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Superstars! A big thank you to our students Yen Pham, Sara Al Hilaly, Sonaa Aneja and Claude Ishimwe for taking a central part in the
Department of Communities #16DaysInWA campaign. Our newly graduated year 12s returned to meet with Amber-Jade Sanderson, Simon Millman MLA and Basil Zempilas - Lord Mayor of Perth to commemorate the launch of the campaign at the newly opened WA Museum Boola Bardip. Also featured in the video is our Head of Science, Mr Saso Cvetkoski, advocating and encouraging change to stop violence against women. The annual 16 Days in WA – Stop Violence Against Women campaign takes place from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, which is Human Rights Day.  Hon Sue Ellery, the Minister for Education and Training recognised Dianella Secondary College's improved NAPLAN results in a letter addressed to our Principal, Mr Wayne Austin. Ellery, who had visited our school earlier this year with WA Premiere Mark McGowan, remarked that results had improved considerably well for our school, and that student progress from 2017 to 2019 had shown "above or well above the national average of students from similar backgrounds." Dianella Secondary College would like to congratulate all staff on receiving the recognition they all deserve and would like to thank them for their continued efforts in improving our school. See below to read the full correspondence 
Dear Wayne Austin
The past few months have been a complex and challenging time for schools and the community, and I very much appreciate the extraordinary efforts of our public schools to ensure continuity of education for Western Australian students. Having reached what seems to be a more settled point in managing the pandemic, I wanted you to know your school's 2019 NAPLAN results did not pass unnoticed. As you would be aware, the 2019 NAPLAN results have been released on the My School website and Dianella Secondary College has been identified as demonstrating levels of achievement in 2019 NAPLAN and student progress from 2017 to 2019 above or well above the national average of students from similar backgrounds. Successful schools do many things in order to achieve the best outcomes for their students, and NAPLAN results provide just one important measure of achievement. There is nothing more fundamental to education than supporting students to acquire the literacy and numeracy skills that will set them up for future success. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and commend you, your staff and your students on achieving such pleasing results. Yours sincerely Sue Ellery MLC Minister for Education and Training  Director-General Lisa Rodgers visited Dianella Secondary College to tour its facilities and meet with students.
Met by Principal Wayne Austin and student leaders; Claude Ishimwe and Yen Pham, Rodgers was then led to our Mila Kaadadjiny STEM centre. Here she spoke with program coordinator, Mr Daniel Fortini, about our state-of-the-art facility. Whilst at the centre, Rodgers also engaged with some of Dianella's STEM students, asking students about the centre and the fantastic program. The visit was bookended with a visit to the Lily Cafe, part of Dianella Secondary College's hospitality training centre. Miss Jennifer Hassen and her excellent team of hospitality students prepared a spread for invitees, while Rodgers sought feedback on how the Australian Education System could better support our students. We would like to thank Director-General Lisa Rodgers for taking the time to come and meet with our students. 
We have fantastic news for our future performing artists.
Last week our school leaders Claude Ishimwe and Yen Pham, as well as Principal Wayne Austin were visited by WA Premier Mark McGowan. Accompanied by Sue Ellery (Minister for Education), Amber-Jade Sanderson (MLA Morley) and Simon Millman (MLA Mt Lawley), the visit coincides with the McGowan Government's announcement to modernise local schools as part of the WA Recovery Plan. The Major School Upgrade package – totals $492.2 million – includes $319.2 million of new funding for upgrades and refurbishments at 63 public schools around the State, stimulating economic growth and supporting around 1,850 jobs. As part of the package, Dianella Secondary College will be getting $5.3m to put towards the construction of a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre. To find out more about the WA Government's Major School Upgrade Package, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/upgrades-wa-schools. Dear Parents and Care-givers,
At Dianella Secondary College we want your child to do their very best. To get the best education they need to attend school every day. The teenage years are a time for young people to develop independence and find their place in the world, including how they take part in school life. We do know that some students may need that additional encouragement to attend school regularly. By working together, our school community can address some of the reasons why teenagers may not want to attend. Some common problems you may have getting your child to school:
You may also be worried that your teenager:
What can you do to help?
Do you need to let the school know if your teenager will be away from school?
What will staff at Dianella Secondary College do to help?
Why is going to school so important for my child?
Remember everyday matters and every moment counts. Please call the school for any support you may require. Yours sincerely, Wayne Austin Principal
The survey has returned a 4.3 average score for the 20 questions being asked, no question received less than a 4 rating which is a pleasing result for our school. However, this is not to say we won’t keep finding ways to improve to ensure we keep moving forward in a positive direction.
