Middle School News
Year 7 to 9
Year 7 Camp
WOW!!! What an amazing camp. A huge thank you to all who attended, especially the staff who sacrificed their time away from family and friends to make this a most memorable experience. With the largest group we have ever taken, the camp ran almost incident free. A huge shout out to Breanne Murphy, Tina Marchant, Kim Schwarz and Rebecca Morris. Without their planning and organisation this event would not have gone ahead. See photos for some of the highlights.
City Experience
City Experience is set to go for weeks 2 and 5 next term. Students were briefed in an assembly on Thursday afternoon and parents can and should keep a close eye on Compass Newsfeed for event details.
We can’t wait for this event and all students and staff are looking forward to learning more about our culture and heritage whilst building independence and life skills for the students.
Justin Bond
Head of Middle School
Introduction to Senior School Pathways - 2023 Year 9 Students
Dear Year 9 parents/guardians,
As you will all be aware, students in Year 9 will start to make some significant choices about their future Senior School pathways. With this in mind, all Year 9 students were addressed this week at their year level assembly to discuss the importance of their studies this year and the impact that their efforts and achievements will have on their choices for next year.
We specifically explored with students the criteria that they 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 results will have on these choices.
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.
** Please note that other Year 8 subject data may also be referred to as part of this process.
- 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.
At the assembly the common misconception with students that undertaking an accelerated VCE subject will allow students to have a reduced Year 12 workload was addressed. 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.
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.
Karen Boyle
Assistant Principal- Teaching and Learning
2023 NAPLAN Testing Schedule
As communicated to students and families earlier in the term, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 7 and 9 students will be delivered online next week between Wednesday 15 March and Monday 27 March.
Catch up tests will be scheduled for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including Monday 27 March 2023.
Students are asked to make sure that they arrive punctually for each of the test sessions. They are required to bring headphones for the Language Conventions test. Headphones are also optional for the Writing and Numeracy tests.
The testing schedule is:
| Wednesday 15 March | Writing (42 min test)
Year 7: Period 1 (Extended period) Year 9: Period 3 (Extended period)
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| Thursday 16 March | Reading (65 min test)
Year 7: Period 1&2 Year 9: Period 3 &4
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| Friday 17 March | Conventions of Language (45 min test)
Year 9: Period 1 (Extended period) Year 7: Period 3 (Extended period)
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| Monday 20 March | Numeracy (65 min test)
Year 9: Period 1&2 Year 7: Period 3 &4
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Students have all been familiarised with the online platform. Students and families can gain further familiarisation with the online platform via this link: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
Further information can be found in the brochure to parents as attached.
Karen Boyle
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning
1 to 1 Digital Learning Program 2023 and Laptop Configuration Bookings
In 2023 we will continue with our whole school 1 to 1 Digital Learning Program for all students.
The purchase of these devices is crucial to the learning program as students will access eBooks rather than an extensive number of expensive textbooks.
Details of the 1 to 1 Digital Learning Program for all students and important information regarding suitable devices are detailed in the attached policy.
**Please note that the JB Hi Fi Solutions portal is no longer open for the sale of devices. This service is not available for 2023 purchases.
Parent Payment arrangements for 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Please find attached the Parent Payment arrangements for 2023. They are available for payment via Compass on your home page under “Course Confirmation/Payments”.
Alternatively, payments can be made directly to the College via credit card or cash using the College Payment Envelope. Please ensure you download the attached form for the appropriate 2023 year level. Payment envelopes can be dropped off at the College in the locked drop box at Reception.
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
John Roberts
Principal
Child Safety and Wellbeing at East Doncaster Secondary College: information for families and the school community
The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.
East Doncaster Secondary College has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to view on our school’s website, on a Compass News Feed, at the school’s Reception.
We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact the Principal, John Roberts or Assistant Principal, Cameron Campbell.
https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/our_school/child-safety-standards
Student Medical Expenses
Parents/carers are reminded that they are liable for all medical expenses incurred as a result of a student’s injury or medical need, including transport costs such as ambulance costs (this may include an air ambulance should that be considered necessary).
Parents/carers are responsible for any medical expenses (including ambulance costs) incurred if their child is injured or requires medical treatment or an ambulance while at school or participating in a school activity.
Parents/carers may not be called if an ambulance is required, until after an ambulance is called, depending on the situation. The College staff will use their judgment as to what action to take in cases of a student’s accident or sudden illness.
We encourage parents/carers to have up-to-date ambulance cover and medical insurance.
Damage to Students’ Personal Items/Property
Parents/guardians are reminded that any personal item/property that is brought to school by a student is the responsibility of the student and is not the responsibility of the school and is not covered by school insurance. Refer to Personal Possessions Of Students Policy in the EDSC Policy handbook on the College website. Students are responsible for personal items/property they bring to school. Neither the Department nor the school is responsible if any student’s personal item/property is lost, stolen or damaged.
Privacy and Data at East Doncaster Secondary College
East Doncaster Secondary College uses several digital platforms to support your child’s education, such as Compass, Google Drive, Office 365, Edapt, Oliver Library Management System. The College has an Information Security Policy and complies with the Department of Education and Training Privacy Policy. The attached documents provide further information about these services, privacy and how data is managed.
Privacy information for these platforms can be viewed here:
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/out with their card at the General Office when they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason. A reminder that Year 12 students are required to sign in/out at The John Landy Centre Compass Kiosk.
The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library/PTV is also the student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) cards. 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.
