Issue 11

Principal’s Report – 24 July 2026

A warm welcome back to our students and families for the start of Term 3. I hope that the break provided an opportunity to relax and recharge. Along with the shift in the weather, there is also a shift in focus in Term 3 for many of our students. Our VCE students are now focussing on continuing to build their skills, understanding and confidence needed to perform well in their end of year exams. This is particularly the case for our Year 12 students who will be completing externally assessed exams. Students in Years 9-11 also commence the process of planning for the successful transition to the next level of study through our course selection and course counselling programs.

Sitting alongside our teaching and learning program, which is well underway with semester 2 officially starting in the final week of last term, students also have the opportunity to engage in our vast co-curricular program. Students involved in our College Production ‘Backstage Pass’ have continued rehearsals over the school holidays and are now in their final weeks of rehearsals before performing to audiences on Thursday 13 August and Friday 14 August. I do encourage our school community to get behind this by purchasing tickets. Inter-school Sport opportunities continue throughout the term as well as many excursions across the year levels. For our Year 11 students, the camps program in week 6 is a highlight and for Year 10 students our Work Experience program in week 10 sees students engage in a wide array of workplace experiences. I am confident that our students are more than ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the term ahead; both in the classroom and beyond.

Senior School 2027 Student Course Selection

This week we began the important process of supporting students and their families as they make informed decisions about their Senior School subject selections for 2027. This is a critical time for students to reflect on their strengths, interests and aspirations.

Over the next few weeks students and families will be supported via information evenings, workshops and individual course counselling sessions to ensure that they make choices that support their future pathways. I would encourage every family to engage in this process to maximise opportunities for success. In many cases, the correct decisions made in the formative stages of the VCE journey can have such a positive impact upon the outcomes achieved. It is also important that families understand the array of VCE and VCE Vocational Major opportunities that are available to students.

On Thursday evening we held our Year 10 2027 Information Evening with a similar opportunity for Year 11 2027 next Tuesday (28 July). There are several informative resources for this process on Compass newsfeed. I encourage families to regularly log into Compass to keep up to date with this important information.

The more informed our students are, the more likely they are to make choices that lead to both success and enjoyment in their learning, whilst also supporting their future pathways. Subject handbooks were made available on Compass at the end of last term; I encourage all students and their families to review the relevant subject handbooks carefully to ensure they are making informed decisions. Our information evenings and course counselling interviews will also provide students and parents with the opportunity to ask questions to support decision making.

If you require further information, please contact Assistant Principal, Brett Lamb or Assistant Principal for Senior School, Kate Leaumont.

Senior School Careers Pathways Expo

On Thursday 16 July we held our annual Careers Expo for our VCE students. It was well attended by representatives of many public and private providers of tertiary education programs and courses and was an important element of the series of opportunities provided to our students. Congratulations to our Pathways Team led by Craig Browne, ably assisted by our Senior School Coordinators for their organisation. It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm and engagement of our Year 11 and 12 students as they explored potential future pathways by speaking with representatives from Melbourne, Monash, Deakin and Swinburne Universities and other training providers.

Outstanding Student Achievement – Premier’s VCE Awards

On Tuesday 21 July I was very proud to attend the Premier’s VCE Awards, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, in support of our East Doncaster Secondary College award recipients from the class of 2025. The annual Premier’s VCE Awards recognise students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the VCE and VCE VM. Of the 65,586 students whom completed the VCE in 2025, 322 outstanding students were recognised for their accomplishments. We are very proud to have three of our students recognised.

Runyu (Richard) Kang was awarded as one of the Top Three International Students in Victoria. This is an outstanding achievement for Richard and one that he should be extremely proud of. His achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his studies. As mentioned in a previous newsletter, Richard also won the International Student of the Year Award for 2025 at the Victorian Global Learning Awards. We are so proud of his achievements and know that he will continue to succeed in his university studies.

Harris McNamara received a Premier’s VCE Award for Classical Studies which he undertook as an accelerated study in Year 11 last year. It was wonderful that his Classical Studies teacher, Jesi Amirah, was able to attend the event to celebrate Harris’s outstanding achievement. Congratulations to Harris. We wish him every success as he completes his Year 12 studies this year.

