McKinnon Secondary College

Our Year 12 students celebrated a series of memorable events marking the end of their schooling journey. These included Dress Up Day, the Staff vs Student Dance Off, the Year 12 Assembly, and Shirt Signing Day. These events are designed to create lasting memories while also providing an opportunity to reflect on the many experiences shared throughout their years of schooling. A big thank you to all the students for making these occasions so enjoyable and for participating respectfully. Enjoy the full gallery of photos from each event here:Dress Up Day Photo GalleryStaff vs Student Dance Off Photo GalleryYear 12 Assembly Photo GalleryShirt Signing Day Photo GalleryDeputy School Captain Chloe Apps shared her reflections on these important celebrations. The past few weeks have consisted of many lasts, as after 1,169 days the class of 2024’s time at McKinnon has come to an end. From our last first day of term, last full day of classes, last general assembly, last walk to school, and final lunchtime trip to Sevs, there have been many moments spent thinking about what will be missed.  On Tuesday superheroes, Tellie Tubbies, jail inmates, princesses, teen mums and inanimate objects, signed into classes instead of the Year 12s for our Dress Up Day. Following four periods of embracing our new looks and having our water guns confiscated by the Oompa Loompas, we headed to the Hall at lunch to reclaim the Wo(mankinnon) title for the second year running. Despite the efforts of the teaching staff who quite literally fell off the stage in desperation for the title, their mediocre dance moves were simply no match for our well-rehearsed choreography which earned us victory.  Wednesday was our Uniform Signing Day. We detailed the memories shared, declared how much our friends really mean to us, and wished each other all the best for the next chapter. Reading back on all of these messages from peers and teachers was truly heartwarming, the relationships that are built at McKinnon are unmatched and will no doubt last beyond the school gates.  At lunch, we had our Rave and then we took a moment to reminisce and have a laugh while we watched recreations of baby photos and the videos we had been making. This assembly is always a highlight for younger years.  Valedictory was everyone's highlight of the week. Our whole cohort came together one last time with our parents to celebrate 13 years of schooling. For three hours all tears were put on hold as we received our certificates, had a delicious meal, danced with teachers and simply celebrated the huge achievement of graduation.  Whilst there has no doubt been tears as we leave behind our home that has been the last six years, this time has also been one of celebration.  Special shout out to Huddo (Year 12 student manager and Head Chef of the PE department) who is graduating with us this year! Thank you for everything you have done for McKinnon over the last 17 years. There will definitely be a hole once you're gone but you'll always be a part of our community.  Yes, our time in the classroom may be up but we know that doors will always be open as we navigate the next chapter. And more importantly, the special thing about McKinnon magic is that it never goes away.  Chloe AppsYear 12 Student (Deputy Captain)

On Saturday 26 October, the Class of 1974 was invited back to school to attend an Afternoon Tea to celebrate 50 years since graduation, and we also invited the group of students we refer to as ‘The Originals’ who celebrate 65 years since graduating from McKinnon. It was heartwarming to witness their reunion and show them around the school, which has changed quite a bit since they were here! We were even lucky enough to have a teacher from 1959 in attendance, Mr Andrew Leopold. Please enjoy a selection of photos from the special event or see the full gallery here. Our Grand Reunion event, held in the evening, brought together 12 year levels who enjoyed a fun night catching up and reminiscing with school friends. The Grand Reunion included ex-students and staff of McKinnon from the following years: 1959, 'The Originals', 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1994, 2004, 2014, 2019, and classes of 1990 and 1991 who missed their 10-year reunions due to COVID lockdowns. There was a fantastic atmosphere with a huge crowd, and we truly enjoyed seeing old friends reconnect and reminisce about their days at McKinnon. This year, we had a food truck with Brendan from Woodstack Fire and Food serving hot fresh pizza to our guests. The friendly bar staff kept everyone entertained and many old acquaintances were renewed. We had visitors from Darwin, Queensland, the ACT, and even New Zealand! You can view a selection of the photos below or see the full gallery here.   Thank you to our incredible Thistlelonian Committee for organising these wonderful events and to the many volunteers who contribute to the success.  In particular I thank President, Geoff Woolnough, Andrew Newton, Jenny Cooke, Pam Dickfos, Andrew Krause, Chelsea Stanley and Melanie Lynch. These moments of connection and tradition continue to strengthen the McKinnon community.THANK YOUI share with you a letter of appreciation: I would love to thank you for the opportunity to catch up with our 50 years gang. It was so amazing to chat with those in our group. Your incredible efforts throughout the day did not go unnoticed. The recollections of things made me laugh and it was great to see although we are 50 years beyond our journey we absolutely have not changed. The majority of us have led amazing lives with incredible opportunities and many still working!! I loved listening to: “remember in the typing/shorthand room the teacher had a sign at the door. Thank You is two words!

