Principal's Report

Term 3

All students are active participants in a learning culture that promotes academic excellence and personal development through a diversity of challenging experiences.  

VISION

“Working together, learning together” – Working together to enable all students to achieve their potential and become confident, effective learners who contribute productively to society.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Doncaster Secondary College acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which our school is situated, the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to elder's past, present and emerging and extend that respect to any and all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. We value the ongoing contribution to the cultural heritage that the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people provide to our school as well as the city of Manningham. We recognise that this land was never ceded and there is no treaty, and we commit to efforts towards reconciliation as a school community. We at Doncaster Secondary College are inclusive of individuals from all backgrounds including the LGBTQIA+, culturally and linguistically diverse as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Parents/Caregivers/Guardians, please tell us what you think!

• Strong relationships and active partnerships between schools and families/carers, communities, and organisations to strengthen students’ participation and engagement in school.
• There is a growing research evidence base supporting the link between school partnerships and networks and enhanced student outcomes. The contemporary literature recognises that collaboration beyond the school, including with parents/carers/kin, services, industry, and networks, is a critical driver of school improvement.

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents / caregivers / guardians think of our school. The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. 

All families are invited to participate in the survey.

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open from Monday 7 August to Friday 8 September 2023. All families will be added to an event which will contain a link to the survey.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. The survey results will be communicated to parents / caregivers / guardians through annual reporting. 

The results are used to measure the achievement of the following annual goals, in particular the following factors: 

• Stimulating learning environment factor to increase from 68 per cent positive responses (2022) to 73 per cent.
• Student voice and agency  factor to increase from 70 per cent positive responses (2022) to 72 per cent.
• Managing bullying to increase from 78 per cent positive responses (2022) to 80 per cent or above.
• Promoting positive behaviour factor to increase from 79 per cent positive responses (2022) to 82 per cent or above.
• Respect for diversity to increase from 84 per cent positive responses (2022) to 85 per cent or above.

Last year we used the survey results to develop our annual implementation plan actions to support the achievement of our learning and wellbeing goals. 

NAPLAN Achievement Data 2023

The NAPLAN results for students were released on Monday 17 July 2023. This year they included changes to the reporting of results. These changes were introduced nationally by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). NAPLAN continues to measure student achievement in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and punctuation, but the results are now presented in 4 proficiency levels:

These are:

• exceeding
• strong
• developing
• needs additional support.

This change will give schools, parents and carers clearer information that details student achievement against new proficiency levels. Students’ NAPLAN reports will continue to show how they are tracking against their peers and provide an indication of their skill levels against national averages and where we would expect them to be to get the most out of schooling. This provides valuable information to teachers about how we can continue to support our children.

Each set of NAPLAN results is an important milestone but it’s also important that students know that one result does not define them – these results are about making sure every student gets the support they need so they can continue to get the best from their learning. The changes to NAPLAN reporting mean that we are no longer able to make top 2 band comparisons. However, we have been able to make links between our new achievement indicators, historic outcomes, and similar and network school data. 

This mid-year review was an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the noteworthy progress we've made in enhancing the literacy and numeracy skills of our students, from their induction in Year 7 to their NAPLAN testing in Year 9. Whilst our year 7 students may enter the college behind similar and network schools across NAPLAN indicators, their year 9 outcomes indicate that they have achieved the equal of similar schools and are now outperforming network schools in reading, writing and numeracy. 

An exhilarating achievement was noticed in our Year 9 reading outcomes. Scoring a strong 73%, we not only came very close to similar schools, just 1% behind their 74%, but we surpassed the average of our network schools by a commendable 4%. The consistent "Exceeding and Strong" DSC rating further accentuates our Year 9 success story, setting a bar high above similar and network schools. The upward trend of the "Exceeding and Strong" DSC rating from Year 7 to Year 9 is a resounding validation of the implementation of our learning and wellbeing initiatives, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by our students and staff alike. Reflecting on these numbers, we feel an immense sense of pride in the remarkable progress we've made over the years. These aren't mere statistics, but milestones in our collective journey to better education. They are a testament to our tireless educators' devotion, the determination of our students, and our community's unyielding support.

The future looks promising, and we are highly optimistic about achieving better literacy and numeracy outcomes. Let's keep striving to enhance the educational experiences of our students and equipping them with the tools they need to excel.

Thank you to our wonderful community of parents, carers, students, and teachers who have continued to support and nurture our growth. We look forward to yet another academic year filled with learning, achievements, and overall growth.

Celebrating an Inspiring Evening at Doncaster Secondary College

This week, we proudly unveiled the Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Program to esteemed colleagues, aspiring families, and future students at Doncaster Secondary College.

