College Newsletter

Junior School

Year 7 - Term 1

We have had a busy start to the year in year 7, our students have swiftly transitioned into their new environment, embracing both academic and extracurricular opportunities with enthusiasm and curiosity. From settling into new classes and routines to participating in exciting events like the Year 7 camp and family barbeque, our students have been actively engaged in building a strong foundation for their Doncaster Secondary College Journey. These initial weeks have been filled with learning, connection, and growth, marking a promising beginning to what we anticipate will be a rewarding and successful year.

 

Earlier in February we had a fantastic turnout for the Year 7 family barbeque, which provided an excellent opportunity to connect with the families of our students and gain a deeper understanding of our students outside the classroom. The event buzzed with energy as families mingled, met our year 7 staff, and enjoyed a sausage or two in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It was wonderful to see students proudly introducing their families to teachers and fellow classmates, strengthening the sense of community within our school. These interactions offered invaluable insights into our students' backgrounds and interests. We're grateful to everyone who attended and look forward to more events that bring our school community together.

 

 

Our Year 7 students recently enjoyed their first Doncaster Secondary College camp experience, attending camp Week away. Year 7 camp is intended to create a welcoming environment where students can meet new people, make new friends, and get to know the staff in a relaxed and supportive setting. This camp serves as a bridge for students transitioning into a new school year, providing them with opportunities to interact with peers they may not have met before. Through shared activities and team-building exercises, students can form meaningful connections and establish a sense of community. Additionally, the camp allows students to engage with teachers and staff outside the classroom, fostering positive relationships and building trust that will support their educational journey. 

 

The camp offered a variety of engaging activities, such as canoeing, hut building, and the exhilarating flying fox. These activities not only challenged students physically but also encouraged them to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new experiences with courage and enthusiasm.

 

Throughout the camp, students participated in events like bike riding and a photo scavenger hunt, which emphasised the importance of safety, responsibility, and understanding consent when capturing images. These activities were crafted to foster creativity, collaboration, and a sense of responsibility, as students navigated trails and worked together to achieve common goals. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know our new students during the Year 7 camp. It was a delight to witness their enthusiasm and energy as they engaged in various activities and embraced new challenges. Spending time with them allowed me to see their personalities shine and appreciate their diverse talents and interests. Building these connections early on is invaluable, as it helps create a supportive and inclusive community where students feel valued and understood.

 

 

Planning ahead we have NAPLAN testing next week, this is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning progress and apply the skills they have developed. NAPLAN testing provides valuable insights into students' strengths and areas for improvement, guiding us in tailoring our teaching strategies to better support their educational journey. It's an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities in literacy and numeracy, building confidence in their academic capabilities. As they prepare for these assessments, we encourage them to approach the tests with a positive mindset, understanding that this is just one of many tools used to track learning progress. We are committed to providing a supportive environment to help each student perform to the best of their abilities.

 

Doncaster Secondary College Welcomes Year 7 Students at Annual Barbeque 

Doncaster Secondary College (DSC) hosted its 2025 Year 7 Social Barbeque on February 11th, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for new students and their families. The event provided an informal setting for parents to meet teachers, enjoy a traditional sausage sizzle, and become part of the school community. 

 

Year 8 students Ben and Tvisha from the DSC Promotions Team took an active role in documenting the event. They conducted interviews with various participants, capturing the excitement, apprehension, and expectations surrounding the transition to high school. 

 

The teaching staff shared diverse perspectives on the event. Mr. Iape appreciated his morning coffee, while Ms. Luu expressed enjoyment of the sausage sizzle. Mrs. Reeves attended her first Year 7 BBQ with enthusiasm, humorously mentioning her breakfast yoghurt. Mr. Hanna, with extensive Year 7 teaching experience, kept things simple by enjoying the sausages. 

 

Parents voiced their hopes for their children's educational journey. Shristhi's parents wished for her to give her best effort in all endeavors. Atticus' mother hoped he would enjoy DSC and develop his passion for science. Laura, Nathan's mother, emphasized the importance of her son adapting to the new school environment and exploring various subjects. Nathan's apparent contentment brought particular joy to his mother. 

