PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

WELCOME

I warmly welcome our entire McKinnon school community back to a new academic year. I also welcome our new parents/carers to the McKinnon community. It's always a pleasure to see our students at the school gates each morning, ready to start their school year with enthusiasm and excitement.

I know 2026 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. 

I encourage our students to make this year as fulfilling as possible and make the most of every opportunity presented.

Our East Campus hosted a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony last Friday to commemorate the Kummargee Opening Ceremony.   Our Year 12 students enjoyed a 3-day Study Camp at Phillip Island and, we hosted an Induction Program for our new Year 7 students.  

Click the links to read more about the events.

MCKINNON LEADERSHIP

Last year we farewelled Assistant Principal Harriet Barrow who retired after 26 years of service at McKinnon. She will be missed and I wish her the very best.

As our school continues to grow, I would like to introduce our new Acting Assistant Principals who are joining our current leadership team at McKinnon. 

Ms Charlotte Douglas 

Head of Year Level 7 & 10

Mr David Machin 

Head of Year Level 8 & 9

Mrs Kate Jobson 

Head of Year Level 11 & 12

Mr Sam Florence

Head of Curriculum and Assessment

Ms Natalie Same

Head of Strategic Direction and Inclusion

I look forward to working with this extended and highly talented Principal team this year.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP  

It was a pleasure to introduce the 2026 Captains at our first whole school assembly today. These students have demonstrated exceptional qualities and dispositions over many years, and I wish them all the very best in undertaking these leadership roles. 

I congratulate them all, and know they will serve our community with pride. 

I wish to thank Elliot Cockle (Year 12) for his time and decision-making on the selection panel for the Senior School Captains. 

Click the link to read the full student leadership announcement.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NOTICE OF ELECTION AND CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 

Nomination forms for the School Council elections are now available from the General Office at both campuses. Included in this newsletter are links with information for parents and students wishing to nominate. Nominations are being called for two parent members and one student member.

Please note that new government rules require that all new parent members need to hold a current Working with Children Clearance (WWCC) (either a volunteer or employee WWCC).

Anyone with any queries regarding School Council Elections are welcome to contact me at school.  The closing date for the return of nomination forms is Friday 13 February at 4:00pm. 

PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION

Thank you to our incredible parents and carers for assisting students to be organised, punctual and in full uniform.

Creating strong partnerships between parents and staff is part of the key to success at McKinnon. Knowing that families can be relied upon to attend events such as concerts, drama nights, information evenings as well as keeping up to date with school information such as reading the newsletter, and Compass feeds will ensure you keep informed and up to date with all relevant events.

We value these quality relationships, and I know that students greatly benefit from knowing they are supported.

This all contributes to student success and building strong relationships and I thank everyone for your support.

TRAFFIC - SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS

Please be careful when driving along McKinnon Road and Market Boulevard (East Campus) and be aware of street signs and adhere to road rules. These areas get very congested and at times this can be dangerous. We encourage parents and carers to park a little way from the school when collecting students in the afternoon so to not congest thoroughfares.

The school car park must not be accessed by parents during school hours.  Please ask your child to meet you away from the relevant campus to ease congestion.

The speed limit is always 40km per hour along McKinnon Road and U-turns are not allowed. We have many students riding bikes so please be careful parking and opening doors.

I would also like to remind students riding bikes that from the age of 13, you are required to ride your bike using the bike lane on the road. Please do not ride on the footpath. Riding a bike on the footpath can cause significant danger to both pedestrians and riders. Please always wear a helmet.

SECONDARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT PRIVACY COLLECTION STATEMENT (PRIVACY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS)

During the ordinary course of your child’s attendance at our school, school staff will collect your child’s personal and health information when necessary to educate your child, or to support your child’s social and emotional wellbeing or health. Such information will also be collected when required to fulfil a legal obligation, including duty of care, anti-discrimination law and occupational health and safety law. If that information is not collected, the school may be unable to provide optimal education or support to your child or fulfil those legal obligations.

When our students transfer to another Victorian government school, personal and health information about that student will be transferred to that next school. Transferring this information is in the best interest of our students and assists that next school to provide optimal education and support to students.

In some limited circumstances, information may be disclosed outside of the school (and outside of the Department of Education and Training). The school will seek your consent for such disclosures unless the disclosure is allowed or mandated by law. 

More information about how schools collect and use information is available in this collection notice. 

Our school values the privacy of every person. When collecting and managing personal and health information, all school staff must comply

with Victorian privacy law. For more information about privacy including about how to access personal and health information held by the school about you or your child, see our school’s privacy policy.