Donald High School Newsletter

From the Principal

Mr. Paul Aikman

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 2025

 

As part of our new Annual Implementation Plan for 2025, and as part of the findings from our school review at the end of 2023, our school has identified several key priorities we will be focussing on this year in 2025. These include:

  1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Writing.

  2. Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focussing on explicit teaching and learning, 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 as a source of feedback 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.

 

SCHOOL TV

 

Please note that our school community has access to a website called SchoolTV.

This website provides all members of our school community with a wide range of information and resources both in text and video form as well as asks people to complete surveys on a variety of topics on Mental Health and Wellbeing. It is a website that is used as a preventative measure to educate all people on the various topics and is a fantastic resource I recommend people access whether you are a parent, teacher or student.

The topics are conveniently arranged into several series. Topics feature interviews with leading youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world offering hours of relevant and practical information. Additionally, each topic includes a compilation of related resources from key organisations providing a comprehensive stream of content. Resources include informative fact sheets, articles, apps, books, podcasts, websites, and other videos - all related to a single topic, in one place for easy access!!

The website is found at donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me

 

Some of the most recent special reports on the SchoolTV website include: Eating Anxiety, Healthy Study Habits, The Cost of Living Crisis, Navigating AI Relationships, Confidence & Motivation, The Wellbeing Barometer, Social Media & Comparison Culture, Shaping Healthy Masculinity, Gender Diversity, Sibling Relationships and Anxiety and Young People (new), Celebrating Father's Day (new), Healthy Study Habits (new) and R U OK? Day (new).

 

SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating Father's Day

For many years now, the role of fathers has changed and evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were often considered detached and distant due to working long hours in factories. However, today things have changed dramatically with many dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on.

Recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from having fathers who are present and interacting in everyday activities. This has transformed the understanding of how fathers shape children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.

Research also suggests that fathers influence their sons and daughters in different ways, which is especially true during their transition to adolescence. Engaging in regular physical activities can play a key role in influencing children to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks.

In this Special Report, fathers will learn about the positive impact they can have on their child’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also ensuring they indulge in a little self-care.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day

 

SPECIAL REPORT: RUOK? Day

Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm - are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations, are contributing to these issues. It's therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to act early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.

RUOK? Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks to help recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, "Are you OK?"

Engaging in RUOK? Day activities goes beyond the classroom; it's a commitment to our students' overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in RUOK? Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-r-u-ok-day

 

BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT WORKS THROUGHOUT THIS TERM

 

As most people would be aware, work has already started on our school with some building and refurbishment projects throughout this term, 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.

As a result of these works, from Friday 25th July we needed to put some general rules and guidelines in place to ensure everyone's safety and clearance of these areas. 

There are areas of the school that are fenced off with temporary fencing to stop unauthorised people accessing these areas throughout the period these works are completed. We ask that all students, parents and staff stay well away from these areas for your own safety, and that you have a greater awareness of large machinery and trucks in these areas throughout this Term.

 

In addition to this, Year 12 students will need to access the main East Wing building from the front entrance rather than through the Girls Breezeway as they normally do, due to the works. We encourage you all to act safely and cautiously when accessing the East Wing from the Year 12 room.

 

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.

 

Students riding bikes to and from school may ride along the footpath to and from the direction of Goodwin Village, but if they are entering and exiting the school from the East end gate of the Campus (from Camp Street), please get off your bike and walk your bike to and from the bike shelter as traffic in this area will be busy. 

 

Cars and students riding are also asked to not use the West end entrance (off Stawell Road) at the back of the school please until the end of Term 3 (Friday 19th September). 

When the East end Car Park works are being completed, we also ask that cars use the West end Car Park (off Camp Street) please to access the school.

 

We thank everyone for their cooperation and patience throughout this Term and encourage you all to adhere to these safety guidelines and rules, whilst we undertake these necessary building and refurbishment projects.

 

THE DENTAL VAN IS COMING TO OUR SCHOOL AGAIN IN TERM 4

 

Please note that the Dental Van will be on site at our school from Wednesday 5th -> Friday 7th November 2025 (Week 5, Term 4). This service is free to all Medicare Card Holders. Any parents/carers that want their young person to see the Dentist / visit the Dental Van can get further information and a consent form for treatment from the General Office and return the signed consent form by the end of Week 1, Term 4 (Friday 10th October 2025).

 

 

2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey:

 

 

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK! 

 

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behavior, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

 

As of late last week, only 4 families had completed the survey. For the results of the survey to collect meaningful data for school improvement, we would like at least half of our families (approximately 40 families) to complete the survey.

 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online until Friday 19th September 2025 (last day of Term 3).

All families are invited to participate in the survey. 

 

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. 

 

The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Resources are also available in additional languages to assist parents / caregivers / guardians who speak a language other than English at home. Please reach out to your child’s teacher, or the school directly for survey guides in your language.Survey results will be communicated to parents / caregivers / guardians through our annual reporting process.Please contact the school on Ph. (03) 5497 1205 if you would like more information about this survey.

 

END OF TERM 3

 

As this will be the last newsletter before the end of Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and students for their application to their work / studies throughout this Term. Please take some time over the break from Friday 19th September (end of next week) to catch up with family and friends over these holidays, as well as resting and recuperating from a busy term at school. I look forward to continuing to work with you all again from Monday 6th October for the start of Term 4.

 

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

 

At Donald High School, we’re 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 15 days of school (some students even more days - half or full days) in the first semester of 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.