Principal's Report

Harmony Week

Inclusion and embracing of different backgrounds has been a focus at the College this week as we celebrated Harmony Week. Celebrated nationally, Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.

Our Student Leadership Events Committee are the masterminds behind this week’s range of lunchtime activities for all students to participate in across the week, all of which were intended to celebrate and promote harmony in our College. 

On Monday students had the opportunity to try their hand at origami and other arts and craft activities.  On Tuesday we had our traditional Harmony Week out of uniform day with our Year 12 students making an additional effort to recognise their cultural backgrounds via their clothing for the day. Wednesday saw additional arts and crafts opportunities. On Thursday our middle school students had the opportunity to engage in soccer activities. Friday’s final Harmony Week celebrations saw many students enjoy an Australian classic- lamingtons!

As a College, we have a long history of celebrating diversity. Our student cohort represents over forty nationalities, yet the level of harmony between students and between families across our community is something of which to be proud.

Our College proudly embraces and seeks to foster inclusion, respect and dignity for all. As a College, we value and respect the diversity of our community, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and understood. Harmony Week may shine a light on this but it is something we strive for every day.

On this note, I would also like to extend warm wishes to our Muslim families as the month of Ramadan continues. It was wonderful to attend the Doncaster East UMMA Centre on Sunday evening with Assistant Principals Jasvinder Kaur and Brett Lamb for their Iftar meal. It was wonderful to come together with other members of the Manningham community and share in this very special time within the Muslim community who were such gracious and welcoming hosts. It was also lovely to see many of our school families and past and present students throughout the evening. Your dedication to fasting, prayer, and community during this sacred time is truly inspiring. 

School Council Update

After the recent process for School Council elections for parent, department and student representatives, I am delighted to declare the following ballot outcomes:

School Council Elections 2025 - Declaration of Ballot

Parent Member Category

Smriti Khatter

Francis Killackey

Martin Roche

Ian Tho

Department of Education: Employee Member Category (no election was required)

Cameron Campbell

Jasvinder Kaur

Student Member Category

Zoe 8D

Yin Wei (Evan) 10L

We warmly congratulate these successful candidates.

I sincerely thank all staff, parents and students who nominated for this election for their interest and investment into our School Council and the continual improvement of the College.

The first meeting of our new school council is 26 March 2025 – AGM and Open Meeting

Parent – Student – Teacher Conferences 

With Cycle 1 reports now published to students and families, this is a further reminder that our Term 1 Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences are to be held on Thursday 3 April 2025. We encourage parents and students to avail themselves of this important opportunity to meet our teachers to discuss student progress. All bookings must be made via Compass.

Interview Times are:

Interviews 12.30pm – 2.30pm

Interviews 2.45pm to 4.45pm

Interviews 5.30pm – 7.30pm

The Parent - Student - Teacher Conference Booking System will be accessible from:

• Year 12 Student Bookings - 12.00pm Friday 21 March until 12.00pm Wednesday 2 April
• Year 7 to 11 (Including Year 11 students doing a 3/4 subject) Student Bookings – 10.00am Monday 24 March until 12.00pm Wednesday 2 April

We acknowledge that the logistics of the afternoon and evening make it difficult for all parents to meet with each teacher, I would therefore advise parents to be selective and prioritise their bookings. 

**Please note that bookings are essential – there will be no opportunity for unscheduled interviews. We also ask that only parents and enrolled students attend. Please be aware that bookings fill quickly, and you may not get the opportunity to see all teachers during these sessions. However, you are able to readily contact teachers via the Compass system if you have any concerns or questions. 

Parents and Friends – Annual General Meeting - Monday 24 March

Although detailed information will be posted in another section of this Newsletter, I wanted to take the opportunity to remind our College community that the Annual General Meeting of our wonderful Parents and Friends Association will held at our College in the The John Landy Centre at 7.00pm on Monday 24 March.

The Parents and Friends Committee is a friendly group of interested parents who provide assistance at various school functions throughout the year such as information nights, student performance evenings, Parent- Student- Teacher Conference days etc. Our PFA also undertake fundraising activities to raise extra funds to use on worthwhile projects that will benefit the College community.

I would invite any parents, especially those new to the College in 2025, to consider involvement with our vibrant and energetic PFA.

Outstanding Student Achievement – An Invitation

Can I take this opportunity to remind the families of our school community that we are always willing to hear of and share the deeds of our students in their sporting, academic, performing arts or community-based pursuits external to our College. We have, on a regular basis, students who are involved in a quite extraordinary array of activities and it is always a pleasure and with great pride that we seek to share those outcomes with our wider school community.

Karen Boyle

Principal

Parent Payments 2025

Parent payment arrangements for 2025 are now available to view and action in Compass. 

We encourage all families to carefully read all the information provided and invite you to plan to make a financial contribution to the school for the 2025 year.

These payments support the objectives of the school, including the enhancement of student learning, access, equity, inclusion and wellbeing. The school ensures that costs to parents are kept to a minimum and are affordable for families.

We appreciate all the support that families provide to make East Doncaster Secondary College a school that is highly regarded for its commitment to excellence.