We are excited to announce the dates for this year's Senior and Junior Art Shows! Join us to celebrate the incredible achievements of all our students! This year, our posters were designed by two of our ex-students. The Senior Show poster was designed by Rishab Kiran and the Junior Show poster was designed by Katie Zhou. We hope to see you there!  

Congratulations to our Wellbeing team, who have been named finalists at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards. The Outstanding Education Support Team award recognises exceptional education support teams within Victorian government schools that have demonstrated excellence in collaboration and teamwork, making a significant contribution to improving student learning and wellbeing. Comprised of dedicated counsellors, mental health practitioners, psychologists, family therapists, and youth workers, the Student Wellbeing Team at McKinnon Secondary College operates with outstanding professionalism to deliver programs and services that support the improvement of staff and student wellbeing. Winners will be announced in October. Good luck!  

We celebrated our annual Winter Concert last Wednesday night at the Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash University where our community came together to witness our talented students showcase their musical capabilities. Congratulations to all of the students and staff involved. It was an outstanding celebration of music and an absolute pleasure to attend. Thank you to all the families and friends who came to experience this incredible evening. Having your support means so much and I have no doubt you felt a sense of pride seeing our students perform onstage. I would particularly like to acknowledge and thank Megan Papworth, Clare Bugeja and Karen Nansen who put this event together as well as all the other staff in attendance who supported the smooth running of this lovely evening. Please enjoy a selection of photos taken at the concert, or click here for the full set. Michael KanPrincipal

From Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August, we celebrated National Science Week at McKinnon across both our McKinnon Road and East Campuses. Our students engaged in a variety of hands-on and exciting activities designed to spark their curiosity and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. From the shared mindful moment to the daily fun facts and quizzes, our students were presented with a variety of activities online too. Read below for more information about what activities were done across both campuses at recess and lunchtimes. I’d like to thank all staff and students who participated in the variety of activities offered throughout the week, with a special shoutout to Ms Jennifer Wallace and Ms Cherie Marks for their outstanding organisation in the planning of this week, and a huge thanks to our three fantastic lab technicians; Karen Romari, Csilla Almasi and Marni Beretta for their work in ensuring the activities were ready to go. Stroop EffectStudent reaction times were tested at lunchtime to see their ability to differentiate between naming the physical colour when it is used to spell the name of a different colour. This had an additional challenge of having to “switch” which you were writing, the word or the colour, and “switch” again! Some students stayed for a second round and improved their reaction times, with one student almost getting 100%! Coding BeadsDuring lunchtime on Monday 12 August students were invited to make a bracelet using binary code. Students chose two colour beads (one to represent ‘0’ the other to represent ‘1’) They used the coding sequence to create a bracelet of their name or a word of their choice. Van de Graaff GeneratorThe Van de Graaff generator activity took place during lunchtime on Monday 12 August. It was very well attended, and students thoroughly enjoyed the activity. The static electricity wands were also a hit as students kept the foil streamers in the air.             Solving a Rubik's Cube whilst singing the periodic table songOn Tuesday at the McKinnon Road campus, we were all amazed by the extraordinary talent of Year 7 student Riham as she showcased her ability to solve a Rubik's Cube whilst singing the Periodic Table song, in perfect tune! We thank Ms Johnstone, Ms Andrieux and the brilliant MAV Team for organising this event and ensuring that Riham’s talent could be heard by all in the Oasis!  McKinnon Alumni visit to our Year 11 Biology studentsOur Year 11 Biology students were fortunate enough to have two guest speakers discuss their careers in the Biology/Science field during Period 2 on Tuesday. We were absolutely delighted to warmly welcome back past students Professor Jim Bishop (class of 1965/66) and Kristian La Greca (class of 2010) who generously gave their time to educate our students on their career pathways and time at McKinnon as they made decisions about their futures.  We thank the speakers and Geoff from the McKinnon Alumni for their time as well as Mr Noble, Melanie Lynch, Ms Johnstone, Mr Voorham, Mr Lee, Mr Rose, Ms Callery and Ms Lee for supervising the event.   Imploding WatermelonThe imploding watermelon experiment was a blend of science and art, transforming a simple piece of fruit into an explosive spectacle of fun. As we carefully wrapped the watermelon in layers of rubber bands, the tension built with each added loop, creating a suspenseful count to one-hundred and seventy-two before the inevitable burst.  The moment of detonation was nothing short of exhilarating - juice and watermelon fragments flew in every direction, leaving those present in awe of this one in a melon event. It was a vivid reminder of how science can turn an ordinary day into an unforgettable adventure. We thank Mr Rose, Mr Lee, Mr Goldbaum, Ms Kantzas, Mr Van Rooy, Ms Dobrich and Mr Machin for supervising this fantastic event.   Eco DetectivesOur students delved into environmental science with the Minecraft-based "Eco Detectives" program, learning all about biodiversity. Students played through a special mission in Minecraft, empowering them to act as conservationists in their local ecosystems using a series of interactive maps to raise awareness on the plight of species and habitats to restore biodiversity.  We thank Mr Goldbaum and Mrs Kantsas for supervising this event at East, and Mr Bucher who supervised at McKinnon Road, with the help of two Year 11 students, JJ Braithwaite and Cayden Li.  Mentos and CokeWhat better way to celebrate Science Week than with a blast of excitement? One of the most popular and visually striking experiments you can try is dropping Mentos into Coke. But what makes this fizzy fountain happen? When Mentos are added to Coke, they cause a rapid release of carbon dioxide gas. This happens because the rough surface of the Mentos provides thousands of tiny nucleation sites where the gas can form bubbles. The result? An explosive geyser of foam that shoots up into the air! This experiment is a fantastic way to see science in action and learn about gas release and pressure. Just remember - don’t try this indoors, or you might have a carbonated catastrophe on your hands! Thanks to Mrs Romari and Marni for help with preparing the demonstrations. Chemistry DemonstrationsAs the meat filled sausages were hungrily consumed at the MERC bbq, so were the corny and cheesy filled lyrics and gags at the chemistry demonstrations on the A1 stage. The show began with a parody of the 60’s classic song, ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ entitled ‘Puff of Molecular Hydrogen’. This was apologetically sung by Dr Fleming to the cringing crowd before a sparkler was used to ignite a balloon filled with hydrogen - boom! A poetic tale of love about a ball called Belinda who accidently fell into a measuring cylinder was read by Mr Zachest. Luckily her love, Chemistry, was on hand to initiate a chemical reaction that rapidly produced bubbles of oxygen to lift her up and out of the cylinder back into his arms. Mr Zachest then read a section of the enchanting story of the ‘The One Little Pig’. The little pig set up his home in a Milo tin. But the big bad wolf came along and huffed and he puffed (a couple of times to get it right) and blew the lid off the tin. It was more of an explosive blowing up of the lid due to the ignition of a fine mist of corn flour in the tin. Finally, an unsuspecting volunteer (thank you!) from the crowd was saved from getting water tipped over their head by the same super water absorbing polymer found in nappies. A 60g dry nappy soon became a 720g wet nappy (with no leaks) as it soaked up an amazing amount of water. That is one thirsty polymer. Thanks to Mrs Romari for help with preparing the demonstrations.  Titans of Space VR ExperienceDuring Science Week many students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a fascinating virtual reality experience using the program "Titans of Space." This innovative VR demonstration offered students a breathtaking journey through the cosmos, showcasing the incredible scale of planets and stars in the universe. The event was a hit, with students marvelling at the vastness of space and gaining a deeper understanding of celestial bodies. The demonstration was made possible with the enthusiastic support of Alex Kormas (Year 11) and Blake Harcourt (Year 11), who assisted in setting up and guiding students through the VR experience.  Camera ObscuraThe senior physics team set up a camera obscura in the VCE physics rooms. The camera obscura created an inverted image of outside on a whiteboard inside the classroom. This is achieved by completely blacking out a room and only allowing light to pass into the room from a narrow hole in the window. Once eyes had adjusted, students were able to identify landmarks from outside and could even see people walking (upside down) on the inverted image. A special thanks to Carl Lai (Year 12) for helping darken the room and to Peter Hempel (Year 12) for helping to set up the whiteboard. Games Club TriviaDuring Science Week, a science trivia event organised by WAJ and JOY saw around 30 students in attendance. The event, which took place on Friday 16 August, during lunch, marked the end of Science Week. Students competed in groups to answer science-related questions, with Year 7 students addressing a basic set of 30 questions while students in Years 10-12 tackled an additional 30 harder questions for a differentiated challenge. Prizes of lolly bags were awarded to the top three teams in each division.   Kummargee Science ChallengeThe Kummargee Science Challenge was an exciting Year 8 event where students showcased their skills across three activities. The events included a thrilling paper plane flying competition, where students tested their aerodynamics knowledge and creativity. Students also faced an engineering challenge to build the tallest tower using only spaghetti and one marshmallow, pushing their problem-solving and structural design abilities to the limit. The final event was a challenging science quiz that tested their knowledge across various scientific disciplines. The Kummargee Science Challenge was a celebration of curiosity, innovation and teamwork. Katherine JohnstoneHead of Science

