Middle School News

Middle School Class Captains

We would like to congratulate the appointed Class Captains of 2025 for Year 7, 8 and 9! Students were nominated by their peers to represent their form group this year. The role of a class captain involves a combination of classroom leadership and responsibilities as well as providing support for both peers and teachers. At East Doncaster Secondary College, this means embracing and living the College Values each and every day within the classroom and school community. We trust that the Class Captains will demonstrate and promote the College Values of Curiosity, Excellence, Fairness, Respect, Resilience, Teamwork, Care and Compassion. 

The captains began their work on Wednesday 19 March at their Leadership Training Day. This initial leadership training provided students with tools and strategies to lead with purpose. They were involved in team-building activities and insightful discussions and met our College Captains and Middle School Captains who will play a role in mentoring them this year. We once again congratulate the Class Captains on their leadership positions and look forward to a year of growth and positive influence in their roles.   

Year 8 Coastal Excursion

The Year 8 Humanities Coastal Excursion commenced on Tuesday and continues into next week, taking students to a variety of locations along the South Eastern coast line of Greater Melbourne. This immersive experience supports students’ learning in how weather, human activity, and natural phenomena can alter the Australian landscape. Students will find themselves in Seaford with sand dunes and a lovely beach front, Patterson River which has been altered heavily by humans, Half Moon Bay which presents a beautiful cliff face, and Sandringham which has seen its coast encounter some dramatic changes since European settlement. By exploring these varied areas, students are encouraged to learn about how these differing coasts were formed and develop an understanding of what can be done to protect Australia’s natural environment.

Year 8 Enchanted Adventure Garden Excursion

We are pleased to inform you that as part of our Term 1 Year 8 program, we are offering students the opportunity to attend an excursion to Enchanted Adventure Garden in Arthurs Seat, Victoria. Aimed at promoting curiosity, physical activity, and environmental appreciation, this excursion will provide a fun and educational experience, allowing students to engage with nature, team-building activities, and outdoor adventures in a beautiful environment. 

Details regarding this excursion were posted on the Compass newsfeed and emailed. Please provide consent and payment via Compass by Monday 24 March 2025. 

The year level will be separated into two groups and each group will attend the excursion on their designated day. 

• Group 1 – 8A – 8H - Monday 31st March
• Group 2 – 8I – 8P - Wednesday 2nd April

To support families' financial planning of these events, please note that the Victorian School Saving Bonus can be allocated to this excursion. Using the bonus is a fantastic way for students to have the opportunity to experience educational trips. The bonus can also be applied to other events or school-related experiences throughout the year should you wish to use it at an alternative time. 

Year 9 City Experience

We are excited to announce that the Year 9 City Experience is coming up in the first half of Term 2. This extended excursion offers students the opportunity to explore key cultural, historical, and modern landmarks, while engaging in hands-on learning experiences. Students will meet in the city each day for a whole school week to engage in a program designed to foster independence, teamwork and develop students’ knowledge of the Melbourne CBD. Please keep a look out on Compass for further information throughout the term. 

To confirm your interest in this excursion, it is vital that payment and consent are submitted via Compass by Friday 21 March. 

Dates for City Experience are as follows:

• 9A – 9H: Term 2 Week 2, Monday 28 April - Friday 2 May 
• 9I – 9P: Term 2 Week 5, Monday 19 May - Friday 23 May

Giulia Catalano

Assistant Principal Middle School

Year 9 Pathways and VCE Acceleration: Important Information

Students in Year 9 will start to make some significant choices about their future Senior School pathways this year.

The efforts that Year 9 students make now will have an impact on their choices for next year, including potential VCE acceleration and their choice of Maths and Science subjects in Year 10.

We encourage students to work hard across all of their subjects. Year 9 students who would like to accelerate in a VCE subject should be making a consistent effort, responding to teacher feedback, and studying regularly to prepare them for this big step forward.

VCE Acceleration Criteria

To undertake VCE acceleration in Year 10, students will have to meet certain criteria. 

The criteria for a VCE accelerated subject in Year 10 is as follows:

• Excellent Academic Results (This will include Year 8 Cycles 1-6 and most importantly Cycles 1-3 in Year 9)
• 80+ across Cycles 1-3 in Year 9 in the subject area where a student wishes to accelerate.
• 80+ across Cycles 1-3 in Year 9 in four other related subjects including English.
• Work Practices – Attitude and Effort on cycle reports will also be taken into consideration.
• Attendance - a minimum of 90% attendance, excluding approved absences.

Decisions will be based on the extent to which the criteria have been met, as well as the number of places available. Year 11 students will always have priority placement in a Year 11 subject.

A common misconception is that students undertaking an accelerated VCE subject will result in students undertaking fewer subjects in Year 12. This is not the case. Students will still be expected to complete 5 studies in Year 12. The extra subject completed simply allows for students to have a bonus subject for their ATAR calculation.

Year 10 Maths and Science Choices

In addition to the criteria for VCE acceleration, students’ Year 9 Maths and Science results will inform the Maths and Science pathways open to them in Year 10. 

More Information About Course Selection and Acceleration

Students will be provided with further information and guidelines regarding course selections and VCE acceleration applications late in Term 2. This will be followed by extensive course counselling for every student early in Term 3.

Brett Lamb

Assistant Principal- Teaching and Learning

Neurodiversity Celebration Week & Autism Acceptance Month

Celebrating Neurodiversity at EDSC

Neurodiversity Celebration Week runs from Monday March 17 to Sunday March 23, and Autism Acceptance Month follows in April. These are great opportunities for our EDSC community to recognise and support diverse learners—students who bring unique perspectives, creativity, and strengths to our school.

At EDSC, our values of Respect and Care & Compassion remind us that while neurodiverse students may face challenges, they also have incredible talents. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the idea that everyone’s brain works differently—there is no single "right" way to think, learn, or communicate. While most children’s brains develop in ways that are considered typical, about 1 in 5 students have natural differences in how they process information. This includes students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.

Diverse learners may experience challenges that others don’t, but they also bring amazing skills, perspectives, and creativity to our classrooms and community.

Why Celebrate?

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global initiative that highlights the strengths of people who think and learn differently. It’s a reminder to be kind, accepting, and inclusive of everyone. Autism Acceptance Month in April is another chance to celebrate, support, and include autistic students. It grew from the United Nations’ World Autism Awareness Day, which is marked on Wednesday April 2 2025.

How to Get Involved

To celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Autism Acceptance Month, we’re sharing resources developed by autistic-led organisations and leading researchers in the field. These materials can help us better understand and support our neurodiverse community.

Let’s make EDSC a place where every learner feels valued and included!

Resources:

• I CAN Education has tips for becoming a champion for neurodivergent students and a graphic novel to help students navigate high school 
• Yellow Ladybugs’ All Brains are Different program introduces the concept of neurodiversity in an affirming way
• AllPlay Learn’s Inclusive School Communities: Monash University’s AllPlay Learn team has developed resources on how to create inclusive school communities where everyone feels welcome and supported

Anna Kissane

Learning Support Coordinator

Student Lunches

Just a reminder to parents that we are unable to deliver lunches to students during school time.  It is the student’s responsibility to come and collect their lunch if it has been dropped off at Reception. Hot food is not suitable to be left at Reception.

PLEASE NOTE: Take-away food is not allowed at the College during school hours.  Under no circumstances are students to be ordering take-away food to be delivered to the College.

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 with their card at the Middle School Office when they are arriving late and sign out at the General Office when they are leaving early for any reason. 

The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library card can be used as ID for student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) travel. 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.