Principal's Report

Term 1 2023 

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

Welcome to our new families!

On behalf of Doncaster Secondary College, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our families who have joined our community. We are thrilled to have you join and we look forward to getting to know you and your children. In the 6 weeks that you have been here, you will have seen that Doncaster Secondary College is a thriving educational institution that has a strong commitment to providing quality education to its students. Our school prides itself on its innovative and dynamic approach to learning, as well as its supportive and inclusive environment that nurtures individual talents and strengths. We believe that every student is unique, and we strive to create a learning environment that is engaging, challenging, and inspiring for all. Our curriculum is designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning skills that prepare our students for success in their future studies and careers. 

We encourage you to get involved in the school community and take advantage of the many opportunities available to you and your family. From sporting teams and clubs to music and drama programs, there is something for everyone at Doncaster Secondary College.

Once again, welcome to Doncaster Secondary College. We look forward to partnering with families and sharing in their educational journey.

Senior School Outcomes

Well done to our Class of 2022 for the incredible academic results they have achieved. I encourage you to read the 2022 VCE Outcomes tab in this newsletter. This is truly a team effort and I am enormously proud of the results our College has delivered. 

In response to our improved VCE Outcomes at Doncaster Secondary College, Mark Flack (Area Executive Director, Inner East, North Eastern Victoria region) wrote a great effort from your students.

Student Engagement and Wellbeing

At Doncaster Secondary College, we also place a strong emphasis on student well-being. We have a range of support services available, including a dedicated student services team, counselling services, and student-led programs that promote positive mental health and well-being. As a new family, we understand that starting at a new school can be daunting. That's why we have a range of orientation programs and resources available to help your child settle into their new environment. Our dedicated staff are also always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Doncaster Secondary College excels in the well-being measures used by the Department of Education. Please refer to the Student Engagement and Wellbeing Results tab in this newsletter to see how we compare to other schools.

Wominjeka - Welcome to new and returning staff 

On behalf of our College community, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all staff. We particularly welcome staff who are new to the College or who are returning from leave.

English

• Dina Evangelinou (english & Humanities)
• Tim Helps (English & Humanities)
• Nathaniel Lamb (English, Humanities & Drama)
• Karen Yates

Maths

• Robert Atkinson (Math)
• Robbie Gedge (Maths & Science)

Humanities

• Nalisha Kumarasinghe

Art

• Simon Tay (Visual Communication Design & Art) 

Health & PE

• Nicholas Baggot
• Sean Clarke
• Jaimin Hudson (HPE & Maths)
• Mitchell Brown (HPE)

Instrumental Music

• Benjamin Muddyman

Food Technology

• Adua Cipolato

Education Support

• Sima Ebrahimikhals

The importance of Literacy and Numeracy

As educators, we understand the importance of literacy and numeracy skills in ensuring academic success and lifelong outcomes for our students. At Doncaster Secondary College, we are committed to providing our students with a strong foundation in these essential skills.

Research has consistently shown that literacy and numeracy skills are critical for academic achievement and success in later life. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) emphasizes the importance of literacy and numeracy skills as the foundation for all learning. In fact, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is designed to assess and monitor the development of these skills in Australian students.

In addition to academic success, literacy and numeracy skills are essential for everyday life. These skills enable individuals to effectively communicate, problem-solve, and make informed decisions. A lack of literacy and numeracy skills can result in limited employment opportunities, lower income levels, and reduced access to services and resources.

At Doncaster Secondary College, we have implemented a range of strategies to support the development of literacy and numeracy skills among our students. Our teachers use evidence-based teaching practices that have been shown to improve student outcomes in these areas. We also have a range of resources available to support students who require additional assistance in developing their literacy and numeracy skills.

Research has shown that early intervention is key to improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for students. As such, we place a strong emphasis on identifying and addressing any literacy and numeracy difficulties early on. We work closely with our primary feeder schools to ensure a smooth transition for our students and to identify any areas where additional support may be required. We also encourage parents and caregivers to support their children's literacy and numeracy development at home. Reading with your child, practicing basic numeracy skills, and encouraging them to use language in everyday activities are all simple but effective ways to support their learning.

