College Newsletter

Principal's Report

Welcome to Term Four

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

Re-establishing routines

Feedback from families, students and staff on the transition back to school has been overwhelmingly positive in regards to reconnecting with friends, families and colleagues. Whilst it has been nice to reconnect, it is important to remember that the trip back to normality is not going to be straightforward. The ability to re-learn what it means to be a member of the school community can be mixed and work is required to re-establish routines and a sense of belonging. Schools play a significant role as social institutions, and in building an understanding of what it means to be a member of a community.

 

We are very conscious of supporting students and families at this time, and I would like to reassure you that whilst we are being very clear about our boundaries and expectations, any consequences for not meeting these are seen as an opportunity to seek to understand, and plan the most appropriate intervention.

 

As we move through term 4 and into 2022, we are focusing on:

  • Providing a COVID safe environment
  • Attendance and engagement
  • Wellbeing and social interaction
  • Enjoyment of learning and sense of purpose
     

Taking time to transition slowly is a message which I will continue to deliver. If you are concerned about how your child is coping with the transition back to school, please contact the relevant teacher, level coordinator or wellbeing team member.

Vaccination Requirements for Parents and Carers Attending Schools

School communities have been identified as important settings to implement strategies that reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.  As such, the Department of Health have made the following recommendations to continue to provide safe environments for children, staff and the wider community. 

 

All parents and carers attending schools, including for drop off and pick up, must adhere to physical distancing, density limits, face mask requirements and practise respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.

 

Parents and carers who enter school buildings must check in using the QR code.

 

Parents and carers who enter school buildings must also have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and must have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine by 29 November 2021 or have a valid medical exception with the following limited exceptions:

  • when attending to administer medical treatment to their own child when the treatment cannot be administered by the school
  • when attending to collect their child who is unwell and cannot leave the school building unaccompanied by their parent/carer.
  • when attending for a momentary period that does not involve any sustained contact with staff or students, for example, to collect a completed art project or similar.

Parents and carers attending any event or activity inside a school building including, but not limited to tours, graduations, kindergarten transition, whole of school events are required to show evidence of vaccination.

 

Meetings and other discussions (such as Student Support Group meetings) with parents and carers who do not meet vaccination requirements should be held virtually.

 

Parents and carers attending school sites for drop off and pick up who do not enter school buildings do not need to comply with vaccination requirements.

 

External providers who use or hire school facilities outside of school hours must ensure that use aligns with the Open Premises Directions including vaccination requirements.

 

 

Every one of us has a role to play in protecting ourselves and our school community and I thank you for your support with this.

 

 

Glenn Morris

Principal