 

The new students offered mixed perspectives on their high school experience. Atticus felt he was adapting well, while Nathan described his start as "not bad." Ethan acknowledged the initial challenges but remained optimistic about settling in. Both Nathan and Ethan were still exploring their potential and hadn't set specific goals for the year. 

 

The barbeque successfully created a supportive community environment, helping Year 7 students and their families transition into the new academic year. With the backing of DSC's supportive community, the new students appear ready to embrace the opportunities ahead. 

 

Mr. Iape Interview:  

  • Q. Have you ever been to a Year 7 BBQ before?  
  • A. I probably have. I think so, anyway.  
  • Q. Have you ever taught a Year 7 class before?  
  • A. I have.  
  • Q. What has been your favourite meal today?  
  • A. I had coffee for breakfast, which was amazing.  

  

Ms. Luu Interview: 

  • Q. Have you ever been to a Year 7 BBQ before?  
  • A. Yes, many.  
  • Q. Have you ever taught a Year 7 class before?  
  • A. Yes, many.  
  • Q. What has been your favourite meal today?  
  • A. The sausage sizzle here, definitely.  

  

Mrs. Reeves Interview: 

  • Q. Have you ever been to a Year 7 BBQ before?   
  • A. This is my first time attending a Year 7 BBQ.  
  • Q. Have you ever taught a Year 7 class before?  
  • A. Yes, I have taught a Year 7 class before.  
  • Q. What has been your favourite meal today?  
  • A. My favourite meal was the yoghurt I had this morning, which consisted of brownies and chocolate.    

Mr. Hanna Interview: 

  • Q. Have you ever been to a Year 7 BBQ before?  
  • A. Yes.  
  • Q. Have you ever taught a Year 7 class before?  
  • A. Yes, eight times now.  
  • Q. What has been your favourite meal today?  
  • A. Sausages.  

 

New families were joining DSC and their hopes for their children were heartwarming:    

 

Shristhi’s parents interview: 

  • Q. Do you currently have children attending Doncaster Secondary College?  
  • A. One child attending, which is Shristhi.  
  • Q. What are your aspirations for Shristhi this year?  
  • A. To do her best, and everything.  

Atticus’ Mother interview: 

  • Q. Do you currently have any children attending Doncaster Secondary College?  
  • A. Only one. Atticus is the first one.  
  • Q. Do you have any aspirations for Atticus this year?  
  • A. For Atticus to really have fun. For him to really discover his space here, and to enjoy science.  
  • Q. How are you liking Doncaster so far?  
  • A. I like it.    

Laura & Nathan’s mothers’ Interview:  

  • Q. Do you have any aspirations for Nathan this year?  
  • A. I hope he settles in well, and enjoys learning all the different subjects high school has to offer, and… yeah.  
  • Q. How are you liking Doncaster so far?  
  • A. I think is Doncaster is good. You like it, right (she turned to Nathan, who nodded)? A happy Nathan makes a happy me.  

With the Year 7 students, we found a collection of responses regarding their transitions into high school:  

 

Atticus’ interview: 

  • Q. How are you settling into Doncaster so far?  
  • A. I’m settling pretty well, yes.    

Nathan’s interview: 

  • Q. How are you settling into Doncaster so far?  
  • A. Not bad!  
  • Q. What are your aspirations for this year?  
  • A. I don’t have any this year.  

Ethan’s interview: 

  • Q. How are you settling into Doncaster so far?  
  • A. It’s kinda messy right now.  
  • Q. Do you have any aspirations for yourself this year?  
  • A. No goals yet.  
  • Q. How are you handling the transition from primary school?  
  • A. It’s difficult so far, but I’ll get used to it pretty soon.  

Photographer: Tvisha Aggarwal 

Journalist: Ben Blowers 

Edited by: DSC Promotions team editor 

VHAP

We are excited to once again offer VHAP to our high-ability students in Junior School. The Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) enables high-ability students in Years 5-8, at all Victorian State Schools, to be challenged and extended in a supportive environment. Each term a group of high ability students are invited to take part in an online extension class for either English or Maths that runs once a week for the term. This term a group of Year 8s have been working to challenge themselves in either English or Maths. A new cohort of students will be contacted over the next week and invited to take place in our Term 2 intake.