Principal's Report
From the Principal
As we reach this stage of Term Two in our school year, the focus at our College is very much sharpened and our expectations are high for student application, achievement and assessment. Our Cycle two report will be published today. I would encourage all students to reflect on these reports as a means of checking the progress benchmarked in the first cycle reports and ensuring that the academic year is progressing in a positive and productive fashion that will act as a springboard to continued academic growth in 2021.
Commencing May 31, our senior school students (Year 11, followed by Year 10 and, finally, Year 9) undertake mid-year examinations, requiring them to have a deep understanding of their learning, and the capacity to solve challenging problems. It is a term where significant coursework is completed by students requiring both collaborative and independent work, application, a heightened organisation and the ability to review and correctly apply content and concepts in a meaningful fashion.
To find success in these elements, our students are encouraged to be active learners in the classroom, completing all assessment tasks to the best of their ability and to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding directly to the teacher.
I strongly encourage students to be acutely aware of the expectations of each assessment task and to strive to be their best in each. The good study, application and organisation habits that are developed now will be rewarded later with the positive learning outcomes and pathway options.
NAPLAN Testing
All students in Years 7 and 9 have this week completed the NAPLAN tests in reading, writing and mathematics. Over time, the NAPLAN tests provide parents, teachers and the school with another valuable source of information on how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy as they advance through their schooling. This complements the feedback students and parents receive on a regular basis from our school on learning tasks, and attitude and effort throughout each year.
I am aware that there has been a lot of media attention and debate about the nature of NAPLAN testing in the past few years. Debates, I am confident, that are a useful means of addressing the inherent nature and purpose of standardised testing in the schooling system. Whilst having a clear personal view on these matters, I will note that at East Doncaster Secondary College, over a long period of time, we have endeavoured to remain true to the original concept and ethos of these standardised tests by encouraging all students to participate in the test to the best of their ability, without placing unbalanced or unrealistic expectations on the outcomes and by reassuring our students that their best effort will be good enough for what the test is seeking to measure and reflect. The tests fall within the planned flow of our graduated curriculum and are not seen as a sole or driving focus, they are not (and should not) be the drivers of our curriculum and learning.
In relation to the NAPLAN testing, a reminder for all parents to ensure postal addresses are up to date as reports on this round of NAPLAN testing will be posted out from mid-August to end-September. Please retain your child’s report somewhere safe for your future records as the school is not provided with duplicates. If a duplicate is required, the school needs to request this on behalf of the parent, and it may take several weeks to be posted.
Education Support Staff
It is Educational Support Staff Day on Sunday, 16 May.
At our College, to mark this day and as a tribute to all our Education Support staff, we celebrated with a luncheon in our Library.
This occasion was a great opportunity to thank the staff who quietly, efficiently and compassionately ensure that the College functions smoothly and allows our teachers to maximise their focus on our students.
Our support staff, in varied and valued roles, play a vital part in the collective work we undertake to improve student outcomes and take enormous pride in and reward from their work.
Thanks to our ES staff!
Big Freeze at EDSC Special Event
I am really pleased to announce that the East Doncaster Secondary College community is once again involved in raising funds for the Fight MND campaign this year.
As in previous years, we have a limited number of BIG FREEZE Beanies available for sale.
Beanies are available for staff and students to purchase which will assist in finding a cure and treatment for Motor Neurone Disease.
To purchase a $20 Big Freeze Beanie, please contact the General Office or speak to Kerryn Murray or Kate Barresi.
Students and families can also donate via our specialised page
https://hub.fightmnd.org.au/diy-big-freeze/edsc
- remember no amount is too big or small for this great cause.
John Roberts
Principal
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. The attached documents provide further information about these services, privacy and how data is managed.