We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are gathered and pay our respects to their Elders both past, present and emerging.
It’s been a busy and rewarding term 3, and now the spring break offers a well-earned chance for everyone to pause, recharge, and get ready for the final stretch of the year.
We have concluded our Term with numerous year level assemblies that have afforded us the opportunity to acknowledge a significant number of students that exemplify our College values every day- in and out of the classroom. We have also seen our student leaders shine through their role in leading these assemblies. Their maturity, confidence and commitment to their roles and to their peers is to be commended.
For our Year 12 students, the Term 3 break provides the opportunity for some rest but also the important opportunity to reflect upon what they have achieved so far this year and what they hope to focus on in Term 4. This is particularly crucial for our Year 12 students as they shift their focus to preparing for their final exams. The reflections and learnings from the first three terms, and the feedback they have received from their teachers throughout the year, should guide them as they commence preparation for their VCAA examinations.
I would like to encourage all Year 11 and 12 students undertaking Unit 3 and 4 subject studies to strike a balance over the break so that they are able to take a much-needed rest whilst also keeping positive study habits in place so that they are well prepared for the remaining challenges in Term 4.
At this stage of the year, it is completely normal for Year 12 students to feel nervous and some uncertainty about what lies ahead. With final exams on the horizon and the thoughts of life beyond secondary school beginning to take shape, students can experience moments of overwhelm. Such feelings are completely normal. I do want to encourage students during this time to be kind to themselves. The focus should be on giving your best effort. If, at the end of the year, our students can look back knowing they gave it their all and supported those around them, that is something to be genuinely proud of. We can ask no more of our students than this.
Many of our Year 12 students will be coming in for revision sessions over the break. Rest assured, while not all subjects have a holiday revision session, all students have tasks to complete for all subjects over the break to keep them focused and on track for exam success. I would like to sincerely thank our Year 12 teachers for their ongoing commitment and for consistently going above and beyond to support our students throughout their final year of school.
To our students and families, I wish you all a wonderful term break and hope that it provides the opportunity to connect with friends and family and to prioritise self-care. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for a positive and productive Term 4.
Parent Student Teacher Conferences
Last Thursday, we conducted our final Parent Student Teacher Conferences for 2026, with newly structured appointment times spread across the day to provide greater flexibility for our families.
With nearly 5,000 individual interviews taking place throughout the day, the strong support of our school community and the desire to connect personally with teachers was evident. While conversations in this format are necessarily brief, they provide valuable insights that complement the ongoing dialogue teachers have with students in class, as well as the feedback provided on students work.
I acknowledge that some families may not have been able to attend or may have been disappointed if they were unable to secure an appointment with particular teachers. I would like to remind families that there are a number of other ways to remain informed about their child’s progress, including asking students to bring home assessed learning tasks and regularly accessing COMPASS, where detailed and ongoing feedback is available through Learning Tasks and Cycle Reports.
I thank our families and staff for their continued commitment to working together to support the learning and development of our students.
Year 10 Work Experience
This week, our Year 10 students have embraced a wonderful range of opportunities through our Work Experience Program.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the program has been the incredible diversity of placements our students have undertaken. Many students took the initiative to source placements that were closely aligned with their interests, aspirations and possible future pathways. From primary schools, law firms, hospitality venues and research labs to marketing firms, students have gained experience across a remarkable range of workplaces and locations.
While the early starts and longer days have certainly presented their challenges, work experience provides students with a valuable insight into the world of work and the many pathways available to them beyond school. It encourages students to step outside their comfort zones, develop new skills and reflect on their future aspirations.
The feedback from workplace visits and employers throughout the week has been overwhelmingly positive, and it has been wonderful to hear about the maturity, enthusiasm and professionalism demonstrated by our students.
Outstanding Student Achievements
I am delighted to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of our EDSC Robotics Team, who recently represented the College at the RoboCup Junior State Event on 5 September. Ken, Theviru and Angad all in Year 9, demonstrated an impressive combination of technical knowledge, problem-solving, collaboration and perseverance. The team achieved an outstanding second-place finish overall, securing EDSC Rank 2 in the state.
