PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

FAREWELL CLASS OF 2026

This week, our school community came together to celebrate our Class of 2026 as they marked the conclusion of their secondary schooling journey with a series of memorable end-of-year events.

The week was filled with energy, and connection - from the creativity of Dress-Up Day and the incredible excitement of the Staff vs. Student Dance-Off, to the reflection and fun shared during our final Year 12 Assembly. The celebrations culminated last night in a magnificent Valedictory Dinner at the Crown Casino Palladium.

I want to commend our Year 12 students for the camaraderie they displayed throughout all of these events. They have created wonderful memories that will stay with them, and us, for years to come.

It is always such a pleasure to share the Valedictory Dinner with the parents, carers, and families of our graduating cohort. A strong, collaborative connection between home and school is fundamental to nurturing well-supported, confident, and inspired young people, and last night was a testament to that partnership.

My thanks go to everyone who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes to organise these events, as well as to all of our teaching and support staff who have guided and cared for our Year 12s throughout their school life.

To the Class of 2026: congratulations on reaching this milestone. We are incredibly proud of you, and we wish you every success and confidence as you head into your upcoming exams.

YEAR 10 CAMP

Our Year 10 students set out on an incredible regional camp adventure on the first day of Term 4, traveling from Melbourne through Halls Gap to the historic towns of Bendigo and Echuca. Sleeping under canvas, our students truly embraced the spirit of outdoor learning - hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, camel riding, and bungee trampolining. Along the way, they immersed themselves in local history, deepened their connection to Country, and built lasting friendships that strengthened our entire Year 10 community. 

MEDIA NIGHT

On Thursday 8 October, McKinnon hosted its annual Media Night in the Alan Lawrence Theatre, showcasing an exceptional array of VCE student work spanning short films, music videos, documentaries, and print media. The evening brought together students, staff, and families to celebrate our Year 12 award winners and inspire future media creators. 

Congratulations to all our talented student filmmakers and designers, and a sincere thank you to judges Peter Quinn, Chris Babidge, and 2025 alumni Delilah Vlasak Galante, as well as Anna Bourke, Eliza Portelli, Leisa Hunt, the Visual Arts faculty, Van, Frank, and the MAV team for orchestrating such a vibrant and rewarding event.