Welcome
McKinnon Secondary College lives by its motto ‘Wisdom and Service’. We foster a love of learning and respect for diversity. We strive to nurture empathetic, creative and confident young people who are connected to our community and Indigenous heritage. We want our students to embrace opportunities for continuous improvement and accept the challenges of a complex and globalised world.
News
#PurpleBaton: Encouraging More Women in Conducting
At this year’s House Music competition, something incredible happened. Something that is still rare in the professional world - many of our student conductors were girls. Yet, in the professional music world, women make up less than 10% of conductors and music directors worldwide. It’s a shocking statistic, especially when so many talented girls are stepping up to the podium in school competitions like ours. Why does this gap exist? Is it a lack of role models, opportunities, or just old traditions that are slow to change? This March for Women's History Month, American superstar Marin Alsop and her TakiConcordia Fellowship have launched a campaign to raise awareness about the gender disparity in conducting and to celebrate the talented female leaders in music with the hashtag #purplebaton. It is designed to showcase inspiring stories, highlight female conductors, and encourage more girls to step up and take the baton, just like our fabulous instrumental music conductors at McKinnon - Clare Bugeja, Amelia In, Laura Main, Georgina Mead, Megan Papworth, Lindsay Ryan, Tracy Videon and Blanka West. Let’s make sure the confidence and passion we saw at House Music don’t stop at school. Let’s support each other in changing the future of conducting. Because music deserves to be led by the best - no matter their gender. Lindsay Ryan Conductor and Horn teacher
Beach Volleyball Schools Cup
Congratulations to McKinnon Secondary for taking out the Champion School title for 2025 in the Beach Schools Cup from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 March. With a beautiful sunny day and great conditions on Tuesday, the Year 7 boys and girls were delighted to receive a silver medal. The Year 8 boys won gold, the Year 8 girls came 3rd. With some challenging heat and gusty winds during Wednesday, two of our Year 9 boys pairs came equal third and Year 9 girls pairs also third. Thursday was a quieter day, but the wind picked up in the afternoon which made it very challenging to play! Well done to the Year 10 boys for securing a gold medal and a third to the Year 10 boys pairs. Year 10 girls (4s) and pairs won silver medals. On Friday we finished off strong with a gold medal from the Year 12 girls (4s) and the Year 11 boys (4s) who finished 3rd. Thanks to our amazing Years 9, 10 and 11 coaches who helped out with our Year 7s on Tuesday. Thanks to all the staff who took time out of their busy schedules to get up early to watch some beach volleyball and soak up some sunshine. It was a very successful tournament, and we have had lots of positive feedback about all the fun the athletes had. Congratulations to all athletes contributing to McKinnon being the champion school and a special shout out to these medal winners:Year 7 Boys 4s (silver): Matthew N, Hoang N, Anthony V, Jono H and Toby CYear 7 Girls 4s (silver): Eloise C, Ella K, Emma B and Zoe WYear 8 Boys 4s (gold): Faris B, Alan Y, Miklos M and Louis LYear 10 Boys 4s (gold): Ash H, Leigh K, Michael G and Shane KYear 10 Girls 4s (silver): Crystel OB, Rachel H, Evie H and Hayley TYear 10 Girls pairs (silver): Ana L and Sophie KYear 12 Girls 4s (gold): Alma S, Rosie OB and Jess FSandy HopeVolleyball Coordinator
You're Invited to Clue (On Stage)!
Step into the world of mystery, comedy, and intrigue and join us for the VCE Theatre Studies production - a thrilling theatrical adaptation of the beloved board game Cleudo! When six eccentric guests are invited to a mysterious dinner party at Boddy Manor, the night takes a deadly turn. With a mansion full of secrets, a witty butler, and a series of suspicious alibis, everyone is a suspect! Can they solve the murder before the next victim falls? Whodunit? And With What? And WHERE? Join us for an unforgettable night of laughter, suspense, and classic fun! Date: Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd AprilTime: 7pm-8.30pmLocation: Alan Lawrence TheatreTickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CZHER Don’t miss this hilarious and fast-paced mystery— will you piece together the clues before the final reveal?
