From the Principal
Mr. Paul Aikman
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:
Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Writing.
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.
Using data to inform our teaching and learning for improved student outcomes with a focus on teaching students to their point of need.
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
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.
We are currently reflecting on our progress to achieving our 2025 school improvement goals and are looking at setting some new goals for the 2026 school year.
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 and the New Social Media Restrictions (new).
From 10 December 2025, new laws will come into effect in Australia restricting social media access for children under 16.
As families and schools prepare for these changes, it's vital that communities understand what the new regulations mean and how to support students through this transition. This Special Report explains the reforms in clear, practical terms and offers guidance for parents on how to talk with their children, review technology habits and reinforce healthy online behaviour.
SPECIAL REPORT: New Social Media Regulations: What you need to know
From 10 December 2025, new laws will take effect in Australia to protect young people online by restricting access to social media for those under the age of 16. This important change reflects growing community concern about the impact of early social media use on children's mental health, wellbeing and development.
Research shows that social media can expose children to unrealistic comparisons, online pressure and harmful content long before they are emotionally ready to manage it. While regulation is a positive step forward, real safety begins at home. Families continue to play the most powerful role in helping children build confidence, resilience and awareness in the digital world.
These new regulations provide an opportunity to talk openly with your child about their online experiences and what these changes mean for them. It's also a chance to review family technology habits, reinforce healthy routines, and explore age-appropriate ways for young people to connect, learn and express themselves.
This Special Report explains what the new laws mean in practice and offers practical guidance to help families prepare for the upcoming changes.
Should this topic raise any specific concerns you wish to discuss in relation to your child, please contact a wellbeing team member at your school.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-new-social-media-regulations-what-you-need-know
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NEW STAFF MEMBER AT DONALD HIGH SCHOOL FROM 2026
We will have a new teaching staff member at our school from the start of next year. Mr. Stephen Boswell comes to our school as a new Maths teacher after spending the last 6 years as an accomplished senior Maths teacher at Loreto College in Ballarat. We welcome Mr. Boswell and wish him well in his new school and community.
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.