From the Principal

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 2026

As part of our new Annual Implementation Plan for 2026, and as part of the findings from our school review at the end of 2023, our school has recently identified a number of key priorities (main key improvement goals in bold type) we will be focussing on in 2026. These include:

1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy.

    

2. Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focussing on explicit teaching and learning using the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, 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. Increase the active participation of all students in their learning and wellbeing.

    

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

    

6. Striving for improvements in student social and emotional learning, 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.

STAFFING AND TEACHING ALLOTMENTS FOR 2026

Our Local Advisory Committee and Leadership Team have been busy organising staffing, teaching allotments and specialist jobs for next year. Most roles have been filled with some still to complete in the coming weeks to enable us to have a full complement of staff in roles for 2026.

CHANGES TO SCHOOL COUNCIL FOR THE INFORMATION OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY

From 2026, parents, carers and community members who would like to join the school council need a working with children (WWC) clearance to nominate. If you are considering nominating for school council, and don’t already have a WWCC, I encourage you to apply for a volunteer WWC check as soon as possible. This will allow for processing times, which are estimated to be from 3 to 12 weeks.

Please note that if you do not hold a WWC clearance, you will not be able to nominate for school council, so it is vital that you prepare in advance. Obtaining a WWC clearance is free for volunteers, and you can apply online at Service Victoria.

When applying for your volunteer WWC check, please nominate the Department of Education as the organisation you are working for.

If you already hold an employee WWC clearance, you do not need to obtain a volunteer WWC clearance to nominate for school council.

Victorian Institute of Teaching-registered teachers and school students who are interested in joining school council are not required to obtain a WWC clearance.

Current parents and community members of school council do not need to apply for a WWC check immediately. Current members only need a WWC clearance if their term ends and they wish to nominate or be co-opted again. For more information, refer to Ministerial Order 1280 (Constitution of Government School Councils) 2020.

WELL DONE TO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR

Many students have performed well in their assessments and shown positive growth across a number of key learning areas. I know many Years 7 – 10 students have shown considerable growth in literacy and numeracy testing results in Naplan and PAT Testing which is pleasing. I also know that some of our Year 12 students achieved some fantastic results with our Year 12 Dux Abby Griffiths, obtaining 11 A and A+ grades out of the 17 units she studied as part of her VCE and achieving an ATAR score of 87.55 placing her in the top 12.5% of the State, and which is a great reward for hard work!! Well done to all our high achieving students that have obtained the results they deserve for all their efforts.

SOME DEPARTING AND SOME NEW STAFF AT DONALD HIGH SCHOOL FROM THE START OF 2026

By the end of this year, we will have had a few staff changes. Mr. Chris Rodger will be leaving our school as he has secured another teaching position in Melbourne. Mr. Rodger has been at Donald HS in an English / Humanities teaching role for the past 3 years, and we wish him well for the future. Mr. Brad Calvert is taking some leave from teaching after spending the last 2 years at Donald High School teaching in the Maths Key Learning Area. We also wish Mr. Calvert well for the future. Mrs. Ange Donnellon is also leaving Donald High School after just over 4 years’ service to focus her energy on her family Café and Farming businesses. Mrs. Donnellon has been a long-time contributor and supporter of our school and throughout the Donald community and is taking a well-earned break away from the many commitments she has had for many years to focus on her family’s businesses. Mrs. Deb Feeny is leaving Donald High School after a number of years teaching and tutoring our students in English and literacy. Mrs. Feeny intends to spend part of next year travelling. Mrs. Feeny will stay involved with our school through Casual Relief Teaching. Mr. Daniel Pettifer will also be leaving our school to pursue another line of work. Mr. Pettifer has been a fantastic addition to our school, having built a strong rapport with many staff and students over the past 18 months, and we are all disappointed to be losing him. Mr. Brannon Walker has decided to attend full time University in Melbourne from next year, after spending the last 3 years with us. Brannon won’t be at school as much in person but will still maintain a part-time role with us in assisting with IT matters. We thank Chris, Brad, Ange, Deb, Daniel and Brannon for their valuable contribution to our school over many years.

Some important changes and exciting additions to our school for next year include Mr. Stephen Boswell as a new Maths and TED Teacher, Ms. Emma Finnigan as a new English / Humanities Teacher and Mrs. Megan Wait as a new Administration and IT Support Staff member, with another Education Support staff member to be confirmed before we return to school for the start of next year.

UPDATE ON BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT WORKS

Most of the works are now complete including:

1. Re-surfacing of the Outdoor Basketball and Netball Court area and restoration of landscaping in this area.

2. Removal of School portables from the West end of the Campus and restoration of landscaping in this area; and 

3. Refurbishing the Car Park area at the East end of the Campus.

All students are also to be aware not to bring mud and other remnants from these works inside, as grassed areas may become quite 'torn up' with the recent rain and trucks and machinery accessing these areas.

We have recently had the half-court basketball courts and the area between the undercover area and new outdoor basketball court prepared for re-surfacing and will have the rebound walls re-painted in the near future.

The landscaping of the area outside the Year 12 portable will take place next year, with some plants and a footpath installed to improve this area.

We thank everyone for their cooperation and patience throughout last Term and early this Term in adhering to the safety guidelines and rules, whilst we undertook these necessary building and refurbishment projects.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

At Donald High School, we are 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. We had too many of our students missing over 10 days of school (some students even more days - half or full days) in Term 3 this year.

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.

As this is our last newsletter for the year, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and an enjoyable holiday season and encourage you all to take some time out for a break over the next few weeks, and I look forward to seeing you all and working with you again in the new year.

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.