Middle School News
Year 7 to 9
Year 7
What a fantastic beginning to 2022, I couldn’t be prouder of the way this group has settled in and begun their secondary schooling on such a positive note. It really is a testament to students, teachers and parents working together to provide a positive climate to foster strong positive connections to school and learning. This is not to say there haven't been a few bumps along the way and a few issues, however, with the College value of “Resilience” on display and with support from Transition Coordinator Tina Marchant and Year Level Coordinators Kim Schwarz, Rebecca Morris and Mark Rickard, these small bumps were able to be navigated. There were a few memorable moments this semester that Year 7 students were involved in such as:
Year 7 Anglesea Camp
Brainstorm Health Incursion
Interschool Sports
Clubs and Activities
Student Leadership Activities
Musical Performances
Well done to all Year 7 students. Have a wonderful, relaxing and reenergizing break and we will see you back happy and healthy next term.
Year 8
Year 8 students had a productive and impressive start to the year. Like our Year 7 cohort, I am happy with the way the wider school community collaborates and communicates to provide the best learning opportunities and experiences for this group. Year Level Coordinators Tom Novak and Leanne Kaufmann have worked tirelessly to manage and navigate any challenges along the way this semester. Year 8 students have also been involved in a number of those events mentioned for Year 7 students but also enjoyed these activities:
Coasts Excursion
Class Captain led Y8 social Evening
Class Captain led Sports Afternoon
Values Assemblies
ANZAC Assembly
Again, well done to all Year 8 students. Have a wonderful, relaxing and reenergizing break and we will see you back happy and healthy next term.
A reminder to parents that Year 8 camp information is now appearing in Compass Newsfeed.
Year 9
Year 9 also had some unique experiences this semester as well as those mentioned for Year 7 and 8. These were:
City Experience
Morrisby Survey
Morrisby Interviews
First time Math and English exams
Year 9 Class Captains/Middle School Captains running Values Assemblies
A huge thank you to the Year Level Coordinators, Giulia Catalano, Adam Robb and Kate Hesslemans for all their work and a special mention to Breanne Murphy for her input into the City Experience program. Next term will begin with a flurry, with course counselling and information coming at students and parents thick and fast. Please check Compass for the Course Selection Handbook and other information. Students and parents are reminded to continue to check Compass regularly so as not to miss out on vital course information.
Well done to all Year 9 students. Have a wonderful, relaxing and reenergizing break and we will see you back happy and healthy next term.
Refer to the attached list for all Award recipients
Justin Bond
Head of Middle School
VCE Acceleration Applications for 2023
Dear students and families, as you will be aware, Year 9 students were spoken to at the end of Term 1 about the possibility of including a VCE subject into their Year 10 program in 2023 (should they meet the criteria) This was discussed with students again this week in their assembly where I reiterated the criteria that will be applied and asked students to carefully consider if acceleration is something that is right for them. Application forms were collected by many students at the conclusion of the assembly. For those who were absent, application forms are available from the Middle School office.
I encourage students to research their areas of interest over the break via the College VCE Subject Handbooks. Subject handbooks will be available by the end of term via Compass newsfeed. I also encourage students and families to attend the Year 10 2023 Information Evening on Thursday 21 July. Details will be available at the start of term.
Please find below the application form for those students who are unable to collect one before the end of term. Applications are due by Monday 25 July and are to be submitted to the Senior School Office.
Karen Boyle
Assistant Principal- Teaching & Learning
ABC’s of VCE
Tuesday 21 June introduced the basic guide to subject selection and the variety of pathways on offer at East Doncaster Secondary College.
Head of Senior School, Kate Leaumont presented information for parents and students on Pathways, VCE and alternative VCE streams as well as subject requirements and opportunities within East Doncaster Secondary College.
The night was a great success and provided those that attended the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming course selection interviews for Year 9 students going in to Year 10 in 2023.
The next event which is a follow on from the evening is the subject information night in Term 3 on 21 July which will provide parents and students information on subject specific content and requirements.
Please find attached a copy of the slides from the presentation, for your reference.
Tim Bourke
Year 10 Coordinator
A reflection on the VHAP English Masterclass at Koonung Secondary College
This term, a group of very important students were selected to participate in the Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP) English. The course spanned over 10 weeks and focused on the production of our very own dystopian short stories. We read the Australian novel Hive by A.J Betts, learned about the different levels of hierarchy, utopias (and why they tend to fail miserably) as well as how authors make their dystopian stories sound so good.
During the VHAP Masterclass, students from Koonung and East Doncaster Secondary College came together for a day of fun, friendship and learning in the new A-Block building at Koonung Secondary College. Getting there was a struggle – trekking up the stairs at the crack of dawn (9 AM) in the freezing cold – but once we made it in, everyone settled in nicely.
The masterclass started with a competition – friends turned to rivals as we raced to create fictional Bionicle monsters. Two winners were selected: Ilaria and Alyssa from Koonung and Cherry and Eleni from East Doncaster.
Next, we were separated into three randomly formed groups. We read short dystopian stories from very highly regarded authors including Ray Bradbury. We discussed the dystopian elements in the story.
After recess we looked at punctuation and how it can drastically change the meaning of our writing. Later we continued working on our stories and publishing them. We combined all stories into our finishing anthology.
In the end, both schools were able to work collaboratively and engage with each other. New friendships were formed, and all left with smiles.
Brett Lamb
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
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.
