College Newsletter

Principal's Report

Welcome to Term Two

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

CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCKDOWN AND REMOTE LEARNING

Yesterday the Acting Premier announced restrictions for Victoria to address the recent COVID-19 outbreak. The restrictions are in place from 11.59 pm on Thursday, 27 May, until Thursday, 3 June inclusive. Following advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, all Victorian schools will move to a period of remote and flexible learning from Monday, 31 May to Thursday, 3 June inclusive. 

 

Today’s student-free day was provided to allow schools time to prepare for the upcoming week. Remote and flexible learning will begin on Monday 31 May, with timetabled classes held on Microsoft Teams. If there is any problem with Microsoft Teams, students should access and follow the Compass lesson plan, and email their teachers so as rolls can be accurately marked. The College will be monitoring student attendance in their online classes and the regular processes of informing families of absences will continue.

 

As with other remote learning periods, our school will provide on-site supervision for students in the following categories:

  • Children where both parents and/or carers are authorised workers who cannot work from home, work for an essential provider and where no other supervision arrangements can be made:
    • Where there are two parents/carers, both must be authorised workers, working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision
    • For single parents/ carers, the authorised worker must be working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
  • Children experiencing vulnerability, including:
    • children in out-of-home care
    • children deemed vulnerable by a government agency, funded family or family violence service, and is assessed as requiring education and care outside the family home
    • children identified by a school or early childhood service as vulnerable, including via referral from a government agency, or funded family or family violence service, homeless or youth justice service or mental health or another health service.

 If your child does require on-site supervision, please contact Georgina Carroll via email at georgina.carroll@education.vic.gov.au. 

 

Please don't hesitate to reach out for help and support. We are here to take care of you. 

 

Our Senior School team has been working closely with staff and students to understand if and how the transition to remote and flexible learning will affect upcoming assessments such as SACS and the GAT. Further information will be provided by the Senior School however, the Year 10 and 11 exams will run as scheduled. Our upcoming Curriculum Day will remain on Tuesday, 15 June.

 

Whilst we are very proud of the remote and flexible learning program we provide, we're aware that consecutive days in front of a computer can be difficult. We understand that face to face on-site teaching is the best way for most students to learn. For these reasons, we are scheduling an E-Learning Day on Thursday, 3 June. On this day all lessons will be carefully planned by teachers to include activities that students can do independently at any time during that day. Students are required to check their Compass lesson plans for June 3rd and complete the activities set out. In most cases, there will be no need to connect on MS teams for direct contact. 

 

Please note: Some VCE classes will run on MS teams on the E-Learning day to ensure students are properly prepared for assessments that are coming up. Teachers will notify VCE students if this is the case and the roll will be marked as usual using MS teams and Compass.

 

As you would be aware from term 1, staff are provided with a Professional Practice Day each term. Assuming students return to on-site school on Friday, 4 June, it would not be appropriate for us to have up to 10 teachers per day missing classes during the week beginning Monday, 7 June. By running an E-Learning Day during the remote learning period, staff will be available to take classes when students return to onsite learning.

 

At this stage we still expect the following events to run as originally scheduled: 

  • Unit 3 GAT June 9
  • Unit 1 Exams June 7 to 11
  • Year 10 Exams June 10 to 11
  • Pupil Free Day June 15 

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2021

Victoria will be a state where the rich and thriving culture, knowledge and experience of our First Nations peoples are celebrated by all Victorians; where our universal service systems are inclusive, responsive and respectful of Koorie people at every stage of their learning and development journey; and where every Koorie person achieves their potential, succeeds in life, and feels strong in their cultural identity.

Marrung Vision

National Reconciliation Week takes place between 27 May and 3 June each year. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. National Reconciliation Week highlights the importance of positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community. The theme for 2021, ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action’, urges the reconciliation movement from awareness towards braver and more substantive action. This year marks 20 years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.

 

Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour. That is why education and the development of intercultural understanding are so important. The Reconciliation Week assembly provided our staff and students with an opportunity to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Through being open to learning and seeking to understand, we build respect for others and increase our ability to empathise and care.

 

I ask that members of our community seek to understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, rights and experiences. Through understanding the rich culture of our Indigenous people, we can identify and speak positively about their resilience and strengths. We can acknowledge our past through education and understanding and challenge the racist stereotypes when we hear them. I will finish with this quote from Karen Mundine – Chief Executive Officer of Reconciliation Australia.

“Reconciliation isn’t a single moment or place in time. It’s lots of small, consistent steps, some big strides, and sometimes unfortunate backwards steps …” 

We all have a role to play.

 

IDAHOBIT DAY

On Thursday, 17 May 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) celebrates LGBTIQ+ people globally on this date and raises awareness about the work which is still needed to combat discrimination. This year our wellbeing team provided an opportunity for members of our community to celebrate this day and foster an environment where acceptance of diversity. 

 

Doncaster Secondary College is part of the Safe Schools program. This program helps schools foster a safe environment that is supportive and inclusive of LGBTQI students. It recognises that creating a safe and inclusive environment is key to tackling bullying and harassment and preventing suicide and self-harm. All students should be safe from bullying and feel included at school. Students who don't feel safe or included at school cannot learn effectively and reach their full potential.

 

SCHOOL SPORT

School Sport is an important part of the co-curricular learning program for our students. Being physically active is essential for good physical and mental health and wellbeing, whilst providing opportunities for students to build positive relationships with both peers and their teachers. It also provides opportunities for College values to be reinforced and the development of personal and social capabilities. Doncaster Secondary College provides many opportunities for students to be involved in an interschool team sport, as well as competing in Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country. Running these activities comes at a significant financial cost to the College. Whilst families pay $10 towards the cost of attending the sporting activity, this does not come close to covering the costs associated with transport and replacing the supervising teachers' classes. There have also been changes to the staff-student ratios which means that a minimum of two staff members are required to go out with each team. Whilst we attempt to utilise volunteers, wellbeing placement students, student teachers etc., this is not always possible. Given the rising costs associated with transport and supervision, charges for sport will be increasing from $10 to $20 from term 3. This was discussed and agreed upon at the May College Council meeting. We are aware that the increased costs may impact a families ability to afford to participate in the sporting program. If families are experiencing financial hardship and the increased costs are not able to be met, please contact the General Office on 9848 4677 and we will find a way to support participation in our interschool sport program.

 

Glenn Morris

Principal