School Production
Many of our talented Middle School students were involved in our school production this year, with performances of the show “Backstage Pass” taking place last week. The cast and crew worked tirelessly for months in the lead up to the main shows, with a full-dress rehearsal last week followed by a matinee performance that was attended by students from local primary school, Doncaster Gardens. These rehearsals geared the cast and crew up for their Thursday and Friday night shows which were attended by family, friends, staff and peers.
The wonderful staff at Doncaster Gardens Primary School were kind enough to pass on reflections of the Grade 5 students who attended the matinee show. Many of the DGPS students were inspired by the performance and excited to participate in the DGPS production next year and in high school productions in the future because of what they saw on the EDSC stage! Some special messages from the DGPS students were that, “your play was spectacular and we are so thankful that you invited us”, “the costumes were beautiful and dazzling. The singing was spectacular!” and “you have really inspired many students to start acting. Thank you! We hope to become like you one day.” We are glad the Grade 5 students enjoyed the show as much as they did.
To all of our amazing Middle School students who put their heart and soul into this production, we are so proud of you and can’t wait to see you back up on stage next year!
2027 Course Selection
Middle School students have now concluded their 2027 course selection process. This comprised of submission of elective subject selections for our Year 7 and 8 students and Course Counselling for our Year 9 students. This time of the year gives all students the opportunity to reflect on their academic progress and attitude and effort so far this year. Reflections on interests, strengths and the areas in which they can improve should inform goal setting for the remainder of Semester 2.
As we move forward, we encourage families to continue to engage in discussion at home around students’ curiosities and aspirations. As always, connect with year level coordinators if you have any queries. We also remind students and parents to keep an eye on their Compass newsfeed for notices and information regarding course selection confirmation next term.
Giulia Catalano
Assistant Principal of Middle School
Uniform
The East Doncaster Secondary College Student Dress Code aims to foster a sense of community and belonging and encourages students to develop pride in their appearance, support East Doncaster Secondary College’s commitment to ensuring that our students feel equal and are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities. Our dress code also aims to reduce student competition on the basis of clothing and enhance the profile and identity of the school and its students within the wider community.
Recently, there has been a notable increase in items being worn to school that are not in line with the EDSC Student Dress Code. These items include branded and plain black tracksuit pants (mostly Elite Eleven), runners (mostly black Nike Air Force 1 and Nike Low Recraft Grade), branded socks (mostly white Nike), hoodies and large and oversized hoop earrings. Please see the visual attached to this newsletter for examples of these non-uniform items.
As the cold weather sets in this winter, please be reminded of our uniform expectations particularly regarding layering for warmth. Students are not permitted to wear any of the listed items above to school or during school events.
Please note that whilst the pants/shorts/skirt are not required to have the EDSC logo, the expectation is that the STYLE, COLOUR and MATERIAL are a close match to those sold at PSW, our official unform supplier. Black flare pants, wide-leg pants or leggings are not permitted to be worn at school.
If families have any questions about this, they should contact Year Level Coordinators for advice prior to purchasing.
If tracksuit pants without the College logo are worn as part of the PE Uniform, they must not contain any visible branding. Only plain navy-blue tracksuit pants are acceptable. These tracksuit pants should also be cuffed for safety reasons.
Students are welcome to wear additional layers underneath their uniforms although they should not be visible. These layers must be plain white, with no logos, and covered by the school shirt, jumper or jacket. These additional layers should not replace any official school uniform items. If students choose to remove an outer layer, any non-school items must also be removed and kept out of sight.
Other clothing accessories, religious or otherwise, should be plain black or navy, including scarves, hats and beanies. These items can be worn to and from school when it is particularly cold although are not to be worn indoors. Hair colours should be natural.
PE uniform should only be worn on days when Middle School students have a PE or Sport class. Wearing the PE uniform on non-PE days does not align with our uniform guidelines. For Senior School students, PE uniform is only to be worn on designated PE practical days, not every day students have PE. Colder weather in the winter terms does not permit students to wear the PE uniform as an alternative to the formal school uniform.