Cheng Li received a Premier’s VCE Award for Chinese First Language, taught by Meihui Wang. Unfortunately, Cheng was unable to attend the event due to a clash with her university exams. Again, receiving this award is an exceptional accomplishment. Congratulations to Cheng.

2026 NAPLAN Results

As you will be aware, the NAPLAN results for 2026 have been released to schools. We are in the process of preparing for mailing the confidential reports for each student that participated. Families should start to receive these during week 4 and 5 of term.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All students in these year levels participate in tests in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.

These tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN tests are one aspect of the school’s assessment and reporting process, and are not a replacement of the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about individual student progress.

For further information on how to read and interpret the report please see the NAPLAN Information for parents and carers brochure on the EDSC Compass News Feed.

Finally, I would also strongly recommend that the student NAPLAN report is kept in a secure location as the College is unable to provide replacement copies.

2026 Course Counselling

Students will be presented with many options and decisions regarding their studies for next year. Decisions around course selections can be complex. With this in mind, we encourage students to pursue passions and talents and keep their options open for future pathways. As a College we pride ourselves on the support and direction we provide students and parents with during this time.

All current Year 9, 10 and 11 students will also have a meeting with a course counsellor to discuss suitability of choices. These course counselling interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams and parents are most welcome to attend with their child. Further communications regarding this will be provided to parents and students via Compass early next term.

The dates for course counselling are:

Year 11 into Year 12: Thursday, July 30.

Year 10 into Year 11: Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4.

Year 9A – 9H into Year 10: Thursday, August 6.

Year 9I-9P into Year 10: Friday, August 7.

Students are encouraged to read through the College handbooks:

2027 VCE VM Course Selection Handbook

2027 Year 10 Course Selection Handbook

2027 Year 9 Course Selection Handbook

2027 Year 8 Course Selection Handbook

Learning from home during course counselling

Course counselling is an incredibly valuable process in which members of the College leadership team conduct one-on-one discussions with our students about their future pathways into VCE and beyond. To make this occur, students in Years 9, 10 and 11 will have one or two days where they learn from home in Term 3.

Year 11: Thursday, July 30.

Year 10: Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4.

Year 9A – 9H: Thursday, August 6.

Year 9I-9P: Friday, August 7.

On these days, students will learn from home by logging into Compass, where they will check lesson plans for work.

On this day, students will have a scheduled meeting with a course counsellor to discuss their pathways. Parents are encouraged to attend if they are available.

We thank students and families for their support. This process helps to ensure that students select subjects and tertiary courses that align with their strengths, passions, and aspirations.

Course counselling important dates

Course Selection Information: For students entering Year 12 in 2027

Monday, July 27: Interview times for course counselling emailed to students.

Monday, July 27: Online Course Selection Submission Deadline. A hardcopy of the selection form signed by a parent/guardian must be returned to the Senior School office no later than this date.

Thursday, July 30: Course Counselling Interviews are conducted. Interviews will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams. No Year 11 classes will be conducted on-site on this day; lesson plans will be placed on Compass. Students who have a Year 12 class on this day are to attend that class. Their interview can be conducted on site if needed.

Course Selection Information: For students entering Year 11 in 2027

Monday, July 27: Interview times for course counselling emailed to students.

Tuesday, July 28: Subject Expo and Parent Information Evening

Friday, July 31: Online Course Selection Submission Deadline. A hardcopy of the selection form signed by a parent/guardian must be returned to the Senior School office no later than this date.

Friday, July 31: Applications for VET subjects Deadline.

Tuesday, August 3&4: Course Counselling Interviews are conducted. Interviews will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams. No Year 10 classes will be conducted on-site on this day; lesson plans will be placed on Compass. Students who have a Year 11 class on this day are to attend that class. Their interview can be conducted on site if needed.

Friday, August 7: Vocational Major applications to be submitted.

Course Selection Information: For students entering Year 10 in 2027

Monday, July 27: Interview times for course counselling emailed to students.

Monday, July 27: VCE Acceleration forms due to the Senior School office.

Thursday, July 23: Subject Expo and Parent Information Evening

Friday, July 31: Online Course Selection Submission Deadline. A hardcopy of the selection form signed by a parent/guardian must be returned to the Senior School office no later than this date.

