From the Principal

Donald High School Doings – Week 2, Term 3

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 focussing on in 2026. 

These include:

1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy.

2. Continuing to get our teaching staff to teach according to our Donald High School Instructional Model, focussing on explicit teaching and learning using the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, 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. Increase the active participation of all students in their learning and wellbeing.

5. 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

6. 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 TO SCHOOL FOR TERM 3

Welcome back to school to all students, staff and parents for Term 3. This term promises to be another eventful term with a lot of learning opportunities, activities and extra-curricular activities planned again in the 10 weeks of school we have.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY MESSAGE

I thought I would provide an update on supports available for students, after the recent tragic news involving the death of a former Donald Primary School student, who had links to our school.

Throughout the last week and a half, we have had support onsite for students, and we have arranged further support for the rest of this week and into the future.

I want to thank everyone for the way they are supporting each other and the students, through an incredibly difficult time for our community.

The students are also to be commended for the way they are helping each other.

Counsellors will continue to be available for the rest of this week and in the future. Please get in touch with the school to discuss your child’s support needs.

If you feel your child needs more assistance than you can provide, please do not hesitate to seek further help and a referral from a health professional such as your GP.

Additional support is available through:

• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au

• ReachOut Parents: https://parents.au.reachout.com/life-skills-and-challenges/trauma-and-grief/supporting-your-teen-through-grief-and-loss

• The mental health and wellbeing toolkit: https://www.vic.gov.au/parents-mental-health-toolkit

   

As we continue to support each other through this difficult time, I again encourage you to contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator, a trusted teacher or myself should you have any concerns.

Keep looking after your immediate and extended families and friends as you have been and be mindful of looking after yourselves also.

STRIKE ACTION BY CERTAIN AEU MEMBERS ON THURSDAY 23rd JULY 

The Australian Education Union has called on its members to take strike action on Thursday 23rd July 2026.  

Based upon the information provided to me, seven (7) of our teaching staff will be taking part in the strike action. 

As a consequence: 

•     students in Years 7, 8 and 12 will have a normal program at school on Thursday, though there may have to be modifications. Year 10 and 11 students that normally attend the North Central Trade Training Centre on a Thursday will be expected to attend as normal.

•     students in Years 9, 10 and 11 that normally work at Donald High School on a Thursday are not required to attend. 

If this will cause you difficulties, in particular if you are a critical services worker, please get in touch as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

DONALD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026

The annual Donald Music Festival will be held next Monday evening (27th July) at the Donald Memorial Hall. There will be a number of band and choir performances by our school and from our local Primary Schools on the night. There will also be performances from the St. Arnaud Citizen’s Band. We look forward to an enjoyable evening of music.

HOUSE ATHLETICS SPORTS

Our annual House Athletics Sports will take place next Wednesday 29th July on the school oval and Hockey Field. All students are expected to attend and involve themselves in the events as a participant and/or the organisation of activities eg. barbecue, setting up equipment for events. We encourage and welcome as many parents, family members and grandparents to attend on the day.

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.  

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.

Our Year 7 – 10 students attended a presentation from Tanya Peters (Leading Senior Constable of Swan Hill Police) about the legalities of using an e-Scooter, e-Bike and a push bike on Monday 11th May. 

Tanya spoke to the students about the necessity and legalities about being 16 years or older to ride an e-Scooter or e-Bike, wearing a helmet, keeping speeds to 25km/hr or less, riding on roads where the speed limit doesn’t exceed 60km/hr amongst a few other things. This was an informative session for students and staff to listen to and cleared up any 'myths' around e-Scooter and e-Bike use.

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. Last 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