Principal's Report

Student Voice: Strengthening Learning, Wellbeing and Child Safety

At Doncaster Secondary College, student experience and student voice are central to building a safe, supportive, and inclusive school community. Our values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Teamwork guide the way students, staff and families work together to support learning, engagement, and wellbeing. Recently, students have shared their perspectives through progress report reflections, the bullying and relational aggression survey, Student Parliament, student focus groups, and the Attitudes to School Survey. These opportunities help us better understand students’ experiences and identify how we can continue to improve.

Student voice is strongly connected to child safety. When students feel respected, heard and taken seriously, they are more likely to speak up, seek support and raise concerns. Their feedback helps us strengthen respectful relationships, promote inclusion, and ensure every student feels safe, valued and known. Student voice also strengthens learning and wellbeing. Through reflection and discussion, students take responsibility for their growth, develop resilience, and contribute to a positive school culture. Listening to students helps us create learning environments where young people feel connected, engaged, and empowered.

A highlight of this work was Student Parliament Day, held on 21 May. The event brought together 60 students from Years 7 to 12 with varying leadership experience. We were pleased to welcome Mr Gabriel Ng MP, Federal Member for Menzies, as guest speaker. Mr Ng spoke with students about representation, leadership, and the importance of listening to community voice. Throughout the day, students explored two key focus areas: Student Learning and Environment and Student Experience and Culture. They demonstrated teamwork, respectful discussion, and openness to different perspectives, reflecting the principles of Australian democracy that our school supports and promotes. The ideas generated through Student Parliament will contribute to our broader student voice work and help inform future planning. By listening to students and acting on their insights, we strengthen our commitment to child safety, enhance learning, and build a culture of wellbeing where every student can feel safe, connected, and ready to thrive.

Celebrating Excellence at the 2026 Victorian Global Learning Awards

We are delighted to share that Doncaster Secondary College has once again been recognised at the 2026 Victorian Global Learning Awards, which celebrate the excellence, leadership, and contributions of international students across Victoria.

Please join us in congratulating four outstanding members of our International Student Program: Junyu (Student Leadership Award – Junior High School, Years 7–8), Zian (Student Leadership Commendation Award – Middle School, Years 9–10), Kuysing (Global Citizen Award – Year 11), and Meyly Te (Global Citizen Award – Year 12)

These prestigious state-level honours recognise the dedication, resilience, leadership, and achievements of our students. They also reflect the strength of Doncaster Secondary College’s inclusive and supportive learning environment, and our ongoing commitment to fostering global citizenship, intercultural understanding, and a strong sense of belonging. This year’s success builds on a proud tradition of achievement within our International Student Program, following the recognition of Harry Bui in 2022and Berry Eain in 2024, who were both recipients of the International Student of the Year Ambassador Award. Continued recognition at a state level highlights DSC’s reputation as a leading destination for international education in Victoria.

We extend our sincere thanks to our International Student Program staff, classroom teachers, Year Level Coordinators, Wellbeing Team, Principal Team, homestay families and broader school community for the care, guidance and support they provide to our international students.

Congratulations to Junyu, Zian, Kuysing and Meyly. We are incredibly proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing your continued impact as inspiring global citizens.

Child Safety in the online environment

As part of our commitment to the Victorian Child Safe Standards, the College continues to strengthen the ways we educate and support young people to engage safely, responsibly and respectfully in digital environments. This work aligns strongly with:

Child Safe Standard 3: Child and student empowerment
Child Safe Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing, and
Child Safe Standard 9: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

To support this important work, the College has engaged Cyber Safety Solutions to deliver presentations for our Year 9 and 10 students. Led by cyber safety expert Susan McLean, the sessions focused on online safety, respectful online behaviour, digital footprints, social media awareness, and practical strategies for navigating online environments safely. The presentations reinforced the message that online safety is not solely the responsibility of schools or technology providers, it requires a strong partnership between schools and families. When young people experience consistent expectations, open communication and healthy boundaries both at home and at school, they are far better equipped to make safe and informed decisions online.

This partnership approach is particularly important considering the Federal Government’s new social media age restrictions, which will limit social media access to young people aged 16 and over. These reforms reflect growing community concern about the impact of unregulated social media use on young people’s wellbeing, including disrupted sleep, anxiety, exposure to harmful content and increasing social pressures.

The College supports initiatives that prioritise the healthy development and wellbeing of children and young people and encourages families to access the practical guides and conversation resources available through the eSafety Commissioner website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/faqs

Glenn Morris

College Principal