From the Principal

Mr. Paul Aikman

DONALD HIGH SCHOOL DOINGS – Week 1, Term 2

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 focusing on in 2026.

These include:

Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy.
Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focusing on explicit teaching and learning using the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, and re-focusing classroom behavioural and learning expectations.
Using data to inform our teaching and learning for improved student outcomes with a focus on teaching students to their point of need.
Increase the active participation of all students in their learning and wellbeing.
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
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.

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to all students, parents and staff for Term 2. I hope everyone had an enjoyable break and are ready to get back into the swing of school again.

ANZAC DAY SERVICE

ANZAC Day as we know it was first observed on 25 April 1916, as people came together to commemorate the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli, Turkey, on 25 April 1915. This important tradition has now become an opportunity to stop and reflect on the sacrifice and dedication of all our veteran and service community, and the families who support them. It is a significant day for the Department of Education, and we proudly recognise our many staff who have served over the years. We also recognise First Nations people who served in conflicts, and we acknowledge their service, sacrifice and ongoing impacts on their families. The annual Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service is held during Reconciliation Week and is on at the Shrine of Remembrance on Saturday 30th May. For more details and to register to attend, refer to Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service.

ANZAC Day in all local communities falls on a Saturday this year. School staff and students who wish to observe the day could join in the commemorative activities at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne or at the Cenotaph in the Memorial Park in Donald. These activities included the: dawn service, a commemoration march, and the laying of wreaths commemoration services. Our School Captains will be in attendance at the local commemorative dawn service on ANZAC Day to lay a wreath and recite a poem. Our school will also hold an ANZAC Day Commemorative Service on Friday 24th April 2026 from 2.45pm (during Period 7), where we will welcome local RSL Members and the School Captains will lay a wreath whilst all students, staff and guests pay their respects. Thank you to Mr. Potter for his organisation and coordination of this service.

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.

PLEASE 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.

YEAR 9 BUSHWALK CAMP IN THE GRAMPIANS

The majority of Year 9 students headed to the Grampians from Monday 30th March to Thursday 2nd April for their 4-day bushwalk. The weather conditions were very good, despite it cooling off considerably in the evenings. All of the students were actively involved and engaged in the bushwalk and activities on the camp and I have only heard good reports about their trip. There have also been many funny stories shared amongst students about the bushwalk in English classes where the students have been talking about their experiences. Thank you to Mrs. Griffiths, Mr. Tatchell and Mrs. Geddes who all assisted in the organization, preparation and running of this camp.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS AND PRINCIPAL FORUM

All of our Teachers completed interim progress reports for each of the students they teach late last term. Whilst these reports aren’t as comprehensive as our end of semester reports, they are a clear indicator of a student’s progress so far this year and are a good ‘checkpoint’ to ensure students are up to date and making the most of their learning opportunities and an opportunity to reflect on what students can do to improve their results. These reports were made available to students and parents after the end of Term 1 and will be a basis of teacher discussions with parents and students at our Parent-Teacher Interviews on Monday 27th April (next week).

I encourage all parents and students to make an appointment to attend these interviews, and I also welcome all parents to a Principal Forum (conversation with myself about the school) between 5.15pm – 5.30pm (during the teachers’ dinner break) in Room 9 on this night.

DONALD H.S. STAFF TO ATTEND GRAMPIANS NETWORK PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

Please note that all Donald High School staff will be attending the Grampians Network Professional Development Day in Horsham on Wednesday 6th May 2026 (Week 3, Term 2). This date has been scheduled as a student-free day to enable staff to attend this day of listening and learning from behaviour and learning specialist Dan Petro.

Therefore, no students will be required at school on Wednesday 6th May 2026.

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. This 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