Assistant Principals' Report

As we reach the end of Term 3, we would like to acknowledge the commitment, resilience and achievements of our students, staff and families throughout what has been a busy and rewarding term. We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break and the opportunity to rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends. This term has provided many opportunities for students to challenge themselves, celebrate success and further develop their skills both inside and outside the classroom. Across the College, students have embraced learning, participated in a wide range of co-curricular activities and demonstrated our school values through their actions and achievements.

The Assistant Principal team would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Scarlett Reeves Smythe for stepping in to support the Junior School for five weeks during Term 3 while Belinda McGee was on leave. Drawing on their experience and established leadership within the Junior School, Scarlett ensured continuity for staff and students while maintaining the positive culture, high standards and momentum of the team. Their willingness to take on this additional responsibility and provide steady leadership throughout this period was greatly appreciated, and we thank them for their commitment and dedication to our school community.

As you read through this newsletter, we invite you to celebrate some of the many highlights from Term 3 and the accomplishments of our students across a range of academic, sporting, artistic and community endeavours. We thank our school community for its ongoing support and look forward to another successful term ahead.

Parent Voluntary Curriculum Contributions

We have arrived at that time of year where we evaluate 2026 and begin to plan for 2027. As a Victorian government school, we provide students with free instruction to fulfil the requirements of the Victorian Curriculum. We have two types of fees, Voluntary Parent contributions and User Pay Subject Contributions. We value the commitment our community makes to public education and the support provided to the should through voluntary contributions, this support plays a significant role in enhancing the educational experiences and opportunities available to our students. Parent contributions assist the College to maintain and improve programs, services and facilities that benefit all students.

Funds contributed by families help support a broad range of initiatives across the school, including:

• Student wellbeing programs and services, including access to specialist wellbeing support staff.
• Information and communication technology infrastructure, Compass and other digital learning and communication platforms.
• First aid and student health resources.
• Outdoor learning spaces and grounds improvements.
• Communication services, including newsletters and alumni engagement.
• Additional classroom resources, learning materials and curriculum support.
• Tax-deductible Building and Library Funds, which contribute to the maintenance and development of school facilities, library resources and learning environments.

Parent support has also enabled the College to invest in areas such as our full-time Health Centre Officer, enhanced Careers and Pathways programs, additional educational and intervention programs, and the ongoing development of facilities that create positive learning environments and improved student outcomes.

To assist families with budgeting, the College offers flexible payment arrangements. Families may choose to make a full payment at the beginning of the school year or elect to pay contributions ininstalments, with payments due at the commencement of Semester 1 and Semester 2. Alternative payment arrangements are also available through our Business Manager for families requiring additional flexibility. We sincerely thank our families for their ongoing support, whether through voluntary financial contributions, user pay subjects, participation in school events, or volunteering your time. Your partnership helps us continue to provide outstanding educational opportunities for every student at Doncaster Secondary College.

Managing Me Year 7 & 8

The Year 7 and 8 Managing Me program focuses on developing students' Personal and Social Capabilities through a range of practical and reflective learning experiences. Throughout the year, students explore key themes including organisation, time management, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, goal setting, learning reflection, celebrating achievements, and planning for healthy and balanced holidays. Each weekly lesson is designed to build important life skills that support students' wellbeing, independence, and success both at school and beyond. Students are encouraged to share their learning with their families each week and record these conversations in their college planner. Families can support these discussions by reviewing the Managing Me lesson materials and using the reflection prompts provided in the final lesson plan for each week.

This week, students have been focusing on Healthy Holiday Planning. As we approach the holiday break, we encourage families to ask their child about the strategies they plan to use to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing during the holidays. These conversations can provide a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on healthy habits and set positive goals for the weeks ahead.

Senior School

This week year 12 students are engaging in trial examinations to support their preparation for final VCE examinations. This will provide students with opportunities to practice their time management skills and discover what aspects of their learning require further study. Term 3 holidays are not a traditional holiday for year 12 students. We encourage students to take the time to rest and engage in activities that support relaxation, but to still find time to engage in practice examination and preparation for the final VCE hurdle.

Year 11s will have end of year examinations during term 4, which will provide them with critical practice for their upcoming year 12 year. During examinations, students are reminded to adhere to school rules and VCAA examination expectations. You can read about these more here. In particular, students must remember that they cannot have a mobile phone or a smartwatch or any device that is similar. Students found in possession of such a device will face significant school consequences, but for our year 12s, they will seriously jeopardise their ATAR. We understand it can be a stressful time for students, so please reach out to the Senior School if you need support in your learning, motivation or wellbeing. Additionally, the Wellbeing Team can be reached via MS Teams, over the break, and students can report to Wellbeing Intake during the school term.

We wish you a restful break and look forward to welcoming our students back for Term 4.

Cheers from the Assistant Principal Team,

Wes, Elisha, Kristin, and Scarlett