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School Tour

There are currently no school tours running. McKinnon Secondary College s
chool tours are held annually, early in Term 2.  Please check our website for tour dates and how to register in the first week of Term 2.

Please read the information below to learn more about our school.

Welcome to the McKinnon Secondary College community. Life at McKinnon is purposeful, energetic and rewarding. The high standard of education delivered in all areas is a tribute to the dedication and skills of our teaching and support staff.

In addition, opportunities abound at McKinnon for students to get involved in activities outside the classroom. We encourage our students to appreciate the value of education as something that is life enriching. At the core of all learning is the ongoing relationship between students, parents and the college. We aim to build positive, supportive relationships with all students and their families in an environment where open communication is encouraged.

McKinnon Secondary College is a year 7 to 12 co-educational school with a student population of over 2000. The College was founded in 1954 in the south eastern Melbourne suburb of McKinnon. It has developed a proud reputation for academic excellence and instrumental music performance. The college is consistently one of the best-performing non-selective government schools in Victoria.

There are consistently more applications for entry to year 7 than places available. In recent years there have been 100+ more applications for year seven than places available. Most students who attend McKinnon aspire to university. Over 50% of our students participate in the instrumental music program.


The new A Block was completed in 2010. The architecturally designed spaces are conductive to learning and developing a strong school community.

The General Office and Administration Block is located at the entrance to the school. Also located in the A Block is the Food Technology facility.

The upstairs wing of the A Block houses the classrooms for Year 7 students. This space is open and inviting, which assists students in their transition to Secondary School.

The Oasis located behind the new A Block is a vast open space for students to meet and socialise with other students during recess and lunchtimes.

The Alan Lawrence Lecture Theatre (ALLT) opened in 2005 and comprises of seating for 250 people. The theatre has a built in stage and an audiovisual control room. The ALLT is commonly used for drama, music performances and lectures.

The Music Centre consists of an open auditorium where students can rehearse in numerous bands, ensembles, choirs and string groups. The students have a number of rehearsal studios available for small groups or individual instrumental practise. Music theory and practice are taught from years 7 to 12. Major music events in the school include the annual House Music Festival, Music Tours and the Spring/Winter concerts.

The Hall is a large part of the school and has recently undergone an extension to include a larger foyer. The hall is used for many purposes, including school assemblies, Presentation Nights, large musical performances, Thistlelonian ex-student and staff reunions.

The Gymnasium is used regularly for various sporting activities, school functions and extracurricular activities. It has a multi-court layout, which supports futsal, netball, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and more.

Physical Education (PE) is taught at years 7 to 12 in outstanding facilities. Many McKinnon students are in state training squads. House sports are a major feature such as the swimming and athletics carnivals.

Outdoor sporting facilities are also available, including basketball courts, cricket practice nets, sporting ovals and synthetic tennis courts.

The School Library is a quiet learning space where students can study and research. Students are able to borrow books and technology, such as cameras and camcorders.

In 2018 McKinnon Secondary College opened a new $9 million 3 story wing that includes a large VCE Centre.

The T Block classrooms are used for art and design. Examples of students’ artworks line the corridor. Students are able to learn about ceramics, glasswork, painting, drawing and digital design.

The Science Laboratories are fitted to enable students to learn in a lecture format and through hands on learning. Guest speakers, such as science researchers from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, help students to learn about the real life application of science. The ELMS (Enhanced Learning in Mathematics/Science) program was set up for gifted and talented students in Mathematics and Science in 1998.

The McKinnon Exploration and Research Centre (MERC) is a flexible, technology rich area that is primarily targeted for Year 9 and 10 students.

The MERC Symposium is mostly utilised as a meeting room.

McKinnon Secondary College has a beautiful Korean Garden. The gardens were designed when McKinnon SC previously taught Korean as a LOTE subject. This is now a tranquil place where students are welcome to sit and relax during lunch times.

The canteen and large open area is often used by students during recess and lunch times. It is also used as a location for the annual Asia Week Festival, including the Karaoke extravaganza and food stalls.