Principal's Report

Principal Report

As a College, we celebrated Respectful Relationships Week last week. Whilst respectful relationships are always paramount to all interactions in our school community, in this week every year we take the opportunity to shine a spotlight on mutual respect and understanding. This special week is dedicated to exploring the principles of healthy relationships; emphasising the importance of inclusion, empathy, community building and positive behaviours.  Throughout the week students had the opportunity to engage in lunchtime activities including Downball competitions, face painting, positive messaging and even a photo booth. By actively participating in Respectful Relationships week, we are not only strengthening our school community but also preparing our students to create positive, respectful relationships throughout their lives.

Staff Professional Learning Day 

The focus of our student free day on Monday 26 August also aligned well with the themes of Respectful Relationships. As a staff we spent a significant portion of the day undertaking professional learning on Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Supports to enhance our approach to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. We explored effective strategies for promoting and reinforcing expected behaviours with our students whilst also ensuring we provide a supportive atmosphere for all students. 

Building on this foundation, we will be collaborating with student focus groups to gather input and reach consensus on the behaviours we wish to see upheld at our school. By involving students in this process, we aim to ensure that our expectations are not only clear but also resonate with those they affect most. This collaborative approach will help us to create a shared vision for behaviour that is both meaningful and impactful, reinforcing our commitment to a respectful and cohesive school community. A school community that is ‘safe, calm and dignified’.

Wear it Purple Day 2024

To conclude Respectful Relationships Week on Friday 30 August, the staff at our College along with many other schools and workplaces across the country, recognised Wear it Purple Day. This is a national event organised by “Wear it Purple”, a student-run, not-for-profit organisation.

East Doncaster Secondary College and the Department of Education has a clear commitment to ensuring that all Victorian government schools are respectful, safe and inclusive places of learning and work for all students, staff and members of our school communities. As part of this commitment, many of our staff wore a touch of purple to support all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, questioning and asexual (LGBTIQA+) young people in our schools and the community.

It was wonderful to see so many of our staff delve into their wardrobes to find purple clothes to proudly support the initiative. Not only does the day align with our Child Safe Standards obligations to uphold diversity and equity for everyone regardless of their background, characteristics or beliefs, it also aligns with our own commitment statement.

East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all including the LGTBIQA+ community where everyone is welcomed, accepted and treated equitably and with respect regardless of their backgrounds or personal attributes including race, language, religious beliefs, gender identity, disability or sexual orientation so that they can participate, achieve and thrive at school.

Respectful relationships thrive in environments where inclusion, acceptance and respect are the norm. Recognising events such as Respectful Relationships week and Wear it Purple Day play a small role in reinforcing this message and ensuring that individuals in our community, particularly our young people, feel safe. They serve as an important reminder that our words and actions have an impact every day.

Parent – Student - Teacher Conferences 

A further reminder that our Parent/Teacher/Student interviews are to be held on Wednesday 18 September.

Interview Times are as follows:

• Interviews 12.30pm – 2.30pm
• Interviews 2.45pm to 4.45pm
• Interviews 5.30pm – 7.30pm

The Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences Booking System will be accessible from: 

Year 12 Student Bookings - 12.00pm Friday 6 September until 12.00pm Tuesday 17 September. 

Year 7 to 11 (including Year 11 students doing a Unit 3/4 subject) Student Bookings – 10.00am Monday 9 September until 12.00pm Tuesday 17 September.

We encourage parents to avail themselves of this important opportunity to meet our teachers to discuss student progress. Students are not required to attend school on Wednesday 18 September but are encouraged to attend interviews with parents and teachers.

Year 10 Work Experience

The last week of Term 3 promises to be both a busy and productive time at the College. For our Year 10 cohort, however, there will be some distinct opportunities and challenges as they participate in Work Experience.

It is well documented that Work Experience programs offer students the opportunity to:

• Develop employability skills
• Explore possible career options
• Understand employer expectations, and
• Increase their self-understanding, maturity, independence, communication skills and self-confidence

Apart from the earlier starts and later finishes, the challenges of work experience placements are numerous. The program does, however, offer students an insight into the world of work and the pathway possibilities. I wish all our Year 10 students all the best as they enter our wider community in the last week of term.

Year 8 Camp 

Next week our Year 8 students will embark on Camp Rumbug in the majestic hills of South Gippsland. I wish all students and staff a wonderful time as they engage in a range of activities that will strengthen their relationships, resilience and leadership skills.

Contact Information

It is also vital that families maintain up to date contact information. If your details change we ask that you please complete the Change of Details Form (below) and return to Reception or via email to east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Karen Boyle

Principal