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 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 several key priorities we will be focussing on this year in 2025. These include:

  1. Striving for improvements in Literacy and Numeracy with a particular focus on Writing.

  2. 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.

  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 throughout the school; 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.

 

SCHOOL TV

 

Please note that our school community now 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 several 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 and Social Media, Comparison Culture & Cybersafety (new).

 

NAPLAN TESTING 2024

 

NAPLAN Testing for our Year 7 & 9 students has been completed over the last few weeks, with all our students getting through the various tests. A big thank you to Mrs. O’Shea for her organization and supervision of these tests and to all the staff that supported supervision duties also. 

 

MOBILE PHONE USE AT SCHOOL

 

Parents and students are reminded that the use of mobile phones by students is not permitted at school between the hours of 8.45am and 3.25pm, unless they have been given permission for its use by a teacher leading an excursion or Camp, their Year Level Coordinator or a member of the School Staff Leadership Team. We have had a number of instances where students have been accessing their mobile phone for varying reasons during the school day without permission. This is a State Government rule that applies to all schools across the State of Victoria. A reminder also that it is an illegal act to photograph, video or record another person and forward this on to someone else without that person’s consent, and this offence is punishable by the school and police.

 

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.

 

YEAR 9 BUSHWALK CAMP IN THE GRAMPIANS

 

The majority of Year 9 students headed to the Grampians from Monday 31st March to Friday 4th April for their 4-day bushwalk. The weather conditions look like they will be quite good, despite it possibly cooling off in the evenings. Thank you to Mrs. Griffiths, Mr. Tatchell, Miss McKay and Mr. Cashin who have all assisted in the organization, preparation and running of this camp.

 

INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS

 

All our teachers have been busy completing these reports for each of the students they teach. 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 will be 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 in the third week of Term 2.

 

END OF TERM 

 

As this will be the last newsletter before the end of Term 1, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and students for their application to their work / studies throughout the first term. Please take some time over the break from Friday 4th April (end of this week) to catch up with family and friends over these holidays incorporating the Easter break, as well as resting and recuperating from a tough term. I look forward to continuing to work with you all again from Tuesday 22nd April for the start of Term 2.

 

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.

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 from the start of Term 1.

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 year we had too many of our students missing over 15 days of school (some students over 20 days - 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.

 

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.