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
East Campus Ensembles Concert
Congratulations to all the students who took part in the East Campus Ensembles Concert on Thursday 19 June in the gymnasium at East. The energy levels were high, as were all the performances by each ensemble. Thank you to students and the directors/conductors involved in the Year 8 Strings, Year 8 Bands, Keenan Strings, Ovenden Band, World Music Ensemble, East Choir, Years 8 & 9 Percussion Ensembles and the Junior Stage Band. What a fantastic way to end the semester! Thank you to the Media Audio Visual team for their continued support in ensuring that the events are recorded for posterity and that all groups look and sound fabulous. Thanks also to the fantastic facilities team who are there to help with set up for these events. A special thanks to Ms Papworth for all her work, as this was her last concert as Head of Performing Arts. On behalf of the whole school we thank Ms Papworth for her outstanding leadership of the Performing Arts area for over 15 years.
Grand Reunion 2025 Invitation
The 2025 Grand Reunion bookings are now open! The Grand Reunion will encompass ex-students and staff of McKinnon from the following years: 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015, 2020. Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DBJNZ Please help spread the word to friends, family members and schoolmates to ensure we have up to date contact information so they don’t miss out on their invitation. You can update contact information here. Partners and friends are welcome. Drinks at bar prices and finger food including hot fresh pizza will be available. Reunion information:Date: Saturday 25th October, 2025Time: 6:00pm - School Tour 6:30pm - Reunion begins 8:00pm - Class photosWhere: McKinnon Secondary College McKinnon Road campus 291a McKinnon Road, McKinnon 3204Dress: Smart CasualCost: $30 each Please note: If you are from the Class of 1960 (65 years since graduating) or the Class of 1975 (50 years since graduating), you will receive an emailed invitation to attend your special Principal’s Afternoon Tea, also held on Saturday, 25 October. To ensure you receive this email, please update your current details here. We hope you can join us for a fantastic night!
McKinnonNEWS Issue 8
Stay connected with school life at McKinnon! Our latest newsletter is packed with student and staff articles from each Key Learning Area. You’ll also find updates from the Principal and Assistant Principals, along with school news and important dates to remember. It’s the best way to catch up on all the wonderful things that have been happening across our school community over the past two weeks.
Senior Ensembles Concert
The Senior Ensembles Concert was held on Wednesday 28th May at the Assembly Hall. The concert featured performances by all Senior Core Ensembles, as well as Senior Singers, Senior Percussion Ensemble and Senior Stage Band, with over 170 students performing in total. The event was a wonderful celebration of hard work and determination by some of the most accomplished musicians in the McKinnon community, culminating in a very enjoyable and entertaining evening. Thank you to Clare Bugeja for overseeing the organisation of the concert, the AV and facilities teams, ensemble directors and all music staff.
Model UN 2025
The annual Model United Nations was held on Friday, 16 May, at the McKinnon Road campus. This year’s theme, “Combating Climate Change: Committing to Global Action”, inspired passionate and thoughtful engagement from participants. A total of 76 students from Years 9 to 12 took part, with particularly strong representation from Year 9, making it a wonderful opportunity for cross-campus connection. We were also delighted to welcome guest students from Wellington, St Leonards, Parkdale, St Bede's, OLSH, Glen Waverley, Oakleigh Grammar, Camberwell Girls, and Glen Eira College. Sincere thanks go to William Lee for his excellent coordination of the event, Lee Laskaridis for his support of the Year 9 teams, Tania Burnell for ensuring all students and guests were well catered for, and to the AV and facilities teams for their invaluable assistance. Events like this play a vital role in enriching our students’ development as global citizens, providing meaningful opportunities to build skills in public speaking, debating, negotiation, and teamwork. Their enthusiasm was outstanding, and we look forward to hosting this event again in 2026. Here’s what some of our students had to say about the day: On Friday the 16th of May a Model UN program was held in the Hall. Throughout the day my team of delegates which were representing Saudi Arabia. We attempted to represent the interests of Saudi Arabia to the best of our abilities through a speech, and through ‘backroom’ negotiations. This forced us to break out of our comfort zones and develop our public speaking skills. But more than that, we had worked as a team for weeks developing strategy and researching about a nation we initially knew very little about. This ultimately made us develop a much deeper understanding on the global reaction to climate change and moreover the inner workings of international diplomacy at the UN.Luka, Year 10 This year's topic for the Model UN was climate change. While the topic was very familiar to the majority of students, many were not aware of how important it was to discuss this problem as a global community and for all countries around the world to contribute to addressing the issue. Through