McKinnon spent the week celebrating Book Week and promoting reading through a variety of fun activities. Recently, Pope Francis himself has said that reading novels and poems is valuable in “one’s path to personal maturity” and that it should be encouraged, and I couldn’t agree with the Pope more. The theme for Book Week was ‘reading is magic’ a sentiment that the English faculty proudly embraced during the week, celebrating with our students through all sorts of activities, competitions and reading experiences. The week unfolded as follows: On Monday students competed in the Book Trivia hosted at both campuses. With prizes of lollies and chocolates, it was great to see so many students participate in the fun. The East Campus had the students vs staff debate, competing over the topic ‘Reading is overrated’. Our students were the negative side proving just how important reading is to all. Come Tuesday, students participated in the Book Drive. Our strong sense of community was evident as students happily donated their previously loved books to find a new book to love. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to discover new reads and to share their favourites with others.  Whilst the drive was in full swing, our senior debaters took on the staff to compete in the staff vs students book debate. Again, the topic was ‘Reading is overrated’ and the students were challenged with proving this point untrue against a formidable team of teachers.  Wednesday was time for some ambient reading. A variety of teachers across different faculties, with the backdrop of a screen displaying a fireplace, comfy chairs and lamps, read passages from their favourite books to students and engaged in interesting discussions about why they love these books so much. It’s important for students to see that everyone loves reading, not just the English teachers.  Thursday saw our staff and students take to the kitchens to make or bake a fabulous creation related to a book of their choice. Who knew literature could be so tasty! Thank you to our brilliant bakers. Friday was our much-anticipated dress-up day. There was a costume competition during recess on both campuses where students were invited to dress in their best book-related costumes. We also screened a film based on a book at lunchtime on both campuses to celebrate the end of a fun and exciting week of celebrating reading.  Another wonderful activity on Friday was the blind book dating event that took place in the McKinnon Road library. Books were wrapped up in the library with only thrilling descriptions and recommendations posted on the front. Students and staff were treated to a surprise read, borrowing books without knowing exactly what they were getting. I want to sincerely thank all staff and students for participating in such a joyous week of reading. You are never too young or too old to enjoy reading. Charlotte DouglasEnglish KLA Manager    

