Middle School News

Over the last few weeks Middle School has enjoyed some wonderful events.

Year 7 camp was the main draw card for our sub school community and the reports from the staff who attended was that both groups had a wonderful experience. Usually, I would outline what I observed throughout the week, however, this year I have asked some students to volunteer to  chronicle their experiences from Year 7 camp 2022. Here is what they said:

Camp 1

Year 7 orientation camp was awesome! It was full of so many fun things such as surfing, giant swing, vertical challenge, Radio Rogaine and Canoeing. These different activities were all challenging in some way or form, but my friends and teachers were always there to back me up. 

When we were driving to camp, I knew no-one and was very scared. When we were driving back from camp I had at least seven close friends and I was smiling from ear to ear. My favourite activity was surfing I loved the feeling when I put on the wet suit and jumped into the cold waves and rode my board. I believe that surfing has taught me to never give up in how I kept slipping off my surfing-board, but I was determined to stand on the board.

My overall experience with camp was amazing. The food was yummy and the rooms and beds were very comfortable.

by Yahya 7F

Hello everyone, my name is Ava and I’m in class 7F. As a new student to the school. It was a little anxious about attending my first high school camp. My nerves soon enough settled when I attended orientation at camp. I was excited to share a cabin with some of my new friends. We enjoyed playing Uno together.  

Some of the activities that we participated in were surfing, canoeing, the vertical challenge, the giant swing and mountain riding. Personally, I enjoyed surfing the most because we were taught how to catch a wave on a surfboard while standing up, it was all a very new experience, and it was great to be able to learn a new skill. 

The giant swing experience has made me feel more confident with heights. Being pulled into the air 18 meters high was both extremely terrifying yet fun. The canoeing experience was a challenge. The canoe had felt like it rocked nearly the entire trip. I felt a little unsteady but as the challenge progressed I felt more balanced.  

Heading into camp I was initially unsure whether the food would taste good. To my surprise the food was delicious. The first night we ate butter chicken with vegetables and for dessert we had apple crumble.   

At the conclusion of our camp, we were sad to leave the campsite but excited to share our experience with the rest of our family and other friends. We all had a wonderful and are looking forward to the next one!!!!

by Ava 7F

Camp 2

Year 7 camp was an incredible experience. I was able to collaborate and get to know my peers and teachers further and learn various skills throughout the duration of the camp. We also had the opportunity to build on the qualities of teamwork, resilience, patience, cooperation, courage and leadership.  

During our time on camp, we participated in seven group activities. Many of these were labelled ‘Challenge by Choice’, allowing each individual to challenge themselves to the extent they desired.  

Personally, I enjoyed the surfing sessions at Anglesea Beach, the most. Everyone was provided with a surfboard, before heading out to surf. Being a first-time surfer possessed its challenges. Still with the help of instructors and our teachers we were motivated to continue and had a fantastic time. 

All in all, the camp was an amazing three days of fun, learning, and relationship building. A time we will all remember. It was great to see all the students cheering each other on, and others stepping out of their comfort zones. I can say without a doubt, we have all taken away a valuable lesson from this year’s camp. 

by Elana 7I

Year 7 camp was amazing and allowed me to take a break from the stresses of high school while also making new friends in my year level outside my form group. We experienced new and exciting experiences such as skateboarding, mountain biking and so much more! Being able to take a break from screens and take part in physical outdoor activities lightened my mood and made me feel better about myself while I was having fun. Being able to sleep in the same cabin as my friends and having fun with them was incredibly fun as I usually do not get to have sleepovers with them so this was a new and exciting experience.

Thank you so much to all our teachers and instructors for helping make this camp so memorable for us all!

by Arshia 7I

Class Captains

Class Captains from Year 8 were recently handed out in front of their classes during their fortnightly Sport. Congratulations to the following class leaders for this year from Year 8.

Kevin      8A

Chloe      8A 

Aiden     8B

Jordan     8B

Rudrani    8C

Anuk       8C

Hannah    8D

Heidi       8D

Julian      8E

Imogen   8E

Anisha     8F

Tala         8F

Malak     8G

Enish       8G

Angel       8H

Ayeh          8H

Olivia        8I

Fiona      8I

Bryce         8J

Kate-Lynne  8J

Eunice        8K

Charley     8K

Zhac        8L

Katie        8L

Year 9 Class Captains were also presented their badges in class. Congratulations to the following Year 9 class leaders.

