Principal's Report
From the Principal
What a term it has been for all in our College community. We are now all back to home learning across all year levels, all the wiser from what was learnt from our experiences in Semester One.
With so much of this situation out of our control, as we return to a College-wide remote learning program we feel we are as well placed as we can be to meet the needs of our staff and our students.
There has clearly been a good deal of public debate regarding the current situation and a fair degree of discussion of the impact on student education in 2020. Whilst agreeing that this current scenario is not one that we would readily choose or not without negative elements – I would question the notion I’ve seen in the media about this being a lost year of learning for our students.
Whilst clearly not our preferred option, we are able to continue to teach content, concepts and skills to our students. Again, the pace of this learning may definitely be just a little slower and the modes of learning not always suitable for all, but our young people are still learning and still capable of learning.
I think at least some of the message also needs to be about the skills, the discipline, the self-regulation and resilience factors that students have developed – been forced to develop, this year. There are elements that will unfold during the course of the year that will leave our students with a broader skill-set than at the start of the year, so I don’t think we can or should agree with the concept of this wasted year of learning.
We are also focussing very heavily on how we keep working with all of our students – especially our VCE students, to make the year the best it can be.
In order to keep being responsive and supportive we will be asking for feedback over the next week from our parents, staff and students via surveys that we will distribute via Compass.
Can I encourage such feedback in a timely manner in order to assist us with continuing our work on how to best teach and support our students and ensure that their health and wellbeing is optimised.
Thank-you very much for the levels of support we have received thus far – it is much appreciated.
Senior School Course Counselling
Our current Year 9, 10 and 11 students have been engaged in the last two weeks in on-line interviews with senior staff about their courses of study for 2021. As we undertake this, we also commence our planning for any staffing needs for 2021. Thank you to all students, parents and the senior staff for their support throughout this important process in these challenging times.
To assist our students to make appropriate pathway choices, the Senior School Coordinators and the Careers Coordination team will continue to conduct information sessions and provide individual appointments with students until very late in term 4.
In the last week, we have also been conducting Senior Alternative Pathway Information sessions on-line for students considering a VCAL program as a desired pathway. The sessions will cover both of our Apprenticeship and Traineeship programs: atEAST VCAL and HeadStart VCE. VCAL curriculum will be outlined, along with the role of atEAST in the administration of a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT). HeadStart will describe how a HeadStart Apprenticeship or Traineeship (HSAT) works with students completing a VCE program.
Any student interested in applying for, or learning more about how they can complete an Apprenticeship or Traineeship as a part of their Year 11 and 12 studies are encouraged to participate in the sessions and contact either our VCAL/Headstart Coordinator, Kelly Kingham or our Careers Coordinator, Craig Browne, if further information is required.
New Library Website Online!
Our Library and IT staff have been working very hard behind the scenes in the past month in order to launch our new Library website this week.
Full of digital learning resources like eBooks, study guides, videos and more, the new website is an excellent addition to the College’s resources and ready to support the whole school during remote learning. This website can be used anywhere, anytime, and by logging in you can receive personalised book recommendations and more! Watch the short video below to see how you can use the new Library website ‘Oliver’. We hope you enjoy this great new service from the Library!
Managing the Coronacoaster - Presented by Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg
Our Wellbeing Coordinators have accessed a timely and highly informative information session;
‘Managing the Coronacoaster- tips for building resilient families’; Presented by Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg.
In this webinar, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will give families the tools, knowledge and strategies to help manage their wellbeing and build resilience together.
This webinar is capped at 1000 participants so you will not be able to forward the link. It will include a 45 minute presentation with a 15 minute Q&A with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
Webinar: Tuesday 8 September, 7.30-8.30pm
Cost: Adult: $15.00 Concession: $10.00
Please click on the following link for more information and to register:
Student Newsletter – Edition 12
As mentioned in previous Newsletters, a highlight of College life has been the introduction of the Student Newsletter – our student leaders have done a remarkable job in producing an entertaining and connective Newsletter.
Please see the link below for the latest edition of the student newsletter. The theme of this newsletter is MASKS - both literal masks that hide your face but also metaphorical masks that hide your true feelings.
All the usual fun competitions, recipes, online ideas, YouTube videos and a stellar review of The Umbrella Academy from the Movie King.
Virtual House Cross Country (Run-Walk-Ride)
In these times of isolation and remote learning, it certainly is a challenge to get out and about and exercise to a reasonable degree. It was, therefore, great to see the initiative by our Physical and Sport Education teachers as they initiated our Virtual House Cross Country event.
Over the next three weeks, the East Doncaster SC Virtual House Cross Country (Run-Walk-Ride) will be held for all members of the EDSC community (any students, family members and staff).
To enter, students and staff are encouraged to either walk, run or cycle over a distance that you choose (and find challenging), whilst adhering to the Stage 4 restrictions set out most recently by the Victorian Government.
Students in Year 7 to 9 are encouraged to participate as many times as they like during their scheduled fortnightly Sport Education double period or at a time that best suits them. Other members of the EDSC community can also have multiple attempts at convenient times throughout the next three weeks.
Once you complete your designated run, walk or ride – submit your results via the following link
I hope to see many of our students taking up this challenge, getting a bit of fresh air and improving their fitness by involvement in this event!
John Roberts
Principal
Updated Anaphylaxis Policy
At our February School Council meeting we updated and amended our College Anaphylaxis Policy.
The amendments (whilst important) were quite minor and related to the provision of epi-pens for students in our Food Technology classroom spaces.
Please see attached for a copy of this policy.
College Philosophy
At East Doncaster Secondary College we have a strong tradition of academic excellence and we aim to promote and sustain a reflective learning culture. We want students to experience a sense of achievement and growth in their academic, personal, social and emotional development. We have high expectations of our students’ commitment to being mutually supportive and striving for success as learners. We are proudly multicultural with a student population from 43 nationalities including a number of International Students. 68% of our students speak a language other than English at home.
A student’s life at school is full of opportunities, being rich and varied with a range of co-curricular activities in music, sport, productions, debating, clubs as well as camps and international experiences for the educational and personal development of students. Our students are vibrant, energetic, and talented young people. There are many student leadership opportunities and we aim to continue to increase student access to decision-making and self-determination as learners.
We endeavour to create a "Culture of Curiosity" with goals of ensuring learning improvement for every student – every student, every period, every day.
Our school’s purpose is to develop passionate learners who are critical thinkers with the confidence and capability to engage in the global community.
Care and Compassion, Curiosity, Excellence, Fairness, Resilience, Respect and Teamwork are the core values that underpin the culture of our school as we embrace the challenges of 21st Century learning.
We aim to sustain a learning culture that provides every student with a sense of achievement and of being their best in their academic, personal, social and emotional development.