ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS' REPORT

Whole School Approach to Wellbeing

The group of teachers listed below presented to our staff about the important role they play in supporting the wellbeing of our students.

Student Wellbeing Coordinator SWC

Pamela Campbell 

Youth Worker/ Lookout Centre Coordinator

Drew Hanna 

Discovery/Respectful Relationships Leader

Lisa Chiuchiarelli

Learning and Life Skills Learning Specialist

Lana Nunis

They put an emphasis on people who have a positive sense of wellbeing are more engaged learners, caring citizens and thriving people. The Doncaster Secondary College community has a whole school approach to the wellbeing of everyone. Our community is a place where everyone can be empowered to care for the needs of others.

As part of the whole school approach to wellbeing, the roles and responsibilities of members of our community, and referral within the teams has been identified and categorised below.

Primary Prevention:  

Support given by all College Staff, Discovery Teachers, Parents, Students and Student Management Team.

Primary Prevention and Early Intervention:

Support given by Student Wellbeing Team, Student Management Team, Career Development Co-ordinator, College Nurse and Educational Psychologist.Intervention: Support given by Educational Psychologist and the myriad of external providers with specialized expertise.

A great deal of work has taken place within the Discovery program. The program is being developed to encourage Discovery teachers to become the key contact for parents and students in relation to the social, emotional and academic needs of students. Many Discovery teachers have introduced themselves, via email to the parents of their class, outlining their role. Through this we have seen parents and students communicating with their Discovery teachers with questions that may have been preciously addressed to Level Coordinators. By doing this, we aim to build the capacity of all of our teachers to oversee the wellbeing of our students, and at the same time allow our Student Management and Wellbeing team to provide a greater level of support to those who need it.

A team of teachers is working together to develop a program drawing on the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) curriculum. Links to the RRRR curriculum, as well as the topics/activities referenced through the Discovery curriculum have been listed below. Rosie Batty referenced the RRRR curriculum in her recent message to the public in regards to taking some time out from the public eye and also in the context of her work in family violence prevention. 

https://lukebattyfoundation.org.au/a-message-from-rosie-some-time-out-of-the-public-eye/

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships Resources

Years 7 and 8 Topics

• Getting to know you
• Making the rules
• Character strengths
• Human Rights

Years 9 and 10 Topics

• Getting to know you
• Behavioural preferences
• Making the rules
• Character strengths

Years 11 and 12 Topics

• Challenge, opportunity and personal strengths
• Goal setting and time management

Throughout Term 1, the Middle School Discovery curriculum has been focusing on establishing behavioural shared norms, learning routines, reflection, self-care, organisational skills, learning goals and personal strengths. The Year 12 Discovery program has focused on the study skills and habits required to manage study demands and achieve their personal best. A major change to the program has been a move away from guest speakers and presentations, in favour of the teacher connecting with their students through carefully planned activities which promote the building of positive relationships and a better understanding of student needs.

Glenn Morris

Assistant Principal

Doncaster Secondary College and Doncaster Primary School: Working Together and Learning Together

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Dimitra Ferizis in fostering opportunities for Doncaster Secondary College and Doncaster Primary School to work together. Dimitra is an active member of our parent body, as well as being the Grade 6 teacher at Doncaster Primary School. Some of the valuable opportunities which Dimitra has been involved in, include:

• Year 7 Transition focus group – December 2017. This information was used to guide our College in developing our transition program, as well as identifying opportunities within the local Primary Schools to prepare students for Secondary School.
• Grade 6 Healthy Eating Unit – Sonja Allen and the Art/Technology team will be supporting the Doncaster Primary School Grade 6 students to in the Doncaster Secondary College kitchen as part of their Healthy Eating unit. We are proud of our VCAL/SBAT students who will be supporting this program and at the same time building their leadership and communication skills.
• Great Victorian Bike Ride – We are exploring the opportunity to work with Doncaster Primary School to organise a combined team to attend the Great Victorian Bike Ride at the end of this year.
• Sports Coaching – Doncaster Secondary College students will be starting Summer Sports Officiating and Coaching on Wednesday, 28 February at Doncaster Primary School

Thank you Dimitra for your efforts. We look forward to strengthening the relationship between our two schools and in doing so, providing these learning opportunities for our students.

Glenn Morris 

Assistant Principal

School Accident Insurance Ambulance Cover and Private Property

Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to school.

Parents and guardians please be aware that the Education Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance or transport as well as any other transport costs.

Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department of Education does not accept responsibility for loss or damage. This can include mobile phones, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises.

Jeff Pavlou

Assistant Principal