College Newsletter

Principal's Report

End of Term 1 2024 

 

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.

Open Night

The recent open night on Wednesday, March 20th, at Doncaster Secondary College was a resounding success, thanks to the remarkable efforts of our dedicated staff and enthusiastic students. This event showcased the vibrant spirit of our school community, and it's essential to recognise the individuals who made it all possible.

 

Firstly, a special mention must go to our student tour leaders, who exemplified the essence of Doncaster Secondary College. These remarkable students volunteered their time, embracing the role of ambassadors with grace and professionalism. Their preparedness and willingness to represent our school not only facilitated a smooth event but also left a lasting impression on our visitors. The hard work and dedication these students demonstrated in preparing for the night underscored their commitment to our school's values. We are incredibly proud of their contributions and the exemplary way they represented their peers and Doncaster Secondary College.

 

Equally deserving of recognition is our exceptional staff, whose participation was instrumental in the night's success. By inviting interactions with families and students, our staff members effectively communicated the goals and values that define our school. Their passion for their areas of expertise and their genuine care for student welfare shone brightly, offering a glimpse into the nurturing and dynamic learning environment we cultivate at Doncaster Secondary College. The dedication of our staff to not only their professional responsibilities but also to the personal growth and well-being of our students is truly commendable.

 

The open night was a testament to the strong sense of community and shared purpose that thrives within Doncaster Secondary College. The collaboration between staff and students in preparing for and executing this event demonstrates the unity and collective spirit that makes our school a special place. As we reflect on the success of the open night, we are reminded of the strength and potential that lie within our community. It is the collective effort of our staff and students that propels us forward, and this event was a shining example of what we can achieve together. 

SRC Fundraiser: Good Friday Appeal

The Student Representative Council at Doncaster Secondary College recently hosted an unforgettable lunchtime event that not only brought joy and laughter to the campus but also made a significant impact on a wider cause. The highlight of the event was the dunk tank, where students queued up for the rare opportunity to dunk their teachers with a bucket of water. This playful yet purposeful activity successfully captured the spirit of our school community, raising an impressive $1000 for the Good Friday Appeal. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our teachers who participated with smiles and to the resources and facilities team for supporting our students to construct the dunking machine. The vibrant atmosphere in the quadrangle was a testament to the strong bond and sense of camaraderie between our staff and students.

 

 

This event also showcased the remarkable awareness and empathy our students possess regarding their role in the broader community. Their enthusiastic participation and generosity reflect a deep understanding of their capacity to effect positive change beyond the school gates. It's heartening to see our young learners actively engaging in initiatives that contribute to the greater good, demonstrating their commitment to social responsibility and global citizenship. 

Harmony Day: Everyone Belongs

At Doncaster Secondary College, we take pride in our cultural diversity, recognising it as a source of strength, learning, and connection. Harmony Day is an opportune moment to reflect on the values of inclusiveness, respect, and belonging.

 

Harmony Day is more than just a day; it's a reflection of what we stand for - a community where everyone feels they belong, irrespective of their background. This ethos is woven into our strategic wellbeing goal, which aims to develop learners who are self-aware, respectful of diversity, and able to navigate social relationships. This strategic goal is evident in our annual implementation plan where we are striving to:

  • enhance the classroom approach to social and emotional learning.
  • extend the multi-tiered response to support students’ wellbeing and mental health. 

In line with the Department’s Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0), we recognise the equal importance of learning and wellbeing. This framework champions the creation of an environment where every student can thrive, underpinned by strong relationships and a commitment to both academic excellence and personal growth.

 

As we embrace the spirit of Harmony Week, it's important to acknowledge the various cultural celebrations occurring around this time. From Easter and Passover to Holi to Eid Mubarak and the holy month of Ramadan, these occasions are a testament to the ways our community comes together to honour diversity. 

 

This year, our celebration of Harmony Day in the Junior School saw us welcome a speaker from the Centre for Multicultural Youth. The speaker communicated about their experience as a teenager in school and the impact that words and behaviours can have, and the strength of diversity. 

 

Throughout the day students explored what it means to have a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where our differences are acknowledged and celebrated. They also looked at the positive impact of valuing diversity and promoting human rights in the community through exploring the values and beliefs of different groups in society.  

 

Harmony Week inspired activities at Crafternoon Club:

 

The program also has links to Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued. 

 

To further embrace our diversity, students were encouraged to come in free dress, showcasing colours or attire that represent their cultural heritage or the unity symbolised by the colour orange.

 

 

In celebrating Harmony Week and the concurrent cultural festivities, we are not just acknowledging our differences; we are celebrating the shared values that bring us closer. Let us continue to foster a community where every member, regardless of their background, feels valued, understood, and connected.

 

Together, in harmony and respect, we build a stronger, more inclusive Doncaster Secondary College.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

On Thursday 25th April Doncaster Secondary College will be partnering with the RSL Doncaster sub-branch to organise and deliver the ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

 

I must acknowledge the leadership of Wendy Howes who works tirelessly to ensure that we collaborate effectively and that our students are prepared for the event.

 

I hope to see many of our community members at the Doncaster RSL on ANZAC Day. Please see the attached flyer for details.

 

Student Voice and Agency: School Improvement Teams

Doncaster Secondary College takes immense pride in its commitment to incorporating student voice and agency within the fabric of our school's development and improvement strategy. This year, we continue our focus on empowering students across junior, middle, and senior school improvement teams to impact our educational and wellbeing programs.

 

Central to our approach is the belief that students are not just beneficiaries of the educational process but are pivotal stakeholders with unique insights and valuable perspectives. Our improvement teams across all school levels include student representatives who do not merely participate but lead these groups. They are responsible for chairing meetings, taking minutes, and critically analysing school data to assess our progress towards the objectives outlined in our annual implementation plan. Their firsthand experience and perspective allow for the identification of areas needing improvement that might not be immediately evident to the adult staff. 

 

The rationale behind integrating student voice and agency into the governance of school improvement is multifaceted:

  • Enhanced Relevance: Students, being the primary recipients of educational programs, have a clear stake in their design and delivery. Their input ensures that these programs are more closely aligned with their needs and learning preferences.
  • Empowerment: Involving students in decision-making processes empowers them, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their educational journey and the school community.
  • Critical Thinking and Leadership: By engaging with school data and contributing to strategic planning, students develop critical thinking and leadership skills that transcend the classroom, preparing them for active citizenship.
  • School Culture: Student-led initiatives help cultivate a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, where the voices of all community members are valued and considered.

Our school's emphasis on student voice and agency not only democratises the process of educational improvement but also instils in our students a sense of belonging, importance, and capability.

Supporting a vape-free environment

Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.

 

The Department has recently updated their smoking and vaping ban policy. The purpose of the policy is to support public health objectives and ensure there is no smoking or use of e-cigarettes (vaping) on school premises (buildings and grounds), within 4 metres of school entrances or at school sanctioned events held off-premises.

 

Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.

 

The Department of Education has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping. The resources include advice about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

This video on smoking and vaping has been put together from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. It provides health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

I wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing term break and I look forward to seeing you at the start of term 2.

 

 

Glenn Morris

Principal