Middle School News
Year 7 to 9
Year 8 Camp was the big ticket item in recent times with 190 students and 21 staff members as well as Roxy the wellbeing dog in attendance. All those who attended enjoyed a great time away from the structure of the normal teaching and learning program, and for me, walking around the camp listening to the sounds of students enjoying themselves in the outdoors, was a real high point of the year. The students were well behaved and camp staff commented on their enthusiasm and teamwork and the College values of respect, curiosity, fairness and of course teamwork were all on show across the 3 days. I especially would like to thank the Year 8 Coordinators, Tom Novak and Leanne Kauffman for all their organisation and without Breanne Murphy’s logistical work the camp never happens. A big thank you to those staff members. Below are some student reflections of their experiences on the camp:
Year 8 Student Camp Reflections 2022
by Jordan
My experience with the camp had a lot of ups and downs. After getting on the bus everyone was crazy and excited about camp! Halfway we stopped at a park which was excellent, the best part was probably the spiny thing and at one point there were 20 people on board, including some of the teachers!! The way back was quieter since most people were sleeping, but we still stopped at the same park, halfway again.
All the activities were fun and tiring, my favourite activity was Raft Building. You would work as a team to make a Raft so it can float on the water and make sure it doesn’t fall and break in the water. My least favourite was the Mud Run because I thought it was just a muddy watery pit that you go in, but it ended up being a 1km walk with heaps of obstacle courses, muddy hills and a mud pit filled with water and mud, which I fell in.
The staff at Rumbug Camp were nice and understanding. I was worried about trying most of the activities, but the staff were very comforting. The teachers that came to the year 8 camp were excellent! They were all so nice and would check on you to make sure you’re okay. I am so blessed that they all came!
The food at camp wasn’t that bad, but they would give you a lot for dinner. My favourite was the pavlova on Tuesday night. The morning and afternoon teas were good as well.
The only time that it rained at camp was night-time, it got chilly mainly in the mornings but overall, the weather was nice. On Monday night I had Splash, which is where you do challenges to protect the water balloon that you are given then you get certain materials to protect it from dropping. Tuesday night instead of doing the DISCO we had Trivia, and the last round was all about the teachers!! – that was hard. I really enjoyed the camp experience I am glad I went!
by Enish
My time at Camp Rumbug was fabulous and the activities that were provided were engaging and amusing for myself and others in my group. Many of my peers and I enjoyed the Giant Swing, Flying Fox, and Aeroball the most. The Giant Swing looked terrifying at first but after we did it, we wanted to go on the swing as many times as we liked especially Aayan, Arad, and I because we went on the swing twice. In my group people who did not like heights loved the Flying Fox as it was not very high and was very smooth and not so quick. Aeroball was an activity not many students in my group had done before and it is an intense, vertical action sport – on a trampoline! Jump and soar to the basket as you try to outscore your opponent. I would rate Camp Rumbug a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
by Thomas
I found all the activities on camp fun but one of my favourites was the giant swing. I shakily pulled the string to release the rope holding me up, the wind rushed around me when I flew through the air. It was such an exciting experience. I also really liked orienteering, going out with my friend to the area, looking at the clue and eventually finding the letter and adding it to our sheet. My least favourite activity was initiative. I don’t really think I enjoyed it because it was quite different to the other activities which were more outside based, but I still enjoyed the group activities we did in initiatives.
I also found the staff of the camp fun and engaging when they were explaining the activities. Overall, I found camp Rumbug an enjoyable experience and thank all the staff who helped to plan and run the event.
by Jane
Camp for me was a new experience. I was so excited with the lead up and didn't know what to expect. The trip up seemed really long but as I was excited to get there, I didn't notice is so much. My favourite activity was the flying fox because you got to do it two people at a time and it was like a race. There were heaps of other fun activities and we got really dirty. The staff at the camp were really nice and helpful. They were really approachable and they created a fun environment for everyone. They encouraged everyone to have a go. They taught us all about safety around the camp. I felt very comfortable.
