Principal's Report

From the Principal

To our Class of 2022 – Farewell and Best Wishes

Last week we celebrated the graduating class of 2022 with a Valedictory Dinner for families on Tuesday evening at The Grand Reception in Wantirna followed by a Final Assembly last Friday, involving many parents and family members of the Year 12s. It was wonderful to see both events so visibly supported by our College community – we had the largest ever attendance at the Valedictory Dinner.

This Wednesday, our Year 12 students began their final examination program with their English and EAL exams.

I felt privileged to have the opportunity to address these senior students and their families for the final time. Apart from congratulating and thanking our students, their parents and our teachers, I took a final opportunity to share with the cohort how proud we are of them and how we collectively wish them all the very best for the exciting challenges and pathways that lay ahead

As I addressed the Final Assembly, my concluding message was:

To our Year 12 students – the class of 2022, I think we can all appreciate what a special time this is for you.

As your secondary education comes to a close and the next chapter of your life is about to unfold, today presents a great opportunity for you to reflect upon on what you have achieved thus far, how you have grown individually and collectively as students of EDSC.

Even though there will be variations on how the success of this year, is measured by ATAR’s and Tertiary course offers – please understand that these are certainly not the only benchmarks that we as a school judge you by.

This is not to infer that a senior school graduation and an ATAR ranking is not important, but more so to reinforce that the measures of success and fulfilment are more about your effort, commitment, the relationships you have developed, and your ability to leave us as young adults ready and able to contribute to the wider world.

I think it is important for you, as you leave us, to be ambitious - to believe in yourself, to be optimistic and to display a pride and confidence that allows you to create your own futures.

And as you do so, I trust that you will have fond, life-long memories of East Doncaster, of your teachers, your friends, of the education we have provided and the individual growth we have sought to foster.  

I hope that we will have earned your respect and, in turn, you can have pride in the fact that you will always be a member of the East Doncaster Secondary College extended community.

I would like to conclude with reference to the celebrated words of George Bernard Shaw;

who wrote:

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself”.

I hope – as Shaw observed, that you can be the authors of your own story as you continue to grow and keep creating yourself. 

It was also an absolute pleasure, during our Final Assembly to have our former School Captain, Saraid Taylor as our guest speaker.

Saraid addressed our assembly with passion, wisdom and eloquence and the feedback I received from parents, students and our teachers alike was remarkably positive. It is so rewarding to see the capacity of our former students, especially when we are in the process of bidding farewell to our current students to whom we have grown so close to.

Following the Final Assembly, the Year 12 cohort participated in a great afternoon of celebrations culminating in the now traditional ‘çolour run’ on our oval space to conclude the afternoon.

Farewell to our ‘Class of 2022’’- we wish them all the very best in the current examination period and for their next transitional journeys.

Planning and preparation for 2023

This is a quick reminder to the Parents/Guardians of students who will no longer be attending East Doncaster Secondary College in 2023.

If you have not already done so, can you please contact the school to inform us that your child will not attending next year. This information can be communicated to the staff members in our General Office or the Year Level Coordinators.

This information is vital for our coordination teams in order to plan and prepare classes and programs for next year. 

Student Achievement

Can I take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of our Student Environmental Club who this week presented the movie/documentary 2040 on  this Wednesday and Thursday during the lunch time break in our Performing Arts Centre.

2040 is a 2019 Australian documentary film. The film looks at the effects of climate change over the next 20 years and what technologies that exist today can reverse the effects.

I commend the students in our Environmental Club for their initiative and drive – well done!

College Arrangements for Monday 31 October

A reminder to students and parents that the Department of Education and Training has advised schools to hold each teacher’s allocated professional practice day on the same day for all staff in Term 4. As a result of this directive, Monday 31 October has been scheduled for our Professional Practice Day.

Students will therefore not be required to attend school on this day. Teachers will be leaving lesson plans for students to follow on Compass. Work left for students to complete will focus on consolidation and revision activities rather than new content.

Thanks to our Parents and Friends Association

The three flagpoles situated at the George Street entrance of the College were replaced a number of months ago. Upon hearing of the need to replace these flagpoles (two of the three were damaged and inoperable) our Parents and Friends Committee offered to cover the replacement costs from the money they have been raising this year in several key events (e.g. Bunning and Election Day Sausage sizzles, the cake stall at the first Parent/Teacher Interview day).

Could I take this opportunity to formally thank the Parents and Friends Committee for this gesture and to once again acknowledge their tireless efforts to support our College in tangible and material terms.

Thanks PFA!

John Roberts

Principal

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 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

Advertise in our College Newsletter

Do you have a business or are you part of a community organisation? 

Do you want to reach over 1,000 families in the area every fortnight?

Our fortnightly e-newsletter has space available at either A5 or full page and can include direct links to your website (no social media sites).

Pricing:

$25 - A5 size per edition

$50 - A4 full page per edition

$10 – for community groups A5 size per edition

$200 - per term

$700 - per year

Email the attached form to

east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au or contact us on 9842-2244 for more information.

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.