From the Principal

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.

NEW VICTORIAN CURRICULUM F-10 VERSION 2 IN SOME KEY LEARNING AREAS

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has released the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0.

The release includes The Arts, Health and Physical Education, Humanities, Languages (Chinese, French, Italian and Japanese) Science, Technologies, capabilities, foundational skills and cross-curriculum priorities. This follows the curriculum release of English 2.0 and Mathematics 2.0 in 2023.

To support this release, the VCAA has provided resources, introductory videos and interactive webinars on the new F-10 curriculum website. The videos outline key revisions and important aspects of the curriculum, and the webinars are an opportunity to ask questions and better understand the curriculum with a VCAA curriculum manager. 

To view the curriculum, visit the new F-10 curriculum website at f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au

To read more about the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 project including timelines visit the project page on the VCAA website.

REPORT WRITING

Teachers have been busy over the last week or so, correcting final assessments and finalising grades prior to writing end-of-semester reports for each subject and year level they teach. These reports are the culmination of all of the Semester 1 work and assessment tasks that have been completed in each subject for each year level. Reports will be available online on Xuno after 2.30pm on Friday 28th June (last day of Term 2).

VCE & VOM STUDENTS COMPLETE THE GAT

Well done to all our Unit 3/4 VCE Students and Year 12 VOM students who all completed the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Tuesday 18th June. This is a mandated assessment that the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) ensure all senior students complete as a safeguard to their results later in the year so a derived score can be determined if needed due to extenuating circumstances.

YEAR 10 PRE-DRIVER EXCURSION

Our Year 10 students completed some pre-driver training from Wednesday 12th June – Friday 14th June, including some night driving. All the students experienced both the theoretical and practical side of driving, learning about the road rules and many safe practices as a driver. From all reports, the training was engaging and the students enjoyed their experience.

YEAR 10 EXCURSION TO THE WIMMERA / SOUTHERN MALLEE CAREERS EXPO

Our Year 10 students all had an opportunity to attend an excursion to the Wimmera / Southern Mallee Careers Expo on Tuesday 25th June. The students that attended learnt about several different career and job possibilities and sparked an interest in some fields. Thanks to Mrs. Griffiths for organising and coordinating this excursion prior to the day and for transporting and supervising the students on the day. 

NEW STAFF AT DONALD HIGH SCHOOL FROM THE START OF TERM 3

We have 2 new staff commencing at our school from the start of Term 3. Caitlin Cavanagh will join the Education Support Team as a part-time Library Technician 3 days per week and Pam McConville will be teaching Work Related Skills 1 day per week (Mondays) to our Year 11 & 12 VOM students and Year 7 Health. We welcome both Caitlin and Pam to our teaching and support teams.   

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 10 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 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.

END OF TERM & WINTER HOLIDAYS

This is our last newsletter for the Term prior to the Term 2 Winter Holidays. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone - students, parents, staff and the broader school community, a safe and happy holiday period. Enjoy a break from school and spending some extra time with family and friends. Please stay safe and I look forward to working with you all again from the start of Term 3 on Monday 15th July.                 

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.