This is a wonderful achievement and reflects not only the technical skills of our students, but also the dedication and teamwork required to compete at this level. It was particularly pleasing to see our Robotics Team share their passion and expertise during STEM Week. For more on STEM Week, please refer to the STEM News in this newsletter.
eSafety Information for parents and carers
As we approach the school holiday break, many of our young people will have increased opportunities to engage with social media, messaging platforms, online games and other digital spaces. While technology offers valuable opportunities for connection, creativity and learning, it is important that we remain mindful of the risks that can accompany increased online activity.
At East Doncaster Secondary College, online behaviour is an important element of our School Wide Positive Behaviour Supports Matrix. We encourage students to treat themselves and others with respect and dignity online, and to be upstanders who report harmful or inappropriate behaviour and support those who may be experiencing difficulties.
The holidays provide a valuable opportunity for families to have conversations about online safety and digital wellbeing. Simple steps such as checking privacy settings, establishing screen-free times and taking an interest in the platforms young people are using can make a significant difference.
I encourage families to access the resources provided by the eSafety Commissioner below, including the accompanying article, Creating a positive online community on our Digital wellness page which provides practical guidance to support students and families in navigating the online world safely and responsibly.
As we head into the holidays, I encourage all members of our College community to stay connected, stay safe and choose kindness online.
The eSafety Guide helps parents learn about the latest games, apps, and social media, including how to protect your information and report inappropriate content. The eSafety Guide | eSafety Commissioner
eSafety’s parents guide covers key online safety issues and a range of practical tips and advice on what to do if things go wrong. Parents | eSafety Commissioner
Child safety and wellbeing at East Doncaster Secondary College: information for families and the school community
East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel safe. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to protecting children from harm.
Our comprehensive child safety framework outlines our school’s strategies to support student safety and wellbeing. The framework includes the following policies, codes and procedures:
Our students and their families are important partners in keeping our students safe. We value feedback and ideas on how we can continuously strengthen our child safety framework. These policies were tabled and ratified at our School Council meeting on 9 September 2026. Our full policy document may be found at https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/our-college/documents-policies-reports/
If you have any suggestions or comments regarding these policies please contact Assistant Principal, Cameron Campbell, at east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au
Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy 2025-2026-Policy-Handbook.pdf, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.
We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use 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.
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.
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. Together with our teachers, 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. In the spirit of celebrating our College Values, teachers nominate students who have consistently demonstrated these values each term.
As we do at the end of each term, Middle School held Values Assemblies for each year level. These assemblies are an opportunity for us to reflect on the term, celebrate student achievements and set our students up for success in the following term. Last week, our Values Assemblies saw many students being awarded for their consistent demonstration of College Values throughout Term 3. We congratulate these students and all within our community who live our College Values each and every day. Well done to all our recipients this term.
Grade 5 Visits
This week, Grade 5 students from our local primary schools were invited to EDSC to experience two periods of learning. The focus of these visits is for the Grade 5 students to familiarise themselves with the secondary school environment to increase their confidence regarding the transition from Primary to Secondary schooling. This may be an experience families remember their child engaging in prior to Year 7, and you will know how much excitement and anticipation it brings the Grade 5 students.
This wonderful community-connecting program is organised by our Transitions Coordinator, Mrs Leanne Kaufmann. Her dedication and careful planning ensure the Grade 5 students from local primary schools such as Milgate, Serpell, Doncaster Gardens and Donburn Primary, get to experience the workings of a secondary school classroom and meet some of our obliging Year 7 leaders. We thank our student helpers and Leanne for their significant efforts in hosting over 500 primary school students at EDSC this week.
Term 3 Middle School Captains’ Reflections
As Term 3 is about to come to an end, I would like to reflect on the term. This term was a busy one. I have had the honour of hosting the Year 8 and 9 Middle School Values Assemblies, as well as helping with the Grade 5 visits which happened throughout this week. These experiences have been really fun as I had the chance to meet many new people and learnt how hard all the staff work to make EDSC a great place. Furthermore, I have worked with other Middle School Representatives such as the Year 7 and 8 Clas Reps where we organised the Year 8 Incursion Afternoon and are currently in the process of organising some other projects. This term has also been a big one for Year 9s as we have finished doing our subject selection for Year 10 as we start our transition to Senior School. ONE MORE TERM LEFT!! I hope all of you enjoy your holidays.
