Principal's Report
Principal Report
The commencement of Term 4 signifies a time of challenge, excitement and activity at our College.
As this term unfolds over the next 11 weeks, we complete several crucial assessment tasks across all year levels and seek to consolidate the knowledge gained throughout the year. We will bid farewell to our VCE class of 2023 after they have completed their final VCE exams throughout November. We will welcome our new students during Orientation Day in December and we will further prepare for the academic challenges of 2024 in our VCE Orientation and Advance Programs.
Busy times!
A reminder that Cycle 5 reports will be published in two weeks (they will be available on Friday 27 October) – please access the Compass Learning Management system to view those reports. Following this, our Year 10 and Year 11 students will commence the final phases of their course studies before preparing for end of semester examinations in November. For our Middle School Year 7-9 students, it is equally as important to ensure that their academic year concludes in a positive and productive fashion that will act as a springboard to continued academic progress in 2024.
I addressed our students in Middle School and Senior School Assemblies last week about the importance of maintaining high expectations in all aspects of college life here at East Doncaster. Such expectations, when coupled with behaviours and a mindset that embodies the values of the College, set the foundation for the consistent successes we enjoy at our College. I reinforced my firm belief that real and meaningful learning takes application and above all, effort. With such application and effort, I maintain that anything is possible and we should not put boundaries upon what we can achieve.
Finally, I observed at all the assemblies, that there can be a tendency during Term 4 of a school year to taper off and, at times, reduce such effort and application. My challenge to all our students was to finish this year as we mean to start next year – with a sense of optimism and with their learning progress at a standard that will enable and ensure further growth and improvement in 2024.
A Message of Support to our School Community
Many in our school community are affected by the devastating events in the Middle East. All of us are upset and disturbed by the awful events depicted in media footage and images.
This time is particularly distressing for staff, students, families and carers who have family and friends in Israel and Gaza. We are also aware that students of diverse backgrounds, including Jewish and Muslim students, may be significantly affected by public events, mainstream media coverage and social media at this time.
Please be assured that all staff are aware of the extreme emotional toll on many in our community at this time. But please also feel free to get in contact with any of the staff at our school if you would like to ensure we are aware of what your child is going through at this time. Our support staff will continue doing all they can to support all our students, and support is also available for our staff.
I also want to assure you that the department is monitoring the situation from a school security perspective and have advised there is no further action we need to take at this stage.
It is possible that extremely distressing scenes from the conflict may be posted online in coming days. Please ensure your children are aware of where they can find support in the event they come across such images. At our College, this includes our Wellbeing team and Year Level Coordinators.
You may find some aspects of the following resource helpful:
Support is also available through external services including:
- headspace: 1800 650 890
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636.
Please be assured that as a College community, we will all look to support one another in this very difficult time.
The VCE Class of 2023
Our VCE Unit 3 & 4 students are in their final preparations for their upcoming examinations, which for most students begin on Tuesday 24 October with the English/EAL examination.
On Tuesday we conducted an assembly with our Year 12 students and spoke to the students about expectations for behaviour and protocols for the upcoming examinations. Our Coordinators took the opportunity of reminding our Year 12 students of their responsibility to continue to be EDSC citizens and community members who show courtesy and respect to our students and school, and the wider community, in their celebratory events in the period following the examinations.
On Monday evening we opened our Annual VCE Art & Technology Exhibition with the presentation of student work in The John Landy Centre. An exciting and diverse range of Art, Visual Communication Design and Product Design & Technology folios was on display, a result of the creative processes of our Year 12 and 11 students who have undertaken Unit 3 & 4 VCD, Product Design & Technology and Studio Arts studies in 2023. The standard of the displays, including the Media Studies films - displayed on Tuesday evening in the Performing Arts Centre, was once again very high and a testament to the effort of our students and the technical support, mentoring and guidance of our teachers. Thank-you to Gene Easton, Brett Lamb, Rebecca Parker, Ebony Pham, Danielle Ruderman and all the Arts and Technology teachers involved in these events.
