As we approach the end of the term, I would like to congratulate our students on the positive start they have made to Semester 2. It has been encouraging to see strong engagement, positive interactions and a continued focus on learning across the Senior School.

As we move through the final weeks of the term, regular attendance, positive engagement and respectful behaviour remain important. Being at school each day, arriving on time, participating in learning and making positive choices all contribute to a productive and supportive school environment.

Thank you to our students and staff for the effort and commitment shown so far this semester. I encourage everyone to maintain this positive momentum and finish the term strongly.

Regards,

George Conway

Acting Assistant Principal - Senior School

Year 12 - Legacy

Upcoming Events – Save the Dates

As we move closer to the end of the year, there are some exciting events to look forward to:

Celebration Morning – Monday 19th October @ ECSC

A fun day to reflect, enjoy time with your peers, and celebrate your journey together. Students will be dressing up, reflecting on their 6 years of schooling, have morning tea with their teachers and be farewelled by the College with a Guard of Honour walk out of the front gates.

Graduation Ceremony – Monday 19th October @ Mill Park Secondary College Theatre

We invite families to celebrate the end of Year 12 with our Graduation Ceremony, where students will receive their ECSC Graduation Certificates and Awards. Details will be available on Compass soon.

Valedictory Dinner – Thursday 3rd December @ La Belle Venues, Somerton

We are pleased to invite our Year 12 students and their families to the 2026 Year 12 Valedictory Dinner; a special evening dedicated to celebrating the hard work, academic achievements, and lasting friendships formed throughout your school journey. Join us for a night of reflection and celebration of our Year 12s, including a formal three-course meal, at La Belle Venues in Somerton.

Final Exam Preparation – Tips for Success

With final exams approaching, here are a few key tips to help students prepare effectively:

Stay on Top of Unit 3 and 4 Content Make sure to revise along the way - don’t leave everything for September!
Use a Study Schedule Map out study time week by week. Be realistic and include breaks and recreational activities with friends and family.
Practice with Past Exams Use VCAA exams and questions to practice under timed conditions, as well as the resources provided in class by teachers.

Upcoming Exam Preparation Events

English Practice Exam - Monday 31st August 1:0pm-4:15pm
TSSM Revision Lectures - School Holidays - please see Compass and the Year 12 Noticeboard for details. The College is covering most of the cost to send students to TSSM Revision Sessions run by VCAA assessors, where they will receive comprehensive A+ level revision notes & practice questions with solutions, and insider exam tricks, marking scheme insights, and problem-solving strategies. Normally costing $174 per session, the College is offering $70 total for 3 sessions (the College covers the rest). Sessions are held at the TSSM VCE Centre – Level 14, 474 Flinders St, Melbourne.
ECSC Practice Exam Week - School Holidays - Monday 28th September - Friday 1st October. Please see the schedule below for details.
English Practice Exam - Friday 9th October
SWOTVAC (Study Without Teaching Vacation) - Tuesday 20th October to Monday 26th October. SWOTVAC is a designated class-free study period preceding final exams, where students prepare for exams at home and are able to meet their teachers on-site to assist with exam preparation.

Wellbeing and Balance

Balancing study with personal wellbeing is crucial:

Stress Management: Incorporate regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep into students’ routine. Managing stress through mindfulness or relaxation techniques can also be beneficial.
Time Management: Students should create a study timetable that includes breaks and leisure activities. Balance is key to maintaining motivation and avoiding burnout.
Wellbeing Support: The ECSC wellbeing team offers a range of support services, including wellbeing support and academic stress management assistance. Students should not hesitate to reach out if help is needed.

Parent and Guardian Involvement

Parents and guardians play a vital role in supporting VCE students:

Communication: Stay in touch with your child’s teachers to monitor their progress and discuss any concerns.
Encouragement: Offer support and encouragement as your child navigates their studies. Positive reinforcement can significantly impact their motivation and confidence.
Home Environment: Provide a quiet, organised study space at home to help your child focus and be productive.

VCAA Exam Timetable - Commencing Tuesday 27th October

The VCE exam timetable is now available on the VCAA website and has also been shared with students via Compass and the VCAA exam navigator handout given to each Year 12 student. It’s important that you check the timetable carefully so you know the exact dates, times, and locations of your exams. Use this information to begin planning your study schedule for Term 3 and the September holidays. If you have any clashes, concerns, or questions about your exam sessions, please speak to your Year Level Coordinator or VCE Leader as soon as possible.