Marcus
This has been quite the exciting term as Captains! Early into the term, it was a priority for the Middle School Captains to finalise a pamphlet for new students entering EDSC throughout the year. We wanted to help welcome these student’s warmly and confidently by refining the pamphlet with all the necessary information in it for a smooth transition. Safe to say, it came together quite well! Just as exciting was the Backstage Pass Production that was held this term, with a matinee performance to the primary school students as well. The Middle School Captains helped to assist the children enter the school as well as hand out apples as they were leaving. It was an enjoyable afternoon for all the performers, students and Captains! An important thing I have learnt as a Captain is that leadership is shown everywhere, including the classroom. Recently, the Duke of Edinburgh class went out on a two-day overnight hike. It helped build resilience, show the importance of independence, responsibility and how important it is to work together and help each other during difficult times. Finally, while it still is a work in progress, I helped assist Ava, my partner as Middle School Captain, in organising a presentation on the impacts of social media on young people. This important message will be presented at each Term 4 Values Assemblies which we are looking forward to. Overall, this term has brought many opportunities and responsibilities as well as memorable moments, and I cannot wait to see what Term 4 brings!
Zoe
The end of Term 3 has arrived and without a doubt, it has been a wonderful start to Semester Two both for my leadership responsibilities and as a student. As a Middle School Vice-Captain, I have had the chance to work with different leadership groups, complete many projects and start planning our final ideas for Term 4, as well as helping with various events like the school production and Grade 5 visits. As the secretary of the Interact Club, I had the pleasure to co-host our annual Interact Trivia Night and assist with planning Respectful Relationships Week, with the addition of the bake sale next term. This year I was part of a radio and podcasting workshop which trained students in podcasting. We had the recording day at the start of this term, and I had the opportunity to interview local role models including our Principal Mrs Boyle, the Mayor of Manningham, Rotary members, Mr Lau and Charles (MND fighter). All interviews were extremely inspirational and truly emphasised the challenges people face yet they also show how we can make the best out of every day. To wrap up the term, last week, as a Stem Captain, I helped organise the ‘STEM Week Amazing Race” and it was great to see many students go around EDSC and learn new facts about STEM. I am looking forward to continuing to complete some final projects for the year next term. As a student, I had the opportunity to reflect on my learning and revising strategies at the end of Term 2 and I have been able to implement them this term which has made it more efficient for me to study. As part of Duke of Edinburgh program, I also got to go on my first overnight hike to Cathedral Ranges, where we hiked for 19km over the course of two days. This experience has taught me things that I never knew like making a tent, packing a pack and the importance of preparation and proactiveness. As I look towards Term 4, a quote that reflects my experiences this term is, “In this life, it’s not what you hope for, not what you deserve, it’s what you take” (Tom Cruise). To me, this means that opportunities do not simply come to you, but you must take initiative, make the most of your experiences and work towards the goals you want to achieve. Overall, this term has been extremely fun and eventful, and I can’t wait to have an amazing last term as a Middle School student.
Aadya
Term 3 has been a very exciting time with lots going on for all students and student-leaders. Earlier this term, our school held an exciting school production, “Backstage Pass,” for all to enjoy. Welcoming the entire Year 5 of Doncaster Gardens Primary School to enjoy this performance was a real highlight, cultivating their curiosity for high school. The Victorian Music Schools Festival also came along, allowing Middle School students an opportunity to watch schools from across the state and showcase their own hard work. Leadership within the school comes in all forms including involvement in the Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh program. This term, we had our first overnight hike, led and planned by the class itself. All students took initiative and sought out opportunities to help one another, building a sense of teamwork and community amongst the class. Alongside all of these amazing opportunities, as a Middle School Captain, we have had the opportunity to finalise our pamphlet to welcome new students to the school to help ease the weight of transitioning to a new high school. Finally, preparing for next term’s Values Assembly, I have designed a presentation which draws attention to the real-life challenges and potential harms of social media, and the steps we can take to improve our choices and poor habits surrounding social media. I am looking forward to making the most of my final term being a part of the Middle School and plan to cherish every moment. Have an exciting holiday everyone!
