From the Principal

Donald High School Doings – Week 10, Term 3

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. Increase the active participation of all students in their learning and wellbeing.

5. 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

6. Striving for improvements in student social and emotional learning, 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 COMMUNITY MESSAGE

Thank you to all of our school community (Leaders, parents, staff and students) for their support and work for each other and the students through the last 8 and a bit weeks. It has been an extremely difficult and unprecedented time for our school and community, and I think we have navigated things pretty well considering what we are all going through. Please keep in mind that this critical incident will continue to have an effect on people for a long time yet, and I know we will all continue to support each other and the students as we move forwards.

If you feel your child needs more assistance than you can provide, please do not hesitate to seek further help and a referral from a health professional such as your GP.

Additional support is available through:

• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au

• ReachOut Parents: https://parents.au.reachout.com/life-skills-and-challenges/trauma-and-grief/supporting-your-teen-through-grief-and-loss

• The mental health and wellbeing toolkit: https://www.vic.gov.au/parents-mental-health-toolkit

   

As we continue to support each other through this difficult time, I again encourage you to contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator, a trusted teacher or myself should you have any concerns.

Keep looking after your immediate and extended families and friends as you have been, and be mindful of looking after yourselves also.

A REMINDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2026 PARENT / CARER OPINION SURVEY

Dear Parents & Carers,

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Carer Opinion Survey and is seeking your feedback. The survey, offered by the Department of Education, is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. 

We sent you an invitation to complete the survey. If you cannot find the invite, please reach out and we can resend this invitation to you.

The Parent / Carer Opinion Survey will remain open online until Friday 18 September 2026.

Your opinions are important to us and will contribute to identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. The department will use the results from the survey for research purposes and to improve outcomes for students.

The survey is being conducted online and only takes 20 minutes to complete. 

If you require assistance in completing the survey, please reach out to your child’s teacher, or the school if you require assistance in another language.

SURVEY LINK: https://research.orima.com/parent

Our school's generic PIN is: 378659

YEAR 10 MELBOURNE CAMP

The vast majority of our Year 10 students went to Melbourne from Monday 31st August to Wednesday 2nd September to partake in some educational and fun activities on a camp. The students were involved in activities like an Amazing Race around Melbourne, a Melbourne Museum visit, a visit to the MCG for a tour and to attend the National Sports Museum, they will be attending a movie – Odyssey and a musical – Pretty Woman and doing Ice-Skating amongst a few other things. 

Thanks to Mrs. Griffiths for her preparation, organisation, supervision and coordination of this camp for our Year 10 students and to Mr. Cashin also for accompanying the group as a driver, for supervision of the students and to assist throughout the 3 days.

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT INTERSCHOOL SPORTS

We had 18 students that qualified to represent the school at the North Central District Athletics Sports on Friday 14th August. Thanks to Mr Tatchell, Miss McKay and Mrs Griffiths for their organisation and coordination of our students before and at the event and for their work at this carnival on the day. We had 2 students, Layla G and Ryder achieve age group championship awards, whilst Hugo and Charlie broke records in the High Jump and Shot Put respectively. We also have about ten students (but only eight students attending) make it through to the Loddon Mallee Championships scheduled for this Thursday 17th September. 

Good luck to all of those students competing on Thursday, and thanks to Mrs. Griffiths for driving the school bus and attending with the students for organisation, coordination and supervision of the students on the day.

SWAN HILL FIELD and GAME SCHOOL SHOOT STATE FINAL SHOOT IN ECHUCA

We had five students – Hayden, Lyric, Charlie, Victory & Xen that went to Swan Hill Monday 7th September to compete in the Swan Hill Field and Game School Shoot whilst Marty also went to Echuca on the same day for the Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA) State Finals. Thanks to Miss O’Brien for her organisation and coordination of the students for and on the day. All of the students that attended represented the school and scored well with their shooting. 

Well done to all of these students for their efforts.

STUDENTS RIDING TO SCHOOL (on bikes/scooters including e-scooters) 

Please ensure you follow the Road Rules –

Children aged 12 years or older are required by law to ride on the road. 