Next week, our Year 12 students are engaged in a series of “Master Classes” to provide final focus and revision activities for our students as they strive to be fully ready to meet the challenges of the examination period.
This stage of the year can be quite demanding for our students and their families. In such circumstances, experience suggests that it is best to attend carefully to the basics – this includes establishing and implementing a study plan, ensuring a balanced diet and regular sleep patterns, maintaining periods for recreation to clear the mind and relax, and turning off mobile phones and social media forums whilst studying or sleeping. Finally, it is important to make use of the availability of teachers for support and guidance right up to the exam itself. The fantastic resources and last-minute tips provided by teachers can be overlooked or under-estimated in this busy period, however, I would encourage all students to maximise the use of their best resource – their teachers.
On Thursday 19 October, we will conduct our Valedictory Dinner for students and their parents at The Grand Receptions, 90 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South. Our Final Assembly once again for students and their families, will commence at 11.00 am on Friday 17 November in our Sports Stadium (this is after the examination period).
Our Year 12 students – the class of 2023, have been respectful and supportive of each other, our teachers, our College and what we are trying to do for them and all students of EDSC and I wish them all the very best for their future pathways.
On behalf of our College community, I sincerely wish our students all the best in their examinations.
Please note that due to the Final Assembly and the celebrations we will undertake with our Year 12 students on Friday 17 November, all students in Years 7-11 will be dismissed from the College at the conclusion of Period 4 (12.40 pm).
The Spring Music Concerts
Our annual Spring Music Concerts were conducted in our Performing Arts Centre on Thursday evening with two concerts presented. These concerts were a wonderful celebration of our Instrumental Music program and offered something for young and old with the music presented on the evening. Congratulations is extended to all students and their teachers for presenting an exciting and musically varied event. Special thanks to Music Director Norm Grimmett and Head of Instrumental Music, Carl Williams for their organisation of the evening. Both concerts were compered by our Music Captains Lucas King, Belle Shi, Genevieve Doherty, Jenica Fok, Hannah Kim, Katrina Syjongtian and Sophie Wright, who did a wonderful job educating the audience about the musical items selected. Highlights included a well-deserved recognition of the Year 12 Instrumental Music students who were involved in their final concert performance at our College and an uplifting finale with all ensembles included in a rousing version of ‘The Greatest Showman’.
Norm Grimmett acknowledged the support of the parent community, in particular the parents of our Year 12 leavers and our wonderful Parents and Friends Association provided dinner and refreshments at interval break between concerts - thank you to those that attended.
Outstanding Student Achievement
Sporting Excellence
A special mention is afforded to Aidan (Year 12) who recently participated last month in the Marathon Kayaking World Championships in Denmark. A very special achievement indeed!
Aidan wore the green and gold with pride and raced with determination and grit, placing 25th in the singles event and 18th in the doubles event.
We are very proud of Aidan’s effort and wish him all the best for his future in this sport – we will be watching keenly as he keeps progressing.
Well done, Aidan!
2023 Hockey Australia Boys U13 Carnival
Well done to our Year 7 students, Kryshant and Kriish, who represented Victoria in the Hockey Australia Boys U13 Carnival recently in Newcastle, New South Wales. The Victorian team finished second, narrowly missing out on winning the carnival.
I understand that Kryshant was given the honour of captaining the team and performed to an exceptional level throughout the carnival.
Great effort, Kryshant and Kriish !
Isaac Quaynor
We were very proud to watch the AFL Grand Final last weekend and note that one of the star Collingwood players from the victorious Premiership team was our past student Isaac Quaynor. Isaac’s brother Luke is a Year 12 student just about to complete his VCE studies, so the family link is still very strong with our College.
Isaac enjoyed a stellar year on the football field, also finishing sixth in the club Best and Fairest Award.
Isaac has visited the College a number of times since graduating as a VCE student in the class of 2017 and has been only too happy to assist us in a number of ways, including being a special guest at our Big Freeze events and addressing our Year 12 students at their Final Assembly.
Well done and congratulations, Isaac!
John Roberts
Principal