From the Principal

Donald High School Doings – Week 6, Term 3

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 2026

As part of our new Annual Implementation Plan for 2026, and as part of the findings from our school review at the end of 2023, our school has recently identified a number of key priorities (main key improvement goals in bold type) we will be focussing on in 2026. 

These include:

1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy.

2. Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focussing on explicit teaching and learning using the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, 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. Increase the active participation of all students in their learning and wellbeing.

5. Using student voice and agency as a source of feedback and student choice inside and outside the classroom with a view to improving student engagement and connectedness throughout the school; and

6. Striving for improvements in student social and emotional learning, 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.

YEAR 10 PRE-DRIVER EDUCATION CAMP

All of our Year 10 students travelled to Charlton from Wednesday 5th August 2026 - Friday 7th August 2026 to complete their Pre-Driver Education training through the Chartsec Driving School. The students were involved in theory work and practical driving skills training (including a night drive on the Wednesday evening) in order to upskill the students in the road rules and laws as well as their ‘hands on’ driving. Thanks to Mrs Griffiths for her preparation, organisation, supervision and coordination of this Camp for our Year 10 students.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS AND PRINCIPAL FORUM

We held our Term 3 Parent-Teacher Interviews for parents and students to attend on Monday 10th August 2026. These interviews were an opportunity for all students, parents and teachers to have a conversation about a student’s learning progress and are a clear indicator of where a student is at with their learning. They are also a good ‘checkpoint’ to ensure students are up to date and making the most of their learning opportunities and an opportunity to reflect on what students can do to improve their results. We also had a few parents attend the Principal forum where we briefly spoke about the difficult time the school and students are currently going through, as well as our facilities upgrades, subject offerings for next year and programs running later this year and in the future. If any parents who couldn’t attend on the night need to organise another time to meet with a teacher or some teachers, please contact the school to arrange a mutually agreeable time.

NORTH-WESTERN ZONE SHOOT

We had four students represent the school at the North-Western Zone shoot on Thursday 13th August. Thanks to Miss O’Brien for her organisation and coordination of the students for and on the day. All of the students that attended represented the school and scored well with their shooting. Congratulations to Marty B who qualified for the State Final in Echuca later this year.

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT INTERSCHOOL SPORTS

We had 18 students that qualified to represent the school at the North Central District Athletics Sports on Friday 14th August. Thanks to Mr Tatchell, Miss McKay and Mrs Griffiths for their organisation and coordination of our students before and at the event and for their work at this carnival on the day. Congratulations to Layla G and Ryder H who both won their age group championship on the day and to Charlie B who broke a Shot Put record and Hugo F who broke his personal best record in High Jump on the day.

ANNUAL SPORTS DAY vs. BIRCHIP P-12 SCHOOL

Our annual sports day vs. Birchip P-12 School was held on Tuesday 18th August. We had approximately 55 students and six staff involved in this day where we had one junior team (Year 7 – 9 students) and one senior team (Year 10 – 12 students) representing the school in both Soccer and Netball. These four teams all performed very well on the day. Results are published later in this newsletter. Thanks to Mr Bott and the SRC for their organisation of a BBQ lunch and drinks for all of our students and staff and all of the students and staff from Birchip P-12 School for their involvement in the day. A big thank you also to the North Central Local Learning and Employment Network (NCLLEN) for their support of the day.

STUDENTS RIDING TO SCHOOL (on bikes/scooters including e-scooters) 

Please ensure you follow the Road Rules –

Children aged 12 years or older are required by law to ride on the road. 

Students are also reminded that the law requires that all riders wear an approved helmet.  

USE THE BIKE TRACK through the Goodwin Village where appropriate. Community concern has been raised that pedestrians in the main street have almost been collided with by students travelling on the footpath. Please travel to and from school safely. 

It is also an expectation that all students will get off their bike/scooter/e-bike/e-scooter if entering or exiting the school from Camp Street. Too many students are entering and exiting the school grounds at speed and we are concerned that an accident may occur, so please get off your bike/scooter/e-bike/e-scooter in the school grounds.

Our Year 7 – 10 students attended a presentation from Tanya Peters (Leading Senior Constable of Swan Hill Police) about the legalities of using an e-Scooter, e-Bike and a push bike on Monday 11th May. 

Tanya spoke to the students about the necessity and legalities about being 16 years or older to ride an e-Scooter or e-Bike, wearing a helmet, keeping speeds to 25km/hr or less, riding on roads where the speed limit doesn’t exceed 60km/hr amongst a few other things. This was an informative session for students and staff to listen to and cleared up any 'myths' around e-Scooter and e-Bike use.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

At Donald High School, we’re 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.

Every day 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 2.

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 term we have had too many of our students missing over 10 days of school (the equivalent of 2 weeks per Term / 8 weeks for the year = too many days missed) (some students over 25 days - half or full days last year). Everyone should be prioritising education and learning for all of 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

Principal, Donald High School