Wednesday and Thursday, August 6 – 7: Course Counselling Interviews are conducted. Interviews will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams. No Year 9 classes will be conducted on-site on these days; lesson plans will be placed on Compass.

Course Selection Information: For students entering Year 8 and Year 9 in 2026

Friday, August 7: Online Course Selection Submission Deadline. A hardcopy of the selection form signed by a parent/guardian must be returned to the Middle School office no later than this date.

Brett Lamb
Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

CCTV at our College

East Doncaster Secondary College has recently upgraded the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system at our school.

Our school has an obligation to ensure the school environment is safe and secure, and fulfil our duty of care to students, staff and visitors. The CCTV system assists our school to fulfil these obligations and to prevent and manage other inappropriate behaviour on school grounds. CCTV will also provide enhanced capability to protect our school’s assets against vandalism and theft.

We will follow Department of Education policy requirements for the design, installation, management and use of the CCTV systems. This policy is available at: CCTV in Schools – Installation and Management.

We will also place a CCTV Privacy Notice on our school website with more information about our school’s use of CCTV.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Reception on 9842 2244 or via email: east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Cameron Campbell
Assistant Principal

East Doncaster Secondary College Policy Handbook 2025/2026

Our School Policy Handbook has been updated and approved by School Council.

For further document information and the College’s policies, please follow the below link:
School Documents and Policies

Please find below the link to the East Doncaster Secondary College Policy Handbook which is also available on our website.
2025/2026 Policy Handbook

Cameron Campbell
Assistant Principal

Please click on the links below for more information about EDSC

Camps, Sports and Excursions (CSEF) Fund

For further information on applying for 2026 Victorian Government CSEF Fund assistance please see the below links

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund CSEF information

CSEF Resources and Information in different languages

College Philosophy

Compass Parent Guide

Compass allows you to access up to date and meaningful information about our College and your child’s progress.  

Compass Education Website Guide

Compass Parent Guide

Compass Parent Passwords

Cyber Safety and Responsible use of digital technologies

Kids Helpline

E-Safety – Young People

E-Safety – Counselling / Support Services

Child Safety and Wellbeing at EDSC

Damage to Students’ Personal Items/Property

Parent contact details

Have you moved house, changed phone numbers, email address?

If so, please remember to fill in the attached ‘Change of Details’ form. Please return this form as soon as possible. 

Change of details form

School Saving Bonus

Paying for school activities in Compass using outstanding SSB Funds from previous years.

Second-hand Textbooks and Uniforms

Sell and Buy Textbooks and Uniforms with Sustainable School Shop

EDSC – Second Hand Uniform Shop

EDSC – Second Hand Textbooks Shop

Sustainable School Shop

Student Absences

If a student is unable to attend school, is going to be late or needs to leave early, the school must be informed of ALL absences.

Compass Login

Student Absence Notification Form

Entering an Attendance Note for Your Child

Chinese – Student Absence Notification form

Fact Sheet for Parents and Carers

Student Lunches

Student Medical Expenses

Uniform Group – Product and Size Availability

EDSC Uniform Price List

Privacy reminder for our school community

Schools’ Privacy Policy

Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice – VIC Government

Schools Documents – Policies – Reports — Information for parents

Compass

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace for Education 

Office 365, Edapt, Oliver Library Management System and Halaxy

2027 Course Selection

Middle School students are in the midst of course selection for 2027. Course selection in Middle School is an invaluable process which involves choosing subjects within the eight key learning areas defined by the Australian Curriculum as well as elective subjects. These areas include English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, Languages, Technologies, and the Arts. 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 and help them to make informed decisions about their elective choices for next year.

As families engage in discussion around students’ curiosities and aspirations, we encourage investigation to inform decisions. This starts with our Course Selection Handbooks and could extend to research into VCE and tertiary subjects and courses. This process includes conversations at home that are particularly helpful now as students’ progress during the middle years, broadening their knowledge across all key learning areas prior to the selection of VCE subjects. Students and parents can find their relevant 2027 Course Selection Handbooks on the Compass newsfeed.

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 and upcoming events this term.

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.

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.

College Uniform

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 Senior School (Years 10,11,12) 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 and out with their card at The John Landy Centre (Senior School Building) when they are arriving late or 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.

Book Week 2026 is almost here!

August is nearly here, which means Book Week is just around the corner.