We kindly ask that parents and carers review their child’s full school uniform and sport uniform to ensure that each item aligns with the East Doncaster Secondary College Student Dress Code. Middle School students have been reminded of uniform expectations regularly throughout the year, including during Term 1 and 2 Values Assemblies and during classroom visits by their Year Level Coordinators.
Students have been constantly reminded of the consequences for being out of uniform. Students should expect to be issued a lunch time detention if they are not in the correct school uniform. We ask that parents and carers support students in being in correct school uniform. There is no reason for a student to be out of uniform. Should families require support with uniform items, please reach out the Year Level Coordinators who will assist you to ensure your child is in full school uniform every day.
Giulia Catalano
Assistant Principal of Middle School
For Term 2 and Term 3 only, please refer to the Winter Uniform requirements.
The expectation is for students to wear the dress and shorts only in Term 1 and 4 and the Winter skirts are for Winter Term 2 and 3.
Shorts and Pants must be tailored and Navy. Please refer to the College Price list and new PSW Canterbury location details.
East Doncaster SC – Uniform Price List
Student Lunches
A reminder to parents that we are unable to deliver lunches to students during school time. It is the student’s responsibility to come and collect their lunch if it has been dropped off at Reception. We will not accept fast food take-away or any hot (warm) food. Hot (or warm) food is not suitable to be left at Reception due to food safety regulations regarding temperature control.
Students will be notified by email if their lunch is to be collected at Reception. If lunch is not collected by the end of the day, it will not be kept.
As a part of being prepared for the school day, it is important that students remember to bring their lunch. If a student forgets to bring their lunch, food is available from the Student Wellbeing Centre or available to purchase from the Canteen.
PLEASE NOTE: Take-away food is not allowed at the College during school hours. Under no circumstances are students to be ordering take-away food to be delivered to the College.
Student Attendance / Absence Reminder
The school must be informed of ALL absences, whether it be illness, appointments, holidays or any other reason. You can do this via the following options.
The easiest way, is to login to Compass with your Parent Login and add submit an ‘Attendance Note’ for the time of absence
Calling the Absence Line BEFORE 8:30am on the day of the absence. Phone: 9842 2244 (dial option 1)
Sending a note with the student for early departures. Teachers will not allow students out of class without a note or an approval on Compass
Fill in a ‘Student Absence Notification’ form for any extended length of absence including holidays, overseas travel etc. (The College must have any extended leave submitted in writing)
If you have any attendance concerns or questions regarding an SMS message you have received, please call the College absence line and leave a message with your child’s details and we will follow up your enquiry. Please do not reply to the SMS as this service is not available.
Please remind your child/ren that they must sign out at the Middle School (Years 7,8,9) Compass Kiosk machines if they arrive late to school or have to leave early.
Unwell
Please remind your child/ren not to contact you directly during the day to let you know they are unwell. Instead, if they are feeling unwell, they need to ask the teacher to visit our Sickbay and our First Aid Officer will contact you accordingly. If you need to pick them up this will be organised via Sickbay.
Extended Absences
Please remember to fill in and return a ‘Student Absence Notification Form’ (Please see below) for any extended absences over 3 days. Please ask your child to drop a copy into Reception or you can email this form to our school email address east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au
VCE students
Please remember to provide Medical Certificates for VCE students for any medical absences. This is to help maintain their VCE Attendance requirements for all students who are in Year 11 and Year 12 and students that are in Year 10 and completing a Year 11 or 12 subject. Please forward certificates to our school email address east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au
Student Absence Notification Form
Mandi Pigdon
Attendance Officer
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 with their card at the Middle School Office when they are arriving late and sign out at the Middle School Office when they are leaving early for any reason.
The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library card can be used as ID for student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) travel. 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.