From the Principal

DONALD HIGH SCHOOL DOINGS 

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.

SCHOOL TV

Please note that our school community 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, Shaping Healthy Masculinity, Gender Diversity, Sibling Relationships and Anxiety and Young People, Celebrating Father's Day, Healthy Study Habits, R U OK? Day and Parenting Styles, Substance Use & Addiction (new).

The next SchoolTV topic is now available -- Substance Use & Addiction.

Substance use and addiction can have a significant impact on young people's learning, behaviour and overall wellbeing, often reflecting deeper emotional or social challenges.

With the right support and understanding, substance use can be addressed early, helping young people develop resilience, self-awareness and the skills to make healthy, informed choices that protect their wellbeing into adulthood.

Substance Use & Addiction

Substance use and addiction are complex issues that can affect young people in many different ways. While some may experiment out of curiosity or peer influence, others may use substances to manage stress, anxiety or emotional pain. What may begin as occasional use can sometimes become a pattern that impacts mood, motivation and wellbeing. The developing teenage brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, vaping and drugs, making early use more likely to lead to harm.

For many families, understanding substance use means looking beyond the behaviour to what might be driving it. Risk-taking is a normal part of adolescence, but for some young people, it can also be a signal that they are struggling to cope. Substances can offer temporary relief, but they can also mask underlying issues such as loneliness, low self-esteem or poor mental health. When left unrecognised or unsupported, substance use can interfere with school performance, relationships and emotional development, leading to more serious challenges later in life.

This edition of SchoolTV guides families to help young people develop resilience, self-awareness and the skills to make healthy, informed choices that protect their wellbeing into adulthood.

Here is the link to your Edition https://donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/substance-use-addiction-au

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REPORT

It was pleasing to recently receive our School Performance Report for this year from the Department of Education which indicates that our school is performing at a high standard in the Learning and Wellbeing domains based on data from our 2025 Naplan Testing results, 2025 Attitudes to School Survey results around learning and wellbeing, and the various learning and wellbeing programs that we are involved in to improve student outcomes. It is some positive reinforcement for our school staff and the programs we are running to make a difference to our students every day. An area for improvement is on decreasing the number of days students are absent from school without a relevant reason, and particularly students that have long term absences greater than 30 days.

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT BOWLS AND CLAY BIRD SHOOT

On Wednesday 30th October, a number of our students represented the school in the North Central District Bowls Tournament and the Clay Bird Shooting Competition. Our students represented the school well with the bowls team finishing second overall and Hayden Clark finishing second in his age group in the shooting. Thanks to Mr. Rigby, Miss. O’Brien and Peter Pendlebury for organising, coordinating, transporting and supervising our students on the day. From all reports it was an enjoyable day for all involved.

BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT WORKS 

Most of the works are now complete including:

1. Re-surfacing of the Outdoor Basketball and Netball Court area and restoration of landscaping in this area.

2. Removal of School portables from the West end of the Campus and restoration of landscaping in this area; and 

3. Refurbishing the Car Park area at the East end of the Campus.

As a result of these works, from Friday 25th July we needed to put some general rules and guidelines in place to ensure everyone's safety and clearance of these areas. 

All students are also to be aware not to bring mud and other remnants from these works inside, as grassed areas may become quite 'torn up' with the recent rain and trucks and machinery accessing these areas.

Students riding bikes to and from school may ride along the footpath to and from the direction of Goodwin Village, but if they are entering and exiting the school from the East end gate of the Campus (from Camp Street), please get off your bike and walk your bike to and from the bike shelter as traffic in this area will be busy. Cars and students riding are also asked to not use the West end entrance (off Stawell Road) at the back of the school please until the start of November, whilst still being aware of workers that may be in the area. 

When the East end Car Park works are being completed, we also ask that cars use the West end Car Park (off Camp Street) please to access the school.

We thank everyone for their cooperation and patience throughout last Term and early this Term in adhering to the safety guidelines and rules, whilst we undertook these necessary building and refurbishment projects.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

At Donald High School, we are 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. We had too many of our students missing over 10 days of school (some students even more days - half or full days) in Term 3 this year.

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.