This year the theme for Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week is Symphony of Stories.

EDSC will be celebrating Book Week in Week 7 of this term with a program of activities. There will be plenty of fun for students of all year levels to get involved in, and prizes to be won. All will be revealed soon!

In the meantime, students should start planning their costumes for Book Week Dress Up Day on Tuesday 25 August. There will be plenty of individual prizes awarded on the day, as well as a new whole class prize for the class that makes the most effort for Dress Up Day.

Keep an eye on Compass and the EDSC Library website to check out the whole Book Week program when it is unveiled.

2026 EDSC Bookmark Competition now open

Our annual EDSC Library Bookmark Design Competition is now open! Entries close on Friday August 7.

This year students’ designs must respond to the Book Week theme ‘Symphony of Stories’. Students and staff will vote for their favourite bookmark, and the winning design will be professionally printed and provided free to students in the Library. The winner will also receive a $20 book voucher.

Designs should be emailed to 7773-library@schools.vic.edu.au by the end of Friday August 7.

Each student can enter one handmade or digital design following these rules:

• Your bookmark must be sized 206mm x 56mm.
• Your background should go right to the edges. Any text or important graphics need 3mm of ‘bleed’ space at the edge (they should fit inside the size 200mm x 50mm).
• We recommend not including a border in your design as this can be affected when printing.
• Digital designs should be 300dpi. You can use these digital templates for guidance if you like (scroll down to ‘Bookmarks’ and select templates from the first row).

• Handmade designs can be photographed or scanned and emailed, and if they win, we will organise a high-quality scan of the artwork for printing.
• Designs must be your own work (and not AI generated).
• Designs must be one sided only. You may sign your name on the design if you like.
• Designs must include ‘EDSC Reads 2026’ somewhere.
• Designs must respond to the theme ‘Symphony of Stories’. These words do not need to appear in your design, and you can interpret this broad theme however you wish.

Reading Challenge June results

There are around six weeks left in the Reading Challenge at EDSC, and our students are on track for an impressive result. They have read and submitted 2,681 books at the end of June. Well done EDSC readers!

Congratulations to Ahlen A. of 7G for winning the June monthly Reading Challenge prize draw. Ahlen has won his choice of reward from the library prize box.

The Reading Challenge at EDSC is the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge (VPRC) plus extra added prizes and rewards. We are counting all the books that students and staff read from Thursday January 1 until 4pm Tuesday September 1, 2026.

To take part, students just need to log in to the VPRC website with their Edupass details (@schools email and password). They can then search for and add any books that they have read in 2026.

Any student who reads 15 books will be invited to our pizza party in October and will receive a certificate from the Victorian Premier. Prizes, including books and book vouchers, are on offer in the random monthly prize draws and End of Challenge Awards.

Students can include any books they like (excluding children’s picture story books, dictionaries and textbooks). Students can include graphic novels, manga, English/EAL class novels, poetry, non-fiction, eBooks, audiobooks, and more! There are more details on the EDSC Library website. Students should be sure to check their email and the Reading Challenge noticeboard in the library regularly for dates and other important information.

Emily Andersen
Library Coordinator

ELC Officeworks and Westfield Excursion

We welcome our new English Language Centre (ELC) students. On Monday 20 July the ELC students travelled on public transport to Officeworks and Westfield, Doncaster. It was a great day of learning and exploration for all involved.

Brenda James
Head of English Language Centre

Reducing green waste to landfill at EDSC

Take your food scraps home with you and put them in the FOGO! This will reduce the amount of food waste in the school and stop vermin breeding at EDSC.

Here’s what you can put in your FOGO bin here in Manningham:

If you can eat it or it grew in the ground, it will be able to go in your green lid FOGO bin.

What can go in:

• fruit and vegetable scraps
• meat and bones (raw and cooked)
• eggs and dairy
• seafood
• bread, pasta, rice and cereal
• loose tea leaves and coffee grounds
• tissues, paper towel and shredded paper
• plate scrapings and leftovers
• grass clippings
• prunings
• weeds
• leaves
• garden waste
• small branches (up to 100mm in diameter)

What cannot go in:

• tea bags
• plastic and biodegradable bags
• gardening items, plastic pots, garden hoses and tools
• animal waste including kitty litter
• clam and oyster shells
• liquids, fats, greases and oils
• soil, rocks or concrete
• vacuum dust
• plastic, glass or metal
• nappies, hygiene products or baby wipes
• treated or painted timber and building materials
• food packaging, rubber bands, cling wrap, foil, polystyrene and fruit and vegetable stickers.

