Donald High School Newsletter

From the Principal

Mr. Paul Aikman

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 2024

 

As part of our Annual Implementation Plan, and as part of the findings from our school review this year, our school has identified a number of key priorities we will be focussing on in 2024. These include:

  1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Reading and Writing.
  2. Re-focussing our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model 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; 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.

 

HOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 

 

Our school held our annual House Athletics carnival on Wednesday 7th August in bright sunny conditions. It was pleasing to see all the students participating to the best of their ability in the variety of running, jumping and throwing events throughout the day. Well done to all our winners and placegetters on the day in the various events. There were some very fine performances on the day, with a number of students qualifying for the North Central District Athletics carnival in Charlton on Friday 16th August. For the record, Jeffcott House were the overall winners on the day and there were a number of records broken. Thanks to all the staff and House Captains and Vice-Captains that ensured the day ran smoothly, particularly to Mr. Cashin who organised and coordinated the day. We wish all the students that have made it through to the next level, all the very best for NCD Athletics Carnival when they get to represent our school. 

 

REFLECTIVE WRITING JOURNALS ON READING

 

All students in Years 7 – 10 have been reflecting on their reading, through completing a reflective writing task on the reading they have completed so far this term at the start of period 6 each day in reading time. These students will complete 5 reading sessions and then 1 writing reflection every 6 sessions in reading time to ensure students are understanding and accountable for their reading. We are hoping this new process will assist students to better understand and comprehend some of the words within and the overall books they are reading and ultimately lead to better learning outcomes for our students.

 

PARENT OPINION SURVEY

 

A reminder to all parents that have received an invitation to participate in this year’s Parent Opinion Survey, to please complete this survey by Friday 30th August. Whilst participation is voluntary, the Department of Education encourages all invited parents to participate, as the results of the survey are used to identify areas of strength the school has, as well as identifying areas and ways for improvement for our school. The survey should only take you 20 – 30 minutes. The survey is open from Monday 29th July and is open for responses until Friday 30th August.

 

YEAR LEVEL VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION

 

Our Year 11 Physical Education class is running a Year level Volleyball Competition at lunchtimes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There is no cost to enter and you could win some great prizes at the end of the competition. Teams must be year level specific or staff, and have at least 6 members (at least 2 from each gender) to take the court. The competition officially started on Monday 19th August with some great games between the Year 11 VCE & VOM students, the Year 12 and Year 7 students and the Year 11 and 12 VCE students. The competition will continue this week and next with more games scheduled for each Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtime.

 

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

 

Our school had approximately 30 students attend this day on Friday 16th August in Charlton. All our students acquitted themselves well with four students winning age group championships and another 4 students finishing second in their age group. As a result of a number of excellent individual performances and some very good relay running, our school finished second overall in the carnival. Abby Griffiths broke a record in the 17-year-old girls High Jump event, jumping 1.57m. A great effort Abby!! Thank you to Mr. Cashin, Miss McKay and Miss McLoughlan for working on events/tasks and supervising our students on the day and to Mr. Cashin for all his coordination and organisation of our team.

 

WINTER SPORT COMPETITION VERSUS BIRCHIP P-12 SCHOOL

 

Our school will be competing against Birchip P-12 School in Year 7 & 8 Netball, Year 9 – 11 Netball, Year 7 & 8 Boys Soccer and Years 9 – 11 Mixed Soccer next Tuesday 27th August at Birchip. Approximately 60 students and 7 or 8 staff will be involved on the day in these competitions. A free BBQ will be held for the students and staff on the day, with students also encouraged to bring snacks and a drink. Thanks to Andrew Sayle (Principal of Birchip P-12 School) and the student leaders at their school for organising and hosting this day. Our school students and staff are looking forward to the day.

 

SWAN HILL SHOOT

 

We had 4 students represent the school at the Swan Hill shoot on Thursday 15th August. One of our students, Hayden Clark in Year 9, finished third in his event which means he qualifies for the next level of competition. Well done, Hayden!! Thank you to Miss. O’Brien for her organisation, coordination and supervision of our students on the day and to Peter Pendlebury for his guidance of our students also on the day.

 

ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL 

 

Can parents and students please take note of the graphic below. Last year we had too many of our students missing over 15 days of school (some students over 20 days). Some students this year have already had over 15 unexplained absences (half or full days). 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 entire 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.