the stages of debating and communicating, students were able to collaborate and support each other in structuring ideas, amendments and opinions on the Draft Resolution. Many nations welcomed differing opinions and changes, and this made the procedure of the event much smoother, unique and fun - especially for someone like me, as this was the first year I had ever attended a Model UN at McKinnon! Fortunately, I also gained many opportunities to make new friendships, talk to a diverse range of people in different year levels, and from different schools. Many of these students taught me fascinating facts and statistics about the world that I was not yet aware of. Additionally, with the help of Mr. Lee and the various comrades we made on the way, the nation I was representing, the Philippines, were guided to a successful outcome for the Draft Resolution. I am pleased to say that this was incredibly memorable for us students, and I would strongly encourage anyone to participate in next year's MUN with me too!Lynn, Year 10 On May 16th, students from ten schools gathered in the gym at the Main Campus in order to perform the Model UN. I was a member of the Mongolian delegation. Our primary objective was to present Mongolia's views on climate change as well as securing the best possible deal for Mongolian citizens through our cooperation with the 31 other countries present. I deeply enjoyed the experience as it helped instill the values of clarity, cooperation and teamwork while giving us a look inside the workings of how nations negotiate on an international stage. I would deeply recommend joining the model UN to all McKinnon students.Patrick, Year 9 On Friday, May 16th, students from our school participated in the annual Model UN alongside other schools. Each participant was assigned a country to represent, focusing on the pressing topic of climate change. As it was my first year, I was excited to work with peers I connected with while honing my public speaking and debate skills. Collaborating with my fellow delegates fostered a strong sense of camaraderie. We engaged in intense discussions about various solutions and strategies that countries could adopt to effectively combat climate change. It was inspiring to witness everyone’s dedication to finding common ground and drafting resolutions that emphasized cooperation and support, especially for developing countries facing environmental challenges. This Model UN experience wasn’t a competition, it was a combined effort to highlight the urgent need for collective action to address climate change, and I am grateful to have participated in that vital conversation.Eseosa, Year 10 This year, I had the amazing opportunity to represent Morocco at the Annual Model UN held at McKinnon Secondary College. The theme was climate change, and students from a range of schools came together to take part in realistic UN style debates and discussions. It was really interesting to learn how different countries respond to global issues, and I enjoyed working with students from different backgrounds to come up with solutions. A major highlight was having an honourable Secretary General from the Model UN community present. Their speech was inspiring and made the event feel even more real and exciting. Another bonus was that we were provided with free morning tea and lunch, which was a great treat and gave us the chance to chat with other students during the breaks. Overall, the day was a great mix of learning, teamwork, and stepping into the shoes of world leaders. I’m really glad I took part and would definitely recommend it to other students.Shreya, Year 10 As delegates, the students took on the role of representative of a country, researching their assigned nation's stance on climate change and presenting position statements that reflected national interests rather than individual views. Their task was to debate, amend, and eventually ratify a UN Resolution dealing with climate change and its global implications. The day began with a sequence of formal sessions, commencing with the reading of position statements. This was followed by moderated and unmoderated caucuses among the delegates, where they negotiated, debated, and suggested amendments to the draft resolution. Every amendment needed to be supported and carefully examined to determine if it was aligned with the policies of the country and the general objective of climate action. The experience provided an engaging insight into the areas of global relations, logical thinking, and negotiation and encouraged interaction between scholars from diverse institutions.Odella, Year 9
McKinnon Volleyball News
INTERMEDIATE BOYS VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONS! On Wednesday, 14th May, the Intermediate Boys Volleyball Team composed of talented Year 9 and 10 students travelled to the State Volleyball Centre to compete in the highly anticipated State Finals. From the very first serve, the team showcased exceptional skill, teamwork, and determination. The day was filled with intensity and excitement, as the boys battled through each match with the McKinnon Spirit. While between matches they supported the McKinnon Intermediate girls team. Familiar faces from other schools brought moments of light-hearted reunion, but once back on the court, it was all business. With unwavering confidence and a united front, the team powered through the competition. The grand final against Rowville was nothing short of a spectacle. In a commanding performance, McKinnon