Welcome to 2022 at Don College. It has been wonderful to see students and teachers back on campus. Students are the life of the school. Students are our purpose and they inject life and energy to the buildings.

We have great pride in the achievements of our students from 2021:

• Median ATAR is over 83: Half of the Don College students who attained an ATAR have performed in the top 17% of students across Australia.
• 20 Don College students achieved an ATAR above 95.  20 of our students are ranked in Australia’s top 5%.
• 7 of our students were ranked in Tasmania’s top 100.
• The 7 students in the Tasmanian Top 100 ATAR transitioned to Don College from local government schools.
• Transition to apprenticeships, traineeships, further training and employment has been exceptional.

We thank our community members for their compliance and cooperation with the COVID-19 safety requirements. These simple measures are designed to keep us all safe and these will be the new normal for some time. We need to look beyond what is different and accept that the current era requires additional safeguards.

As we look across the globe and see the horrors of conflicts beamed into our living rooms, I pause and think how grateful I am to be Australian. I acknowledge that we have Ukrainian and Russian expatriates within our school and local community and other community members who have been deeply affected by war.

Attendance is a key to success. There is a direct relationship between attendance and achievement. We understand that for various reasons, students and/or staff might need to be absent but it is important to strategize and minimise any absences where possible. Of course, staff and students must comply with Public Health directions and stay away from school if unwell, are a Close Contact or test positive to COVID. Given the uncertainty of this era it is essential that students attend and participate in all classes when they can.

We look forward to working with our students to create purposeful and meaningful futures for all.

It's not every day that students are able to experience a live event to cater for as part of their training but a group of Don College Hospitality students were given that opportunity early in March. 

The students started with an induction at Northdown's Ghost Rock Winery on March 3 and were excited to be given staff lanyards marking them as part of the team for the concert. They were talked through procedures for the weekend's event in preparation before returning over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday they worked hard to cater for the VIP section running food and clearing tables as guests relaxed and listened to tunes amongst the vines. 

The students were extremely grateful for this experience and students and staff are thankful to Ghost Rock Wines for their ongoing support of the Don College Hospitality VET programs.

Across the college, the pink theme was seen as students dressed in the colour for Pink Stumps day and took part in cricket, various games, or kicked back with a new hairstyle and snack to some tunes on the lawn. 

As well as bringing students together, the day was a success with over $1000 to donate to the McGrath Foundation to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses, providing expert care and support to families experiencing breast cancer.

The school was even visited on the day by the ABC and The Advocate for their efforts to contribute to the cause.

You can check out the photos and article from The Advocate here: Don College students raise funds for McGrath Foundation | The Advocate | Burnie, TAS

As women's issues and rights come to the fore within our immediate and wider community, it is excellent to see we have our own inspiring groundbreakers within the college community.

The International Women's Day theme of 2022 (celebrated on March 8) was "Break the Bias" and year 12 student Aaliah is breaking through those glass ceilings. For some time, Aaliah has been heavily involved with local teams playing and coaching AFL, a traditionally male dominated sport. In January this year, she was appointed by AFL Tasmania in a professional capacity as one of two umpire recruitment officers on the North West.

As part of this position, she is engaged each Tuesday in the role of running workshops around the North West Football clubs in the hope of recruiting more females into the male dominated sport of football umpiring.

She is also a part of the National Female Umpiring Mentorship Program organised and run by Eleni Glouftsis (first female AFL field umpire) which came about after being selected as one of six national umpires for the 2021 Boomerang Indigenous leadership in football program. She was the only female in this program to be selected amongst a field of young men nationally.

The college is proud to see emerging female leaders like Aaliah transforming attitudes to female participation and success in sport and overcoming the challenges of living a regional area to experience these leadership opportunities. 

Aaliah pictured below in action with the ball and with North West Umpires officiating a NWFL game. 

Teacher of Cert II Applied Digital Technologies class, Marcus Wynwood, has answered some questions about the hands-on aspects students are currently experiencing making ethernet cables in the course. 

What are ethernet cables used for and why is it important for students to learn how to use this?

Ethernet cables connect computers together to create networks, and ultimately, the internet. Student need to learn this skill to help support and maintain the integrity of these networks so users can go about their day uninterrupted, whether it be completing school work or just gaming!

How does this fit into the bigger picture of the course?

The Certificate II in Applied Digital Technology has a focus on IT support, with a pathway to the Certificate III in Information Technology. We offer both these courses at Don and the college is the only place on the North West Coast to offer the Cert III course. 

What are the challenges of making ethernet cables?

It can be quite fiddly, as there are eight little wires in each cable which all need to be connected just right at both ends for the cable to work. We use a device called a cable tester to test the cable to see if it works. Not everyone can get it first go!

Below: Applied Digital Tehcnologies student Haydn making ethernet cables 

Transitional Education students Lulu and Akasha collected and arranged native flora from the college gardens to decorate the staff lounge earlier this term. Each arrangement was accompanied by a card and expression of gratitude.

Lulu and Akasha were inspired to complete this act of kindness by Grace, the lead character in , “Grace has a Secret”, a picture book co-authored and illustrated by one of our teachers, Pip Ray.