Ava
Giulia Catalano Assistant Principal of Middle School
Lost Property
Lost Property is now located in the Middle School Office (MSO), The John Landy Centre (JLC) and the Stadium. Valuables items including air pods/buds, calculators, wallets, phones, money and jewellery are handed into Reception. Laptops are handed into the IT department.
We ask student to please put your name on all items of uniform or personal belongings. There are many items of lost property that are abandoned each week.
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.
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
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.
On Wednesday 16 September, we were delighted to come together and celebrate our Year 12 students, with our cherished tradition – the Year 12 Breakfast. Despite the early start, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and warmth as students enjoyed a delicious spread of bacon and eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, pastries, and the ever-popular donuts.
The morning was filled with laughter and camaraderie as several fun awards were handed out, including “Barbell believer of the year,” “Class napper of the year,” and “Social butterfly,” adding a playful touch to the celebrations.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our senior school secretary Ms Barresi, for her incredible organisational skills, and to our Canteen (Jude Fina Foods) for their outstanding catering efforts. We also extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us and helped behind the scenes – whether serving food, cleaning up or simply sharing a moment with the Year 12s. Your contributions made the event a wonderful success.
As our Year 12 students enter these final weeks of school, we wish them all the best and eagerly anticipate the upcoming Valedictory Dinner on Thursday, 22 October. Here’s to celebrating the journey and achievements of our graduating class!
Barbell believer of the year: Damien
Class napper of the year: Max
Most determined studier of the year: Allen & Nicole
Where did I put that award: Jazmyne & Dereson
Future educator of the year: Megan and Kate-Lynne
Social butterfly: Badie
Music is Life: Katie
Lost Property
Lost Property is now located in the Middle School Office (MSO), The John Landy Centre (JLC) and the Stadium. Valuables items including air pods/buds, calculators, wallets, phones, money and jewellery are handed into Reception. Laptops are handed into the IT department.
We ask student to please put your name on all items of uniform or personal belongings. There are many items of lost property that are abandoned each week.
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.
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.
Creating a positive online community: Addressing cyberbullying
As we approach the upcoming school holiday break, many students will have increased opportunities to engage with social media, messaging platforms, online games and other digital communities. While these technologies provide valuable opportunities for communication, creativity and connection, the holiday period is also an appropriate time to reflect on how our online interactions can affect others.
Cyberbullying remains an important issue for young Australians. Research conducted by the Australian government’s eSafety Commissioner indicates that 58% of Australian’s aged 13–17 have experienced cyberbullying at some point, while 44% of young people experienced cyberbullying within the past 6 months. These findings highlight the importance of developing respectful and responsible online communities.
However, addressing cyberbullying should not only be about identifying harmful behaviour. It should also be about actively shaping a positive online culture in which we feel respected, included and supported.
Promoting positive digital citizenship
Every online interaction provides an opportunity to demonstrate the values we promote within our College community. We are responsible, respectful digital citizens, recognising that the way we communicate online can have a lasting impact on ourselves and others.
Respect, fairness, care and compassion and curiosity are just as important online as they are in face-to-face interactions. We treat ourselves and others with fairness and dignity, while respecting others’ feelings, avoiding harmful language and contributing to a positive and supportive digital environment.
Being a responsible digital citizen also means using technology purposefully, to enhance our learning and collaboration. We are also encouraged to think critically about the information we encounter online. We actively assess the credibility of information online, recognising that not everything we see, read or share is accurate, reliable or appropriate.
Before posting, commenting or sharing content, we are encouraged to consider:
Is it respectful? Would I say the same thing if the person were standing in front of me?
Is it necessary? Does sharing this contribute positively to the conversation?
Could it cause harm? How might the other person feel if they saw this?
Would I be comfortable with others seeing it? Online content can be copied, shared and viewed by a much wider audience than originally intended.
Small acts of consideration can make a significant difference. Including others in conversations, responding respectfully to different opinions, celebrating positive contributions and choosing not to participate in harmful conversations all contribute to a healthier digital environment.