secured a landslide victory, cementing their place as the 2025 State Champions! Congratulations to the Intermediate Boys Volleyball Team on this incredible achievement. A special thank you to the Coach Liam Adlington. Leigh K, Year 10 INTERMEDIATE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL STATE RUNNERS-UP On 14 May, the Intermediate Girls participated in the State Final for Volleyball. They played amazing all day and came extremely close (lost 15-13 in the third set to Eltham) to nearly becoming the State Champions. Being runners-up is a fantastic achievement and we are so proud of the girls giving 100% effort and enjoying every minute of the games. Well done! VOLLEYBALL ONE DAY SCHOOLS CUP (YEAR 10-12) On 8 May, McKinnon Secondary School participated in the One Day Schools Cup for Volleyball held at Dandenong Stadium. Well done to everyone who played some fantastic games. Congratulations go to:Year 12 Boys Team - GoldYear 10 Boys Team - SilverYear 11 Boys Team - SilverYear 10 Girls Team - Gold We hope that we can be just as competitive in the three days schools' cup coming up soon. We were also finally presented with our Beach Volleyball Cup (Best school) that we have won for 5 years in a row now. SENIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL STATE FINALS Our Senior volleyball girls cruised through to the State finals held on 15 May, and then finally had some competition! With a close third setter loss to Kew, easy win against Druin, and tough loss to Maribyrnong Sports Academy, unfortunately we did not progress to the semi-final. Great effort by all the girls who had a fun day playing their favourite sport! Sandy HopeVolleyball Coordinator
Spooky String Night
Congratulations to all the students involved in the Spooky String Night held at the East Campus last week. It was fantastic to see such an array of musical ensembles ranging from solos, duets, and trios to larger ensembles of fifty players as well as some more unusual instruments such as the harp and theremin. The overall theme of spooky pieces was fun and innovative. Thank you to Georgina Mead for her organisation of the event as well as the string staff (Clare Bugeja, Stuart Cook, Georgina Mead, Christine Vincent, Andrew Albanis, Amelia In, and Jill Griffiths) for their preparation of the students. It was a truly memorable performance.
McKinnonNEWS Issue 6
Stay connected with school life at McKinnon! Our latest newsletter is packed with student and staff articles from each Key Learning Area. You’ll also find updates from the Principal and Assistant Principals, along with school news and important dates to remember. It’s the best way to catch up on all the wonderful things that have been happening across our school community over the past two weeks.
School Sport Victoria Awards
On Wednesday 26 March Harish Salwathura and Ishi Tiwari of Year 10 were awarded the School Sport Victoria Blues Award for their outstanding accomplishments on the Cricket field. The Blues Award is the highest accolade awarded through School Sport Victoria. Mrs Carole Hooper was also recognised for her service to School Sport Victoria as she was awarded a Life Member Award. Harish has been the Captain of the school cricket team for the last four years where he has led the team to three successive State Finals. He has also competed for Australia in the Indoor Junior World Cup and was the only Victorian to be offered a place in the All Australian team. Domestically, Harish plays for Frankston and is one of the youngest ever Premier Cricket players. Ishi has also been part of the school's cricket leadership team, assisting her team into State Finals. Ishi was also selected for the School Sport Victoria Team Vic U15 team where she opened the batting and helped her team to take out the School Sport Australia Title. At the Cricket Australia National Championships she also opened the batting for the U16 Victorian team, also taking out this National Title. Ishi’s next cricketing triumph will be when she plays with the All-Australian squad. We wish Harish and Ishi all the best with their future cricket careers and look forward to seeing where their dreams and talents take them. Mrs Carole Hooper has worked tirelessly over four decades to create sporting opportunities for young people. She was a dedicated Sports Coordinator and Teacher in Regional Technical Colleges during the 1980s & 1990s before taking on her role as PE teacher & Junior Sports Coordinator here at McKinnon, and Kingston Division Coordinator. Her dedication and eye for detail has ensured students from across all schools in the Kingston Division have had the opportunity to participate in weekly interschool sport. We wish Carole all the best in her retirement, she can rest assured that she has left behind a legacy of striving for sporting excellence. Congratulations to Harish, Ishi and Carole. Mrs Jen PembertonHead of PE & Sport
#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
Class of 2024 VCE Results
I am pleased to present you the Class of 2024 VCE results. These results reflect the cumulative contributions of our hard working students and incredible staff. I am particularly proud as these outstanding results make us again, the top non-selective Government school in the state. I also want to show our appreciation for the wonderful teachers, support staff, and parents who have worked closely with and supported the students. Congratulations to the Class of 2024, and I wish them all the very best for their future. Michael KanPrincipal
