Principal's Report
Remembrance Day
I wanted to begin this week’s newsletter by sharing my immense pride in a group of our students who played significant roles in the Doncaster RSL’s Remembrance Day Service held on Monday 11th November.
Upon being invited to co-host the event alongside the RSL, four of our student leaders enthusiastically volunteered to be involved. Rhianna (Year 11), Tahira (Year 8), Kevin (Year 10) and Siena (Year 9) emceed the service with poise and confidence.
Our Recital Choir added a lovely touch to the service with beautiful performances of ‘Here You Lie (Side By Side)’ and the Australian National Anthem.
Our local community were also full of praise for our students and their leadership in the delivery of the service.
Back at school we also commemorated Remembrance Day.
At 11.00am we quickly settled classes and allowed our teachers and students to reflect the significance of the day. We believe it is important for us as a College community to ensure that we stopped our daily routine to reflect not only on the sacrifices made by those before us but also to appreciate the quality of our own lives and to recognise our responsibilities as citizens within our community.
Our Middle School Student Leaders, Elana, Ethan and Aiden delivered the following reading to the College;
Good morning, as you will be aware, today is Remembrance Day – on the eleventh day of the eleventh month and at 11.00am we, as a nation, will pause to remember the sacrifices of so many that enable us to live in this country in the manner that we do. We think it is very important, as a united school community, that we devote a few brief moments this morning to recognise the significance of this day for our Nation.
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the end of the First World War in Europe.
At 11am on the 11th of November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. For Australia, as for many nations, the First World War remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million people in 1914, over 400,000 Australians enlisted in the armed forces. Of that, over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded.
On Remembrance Day it is important that we pay tribute to all Australians who fought in conflicts around the world - be it in the First or Second World Wars, the Korean or Vietnam wars or more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also remember those who have been peacekeepers around the world, including most recently, in East Timor. We must also consider and be respectful of those who suffered and died in the countries where these conflicts occurred. We know that they too are reflecting on their losses today.
Although not directly related, we gather at school this morning while terrible conflict and tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East and the Ukraine. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to all in that region and to any family here in Australia touched by these events.
For in Australia, we should acknowledge that we have never had major conflict on our soil. Our country is full of promise and opportunity where our democratic way of life allows us significant freedom of speech and action. This morning, we therefore stop to reflect not only on the sacrifices made by those before us but also to appreciate the quality of our own lives; to recognise our responsibilities as citizens of a global community and to celebrate the harmony of our richly multicultural community.
I will now read a poem, it is called ‘The Fallen’, and it has become the Ode of Remembrance-
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will now reflect and pay our respects with a minute’s silence.
Thank you, enjoy your day
I thank Elana, Ethan and Aiden for their efforts, and our students for the manner in which our small Remembrance Day tribute and commemoration was delivered.
Exam Update
The final Year 12 VCE examination period is well underway. Year 12 exams conclude on Wednesday 20 November with the Chinese and Italian examinations taking place. VCE results will be published on Thursday 12 December.
It has been wonderful to see our students approach these exams so calmly. Our students are well practiced in exam expectations and protocols; this has clearly been witnessed first-hand by our Chief Supervisor and other examination supervisors who have all commented on the conduct, good manners and compliance of our students.
We now look forward to our Year 12 Final Assembly, for students and parents on Friday 22 November.
Year 11 exams commenced last week and will continue until mid-next week.
Our Year 10 exams will commence next week (Wed 20 November) and will continue to Thursday 28 November.
Year 9 exams (English and Maths only) will take place on Thursday 28 November.
A reminder also to families that we will have a student free day for our Assessment & Reporting Day on Friday 29 November.
PSW Exclusive Uniform Shopping Night
I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind our College community that our uniform supplier, PSW will host and open their Kew East store exclusively for all East Doncaster Secondary College families to purchase their uniform needs after their standard trading hours.
Our uniform supplier, PSW will open their PSW Kew East store exclusively by appointment only for all East Doncaster Secondary College families to purchase their uniform needs after their standard trading hours. We encourage all families to book to attend this exclusive shopping night, especially new families that are enrolled to start at the College next year.
SCHEDULED DATES:
TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER - 3:00PM – 8:00PM
WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER - 3:00PM – 8:00PM
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - 3:00PM – 8:00PM
We encourage parents to book a fitting session for this evening on the PSW website. Families are still able to attend this shopping night without booking a fitting session.
As part of our shopping event promotion, PSW will provide each family with a EDSC sports cap if they spend over $400 in one transaction during this event.
Planning and preparation for 2025
This is another quick reminder to the Parents/Guardians of students who will no longer be attending East Doncaster Secondary College in 2025. If you have not already done so, can you please contact the school to inform us that your child will not attending next year. This information can be communicated to the staff members in our General Office or the Year Level Coordinators. This information is vital for our Year Level Coordination teams to plan and prepare classes and programs for next year.
Your cooperation on this matter would be most appreciated.
Schools Savings Bonus
As has been communicated via Compass Newsfeeds and previous College newsletters, the Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus – a one-off $400 support for government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.
From Tuesday 26 November 2024, you will receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code.
The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more.
If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code email per child. These emails might arrive on different days. Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder.
If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au
Karen Boyle
Principal