Principal's Report
Principal Report
Remembrance Day
I wanted to report to our College community that we commemorated Remembrance Day today.
At 11:00am this morning, we settled classes quickly and allowed our teachers and students to reflect the significance of the day. We believe it is important for us as a College community to ensure that we stopped our daily routine to reflect not only on the sacrifices made by those before us but also to appreciate the quality of our own lives and to recognise our responsibilities as citizens within our community.
Our Middle School Student Leaders, Isabel and Neel, delivered the following reading to the College;
Good morning, as you will be aware, tomorrow is Remembrance Day – the eleventh day of the eleventh month and at 11.00 am we, as a nation, will pause to remember the sacrifices of so many that enable us to live in this country in the manner that we do. We think it is very important, as a united school community, that we devote a few brief moments this morning to recognise the significance of this day for our Nation.
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the end of the First World War in Europe.
At 11 am on the 11th of November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. For Australia, as for many nations, the First World War remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million people in 1914, over 400,000 Australians enlisted in the armed forces. Of that, over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded.
On Remembrance Day it is important that we pay tribute to all Australians who fought in conflicts around the world - be it in the First or Second World Wars, the Korean or Vietnam wars or more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also remember those who have been peacekeepers around the world, including most recently, in East Timor. We must also consider and be respectful of those who suffered and died in the countries where these conflicts occurred. We know that they too are reflecting on their losses tomorrow.
Although not directly related, we gather at school this morning while terrible conflict and tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East and the Ukraine. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to all in that region and to any family here in Australia touched by these events.
For in Australia, we should acknowledge that we have never had major conflict on our soil. Our country is full of promise and opportunity where our democratic way of life allows us significant freedom of speech and action. This morning, we therefore stop to reflect not only on the sacrifices made by those before us but also to appreciate the quality of our own lives; to recognise our responsibilities as citizens of a global community and to celebrate the harmony of our richly multicultural community.
I will now read a poem, it is called ‘The Fallen’, and it has become the Ode of Remembrance-
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will now reflect and pay our respects with a minute’s silence.
Thank you, enjoy your day
I thank Isabel and Neel for their efforts, and our students for the manner in which our small Remembrance Day tribute and commemoration was delivered.
Dealing with distressing online content in these times of uncertainty
With the tragic and distressing events unfolding in the Middle East, Australia's independent regulator for online safety, eSafety, has issued guidance to help parents and carers support their children in dealing with distressing online content.
The eSafety website has resources for parents and carers about online safety. These include information on extra precautions you can take to protect your children from seeing disturbing content online.
eSafety encourage parents and carers supporting young people who may be more vulnerable to check in with them.
If they are presenting with signs of distress, support is available through external services including:
headspace: 1800 650 890
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Parents may wish also to contact the school to seek support from the College Wellbeing Team.
Please speak to your relevant Year Level Coordinator (9842 2244) if you would like more information about a wellbeing referral.
Mobile Phone Policy
The Department of Education has asked schools to remind their communities of the State-wide ban of mobile phones during school days.
All College community member should be aware that the Department of Education mandated a policy that establishes from Term 1 2020:
- students who bring mobiles phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours
- the school must provide secure storage for mobile phones that are brought to school.
Exceptions to the policy may be applied if certain conditions are met.
Schools have been required to develop a local mobile phone policy, as we have done from the commencement of 2020, that must include how this ministerial policy will be implemented. Schools will manage non-compliance in accordance with their existing student engagement policies.
This policy is a state-wide mandate. We are being directed to implement this.
It would seem, however, to be a timely reminder to all staff, students and parents and we would ask for the support of all parents in assisting us to implement this policy.
I raise this issue once again, as it appears that we have a number of students who are finding it difficult or choosing not to comply with this state-wide mandate. We will keep working with our entire student cohort to ensure that we are consistently and equitably communicating and enforcing this policy and would be appreciative if this messaging could be reinforced at home.
PSW Exclusive Uniform Shopping Night
I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind our College community that our uniform supplier, PSW will host and open their Kew East store exclusively for all East Doncaster Secondary College families to purchase their uniform needs after their standard trading hours.
The PSW Kew East store will open exclusively for East Doncaster SC families on Tuesday 21 November from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. This will allow all families and carers, including the new families enrolled to start in 2024, exclusive access to our PSW Kew East store to purchase all their uniform needs.
If parents spend more than $300 on their uniform items on the night, PSW will provide them with a free East Doncaster SC sports cap.
We also encourage families to book a uniform fitting session at the PSW Kew East store to confirm their attendance on the night. Below is a link to the online uniform fitting session at PSW Kew East store for East Doncaster SC.
Parent Payment Arrangements for 2024
Parent payment arrangements for 2024 will be available after 11 December 2024 via Compass.
We encourage all families to carefully read the information that will be made available and invite you to plan to make a financial contribution to the school for the 2024 year.
These payments support the actions and 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 excels.
Planning and preparation for 2024
This is another quick reminder to the Parents/Guardians of students who will no longer be attending East Doncaster Secondary College in 2024.
If you have not already done so, can you please contact the school to inform us that your child will not attending next year. This information can be communicated to the staff members in our General Office or the Year Level Coordinators.
This information is vital for our Year Level Coordination teams to plan and prepare classes and programs for next year.
Your cooperation on this matter would be most appreciated.
John Roberts
Principal