Secondary Life

Year 12 Celebrations

Nat Ayton - Year 12 Coordinator

There’s something so rewarding about the moment when you look at someone and realise “you’re not a kid anymore, you’ve grown up”.  

I know from personal experience there is also a measure of sadness there too, but I think it’s the hope of all parents that our kids will grow up to be great people, perhaps even better than we are. 

Over the past year, but more specifically the last few weeks, I have witnessed many of these ‘growing up’ moments, as we have celebrated and farewelled the class of 2023. 

Through many tears, beaming smiles, high fives and hugs they walked their final lap around the school, inundated and surrounded by cheers and applause from the whole community. They have felt loved and supported from the smallest Preps up to their friends in Year 11, their teachers, maintenance, and admin staff - it has felt like the whole world is celebrating them. I suspect God might have had a big smile on His face at these moments too. 

The Secondary assembly run by the Year 12s was another beautiful moment, as the students demonstrated their creativity and media skills to take us on a journey through their schooling. The fun kept rolling as we were treated to the Secondary Carnival, complete with rides, yummy food and the dreaded ‘dunk tank’. 

This week we celebrated the Year 12s at our Valedictory Service. The students’ families attended this event, in acknowledgment that their achievements are not without the love and support of parents and siblings. With significant help from the Friends of Donvale team, we watched on as every student took to the stage, each with their own stories of triumph. This marks one of the most significant achievements in their lives thus far - we were incredibly proud of them all. 

To our Year 12s we say well done, God bless, and all the best for your upcoming exams. 

To all those who helped nurture, guide and support these students along the way, we say thank you.  

To the parents of the Year 12s - those ‘little kids’ that are now ‘growing up’, we hope that the essence of God woven through all the moments at DCC continue to bear fruit in your children, and we want you to know that we think they are, and are becoming, great people. Well done. 

Year 8 Geography Excursion

Jane Moyle - Year 8 Coordinator

This week, the Year 8 students ventured out on a cross-curricular fieldtrip to Organ Pipes National Park and Hanging Rock.  

Seeing actual evidence of volcanic activity and the effects of weathering and erosion helped students get a real life understanding of geological and geographical processes. Most students enjoyed the challenge of walking to the Hanging Rock summit and the view from the top certainly made it worthwhile!  

This excursion is in a timely place on the DCC calendar as it was an excellent chance to prepare for the Year 8 Camp to The Grampians in Week 8 of this term.  

We were so fortunate with the glorious weather, as it ensured all students and staff thoroughly enjoyed their time in God’s magnificent and unique creation.

VCE Arts Soirée

Hannah McCrae

What a delight it was to share the evening with our graduating class of performing and visual arts students and to witness the culmination of their learning for this year.  

Under the stars, and under the marquee, we were delighted with the sweet sounds of our Music performers, and inside we were able to wander the visual arts exhibitions, watch the Drama performances an enjoy the short films put together by our Media students.  

Thank you to the amazing VCE Arts teachers for their time and effort to put on a wonderful evening, as well as inspire and engage our arts students throughout the year!