Middle School News
Year 7 to 9
City Experience Group 2 started with beautiful Melbourne Autumn weather assisting us to deliver a valuable and much anticipated program to the second half of our Year 9 students. As with everything these days we did encounter some hurdles along the way, as was the case with the first group. However, as a team both staff and students managed to make the most of what is on offer on any given day in Melbourne and made the most of their situations.
We met every morning at St Augustine’s Parish on Spencer Street. Students were prompt and on time which allowed us to let them start and finish their days in a timely manner. All students should be applauded for making this happen. The week kicked off with a bit of City Experience history from College Principal John Roberts, who along with myself, gave students their Amazing Race folders and saw them off for the opening challenge (The Amazing Race). Throughout the week teachers have been buying the winning students gifts, symbolic of the activities they participated in throughout the week. Students participated in a range of activities from Koori Heritages tours, exploring Queen Victoria Market, MCG tour, visiting and role playing at the Old Magistrates Court, City Watch House and Old Melbourne Gaol to Sealife Aquarium, Street Art tours and observance of historical significance at The Shrine.
During these events I am please to say that EDSC students demonstrated great respect for staff, guides and each other and curiosity in asking valuable and probing questions in a range of contexts.
Students were also given a Cultural Cuisine Challenge to undertake, which provided many interesting conversations between staff and students about what their lunch would be for that day. I am again pleased to say students really digested these instructions and didn’t make a meal out of our challenge. Students were seen and showed pictures of sushi, pho, spicy noodle Soups, mexican burritos, curry laksa, wood fired pizzas, boureks, gozleme, vegetarian curries, ramen and much more than I can list. I thank the students for really tucking into this part of the experience.
Friday came and the experience would come to an end with a presentation/graduation ceremony at the parish. Students were given a City Experience certificate and we announced the winners of the Amazing Race. The order of completion for the Amazing Race was:
City Experience - Week 2
| 1st place | Adam, Torrin, Toby, Arjun, Mohammed, Ilia |
| 2nd place | Amirah, Courtney, Eileen, Stazi, Siyona, Avina, Anthea |
| 3rd place | Brayden, Chris, Nathan, Harrison, Josh, Jay |
City Experience - Week 5
| 1st place | Arwa, Emily, Hazel, Michelle, Suyi, Habiba |
| 2nd place | Sophie, Ella, Zaya, Koroush, Billi, Veer, Sebastian |
| 3rd place | Samyue, Ava, Alisha, Bonnie, Nana, Baran |
more photos ......
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff who attended this week's experience and congratulate all the students on a fun week of learning in the city. A very special mention to the Year 9 Team, Adam Robb, Giulia Catalano and Kate Hesslemans for all their hard work and organisation and Breanne Murphy, Middle School Secretary, for the hours of organisation, bookings (and re-bookings) and printing, the event wouldn’t run without her.
Justin Bond
Head of Middle School
City Experience Photographers
Students on Year 9 City experience will have photos and videos to remember their recent city experience, thanks to our Yr 11 VCAL students going along to capture some of the moments.
Our students worked with Mr Jones in their PDS subject, negotiating permissions, logistics and timelines, to attend the event – gaining an understanding of operational procedures in a workplace along the way.
It was also nice to have a chance for our VCAL students to take a leadership role with the Year 9s – assisting the younger students to navigate and feel comfortable in the city.
Photos are such an important way for students to remember their time with friends, and the activities they had fun doing. We hope they enjoy the extra photos our students were able to capture.
Kelly Kingham
VCAL Coordinator
The Trades Fit – Careers Expo
It was a pleasure to take a group of young women recently to “The Trades Fit” – a career expo showcasing opportunities and empowering women to enter trades and tech industries (that are traditional male dominant).
Students were given an opportunity to meet women working in these industries, find out about training, employment and education options, and have a go at hands on experiences and activities. There were a number of speakers inspiring our students to smash some stereotypes, and share their stories of success.
Interestingly, a number of jobs in the “Big Build” projects across Victoria and Australia, along with mining, were exhibiting. We learnt that these are a source of a very large number of jobs in the coming years – and they have a focus on increasing the diversity of their workforce.
There were a wide variety of industries on offer, from automotive, aeronautics, IT, robotics, engineering, bricklaying, plumbing, transport and logistics – and so many more.
We hope that this event becomes a yearly event, so that more students have the chance to have this experience next year.
A new Senior Secondary Certificate – The VCE VM
Victoria’s senior secondary education is changing
From 2023, the new VCE Vocational Major will replace Intermediate and Senior VCAL.
This means the VCE will recognise different students equally. The new Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) will replace Foundation VCAL.
Students will have more education choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences – preparing them for further study, training at TAFE or work.
From 2023, more students will study the VCE – at EDSC and across the state. That is because the VCE will include the Vocational Major, a 2-year program that sits within the VCE.
There will also be the Victorian Pathways Certificate for those who need flexibility in their learning.
A new information and awareness campaign, Many Talents, One VCE will roll out across various media platforms explaining the changes. EDSC will also provide more specific information about how we will be implementing this new certificate, as this will look slightly different in different schools.
The changes are a result of the Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth review). As a school currently offering VCAL, we will switch to the VCE Vocational Major from 2023. At EDSC, we are strongly positioned to make this transition.
You may notice that other schools that do not currently offer VCAL will expand their options to include the VCE Vocational Major.
During our upcoming Course Counselling program, teachers and careers counsellors will be available to answer questions and to support students as they make decisions about their final years at school. We are excited to give students even greater access to high-quality, relevant vocational education and applied learning opportunities.
For more information, go to vic.gov.au/oneVCE
Kelly Kingham
VCAL and HeadStart Coordinator
International Chemistry Quiz 2022
The International Chemistry Quiz is on again this year on Thursday 28 July for all year levels.
To register, please get a form from your science teacher or download the attachment below and return the attachment with $5 payment to the General Office by Friday 3 June.
refer below link for ICQ Information 2022
refer below for Chemistry Quiz payment form 2022
Karen Moxey
Laboratory Technician
EDSC College Magazine: Courtyard Tales 2022
East Doncaster Secondary College annually publishes a College magazine called Courtyard Tales. Complied by a dedicated team of teachers and students, it is a celebration of the events that have occurred in 2022. With photos from camps, College events, house and student led activities as well as a page for autographs at the back, the College magazine makes a great keepsake.
An event will be posted on Compass early Term 2 to pre-order your copy.
Eileen Nguyen
College Magazine Coordinator
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:
1 to 1 Digital Learning Program 2022
In 2022 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 2022 purchases.
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.
