Principal's report
Farewell from Eva McMaster, Principal
I wish to advise members of our College community that I was recently successful in my application for a position with the Department of Education as a Senior Education Improvement Leader, and will be leaving Doncaster Secondary College in mid-August on a date yet to be confirmed.
The position has been recently created where my role will be to work closely with all the secondary schools in the Inner East area of the North East Victoria Region to improve student learning outcomes.
We are fortunate to have an excellent and very experienced team of Assistant Principals and I look forward to announcing the successful applicant for the ‘Acting Principal’ role which will be in place until the Principal vacancy is resolved.
It has been a pleasure working with you all over nearly ten years, and I am deeply grateful for all your support during my time at Doncaster Secondary College. I have learned a lot and I appreciate the opportunities I have had to grow as a leader.
Please do not hesitate to contact me during the remainder of my time here. I will miss the Doncaster Secondary College community, but find some comfort in knowing that I will still have the connection with the school through my new leadership role.
Use of Face Coverings in Schools
In line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government has announced that those in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire must wear a face covering when they leave home.
Face coverings are now mandatory for people aged 12 and over. These measures will slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and help protect the community.
The Victorian Chief Health Officer has advised that any face covering will be acceptable – it does not need to be a surgical mask. More information about different face coverings is provided at the end of this message.
Please note that teachers and education support staff are not be required to wear face coverings while teaching, but students will notice that many staff wear their mask whilst teaching too.
All secondary school students who are attending on-site for Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) or on-site supervision need to wear a face covering, including in class, on the school grounds and when travelling to and from school. Due to practical or safety reasons students may be given permission by the classroom teacher to remove their face covering during class time.
Students or staff who have a medical condition - including problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability or a mental health condition - are not required to wear a face covering. Please continue to communicate with our first aid officer Ms Doyle to ensure that your child’s needs in this area are noted and met.
Parents/carers are also required to wear face coverings whenever they leave the house, including for school drop off and pick up. Please note that we are also working to protect our students and staff by requesting parents remain in their cars when collecting their children.
The Department of Health and Human Services website has advice about face coverings, including:
- different types that can be used
- how to make your own
- how to safely wear
- how to safely remove.
Thank you for your ongoing support at this challenging time.
Éva McMaster
Principal