Camps, excursions and activities. 

WORK EXPERIENCE FOR YEAR 11’s

Our Year 11 students recently undertook a week’s work experience from 3rd to 7th of March. Ten students travelled to Ballarat to work at a variety of workplaces, and one remained in Donald.

Students worked in the fields of kindergarten, education, hair and beauty, accountancy, building and construction, steel fabrication, electrical and agricultural machinery maintenance.

Not only did the students gain insight into future careers but they learnt about commuting to work via the Ballarat bus system. Despite some fears and missed buses, all successfully found their destinations and gained much self-confidence. They also learnt about early starts, meal planning, wearing appropriate work attire and the sometimes challenging routine of work. Even though some students worked in an occupation or workplace that may not suit them, they all learnt something about themselves and working amongst people they previously hadn’t.

Over the past few years, we have expanded our bank of employers in a wider range of industries to offer a broader range of options for our students. Two ex-Donald High students, Bryce Abbott and Tim Rickard who both have successful building businesses in Ballarat, once again hosted two boys for work experience and picked them up and delivered them home each day which was greatly appreciated.

In the evenings, students got to eat out and go to the movies and bowling, and for some, an opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

Mr Rigby and Mrs Medlyn, the teachers accompanying the students to Ballarat, received nothing but positive comments on the way the students conducted themselves and were very pleased and proud of the student’s attitude and achievements.

All students received very positive employer evaluations for their work. Several were also offered apprenticeships. Very well done to all of you.

Geoff Rigby and Karen Medlyn

Year 9 Practice Bush Walk.

On Wednesday, March 5, fourteen Year 9 students participated in a 14km practice bushwalk around town. This annual walk helps prepare students for their upcoming Grampians Bushwalk camp in Week 10. While we can’t replicate the mountains, students carried their backpacks with added weight to simulate the experience.

The practice walk is always a challenge, with long, straight roads and familiar scenery to push through. However, this year’s walk was even tougher due to the hot conditions. Despite this, the students showed great resilience, maintaining a positive attitude and finishing strong. They were well rewarded with a refreshing dip in the caravan park lake!

Next week, students will take part in a practice cooking session, where they will prepare a variety of suitable meals for camp. This session will be run by Mrs. Belinda Murray. The entire term’s Physical Education program is designed to ensure students feel as prepared as possible for the challenges of the camp.

Kim Griffiths

Year 9 Bushwalk camp co-ordinator.

Fit2Drive at Donald High School

Year 11’s recently participated in the Fit2Drive Foundation program. This activity-based program was presented by Zoe from Fit2Drive and included a presentation from Victoria police where the focus was on young road users and a commitment to staying safe.

The Fit2Drive Workshop is based around road safety and education on the road rules relevant to the Graduated Licensing System.   It aims to prevent serious injuries and lives lost amongst young Victorian road users. The students get an opportunity to explore the attitudes, behaviours and responsibilities of all young people, regardless of what type of road user they are. 

Students completed a variety of interactive activities including role play to explore and problem solve the challenges that young drivers face such as inexperience, distractions (mobile phones and passengers), speed, fatigue and drugs and alcohol. Students got to discuss what was considered high and low risk behaviour. 

In the photo students are role playing the Broken Head Case Study, where it began as an average Saturday night. A group of teenagers gathered at a Chinese restaurant in their hometown of Lismore for a friend's birthday. But when dinner was done, they did not want the night to end. They headed 45 minutes north-east for the bright lights of Byron Bay. Five boys piled into a car for the trip back around midnight. Only the 17-year-old P plate driver made it home.

VCE Creative Arts Day at Horsham Art Gallery

On Friday 14th March, Donald High School students travelled to the Horsham Art Gallery for SPARK – the VCE Creative Arts Day.  The goal of the day was to expose rural VCE students to art practices with the mantra of Visit, Experiment, Play and Discover!

After Welcome and Acknowledgment to Country, the first session that students experienced was a round table discussion focussing on Creative Careers in the Wimmera.  Then keynote speaker, Mia Cera Salsjo shared her extensive creative practice, techniques and processes and an insight into how to create a diverse range of artworks and the presentation of these for exhibition.

After lunch, students heard from Brittany King about Creative Practice.  She spoke and showed examples of where she incorporates historical and cultural influences that inspire her drawing and paintings.  This was a hugely beneficial session, and she was dynamic in showing how she goes about finding inspiration for her finished pieces.

All in all, the students were exposed to the gallery spaces, interacted with fellow Art Making for Exhibition students in our area and developed a new sense of purpose for their folio of work.  It was a very valuable experience for the students and the reports on their day were all positive, finding that this session was important to see, especially at the start of the year of study.  

School Saving Bonus - allocating for School Activities (Camps)

Please see the attached guide - page 6 in particular - if you intend to allocate some or all of your child's School Saving Bonus to School Activities (for example to pay for a camp).

Once you have made your allocation please contact the school on 54971205 to advise that you have allocated School Saving Bonus funds towards School Activities and which activity/camp in particular it is intended for.