Samantha          9A

Daiwik (Arjun)   9A

Eileen   9B

Affan      9B

Daeho    9C

Meiya      9C

Mary       9D

Rushil    9D

Kathleen  9E

Brayden    9E

Cindy        9F

Farah        9F

Victoria    9G

Aakash    9G

Sama        9H

Samyue    9H

Hareem    9I

Isabella    9I

Sufia         9J

Anton      9J

Aaron       9K

Muqtadir  9K

Timothy   9K

Fatima      9L

Ryan        9L

Year 7 Class Captain expression of interest will be sought soon now that camp has been and gone. Year 7 students should keep an eye on Compass for information in the coming week.

Justin Bond

Head of Middle School

Year 7 and Year 9 -2022 NAPLAN Testing 

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students are held in May each year. In 2022, NAPLAN tests will be delivered online between Tuesday 10 May and Friday 20 May. 

NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of 

language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Over time, the NAPLAN tests provide parents, teachers and the school with a rich source of information on how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy as they advance through their schooling.  Individual student results will be provided to parents and students later in the year. 

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN Online tests. Catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including  Friday 20 May 2022. Students are asked to make sure that they arrive punctually for each of the test sessions.  They are required to bring headphones for the Language Conventions test. Headphones are also optional for the Writing and Numeracy tests. 

The testing schedule is:

 *Specific test times for each year level will be published closer to NAPLAN testing period

Further information can be found in the brochure to parents. This has been distributed to all Year 7 and 9 students and is also provided in this newsletter.

Preparation: 

Students will be provided with the opportunity to undertake practice to ensure that they are comfortable with the tools on the online platform. Familiarisation will occur in the form of Writing tests and an Omnibus test which incorporates language conventions and numeracy skills. 

All Year 7 students will take part in the national Coordinated Practice Test on March 24. All schools take part in this event to ensure readiness of the system. No student results will be recorded from this event.

Students and families may also develop familiarization with the online platform via this link: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Karen Boyle

Assistant Principal- Teaching and Learning

The latest update to the Compass Parent App is here!

Student Medical Expenses

Parents/carers are reminded that they are liable for all medical expenses incurred as a result of a student’s injury or medical need, including transport costs such as ambulance costs (this may include an air ambulance should that be considered necessary). 

Parents/carers are responsible for any medical expenses (including ambulance costs) incurred if their child is injured or requires medical treatment or an ambulance while at school or participating in a school activity.

Parents/carers may not be called if an ambulance is required, until after an ambulance is called, depending on the situation. The College staff will use their judgment as to what action to take in cases of a student’s accident or sudden illness. 

We encourage parents/carers to have up-to-date ambulance cover and medical insurance.

Damage to Students’ Personal Items/Property

Parents/guardians are reminded that any personal item/property that is brought to school by a student is the responsibility of the student and is not the responsibility of the school and is not covered by school insurance. Refer to Personal Possessions Of Students Policy in the EDSC Policy handbook on the College website. Students are responsible for personal items/property they bring to school. Neither the Department nor the school is responsible if any student’s personal item/property is lost, stolen or damaged.

Privacy and Data at East Doncaster Secondary College

East Doncaster Secondary College uses several digital platforms to support your child’s education, such as Compass, Google Drive, Office 365, Edapt, Oliver Library Management System. The College has an Information Security Policy and complies with the Department of Education and Training Privacy Policy. The attached documents provide further information about these services, privacy and how data is managed.Privacy information for these platforms can be viewed here:

• Compass
• Google
• Office 365
• Edapt
• Oliver Library Management System

1 to 1 Digital Learning Program 2022

In 2022 we will continue with our whole school 1 to 1 Digital Learning Program for all students.

The purchase of these devices is crucial to the learning program as students will access eBooks rather than an extensive number of expensive textbooks.

Details of the 1 to 1 Digital Learning Program for all students and important information regarding suitable devices are detailed in the attached policy.

**Please note that the JB Hi Fi Solutions portal is no longer open for the sale of devices. This service is not available for 2022 purchases.

Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards

Please remind all students that they must carry their Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards with them at all times.

ALL students must sign in/out with their card at the General Office when they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason. A reminder that Year 12 students are required to sign in/out at The John Landy Centre Compass Kiosk.

The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  is also the student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) cards. They are required to carry this card as student identification while travelling on public transport.

If a student loses their card, parents/guardians are able to re-order a replacement card via the Compass parent portal.