View the official VCE exam timetable HERE

VTAC Applications

Year 12 students have been briefed by the college’s Careers and Pathways team, Jacqueline Hunter and Rob Moore, about the process for course and scholarship applications. Students can book a 1:1 appointment throughout the rest of Term 3 to complete applications, which must be submitted and paid for by September 28th to avoid late fees. These vital appointments with our team will ensure students are well-informed when completing their applications, and can apply for all eligible special access schemes and early offer/guaranteed entry programs. All relevant information can be found on the Year 12 Student Noticeboard on Google Classroom.

English Workshops

Our Year 12 students participated in targeted English/EAL exam preparation workshops with experienced VCAA Assessor and Connect Literacy consultant Hayley Harrison. Hayley has worked with every graduating cohort at ECSC to support them to identify the ways they can improve their English exam responses to boost their end-of-year scores and perform at their best. Hayley and her team work with ECSC staff and students to provide detailed feedback on practice exam responses and we thank Hayley for her ongoing support and advice to our Year 12 students as they prepare for VCAA exams.

Year 11 - Identity

It has been a very positive start to Term 3 for our Year 11 VCE students. After completing their Unit 1 studies and examinations, students have returned with renewed focus and enthusiasm as they continue to build the knowledge, skills and habits that will support them throughout their VCE journey.

Early in the term, our Year 11 students had the opportunity to participate in the VCE Success Strategies program, delivered by guest speaker Darren Pereira. Darren's program provided students with practical strategies and tools designed to help them navigate the demands of VCE and develop greater independence in their learning.

A key focus of the program was putting a system in place to help students stay on top of their studies. Students were introduced to practical approaches for managing their workload, keeping organised and ensuring that they are consistently working towards their academic goals. Darren also focused on how to study effectively, building on the Study Skills Program that our teachers delivered earlier in the year. This gave students an opportunity to revisit and further develop strategies such as effective revision, planning and preparation. Students also gained a range of practical organisation tools that they can apply throughout the remainder of Year 11 and into Year 12.

In Week 1, students also had the opportunity to attend the Careers Expo, where they were exposed to a wide variety of universities, TAFEs, employers and industries. This provided students with valuable information about the many pathways available to them beyond secondary school and encouraged them to begin thinking about their future study and career options. Experiences such as these are an important part of helping students make informed decisions about their pathways beyond school.

As we move through Term 3, students are now beginning to look ahead to their Unit 2 examinations and the next stage of their VCE journey. With Year 12 Step Up approaching in Term 4, students will soon have the opportunity to experience their Year 12 subjects and gain an understanding of the expectations that come with their final year of schooling.

We congratulate our Year 11 students on the positive start they have made to Term 3 and look forward to supporting them as they continue to develop their confidence, independence and skills in preparation for Year 12.

Year 10 - Discovery

Exams

At the end of Semester 1, our Year 10 students completed their exams across English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Health. The cohort was outstanding throughout the examination period, demonstrating maturity, professionalism and a strong commitment to their learning. Their respectful conduct and positive approach to the exams were a testament to the hard work and dedication of both our students and teachers throughout Semester 1. We are incredibly proud of the way the cohort rose to the challenge and demonstrated their growth, resilience and readiness for the next stage of their learning journey.

Work Experience

From the 22nd to the 26th of June, our Year 10 students participated in Work Experience, with 140 students attending a range of workplaces across the community and a further 40 students completing a virtual Work Experience program at school. It was fantastic to see students embracing the opportunity to explore different industries, develop workplace skills and gain valuable insights into the world of work. Across their placements, students demonstrated great respect, initiative and professionalism, representing themselves and the College extremely well. We are incredibly proud of the way our Year 10 cohort approached this valuable experience and the maturity they demonstrated throughout the week.

VCE Subject Expo

On the 15th of July, the College hosted their second VCE subject expo, providing Year 10 students and their families with an opportunity to explore their future pathways. Students were able to speak with teachers, TAFE providers and university representatives to gather valuable information about their options for 2027.

The evening featured a range of presentations and provided families with the information they needed to support their child in making informed decisions about their future pathway. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, with many families attending and contributing to the success of the evening.

