Principal's Report
From the Principal
It seems as if we have just successfully negotiated the start of the school year and now the Easter Term Holiday break looms large on the horizon. Given the extreme challenges that the last two years have presented us all, it has been very satisfying to have been able to welcome back students and staff on-site this term and to reconnect with our College community in a very tangible fashion.
My observations would be that the energy levels of our students have diminished somewhat towards the end of this term and the initial excitement of being back at school has left many of our students quite fatigued. Many of our young students have not had to complete a full term on-site for a good while. Other schools appear to be observing similar traits. It seems, then, that the upcoming Easter period and school holiday break is opportune and timely.
Thank you to all of our parents for the many ways that you have supported your sons and daughters and their teachers throughout Term One. Our students are to be commended on the positive way they approached the term.
A reminder to all families that Term 2 will commence on Tuesday April 26 (with Monday 25 April a public holiday to commemorate ANZAC Day).
I sincerely hope that all members of our school community enjoy a safe and restful holiday period and make the very most of the opportunity to connect with family and friends.
COVID Update – Rapid Antigen Tests
The Victorian Government has announced it is extending the RAT screening program for the first 4 weeks of Term 2. Thank you to all students and families who have played their role in regularly testing and communicating so readily with the College as required.
Your work has seen COVID-19 cases being picked up at the earliest opportunity, meaning less cases in our College and more time in the classroom for our students.
The testing recommendations will remain the same next Term for students and staff with:
* Mainstream schools – recommended to test at home twice a week.
I also wanted to share with you that the College distributed another Rapid Antigen Test pack (there are 5 tests in the pack) to our Year 7 - 12 students today.
If students were absent from the College today, they are encouraged to come to the General Office upon their return to school at the commencement of next term to collect their test pack.
It is our hope that students will now be best placed to ensure that they complete a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of returning to school next term.
Can I yet again reinforce that the use of Rapid Antigen Tests is not mandated for students or staff, and they are not a requirement for attendance.
The constructive use of the tests falls within the realm of surveillance testing and as such they are a good, easy way to contribute to the safety of our College and community and support our families and each other. Whilst not infallible, these tests seem to be making a real difference.
If your child returns a positive result, your child has COVID-19. You must:
- quarantine your child for seven days
- advise the school about the positive result
- Your child must stay home until their symptoms have resolved and they are well
- Everyone in your household is a close contact and must isolate for 7 days.
Thank you again for your support over Term 1.
Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews
On Wednesday afternoon and evening of last week we conducted our first Parent – Student – Teacher interviews for the year.
After disruptions of the past two years, it was certainly pleasing to see so many of our families use this event to reinforce the partnership we share in forming successful learning pathways for our students. From the feedback provided throughout the sessions, the interviews were valued by parents and students and the mood was very positive.
If parents were unable to attend personally last Wednesday or unable to secure an interview with a particular teacher, could I remind all parents that the COMPASS system allows for ongoing communication via email. I would encourage parents to contact any teacher if they have specific concerns/queries regarding the education of their child. Alternatively, parents may contact Year Level Coordinators to arrange meetings and discuss overall performance or other issues.
Once again, a special mention is extended to our Parents and Friends Association for their efforts over the afternoon and evening in selling home-made cakes and hot cross buns and raising funds for their next project. Their presence and assistance is always valued and it was great to be able to host the event on-site and provide a platform for the connection of our community.
EDSC Student Advisory Panel
We are excited to launch a brand new initiative for 2022 – the East Doncaster Secondary College Student Advisory Panel.
This Panel is being introduced to sit alongside and work within the current framework of the existing Student Leadership Program.
The Student Advisory Panel will be organised and chaired by the College Principal.
It is intended that the Student Advisory Panel will be provide feedback and guide future decision-making to help shape our College and improve the overall student experience.
For each year level there was an opportunity for three students to be involved. The Panel will meet twice a term and work with myself and the College Leadership Team on identified areas of focus.
I am very pleased to acknowledge the members of our Student Advisory Panel for this year:
Elana Ronagh, Maryam Syed, Siena Sotiropoulos (Year 7) Anuk De Silva, Bryce Youl, Malak Elmeligi (Year 8) Mary Jung, Cheryl Chong, Ryan Wang (Year 9) Abhishek Banerjee, Marina Georgiou, Haim Kaur (Year 10) Anne Nguyen, Salma Abdelfadil, Lachlan Lau (Year 11) Samantha Chin, Ben Mansell (Year 12)
Outstanding Student Achievement
Eastern Zone Swimming
Last week our students competed in the School Sport Victoria Eastern Zone Swimming Championships at the AquaNation pool in Ringwood.
Overall, the team finished the carnival in 4th place in the Region.
This was a great achievement by the 27 students who proudly represented the College.