Students are also reminded that the law requires that all riders wear an approved helmet.  

USE THE BIKE TRACK through the Goodwin Village where appropriate. Community concern has been raised that pedestrians in the main street have almost been collided with by students travelling on the footpath. Please travel to and from school safely. 

It is also an expectation that all students will get off their bike/scooter/e-bike/e-scooter if entering or exiting the school from Camp Street. Too many students are entering and exiting the school grounds at speed and we are concerned that an accident may occur, so please get off your bike/scooter/e-bike/e-scooter in the school grounds.

Our Year 7 – 10 students attended a presentation from Tanya Peters (Leading Senior Constable of Swan Hill Police) about the legalities of using an e-Scooter, e-Bike and a push bike on Monday 11th May. 

Tanya spoke to the students about the necessity and legalities about being 16 years or older to ride an e-Scooter or e-Bike, wearing a helmet, keeping speeds to 25km/hr or less, riding on roads where the speed limit doesn’t exceed 60km/hr amongst a few other things. This was an informative session for students and staff to listen to and cleared up any 'myths' around e-Scooter and e-Bike use.

END OF TERM AND LAST DAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR FRIDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2026

Our last day of Term 3 will be Friday 18th September.

Please note the following arrangements for this Friday 18th September 2026 (last day of Term 3).

We will be holding normal classes for Periods 1 – 4, which will be shortened periods of 40-minutes each. Our traditional Battle of the Bands musical activities will be held after a shortened lunch.

2026 Battle of the Bands Times

Date: Friday 18 September – last day of term 3

                                                         Length             Time

Period 1                                          40min          9:00 – 9:40am

Period 2                                          40 min          9:40 – 10:20am

Period 3                                           40min          10:20 – 11:00

Recess                                            20min          11:00 – 11:20am

Period 4                                            40min          11.20 - 12:00 noon

Lunch                                               25min          12.00 – 12:25pm

Battle of the Bands – Room 9    90min          12.30 – 2:00pm

Pack up and form assembly        30min          2:00 – 2:30pm

We will hold a 5-minute Year Level Assembly from 2.00pm, and there will be Locker and Yard Clean Up Areas for 15-minutes (see notes below), and we will finish the term with a Whole School Assembly from 2.20pm with dismissal of students at 2.30pm.

Locker Clean Up

YLC’s to check that all students’ lockers are neat and tidy and clear of any rubbish or food scraps, and also assist and supervise students in their designated Yard Clean Up areas please. Please get students to place all rubbish into the appropriate bins, including our fundraising recycling bin.

Yard Clean Up Areas 

Year 7 - Front of School (including gazebos);

Year 8 – Back of West Wing as well as the Front of Trade Wing to the Half-Court Basketball Courts, also in and around the Canteen area;

Year 9 – Returning from NCTTC;

Year 10 – In and around the Under Cover Area;

Year 11 – Outside Basketball Court (including in and around the gazebos on Southern side of Outdoor Basketball Court)

Year 12 – In and around the Year 12 Portable (including the gazebo just outside to the left of your room) and around the corner to the East end of the East Wing.

Please ensure ALL rubbish is cleaned up and put into the appropriate bins, prior to our Whole School Assembly.

As this will be the last newsletter before the end of Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff and students for their application to their work / studies throughout what has been a very difficult term. 

Please take some time over the break from the end of Friday 18th September to have an enjoyable and restful period of time away from school, all be it a working break for our Year 12 VCE students, to recuperate after another busy term. I look forward to continuing to work with you all again from Monday 5th October for the start of Term 4.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL

At Donald High School, we’re excited to welcome your child back into the classroom................

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

Every day counts.

You and your child / children are an important part of our school community, and we look forward to welcoming you back to school from the start of Term 2.

We want to support your child / children to have a positive start to the year. 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. Last term we have had too many of our students missing over 10 days of school (the equivalent of 2 weeks per Term / 8 weeks for the year = too many days missed) (some students over 25 days - half or full days last year). Everyone should be prioritising education and learning for all of 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

Principal, Donald High School