From the Principal

DONALD HIGH SCHOOL DOINGS

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. 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

5. Striving for improvements in student mental health and wellbeing, 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.

STAFFING AND TEACHING ALLOTMENTS FOR 2026

Our Local Advisory Committee and Leadership Team have been busy organising staffing, teaching allotments and specialist jobs for next year. Most roles have been filled with some still to complete in the coming weeks to enable us to have a full complement of staff in roles for 2026.

YEAR 10 & 11 EXAMS AND STEP UP PROGRAM

Our Year 10 and 11 students have been busy with exams and their Step-Up programs over the course of the last couple of weeks and into this week. The Year 11’s have finished their exams and step up into Year 12 classes was last week. Our Year 10 students have been completing their exams this week and students studying Year 11 VCE subjects in 2026 will be involved in a 2-day Step Up program on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th December.

New Social Media Regulations: What you need to know.

From 10 December 2025, new laws will take effect in Australia to protect young people online by restricting access to social media for those under the age of 16. This important change reflects growing community concern about the impact of early social media use on children's mental health, wellbeing and development.

Research shows that social media can expose children to unrealistic comparisons, online pressure and harmful content long before they are emotionally ready to manage it. While regulation is a positive step forward, real safety begins at home. Families continue to play the most powerful role in helping children build confidence, resilience and awareness in the digital world.

These new regulations provide an opportunity to talk openly with your child about their online experiences and what these changes mean for them. It's also a chance to review family technology habits, reinforce healthy routines, and explore age-appropriate ways for young people to connect, learn and express themselves.

Should this topic raise any specific concerns you wish to discuss in relation to your child, please contact a wellbeing team member at our school.

UPDATE ON BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT WORKS

Most of the works are now complete including:

1. Re-surfacing of the Outdoor Basketball and Netball Court area and restoration of landscaping in this area.

2. Removal of School portables from the West end of the Campus and restoration of landscaping in this area; and 

3. Refurbishing the Car Park area at the East end of the Campus.

All students are also to be aware not to bring mud and other remnants from these works inside, as grassed areas may become quite 'torn up' with the recent rain and trucks and machinery accessing these areas.

We have recently had the half court basketball courts and the area between the undercover area and new outdoor basketball court prepared for re-surfacing and will have the rebound walls re-painted in the near future.

The landscaping of the area outside the Year 12 portable will take place next year, with some plants and a footpath installed to improve this area.

We thank everyone for their cooperation and patience throughout last Term and early this Term in adhering to the safety guidelines and rules, whilst we undertook these necessary building and refurbishment projects.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

At Donald High School, we are excited to welcome your child into the classroom................

Being at school is critical for your child’s learning and their mental health, physical and social wellbeing.

Everyday counts.

You and your child / children are an important part of our school community, and we look forward to welcoming you back to school.

We want to support your child / children to have a positive start to this term. 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. We had too many of our students missing over 10 days of school (some students even more days - half or full days) in Term 3 this year.

Everyone should be prioritising education and learning for all 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.