SCHOOL NEWS

YEARS 7 & 8 DEBATERS SMASH EXPECTATIONS!

What a stellar wrap-up to the McKinnon Secondary College Junior Debating Season! 

Both our Year 7 and Year 8 teams hit the ground running this year, kicking things off with an intensive training program led by the Debating Association of Victoria (DAV).

As hosts at the McKinnon East Campus, our students stepped up to welcome visiting schools for three intense rounds of after-school interschool debates. They grappled with sharp, highly pertinent topics, arguing whether the Health Star Rating should be mandatory in Australia, if standardized testing like NAPLAN does more harm than good, and whether Australia ought to restrict the development of AI data centres.

Our teams fought hard in every round, taking on and defeating formidable opposition, including Haileybury College, Albert Park College, and Kilvington Grammar. Standout performances were abundant, with McKinnon debaters frequently awarded Best Speaker honors throughout the competition.

Most remarkably, this season brought a historic milestone. For the first time in my 22 years as a debating coordinator, individual speaker scores reached a phenomenal 78 across Matter, Manner, and Method. Having never seen a score higher than 76 in over two decades, witnessing our students hit this level of excellence was truly unforgettable. 

Well done Vyom Gadgoli (Year 7), Siyana Manjunath (Year 8) and Arielle Rees (Year 8).

Above all, our students exemplified what it means to represent McKinnon Secondary College. They showed extraordinary teamwork, turned up faithfully to lunchtime preparation sessions, wore their uniforms with pride, and maintained utmost respect for their opponents and adjudicators.

What an incredible season. We are so immensely proud of you all!

Ms Zappner, Mrs Ozcagli and Miss Imogen Hooper-Duffy

Debating Coordinators

GREAT VIC BIKE RIDE

MIND.BODY.PEDAL

On Wednesday 21 October, us and 20 other girls took part in MIND.BODY.PEDAL, an all-girls fitness event held at Main Campus that addressed the decrease in teenage girls’ physical activity by building movement and well-being through yoga, guest speakers and practical sessions. 

The first workshop of the MIND.BODY.PEDAL program was listening to Kate from Grow Club speak about the importance of self-love and accepting our emotions. She introduced the concepts of our inner coach and inner critic, explaining how the way we speak to ourselves can influence how we feel and view ourselves. 

She also reminded us that, although we may sometimes feel alone in our struggles, many of us are going through similar experiences. This really resonated with me, as it highlighted the importance of supporting, encouraging and being there for one another rather than judging ourselves or others. I left the session with a greater understanding of self-acceptance and the importance of building each other up.

Trisha Mehta, Year 9

The event also included a yoga session. Through a series of stretches, breathing exercises and guided movements, we were able to release tension, and take a couple moments to wind down. It highlighted the significance of connecting with our bodies, being a great reminder of the importance of incorporating different forms of movement into our everyday lives. Some stretches were more energetic, helping us stay awake and motivated, whereas some were slower and more relaxing, allowing us to feel refreshed and ready to move on. 

We were encouraged to focus on our breathing rather than the actual pose, holding certain positions while moving at our own pace, making us feel prepared for the biking segment. 

Sri Bhattiprolu, Year 9

The MIND.BODY.PEDAL. ended with a bike ride, which began with an inspiring talk from guest speaker Matilda Raynolds. She told us about the struggle many girls face staying involved in sport and shared a few ways to stay motivated and keep active for life. Her words stayed with me as we headed out for a short ride around the neighbourhood. Along the way, we learnt how to indicate when riding in a group, as it is essential for keeping everyone safe. 

Before setting off, we also covered important safety checks, including “PEACE” and “ABCD”, which help riders make sure their bikes and helmets are ready. It was a day that showed how fun, and empowering, staying active can be. We overall had an amazing time participating in the different workshops MIND.BODY.PEDAL had to offer, and we hope that other girls are encouraged to join next year because it was a great experience. 

Vaish Gopalakrishnan, Year 9