Extending the literacy and numeracy skills of our gifted and high-ability learners is essential for the long-term outcomes of society. These students have the potential to become the future leaders and innovators of our society, and their advanced skills in literacy and numeracy can contribute to the growth and development of our economy and society as a whole. Furthermore, advanced literacy and numeracy skills are essential for success in many fields, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These fields are increasingly important in our society and are projected to have significant job growth in the coming years. By ensuring that our gifted and high-ability learners have the advanced literacy and numeracy skills necessary for success in these fields, we can help to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce and ensure the long-term success and prosperity of our society.

At Doncaster Secondary College, we are committed to providing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their academic and personal lives. We believe that a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy is essential for achieving these goals. Literacy and numeracy development influence students’ success in most aspects of schooling. The National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions are a resource that describes how literacy and numeracy learning develops over time. There are two progressions – one for literacy and one for numeracy. Each is divided into sub elements that give a detailed description of the typical developmental path in particular aspects of literacy and numeracy. The progressions may assist parents to understand the way literacy and numeracy skills develop and to identify the particular literacy and numeracy skills their children are using or are currently learning.

• The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) Literacy and Numeracy Progressions

Providing Challenge for our Gifted and High Ability Learners

At Doncaster Secondary College, we understand the importance of challenging our gifted and high ability learners. Research has consistently shown that gifted and high ability learners who are not challenged can become bored, disengaged, and underperform academically. In fact, according to the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT), up to 50% of gifted students are underachieving in school due to a lack of challenge and support. By providing these students with opportunities for acceleration, enrichment, and more challenging learning experiences, we can help them reach their full potential and achieve academic and personal success.

Research has also shown that gifted and high ability learners have unique learning needs that require specialized support and resources. The AAEGT notes that these students may require differentiated instruction, personalized learning plans, mentorship opportunities, and access to advanced coursework and extracurricular activities. By meeting the needs of our gifted and high ability learners, we can help them develop their strengths, interests, and passions, and prepare them for future success in their chosen fields.

At Doncaster Secondary College, we are committed to meeting the needs of all our students, including our gifted and high ability learners. We offer a range of programs and resources to support these students, such as acceleration options, advanced courses, and extracurricular activities. Additionally, families and schools can work together to support gifted and high ability learners by advocating for their needs, providing opportunities for enrichment and challenge at home, and connecting with organizations such as the AAEGT for additional support and resources. By working together, we can ensure that our gifted and high ability learners receive the support and challenge they need to thrive.

This week our SEAL students were introduced to the SEAL Mentor Program. The Mentor Program is designed to guide, support, and motivate student personal development as a:

• Learner
• Leader
• Contributor to community

Students in the SEAL program will be provided with a range of activities designed to engage them in reflection that allows development of their individual aspirations and activates plans for the individual to explore their potential.

For more information on the importance of challenging gifted and high ability learners, as well as resources for meeting their needs, please refer to the following links:

• The Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT): https://www.aaegt.net.au/
• The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC): https://www.nagc.org/

Congratulations

I would like to congratulate the following students for their recent outstanding successes:

• Finlay B., Year 10 for qualifying for the 2023 PETStock Equestrian Interschool State Championships.
• Berry E., Year 12 on being selected as one of the finalists for the Student Leadership Award category at the upcoming Victorian Global Learning Awards. Berry is a great contributor to both our school and the wider community. Good luck Berry!
• The Doncaster Secondary College Year 8 Basketball Girls A and B teams for remaining undefeated and taking out the divisional round robin. We have had 214 students represent the College in interschool sport so far, with a further seventy-five Year 7 preparing to represent the College at the upcoming round robin on March 29.

You can read more about these student success stories in this newsletter.

Outcome of the College Council elections

As the number of nominating Parent Members, DET Employee Members and Student Members for College Council were equal to the number of vacancies it was not necessary to conduct a ballot for these categories.

We are pleased to announce the following nominees will be endorsed as new members and continuing members on College Council at the upcoming Council Meeting on Wednesday, 15th March, 2023:

DET Member:                    Gina Carroll  

Parent Member:                Vicky Paradisis, Julie Daniell, Ross Moll, Linda Masoni

Student Member:              Harrison P. (Year 11), Jia F. (Year 10)

Below is the complete listing of the 2023 College Council:    

We would like to sincerely thank our outgoing Council Members, Gary Rule, Pranil Chandra and Eva Dean along with our Student Members, Chloe Wen and Zachary Meikle. Their generosity in terms of their commitment to our College has been greatly appreciated.

Glenn Morris

Principal