Donald High School Newsletter

From the Principal

Mr. Paul Aikman

DONALD HIGH SCHOOL DOINGS 

SCHOOL VALUES

 

Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Learning. 

Staff, students and parents are encouraged to ensure we all operate and conduct our business at school according to these core values that were established by various members of our school community for the school community throughout the school review process in 2019.

 

Key focus areas for Donald High School in 2025

 

As part of our new Annual Implementation Plan for 2025, and as part of the findings from our school review at the end of 2023, our school has identified a number of key priorities we will be focussing on this year in 2025. These include:

  1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Writing.

  2. Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focussing on explicit teaching and learning, and re-focussing classroom behavioural and learning expectations.

  3. Using data to inform our teaching and learning for improved student outcomes with a focus on teaching students to their point of need.

  4. Using student voice as a source of feedback inside and outside the classroom with a view to improving student engagement and connectedness throughout the school; and

  5. Striving for improvements in student mental health and wellbeing, and engagement and connectedness at school through specialist programs and support.

There is also an expectation of all students to ensure they continue to grow and develop as learners, and for staff to continue to strive for improvement in themselves and the students.

 

SCHOOL TV

 

Please note that our school community now has access to a website called SchoolTV.

This website provides all members of our school community with a wide range of information and resources both in text and video form as well as asks people to complete surveys on a variety of topics on Mental Health and Wellbeing. It is a website that is used as a preventative measure to educate all people on the various topics and is a fantastic resource I recommend people access whether you are a parent, teacher or student.

The topics are conveniently arranged into a number of series. Topics feature interviews with leading youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world offering hours of relevant and practical information. Additionally, each topic includes a compilation of related resources from key organisations providing a comprehensive stream of content. Resources include informative fact sheets, articles, apps, books, podcasts, websites, and other videos - all related to a single topic, in one place for easy access!!

The website is found at donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me

Some of the most recent special reports on the SchoolTV website include: Eating Anxiety, Healthy Study Habits, The Cost of Living Crisis, Navigating AI Relationships, Confidence & Motivation, The Wellbeing Barometer, Social Media & Comparison Culture, Shaping Healthy Masculinity (new) and Gender Diversity (new).

 

YEAR 8 CAMP TO DUNKELD

 

Our Year 8 students are attending their adventure camp at the southern end of the Grampians in Dunkeld between Wednesday 11th and Friday 13th June. The students will experience a variety of adventure activities including rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, ropes courses, a giant swing and a flying fox. All the students and staff are looking forward to an exciting camp. Thanks to Mr. Tatchell and Mrs. Medlyn for their organisation, coordination and supervision of our Year 8 students on this camp. We look forward to hearing some great stories from their trip away.

 

YEAR 10 PRE-DRIVER EDUCATION

 

Our Year 10 students will experience Pre-driver Education and Training from Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th June at the Chartsec Driving School in Charlton. Students will be exposed to road safety and rules training, the use of various car accessories as well as doing some practical experiences in a car with an instructor during the day and at night. Thanks to Mrs. Griffiths and Miss. Francis for their organisation, coordination and supervision of our students for this essential experience for our students.

 

YEAR 9 VET TASTER DAY

 

Our Year 9 students will have an opportunity to experience a VET course at their VET Taster Day on Thursday 12th June. Students have selected courses of particular interest that they can experience on this day including Automotive, Building and Construction, Sport and Recreation, Hair and Beauty, Community Services and Agriculture to name a few.

 

DIGITAL MEDIA LITERACY SAFETY WEBINAR

 

Due to our school’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth wellbeing through its partnership with SchoolTV, we would like to invite parents, carers, grandparents, educators and school leaders to attend an exclusive webinar supporting primary and secondary students.

WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part II)DATE: Wednesday, 18 June 2025TIME: 7:30 pm

Join us for an exclusive session with two of Australia's leading experts in youth wellbeing and cybersafety, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Topics in this webinar include:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Misinformation & Algorithms
  • Sexting and Sextortion
  • Online Grooming

**** IMPORTANT ****

Please note, this webinar is a one-off event and will not be available to replay later.

Please note: Participants must register prior to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.

The following link will take you to the registration page for the webinar:

http://donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me/webinar/east-coast-digital-media-literacy-safety-part-2

We look forward to having you join us for this insightful and engaging session.

From the SchoolTV Team.

 

MENTAL HEALTH ROADSHOW IN HORSHAM IN LATE JULY

 

Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg is the special guest speaker at two sessions of a Mental Health Roadshow in Horsham later this year.

There is a session for Educators in Horsham on Wednesday 30th July 2025 between 4.30pm – 5.30pm and another session for parents to attend on the same night between 7.00pm – 8.00pm. All parents, students and staff were sent an email about this last week with a QR Code on the flyer attached to the email to register your attendance if interested. 

 

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

 

At Donald High School, we’re excited to welcome your child into the classroom................

Being at school is critical for your child’s learning and their mental health, physical and social wellbeing.

Everyday counts.

You and your child / children are an important part of our school community, and we look forward to welcoming you back to school.

We want to support your child / children to have a positive start to this term. We will do this by working with you to help create positive school attendance routines from day 1.

We will also work with you to support your child’s / children's learning and wellbeing and offer help when required.

We can provide a wide range of support for students................

We understand that the reasons for not attending school can be complex. Schools have access to a range of specialist staff and programs that can provide additional support for your child / children, depending on their needs. For example:

  • Tutor Learning Initiative – we have tutors at the school to provide targeted small group learning support for children identified as performing below their expected standard in literacy and numeracy for their age.

  • School Breakfast Club – our school breakfast club provides students with a free, healthy breakfast to positively impact on their learning and attendance, and access to a nutritious lunch if needed.

  • Specialist mental health and wellbeing teams can provide direct support to students or connect you with relevant external services for additional support.

  • Your child / children may need an Individual Education Plan which can help everyone involved to understand and implement the goals and strategies to help them with their learning.

  • Where intensive support is needed to improve your child’s / children's attendance, we can put in place a Student Support Group to work with you and assist with understanding their needs and developing a comprehensive support plan.

  • We can connect with the department’s Student Support Services who can respond to a range of student health and wellbeing needs; and

  • We can also help connect you to a range of services outside of school that can assist you and your child / children.

MORE INFORMATION ON ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL 

 

Can parents and students please take note of the graphic below. Last year we had too many of our students missing over 15 days of school (some students over 20 days - half or full days). Everyone should be prioritising education and learning for all our students. The more time students spend at school, the greater the outcomes for their learning. All Year 7 – 12 students are expected to be at school for the whole day on a ‘normal’ school day. The only exceptions are for illness, medical appointments, or a family bereavement. Parents are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines for their child’s attendance.

 

I am available to talk to people at the school to assist you with any enquiries if required and can be contacted to make an appointment or have a discussion on Ph. (03) 5497 1205.

Paul Aikman.