Middle School News

Year 7

As Term 1 concludes, we would like to celebrate the invaluable contributions of Mrs Jane Denton to the Year 7 cohorts of 2024 and 2025. In her two years as a Year 7 coordinator, Mrs Denton has been a great support to the students and families who she has worked with, always keeping the happiness and wellbeing of her students as the focus of her work. As Mrs Denton ventures on to a new and exciting career, we sincerely thank her for her contributions to East Doncaster Secondary College as a teacher and coordinator. 

With this change comes new beginnings for Miss Mary Tur, who will be joining the Year 7 coordination team in Term 2. We congratulate Miss Tur on her new appointment and warmly welcome her to the Middle School team. 

Year 8 Coasts Excursion

The Year 8 Humanities Coastal Excursion took students to a variety of locations along the South-Eastern coastline of Greater Melbourne. This immersive experience supported students’ learning in how weather, human activity, and natural phenomena can alter the Australian landscape. By exploring these varied areas, students were encouraged to learn all about how these differing coasts were formed and develop an understanding of what can be done to protect Australia’s natural environment. The students had a great time collecting information and data that will transfer to their Geography studies at school. 

Year 8 Enchanted Adventure Garden Excursion

This week students took part in an excursion to Enchanted Adventure Garden, in Arthurs Seat Victoria. Aimed at promoting curiosity, physical activity, and environmental appreciation, this excursion provided a fun and educational experience. It gave students the opportunity to engage with nature, team-building activities, and outdoor adventures in a beautiful environment. Reports from students reveal that their favourite activities were the tube slides and exploring the mazes! The Year 8 cohort have more fun and adventures to look forward to this year, with another excursion in the works for Term 3! 

Year 9 Introduction to Senior School Pathways - VCE Acceleration Briefing and Morrisby Testing 

Year 9 students will start to make some significant choices about their future Senior School pathways in the coming months. With this in mind, Year 9 students were addressed last Friday by Assistant Principal, Mr Brett Lamb, regarding the importance of their studies this year and the impact that their efforts, attitudes, and achievements will have on their choices for Year 10 and VCE.  

This briefing specifically explored the criteria that students will have to meet if they would like to undertake a VCE subject in Year 10. In addition, their Year 9 Maths results and Science results will also inform the Maths and Science pathways open to them in Year 10. These early discussions have taken place so that students understand the impact their Semester 1 academic, and attitude and effort results will have on their pathways. We encourage all students to carefully consider the decisions they make now and to start researching and inquiring about potential pathways beyond EDSC, so they are prepared for Course Counselling later in the year. 

Year 9 City Experience - Safety in the City Presentation

The Year 9 City Experience is coming up in the first half of Term 2. In preparation for their time in the city, a member of the Victorian Police Force met with the cohort on 25 March to provide a general overview of information about the city. This presentation included information and advice about the various forms of public transport, being situationally aware of their surroundings, and also the risks to consider, including crimes and road safety when they are navigating their way into the city and around the CBD. The presentation also alerted students to the many support services around the CBD including the Police and PSOs (Protective Service Officers).

A reminder that students will be attending a briefing prior to their designated week. Please keep a look out on Compass for further information in the lead up to this program. 

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

We wish those attending during week 2 of Term 1 the very best on their city adventures! We know you will make the most of this fantastic opportunity to explore key cultural, historical, and modern landmarks, while engaging in hands-on learning experiences. 

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

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Lucas 7L who has been selected as a finalist for this year's Lester Prize Youth Award for his submitted art work.

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.