This year we offered our parents and care-givers the opportunity to win a $100 uniform shop voucher for simply completing the survey. I am pleased to announce Sangay Tenzin as our official winner. Sangay, pictured with myself, was overjoyed with his prize. Can I say thank you to all of our parents and care-givers who took the time in answering the survey, it is very much appreciated. Wayne Austin Principal The State Government recently announced that our school will take part in the DETECT research project to determine the incidence and impact of COVID-19 in WA schools. The study, which involves approximately 80 public schools, education support settings and residential colleges, is being undertaken by the Departments of Health and Education in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute.
Our school has been invited to take part in the online survey component of this study that will build a greater understanding of how students, parents and staff are coping in this challenging time, and what can be done to support our community. The research team have developed survey questions that are suitable for different age groups and to help understand some of the experience for children, families and teachers during the COVID-19 restrictions. You will be asked to read and consider the information carefully before you decide whether you or your child are willing to participate. The research team and our school’s principal will be available to answer your questions. By participating in this research, our school community will help the Government understand what measures are needed to support our community. If you would like to know more about DETECT, click here.  Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, which runs 27 May to 3 June each year.
These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the Reconciliation journey - the 1967 Referendum, and the High Court decision in Mabo. Reconciliation Week is a time for us to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in our workplaces, schools and communities. Significantly, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Bridge Walk for Reconciliation, when people came together to walk across the nation to show support for a more reconciled Australia. This year’s theme, In This Together, is now resonating in ways which could not have been foreseen when it was announced last year. It reminds us whether we are in crisis or in reconciliation, we are all in this together. Identified as a priority is our commitment to develop and use knowledge of Aboriginal histories and experiences, cultures and languages, and family relationships to positively impact student wellbeing and achievement; and to develop respect for and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, cultures and languages. Critical to this is increasing the capacity of our schools to work with Aboriginal families and communities that reflect a genuine partnership and appreciation of the strengths of Aboriginal students and communities. It is important that the educational opportunities we provide match the aspirations of families and communities. The recent video release, Building on Strength in Uncertain Times, models the importance of relationships and connection, especially at this time, and highlights the resiliency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the oldest continuous cultures in human history. On this journey, we are all in this together and every one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation. In playing our part, we can collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures. Dianella Secondary College Our journey towards reconciliation is long and must be grounded in truth. Therefore, today at Dianella Secondary College we acknowledge National Sorry Day.
National Sorry Day 26th May, is an important historical event, where we remember the past policies of forced child removal. Here, we remember and reflect on the sad and painful history of the Stolen Generations, whilst recognising moments of resilience, healing and the power of saying Sorry. As Evelyn Scott, Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation said on the 27th May, 2000, “In true reconciliation, through the remembering, the grieving and the healing we can come to terms with our conscience and become as one in the dreaming of this land.” Sorry Day is held on the 26 May, since 1998, The first National Sorry Day took place a year after the tabling of "The Bringing Them Home Report" in Parliament. Having a day of commemoration was one of the recommendations within the report. It is particularly significant for those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and cultural identity to assimilate. These past government policies of forced removal remained in place until the early 1970s. The children, who were taken from their families, are known as the Stolen Generation. Sorry Day provides the opportunity for our students to make connections between their classroom learning about the histories, knowledge and experiences of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the commemorations they will see in their communities. Dianella Secondary College Dear parents/carers,
I want to thank you all for your support in what was one of the most unusual starts to a school term we have ever seen. Together, we have been able to make the best of this situation and ensure your child’s safety and continuity of learning. Today, the State Government announced changes to education based on a review of current arrangements and updated health advice. As of Monday, 18 May 2020 all students are expected to attend school, except for those students medically referred to learn from home. This means students are either:
Over the last three weeks we have seen 84% of our students return to school, which has been fantastic. Current health advice states that schools remain safe for staff and students and should remain open. We want to make sure all children get the best education possible, which is why attending school is so important. We are here to make sure all children are learning and there’s no doubt, schools are the best place for them to learn. For parents with medical advice that their child should not attend school, we will work with you in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health to support your child’s learning from home. If you feel your child is in this category, please do not hesitate to contact me and we will work together on next steps. If your child does not attend school without a medical reason, they will be marked as absent and will not be provided a learning program. The extra cleaning and hygiene practices implemented at the start of Term 2 will continue and as part of the social distancing measures, we continue to ask parents/carers to drop children at the school gate and not enter the school grounds. The State Government will continue to make decisions based on the best health advice. Thank you for your continued support as we move forward. If you have any questions, please contact us on 9345 9200. Kind regards, Wayne Austin Principal Dianella Secondary College |
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