Significant Events

DSC Shines Again at the 2025 Victorian Global Learning Awards!

The annual Victorian Global Learning Awards (VGLA) celebrate the excellence of international students while recognising schools and homestay families for their outstanding contributions to global learning and engagement. These awards highlight the strength of Victoria’s international relationships and our esteemed reputation for fostering intercultural understanding. Most importantly, they honour the students, teachers, parents, principals, and homestay families who play a vital role in creating a diverse and inclusive educational community.

We are proud to congratulate two of our outstanding international students on their remarkable achievements at the 2025 Victorian Global Learning Awards:

• Hong Yuet (Venus) Fung – Global Citizenship Award

  Watch the award video

• Meyly (Elly) Te – Academic Excellence Award

  Watch the award video

These prestigious awards not only celebrate the dedication, leadership, and academic excellence of our international students but also highlight the strength of the vibrant and supportive school community that surrounds them. Their success is a true testament to the collective efforts of our International Student Program (ISP) staff, dedicated teachers, coordinators, and the Principal Team.

Congratulations to Venus FUNG and Elly TE on their outstanding achievements—we are incredibly proud of you both!

The Department of Education’s official recognition of our international students' achievements over the years—including Harry Bui (2022 International Student of the Year – Ambassador Award) and Berry Eain (2024 International Student of the Year – Ambassador Award)—continues to enhance the reputation of our program.

These honours reflect the exceptional calibre of our students and position Doncaster Secondary College as a leading and highly attractive destination for international education.

A heartfelt congratulations to all of our outstanding international students—and thank you to the entire DSC community for your ongoing support and commitment to student success!

Venus’s Journey: A Champion of Community and Culture

Since joining our college in 2022, Venus has been a shining example of leadership, empathy, and global mindedness. As Chair of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, she spearheaded a student-led video competition to raise awareness about community safety. She also initiated and successfully ran two annual Art Competitions, providing students and staff with a creative platform to express their cultural identities and artistic talents.

A passionate advocate for inclusion, Venus played a leading role in the International Student Buddy Program, where she helped foster meaningful friendships through lunchtime activities centred around fun, food, and cultural exchange. Her efforts have made a lasting impact on the international student experience at DSC.

Beyond school, Venus was recognised in an IEPD video competition and contributed to the creation of the Forum Anthem for the International Student Voice Forum. Her thoughtful writing in the college newsletter continues to amplify the voices and stories of international students.

Venus truly embodies the spirit of global citizenship. Her leadership, compassion, and creativity have left a remarkable legacy at our school.

Congratulations, Venus—we are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing what you achieve next!

Here is Venus’s reflection and appreciation for being selected as a recipient of the Global Citizenship Award. 

I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to have received the Global Citizenship Award. This journey has truly been life changing. As someone who isn’t naturally outgoing, stepping out of my comfort zone was a big challenge—but it taught me the importance of courage, resilience, and building meaningful connections across cultures.

Over the past two and a half years, I’ve had the chance to lead and contribute to projects that celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and support others—whether through videos, art competitions, the Buddy Program, or simply helping new students feel welcomed and seen.

Thank you to Ms. Huang for nominating me and always believing in me. To Becky, Christy, Giorgio, and Karl—thank you for being such a dedicated and supportive team. Every success was a shared one, and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together.

A special thank you to my parents—not only for standing by me through all the ups and downs, but for letting me come to Victoria to study. That decision opened the door to all of these experiences.

To my school—thank you for giving me the platform to lead and for creating an environment where I felt supported and valued.

Leaving Hong Kong is not an easy decision but looking back I have no regret. This award is more than just a recognition—it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and how many people have walked this journey with me. I’ll carry these memories and lessons with me always.

Elly’s Journey: A Story of Excellence and Leadership

We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Meyly (Elly) TE, winner of the Academic Excellence Award at the 2025 Victorian Global Learning Awards.

Elly’s academic record speaks for itself. She received the Year 10 Merit Award, and in Year 11, was honoured at the College Awards with multiple accolades, including the International Student Award, Academic Excellence in General Mathematics and Chinese Second Language, and Personal Achievement in Accounting.

But Elly’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She is a passionate and proactive leader. From representing DSC at the Global Youth Forum, to founding and leading the International Student Maths Mentoring Program, Elly has consistently demonstrated initiative and compassion. She also played a key role in organising school cultural events and contributed meaningfully as a member of the International Student Voice Forum. Her creativity and communication skills were further recognised when she won first place in the International SSS Video Competition.

