From the Principal

Principal's Report

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 2025

As part of our new Annual Implementation Plan for 2025, and as part of the findings from our school review at the end of 2023, our school has identified a number of key priorities we will be focussing on this year in 2025. These include:

1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Writing.

2. Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focussing on explicit teaching and learning, 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. Using student voice as a source of feedback inside and outside the classroom with a view to improving student engagement and connectedness throughout the school; and

5. Striving for improvements in student mental health and wellbeing, 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.

MENTAL HEALTH ROADSHOW IN HORSHAM IN LATE JULY

Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg is the special guest speaker at two sessions of a Mental Health Roadshow in Horsham later this year.

There is a session for Educators in Horsham on Wednesday 30th July 2025 between 4.30pm – 5.30pm and another session for parents to attend on the same night between 7.00pm – 8.00pm. All parents, students and staff were sent an email about this last week with a QR Code on the flyer attached to the email to register your attendance if interested. 

SCHOOL TV

Please note that our school community now has access to a website called SchoolTV.

This website provides all members of our school community with a wide range of information and resources both in text and video form as well as asks people to complete surveys on a variety of topics on Mental Health and Wellbeing. It is a website that is used as a preventative measure to educate all people on the various topics and is a fantastic resource I recommend people access whether you are a parent, teacher or student.

The topics are conveniently arranged into a number of series. Topics feature interviews with leading youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world offering hours of relevant and practical information. Additionally, each topic includes a compilation of related resources from key organisations providing a comprehensive stream of content. Resources include informative fact sheets, articles, apps, books, podcasts, websites, and other videos - all related to a single topic, in one place for easy access!!

The website is found at donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me

Some of the most recent special reports on the SchoolTV website include: Eating Anxiety, Healthy Study Habits, The Cost of Living Crisis, Navigating AI Relationships, Confidence & Motivation, The Wellbeing Barometer, Social Media & Comparison Culture and Shaping Healthy Masculinity (new).

MOBILE PHONE USE AT SCHOOL

Parents and students are reminded that the use of mobile phones by students is not permitted at school between the hours of 8.45am and 3.25pm, unless they have been given permission for its use by a teacher leading an excursion or Camp, their Year Level Coordinator or a member of the School Staff Leadership Team. We have had a number of instances where students have been accessing their mobile phone for varying reasons during the school day without permission. This is a State Government rule that applies to all schools across the State of Victoria. 

A reminder also that it is an illegal act to photograph, video or record another person and forward this on to someone else without that person’s consent, and this offence is punishable by the school and police.

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.   

PLEASE 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. 

INTER-HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY

Well done to the 70 plus students that participated in the Inter-House Cross Country running event that was held on the afternoon of Wednesday 30th April. It was great to see some fantastic performances and good times run by many students across all Year levels. A particular congratulations to Aria Brennan from Year 10 for her efforts in completing her first cross-country event and to all the age group champions for their good performances. Well done also to Banyenong House on winning this year’s event overall. Thank you to all the staff that assisted in performing jobs for the event during the afternoon and to Mr. Cashin and Mr. Tatchell for their organisation and coordination of the event.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS 

All our teachers completed interim progress reports for each of the students they teach late last term. Whilst these reports aren’t as comprehensive as our end of semester reports, they are a clear indicator of a student’s progress so far this year and are a good ‘checkpoint’ to ensure students are up to date and making the most of their learning opportunities and an opportunity to reflect on what students can do to improve their results. These reports were made available to students and parents after the end of Term 1 and were the basis of teacher discussions with parents and students at our Parent-Teacher Interviews on Monday 5th May (last week). Thanks to all parents and students that attended on the night. 

If you were unable to attend the interviews last week and wish to make an appointment to speak with a particular teacher or a number of teachers, please contact the school on Ph. (03) 5497 1205 and organise a mutually suitable time for a discussion.

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY – WEDNESDAY 14th MAY 2025

All Donald High School staff will be involved in a School Council approved Professional Learning Day on Wednesday 14th May. The day will involve staff learning how to develop and improve students’ writing across all key learning areas, continuing to develop and use the respectful relationships curriculum and the updates to that curriculum and learning about the new processes involved with disability inclusion for students. Staff will hear from a number of guest presenters including writing specialist Andrea Hillbrick, as well as Mikaela Reading and Sharah Clark from the Department of Education. We look forward to an informative day of learning. 

SCHOOL FETE

Please note that the fete will be on between 12.00pm – 2.30pm on Friday 23rd May (Friday week). Staff and students have been busy organising and planning for food and drink stalls, a hamper to raffle and activities to run for the fete next week. It would be great to see as many parents, grandparents, friends, Primary School students and staff and the broader Donald community come along next Friday to enjoy the festivities. All welcome!!

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

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

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

Everyday counts.

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

We want to support your child / children to have a positive start to this term. 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 year we had too many of our students missing over 15 days of school (some students over 20 days - half or full days). Everyone should be prioritising education and learning for all 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.