Senior School

A Message from the Minister for Education for our Year 12 Students

Last week the Minister for Education, James Merlino, released a message congratulating and wishing Year 12 students luck for their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) exams and the completion of the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) subjects.

Manningham Youth Services: Schoolies Awareness

The team at Manningham Youth Services have provided information and resources on how to keep safe as the end of the year and schoolies is fast approaching for our Year 12 students. 

In the coming weeks they will be exploring the following three key messages on their social media pages: 

• Respecting yourself/friends
• Thinking Safety
• Respecting Community

Manningham Youth Services Facebook page.

Year 12 End of Year Celebration Details

Congratulations – the end is in sight! What a journey 2020 has been. I’m sure the relief is building now that the end is near, and that circumstances are looking really positive to allow the students to celebrate just like they deserve. ​

Valedictory

Valedictory will be held in the Stadium at DSC on Wednesday, 2 December. As per the Department directives; we cannot have parents on site. We will however be live streaming this event to you (details TBA). The ceremony will run from 12 – 2.00 pm and there will be no costs associated with the event. Students will be required to arrive by 10:30 am, to give us time to hand out the black valedictory gowns, and prep them for the event. The dress code is smart casual (reminder, students will be wearing zipped up valedictory gowns during the ceremony). 

There will be an opportunity to buy online a professional photo of your child receiving their certificate – more details to come. There will also be an opportunity to purchase the recording on a USB for $15. Please see the Compass Event ‘Recording for Valedictory – USB’ for more information. The due date on the payment of the recording is Friday, 27 November. 

Formal

The Formal Event is on Compass. The cost of the event is $40, which includes a main meal (food requirements catered for), dessert, DJ, photographer (free access online to the photos), and decorations. The dress code is cocktail. The event will run from 6 – 10.00 pm in the new Year 7 area at DSC. The area has a large outdoor space and an open indoor area so it caters to our needs as per the COVID Safe Plan. Payment for Formal is also due by Friday, 27 November. 

Each of these events has gone through OH&S and COVID Safe planning – we are double and triple-checking everything to ensure the safety of our students.  If your family is in a position where the associated costs may not be achievable during this time, please contact Elly Stewart to make alternative arrangements. Both Formal and Valedictory are such wonderful events and a chance for students to reflect on their achievements – especially during such a challenging year! Wishing you all the best for the next few weeks!

Elly Stewart 

Year 12 Coordinator

Exam Information

Another reminder about exams and what will happen in the event of school closure and the release of results on Wednesday, 30 December.

In the Event of a School Closure

If the school is required to close due to a COVID positive case, exams may need to be relocated. We have partnered with East Doncaster Secondary College and Canterbury Girls Secondary College and will relocate our exams to one of these venues if need be. 

Informing students and families that a school closure has occurred is going to be tricky, as this may not be confirmed with the school until late in the day: we know that some schools have received the directive to close as late as 10 pm. 

Doncaster Secondary College will send an email, via a Compass Event, to all students and families who have had their exam relocated as soon as possible. This means students and families must ensure they check their emails first thing each morning and last thing at night for the duration of the exam period to ensure they don't miss any email we send communicating a location change for an exam. 

The Compass Event will detail important information about the relocation such as where students should enter the East Doncaster Secondary College site and where to assemble. In the event of an exam closure, Doncaster Secondary College will use the parent consent function on Compass Events as an indication that the student/family has received and acknowledges the details of exam relocation.

The Release of Results on 30th December

VCE exam results are being released on Wednesday, 30 December, which is later than normal. Under normal circumstances, students are able to come in any time during the last two weeks of term and speak with our Careers Coordinator, Mrs Ramsay, if they have questions about pathway options once they know their final results. Given the results are being released during the school holidays, this level of in-person support is not possible. We will, however, be able to provide in-person support for students on the day the results are released. This means students can come into the Senior Centre between 9 am and 3 pm and speak with either Mrs Ramsay, Mr Dennis, Ms Stewart or Mrs McGee. Mrs Ramsay will be available to be contacted throughout the offer period.

Ty Dennis

Head of Senior School