For further information Manningham council have a comprehensive A to Z guide available. Please consult your local council if you live out of the Manningham council area.

Nicola Ritchie
Environment and Sustainability Club

Discover, Protect, and Grow: Caring for Our Local Environment

Environment Club is still working on beautifying our school and grounds by planting natives and non-natives.

Are you hoping to get more engaged with the environment of our local area?

Dive into the fascinating world of the platypus and learn how local volunteers, researchers, Yarra Ranges Council and Melbourne Water are working together to protect this iconic species at this community information evening.

International Student Winter Excursion – Lake Mountain Alpine Resort

On Friday 17 July, 81 international students took three buses up to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort for our annual winter excursion. The weather was a glorious but there was no snow, we were lucky the man-made snow and toboggan runs were still operational! The students had a great time bonding with each other and helping the 15 new arrivals to belong to the community at EDSC!

Simon Veerhuis
International Student Coordinator

Beautifying our school with Interact and Rotary

In week 2 of this term, the Interact club set off to work on a project that had been in the making for ages, a garden for our school community. We are grateful for the generous support of Bunnings Doncaster, who donated the plants, and Rotary Manningham, who supplied the soil. Guided by Daryl from Rotary, the Interact team worked together to establish a garden that will benefit the school community for years to come.

On Thursday, the pieces of the jigsaw came together, as a group of volunteers from Interact toiled for a couple of hours, planting hardy Lilly Pilly, Bottlebrush and Grevillea saplings, complemented by the vivid and vibrant Kangaroo Paw plants, with all of the plants being kindly provided by bunnings along with bags of soil. While we were busily digging away at the earth, a few fun (And annoying!) surprises popped up, roots and grubs being the most notable, as well as a random slab of concrete.

By the end of lunch, what was once a boring patch of mud and dust had transformed into a budding scene of life and colour!

Baran – 11E

Dante Alighieri Poetry Recitation Competition Finals 2026

How proud was I to accompany the 7 finalists to the Dante Alighieri Poetry Recitation Competition Finals on Tuesday 14^th July. Students sat patiently in the Old Arts Building Lecture Theatre waiting to be called for their turn to recite their poem for a second time. Hannah (Year 9) was called back for a 3^rd recitation.

I would like to wish all our finalists the very best and remind them that even if they do not place 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd, they are already winners. It is an achievement in itself to be selected and make it to the finals.

Bravissimi e auguri!

East Doncaster Secondary College Finalists for 2026

• Amy – 11G
• Aaryan – 10N
• Rahaf -10N
• Hannah – 9F
• Yassen – 9N
• Yubi – 9E
• Harnav – 9J

  

  

Joyce Conidoni
Italian Domain Leader

Aged Care Strings Concert

Our String Group and Chamber Strings ensembles were delighted to play for local aged care residents who visited the College on Thursday afternoon for a Strings Concert. In addition to seeing lots of happy faces in the audience, this event was a great warm-up performance for these ensembles’ performances at the Victorian School Music Festival in weeks 3 and 4.

Victorian School Music Festival Performances Term 3

Term 3 is our busiest term for Music performances, with a number of performances at the Victorian School Music Festival throughout July and August. Please stay up to date with consent as these events appear on Compass and meet deadlines for parent consent to ensure your children don’t miss the opportunity.

Participation in these events is required as part of the commitment to the Music program, if any students will be away and unable to attend, conductors need to know immediately. Performances are listed below in ‘Upcoming Events’.

Upcoming Events

• Monday 27 July – Chamber Strings at VSMF, return 7:15pm
• Monday 3 August – String Group at VSMF, return 4:45pm
• Friday 21 August – Vivo Band at VSMF, depart 8am
• Tuesday 25 August – Concert Band at VSMF, return 4:00pm
• Wednesday 26 August – Symphonic Band at VSMF, return 4:40pm
• Monday 7 September – Euphonic at VSMF, return 4:15pm

Carl Williams
Instrumental Music Coordinator

2026 College Production – BACKSTAGE PASS

Tickets are ON SALE now for EDSC’s 2026 Production: Backstage Pass!

