From the Principal

Donald High School Doings – Week 1, Term 4

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 2026

As part of our new Annual Implementation Plan for 2026, and as part of the findings from our school review at the end of 2023, our school has recently identified a number of key priorities (main key improvement goals in bold type) we will be focussing on in 2026. 

These include:

1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy.

2. Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focussing on explicit teaching and learning using the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, 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. Increase the active participation of all students in their learning and wellbeing.

5. Using student voice and agency as a source of feedback and student choice inside and outside the classroom with a view to improving student engagement and connectedness throughout the school; and

6. Striving for improvements in student social and emotional learning, 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.

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL FOR TERM 4

Welcome back to school to all students, staff and parents for Term 4. The year is really flying past us. This term promises to be another eventful term with a lot of learning opportunities, activities and extra-curricular activities planned again in the 11 weeks of school we have.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS AT THE END OF TERM 3

It was fantastic to see and hear the wonderful talents our school has in the form of students playing instruments or singing as part of a band or school choir on this day. We also had Mr. Potter singing a couple of well-known songs like Mustang Sally. 

A note from Mr. Rigby about the day.

Battle of the Bands

"I was very pleased with the musical performances of all my music students. All staff who let students out of their classes to attend music lessons can take pride in the fact that the students enjoy music and generally progress well. You have all played your part. It is really important for the student’s mental health and feelings of self-worth.

We had over 20 parents, grandparents and friends of students present in the audience on the day which was pleasing to see.

Thanks again."

Congratulations and thank you to Mr. Rigby on his work with all of our students in the music area. We continue to be funded for this wonderful program into 2027, so over half of our student cohort can continue to be involved in playing music or singing. Our school is very fortunate to have someone like Mr. Rigby to drive this much-loved program in our school.

END OF TERM 3 FINAL ASSEMBLY

We held a celebration assembly on the last day of Term 3 to acknowledge a number of achievements. We congratulated 6 students from Years 7 to 11 for achieving the most merit Awards throughout Term 3. Each of these students were awarded a Donald High School labelled broad-brimmed hat to use. 

These students included:

Year 7 – Indi Goldsmith;

Year 8 – Riley Jones;

Year 9 – Lithil Hitihamillage;

Year 10 – Victory Davis; and 

Year 11 – Alyssa Hepworth and Kailie Krause.

We acknowledged 14 students that were awarded various level certificates of achievement for their involvement in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Thank you to Mr. Bott for driving the student’s involvement in this competition.

We also acknowledged our 2 student age group champions from the North Central Interschool Athletics – Laila G in the U/15 girls and Ryder in the U/16 Boys. 

Congratulations and well done to all these students on their significant achievements.

LODDON MALLEE DISTRICT INTERSCHOOL SPORTS

We had about 8 students attend the Loddon Mallee District Interschool Sports on Thursday 17th September. There were several sound performances by our students on the day, with the main results featuring later in this newsletter. Considering we are such a small school, to have 8 students compete on the day, is a great effort to compete at that level. Thanks to Mrs. Griffiths for driving the school bus and attending with the students for organisation, coordination and supervision of the students on the day.

2027 SCHOOL CAPTAIN SPEECHES AND ELECTIONS

We are doing something new this year and taking a period of class on Tuesday 13th October (Period 3) for the whole school (staff and students) to listen to and vote on our 2027 School Captaincy positions. We will also hear from our current School Captains about a new ‘student voice approach’ to SRC and executive structure of the SRC and how it will all work from 2027 onwards. I look forward to being involved in this process.

YEAR 12 STUDENTS FINAL DAY AND VALEDICTORY DINNER

Friday 16th October is the Year 12 VCE and Vocational Major students’ final day of classes, with the Year12 Valedictory Dinner scheduled for Friday evening from 7pm. The next week and a half is a great opportunity to finish of preparations for VCE Exams or finalise outcomes for VCE Vocational Major students and for the other students, parents and staff to celebrate our current Year 12 students. I know our Year 12 students have a number of fun activities planned for the next week and a half, and I remind them of their obligation to adhere to the values of the school during their celebrations. 

A REMINDER TO ALL STUDENTS RIDING TO SCHOOL (on bikes/scooters including e-scooters)  - Please ensure you follow the Road Rules –

Children aged 12 years or older are required by law to ride on the road. 

Students are also reminded that the law requires that all riders wear an approved helmet.  

USE THE BIKE TRACK through the Goodwin Village where appropriate. Community concern has been raised that pedestrians in the main street have almost been collided with by students travelling on the footpath. Please travel to and from school safely. 

It is also an expectation that all students will get off their bike/scooter/e-bike/e-scooter if entering or exiting the school from Camp Street. Too many students are entering and exiting the school grounds at speed and we are concerned that an accident may occur, so please get off your bike/scooter/e-bike/e-scooter in the school grounds.

Our Year 7 – 10 students attended a presentation from Tanya Peters (Leading Senior Constable of Swan Hill Police) about the legalities of using an e-Scooter, e-Bike and a push bike on Monday 11th May. 

Tanya spoke to the students about the necessity and legalities about being 16 years or older to ride an e-Scooter or e-Bike, wearing a helmet, keeping speeds to 25km/hr or less, riding on roads where the speed limit doesn’t exceed 60km/hr amongst a few other things. This was an informative session for students and staff to listen to and cleared up any 'myths' around e-Scooter and e-Bike use.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

At Donald High School, we’re excited to welcome your child back into the classroom................

Being at school is critical for your child’s learning and their mental health, physical and social wellbeing.

Every day counts.

You and your child / children are an important part of our school community, and we look forward to welcoming you back to school from the start of Term 2.

We want to support your child / children to have a positive start to the year. We will do this by working with you to help create positive school attendance routines from day 1.

We will also work with you to support your child’s / children's learning and wellbeing and offer help when required.

We can provide a wide range of support for students................

We understand that the reasons for not attending school can be complex. Schools have access to a range of specialist staff and programs that can provide additional support for your child / children, depending on their needs. For example:

• Tutor Learning Initiative – we have tutors at the school to provide targeted small group learning support for children identified as performing below their expected standard in literacy and numeracy for their age;

   

• School Breakfast Club – our school breakfast club provides students with a free, healthy breakfast to positively impact on their learning and attendance, and access to a nutritious lunch if needed;

   

• Specialist mental health and wellbeing teams can provide direct support to students or connect you with relevant external services for additional support;

   

• Your child / children may need an Individual Education Plan which can help everyone involved to understand and implement the goals and strategies to help them with their learning;

   

• Where intensive support is needed to improve your child’s / children's attendance, we can put in place a Student Support Group to work with you and assist with understanding their needs and developing a comprehensive support plan;

   

• We can connect with the department’s Student Support Services who can respond to a range of student health and wellbeing needs; and

   

• We can also help connect you to a range of services outside of school that can assist you and your child / children.

   

MORE INFORMATION ON ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL 

Can parents and students please take note of the graphic below. Last term we have had too many of our students missing over 10 days of school (the equivalent of 2 weeks per Term / 8 weeks for the year = too many days missed) (some students over 25 days - half or full days last year). Everyone should be prioritising education and learning for all of 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, Donald High School