Although the pair set out to complete the act of kindness anonymously, teachers who were very humbled by Lulu and Akasha's kind gesture wanted to reciprocate and the act of gratitude by saying thank you publicly.

We are very fortunate at Don College to be surrounded by native gardens that provide an aesthetic and peaceful setting for learning.

Below: The book that inspired Lulu and one of the floral arrangments brightening the staff room. 

Over the first week of Term 1, Shanli and students from the Fashion Design class upgraded their PPE to express personality, adding details to customise their masks. 

While the satisfaction gained can't be seen behind the masks, these fashionable accessories certainly put a smile on students' faces. 

Items like these are created and exhibited as professional paper artistry in the International “Paper on Skin” competition which will, for the first time, be held in Devonport in May-June this year. Students also had the opportunity to enter the "Paper Off Skin" competition for emerging artists. Students are awaiting news to hear if their entries were successful in gaining a place in the exhibition. 

Stephanie will also be available throughout the year to mentor students in their creative endeavours. 

Artist in Residence:

Artist in residence, Penny Burnett, has joined the Don College Art Department this term for a total of six weeks. Arts Tasmania has funded the position to provide Penny with the opportunity to immerse herself in a creative art space and produce work in response to her time at Don College.

Having an artist in residence provides students a fantastic opportunity to see an artist in situ. Students have been curious about Penny's discipline of painting (with oils) as well as the artistic journey, from the source of inspiration of her work and the process to complete a finished artwork. At the cusp of art pathways, this is incredibly relevant to our students. We are excited to see what comes of her time here with us! 

Penny has a blog documenting her work and her experience here at Don College, check it out:

https://www.pennyburnett.com/2022-arts-tasmania-educational-residency/ 

In other news from the Art Department: 

This year has begun by looking at charcoal and ink which has opened the doorway to open air drawing tasks. Students confidently approached an outside still life installation and created large drawings, pushing the idea of texture and form. 

Some students had never drawn beyond the A4 size before so this challeneged students and increased their confidence to expand their practise.

A classroom challenge in high school for a group of current Don students translated into a weekly game of volleyball.

Tanner, Cassidy and Ruby's joke of aiming paper into the bin turned into a serious suggestion of a weekly volley ball meet-up as the group commenced college. Over 2021 the group, the group met on a casual basis for fun but the start of the new year brought a more committed approach. 

When Physical Education teacher, Nic Haywood, mentioned the East Devonport Recreation centre had weekly rosters, the three decided to form a team of six, finding two other Don College students and one Leighlands Christian School student to make it complete. Since, February the team have been practising weekly playing against 10 other teams. 

Ruby said they had been surprised that there was opportunity to play the sport regularly and against so many teams and were pleased to see so many different age groups joining in to play. 

 Over the summer, they also enjoyed the outdoor courts at Devonport's Bluff, all chipping in to buy themselves a net to practise. 

Your Go-To Guide: Rapid Antigen Tests

This guide has been developed to support families using rapid antigen tests (RATs).

How to access more RATs

All students now have two RATs as part of their COVID-19 care pack. As you use your supply of RATs, parents and carers must ask for more RATs at school via the Administration Office. Each student has access to two RATs per week if requested.

It’s important to note that if you have run out of school issued RATs, and your child has symptoms, please don’t attend school to collect a RAT. Instead, we encourage you to reach out to the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to obtain a RAT. Thank you for your cooperation on this.

How to use a RAT

Your child only needs to use a RAT if they have COVID-19 symptoms. If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, they must stay at home and use a RAT.

Please refer to Public Health’s easy-to-follow instructions on how to use a RAT. In the information pamphlet contained in your rapid antigen test, under section 6.0 there is an instruction stating ‘you must take a laboratory PCR test immediately’ if your RAT tests positive. Public Health assures us that school staff and students do not need to do a PCR test if their RAT tests positive.

What to do with your test result

If a negative result is returned, and your child is feeling well, they can attend school.

If your child tests COVID-19 positive, you must immediately let us know, and complete the Public Health form. You must follow Public Health advice. During your child’s isolation period, if they feel well they can access learning via the Virtual Learning Centre.

If someone in your household tests COVID-19 positive, you must immediately let us know that your child is a close contact and follow Public Health instructions. Your child can access learning via the Virtual Learning Centre during this time.

If you have any questions, please contact the school office. For more information, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website or contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.

New changes to hay fever advice

Public Health has reviewed their advice about hay fever in the current COVID-19 environment.

Hay fever symptoms are similar to COVID-19 symptoms, so it’s important families know what they need to do if their child experiences hay fever symptoms.

If your child has hay fever symptoms, please keep them at home and test for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test (RAT).

If your child tests negative on a RAT and symptoms continue, Public Health advises that you must do a second RAT 24 hours later, or seek a PCR test. 

If the second RAT or PCR remains negative, this is sufficient evidence for your child to return to school if they feel well.

If symptoms change or increase in severity, please see your treating medical practitioner for review.

Please know that Public Health advice can change at short notice, and we appreciate your patience as we respond to these changes as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the school office. For more information, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website or contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.