Step behind the curtain and join us for an unforgettable musical experience filled with drama, laughter, music and plenty of surprises!

Backstage Pass
Thursday 13 August & Friday 14 August 2026
EDSC Performing Arts Centre

https://www.trybooking.com/DMOHB

Tickets are selling fast, don’t miss your chance to see our talented students bring this original production to life!

Book your tickets today and get ready for a show you won’t want to miss!

We look forward to seeing you there for an unforgettable night of entertainment.

Parents and carers, encouraging your children to interact with nature has many benefits!

Many of us will know from experience that going for a walk makes us feel just that bit better. Did you know that it can also help improve attention and memory retention? This is particularly the case if it is done in a natural environment; even a local park can be beneficial. This is because urban environments like streets and shopping centres contain so much stimulation (such as traffic and advertising) that they are less restorative. It is important to note that research findings suggest walking in nature is beneficial all year round, regardless of the weather or season.

Research has also found that even a short walk of 5 to 10 minutes can generate these benefits, which also include a boost to our mood. Another study found similar benefits from viewing photographs of the natural environment.

So, what can you do? When your children are having a break from study, encourage them to go for a walk at the local park. Even better, suggest that you might go with them and share in those benefits and the opportunity to spend some relaxing time together.

Rick Derons
Learning Specialist – School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

Every year, EDSC, along with all schools in Australia, participates in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on any child in the school – there will be no additional testing, only collection of information from enrolment documents, reports provided by parents to the school, and assessments of data and programs being conducted at school. Parents should be aware that any information they have provided to us in relation to their children with a disability, will be included in this national survey.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability. The Australian Government ensures that the privacy and confidentiality of all students is protected. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.

Anna Kissane
Disability Inclusion learning Specialist

What is Respectful Relationships?

Respectful Relationships education is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from foundation to year 12. It is all about embedding a culture of respect and equality across the entire school community.

The Respectful Relationships program supports schools and early childhood settings to promote and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. It teaches our children how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

While many different strategies are needed to contribute to this population-wide approach, the Respectful Relationships initiative is a key example of successful primary prevention work to prevent gender-based violence in education settings.

Schools are unique as a setting in which primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery operate alongside and in connection with one another. To be effective, Respectful Relationships must take a whole-of-school approach that works with leadership, systems and practices to support positive school cultures, age-appropriate curriculum delivery, policy development and community engagement.

What is taught in the Secondary Years?

Respectful Relationships in the secondary years focuses on treating everyone with respect and dignity and teaches students about the relationship between gender and power.

The RRRR teaching and learning resources provide tailored materials for years 7 to 12, including age-appropriate lesson plans and activities that help students learn new skills and build empathy, confidence and resilience.

What are the benefits of students learning about Respectful Relationships?

We know that a good education is about more than simply getting good marks. It is about supporting children to become contributing members of our communities, with productive and healthy adult lives.

Evidence shows that respectful relationships education:

• helps to equip children with the skills to communicate positively and respectfully, build positive relationships and challenge stereotypes that don’t support equality.
• positively impacts academic outcomes, mental health, classroom behaviour and student-teacher relationships (Our Watch, 2016).

Everyone in our community deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. We know that changes in attitudes and behaviours can be achieved when positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are embedded in our education settings.

Respectful Relationships is about embedding a culture of respect and equality across our entire community, from our classrooms to staffrooms, sporting fields, fetes and social events. This approach leads to positive impacts on students’ academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour, and relationships between teachers and students.

Together, we can lead the way in saying yes to respect and equality and creating genuine and lasting change so that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

The EDSC Respectful Relationships Pledge:

“All members of our school community have a responsibility to stand up against family violence and the misuse of gender power and control. We foster relationships that are respectful, caring and fair.”
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence the following services are available.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 and ask for the police.