The major highlights from an action packed day were the following students who received gold medals and a place in the SSV State Finals (on Thursday 28 April), we wish them well:
Farida T
Girls 12-18 100m Breaststroke
Girls 15 50m Breaststroke (New Record – 36.19)
Girls 12-15 100m Freestyle
Girls 14 50m Freestyle
Charlie M
Boys 12-18 100m Breaststroke
Boys 16 50m Breaststroke
Courtney M
Girls 12-18 100m Butterfly
Girls 15 50m Butterfly
Misha W
Girls 18-20 50m Breaststroke
Matthew W
Boys 16 50m Backstroke
Cady Y
Courtney M
Farida T
Victoria M
Girls 15-16 Medley Relay (New Record – 2:12.83 by 7secs!)
Christopher B
Charlie M
Flynn W
Matthew W
Boys 16 Freestyle Relay
For a more detailed report on the Carnival, please refer to a later section of this Newsletter.
Congratulations to all competitors for their contributions to individual and team success.
We are very proud of your effort!
Outstanding Student Achievements
On a related note, it is also very pleasing to share with our community that a number of young students have continued to excel in their athletic pursuits external to the College.
Continuing with the tradition we appear to have established, we have a number of young swimmers who have qualified, through their club performances and at the recent State Age Championships, to compete at the National Age Swimming Championships to be held in Adelaide next week.
Courtney M, Farida T, Charlie M and Victoria M will be travelling to compete next week and we wish them well but more than anything acknowledge their efforts in qualifying for such prestigious events.
Congratulations to Allegria 7H. Allegria recently travelled to Sydney to represent Victoria at the Australian Age Track and Field Championships where she won a medal, finishing third in the U/14 Pole Vault event.
We asked Allegria to share her experience;
On Wednesday the 29th March, l had the opportunity to represent Victoria at the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championship held at Sydney Olympic Stadium. This was the first year that l was able to compete at the Championship due to my young age. It was with great pleasure to be awarded a Bronze Medal in the Under 14 womens Pole Vault with a personal best height of 2.30 metres.
Well done Allegria, a great effort in an elite competition!
Parents & Friends – thank you!
We conducted our brief end of term Staff Morning tea this morning, allowing us to thank and acknowledge a number of staff who are leaving us after brief placements this term or to commence periods of extended leave. We were able to celebrate with the great generosity of our Parents & friends Association who donated the hot-cross buns for morning tea.
Once again, thanks to PFA for their efforts and generosity of spirit.
Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
Our wonderful Parents and Friends Association is organizing a Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser at Bunnings Doncaster on Saturday 16 April 2022. If anyone (over 18 years of age) is willing and able to volunteer an hour of their time to assist with this task, between 8am and 4pm on that day, please contact Aban at aban2309@yahoo.com – your help will be greatly appreciated.
Please also support us if you are able to, by visiting the stall in large numbers on the day to enjoy a snag and a drink.
Can I also extend my thanks in advance to the hard-working members of our Parents & Friends Association for their efforts in planning and undertaking this event.
Staff Farewell
Today we farewelled Alister Jones and Zongqi Liu who have been teaching at the College in a range of roles both this year and last. We wish them all the very best in their professional journey.
John Roberts
Principal
Parent Payment arrangements for 2022
The Parent Payment arrangements for 2022 are available via Compass on your home page under “Course Confirmation/Payments”.
Payments can be made through Compass or directly to the College via credit card or cash using the College Payment Envelope (when the General Office re-opens to parents).
If you do not wish to pay via Compass, please ensure you return a copy of the completed form to the General Office, available under “pay in person at the school” link at the bottom of the page in Course Confirmations/Payments, or you can request a copy from the College via
parentpayments@eastdonsc.vic.edu.au
Payments were due by Tuesday 23 November 2021
Your ongoing support of the College allows us to continue to offer a broad range of programs and enhanced curriculum experiences.
Please refer to the attached Parent Payments Policy and further links to information via
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/parent-payment/policy
College Philosophy
At East Doncaster Secondary College we have a strong tradition of academic excellence and we aim to promote and sustain a reflective learning culture. We want students to experience a sense of achievement and growth in their academic, personal, social and emotional development. We have high expectations of our students’ commitment to being mutually supportive and striving for success as learners. We are proudly multicultural with a student population from 43 nationalities including a number of International Students. 68% of our students speak a language other than English at home.
A student’s life at school is full of opportunities, being rich and varied with a range of co-curricular activities in music, sport, productions, debating, clubs as well as camps and international experiences for the educational and personal development of students. Our students are vibrant, energetic, and talented young people. There are many student leadership opportunities and we aim to continue to increase student access to decision-making and self-determination as learners.
We endeavour to create a "Culture of Curiosity" with goals of ensuring learning improvement for every student – every student, every period, every day.
Our school’s purpose is to develop passionate learners who are critical thinkers with the confidence and capability to engage in the global community.
Care and Compassion, Curiosity, Excellence, Fairness, Resilience, Respect and Teamwork are the core values that underpin the culture of our school as we embrace the challenges of 21st Century learning.
We aim to sustain a learning culture that provides every student with a sense of achievement and of being their best in their academic, personal, social and emotional development.
Privacy and Data at East Doncaster Secondary College
East Doncaster Secondary College uses a number of digital platforms to support your child’s education, such as Compass, Google Drive and Office 365.
The College has an Information Security Policy and complies with the Department of Education and Training Privacy Policy. Click on the below link to access these documents.