide our children to become the best individuals they can possibly be. When they leave McKinnon, we want them equipped to be productive citizens capable of collaboration and empathy and an embracing of difference. If there is one quality which is key to global citizenship it is respect. Without respect, people no longer listen to one another. Listening respectfully can only enhance understanding which is the basis for any resolution of conflict. McKinnon will continue to be a proud leader of this rich, diverse community producing future citizens ready to make a difference.

PRIDE AND GIGS ON THE GREEN

On Wednesday 24 June during lunch, Pride Club held a fundraiser. Students and staff contributed baked goods to raise money for the organisation Black Rainbow Australia. This organisation supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQI people through a variety of community projects and initiatives. We were proud to fundraise a total of $742.85. What an amazing achievement! 

This would not have been possible if it was not for all the students and staff involved. Special thanks to Miss Sip and the support of the Senior School Council, especially Jessica Sailsbury (Year 12) and Liana Kelemen (Year 10) who helped bring it all together. Jessica organised for Bailey and Mitchell from Glen Eira Council Pride Club to come and visit. They were impressed at seeing the wonderful community spirit of McKinnon Secondary College. So much so, that they are going to join in partnership with Pride Club to help run future events. 

The whole student cohort made the event so special. Year 7 students made the beautiful colourful decorations, Year 8 Students decorated the tables, and students from every year took the time to make delicious baked goods. What was on show was a real sense of belonging, community and inclusion. 

While the baked goods sold, the Year 12 House Music Band held our first ‘Gigs on the Green’ for 2020. Their performance was absolutely amazing and I applaud them and Mr Kurowski and the concert team managers, for making it all possible. The weather was perfect, the sun coming out for the first time in days.

These events held at McKinnon help to unite the community, build respect and inclusion and really are food for peoples’ soul! Congratulations to all involved. 

STUDENT FOCUS GROUPS

We often seek feedback from our students about particular issues or programs.

This term there have been a number of forums held. A couple to capture the learnings of COVID time, some to reflect on the junior school programs that build respect, values, inclusion and community mindedness: always considering our motto of “Wisdom and Service”.

I want to thank the staff and students involved. They gave generously of their valuable time! They have been very thoughtful, considered and reflective.

This is about continuous improvement and really builds a wonderful legacy at the college.

RESILIENCE

An article written by Dr Tammy Tempelhof (Clinical Psychologist) on resilience for our young people is in this newsletter. I recommend you read it. It contains important things to consider that will help in raising confident resilient kids!

END OF FIRST SEMESTER

I wish everyone a wonderful much deserved break.

Rest up!

Be safe and let’s all count our blessings.