The role of the bystander
Creating a positive online culture also requires us to consider our role when we witness inappropriate behaviour. A bystander does not have to become directly involved in an argument or confrontation to make a difference. We can choose not to like, share or encourage harmful content, report inappropriate behaviour and privately support someone who may be experiencing difficulties. We are “upstanders” who address and report negative behaviour, promote respectful interactions and consistently model kindness online.
Being an upstander does not mean responding aggressively or escalating a situation. Rather, it means making calm, constructive and responsible choices. We report inappropriate online behaviour and take steps to protect ourselves, while seeking support from a trusted adult when needed.
Choosing kindness does not mean ignoring inappropriate behaviour. It means having the confidence and responsibility to act when something is not right, while ensuring that our response remains calm, respectful and safe.
Supporting those experiencing cyberbullying
Students who experience cyberbullying should be encouraged to seek support rather than manage the situation alone. Keeping records of harmful messages or posts, using the reporting and blocking functions available on digital platforms, and speaking with a trusted adult can all be helpful steps.
Students can also support their peers by demonstrating empathy, including others and speaking up when they see harmful behaviour. A simple message of support or the decision not to participate in negative online conversations can make a meaningful difference.
Our goal is to ensure that we feel confident using technology while also understanding their responsibilities as members of a wider digital community.
A positive approach over the holidays
The school holidays provide an opportunity to maintain the strong sense of community developed throughout the school year. As students spend time online, we can all contribute to making digital spaces more welcoming, respectful and inclusive.
Rather than focusing solely on what we should not do online, let us consider what we can do: communicate with empathy, include others, celebrate positive contributions, respect differences, think critically about the information we encounter and support those who may be struggling.
A positive digital culture is created through everyday choices. Every message, comment, photograph and interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate respect and make our online communities better.
As we enter the holiday break, we encourage all members of our College community to stay connected, stay safe and, most importantly, choose kindness online.
For further information and support, students and families can view the eSafety Commissioner website at eSafety.gov.au and view the East Doncaster Secondary College policy on Child Safety and Wellbeing.
Our Year 10 Food Studies students stepped into the kitchen to tackle one of the most rewarding and technically demanding challenges in the culinary curriculum: making fresh, authentic pasta from scratch.
The practical lesson focused on developing student skills in managing complex culinary processes. Unlike everyday cooking, pasta production requires strict attention to detail, precision, and active decision-making. Students learned that every variable, from the humidity in the room, to the size of an egg, directly impacts the final product.
Throughout the session, students were required to make quality-control decisions including assessing the consistency of the dough, kneading, rolling and shaping.
The bustling kitchen was filled with focus and teamwork. The final result was a fabulous fettuccine, paired with pangrattato, a fried breadcrumb topping flavoured with garlic, chilli flakes, parsley, lemon zest and anchovies.
Students walked away with enhanced problem-solving abilities and a deeper understanding of how their decisions directly shape the quality of what lands on the plate. Congratulations to our Year 10 foodies for demonstrating such high levels of maturity and culinary skill!
As Spring sets in, we are noticing more hay fever (allergic rhinitis) amongst our students.
If your child suffers from hay fever, can you please administer antihistamine medication at home before school. Medication for your child can be kept onsite. An accompanying ASCIA Hay fever Treatment Plan must be filled out by your child’s GP.
If your child has seasonal hay fever from pollen:
check the pollen levels during spring and summer so you are aware of the risk of hay fever www.melbournepollen.com.au
stay inside with doors and windows shut on high-pollen days
dry clothes inside
reduce contact with triggers like freshly mowed grass
avoid going outdoors during and after thunderstorms
bathe or shower after outdoor play – particularly if they feel itchy.
EDSC is having a second-hand uniform sale in Term 4!
We are looking for donations of pre-loved uniforms for incoming students and those who require support throughout the year.
These include current UNIFORM – jackets, jumpers, shirts, trousers, shorts, PE uniform, music uniform, school caps and school bags. See the chart below.
Please make sure that all uniforms are in good condition for the next person. We ask that your donations are clean and washed. No holes, no stains and names removed.
Donations can be dropped off at First Aid (students) or the main office (parents and carers).
Thank you for your support!