Congratulations to all who participated in the annual Brass Night at McKinnon Secondary College on Tuesday 13 August! The evening was a remarkable success, featuring over 100 talented performers who showcased their dedication and passion for music.. The audience enjoyed a captivating array of solos, duets, and group performances, highlighting the unique skills of each musician.  Special thanks to the guest artists whose contributions elevated the event and provided invaluable experiences for our students. The enthusiastic audience played a crucial role, their support creating an encouraging atmosphere for the performers. Behind the scenes, a dedicated multimedia team ensured everything ran smoothly, contributing to the event's success. Congratulations to the brass staff, performers, and everyone involved in making this night an unforgettable celebration of talent and community spirit!   

In 2021, McKinnon students Jack Graffeo and Wesley Mu (current Year 12 students), developed one of Australia’s most popular COVID-19 tracking websites, CovidBaseAU (https://covidbaseau.com/).  Created to simplify and improve the communication of COVID-19 data, it quickly amassed nearly 55,000 followers on Twitter and has been acknowledged and celebrated worldwide, including by then-Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at Melbourne University recently recognised these students. Jack and Wesley were also awarded the Wisdom and Service badge at the General Assembly. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! Michael KanPrincipalMELBOURNE SCHOOL OF POPULATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH VISITOn Thursday 11 July, Wesley Mu and myself, Jack Graffeo (Year 12) and together with our friend Darcy Hersbach, were invited to the University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health to provide a presentation on our Covid-19 data project CovidBaseAU. This was one of Australia’s most popular COVID-19 tracking websites, acknowledged worldwide and referenced in numerous publications.  We began the day by providing a presentation to Epidemiology and Biostatistics researchers about our Covid-19 data tracking project CovidBaseAU, as well as discussing how we feel health data should be best presented by the federal government and answering how we think we can increase interest in public health amongst young people. We also offered our experience about the different challenges we faced and what we learnt from managing the project.  We were very grateful to the University which presented us Certificates of Outstanding Achievement recognising our contribution to public health during the pandemic. We also took questions from various researchers such as Professor Tony Blakely and Professor Nancy Baxter, discussing issues like the reporting and accessibility of public health data.  Following this, we toured the campus meeting with and talking to numerous different researchers, and learning about the different health issues they are working on. We are very grateful to Dr Andrew Lau (Lecturer in Epidemiology) and Dr Anurika De Silva (Senior Research Fellow Biostatistics) who facilitated our visit and introduced us to the different researchers who we were able to meet.  We are very grateful to the University for offering us this opportunity to visit, providing us an insightful and valuable experience in which we learnt a lot about public health issues. Jack Graffeo and Wesley MuYear 12 StudentsIN THE NEWSSome news articles detailing their work:https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/meet-the-melbourne-kids-helping-australia-track-the-virus-20210924-p58ul0.htmlhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-24/covid-base-website-makers-reveal-identify-as-three-teenage-boys/100489474https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/24/absolutely-madness-melbourne-teenagers-reveal-they-are-behind-leading-covid-tracking-websitehttps://globalvoices.org/2021/09/27/three-melbourne-teenagers-inspire-public-with-their-covid-19-data-tracking-website/