Donald High School Newsletter

From the Principal

Mr. Paul Aikman

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 2024

 

As part of our Annual Implementation Plan, and as part of the findings from our school review this year, our school has identified a number of key priorities we will be focussing on in 2024. These include:

  1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Reading and Writing.
  2. Re-focussing our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model 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; 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.

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PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS – MONDAY 22nd APRIL 2024

 

It was great to see many parents present at our Parent-Teacher Interviews on the evening of Monday 22nd April between 3pm – 7pm. Hopefully all parents that attended were able to meet with the teachers they wanted to see. If you need to make an alternative appointment to see a particular teacher, please contact the school on Ph. (03) 5497 1205 to arrange this. I also hosted a 15-minute forum for parents to attend between 5.15pm – 5.30pm (during the staff break) in Room 9 to discuss global school related issues with me e.g. current focus areas for the school, subject and program offerings, upcoming projects the school is working on, etc. Thanks to the parents that did attend this forum and the parents that I have spoken with since about a number of these issues.

 

INTERHOUSE CROSS COUNTRY

 

We held our Interhouse Cross Country event in the afternoon on Monday 29th April. It was great to hear of the excellent participation and efforts of the students that competed in the event. Results from the event are published throughout this newsletter. Thanks to Mr. Cashin for his organisation and coordination of this event and to all the staff who played supporting roles on the day for the successful running of the event. 

 

MAN CAVE AND FLOURISH JOURNEY SESSIONS

 

This week we are hosting special Mental Health and Wellbeing sessions for our Year 9 & 10 students on Wednesday 1st May and for our Year 7 & 8 students on Thursday 2nd May. The boys will be attending sessions with the Man Cave and the girls will be attending sessions with the Flourish Journey. Both sessions provide advice, counselling and emotional intelligence training for our students in the Mental Health and Wellbeing space and have been well received by our students over the last 2 or 3 years. Thanks to Miss. O’Brien for her organisation and coordination of these sessions.

 

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY WITH WIMMERA NETWORK OF SCHOOLS

 

A reminder to all students and parents that Tuesday 7th May will be a student-free day so all our staff can attend a Wimmera Network of Schools Professional Learning Day. Staff will learn about appropriately managing student behaviour and building relationships as well as keeping students engaged in class. The special guest keynote speaker is Adam Voigt from ‘Real Schools.’ We look forward to a great day of learning and networking with staff from other schools within the Wimmera Network.

 

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). Some students this year have already had over 10 unexplained absences (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.

Principal