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
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
Presentation Night
The final formal occasion of 2024 is our Presentation Night, celebrating top achievers across various fields, including music, sports, art, and academic pursuits. A special congratulations to our College Dux, Kate Nguyen, who achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95! Kate also earned perfect study scores of 50 in Biology and English. We are proud to announce that McKinnon Secondary College has been ranked the number one non-selective government school in Victoria for the second consecutive year. Well done to all McKinnon students on their achievements. Your hard work and dedication are truly inspiring.
VCE Results 2024
We are excited to share with you the outstanding VCE results for the Class of 2024. These exceptional outcomes are a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of our talented students. 139 students received an ATAR above 9015 students received an ATAR of 99 or above234 students (63%) received an ATAR above 8011 perfect study scoresMedian Study score: 33Study scores over 40: 17.7%Well done to all of our VCE students on your achievements! We also want to show our appreciation for the wonderful teachers, support staff, and parents who have worked closely with and supported the Class of 2024.
McK Respect Community Walk
I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the McK Respect Community Walk last Friday. Whether you created artwork, ran the BBQ, helped with preparation and planning, curated the music playlist, raised awareness on the day, or attended the walk itself, your contribution made this event really special. This was a true team effort, and together we sent a powerful message of respect, kindness, and equality. Your commitment to supporting the McK Respect Project reinforces our shared dedication to ending gender-based violence and fostering a culture of respect and inclusion. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Together, we are making a difference. Michael KanPrincipal
Junior Art Show
The Junior Art Show opened on Monday 25th November celebrating the incredible creativity and achievements of our Years 7, 8, and 9 students. The event brought our school community together in a display of artistic talent, with parents, families, friends, and staff filling the space to admire and engage with the students' impressive work. We were honoured to have Katie Zhou, a McKinnon alumna and now an accomplished independent designer and illustrator, officially open the show. Katie shared her fond memories as a McKinnon student and offered invaluable advice to inspire and motivate our students as they continue their artistic journeys. Congratulations to all the students whose work was exhibited, seeing the student work displayed at our Junior Show is one of the opportunities I look forward to every year! Events like the Art Show are a cherished tradition at McKinnon, marking the end of the year with community celebration and appreciation of our students' work. I can’t wait to see many of these outstanding pieces displayed around our campus as a testament to our student’s talents! Thank you to our head of Visual Arts, Peter Eglezos, and our dedicated art teachers for their guidance and encouragement, as well as to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success. Thank you, as well to our student helpers who volunteered their time to help serve food and coordinate the event.
Senior Art Show
Our Senior Art Show opened on Monday 11th November, and what a huge success! Our 2024 Artist in Residence, Aunty Heather Kennedy, opened the show to help us celebrate the achievements of our Years 10, 11 and 12 students. The night was also the official opening of the 2024 McKinnon Road Campus Mural. Heather opened the show by discussing the significance of the mural project and celebrating the connections she was able to make with our students. Working with her has not only allowed us to learn about her art-making process but has also provided our students with valuable insights into Australia's history and the experiences of First Nations People. The artwork, titled Walking in Two Worlds, is now installed as a mural at the entrance of the T-block gallery space and has also been featured in a global Art Exhibition by The International Visual Literacy Association, titled Illuminating Perspectives. What a significant achievement! I congratulate Jessica Rogosic for her work with the IVLA to facilitate this opportunity. We celebrated a range of successes on the night and I would like to congratulate all the students who received awards for their exceptional work this year within the Visual Arts. A special congratulations to Nathan Nguyen (Year 12), who received the Guest Speakers Award for his charcoal portrait titled Smoke and Mirrors. I am also very excited to award Sofija Lukac (Year 12) with the Principal’s Choice award and I look forward to displaying her artwork in my office soon! I’d like to extend a very sincere congratulations to our Visual Arts team; Our Learning Area Manager for the Visual Arts, Peter Eglezos, Anna Bourke Su-Jin Chang, Maria Garcia, Tracy Griffith, Jackson Muir, Lynton Perry, Eliza Portelli, Jessica Rogosic, Annelise Scott and Amy Simpson. Thank you to our Visual Arts technician, Ms Leisa Hunt, and our Arts Captains Audrey G (Year 10), Charlotte D (Year 12), Dionne T (Year 11), Ilyana Brough (Year 10), Jane Liu (Year 9), Joy S (Year 9), Samuel Ad (Year 12), Shivani Kumaran (Year 8) and Stefania Trapetsa (Year 8). Michael KanPrincipal
