Across the College we continue to see students settling into the new school year and some of the changes that have been introduced for the year ahead. The vast majority of our students have successfully transitioned to the new five session day, as we see them moving between classes and being prepared to learn as they start each session of the school day.

We have also been privileged to be part of a couple of amazing events in our Senior School over the last fortnight. The first of these was our Year 11 & 12 Information Evening on Tuesday 7th February in which our Senior School Team shared with students and parents a wealth of information that will support student success over the year ahead. I encourage all parents of students in Year 11 and 12 to ensure that they have checked XUNO and become familiar with our Senior Years Handbook. The handbook has lots of useful information that will support your son or daughter over the year ahead.

Our Year 12 team then followed this up later in the week with the first of many student directed lunchtime activities for their cohort over the year ahead. Our Year 12 students held a picnic lunch on Friday 10th February, a fantastic opportunity for our students to further build positive relationships with each other and also our staff team.

There is lots happening around the College, so please keep your eye out for all that is occurring and help us celebrate the positives as we continue to build a rich culture and climate that supports all students to be their best.

Tertiary offers for our Class of 2022

At the conclusion of 2022 we celebrated the amazing achievements of our Year 12 Class of 2022 as their results were released.

We are now pleased to share with you the success of this cohort in securing tertiary pathways beyond school. As a school our success can be measured in both the academic achievements of our students and also in the capacity for our students to achieve a desired pathway beyond school, be this an apprenticeship, TAFE, University or the world of work.

Congratulations to our Class of 2022 on the offers they received and we wish them every success with their chosen pathways for 2023 and beyond.

School Improvement work in 2023

In 2023 we have a clear plan to further improve the learning and wellbeing outcomes for students across the College. This work has been carefully planned to support where our school and students are currently at and to enable us to grow and flourish as we work towards achieving our College vision where we strive to enable and equip all young people to reach their full potential - of being curious and acquiring new knowledge and skills; of forming strong, valuable, healthy relationships; of participating in creative expression; and of building strong mental and physical wellbeing.

The main focus areas for 2023 include:

Epping Secondary College Calendar, 2023

A reminder to parents, carers and students to please check the ESC College Calendar via XUNO on a regular basis to understand what is coming up at the College. For example, our Year 12 VCE-VM students have an excursion on Monday 20th February, we have a Pupil Free Curriculum Day on Thursday 23rd February and we have our Year 8 Camp from March 1st to 3rd.

Furthermore, there are a number of other Excursions and Activities coming up relevant to year levels and / or classes.

Again, please check our ESC College Calendar via XUNO on a regular basis.

Our new Year 7 students

What an amazing start to their secondary schooling people have had. We have to congratulate our Year 7 students on how well they have settled into school life at Epping Secondary College.

We are seeing our Year 7 students arriving each day in full school uniform, attending classes on time and making sure they are bringing all their key resources with them and being ready to learn.

Our new Year 7 students are certainly demonstrating our College values of Respect, Resilience and Care! Keep up the great efforts Year 7.

Uniform, Laptops and Attendance

It has been a strong start to the year from students in many ways in each of these areas. We expect that all students are in the correct ESC Uniform, that they bring a fully charged laptop from home each day and that they attend all of their classes.

Where students are absent through illness for example, families are asked to use XUNO to approve or advise of the absence. Alternatively, you can contact our General Office (Phone – 03 9401 2599) to organise access to XUNO.

High standards in each of these areas assists students with their connection with the College, their wellbeing and their learning growth.

Warmer Weather

With the bizarre summer that we have been experiencing there have been very few hot days when students have been at school. As a result the recent hot weather has come as a bit of shock to all of us.

I wanted to take this opportunity to remind all students and families that we are fortunate to have all of our classrooms air conditioned and heated, thus well equipped for both the warm summer days and cooler days of winter. Our school yard is full of shady places, from both trees and shade sails, for students to shelter from the sun and heat.

Given this situation, all students are encouraged to attend school as normal on these warmer days. We also encourage students to ensure they are bringing a full water (drink) bottle to school each day, to apply sunscreen and to wear a hat (school approved) if they are spending considerable time out in the sun.

College Council News

We have recently completed our call for nominations for College Council members and I am pleased to announce that the following community members have been successful in gaining a position for College Council.

Given the number of nominations did not exceed the number of positions vacant, these new members are elected without the need for a ballot.

Congratulations to parent community members, Shannon Bourke and Melissa Stojkovski. Congratulations to Department of Education employee members Sofi Sword and Joshua Wolter.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the service of two parent community members and one staff member, who have actively supported College Council and are now taking the opportunity to step back from this role.

A huge thank you is extended to Rodney Cornwall and Melissa Martin, both Rodney and Melissa have served on College Council and consistently advocated for the best interests of students and the College, and both have also served on School Council at local Primary Schools. We must also say a big thank you to staff member, Mary Mesquita for her dedication and support to College Council over a number of years.

Thank you, Rodney, Mary and Melissa, for your support and your contribution to our College community.

Brad Moyle

College Principal

Learning for Life

Literacy Tip #2