For non-urgent help, please contact:

• 1800RESPECT: The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. Phone and online services available 24/7.
• Doncare: (03) 9856 1500
• Free From Family Violence Service (FVREE): (03) 9249 4200 OR 0466 748 880
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre: 1800 015 188
• Migrant Information Centre support for people from diverse cultural backgrounds: (03) 9285 4888
• inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence at 1800 755 988
• Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
• Eastern Community Legal Centre: 1300 325 200
• The Orange Door: 1800 354 322
• Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367 Free specialist LGBTQIA+ helpline

More resources/agencies can be found on our Wellbeing, Student Resources page of the East Doncaster Secondary College website
https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/wellbeing/student-resources

EDSC Success at the 2026 SSV State Cross Country Championships!

Three of our talented distance runners represented the College in the SSV Cross Country State Championships held at the Yarra Valley Racecourse during Week 1 of Term 3. In cold, muddy and uncomfortable conditions, our students represented EDSC with pride and passion – pitting themselves against the best cross-country runners in the state.

Results from the day are as follows:

Alyxa – 8S – 24th in the Girls 14 Years age group.

Javis – 7D – 38th in the Boys 12-13 Years age group.

Chloe – 7P – 65th in the Girls 12-13 Years age group.

These are an outstanding set of results from our students and as a College, we congratulate them – well done! Finishing in the top 40 is a significant achievement at this level.
We look forward to watching the progress of these students in the coming years!

Michael James
House and Carnivals Coordinator

Cybersafety and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies

The following resources are available to parents and carers to assist them with guiding their children with the use of digital technology in a safe and responsible way. Parents and carers are their child’s first role model when it comes to online behaviour. Please find information to assist parents and carers when dealing with Cybersafety issues on the following websites:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/services-for-parents/Pages/parentline.aspx
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/counselling-support-services

The following fact sheet may assist in encouraging the safe and respectful use of social media and to provide tips to parents for being a positive role model:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/bullystoppers/parentsocialmediaschoolcommunity.pdf

If parents/carers have any questions regarding Cybersafety or Digital Learnings in Schools and our Mobile Phone Policy, please contact Reception.

Cameron Campbell
Assistant Principal

Food & Financial Support

As we are all aware, the cost of living is increasing. We realise that this might be causing some distress to members of the EDSC community. If you are experiencing financial difficulties or food insecurity, please look at the website www.askizzy.org.au. This website can help you locate services for food, money, clothing, health and housing in your area.

The College is able to provide a range of food to families within the community. Foodbank Victoria provide EDSC fresh fruit, cereals, milk, different types of ready meals, fruit cups and Messy Monkey snacks. If you and your family are experiencing food insecurity, please contact the school to arrange a food collection. For a confidential conversation, please call Maddie Sill on 9842-2244.

Please also note that if your child forgets their lunch they can come to the Wellbeing Hub to access the pantry.

Child Safety Standards

East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision making.

East Doncaster Secondary College has zero tolerance for child abuse.

East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

Every person involved in East Doncaster Secondary College has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

In our planning, decision making and operations, all personnel at East Doncaster Secondary College will:

• Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
• Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
• Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children
• Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
• Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
• Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
• Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
• Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
• Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.

For more information about Wellbeing at the College, please visit the following link: Student Wellbeing Information

2026 Canteen

Online ordering is through the QKR app. Please find attached the QKR how to brochure. With the QKR app, you can place orders right up until 8.45am. We also welcome lunch orders directly at the canteen before school and at recess. Remember the most efficient way to beat the queue at lunch is to place a lunch order.

We do accept both cash and card as form of payments at the canteen. Please remember phones are not permitted as a method of payment, so please bring your card.

27 July 2026 – Next Meeting

The PFA will hold its next monthly meeting on Monday 27 July 2026 at 7.00pm in the school staff room in the main office block.

Those who have already expressed interest will be sent an email invite. If any more members of the school community would like to join, please email the PFA committee at edscpfa@gmail.com and we will very happily add you on to the distribution list.

A friendly reminder to the new members who have joined this year, if you do not possess a WWCC (for volunteers) please apply for it and once obtained, forward it to the email address edscpfa@gmail.com.

Please scan the QR code below to join the PFA community on WhatsApp and stay updated with PFA events.

As we kick off the new semester, we want to send our best wishes to all students at East Doncaster Secondary College. Whether you’re picking up where you left off or stepping into new subjects and challenges, we hope this semester brings plenty of opportunities for growth and achievement. Stay motivated, embrace the learning journey, and remember to support each other along the way. Wishing you all a successful and rewarding semester ahead!

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