College Newsletter

Principal's Report

Dear parents, carers, students, staff, and community members,

 

I would like to begin this edition of our newsletter by acknowledging and thanking Belinda McGee, who stepped into the Acting Principal role during my recent leave, and Tony Leung, who in turn stepped into the Acting Assistant Principal role. Their professionalism, leadership, and commitment ensured the smooth running of the college, and their efforts exemplify the strength and depth of our leadership team.

 

At Doncaster Secondary College, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment, and our calendar of significant events plays a vital role in bringing this vision to life. Already this year, we have celebrated Harmony Week and marked Nowruz and Close the Gap Day, all of which encouraged cultural understanding and respect for diversity. We also acknowledged International Women’s Day, ANZAC Day, Men’s Health Week, NAIDOC Week, and IDAHOBIT Day, each providing important opportunities for our students to reflect on values of equity, respect, and community. Looking ahead, we will continue this focus through events including Wear it Purple Day, Indigenous Literacy Day, R U OK? Day, Remembrance Day, the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, and Body Kind Month. These celebrations and awareness-raising activities allow us to come together as a whole school community, to learn, reflect, and take positive action. They remind our students of the importance of empathy, inclusion, and wellbeing, and they strengthen the culture of respect and connection that underpins all aspects of life at Doncaster Secondary College.

 

As you read through this edition of our college newsletter, you will see a celebration of the many achievements and events that make Doncaster Secondary College such a vibrant and connected community. From academic progress and the science of learning to the creativity of our school production and the connections we share through community events, these stories highlight the breadth of opportunities available to our students. You will also find updates on our strategic direction, a focus on student growth and wellbeing, and reflections on the ways our staff, students, and families work together to create an environment where every learner can succeed. In addition, we showcase our growing careers program, which is central to helping students set aspirations for their future and empowering our community to dream big, plan ahead, and achieve success beyond school.

 

Doncaster Secondary College – 2025 School Review Summary and Next Steps

In Term 2, 2025, Doncaster Secondary College (DSC) completed its four-yearly school review, with input from an independent reviewer, Department of Education representatives, school council, staff, students, and families. The review looked at our progress against the 2021–2025 School Strategic Plan (SSP) and will guide development of the new SSP.

 

Review Findings

  • Student Learning: DSC was rated high for student learning growth and achievement. Literacy and numeracy outcomes are strong and improving, supported by tutoring, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), small-group interventions, and extension opportunities for high-achieving students.
  • Student Wellbeing: DSC was also rated high for wellbeing. Students described the school as safe, inclusive, and welcoming. Strong wellbeing programs, including Managing Me and Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR), have supported positive outcomes.
  • School Culture: Parents, staff, and students praised the school’s inclusive and supportive culture, with strong community connections and a wide range of leadership, co- and extra-curricular opportunities.
  • Teaching and Learning: The school has begun implementing explicit teaching through the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0). Continued work is needed to embed high-quality instructional practices and ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum for all students.

 

Next Steps – Directions for the 2025–2029 School Strategic PlanThe review panel endorsed two key goals to guide our future work:

 

1. Maximise Student Learning Growth

  • Develop and embed an Instructional Model aligned to VTLM 2.0.
  • Document and implement a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC).
  • Consolidate and implement a whole-school assessment framework that meets the needs of all learners.

 

2. Develop Respectful, Resilient and Responsible Learners

  • Strengthen and broaden partnerships with parents, carers, and students as active partners in learning and wellbeing.
  • Build staff capabilities to embed evidence-based wellbeing practices.
  • Empower students through a rich wellbeing teaching and learning program.

 

The review confirmed that Doncaster Secondary College is a high-performing, inclusive school with strong outcomes in both learning and wellbeing. The next School Strategic Plan will build on this success, with a clear focus on instructional excellence, student growth, and strengthening the partnership between school, families, and community.

 

Science of Learning

At Doncaster Secondary College, our focus on the science of learning ensures that every program and practice is grounded in evidence about how students learn best. Guided by Daniel Willingham’s simple model of memory, we understand that learning is the residue of thought, and that for knowledge to be retained, it must move from working memory into long-term memory through purposeful practice and repetition. This thinking underpins the introduction of VTLM 2.0, which provides a shared framework for effective teaching and learning across the College. The principles of this model shape all aspects of our work, from the design of our curriculum to classroom instruction, homework and study routines, and our strong emphasis on attendance. They also inform the way we support students with additional needs, ensuring that teaching strategies are aligned with how memory and learning work. By applying the science of learning consistently across our programs, we are building a culture that maximises learning growth and enables every student to thrive.

 

NAPLAN Outcomes

NAPLAN testing is an important tool in understanding how well our students are building the foundations of literacy and numeracy that underpin success in all areas of learning and life. These skills are not just academic measures – they are gateways to confidence, opportunity, and lifelong achievement. With participation rates consistently above 98%, we can gather a comprehensive and accurate picture of how our students are progressing, both in terms of their achievement and, importantly, their growth. At Doncaster Secondary College, we use this information to celebrate student strengths, identify areas of need, and ensure that every learner is supported and challenged to continue moving forward.

 

The growth of our students from Year 7 to Year 9 highlights the impact of our targeted programs. In reading, 81% of students achieved medium or high relative growth, compared with 77% in similar schools, while in numeracy, 83% achieved medium or high growth compared to 75% in similar schools. This demonstrates that our students are not only keeping pace but excelling in their learning journeys. This success reflects the Junior School vision of providing an environment where students are empowered to learn and achieve. By consolidating essential skills in literacy, numeracy, and personal and social capabilities, and by setting meaningful goals, we are maximising learning growth. This growth lays the pathway to higher achievement and long-term success, made possible through the collective efforts of our staff, students, and the strong support of our families.

 

SEAL Program Information Evening

This week, we were delighted to welcome prospective families to our SEAL Program Open Night. A highlight of the night for the 170 audience members was hearing directly from our students, with a panel representing Years 7–9 sharing their experiences of challenge, growth, and community within the SEAL program. We were also privileged to hear from SEAL alumni, who reflected on how the program prepared them for success in VCE and beyond, as well as from our dedicated teachers, who spoke with passion about the students in the program. The evening was a wonderful celebration of the opportunities the SEAL program offers, and the strong partnership between students, staff, and families.

 

Celebrating the Success of The Crucible

We are proud to acknowledge the outstanding success of our recent school production of The Crucible. This year’s production once again highlighted the strength of our Performing Arts program and the talent, creativity, and dedication of our students. The performances were of the highest quality, showcasing not only the acting skills of our students but also the depth of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance required to bring such a challenging work to life.

 

A production of this calibre is only possible through the remarkable leadership of our Performing Arts staff, led by Amanda Egglestone and Wendy Howes, who brought together a team of students, families, community members, and colleagues to make the vision a reality. Their ability to inspire, guide, and nurture our students ensured that every individual involved made a valued contribution – whether on stage, behind the scenes, in costume design, lighting, sound, or set construction. It was truly a community effort, reflecting the collaborative spirit that sits at the heart of Doncaster Secondary College.

 

The Performing Arts play a vital role in the life of our school, offering students the opportunity to develop confidence, creativity, and resilience while experiencing the joy of performance. The success of The Crucible stands as a powerful reminder of how the arts enrich our school community and provide experiences that our students will carry with them well beyond their years at Doncaster Secondary College. We congratulate everyone involved and thank our families and community for their support.

 

Regards,

Glenn Morris 

College Principal