Principal's Report

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 Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land now known as Manningham. The land on which Doncaster Secondary College is situated. 

 

We pay our respects to Wurundjeri Elders past and present and value the ongoing contribution to the cultural heritage of Manningham. 

 

We pay our respects to all cultures and members of our community. Our diversity in all its forms enriches our school and plays a significant role in preparing our students for life in the broader community.

Term 3 Concludes

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff and students in their ongoing efforts to improve learning outcomes. Our collective focus on achieving our school’s key goals—maximising learning growth for all students and developing learners who are self-aware, respectful of diversity, and able to navigate social relationships—remains at the heart of everything we do. The commitment from staff and students to these objectives has been inspiring, with notable achievements across the board.

A particular highlight this term has been the outstanding NAPLAN high growth demonstrated by our Year 9 students, reflecting the strength of our teaching, and learning programs. 

Our Year 12 students are also to be commended as they finalise their assessments and continue preparing for their final exams. This progress is supported by the tireless work of our staff in Professional Learning Communities, where collaboration and shared expertise drive continuous improvement. 

On the wellbeing front, our mini-schools and wellbeing teams have delivered successful alternate program days in the junior school, cluster days in the middle school, and revive days in the senior school, focusing on key areas such as careers, respectful relationships, health, and connectedness. Our school improvement teams continue to play an essential role, bringing together staff, students, and leaders to evaluate our practices and influence future actions.

Student-Led Conferences

I would like to thank all parents and carers for your involvement in the recent student-led conferences. Your participation plays a crucial role in supporting your child's educational journey and reinforces the partnership between home and school. By engaging in these conversations, you help students take ownership of their learning, reflect on their progress, and set meaningful goals for the future. This collaboration is key to fostering a positive learning environment where students feel supported and encouraged both at school and at home. 

Your ongoing involvement is truly valued, and we appreciate the time and effort you invest in your child’s education. The recent progress reports have also provided valuable insights into three key areas: readiness for learning, learning focus in class, and learning growth. These reports not only reflect the skills students are developing but also highlight areas where they can grow even further.

Readiness for Learning

This is a crucial first step for students to maximise their success. Students who consistently arrive prepared and on time, with the right materials, are setting themselves up for a productive learning experience. When they enter the classroom ready to engage, they can more easily focus and participate actively in their lessons. This leads directly to learning focus in class—the ability to stay on task and fully engage with class activities. 

Maintaining focus is a skill that enhances a student’s ability to absorb new knowledge, contribute meaningfully to discussions, and collaborate effectively with peers. In recent progress reports, we have seen a significant number of students improving their focus, with many now maintaining engagement throughout lessons. 

Finally, learning growth is the outcome we all aim for. Growth is about how much students improve in their skills and understanding over time. When students are consistently ready to learn and focused in class, they are more likely to see accelerated growth.

Please take the time with your child to review their progress reports, discussing their readiness, focus, and growth across each of their subjects. By reflecting on their progress students can set goals for the upcoming term and take active steps to enhance their learning experience. Whether it’s arriving to class more prepared, focusing more during lessons, or pushing themselves to ask more questions, every small change can lead to significant growth. We look forward to supporting all our students as they continue this journey of self-improvement and academic growth and achievement.

Spring Music Concert

On Tuesday, 10th September, our Presentation and Performance Centre came alive with the sounds of our talented students at the annual Spring Concert. The evening was a great success, with performances that truly showcased the ongoing improvement in the standard of our Instrumental Music program. A big thank you to Nick Dean, Wendy Howes, and the dedicated team of Instrumental Music staff, students, and volunteers who made the event so special. We are especially proud of the hard work and dedication of our students, whose commitment to their craft continues to impress. Thank you also to the parents and carers for their ongoing support of the Instrumental Music program—your encouragement makes a significant difference in the success of our students. Well done to all involved!

Lunchtime Sport Tournaments

I would also like to acknowledge the leadership of Eugene Pring for his organisation of the 3-on-3 basketball tournament and the futsal tournament. These much-anticipated events brought together over 200 students, both as participants and spectators, creating a vibrant atmosphere and an opportunity to celebrate student sporting prowess. Through these tournaments, students not only showcased their skills but also demonstrated teamwork and school spirit. Thank you, Eugene, for your dedication in bringing these events to life and for providing such valuable experiences for our students.

Staff Farewells

This term, we say farewell to two valued members of our team: Vanessa Ramsay, our Careers Coordinator, and Lisa Fairweather, our Marketing and Communications Officer. Vanessa has played a key role in embedding a comprehensive careers program across Years 7-12 and supporting the implementation of the senior secondary reforms. Her work has been instrumental in preparing our students for their future pathways. Lisa has brought our school vision to life through her communications and event management, sharing the success stories of our students and staff with the wider community. We thank them both for their dedication and contributions to Doncaster Secondary College and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Wishing everyone a wonderful term break and looking forward to seeing all of you, refreshed and ready for term 4.

I hope you enjoy reading the stories in this edition of the newsletter.

Stay safe, enjoy, and see you all soon.

Glenn Morris

Principal