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
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.
We Are Hiring!
Sharing some great opportunities to work at McKinnon Secondary College, a premier school with an outstanding team and culture! Enquiries can be directed to Marie Landini, Personnel Manager via lm@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au or on 8520 9057. Senior Art Teacher (Years 7-12)Full Time OngoingJob ID: 1455637Commence: 28/01/2025Apply by 12/12/24 Maths Teacher (Years 7-10) Full Time Ongoing (Part Time may be negotiable)Job ID: 1455969Commence: 28/01/2025Apply by 15/12/24 Science/Maths Teacher (Years 7-10)Full Time Ongoing Job ID 1456896Commence: 28/01/2025Apply by 17/12/24 Chemistry / Science TeacherFull time Ongoing Job ID 1457604Commence: 28/01/2025Apply by 19/12/2024 Please apply via Recruitment Online using the above Job IDs.
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
Community Walk Invitation
Join Us for the Official Launch of McKinnon Secondary College Respectful Relationships Initiative: MCK Respect #NOEXCUSE On Friday 29th November we invite you to join us for a community walk to launch the McK Respect Program. From 3.00pm - 4.30pm we are walking 16 laps of the McKinnon Road oval. Together, as a community, we can make a difference. Every step counts in raising awareness and promoting respect, safety, and equality for all. Our commitment is not just about ending violence against women and girls, but also about fostering healthy, respectful relationships for all young people. There’s NO EXCUSE for any form of violence or disrespect. Let’s stand together in solidarity by walking 16 laps around the McKinnon Rd Campus Oval to launch our Respectful Relationships campaign. This is more than just a walk—it’s a powerful statement that we, as a school and community, are united in creating a culture where every young person feels respected, valued, and safe. This event is taking place on the afternoon of Friday 29th November which coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, as part of the global UN Women campaign. By participating, you’ll be supporting efforts to end violence and abuse in all forms, while promoting respect and equality for everyone, regardless of gender. Event Details:📅 Date: Friday, 29th November 🕒 Start Time: 3:00 PM ⏰ Finish: 4:30 PM 📍 Location: McKinnon Rd Campus Oval What to Expect: Walk 16 laps of the oval as a way to symbolise our dedication to creating a safer and more respectful community for all. With an early finish at 2:30 PM, we invite you to join us in taking meaningful action together. Please feel free to wear a touch of orange in support of the cause. How to Register: If you want to attend, please register here.McK Respect Video: https://bit.ly/MckRespectVideo Our Respectful Relationships initiative is about helping young people develop the skills and understanding they need to build positive relationships, free from harm and built on mutual respect. This is our opportunity, as a school and community, to set the standard for healthy interactions and relationships. For more information on our Respectful Relationships Program, visit our Respectful Relationships page.
Year 12 Valedictory Dinner
The Year 12 Valedictory Dinner was held at the Crown Casino Palladium on Wednesday, 16 October. The Valedictory was an incredible event, and it was a pleasure to celebrate with the parents and carers of our Year 12 students on this auspicious night. As we know, the connection between families and the school provides our students with the best possible combination of support, care, and inspiration. Congratulations to everyone who helped organise this celebration and to all staff who have supported our Class of 2024. Enjoy the full gallery of photos here:Year 12 Valedictory Photo GalleryDeputy School Captain Adem Savran shared his reflections on the celebrations. It's that time of year again…Term 4 has come upon us and for the Year 12s, this marks the last of our time at McKinnon Secondary College. On Wednesday, 16 October we had our Shirt Signing Day where we have left our final marks and said our goodbyes to our peers at school, before having our final cohort event, being the Valedictory Dinner. From previous year levels, this is said to be the “night of nights”, the Brownlow of McKinnon Secondary College. Held at Crown Palladium, we had a dinner with our parents, teachers and friends in attendance, with lots of laughs, smiles, fun, and even some tears. Whilst all of this sounds very fun and even a bit emotional, it is quickly acknowledged, as we are all striving to put 100% effort into our upcoming exams, which for many, are less than three weeks away. These exams are difficult, and we all acknowledge that, which is exactly why we have all been working extremely hard. The long hours afterschool, recess, lunch, free periods to study to be able to walk into the hall, knowing we have all given 100% effort. From the bottom of my heart and the entire cohort, we thank our beloved teachers for their efforts, without them we would be failing. We also want to thank the principal team and our student managers for their support and for their efforts in organising these events and making them engaging. From the Year 12 Formal, to Trivia Night and even the annual Phillip Island Camp, we are so grateful for your support and time in planning and executing these days. Signing off for the final time, the Class of 24’ Adem SavranYear 12 (Deputy School Captain)
Class of 2024
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)
Year 10 Victorian Experience Camp
Our Year 10 students had the opportunity to attend a Victorian Experience Camp in Term 4. The 126 students and 12 teachers spent two nights in Echuca and Halls Gap completing activities such as Fishing, Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Mini Golf. Each group was spoken to by an Indigenous Elder and met up in Bendigo for the day. It was a great success and will help prepare the students for their Central Australia trip in Year 11. A big thank you to Alistair McCooke for his organisation of this event and Rochelle Travitz for assistance along with all the teachers who supported this camp.
Thistlelonian Afternoon Tea and Grand Reunion
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!