Elly’s dedication to supporting fellow international students—academically, socially, and emotionally—is truly inspiring. She embodies the spirit of global citizenship, leadership, and resilience.

Congratulations, Elly—we are incredibly proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished!

Here is Elly’s reflection and appreciation for being selected as a recipient of the Academic Excellence Award. 

I am truly honoured to be selected as a recipient for the Academic Excellence Award. This recognition means a great deal to me—it not only acknowledges my efforts but also motivates me to continue striving for personal and academic growth.

My journey as an international student has been both challenging and rewarding. Navigating a new education system, adapting to a different culture, and being far from home have all pushed me out of my comfort zone. But through these experiences, I’ve learned to be resilient, independent, and open-minded. Most importantly, I’ve come to understand the power of community and the importance of learning from those around me.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the teachers who have supported and inspired me, the friends who’ve stood by me, and the school community that has welcomed me with warmth and encouragement. Your belief in me has helped me stay focused and confident, even during difficult times.

Being named an award recipient is not just a personal milestone—it’s a reflection of the collective support I’ve received along the way. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your encouragement has made all the difference, and I’m truly grateful.

Year 10 Work Experience: A Week to Remember!

Over the past week, an incredible 195 Year 10 students—99% of the cohort—successfully completed their work experience placements across a wide range of industries and workplaces. The remaining 1% will have the opportunity to complete their placements during the upcoming school holidays, ensuring every student has the chance to benefit from this valuable program.

Our teaching staff were thrilled to get out and visit so many of our students in their workplaces. The feedback we received from employers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how respectful, hardworking, and enthusiastic our students were. Whether working in engineering, childcare, media, retail, or hospitality, our students showed maturity, initiative, and a genuine eagerness to learn.

You should all be extremely proud of the way you conducted yourselves—your work ethic and attitude were outstanding.

Here are just a few highlights and reflections from the week:

James C went above and beyond by doing an extra day of work experience so he could assist with filming for the YouTube channel EYstreem.

Jacob did his work experience as gym PT at the ACU active gym in East Melbourne. He was working under Steve dimitrovski, who is also the head of strength and conditioning for the FC Bulleen Lions senior men–in the national premier league 1 of Victoria (Melbourne). Jacob was able to have the experience of setting up the warm ups and got to meet the players and coaches.

Callum said, “Engineering at Swinburne was the best work experience I could do—I had a blast!”

Zara shared, “Today was really good. I stayed back an extra hour to finish the job I was doing.”

Pasha enjoyed the hands-on experience, saying, “I liked carrying the solar panels and pushing them up to my boss on the roof.”

James V reflected, “It’s been okay—but now I know what I don’t want to do,” showing that work experience is just as valuable in ruling things out as it is in discovering interests.

One of Lachy’s employers commented, “He’s a natural in this industry and shows great initiative.”

Harley proudly declared, “I found what I want to do as a career.”

Work experience is such a powerful tool—it not only helps students discover their interests and talents but also gives them real-world insight into different career pathways. It challenges them to step outside of the classroom and start thinking seriously about their future.

We could not be proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for representing our school with such integrity. We loved seeing you out in the workplace, and we hope this experience has helped inspire and shape your future goals.

Here are some moments and photos we’d love to share from the week… 

Mile 15 Camp

During their week at the 15 Mile Creek Campus of the Outdoor School, students undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh Award participated in an immersive and challenging outdoor education experience designed to build leadership, resilience, and teamwork.

One of the highlights of the camp was the overnight hike through the stunning yet rugged Warby Ranges National Park. Students demonstrated determination and adaptability as they hiked through varied conditions—rain, hail, and sunshine—while carrying all their camping gear and group food supplies. This self-supported expedition tested both their physical and mental endurance, fostering a strong sense of independence and collaboration.

Throughout the week, students engaged in a range of activities focused on personal growth and leadership development. The demanding conditions and shared responsibilities gave them a unique opportunity to reflect, problem-solve, and support each other, creating lasting memories and a deeper understanding of their own capabilities.

The camp was a valuable step in their Duke of Edinburgh journey, providing real-world challenges and meaningful experiences in a supportive, outdoor setting.