Middle School News
Year 7 to 9
Middle School
Monday 13 February marked the Year 7 Family Picnic and Information Evening, run by the Year 7 team. The evening was a roaring success with a number of Year 7 students and their families enjoying a social evening in the Middle Courtyard. Transition Coordinator Tina Marchant, along with Year Level Coordinators Kim Schwarz and Rebecca Morris organised the event along with some student helpers who were organised by Tim Bourke. These students assisted Rotary to provide the barbeque sausages. Thanks to everyone involved in putting this event on, especially Rotary for providing the sausages. The feedback from staff, students and parents who attended was that it was a great evening enjoyed by all.
Year 7 Camp kicks of next week, another marquee event run by the Year 7 team. A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make this event happen and we would like to thank all the staff that worked on this and those who are giving up their time to attend. Students will provide some reflections for the upcoming newsletter so stay tuned for their accounts of the camp. A reminder to those attending, please make sure you have got your snack and lunch with you for the first day and arrive promptly, no later than 8.30am on the undercover basketball courts. If you have medication please give it to the assigned first aid teacher at the table.
In general Middle School News, the school year has started well, however, in some instances, basic standards have started to drop. In particular I have noticed some of the following:
Increased lateness:
After I return from camp the Middle School Team will be issuing Community Service for lateness to class. Please support our teaching and learning program by making sure everyone gets to class on time. Valid reasons for lateness should be recorded on Compass via an Attendance Note.
Uniform:
Generally students have been pretty good across Middle School. The main uniform breaches relate to runners instead of black leather school shoes, PE jumpers instead of the royal blue jumper and the wearing of undergarments without a valid reason. Again, once camp is over, students will receive Community Service if they don’t have a valid reason and a note from home explaining why they are out of uniform and when we can expect this to be rectified.
Personal Space:
A few issues have occurred recently, particularly with Year 8 students, where personal boundaries have been breached and students saying it is just “joking around and fooling around.” We do not accept this as an excuse and students were told this during their first assembly. Please observe the College values of ‘Respect’ and ‘Care and Compassion’ when interacting with each other.
Littering:
Lots of rubbish post recess and lunchtime, particularly around the tables in front of the Year 9 side of the Wellbeing Hub. Please place your rubbish in the bins provided.
As a College community and members of EDSC we should be really proud of our school, its students and their families, staff and facilities. Let’s all work together to create the best environment possible to enjoy and enhance learning.
Justin Bond
Head of Middle School
2023 NAPLAN Testing
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will beheld in March this year. NAPLAN tests will be delivered online between Wednesday 15 March and Monday 27 March.
NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Over time, the NAPLAN tests provide parents, teachers and the school with a rich source of information on how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy as they advance through their schooling. Individual student results will be provided to parents and students later in the year.
All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN Online tests. Catch up tests will be available 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)
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| Thursday 16 March | Reading (65 min) |
| Friday 17 March | Conventions of Language (45 min) |
| Monday 20 March | Numeracy (65 min)
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*Specific test times for each year level will be published closer to NAPLAN testing period
Further information can be found in the brochure to parents as attached.
Preparation:
Students will be provided with the opportunity to undertake practice to ensure that they are comfortable with the tools on the online platform. Familiarisation will occur in the form of a Writing test and an Omnibus test which incorporates language conventions and numeracy skills.
Students and families may also develop familiarisation with the online platform via this link: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
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 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.
