Principal's Report

End of Term 3

As we conclude Term 3, 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 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 finalised their assessments and sat their practice exams. The growth and achievement of our students have been supported by the tireless work of our staff who have collaborated and shared their expertise to drive continuous improvement. On the wellbeing front, our mini-schools and wellbeing teams have delivered programs focusing on key areas such as careers, respectful relationships, health, wellbeing, 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.

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 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 engagement in class, which is 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. Finally, learning growth is the outcome we are aiming for, and it refers to how much students are improving 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.

If you are yet to do so, 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.

On Tuesday, 9th 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. Our students also impressed at the Victorian School Music Festival, demonstrating significant growth and performing to a very high standard, achieving several gold and silver medals. Well done to all involved!

The Department of Education’s Performing Arts Unit auditioned students from across the state for this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular Cast. Three of our students secured roles in this year’s Spectacular core performing company and performed in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular at John Cain Arena on Saturday 13th September. Congratulations to Eva P and Izayah K of Year 9 who performed as Principal Vocalists, as well as Maeva K of Year 7 who performed in the choir. These students were commendable ambassadors for our school and represented the Victorian Government School system with pride. This year’s production showcased more than 3,000 Victorian government school students in a performance of music, song, dance, circus and backstage areas such as audio, lighting, vision, and stage management. The event will be broadcast on television in December.

I would also like to acknowledge the leadership of Sean Clarke for his organisation of the inter-school sports program and the recent futsal tournament. The Futsal tournament created a vibrant atmosphere and an opportunity to connect and celebrate student sporting skills, competitive spirit, and teamwork. In addition to this, our Senior Boys and Girls Soccer teams have competed at the State Championships, representing the school with pride, and our Year 11s competed in the Ultimate Frisbee State Championships, where our Boys team came away with a gold medal in the B competition.

We’re also pleased to share that the first Yarning Circle was held this Thursday, 18 September, during lunchtime. Takoort Laka, meaning ‘all speak together’ in the Keerraywoorroong Language, is an opportunity for our community to learn about First Nations cultures, ask questions, share ideas, and provide feedback about what we would like to see at DSC. The session was facilitated by Gunditjmara man and Koorie Educator, Seth Nolan, and attended by a group of interested staff. We look forward to the next opportunity to participate in the Yarning Circle, and continue to learn together.

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

College Principal