Taking place on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, we acknowledged and respected their traditional custodianship, paying homage to their past, present, and emerging leaders. The night unfolded as a testament to shared aspirations and commitment to our students' academic, social, and emotional growth.

Our unique SEAL program, a beacon for high-ability students, promises to fuel intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong passion for learning. It offers a pathway rich in challenging experiences, collaborative learning opportunities, and engagement with higher-order thinking skills. These are all underpinned by the principles of the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children.

A highlight of the night was our alumni guest speakers, who showcased the impressive outcomes of the SEAL program through their own personal and professional achievements. Their success stories illustrated how early introduction of complex concepts, cross-curriculum capabilities, and community-based projects can shape students into resilient leaders and innovative problem solvers.

SEAL teachers and students also took the stage, conveying how the program's core strategic goal - to maximise learning growth for all students - manifests in academic outcomes, personal growth, and community contributions. Thank you for your commitment to the program and the broader college community. 

The event also underscored our college's deep roots in our local community. We take immense pride in teaching our students the importance of making a positive impact in familiar surroundings. Beyond academic excellence, the SEAL program instils values of respect, responsibility, resilience, and teamwork.

Applying for the SEAL program is a step towards an enriching journey for any high-ability student. We reiterated our firm belief that regardless of whether students join the SEAL program, we endeavour to provide an environment where every child will thrive within our nurturing community.

The evening represented a celebration of potential, an exploration of opportunities, and the launchpad for an exciting learning adventure. It was a momentous night, and we thank everyone for their continued support of the SEAL program and Doncaster Secondary College. Well done and thank you to Ms. Skennar for organising the evening. 

School Sporting Achievements Soar to New Heights 

We are bursting with pride as we reflect on the latest sporting achievements of our school. Once again, our students have proved that dedication, hard work, and team spirit can indeed pave the way to victory.

Our Senior Boys Basketball Team has displayed extraordinary talent and hard work to become the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Champions for 2023. Their unbroken winning streak at the group stage, culminating in a thrilling 11-point victory over Templestowe College, speaks volumes about their determination and prowess. The stakes are now even higher as our champions advance to the State Championships on the 12th of September. We know they will be competing against the best government schools, and we wish them all the best as they prepare for the competition. The coaching staff also deserve a standing ovation.  Thank you to Mr Knott (Coach) and Mr Clarke (Assistant Coach) for their continuous support, strategic thinking, and ability to motivate the team. 

Well done to our Intermediate Boys Soccer Team as well! A spectacular last-minute goal secured their victory at the Regional finals, ensuring their spot at the State finals in August. This triumph underlines their grit and skill under pressure, and we're sure there's more to come.

Let's not forget the formidable Senior Girls Basketball Team and the determined Senior Boys Soccer Team. The Senior Girls Basketball Team became the Eastern Regional Runners Up in their division, a remarkable feat that testifies to their strength and endurance. The Boys Soccer Team too made a mark at the Eastern Regional finals, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship by winning one game and drawing two others. These victories underscore our school's values of respect, responsibility, resilience, and teamwork. Let's continue to celebrate our athletes' accomplishments and cheer them on.

Wishing Our Talented Musicians all the best for the Sydney Music Tour

It's with great excitement that we send off our dedicated musicians on a spectacular musical tour of Sydney. This week-long journey involves 43 talented students from Wind Symphony, String Orchestra, and Senior Jazz.

The tour will kick off bright and early at 5:30 am on Monday, returning the following Friday evening. The students will be gracing Sydney with their extraordinary talents at three wonderful venues: the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour, Manly Corso, and Killarney Heights Public School.

In addition to their performances, the students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Sydney's rich cultural offerings. The itinerary includes a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House, a tour of the Maritime Museum, relaxing at Manly Beach and Corso, a ferry ride to Manly, a stroll at Circular Quay, an enchanting night at the Capitol Theatre for "Beauty and The Beast," and a trip to the Sydney Tower Eye.

The experiences awaiting our young musicians promise to be inspiring, educational, and joyous. We believe this will not only help them grow as performers but also foster a deep appreciation for the arts and culture.

We invite the entire Doncaster Secondary College community to join us in wishing our talented musicians a successful and memorable tour. Your encouragement and support mean the world to them.

To the students embarking on this journey: may your performances be dazzling, your experiences enriching, and your memories everlasting. We can't wait to hear all about your adventures!

A big thank you to the staff, alumni and parent volunteer attending the tour. This experience would not be possible without your dedication to your students, and the music program. 

Glenn Morris

Doncaster Secondary College Principal