From the Principal

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 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.

IDAHOBIT DAY

Wednesday 15th May was IDAHOBIT Day where staff and students were able to wear casual clothes appropriate for school on the day to express who they are. Our school also raised the Rainbow flag for the day with our other significant flags on the flagpoles. This initiative was to acknowledge inclusiveness of all different people no matter their gender identity or sexual preference. It was great to see many of our students involved in this day and to acknowledge the diversity amongst our school community.

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT (NCD) CROSS COUNTRY

On Friday 17th May, we had approximately 15 students attend the NCD Cross Country. We had a number of good performances on the day including Layla and Abby Griffiths and Hugo Funcke who all won their race in their respective age groups on the day. Other significant achievements will be acknowledged at future assemblies and throughout this newsletter. Our better performers will now run in the Loddon Mallee Region Cross Country at St. Arnaud on Tuesday 28th May. Thanks to Mr. Cashin and Mrs. Russell for their coordination and organisation of our competing students prior to and on the day of the North Central District Cross Country.

BULOKE SHIRE TALK TO STUDENTS ABOUT GENDER INEQUITIES IN SPORT

On Wednesday 29th May, we had Alyssa and Shaun from the Buloke Shire come to our school to talk to our Year 9 & 10 students about gender inequities in sport. They spoke about a number of stereotypes in society about different genders and different sports as well as the many gross inequities that exist in community sport. There are planned facilities and policy upgrades within the shire over the course of the next 3 years for breaking down these various inequity barriers. Our students were also surveyed on their involvement in community sport and about the proposed policy changes to promote greater equity and equality in sport and increase inclusiveness so everyone can access their chosen sport. Thank you to Mrs. Griffiths, Mr. Calvert and Mrs. Feeny for their attendance and supervision in this informative session.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

Monday 27th May – Monday 3rd June is National Reconciliation Week and many of our staff and students wore a touch of yellow on their clothing on Wednesday 29th May to celebrate First Nations culture and strength. Many subjects and classes also focussed on learning tasks related to First Nations culture during this week.

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 full 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