Donald High School Newsletter

From the Principal

Mr. Paul Aikman

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 next 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.

 

WELCOME BACK TO ALL STUDENTS, PARENTS & STAFF

 

Welcome back to all students, parents and staff for another action-packed school year. As we start another new year, we will all be involved in new beginnings and opportunities and activities to be involved in. I encourage everyone to embrace these opportunities and activities and make the most of them throughout the year. 

A big thank you to Daniel Pettifer, Megan Tonkin and family for the clean-up of the school grounds and gardens over the holiday period. Your work was fantastic and is greatly appreciated!!

Apologies again to all parents on the delays in getting the Department of Education to add the Donald Newsagency as a preferred supplier so you could all access your School Saving Bonus money for textbooks. Thankfully, after a number of phone calls and emails, this situation has been rectified and the system is working, so people can now purchase their required textbooks with their School Saving Bonus money, as well as uniforms through Donald Mensland and The Clothes Bin. We apologise for any inconvenience this situation has caused.

 

NEW WEBPAGE TO HELP FAMILIES AND STUDENTS PREPARE FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR

 

A new school year is an exciting time for students and families, but it can be a big step – particularly for those starting Prep or moving to secondary school.

The Department of Education has published a webpage with resources and information to help you prepare for the new school year.

During the school holidays, please consider reading the resources, which include:

· tips to help transition between kinder and Prep and primary to secondary school

· what to expect at school

· help with school costs and fees

· health and wellbeing guidance to support children’s mental health. Please refer to the New year of learning webpage A new year of learning | vic.gov.au

 

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, and Confidence & Motivation.

 

HOT WEATHER

 

With Summer really in full swing now, it is important that we are all vigilant in being prepared and aware of the possibilities because of the hot conditions. Students, parents and staff must be aware about wearing a broad brimmed hat, sun smart clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen when outside and to use shaded and cooler areas when possible. It is also important to drink lots of water to stay hydrated, drinking twice as much on the hotter days than normal. Please also stay aware about the risk of fires in the region and the regular updates on changing weather conditions through the Vic Emergency app., and your preferred weather app., especially when fires are close. There is also the increased activity of snakes (that have been recently sighted in the school yard). If you see a snake, please leave it alone and move away from it when you can and then let a staff member know you saw a snake and its whereabouts please, so we can keep people away from it and possibly have it professionally removed from the premises.

 

INTERHOUSE SWIMMING SPORTS THIS FRIDAY

 

Our annual Interhouse Swimming Sports will be held at the Donald Pool this Friday 7th February. With student enrolment numbers continuing to decline slightly, this may be the last year we have 3 houses involved in our interhouse sports events. I encourage all students, parents and staff to support this day on Friday in what will be great conditions for the swimming sports.

 

VALE JOHN COATS

 

The students, parents, staff and school council of Donald High School are deeply saddened by the passing of John, who was a past School Council President and long-time supporter of our school. Our sincere condolences to John’s immediate and extended families at this sad time. 

 

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

 

At Donald High School, we are excited to welcome your child back 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 from the start of Term 1.

We want to support your child / children to have a positive start to the year. 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 entire 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.

Principal