Principal's Report
From the stage and sporting field to the classroom and Central Australia, this term has given us so much to celebrate at Doncaster Secondary College! Across these experiences, our students have shown enthusiasm, determination, and a willingness to challenge themselves, supported by the commitment of our staff and families.
Our Year 11 Central Australia tour is currently underway, providing a wonderful opportunity for students to explore, learn, and strengthen friendships beyond the classroom. Experiences such as these encourage independence, responsibility, and teamwork, creating memories that students will carry well beyond their school years. We thank the staff accompanying our students for their care, energy, and commitment, and look forward to hearing the stories our travellers bring home.
It has also been a term filled with the performing arts. From our school production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the Spring Music Concert, VSMF music performances and State Schools Spectacular, our students have shared their creativity and talents with pride. Behind every performance are hours of rehearsal, persistence, and collaboration. Congratulations to our performers, musicians, backstage crew, and technical teams, and thank you to the staff and families whose support makes these opportunities possible.
Our interschool sporting teams have also enjoyed considerable success, with multiple teams competing at regional and state level. Reaching these stages is an outstanding achievement, reflecting preparation, skill, and a commitment to working together. We congratulate our students and thank the staff who coach, organise, and accompany our teams.
Alongside these achievements, our NAPLAN results provide compelling evidence of the learning growth taking place at the College. The proportion of Year 9 students achieving medium or high relative growth between Years 7 and 9 is above similar schools in all three areas: five percentage points higher in Numeracy, two percentage points higher in Reading and seven percentage points higher in Writing. Our sustained strength in Numeracy is particularly impressive: across 2024–2026, the College has the highest three-year average proportion of students achieving medium or high relative growth among similar schools.
We are also seeing more students achieve at the highest proficiency level. Compared with the Year 9 cohort’s Year 7 results, the proportion of Year 9 students achieving Exceeding has increased by four percentage points in Reading, twelve percentage points in Writing and four percentage points in Numeracy. These results give us much to celebrate: students are building their knowledge and skills, making strong progress, and reaching higher levels of achievement.
Our Year 7 results offer further cause for optimism. Their literacy and numeracy outcomes indicate that this is the strongest academic cohort to enter the College. This speaks to the outstanding education provided by our local primary schools and the value our families place on education. We are excited to build on these foundations and support every student as they continue to grow. These achievements reflect a strong partnership between students, families, and the school. Students bring effort and persistence; teachers bring expertise, encouragement, and high expectations; and families reinforce the importance of education through their daily support. Together, these contributions make a powerful difference.
Attendance is central to this partnership. Being at school consistently gives students access to teaching, guided practice, feedback, and the opportunity to build on previous learning. It also strengthens friendships, belonging and connections with trusted adults. Our emphasis on attendance supports both academic progress and wellbeing: each day provides opportunities to learn, participate, and feel part of our community.
The Department of Education identifies 20 or more days of absence in a school year as the threshold for chronic absenteeism. Encouragingly, the College is currently on track to record its lowest number of students reaching this threshold in the past five years. Thank you to our families for supporting regular school attendance and for the value you place on education. Your daily encouragement, commitment to getting students to school, and willingness to work with us when support is needed are making a meaningful difference to students’ opportunities to learn and stay connected.
We do ask our students to work hard, arrive ready for learning, and strive to be their best. We match these expectations with care and support. When we have concerns about academic progress, our notifications to families are an invitation to partner with us, to discuss the concern with your child, understand what may be getting in the way and work together on the steps that will help them move forward. Communicating concerns early helps us partner while there is an opportunity to make a difference.
Our Unit 4 students are now preparing for their end-of-year examinations and have been sitting practice exams this week. These are an important part of their preparation, providing opportunities to retrieve and apply knowledge under timed conditions, practise interpreting questions, and refine examination techniques. They also help students identify what they know well and where further revision is needed. We encourage students to make full use of their teachers’ feedback and these experiences to focus their study and build confidence for the examinations ahead.
As the holidays approach, I encourage all students to make time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the company of family and friends. For those preparing for examinations, finding a healthy balance is especially important. A realistic study plan should include focused revision alongside regular breaks, sufficient sleep, physical activity, and time to do things they enjoy. Caring for themselves is an important part of preparing well, helping students return ready to approach the final stages of the year with energy and confidence.
Thank you to our students, staff, and families for everything you have contributed this term. There is much to be proud of, and much to look forward to as we continue Working Together, Learning Together. I wish everyone a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday break.
Glenn Morris
College Principal