Principal's Report

2022 Concludes

All students are active participants in a learning culture that promotes academic excellence and personal development through a diversity of challenging experiences.

VISION

“Working together, learning together” – Working together to enable all students to achieve their potential and become confident, effective learners who contribute productively to society.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Doncaster Secondary College acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which our school is situated, the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to elder's past, present and emerging and extend that respect to any and all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. We value the ongoing contribution to the cultural heritage that the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people provide to our school as well as the city of Manningham. We recognise that this land was never ceded and there is no treaty, and we commit to efforts towards reconciliation as a school community. We at Doncaster Secondary College are inclusive of individuals from all backgrounds including the LGBTQIA+, culturally and linguistically diverse as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Celebrations and Awards

Over the last three weeks, we have had the opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students from across the College. The Junior and Senior School award ceremonies recognised students who have achieved excellence across their academic studies, visual arts, music, demonstration of College values, and service.

Our inaugural Sport Awards evening was an opportunity put a spotlight on the achievements within this program. It was great to see so many families join us on-site to celebrate these awards, whilst also providing a high-quality live stream of each event.

Doncaster Secondary College also hosted the atEast Awards Night and 25th Anniversary Celebration. This outstanding organisation, made of a consortium of 11 schools in the Eastern Region of Melbourne, has allowed our students to access a broad range of curriculum programs, and access multiple pathways, as they build the skills and knowledge to contribute to the workforce. Doncaster Secondary College had multiple nominees and award winners across a range of categories.

Thank you to my team at Doncaster Secondary College for providing so many opportunities to our students and for celebrating student growth and achievement across many different fields.

End of year arrangements

The last few weeks of term are critical for ensuring students are allocated to the appropriate classes for 2023, so we encourage everyone to maintain the fantastic level of attendance we have had to date. The run into the end of term is a great opportunity for students to build a stronger rapport with their cohort and make a great start to their learning in 2023. Whilst a number of students may have informed their families that they no longer need to come to school, I can assure you that all staff are working incredibly hard to deliver a teaching and learning program which makes the most of the remaining time students have in classes this year.

Our Junior School (Year 7 and 8) students will remain in their current form groups for much of next week, and will separate for literacy and numeracy. On Friday 16th December our Year 7 students will be participating in the ‘Year 7 Festive Fun Assembly’, whilst the Year 8 students will be participating in ‘The Amazing Race’.

It is important to note that 2023 class groupings cannot be confirmed until the new year begins. We know that students always have preferences, and we are mindful of these, but our chief purpose is always to create the best learning environment possible for each student. To that end, please support your child in understanding they may be in a different form group in 2023, with some different faces.

At Middle School (Year 9), special consideration has been given to areas of the curriculum where our students have been identified as needing extra support, and engaging activities have been designed to help prepare our students for Senior School. Attending school every day, on time, in uniform, and prepared to learn, remains a priority. Every day counts towards your child's success for now and in the future. For more information about the program, please check Compass.

VCE Results and ATAR Service 2022

Results for students enrolled in a completed VCE Unit 3–4 study in 2022 can be accessed from 7am Monday 12 December. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the possible implications of their results with the Senior School and Careers team.

Regardless of your final results, please know that you are capable young adults who are equipped to tackle and further your life-long education. It has been an honour and a privilege to play a part in your journey throughout your time at DSC. The rest of your life awaits you and I have no doubt that you are well prepared to make it a meaningful and successful one.

International Student Program: Opening of our International Student Learning Hub

On Wednesday 7th December, we were joined by the following guests for the opening of our International Student Learning Hub:

Ms. Linda Vaughan – Executive Director of International Education Division, Department of Education and Training
Mr. Matt Flemming – Senior Marketing and Communications Officer of International Education Division, Department of Education and Training
Ms. Éva McMaster- Senior Education Improvement Leader, Department of Education and Training
Tien Hieu (Harry) Bui – 2022 VGLA International Student of the Year, 2022 VGLA YEAR 12 Global Citizenship Award, 2021 VGLA YEAR 11 Global Citizenship Award and DSC Alumni
Berry E – Doncaster Secondary College Captain 2023, DET 2022 International Student Voice Forum representative, 2021 International Student Public Speaking Award

Both the Doncaster Secondary College and the municipality of Manningham is so fortunate to have such a culturally rich and diverse community. We have certainly added to that cultural diversity through our International Student Program and have done so since 1996.

Our current International Students come from across the world including China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Myanmar, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Venezuela and Vietnam. Some of our international students stay with local homestay families, allowing them to experience Australian culture and community, while also enhancing their English language capabilities.

With the growth of the International Student Program at Doncaster Secondary College, intercultural interactions have become a part of everyday life, preparing our students for an increasingly multicultural and globalised world. The International Student Program has and continues to play a significant role in developing intercultural knowledge, skills and understandings in our community. This is an essential part of living with others in the diverse world of the twenty-first century. I am confident that our local and international students, will leave Doncaster Secondary College as responsible local and global citizens, equipped for living and working together in an interconnected world.

The International Student Program at Doncaster Secondary College has a strong tradition of academic excellence. We are relentless in our focus of ensuring that our international students experience a sense of achievement and growth in their academic, personal, social and emotional development. We have high expectations that our students will commit to being supportive of each other as they strive for success as learners. Our motto of “working together, and learning together is embedded in our school culture, and is clearly evident in our approach to caring for our international students.

We have a range of programs specifically for international students including:

International Student Learning Hub
On-site English language centre
Specialist classroom support
After school International Student club
One to one welfare interview with International Student Coordinator
International Student Orientation Program
International Student Buddy Program
International Student Reading Program

We also understand the benefits of a balanced lifestyle and therefore we facilitate an endless number of opportunities and activities for all students, including international students, to participate in beyond the classroom. Our students are continually discovering hidden strengths and trying new things, with over 50 offerings including sport, music, performing arts, visual arts as well as special interests’ clubs. Our International Student Learning Hub offers a serene place for our international student to seek program support, catch up with their friends over lunch, attend international student club or make a connection with local buddies. The International students and their local buddies have also contributed to the decoration the hub. They brought their trophies, certificates, awards and artwork to be proudly displayed here. We believe that along with the outstanding achievements of our international students, this space will be an integral part of our strategy to grow our International Student Program for the benefit of all of our community.

Final comments

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff for their professionalism and effort throughout the year. Thank you to parents/carers and families, for your commitment to our college and to your child’s education. The positive partnership between home and school is an important one for students to see and makes a real difference to our children.

Staff will be returning from the holiday period on Friday 27th January. This is a pupil free day which is set by the State Government to provide staff with time to prepare for the return of students. We have decided to utilise one of our remaining Curriculum Days on Monday 30th January to continue this preparation. This means that Tuesday 31st January will be the first school day for our students in 2023.

To those families celebrating Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas, and to all a safe and happy festive season and new year. I look forward to working with you again in 2023.

Glenn Morris

Principal