Principal's Report
From the Acting Principal Karen Boyle
As we reach the conclusion of our first semester it is worth reflecting upon the wide array of opportunities that have been available to our students both in terms of their learning and their wellbeing growth. Our Senior School students have been undertaking Semester one examinations in each of their subject areas and are to be congratulated on their preparation and mature approach. Our Middle School students have also been finalising assessments, with Year 9 students engaging in their first exam period at the College via English and Maths examinations. Sitting alongside our learning program the vast majority of students have also engaged in camps, sporting events, performances, celebration days and excursions. EDSC has been a thriving hub of activity.
With the completion of term two, I know students and staff alike are looking forward to a break to re-connect with family and friends. This also presents an opportune time to express thanks to the teaching and education support staff for their commitment to provide the best educational opportunities for our students; and to thank the parents of our school community for continuing to support us in the development of our young people.
I trust that all of our students and staff members have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
EDSC once again supporting the Big Freeze in 2023
East Doncaster Secondary College is proud to contribute to the fight to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease over the last seven years.
The EDSC tradition continued this year with a visit from Collingwood Football Club’s Isaac Quaynor on Friday, June 9. The photo opportunity was seized by staff and students alike as Isaac, a past student of the College, happily met all requests. During lunchtime on Tuesday 13 June, a group of our student leaders and select staff members were subjected to our EDSC ice-bath from Terry Daniher. Over $2,000 was raised by this fundraising event for MND – a great effort. This is our sixth year hosting a Big Freeze event and we are incredibly grateful to all those who have become so passionately involved. Sincere congratulations to all those involved and to all that donated!
Winter Warmers Music Concerts
Congratulations to our instrumental music students and our Music staff for providing us with two entertaining and sold out ‘Winter Warmers’ music concerts in our Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday 6 June. It was fantastic to see so many students involved in Instrumental Music and particularly wonderful to see the large number of our Year 7 students taking to the stage for the first time in the Beginner Band.
Our Music program continues to engage and impress. Well done to all involved!
Year 9 Performing Arts
Our Year 9 Performing Arts class have also been hard at work, under the expert guidance of their teacher Evan Jones, preparing their production of ‘Mermaid, Murder and Mayhem’ which they presented to a student audience on Friday 9 June and at a community performance on Tuesday 13 June. All students involved did a wonderful job putting together all aspects of the show from the engaging performances, backstage and technical crew. The Performing Arts truly provider a place for all and with this most recent production have allowed students with an array of talents to really shine.
Filming and Photography at College Events
With student performances and events back in full swing, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all members of our school community that in order to respect the privacy of all members of our school community, we request that parents/carers, students and invited guests do not photograph, film or record school performances, sporting events and other school-approved activities. When the College publishes student photos from events, we do so knowing that families have provided relevant permissions.
Cycle 3 student reports
A reminder that our College Cycle 3 reports will be published at the commencement of the second week of the next term.
For students in the senior school, our Cycle 3 reports early next term will provide constructive feedback that informs their practices as they strive for a highly successful year and completion of their VCE examinations.
For many of our students, I would like to reinforce that it will also be an important time to recognize and celebrate their achievement and offer a positive reflection of the consistent effort they have made.
Although the reports are archived for the duration of your child's enrolment at our College, I would strongly advise that you download your own copy and save this to your home computer for your future use.
Outstanding Student Achievements
It is always very pleasing to be able to report on students within our College who are excelling in pursuits outside of school.
Year 9 student Vinceman Chong is a competitive figure skater who recently competed at the Oceania International Figure Skating Competition in New Zealand placing 2nd in the Junior Men’s division. Just last week Vinceman placed 2nd for the Hollins Trophy International competition. We congratulate Vinceman on his tremendous success. It is a real testament to his dedication, passion and sheer hard work.
Steven Chen, also in Year 9, has also experienced great success in his field of speed skating. Earlier in the year he competed for the SEA Trophy in Singapore. He competed with the other thirteen skaters from seven different countries in his division. He achieved 4th position in the 1000-meter race. Steven also competed in the World Skate Oceania Championships, completing the competition with two gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals. Steven’s commitment and drive to excel in his sport is to be commended.
We congratulate both Vinceman and Steven. They are an inspiration to us all.
Staffing Changes for Term 3
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Vicki Zarogiannis and Amelia Scopece who have both been with us since July last year. Vicki has been a great addition to our English Language Centre and Amelia has been a much valued member of the English and Humanities teams. We wish them both well.
I would also like to formally recognise Sophie Clarke who is officially retiring after taking leave during Semester one. Sophie has been at the College for 19 years and has worked tirelessly for her students and with her colleagues in the Commerce Department. She has built incredible relationships with her students, many of whom will remember her fondly for years to come. Congratulations Sophie on an amazing career. We wish you all the best for the next chapter.
We also have a number of staff taking long service leave for various lengths of time in Term 3. We wish the following staff members well as they enjoy their extended break: Adam Palma, Lisa Arfi, Carl Williams, Cathy Bruce, Scott Copeman, Betty Liu, Shilpa Vij and Helen Lloyd
Please note - Term 3 commences on Monday 10 July.
Karen Boyle
Acting Principal
Census Data Collection – Student Family Occupation and Updating Family Details
Every year the Department of Education conduct a census which helps determine the level of our schools’ student-based funding.
To ensure that the College is able continue to provide quality programs and an efficient learning environment for our students it relies on being supported by Department funding. Student Family Occupation details are an important component used by the DET to formulate our correct level of funding. These details are originally collected on your child’s enrolment form but are often not up to date.
For this census to be accurate we ask that all family details are up to date, including parent occupation and occupation code, employer and all contact details. Please complete the data collection form, even if you believe your details have not changed, and return to the College Reception as soon as possible. For assistance with identifying what occupation code to use please refer to the attached document.
It is also vital that families maintain up to date contact information. If your details change we ask that you please complete the Change of Details Form (below) and return to Reception or via email to east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au
Donations to Building/Library Fund
Making a tax-deductible donation to our Building and Library Funds before June 30 is a great way to boost your tax return while making a lasting impact on our school.
We are moving ahead with plans to improve some of our older buildings and also build covered walkways between portables so students and staff don’t get wet on rainy days getting to class. We also need to regularly replenish our stock in the library and feed the wide and varied appetite for reading that so many of our students have.
If you would like to contribute, you can complete a payment envelope or pay via EFTPOS at the General Office.
Tax Receipts for all donations over $2.00 will be issued after 1 July via email. Feel free to contact the office if you have any queries.
Curriculum Contributions Year 10-12 Subjects
Curriculum Contributions for Year 10-12 subjects are on Compass and we invite parents to support our extensive electives program which provides options and opportunities for those in our Senior School.
East Doncaster Secondary College provides classroom consumables, materials and equipment for items and activities that students use, or participate in, to access the curriculum and we invite you to make a contribution for the elective subjects that your child is studying.
Please refer to the attached document for instructions on how to do this:-
Your financial assistance enables us to enrich and extend the learning experiences of our students.
We thank you for your generous support.
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 the 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 - Reminder
Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.
Please take time to read our school’s collection notice, found on our website on the Policy Documents page. We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use platforms such as Compass, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:
* Amharic
* Arabic
* Dari
* Gujarati
* Mandarin
* Somali
* Sudanese
* Turkish
* Urdu
* Vietnamese