Principal's Report

Term Two Concludes

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

As we reach the end of Term 2, I thank all members of our community for their efforts. This semester has presented obvious challenges, particularly in terms of workforce pressures and absences due to illness. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful staff who have contributed so much to the school. I also acknowledge our parent/carer community for their strong and ongoing support of our work. It was really nice to see parents and grandparents attending our Year 9 Student Led Assembly today in our Presentation and Performance Centre. 

As Term 2 progressed, I was so pleased to see the momentum building not just in the classroom, but through our co-curricular programs. Thank you to the many staff who have provided opportunities for our students to connect with each other, lead, and take an active role in our school and wider community. This week we have seen the awarding of the John Timms shield to the winners of our 3 on 3 competition, Year 10 Careers Experience / Virtual Careers Experience, VCAL BBQ to Ruffey Lake Park and student/staff luncheon, just to name a few. Our students have demonstrated respect for themselves, their peers and their teachers. What a great foundation from which to build in semester 2!

I am incredibly proud of our Leadership and Wellbeing Teams who have taken on significant responsibilities for supporting students and staff. Their collective efforts are having a significant, and positive impact on the lives of staff, students and families. 

I have included a number of updates below regarding key information and celebrations. I would like to wish all staff, students and their families a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday break. I look forward to seeing our students and staff return refreshed and ready for semester two. 

Success and the highest of accolades at the 2022 Global Learning Student Awards

Last week, Ms Sally Huang and I attended the annual Victorian Global Learning Awards and we are proud to announce that among the 7 category awards, our school has received three awards, including the highest award an international student can receive in Victoria-, International Student of the Year – Ambassador Award:  

• Homestay Family of the Year Commendation Award - Alvin Tan 
• Year 12 Global Citizenship Award: Tien Hieu (Harry) Bui 
• International Student of the Year – Ambassador Award: Tien Hieu (Harry) Bui 

Congratulations Harry Bui and Alvin on your awards. Your success is the result of hard work, dedication, and the consistent demonstration of our College values. Thank you to International Student Director, Ms. Sally Huang for your leadership and care of our international students. 

A more detailed report of this incredible occasion in provided in the 'DSC Goes Global' tab of this Newsletter, along with photos and a video. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that we will be creating an International Student Learning Hub. We believe that along with the outstanding achievements of our international students, this space will be an integral part of our strategy to re-build our International Student Program for the benefit of all of our community.  

Virtual School Familiarisation Tours 

Doncaster Secondary College was also selected to be a part of an exciting DET/Government project, which we believe will help bring international students back to Victoria. The International Education Division recently launched a project called the Virtual School Familiarisation Tours. Doncaster Secondary College was selected as DET believes that our experience and the unique programs that we offer will help us promote Victoria as a destination, to bring prospective students back to our schools. Doncaster Secondary College is being featured this week (5 schools to be featured in each term, a total of 20 in 2022). The completed virtual tour video of our school will be uploaded onto all International Education Division social media platforms and website and will be distributed to education agent networks as well, for marketing VGS and our school.  

School Flag Competition (On behalf of the SRC)

We are very excited to announce that Doncaster Secondary College is running a school flag competition. This competition begins NOW and goes until the 2nd week of term 3. All students are welcome to take part in this competition to create a school flag that they feel represents our values here at Doncaster Secondary College. The flag must contain the school motto "working together, learning together” or some of the school's core values, "respect” "teamwork" etc.. This can be included with text in the flag or through illustrations. The school will use the winning flag for special events and other exciting days/activities and there will be prizes for the winning flag designer! So, what are you waiting for? Get onto InDesign or any of the numerous other online platforms or even get out your coloured pencils and get creative. If you have any questions regarding the DSC flag competition, please contact Ms Fairweather or Jordan M (Year 12). Cheers and good luck!

Transport to school by positive COVID cases

As you would be aware, following advice from the Acting Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government recently announced changes to the pandemic orders. There will no longer be a mandated vaccination requirement for staff working in mainstream schools. This change will come in from 11.59pm Friday 24 June, so in effect from the start of Term 3 2022. With almost 100% of school staff now vaccinated across Victoria, this will cause little change to our school. 

As part of the changes, from 11.59pm Friday 24 June 2022, parents and carers who have COVID-19 can transport their non-COVID-19 children via private vehicle to their primary or secondary school when an alternative person is not available to assist. This will include school holiday programs held on school grounds. This means that parents and carers will be able to leave COVID self-isolation to take their non-COVID-19 child to school or school holiday programs via a private vehicle. 

The parent or carer must travel directly to and from the school only. They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to walk the child to and from the entrance of the school safely. They must wear a face mask at all times. 

Family members are asked to continue reporting positive COVID-19 cases to both the Department of Health and our own testing portal. You must also let the school know if your child is a close contact. Students who are close contacts and want to attend should still take 5 RATs over 7 days and wear a face mask whilst indoors if they are aged 8 years or over. Students should continue to stay home if they are unwell, even if they test negative on a RAT. Thank you for your support as we continue to make these adjustments.

Professional Practice Days 

You will be aware that the Victorian Government Schools Agreement is currently before the Fair Work Commission. If approved by the commission, the agreement states that teachers will be entitled to 2 further professional practice days in 2022, 2 professional practice days in 2023 and one professional practice day in 2024 and beyond. 

The department received very positive feedback from principals in relation to the option for schools to hold a common professional practice day in Term 2, 2022, including staff electing to use the day to collaborate with their colleagues. In response to this feedback, the department is recommending schools hold one of the 2 further 2022 professional practice days on the same day for all staff. Schools are not required to do this, but, where this will support effective and efficient use of the day and alleviate workforce pressures, schools can take up this option. 

In 2023, the same recommendation will apply. That is, we will recommend that schools hold one of the 2 2023 professional practice days on the same day for all staff. For Semester 2, 2022, the Department of Education and Training has provided schools with the option to hold each teacher’s allocated professional practice day on the same day for all staff. This is to enable the most effective and efficient use of this day. Dates for curriculum days, student led conferences and a professional practice day will be identified and communicated at the beginning of term 3. 

Best wishes to all families for the upcoming holiday break and a highly successful semester two.

Glenn Morris

Principal