The food was great. My favourite meal was the pasta on the first night. It was really tasty and delicious. There was plenty and I believe everyone enjoyed it.
The accommodation was comfortable and everyone was so excited that they didn't sleep straight away. During this camp I saw a kangaroo and a wombat. That was so cool. This camp has made me very excited about more camps that the school will have in the future.
by Fiona
Year 8 Camp was a spectacular opportunity to make friends, strengthen relationships, get out in the open, build a strong sense of school values, but most of all, just have a whole lot of fun. At camp I really enjoyed spending time with my friends away from the busy school life and felt like the refreshing outdoors and fun activities were character building for many, socially and physically. In activities, there was a strong display of teamwork and a growth of Resilience and independence, which increased our sense of community. My favourite activity was the Flying Fox and Giant Swing, as it was super thrilling and exhilarating. I also enjoyed the downtime in the cabins with my friends. I definitely enjoyed camp and will treasure the memories, experiences and fun that we all had!
by Laiyi
Year 8 camp was quite an experience, although I have been to Camp Rumbug before it was very different this time around. The weather was better, and I experienced the mud run for the first time (unfortunately).
We boarded the bus to camp at 8:45 and headed for Camp Rumbug, at around an hour into the journey, we stopped at Koo Wee Rup for a short break before arriving at the camp.
The activities we did on camp were:
- Raft building
- Mud run
- Giant swing
- Flying fox
- Orienteering
- Initiatives
- Aeroball
- Low ropes
My favourite activity was raft building because trying not to fall in the freezing cold water filled you with more adrenaline than the flying fox and the giant swing combined. Thankfully, my team didn’t fall in. My least favourite activity was Orienteering because the paths were very muddy and there was a lot of walking involved.
The food at camp was pretty good, the chicken we had for dinner on the second day was slightly dry, however, the soups were great.
Overall, year 8 camp was a very interesting and fun experience, I met lots of different people and had a great time.
By Isabel
Camp was really fun and a great few days to remember! Packed with fun-filled and exhilarating activities, it was a great opportunity for the year 8 students to challenge themselves physically, form new friendships, and strengthen existing ones.
I personally loved orienteering the best, as we were able run around the camp in groups and spot hidden letters. However honourable mentions go towards the giant swing and flying fox, which never seem to get old no matter how many camps you go on.
Being unable to participate in half of the activities because of an ankle injury, my involvement was unfortunately limited.
I felt that although there were so many engaging activities throughout the week, the best part was simply spending time with my friends, creating even more inside jokes, and getting a break from schoolwork! All in all, it was a really fun, albeit tiring camp.
Values Assemblies
These will be held on the first Friday back during period 1.
- Year 7 and 8 students will have a combined assembly in the Stadium
- Year 9 students will go to the PAC
The students will need to go straight to period 1 classes on this day and after marking their rolls the teachers will escort them to the correct venues. Students will not be required to take materials with them for period 2 and will have time to get their materials after the assemblies.
Justin Bond
Head of Middle School
2022 Courtyard Tales - College Magazine - Place your order now
Don't miss out - orders closing soon !
East Doncaster Secondary College annually publishes a College magazine called Courtyard Tales. Complied by a dedicated team of teachers and students, it is a celebration of the events that have occurred in 2022. With photos from camps, College events, house and student led activities as well as a page for autographs at the back, the College magazine makes a great keepsake.
The College Magazine is now available to pre-order through the event on Compass for $26.50.
Please note that the College Magazine was not included in the 2022 Parent Payments this year. The only way to purchase one is by pre-purchasing one before the due date. Orders will only be placed for those who have purchased.
Order before 27 October 2022.
Eileen Nguyen
College Magazine Coordinator
Child Safety and Wellbeing at East Doncaster Secondary College: information for families and the school community
The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.
East Doncaster Secondary College has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to view on our school’s website, on a Compass News Feed, at the school’s Reception.
We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact the Principal, John Roberts or Assistant Principal, Cameron Campbell.
https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/our_school/child-safety-standards
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:
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.
