PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A Message from the Principal

Tuesday, 13 February was the 10th anniversary of the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generation. 

“For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.”

"To the mothers and fathers, the brothers and sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry."

I reflected on all that I had learned from my years working in education and the amazing turn around in student learning outcomes when students feel included and genuinely supported.  As a school we have come a long way and proudly display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and have participated in activities and events to further our understanding and support of our indigenous students and community members. 

Inclusion at our school is far reaching and is a focus of all that we do – within and beyond the classroom.  Inclusion at Doncaster Secondary College extends to our students from all cultural backgrounds, economical backgrounds, religious beliefs, abilities /disabilities and gender.   

We have a shared responsibility with all members of our community for maintaining a respectful, safe and orderly school environment that supports student learning.  I couldn’t be happier with the level of cooperation from our families and community members when it comes to sanctions and restoration following any incidents of unacceptable behaviour.

Anti-Vax email

The Department of Education has brought to the attention of Principals that an email is circulating from anonymous anti-vaccination campaigners to some Victorian schools and families regarding the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, GARDASIL®9, which is given in Year 7 in the Victorian Secondary School Vaccine Program. The information is incorrect and deliberately alarming.

The HPV vaccine GARDASIL®9 protects against seven HPV types which cause over 90 per cent of cervical cancer in women and over 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers in men. It also protects against an additional two HPV types which cause 90 per cent of genital warts. 

The consent forms distributed to families through the Victorian Secondary School Vaccine Program provide a credible and comprehensive outline of the benefits and possible side effects of the HPV vaccine. 

Safety research and testing is an essential part of developing vaccines. Every vaccine included in the Victorian Secondary School Vaccine Program has passed strict safety testing before being approved for use by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 

Any school or family who receives this email and has concerns is encouraged to visit the Department of Health and Human Services’ Immune Hero website or Better Health Channel for further evidence-based advice on the Victorian Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines and the diseases they protect against:

http://immunehero.health.vic.gov.au

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Éva McMaster

Principal