House Music Festival
McKinnon’s annual House Music Festival was held on Wednesday night, and what a resounding success it was. Our students showcased their incredible talents and demonstrated collaboration at its best. This fantastic night was filled with such energy and joy, it was a true pleasure to attend. Congratulations on the very high standard of performance in singing, dancing and playing musical instruments to all participants. In the end, there can only be one first place and we congratulate Monash! Their name will join the long tradition of winners on the House Music shields displayed in the Music Centre at the McKinnon Road Campus. Their name will join the long tradition of winners on the House Music shields displayed in the Music Centre at the McKinnon Road Campus. Thank you to Mr William Conway, a musician, musical director and producer who was our adjudicator for this event. We also extend our thanks to Leah Humphrey for coordinating this wonderful event, as well as our dedicated team of music teachers and staff who made this possible. Thank you to the fantastic MAV team for their work leading up to and on the night itself, ensuring our students had the opportunity to shine. We also appreciate the families, friends and staff who attended and helped create such an incredible atmosphere. Click here for the full gallery of photos from the event.
We Are Hiring!
Sharing a great opportunity to work at McKinnon Secondary College, a premier school with an outstanding team and culture. Please apply via School Jobs Vic (formerly Recruitment Online) using the Job ID. Facilities Manager Part-Time Permanent Position 0.6 Start from Term 3 (21/7/2025)ES Range 4Job ID 1468788Apply by 20/4/2025 Enquiries can be directed to Marie Landini, Personnel Manager via lm@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au or on 8520 9057.
Swimming Carnival
Man was that a blast! After a long wait, bright and early in the morning students rolled into the Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool to attend the school’s Swimming Carnival. It was an eventful day with activities ranging from swimming heats to novelty events, volunteering or purchasing a snag from the Interact Club and Red Earth hosted sausage sizzle, or even just relaxing on the grass in front of the warm sun. There was something for everyone to do and always fun to be had. I know that I enjoyed running the sausage sizzle which may have been a bit stressful but definitely kept the adrenaline pumping. Everyone on the team was hilarious and talkative which made the atmosphere extremely enjoyable. But the real highlight of the day? The sheer excitement of having the Swimming Carnival back after years of waiting. For many students, this was their first time experiencing the event, and the energy was contagious. Whether they were in the diving competition or having fun in the water, the enthusiasm never wavered. Even those who weren’t competing found ways to soak up the fun - literally. The house spirit was also on full display, with students decked out in colourful outfits. That is of course if they weren’t participating in the lively “Under The Sea” theme of the day. Dr Long’s shark costume was undoubtedly a student favourite. As the day wrapped up and everyone made their way home some were a little sunburnt, some exhausted, but all were grinning. You could tell that this year’s Swimming Carnival was worth the wait. And I am already excited for the next one. Itay Volnerman (Year 9)East Campus Captain
Year 11 & 12 Formals
The Year 12 Formal was held on Thursday, 20 February, at Merrimu Receptions - and what a successful and joyous night it was! The students dressed up and danced the night away. Our Year 11 students celebrated their formal on Wednesday night and, just like the Year 12s, they looked fantastic and enjoyed socialising as a cohort outside of school. It’s truly special to see students having so much fun while celebrating with their friends respectfully. I extend my thanks to Kellie Felmingham, Natalie Same, Kate Jobson, the Year 11 and 12 Student Managers, and all staff who attended. These formals mark the final events McKinnon will celebrate at Merrimu Receptions, as the venue is closing down after nearly 70 years of operation. I thank Merrimu for hosting so many of our events over the years. Michael KanPrincipal
Student Tech Team
The Student Tech Team (STT) Holiday Work is always an exciting and hands-on part of the program. Over the recent holiday break, we spent two productive days on the McKinnon Road Campus working on the school’s projector and AV control system. Our first task was constructing new projector controllers. This involved following a technical guide, cutting and crimping wires, connecting various components, and assembling them into fully functional controllers. Once we completed the assembly, we practiced installing and testing the controllers to ensure they were working correctly. We also conducted quality checks on the newly installed projectors and tested retired ones. As a fun bonus, STT members got to take home old projectors, which have since found creative and enjoyable uses. What stood out during this holiday work session was our controller construction line. Initially, the task felt a bit tedious, but by midday, we had found a rhythm. Unlike previous sessions where tasks were often completed separately, this time we worked side by side, which created a lively vibe in a collaborative atmosphere filled with conversations and laughter. These holiday work sessions are always something I look forward to because they offer a great mix of learning, teamwork, and fun. If you're a student curious about tech and interested in joining the Student Tech Team, check out https://mckinnon.sc/stt for details on how to join and information on Basic Training. Itay Volnerman, Year 9STT Team Leader
