Term 2 welcomes the onset of winter and our southern winter solstice on June 21 marking the shortest day of the year. Progressively, each day will see longer periods of daylight.  Winter is our known cold and flu season and I would like to thank our students, staff and families for their extra vigilance in respect to cold and flu symptoms.

Winter also includes our Mid-Year Assessment Period. Assessment is a powerful learning tool designed to enhance learning. Assessment aligns curriculum , student learning and individual goals. It is important to remember that assessment in courses is not a measurement of student self-worth, nor a judgement of character or anything like that. Assessment tells us where a student is achieving in respect to established course criteria and what it is that a student can do to improve their individual achievement. Teachers and students should see this mid-point assessment as an opportunity for further development and reassessment of goals.

On Tuesday May 31, we hosted an Expo of Tertiary Education providers from across Australia. This provided the opportunity for our students to interact directly with representatives from a range of universities and colleges across Australia. This was only one opportunity for students to gather information about future study options. We have a careers service in the Don College Library where students can make appointments. All of our students are enrolled in Career and Life Planning. Our VET course teachers are often aware of employment opportunities with local businesses and our subject teachers are well informed of career opportunities and pathways relative to their subject. I encourage students to open up future-oriented conversations. Studying with a purpose and clear direction can enhance motivation.

This newsletter is a brief snapshot of the achievements of our students and some aspects of life at Don College. Further details and more activity that happens at Don is available at www.facebook.com/DonCollege