I write this message sitting 1800 metres above sea level on Mount Hotham in the company of 31 students on our annual ski trip. Our students have moved beyond their comfort zones, challenged themselves to live in a communal setting for the week, make new friends and thrive in the challenging alpine environment. I am proudly an advocate for our young adults. Sharing space very closely for the full seven days reminds me how respectful, kind and considerate and capable our young people are.

 Experiences such as this mimic the challenges that Year 11 and 12 students will soon meet as they transition to employment, further study or training and possible relocation. Meeting new people, running on a different time schedule, getting on with others, basic life skills, cooking and cleaning, organisation and navigation are all a part of transitioning to life after compulsory schooling.

 At this point we have eight weeks of classes left. It is essential that students make the most of every opportunity to complete work, submit assessments and attend every lesson. Every lesson counts. If students are struggling or require further assistance it is essential they contact their teachers and ask questions. Tutorial times on a Tuesday and a Thursday provide an opportunity for students to catch up, consult with their teachers, or extend their knowledge and skills. We encourage all students to use this additional time to focus on learning.

We thank you for your support of our students as they work to create opportunities to pursue purposeful futures.

A group of students and staff from Don College are currently enjoying winter at Mt Hotham. For some it is their first time skiing while for others, the slopes feel like home. Here are some of the snaps taken over the first few days. 

At the end of last term, students in Business Studies and Economics enjoyed participating in the Energy market game educational session. This was part of the 

TasNetworks graduate cohort run a program called STEAM, which brings activities to schools and public events.

They are passionate about sparking a greater interest for young Tasmanians in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics areas.

Animal Care Studies students Lily Bramich and Matilda Steele both completed a work placement last term. Lily spent her time at Sheffield Vet Clinic, while Matilda was able to put into practise the skills she has learnt this year in class at the  NorthWest Vet Clinic. 

Mel Beard's Biology 2 class really looked the part all kitted out in surgical gowns and gloves. This was in preparation to undertake, what was for many of them, their first heart dissection. After an understandably nervous start, once the class found their way around the chambers and attached blood vessels of the heart, they found the dissection to be quite interesting and informative. This dissection formed part of their Cardiovascular System unit and gave the class a hands-on approach to understanding the theory they had been looking at in the classroom. 

Disclaimer: The sheep hearts used for this dissection were a by-product of the meat industry.

Having received their topics to debate, the group travelled to Hobart to prepare through guided workshops. They were then given the opportunity to present their arguments in a mock debate in parliament.

Youth Parliament participant, Jada-Li Crossey said it was a great experience and that it showed the group the skills required to be involved in politics.

“We were able to go to Government House and visit the House of Representatives everyday and learnt how each section functioned,” she said.  

The mock debate not only assisted students to work on their political prowess in putting forward a point, but also gave the students transferrable life skills.

“It taught us how to listen to other people’s opinions and have a discussion maturely. Everyone was able to show their point of view and not take it personally.”

There were 30 participants from various schools from across the state. 

Youth Parliament is a yearly event students can apply for and participate in.

Don College staff and student volunteers are continuing to make trees for the Universe of Paper exhibition.

Ruby and Ella are sitting under the palm trees. Local paper artist, Stephanie Reynolds, is coordinating the growth of the paper forest as a community project.  

See the incredible exhibition for free, at the Paranaple Centre in Devonport, September 22-29.

Now More Than Ever was the theme of National Reconciliation Week; bookmarking significant events for reconciliation – 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision in 1992. This year’s theme recognises it is a time for all Australians to learn about their role in the reconciliation process. 

Last term, Don College Student Jaikira Grundy gave a poetry reading to celebrate the days and to talk about her experience as an indigenous student and person living on the North West Coast of Tasmania. 

At the end of last term, forty-five enthusiastic art students left school at 7 a.m. to go on an inspiring excursion to Hobart. The journey included visits to the renowned MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), various local galleries, and the prestigious Art School. This immersive experience provided the students with a unique opportunity to explore diverse artistic styles, engage with contemporary works, and gain valuable insights into the vibrant Tasmanian art scene.

Nurse Ceinwen, Youth Worker Meredith, and Community Services classes celebrated Men’s Mental Health Week at the end of last term. 

Using the Good Health Heroes as the inspiration they roamed throughout the college providing students and staff fruit and sweet snacks whilst championing the most essential and effective habits for better wellbeing: physical activity, nutrition, reducing risk taking, sleep, connection and education.

Some words from John Thompson about our exchange students:

Last term we said farewell to our four Brazilian exchange students. Our three Italian students flew out recently and Felix, from Argentina will return to his family next week. We acknowledge the courage these students have demonstrated by travelling to foreign lands, on the other side of the globe and leading their lives in a new language. Thank the exchange students for being so committed to their learning and school work whilst they attended Don College.

Thank you to our host families who have generously opened their homes and welcomed “strangers”. As we spent more time together these young people felt more like family than strangers and we are very sad to say, farewell”

Our exchanges return with firsthand experience of our Tasmanian education system. They all commented on how awesome the subject selection has been for them. Could you imagine spending whole days in another language? Our students are to be congratulated on the perseverance and commitment to improving their English.

Most importantly the realisation when interacting with exchange students is the similarities that we have across cultures. We are able to connect and build lasting friendships with our overseas students because, as humans, we all appreciate and value similar simple things in life.

We wish our exchange students safe travels home.