Creative Arts Week (CAW)

Hannah McRae, CAW Coordinator

In the final week of term, DCC came alive with colour, sound, movement and imagination as students from across the secondary school took part in our much-anticipated Creative Arts Week. This annual celebration was a vibrant showcase of student talent across all creative disciplines — from visual arts and design to media, drama, dance and music.

This year, the theme ‘The ABC of DCC’ focused on our Jubilee Year looking at retelling stories from Donvale’s past through the lens of ABC Kids TV shows. House groups did a marvellous job of writing the stories and bringing these amazing stories to life. Each group performance was kicked off with a video from someone who was a part of the original Donvale story, bringing context and life to the stories that a lot of our students hadn’t heard before.

The scripts were wonderfully written, and the performances were a pleasure to watch! Each House worked extremely hard to produce a 20-minute drama performance involving acting, dancing, costumes, music, media and some very interesting sets and props! It was great to see so many people involved from Years 7 to 12.

Congratulations to the team from Burrows A who won the Best Direction Award for ‘Peppa Pig and the First Day of School in 1975’, as well as to Flynn B who took out Best Script for the production of ‘Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom and the creation of the Middle Oval’.

Congratulations also to Seri and Asher and the entire House group from Flynn who took out the overall CAW trophy for 2025. Well done to all groups, as well as to everyone who submitted a piece to one of our CAW competitions.

Creative Arts Week is a cherished tradition that not only celebrates the diverse talents of our students, but also fosters confidence, collaboration and creative risk-taking. A huge thank you goes to the dedicated staff who guide and support students in their creative journeys, our administration and maintenance teams for all their logistical work, and to all the House Captains for their energy and enthusiasm throughout Term Two and during such a big week.

Inaugural Cairns Biology Camp

Rhys Holton, Head of Science

Once upon a time, an idea did sprout to grant students a taste of the ‘Biology’ which cannot be contained within the walls of a classroom. Lo and behold, Mr Holton, Mr Baldwin, and Mrs Van Wyngaardt took to the skies with 19 biological scholars!

In the enchanted realms of north Queensland lay Australia’s World Heritage treasure – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Not a question unanswered nor a mind left empty as scientists filled them with awe and wonder.

These lessons, dear reader, were no ordinary fare. We fished in ponds for microscopic invertebrates, rose above the forest canopy in a crane, hunted at night under leaf and stone for critters unseen, stood face to face with beast both gentle and deadly, mapped woodland realms for study and protection, and became transfixed by fish dancing through castles of coral.

Yet, the marvels of science were but a blip in our delight. For unbeknownst to us, new friendships grew across the year levels, fruit salad was crafted and destroyed, fears were conquered with comrades in arms, the art of the selfie was taught to all, letters and gifts given to the needy.

Finally, with passionate hearts for the environment’s health, we took up arms, gloves and smiles to serve the mangroves with rubbish collection. In the end, I will say unto you – Never have I seen such a vivid portrait of the ‘Donvale Difference’… and mayhap, one day, we shall embark on such a quest again.

Premier's VCE Awards 2024

Charles Niles, VCE Coordinator

On 2 July, current Year 12 student Natalie Wijaya was honoured with a prestigious Premier’s VCE Award for her outstanding achievement in VCE Business Management in 2024.

To be eligible for this award, students must achieve a study score of 46 or above. Natalie earned a perfect score of 50, the highest possible in the subject - a remarkable accomplishment that reflects her dedication and academic excellence.

The award ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner, and Minister for Education Ben Carroll, all of whom addressed the audience to celebrate the achievements of Victoria’s top-performing students.

This year, 315 students across the state received Premier’s Awards, selected from a cohort of nearly 62,000 students who completed their VCE in 2024.

Congratulations to Natalie on this exceptional achievement. We are proud to celebrate her success and look forward to her future accomplishments.

Year 11 VCE VM Excursion: Exploring Pathways & Teamwork

Nicky Joiner, VCE Vocational Major Coordinator

On 19 June, our Year 11 VCE Vocational Major students took part in an exciting Work-Related Skills excursion designed to build independence, explore future pathways, and strengthen collaboration.

The day began with students making their own way to Box Hill Institute where they toured both the Elgar Rd and Nelson Rd campuses. This gave them valuable insights into a range of post-school training options across different industries and career paths. It was fantastic to see students from Box Hill Institute engaging in hands-on learning as we walked through classrooms, practical learning spaces and workshops.

After lunch at Box Hill Centro, the group travelled by train to Ringwood together. At Eastland’s Holey Moley, students tackled escape rooms, where they put to the test their collaboration and communication skills. Students also had a chance to enjoy some time together while playing a round of mini golf.

It was a fabulous day that balanced personal challenge, future planning, and team building. Thank you to all students for representing our school so positively throughout the day.

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