From the Principal's desk
It has been an eventful week at Doncaster Primary School as we celebrate Education Week. The level assemblies have showcased how our DPS students demonstrate and live our school values at school each day, and we hope this extends to their lives outside of school. I believe that building character is an integral part of school life as it provides students with the tools and self-belief to face challenges and make good decisions for their future.
In 2018, we unveiled our Positivity Path near our Chicken Hutch and Veggie Garden. Students and teachers selected character traits that best represented their unique character strengths. These attributes were etched into the bricks that make up our DPS Positivity Path. Our positivity path is a signpost to everyone in our community that we value and celebrate the different character strengths of the students and teachers at DPS.
I encourage parents to read the certificate awarded to their child/children this week, taking special note of the character strengths and attributes that most certainly contributed to the behaviour associated with receiving their certificate. As parents and educators, we must acknowledge the children in this manner so that they hear the language of character strengths to help them develop a strong sense of self-awareness.
As educators, we know that when positive language is explicitly used with children, it opens the child to integrate this language as part of their 'self- talk' and 'inner voice'.
Self-talk is the way you talk to yourself or your inner voice. You might not be aware that you're doing it, but you almost certainly are. This inner voice combines conscious thoughts with inbuilt beliefs and biases to create an internal monologue throughout the day. Positive self-talk is a crucial factor for good mental health and achieving success in all areas of your life.
At DPS, we strive to develop the whole child to ensure that they have a solid foundation to achieve excellence and success in their lives. I am very proud of our DPS students for demonstrating our school values and for your unique strengths.
Some interesting facts about Victoria's teaching history
Did you know:
- Melbourne Teachers' College opened in 1890 and led Victorian primary school teacher training before expanding to secondary and kindergarten training in 1913. In 1989, it became part of the University of Melbourne, which holds a digital collection of teacher handbooks dating back to 1929
- State Schools' Relief was founded in 1930 during the Great Depression by Anton Vroland, a headteacher from Elsternwick State School. Today, State Schools' Relief assists Victorian government school students with uniform, footwear and educational items
- Brunswick East Primary School served as a training school for rural teachers for many years. Public Records Office Victoria has a collection of photos from the school from the 1950s that show just how much classrooms have changed over the years
- Following campaigns from teachers' unions, equal pay for women teachers in Victoria was achieved between 1968 and 1971. From 1972, women could apply to be principals of all types of schools.
Interested in learning more? Check out State Library of Victoria's research guide, School and education history in Victoria, and blog Celebrating 150 years of public education.