10 to 11 Course Counselling

On the 22nd of July, year 10’s had conferences to select their year 11 pathway. Course Counselling was an important decision making day for Year 10 students. Students met with teachers to discuss and confirm their pathway for 2027. It was great to see students and families attending with all the required information already obtained from the VCE subject expo.

Swinburne Excursion

On 20 July, Year 10 students had the opportunity to experience university life and explore future study options at Swinburne University. Students participated in a range of engaging workshops, including aviation, health sciences, law, digital media, and film and television.

A group of 32 students attended the Wantirna campus, where they participated in hands-on bricklaying and electrical workshops. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions and hear about university life from current Swinburne students. It was fantastic to see our students actively participating in the workshops, asking questions and engaging enthusiastically with the range of experiences on offer.

VM - Strive

Year 12

PDS: Food Insecurity Community Project

As part of their Unit 4 Implementing a Community Project, our Year 12 VM students are running a three week lunch service at ECPS to address food insecurity.

This Week VM1 fed the Year 6 students cheese toasties, mini fruit muffins, fresh fruit and milk, while also leading a discussion on the importance of a nutritious diet. 12VM2 will run the lunch service for Year 4 students next week, followed by 12VM3 with the Year 5 students the week after. The best phrase from a Year 12 student, ‘drink milk because you will grow as tall as me’.

Pathway Planning

Jacqui and Rob have now met with all Year 12 students to discuss their post-school pathway plans for next year. We encourage students to continue keeping open lines of communication with us regarding their goals. Ongoing discussions ensure we can provide the best possible support for TAFE enrolments and future transitions.

The Final Countdown

With only three weeks of formal classes remaining, the Year 12 students are officially in the home stretch of their secondary schooling journey! While regular classes are drawing to a close, please note that students will return early in Term 4 for their WRS portfolio interviews and to finalise any outstanding coursework. We are incredibly proud of everything our Year 12s have accomplished this year and encourage them to finish strong over these final few weeks.

Year 11

Focusing on Unit 2 & VET Success

Year 11 students are charging through the term. They are focused on their Unit 2 studies and external VET courses. The energy around the learning spaces has been fantastic to see, and students are experiencing great success as they tackle hands on projects and academic tasks.

PDS Epping Plaza Excursion

As part of their community studies, students recently visited Epping Plaza to explore how the shopping centre brings our community together. They looked at how the plaza links different cultures, provides shops and services for all ages, and supports people on a local, national and global level.

Breakfast Club

Year 11 students continue to show fantastic leadership and care through their ongoing support of the Breakfast Club. Recently, when the Wellbeing team was unable to run the morning program, a wonderful group of students from VM1 immediately stepped up to answer the call and make sure our school community was looked after. We are so proud of their community spirit.

We are in the home stretch of Term 3 and the energy across both our Year 11 and Year 12 cohorts is fantastic to see. Let's keep this momentum going as we tackle the final weeks of classes, finish our coursework strong and make the most of every opportunity ahead.

ECSC Alumni Spotlight

Heifa Zeki

Graduation Year: 2024

Since leaving ECSC, I have been attending The University of Melbourne full-time as a Bachelor of Oral Health student, where I’ve been seeing patients, getting to know them and playing an integrated role in their treatments. It’s been rewarding to work with each patient and find solutions to their specific concerns. Outside of that, I’ve been spending time with my family and friends and enjoying my hobbies.

In the future, I hope to continue making a difference in people’s lives and pursue further studies to broaden my scope of practice. In ten years’ time, I see myself having my own dental clinic and bringing back people’s confidence to smile through my work. Most importantly, I look forward to becoming a practitioner who people feel safe and comfortable with.

When I look back at my time spent at ECSC, I have a lot of heartwarming and fond memories. The ones that stand out are the Year 7 Makerspace antics where we learned how to navigate woodwork, our chaotic Year 12 Business class UNO games after our SACS, and even the mundane memories of sitting with my friends on the school oval.

To the current senior school students, perhaps the most important lesson I learned at ECSC was that you can only go as far as you believe you can. It can often feel like everything is dependent on your performance, but it’s important not to compare yourself to others and to remember that there are endless opportunities to make your dreams come to fruition. So enjoy your final years of school, and give it your all.

If you would like to be part of the ECSC Alumni Program and share an update since graduating, please email the school at edgars.creek.sc@education.vic.gov.au

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