Principal's Report

From the Principal

Today marks the end of what has once again been a challenging term for all of our College community. Even accounting for the circumstances that find our educational world reduced to a virtual mode, at this stage of the term it is important that students take the opportunity to reflect upon all they have achieved to date. Importantly, this time allows our students to reflect upon what they intend to focus on during Term 4 and how they can use this holiday period to have a well-earned break, some screen-free time and avail themselves of the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.

Within this context, I would like to encourage all Year 11 and 12 students undertaking Unit 3 and 4 subject studies to take the opportunity over the break to commence preparing for their forthcoming VCAA examinations – even in the knowledge that there will still be a number of SACSs to complete early in Term 4.  At the same time, it is essential that they afford themselves the opportunity to rest and recharge for the challenges ahead.

Even in this year of turbulence and uncertainty, it is our hope that all our Year 12 students can say at the end of the year that they have given their best – no one can ever ask for more than that.

I wish all students and families a restful term break and hope that it provides an opportunity to spend time with family and to stay safe and well.

We sincerely hope that we will be in a position at some stage of Term 4 to welcome all our students back to their on-site learning program and to be once more be given the opportunity to re-connect with their friends and teachers.

GAT arrangements at our College

All students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3 and 4 sequences are expected to sit the GAT (General Achievement Test). 

Every year there are some students who are unable to complete the GAT due to health issues. If students are unable to participate in the GAT, the VCAA has established processes to ensure these students receive fair results. 

When will the GAT be held in 2021? 

The GAT will be held on Tuesday, 5 October 2021, from 10:00am to 1:15pm. 

What measures will be in place to make GAT venues COVID Safe? 

The GAT will be held onsite at our College. In relation to the GAT, this will include the following measures which have been approved by the Department of Health to achieve a COVID Safe environment for all students, teachers and supervisors:  

• Students will be registered on arrival and will be maintaining physical distancing of 1.5 metres before, during and after the GAT
• The venue set-up that supports physical distancing requirements, including all chairs spaced at least 1.5 metres apart
• Desks, chairs and other equipment will be cleaned and disinfected before and after the test

What do our students need to do to be COVID Safe? 

Students must:

• Wear a face mask, in line with current guidance for Victorian schools, unless you have an exemption due to a disability or medical condition
• Perform regular hand hygiene, including on entry to and exit from the venue
• Maintain physical distancing, keeping at least 1.5m away from others at all times

What should students do if they are unwell in the week of, or on the morning of the GAT? 

Students must not attend the GAT if they feel unwell or have any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, including: 

• loss or change in sense of smell or taste
• fever, chills or sweats
• cough, sore throat or runny nose, or
• shortness of breath
• In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also be considered as symptoms

If students were to become unwell during the GAT, they will be isolated in a separate room while awaiting collection by a parent or carer.

If students are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms on the day of the GAT, they will be eligible to apply for an exemption from the GAT. 

What evidence do students need to apply for an exemption from the GAT due to COVID-19? 

Evidence requirements include: 

• Supporting letter/incident report from the school
• Evidence of testing for COVID-19 - includes a medical certificate from an independent health professional recommending testing or direction to isolate having been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19

Vaccination information

As part of the nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, our College received the following information from the Department of Education at the commencement of the week:

From Monday, 13 September, all Australians aged 12 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Victorians aged 12 years and older are eligible to book and receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a state vaccination centre, Commonwealth vaccination centre, participating GP clinics, pharmacies and community health services.

Vaccination is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. Getting vaccinated is the best way you can protect your child, your family and our school community from further outbreaks and the spread of COVID-19. Please make an appointment to be vaccinated yourselves if you have not done so already. 

The Victorian Government’s aim is to provide an opportunity for all children aged 12 years and older to receive at least one vaccine dose by the end of the school year.

If you have any health concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccines, please speak to your GP. 

You can also refer to the Department of Health website for information on vaccine safety and possible side effects.

How to book an appointment

Bookings for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be made for children aged 12 years and older via state vaccination centres, Commonwealth vaccination centres, participating GP clinics, pharmacies and community health services.  

You can find a participating Commonwealth vaccination centre, GP, pharmacy or community health service through the Australian Government Eligibility Checker. You can book your child’s appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you. 

You can book or change a vaccination appointment at a state vaccination centre through the Victorian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine online booking system.

To find a state vaccination centre and opening times, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

For information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment please visit Checklist: before your COVID-19 vaccination.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank both our staff and our parents for their involvement in our Parent/Teacher Interviews conducted last Thursday.

Our interviews, conducted via Microsoft teams, managed to provide a valuable opportunity for parents and students to engage with teachers in discussing student performance and plans for future improvement. These conversations complement the ongoing dialogue teachers have with students during (virtual) classes and the feedback provided to students about their learning and performance on the Compass Learning Management system.

Given the logistics of not all parents being able to speak with all teachers over the afternoon and evening set aside, I would once again remind our parents that they able to keep abreast of student progress by consistent discussions at home and through regularly accessing Compass. Parents are also able to email individual teachers via Compass if they have specific questions related to student learning and progress.

Finally, I would like to communicate how delighted and supported our teachers felt during these interviews by the many, many expressions of gratitude and well-wishes that parents offered to our teachers as we mutually navigate these challenging times. 

Parent Payments - Provision of Health Centre and First Aid Facilities

At Our School Council meeting conducted during the week, extensive discussions were conducted as we finalised the details of our Parent Payment (College Charges) documentation that will be distributed to our College community over the coming weeks.

One topic of discussion that our Council focused upon in great detail was the ability of our College to continue to provide excellent First-Aid support to our students.

East Doncaster Secondary College believes that access to our sick bay and the provision of high quality first aid is an important element in fully supporting our students. The College Health Centre is staffed by a fully qualified first aid attendant/nurse and is provided by the school during school hours so that immediate attention to illness or injury is always available to students.

This service is provided by the College School Council and is not funded by the Department of Education and Training. 

In order to continue to provide this valuable service, a suggested voluntary contribution will once again be listed within to the 2022 Parent Payment documentation. It was noted, in our discussion, that the funds raised over the previous three years, do not come close to covering the cost of employing a full-time Nurse and the requisite first-aid supplies/equipment in our Health Centre.

The East Doncaster Secondary College School Council would like to thank you for your support of the College as we endeavour to provide the best possible education for your child and ask you to please consider this important aspect of College operations as Parent Payment contributions are considered next term.

Staffing

As we conclude the term, can I thank Rebecca Lister for her teaching efforts this term, filling in a short-term absence in our English and Humanities classes.

Can I also acknowledge the efforts of Felicity Howie for her tireless efforts in the first three terms of this year working with our students as a tutor in the numeracy program.

Thanks very much to Rachel and Felicity. 

VALE Greg Lewis

It is with great sadness that I share the news with our College community that Greg Lewis, a teacher at EDSC from 1994 until his retirement in 2012, passed away last week after a long period of ill-health.

Greg was an excellent classroom Maths/Science teacher over many years, held leadership positions at our College and enriched the lives of thousands of students in his 38 years of dedicated service in the State Education system.

Above all, Greg was a really decent person, a devoted family man and is remembered by his colleagues with great fondness.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Greg’s wife, Kathy, and his immediate family.

John Roberts

Principal

Census Data Collection – Student Family Occupation and Updating Family Details

Every year the Department of Education and Training (DET) conduct a census which helps determine the level of our schools’ student-based funding.

To ensure that the College is able to 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 General Office 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 and return to Reception or via email to east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au

This form is published in each edition of the College Newsletter. 

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.