Middle School News

Welcome back to a new school term. What a strong start all Middle School students made, settling into their teaching and learning programs quickly and back to learning promptly. A few headline acts to start the term included Year 7 ANZAC Assembly, Year 8 and 9 ANZAC Assembly/Year 9 Values Assembly and of course this weeks first round of City Experience for Year 9A–F.

ANZAC Day is a very important day for many Australians as we remember the sacrifices of our service men and women, who fought and died, protecting the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. To commemorate this event, two separate assemblies were held and were MC’ d by our Middle School Leadership Team. Students observed a minute's silence after the Last Post was played by Henry G, followed by The Reveille and Advance Australia Fair. Students were also read a poem called ‘In Flanders Fields’ It was written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier. Students were solid throughout both of the assemblies, demonstrating great respect and empathy for the brave men and women for whom we mourned.

Massive thank you to Henry G for playing ‘The Last Post’ and ‘The Reveille’.

Also, a big thank you to Darell H, Rhianna D, Nishtha B, Chloe K and Simona L who all contributed to running both of these events.

City Experience Group 1 started with beautiful Melbourne Autumn weather assisting us to deliver a valuable and much anticipated program to Year 9 students. As with everything these days, we did encounter some hurdles along the way, including a power black out at the aquarium and a covid affected Old Melbourne Gaol and associated events. However, as the 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, and we hope that a similar pattern is observed when back at the College next week. The week kicked off with a bit of City Experience history from college principle John Roberts, who 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.  They also demonstrated 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: 

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 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 Admin) for the hours of organisation, bookings (and re bookings) and printing, the event wouldn’t run without her. 

We now look forward to doing it all again with 9G–L in week 5.

Justin Bond

Head of Middle School

2022 NAPLAN Testing Schedule

As communicated to students and families last term, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 7 and 9 students will be delivered online next week between Tuesday 10 May and Friday 20 May. 

Catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including Friday 20 May 2022. 

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:

Students have all been familiarised with the online platform. Students and families can gain further 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

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:

• Compass
• Google
• Office 365
• Edapt
• Oliver Library Management System

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.