Principal's Report

Celebrating the Journey of our Year 12 Students and Families

As we come to the close of the school year for our Year 12 students at Doncaster Secondary College, it’s time to reflect on their incredible journey. For many of them, their connection to DSC began as Year 7 students back in 2019. They embarked on their secondary school journey with enthusiasm, embracing the transition into high school with all the energy and excitement typical of that stage in life. Their path, however, took an unexpected turn as they faced the challenges of a global pandemic during their Years 8 and 9, navigating remote learning with resilience and optimism.

Our school motto, ‘Working Together, Learning Together,’ has never felt more relevant. This group of students has experienced a truly unique journey that has shown their strength, adaptability, and determination. Through it all, they exemplified the values that lie at the heart of our college: respect, responsibility, resilience, and teamwork. We commend each student not only for their achievements but for the way they have conducted themselves, demonstrating the maturity and commitment that we strive to foster in all members of the DSC community.

As they moved into the Senior School, they were met with the high expectations and aspirations outlined in our Senior School vision: “We relentlessly pursue academic and vocational excellence and meaningful pathways.” For these students, this meant rising to the challenges of the Year 10 certificate, making critical decisions about their pathways—whether VCE, VCE-VM, or an unscored VCE—and preparing for the transition to adulthood. Supported by their families, our dedicated staff, and their peers, they showed remarkable dedication and focus, proving that resilience in the face of adversity leads to growth and success.

While some of our students left DSC along the way, we celebrate their paths and achievements just as enthusiastically. Each has pursued their own direction, embodying our school vision of creating confident, effective learners who will contribute positively to society. For the majority of our Year 12s, they are now in the process of completing their final exams, readying themselves for life beyond our college doors. These exams are the culmination of years of hard work and determination, representing an exceptional standard of academic achievement and setting the stage for their future endeavours.

To the families who have partnered with us on this journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your support, patience, and encouragement have been instrumental in helping our students reach this point, reinforcing the values that make Doncaster Secondary College a community of excellence, care, and integrity. Together, we have worked to help these young adults develop the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive in whatever path they choose. I look forward to celebrating their achievements at our upcoming Valedictory Assembly.

Our vision at Doncaster Secondary College is to cultivate a learning culture that promotes academic excellence and personal growth. It has been a privilege to watch these students exemplify this vision, striving to be the best they can be and leaving a legacy of hard work, respect, and camaraderie for the younger students who will follow in their footsteps.

As our Year 12s take their next steps, whether in further study, vocational pursuits, or other meaningful pathways, we wish them the very best. We have no doubt that they will go forward as strong, compassionate, and capable individuals, embodying the values of Doncaster Secondary College.

Junior School Learning Partnership Evening

As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited to invite families of our current Year 7 students, as well as those with students joining Year 7 next year, to our Learning Partnership Information Night on Thursday, November 28. This evening is an essential opportunity to come together as a school community and strengthen our shared commitment to supporting the learning journey of each student at Doncaster Secondary College.

Transitioning into secondary school is a pivotal time for students, and this event is designed to highlight the partnership between families, our junior school leaders, and staff. Our shared goal is to ensure that students arrive at school ready to learn in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. Through open discussions and collaborative insights, we’ll explore how school, families, and students each play an essential role in nurturing an environment that encourages success, well-being, and growth.

Throughout the evening, we’ll dive into practical approaches to help students thrive. Together, we will share key ideas about routines that contribute to their well-being and readiness to learn, such as consistent home routines, adequate sleep, nutrition, and organisation. These foundational routines create a stable framework that not only supports academic success but also promotes a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

We know that when students feel supported both at home and at school, they are more likely to engage fully with their learning. A focus of the evening will be on building a safe and supportive environment—one that encourages responsibility, teamwork, resilience, and respect for all. We will also address how the school will continue to foster this environment and the ways in which families can reinforce this at home.

This night is a unique opportunity to connect with junior school leaders and staff who will play a crucial role in your child’s experience at DSC. It’s a chance to ask questions, share insights, and gain a deeper understanding of our approach to student well-being and learning support in junior school.

At Doncaster Secondary College, we believe in the power of ‘Working Together, Learning Together’. By partnering with families, we build a strong foundation from which each student—and our whole community—can flourish. We look forward to welcoming you on November 28 as we come together to support your child’s learning journey, now and into the future. Please register for this event on ww.trybooking.com

I look forward to connecting with members of our community at our upcoming events and continue to celebrate our students’ achievements. I hope you enjoy reading the inspiring stories and updates throughout the rest of this newsletter, each one a reflection of our vibrant, supportive school community.

Glenn Morris

College Principal