From the Principal
Mr. Paul Aikman
DONALD HIGH SCHOOL DOINGS – Week 1, Term 4
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 a number of key priorities we will be focussing on this year in 2025. These include:
Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Writing.
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.
Using data to inform our teaching and learning for improved student outcomes with a focus on teaching students to their point of need.
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
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.
WELCOME BACK FOR TERM 4
Welcome back to all students, parents and staff for Term 4. The year appears to be just flying by, and before we know it, we will be about to go on our summer holidays. I hope everyone enjoyed the recent holiday period and had a chance to rest and recuperate in preparation for the busy end of year term. I trust that our Year 12 VCE and Vocational Major students are working hard towards the end of their formal classes next week and their end of year exams in a few weeks’ time, and that they are also looking forward to attending their Graduation Dinner on Friday 17th October (end of next week). I look forward to celebrating this year and their previous years of schooling with all our Year 12 students at this special occasion.
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 a number of 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, Celebrating Father's Day, Healthy Study Habits, R U OK? Day and Parenting Styles (new).
SPECIAL REPORT: Parenting Styles
There's no such thing as perfect parenting. But by understanding different parenting styles, we can better support our children in healthier and more effective ways.
Most of us parent as a blend of our own upbringing, lived experiences and external influences such as books, podcasts or parenting websites. And while parenting is always a challenge, it can become even more complex through divorce, separation, blended families, trauma or bereavement. Not to mention life's many other hurdles.
The concept of "parenting styles" was first introduced in the 1960s by Diana Baumrind, a clinical and developmental psychologist. She identified four main categories of parenting. Each style shapes a child's development in different ways and comes with both strengths and challenges.
Although well-intentioned, each parenting approach can have drawbacks in a child's development. Every child is unique, and their needs change as they grow. An authoritative style may suit younger children, but teenagers often require a greater balance of guidance and independence. The goal is to create a secure environment where children feel respected, heard, and supported.
By learning more about the different styles and how they influence children, you can make informed choices about the approach that best suits your family. And remember, styles are not fixed. They can evolve over time as your child grows and their needs change.
We invite you to watch this Special Report and complete the quiz to discover your own parenting style. You might also like to compare your results with your partner's and reflect together on the different approaches you each bring to parenting.
Here is the link to your Special Report
https://donaldhs.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-parenting-styles
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Our school is having some special activities and a free BBQ lunch run by HeadSpace for many of our students on Thursday 9th October as part of World Mental Health Day awareness.
BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT WORKS
Most of the works are now complete 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 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 Week 2, Term 4 (Friday 17th October).
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 last Term and early this Term in adhering to the safety guidelines and rules, whilst we undertook these necessary building and refurbishment projects.
Photos of the completed new outdoor Basketball Court Area.
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 on 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).
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 10 days of school (some students even more days - half or full days) in Term 3 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.