Principal's Report
The initial four weeks of the 2024 school year have passed in the blink of an eye. There has been a vibrant energy both in and out of the classroom with students settling into their new classes and forging relationships with their peers and teachers.
Once again, we have started a new year with additional classrooms for students to navigate. We are excited to begin the year with an amazing new precinct that not only provides us with wonderful learning spaces but also additional spaces for students to enjoy during recess and lunch. The external spaces in this area will continue to evolve over the term, providing additional play spaces for our students. Over the break we have also added to our specialist learning spaces with the addition of two Science labs, two Art rooms, a new kitchen for Food Studies and an additional Design Technology space.
I have been able to visit many classrooms over the last couple of weeks and have been so pleased to see such calm and respectful classrooms across all year levels. The high levels of engagement that can be seen in our students at this very early stage of the year is to be commended. Across all year levels the focus has been on doing your best and being your best; I am proud that this has certainly been evident in my classroom visits.
Our new Year 7 students have also begun the year well. They have taken to their new environment well and it has been lovely to speak to so many of them in these first few weeks. We were also delighted to see so many of our Year 7 students and their families attend our Welcoming Social Evening on Monday 10 February. It was a great opportunity to meet parents new to our College community and to hear their initial impressions of our College. The evening was two-fold with families also having the opportunity to attend the Instrumental Music Information and Recruitment sessions. I know that our Instrumental Music program will continue to thrive this year with many signing up. We look forward to seeing our Year 7s perform for us a bit later in the year!
Our Year 7 students are this week filled with excited anticipation as they depart next week for their camp at Anglesea. Year 7 camp is always one of the highlights for our students as they settle into their first year at the College and yet another major element of their successful transition to secondary school. I know that our teachers are just as excited as our students about the activities planned and I wish them all a wonderful time.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind families about the Parents and Friends Meet and Greet Social Evening taking place on Monday 24 February. I know that many families find it difficult to make connections with other parents once students begin secondary school and this is certainly a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Please refer to Compass Newsfeed for more information.
School Council Update
Nominations have now closed for the 2025 School Council Election
Upon the closing of nominations, it was very pleasing to receive seven nominations for the four parent position vacancies, and five nominations for the two student position vacancies, hence an election process has commenced.
Information and ballot papers for the parent electorate positions will be sent home to families via the eldest child on or before 25 February 2025.
In the 2025 School Council Elections there are:
· Four vacant parent category positions
· Two vacant DE (employee) positions
· Two vacant student category positions
The close of ballot will be 4.00 pm Friday 14 March 2025
The declaration of the ballot will be posted on a Compass News Feed.
Information regarding the process, Candidate Statements and timeline for the 2025 School Council Elections can be found on Compass Newsfeed.
The student category ballot will take place in class time. Information regarding this process will be posted in a separate Newsfeed to students.
As there were only two nominations for the two employee positions, no ballot is required for this category.
I will update our College community in upcoming Newsletters on the final composition and office bearers for our 2025-26 School Council.
School Council 2025 – Public Meeting
We are extending an invitation to the College Community to attend the March School Council meeting which is the first meeting of the new School Council and Public Meeting. This will be held at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 26 March. Interested parties are asked to please contact Lisa Bull at Lisa.Bull2@education.vic.gov.au for further details and to register attendance. All attendees must be registered by 4.00pm Monday 24 March.
Farewell to a Much-Valued Member of our School Council
With the tenure of our 2024-25 School Council completed at our School Council meeting held on Wednesday 12 February, I would once again like to thank our outgoing President Cyrus Tengra. With the graduation of his son at the end of 2024, Cyrus’ twelve-year connection to our College comes to an end.
Cyrus has been a long-standing member of our School Council, providing valuable contributions since 2015. He has provided invaluable support as a member of the finance sub-committee, served as vice-President from 2018 and President from 2023.
Cyrus has overseen significant growth at our College during his tenure and he has always advocated for what is in the best interest of all students. He has been unwavering in his support of our College and for this we owe him immense gratitude.
With his permission, I have shared Cyrus’ final words to School Council last week:
Farewell Speech to School Council
Good evening, esteemed colleagues, staff, students, and friends. As my ten-year tenure on the School Council including the past two years as President, concludes this year, I am filled with gratitude.
Together, we've transformed our college into a beacon of excellence. Our academic achievements have soared, and our modernised facilities provide an environment conducive to learning and growth. These milestones are a testament to the dedication of each individual here and in the school community.
I am deeply grateful to my fellow council members for their unwavering commitment, time and insightful contributions. To the staff, whose passion and dedication inspire us daily, and to the students, whose enthusiasm and curiosity drive us forward - thank you. Your collective spirit has been the cornerstone of our success.
I carry with me a heart full of gratitude and optimism, confident that the foundation we've built together will continue to support and propel this school toward even greater heights.
Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility. I wish you all continued success and fulfilment in the years to come.
Thank you.
Cyrus Tengra – Outgoing School Council President (12 Feb 2025)
Parent – Student – Teacher Conferences
A 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. Students are not required to attend classes on Thursday 3 April 2025 but are expected to attend interviews with parents and teachers. They too will benefit from the feedback provided and from the opportunity to share their own reflections on their learning. 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 Conferences 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 Unit 3/4 subject) Student Bookings – 10.00am Monday 24 March until 12.00pm Wednesday 2 April.
We fully 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.
Making use of your School Savings Bonus
If you wish to use your School Savings Bonus or CSEF credit for all or some of the cost of camps or excursions, please email events@eastdonsc.vic.edu.au with the following information:
- Event Name
- Student Name and Code
- Family Name and Code
- Credit amount to be applied to this event
We will amend the cost of the event in Compass prior to you making the payment.
This may take 3-5 days to process, so please check back in Compass after this time to make your payment.
College Uniform
A friendly reminder to parents about the importance of students wearing the correct uniform. Proper attire helps maintain a sense of unity and pride within our school community. It also supports a focused and respectful learning environment. We appreciate your continued support in ensuring that students are dressed in accordance with the College’s uniform policy each day.
COMPASS Communications at EDSC
The COMPASS Learning Management system in use at East Doncaster Secondary College provides parents an opportunity to monitor many important aspects of their child’s learning and wellbeing.
I hope that parents of our Year 7 students and other parents new to our College will have already discovered the potential of the Compass system to inform them of College operations, upcoming events, student attendance data and learning outcomes.
Parents are encouraged to maintain regular communication whenever there is a concern via the Compass portal. As mentioned, parents are also able to check daily attendance and can send emails directly to teachers requesting clarification of learning progress or related issues.
We are committed to improving the quality of communications to parents – especially in relation to student learning. The management of Learning Tasks including descriptions, due dates, confirmation of submission and feedback on learning performance are all ways for teachers to engage and inform parents and students within this information feedback loop.
If you are encountering difficulties in accessing and using the COMPASS system, please do not hesitate to contact our General Office.
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.