Principal's Report

Mid Term 4 Update

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

Farewell to our ‘Class of 2022’

We are so proud of the class of 2022 for their commitment and dedication to their studies and each other. The class of 2022 have demonstrated our college values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Teamwork throughout their time at Doncaster Secondary College. They have demonstrated significant growth both individually and as a cohort, over the last 12 months, and this is evident by the way they are now embracing the challenge posed by the end of year exams.

In DSC tradition, our students hosted a Teachers Thank You ceremony to recognise the dedication and extra care given over their most important year of learning. In response, our teachers formed a guard of honour to send our students on their way. Emotions were high as we wished our Year 12 students all the success they deserve over the upcoming exam period.

The Valedictory Assembly for the ‘Class of 2022’ will be held on 18th November and will be our opportunity to reflect on and to celebrate each other’s achievements: the completion of their VCAL or VCE, attainment of academic excellence, sporting successes, personal achievements and contribution to the performing arts, and to areas of service. We look forward to our parents and carers joining us for this special event. I take this opportunity to reiterate how proud we are of our students and how we collectively wish them all the very best for the exciting challenges and pathways that lay ahead. We are confident that the years ahead will be filled with much success, joy, and exciting opportunities.

Celebrating Student Excellence

Over the next four weeks there are multiple events which have been organised to celebrate student excellence and they include:

Sports Awards Ceremony – November 10
Year 12 Valedictory Assembly – November 18
Senior School Awards Ceremony – November 28
Junior School Awards Ceremony – December 6
Middle School Awards Ceremony – December 9

The first of these events will be held this Thursday 10th November in the Presentation and Performance Centre. Our inaugural Doncaster Secondary College Sport Awards Night will recognise students that have made an outstanding contribution to the DSC Sports Program in 2022. The awards presented will be:

MVP – Presented to the students identified as the most valuable players from each DSC sports team
Encouragement Awards – Presented to the students that best displayed the school’s values of respect, responsibility, resilience and teamwork on the sports field
2022 DSC Sport Champions – Presented to the students that have made the greatest contribution to the DSC Sports Program in 2022

We are also incredibly proud of our students who participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition, and the Mathematics Victorian Challenge & Enrichment Games Day. 146 of our best mathematics students across Years 7 - 10 sat the Australian Mathematics Competition last term. The Australian Mathematics Competition is a 30-problem competition, run by the Australian Maths Trust, that demonstrates the importance and relevance of mathematics in students' everyday lives.

Congratulations to the 26 students who achieved a Distinction (top 20%). A special congratulations to year 7 student George D., and year 10 student William W., who achieved a High Distinction (top 3%).

In addition to this, a group of our Year 7 and 8 students competed in the Mathematics Victoria Challenge and Enrichment Games Day. This interschool program saw students work in teams of four, applying & developing their mathematical talents and problem-solving skills. Competing against like-minded students from Balwyn High School and Templestowe College, our Year 7 & 8 students enjoyed a fun and collaborative day, which was topped off by our Year 8 team who won the competition!

World Teachers’ Day

On Friday the 28th of October we celebrated ‘World Teachers’ Day’. Celebrated in over 100 countries World Teachers’ Day acknowledges our teachers for showing great resilience during challenging times, all so as they can give their students the best future possible. By recognising World Teachers’ Day, we are provided with an opportunity to draw attention to the important role of teachers and education support staff within our communities. The role of teachers and education support staff is increasingly complex, and I ask you to join me in thanking them for the dedication and care that they bring to their students and your families.

Best wishes to our Senior VCAL Students

Well done and best wishes to our Senior VCAL students as they move through the final phase of their assessments. I am very proud of the way you have persisted and worked with your teachers to complete your assessments and meet the competencies of the program. Conversations I have had with the Senior VCAL students have highlighted just how valuable this program has been for building the skills, knowledge and confidence required to take the next steps beyond Doncaster Secondary College.

Semester 2 Year 7-11 Assessments and Examinations

With the end of term fast approaching, our Years 7-11 students will soon be completing their Semester 2 examinations before approaching the new academic year begins. These exams are an opportunity for all students to review their understanding and reflect on their learning throughout Terms 3 and 4. We encourage all students to take the time to set high expectations for themselves and apply teamwork to collaborate with their peers to form productive study habits and study groups.

Glenn Morris

Principal