From the Principal

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.

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. 

Some important changes and exciting additions to our school for this year include Mr. Stephen Boswell as a new Maths and TED Teacher and Ms. Emma Finnigan as a new English / Humanities Teacher, with 2 new Education Support staff members to be confirmed in the near future.

We also have some new student enrolments across our Year levels, including our new Year 7 students, and we welcome all of our new students to our school, and wish them well for their time here.

TEXTBOOKS AND LEARNING MATERIALS

Can all parents please check to ensure their son(s)/daughter(s) have all of their textbooks and learning materials needed for their classes. Orders for textbooks can still be made through Campion Books, Ballarat. If anyone is experiencing any difficulties in doing this, please contact the school on Ph. (03) 5497 1205 for advice or assistance. Learning materials such as workbooks, pens, pencils, etc., can be purchased at most supermarkets and newsagencies.

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 as a result 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 also 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 by. 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 6th February. With the introduction of our new 2 House system, we should see most events full of competitors. I encourage all students, parents and staff to support this day on Friday in what will be great conditions for the swimming sports.

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 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 20 days of school (the equivalent of 1 week per Term / 4 weeks for the year = too many days missed) (some students over 25 days - half or full days). 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.