Principal's Report

As our 2025 cohort completes their Unit 3 and 4 exams, Doncaster Secondary College proudly acknowledges the culmination of thirteen years of learning, growth, and community. For many of our students, this moment represents the successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). For others, it marks the completion of the VCE Vocational Major (VCE-VM), an equally significant achievement that reflects their commitment to applied learning and pathways beyond school.

The success of our graduating students is the result of a shared journey. It reflects the dedication and collaboration of students, teachers, support staff, and families, all united by a belief in every student’s potential to thrive. Together, we have worked to nurture the educational, learning, and wellbeing outcomes that define the Class of 2025. Throughout their years at Doncaster Secondary College, our students have embodied our vision:

“All students are active participants in a learning culture which promotes academic excellence and personal development through a diversity of challenging experiences.”

This shared vision has guided every step of our journey, from classroom teaching to wellbeing support, from curriculum design to the creation of inclusive learning environments.

Doncaster Secondary College’s continued improvement in academic achievement reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to maximising learning outcomes for all students. Over the past four years, our VCE achievement ranking among government secondary schools has improved from 70th in 2021 to 10th in 2024, a remarkable achievement that reflects both academic growth and the strength of our teaching and learning culture.

This improvement aligns with our most recent Department of Education School Performance Report, which assessed Doncaster Secondary College as High Performing in both Learning and Wellbeing.

When compared with similar schools, Doncaster Secondary College is performing above or well above in key areas, including:

Learning Measures: NAPLAN Reading and Numeracy relative growth (Years 7–9), Mean VCE English Study Score, and positive endorsement of school-staged transitions.
Wellbeing Measures: Emotional awareness and regulation, managing bullying, school connectedness, stimulated learning, and student voice and agency, as reported through the Attitudes to School Survey (AToSS).

These results reflect our deliberate focus on providing the conditions for every student to achieve personal excellence across both academic and wellbeing domains.

The attainment of the VCE and VCE-VM represents far more than the completion of a study program. It signifies the development of key knowledge and skills, the fulfilment of academic, behavioural, and attendance expectations, and the ability to persevere through challenge with integrity and resilience.

Our students have demonstrated:

Respect for themselves, their peers, and their learning environment.
Responsibility in managing their studies, attending regularly, and submitting their work on time.
Resilience in embracing challenges, using feedback constructively, and maintaining optimism through adversity.
Teamwork in supporting and encouraging one another, valuing collaboration, and celebrating collective success.

Our college motto, “Working Together, Learning Together”, captures the essence of the Class of 2025’s journey. They have learned the power of collaboration, the importance of effort, and the value of community. Their achievements are a shared success made possible through strong partnerships between students, families, and staff, all committed to a common purpose.

As our 2025 VCE students complete their final examinations and our VCE-VM students transition to new opportunities, we celebrate not just their academic success but the people they have become, confident, capable, and compassionate young adults ready to contribute positively to society.

Their journey embodies the best of Doncaster Secondary College: a community that works together, learns together, and celebrates the growth of every student.

Recently, we had the privilege of welcoming our 2026 Year 7 families to Doncaster Secondary College for an information evening. This provided an opportunity to share our learning vision and to welcome new families into our community of learners, a partnership built on shared values, high expectations, and mutual responsibility.

Families heard about how their child will journey through our school through sharing the unique vision for each mini school.

Junior School: A vision to shape healthy, positive, and resilient learners who develop the literacy, numeracy, personal and social capabilities needed for future success.
Middle School: A focus on empowering learners to develop a strong sense of self and the capabilities to become active, engaged members of the community.
Senior School: A commitment to supporting students to relentlessly pursue academic and vocational excellence through meaningful pathways.

The evening explored how learning happens, drawing on cognitive science to explain the importance of attention, working memory, and long-term memory in the learning process. This model helped families understand that learning requires purposeful attention, active engagement, and conditions, both at home and at school, that allow students to focus and thrive.

A key message of the evening was that all members of the learning partnership, the school, families, and students share responsibility for ensuring every learner can reach their potential.

The school has the responsibility to deliver a high-quality teaching and learning program that engages, challenges, and supports every student. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment, where all learners feel valued and connected.
Families play a vital role in reinforcing the importance of attendance, punctuality, and preparedness. Establishing consistent routines, such as setting appropriate bedtimes, creating boundaries around technology, and encouraging healthy habits, helps students arrive at school each day ready to learn.
Students also hold a central responsibility in this partnership. They are expected to be respectful, responsible, and resilient learners, who take ownership of their actions, actively engage in lessons, and contribute positively to the school environment. Meeting these expectations ensures that all students can focus on learning and that the rights of others to learn are upheld.

This shared partnership, between the school, families, and students, lies at the heart of our college vision. When each stakeholder upholds their responsibilities, we create the conditions for every learner to engage deeply, strive for excellence, and contribute to a positive and productive learning community.

Regards,

Glenn Morris

College Principal