Year 12 Camp
Nervous energy, laughter and chatter filled the Hall on an early Monday morning. Four hundred Year 12s set off to Phillip Island Adventure Resort for our final school camp. Camp started off hot, literally, with Monday and Tuesday both boiling hot as we roasted in the sun on the flying fox and giant swing. I have to say this camp was one of my favourites, a particular highlight of mine was Smiths Beach, a saving grace on a piping hot day. The waves, cool water, and clean sand are a sure mix up from the Melbourne Bay beaches we enjoyed during the summer break. We had many typical camp activities such as flying fox, archery, and team rescue but the one that stole the show was canoeing. I had canoeing on the first day following raft building and did not yet know what I was in for. As we hopped into the canoes and pushed ourselves away from shore, we could see the danger looming ahead, Mr Blackmore. Tipping people left, right, and centre on a manoeuvrable paddle board that far outshone our canoes. On the bright side, our many swims in the lake cooled us down which we most certainly needed. We did get our revenge, however it also led to us tipping yet again. This embodied the fun community-centred focus of Year 12. We had several speakers, including the School of Play, who taught us the importance of having fun in Year 12 rather than making it purely about studying and working hard. We truly bonded as a group over the three days, and I am extremely grateful for all of the staff who organised and attended the camp as it was a fantastic way to kick off the year. Despite the joy of camp and the fun activities that we enjoyed there was also nerves and anxiety because we all knew that, on Friday the captains were being announced. As Year 12s, we all put a great deal of effort into our applications and went through a very comprehensive process. It was amazing to see the support and joy of the captains across the entire cohort as each name was announced one by one followed by an enormous cheer. I would like to congratulate all those who were announced in student leadership positions and wish them the best of luck in their new roles, and I know they are all fitting candidates. I would also like to express my gratitude for my own position and commend everyone who applied. When the names were being announced I was sitting in the Hall, extremely nervous and awaiting to see the results of my efforts. First, the East Campus Captains were announced which was particularly special for me as my sister Yael was selected for East Campus Captain. Then, after Music, Sport, and Deputy Captains, a wave of joy, relief, and gratitude washed over as I heard my name. I hope I can serve our community well and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. Jake LSchool Captain
Courage to Care
During Week 3 of this term, our Year 8 students took part in the Courage to Care program, which empowers individuals to become "Upstanders" - those who actively support and stand up for victims of bullying and harassment in a safe and constructive way. By drawing on the devastating lessons of the Holocaust, the program highlights how passive bystanders can inadvertently enable harmful actions against individuals, groups, and entire communities. Students had the privilege of hearing powerful stories of survival from Holocaust survivors and their families, while also engaging in interactive activities and thought-provoking discussions. Dedicated volunteers from Courage to Care guided our students through real-world scenarios, helping them understand the emotions of the victims and their families, and developing their own empathy and compassion. Through this exploration, students learned how an Upstander can challenge harmful behaviour and offer meaningful support to those in need. We hope these invaluable lessons inspire our students to foster positive change among their peers and within the wider McKinnon community. We encourage you to continue this important conversation at home, discussing the impact and importance of being an Upstander. A heartfelt thank you to Courage to Care for once again providing our students with such a profound and enriching experience.
McKinnonNEWS Issue 1
Welcome back to all of our wonderful staff, students and families as we commence another academic school year, and I extend a very special welcome to our new McKinnon families. I know 2025 will be a successful year for our community, and I look forward to getting to know our new students and families whilst continuing to support current families through their child’s secondary education. It’s always a wonderful feeling to feel the buzz of the students as they acquaint themselves with their new classes, teachers and surroundings. I encourage our students to make this year as fulfilling as possible and make the most of every opportunity presented. Please enjoy our first newsletter for 2025! It includes important dates, key information, and highlights of student success in both curricular and extracurricular activities. Mr Michael KanPrincipal
