CAPTAIN'S CORNER

JUNIOR CAPTAIN

As we move further into Term 4, East Campus continues to provide students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, strengthen our school community, and create positive change.

This week marks the beginning of the Junior School Leadership Program, an initiative led by our Year 9 student leaders to help prepare our Year 8 students for future leadership opportunities. It is designed to provide students with hands-on experiences and interactive activities that will help them develop leadership skills, build confidence, and gain valuable insight into the responsibilities that come with representing our school community. We hope this experience encourages students to seek new challenges and take advantage of the leadership opportunities available to them in the years ahead.

Student voice and school improvement continue to be top priorities at East Campus. Following discussions around the staircase issue, a possible solution is to be implemented in Week 3. This initiative shows the importance of listening to student concerns and collaborating to develop a safer and more organised school environment. We look forward to seeing how this system will work in practice and the positive impact it could have on students across campus.

Meanwhile, the Year 8 students have commenced their Kummargee Rogaining experience, an ongoing activity that affords valuable opportunities to learn outside the classroom, engage with new ideas and build deeper connections with their peers. This trip will allow students to broaden their horizons, gain a greater understanding of the world around them and create memories that will last a lifetime. We hope our Year 8 students continue to enjoy the Rogaining activity, take on the challenges and make the most of this exciting experience!

Finally, with Year 9 exams rapidly approaching, I would like to wish all students the very best in their upcoming assessments. While exams can be challenging, they also provide an opportunity to reflect on the knowledge and skills developed throughout the year. To our Year 9s, I wish you all the best as you approach your first high school exams!

I would also like to wish the graduating Class of 2026 the very best of luck with their final exams and the exciting journeys that await them beyond McKinnon. I wish you every success in your future endeavours and hope you look back on your time here with pride.

As this is my final Captain’s Corner article, it has been an absolute honour to serve as your 2026 Junior School Captain. Throughout the year, I hope that my fellow Year 9 leaders and I have been able to enhance the East Campus community and help make it an even better place for everyone. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have been provided this year, and I thank everyone who has supported us along the way.

I wish everyone a wonderful end to the year, and all the very best for what lies ahead!

Chamath Dharmadasa

Year 9 Student

 SENIOR CAPTAIN 

As the year quickly draws to a close, with just one final week remaining for the Class of 2026, writing my final Captain’s Corner article feels incredibly bittersweet.

The past fortnight has been a whirlwind for our Year 12s, who have been tackling practice exams ahead of the official VCAA examination period. With feedback already rolling in, students are reflecting on areas for improvement and putting in those crucial final hours of study. While the end of our schooling journey is certainly cause for celebration, these exams are our final hurdle!

Week 2 of Term 4 kicked off our end-of-year celebrations, making it a particularly memorable time. To start the festivities, Gus and I had the privilege of running our very last General Assembly. Having hosted numerous assemblies throughout the year, realising that Tuesday would be our last was an emotional moment. It was also a deeply special occasion as we formally farewelled our esteemed Principal, Mr Michael Kan, who is retiring later this year after decades of service to McKinnon, including three years as our Principal.

On behalf of the Captains and the wider McKinnon community, I want to thank Mr Kan for his steady guidance, support, and advice. His contribution to our school has been immeasurable, and he will be greatly missed. We wish him all the very best for his next chapter!

Following the assembly, the annual WoManKinnon Dance-Off provided a fantastic start to our celebrations. After weeks of secret rehearsals, students and teachers took to the stage to showcase their choreography, enthusiasm, and impressive dance moves. It was a closely contested competition and a wonderful way to bring the whole school together.

Wednesday brought the return of the annual Year 12 Muck-Up Day, featuring an array of costumes from Toy Story characters to ninjas, fairies, and everything in between. The first two periods gave the Class of 2026 a fantastic opportunity to let loose, share a laugh, and enjoy some time together outside the classroom.

Finally, Thursday marked our final official day at McKinnon. The Class of 2026 began with shirt signing, exchanging messages, reminiscing, and wishing each other well before coming together one last time as a cohort for our Year 12 assembly. That evening, we headed to our Valedictory Dinner, known as the ‘night of nights’ at McKinnon. Surrounded by family, friends, and teachers, this night surpassed our expectations as we celebrated the conclusion of our six-year journey at McKinnon and our 13 years of schooling. It was a fitting end to a week full of excitement, reflection, and plenty of emotion.

As our time at McKinnon wraps up, I want to sincerely thank our teachers, Student Managers, support staff, and the Principal Team for their unwavering support. Thank you for guiding us through the challenges, celebrating our achievements, and helping us reach a finish line that once seemed so far away. After 1,168 days, the Class of 2026 has officially crossed it!

To my fellow graduates, congratulations on everything we have achieved together. As we prepare for our final exams and embark on new paths, I wish you all the very best. Although we are heading in different directions, I hope we carry forward the friendships, lessons, and memories that made our time at McKinnon so special.

Finally, to the wider McKinnon community, it has been an absolute honour to serve as your School Captain of 2026. I am incredibly grateful to have represented a school that has given me so much, and I hope Gus and I have made a meaningful contribution to the community that shaped us.

To those continuing their journey at McKinnon, make the most of every opportunity, get involved, and never underestimate the value of the seemingly ordinary moments. 

One day, you may find that these are the very moments you miss the most. 

Thank you, McKinnon, for six unforgettable years. It has been a privilege to be part of this community, and I will always look back on my time here with gratitude. 

Class of 2026, signing out for the final time.

Maleesha Dharmadasa 

Year 12 Student