Did your Year 7 or Year 10 student miss out on their school immunisations?
Manningham Council visits local secondary schools to deliver free vaccinations to students in year 7 and 10.
Year 7 vaccination is a single dose of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and a single booster dose for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (whooping cough).
The Year 10 vaccination helps protect against four common strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, and Y).
If your child missed the vaccination hub here at the college, they can attend a community immunisation session.
Click on the QR code below to book in.
What to do if a student is injured or sick at school
East Doncaster Secondary College has a dedicated Sick Bay which is located in the main Administration Building. It is there to service the needs of both students and staff. If a student requires medical attention during class time, that student will be sent by their teacher to the Sick Bay accompanied by another student (who will be sent back to class immediately). We will then assess the student and determine a course of action. If necessary, we will contact a parent or an emergency contact to provide them with the relevant details.
Students are NOT to contact their parent(s) by phone or text message before coming to the Sick Bay.
This causes undue stress for parents or carers, who understandably want to know the specifics about their child’s condition. We can assure parents that if their child is sick or injured and requires further intervention, they will be contacted. If a student is not feeling well or is injured, they are to come directly to Sick Bay.
Students are NOT to take it upon themselves to ask their parents to collect them from school.
Students are NOT permitted to walk, cycle, catch public transport or arrange for a ride home from school if they are injured or sick at school.
Congratulations to the winners of all our Book Week Competitions! Well done to the students and staff below for getting involved in Book Week activities last month by dressing up, testing out their literary knowledge, and hunting for Mystery Readers and Book Week characters around the school.
Prizes for these students and staff ranged from book vouchers, books, stationery and treats.
Scavenger Hunt Prize Winners Abdu M. 7J, Christopher S. 9P, Issie C. 9L and Cameron L. 10B
Book Week Quiz Prize Winners Shaaz H. 7E and Vish S. 10L
Dress Up Day Prize Winners
Best Dressed Group – Selin S. 7D, Aroush T. 7D and Inaya M. 7D
Best Dressed Individual – Nellie C. 7O
Best Dressed Staff Member – Ms Gregory
Most Creative Costume – Cynthia C. 11K
Most Colourful Costume – Yubi F. 9E, Lea A. 9E and Thasini H. 9E
Most Characterlike Costume – Sara P. 10I
People’s Choice Award (voted by staff and students) – Violette S. 8D and Ms Jane
Librarians’ Choice Award – Faith Y. 9G and Ms Morrish
Congratulations also to 7D for winning the reward for Class Who Made the Most Effort, nominated by 7D’s English teacher Ms Dallinger. 7D visited the library this week and all students received a treat thanks to the group of students (and Ms Dallinger!) who dressed magnificently on Dress Up Day.
Holiday reading with Sora
The EDSC Library might be closed for the next two weeks, but students and staff can continue borrowing eBooks and audiobooks throughout the holidays with the Sora digital reading app.
The collection of titles in Sora is an extension of EDSC’s physical library. Students can borrow digital versions of new and classic fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, and manga on any device at any time.
Students have the option of downloading the Sora app to a tablet or smartphone, or they can access the Sora website on a laptop. They simply need to search for East Doncaster Secondary College and log in.
For more details on how to take advantage of all of Sora’s features, including using accessibility settings and adding a local public library’s digital book collection to Sora, visit the Sora eBooks page of the EDSC Library website.
A special mention to the following year 7 & 8 students who competed in the CIS Italian Junior 2026 Poetry Competition on Monday 14 September.
Alison 8L
Aroush 7D
Danica 8L
Emilija 8F
Felipe 7I
Hadiya 8H
Hailey 7I
Inaya 7D
Inika 7A
Javis 7D
Jayden 7I
Krish 7B
Lowgethan 8C
Luca 7B
Owen 7C
Pablo 7G
Parth 7B
Phoebus 8B
Reshma 7J
Saavini 7J
Tanvi 7D
Students selected a poem from a selection of three in their category, learnt it by heart and recited it to a judge who assessed students on their;
Knowledge of the poem
Pronunciation
Intonation
Appropriate expression
Gesture / eye contact
The judge was impressed with the performance of our students and commented on how well they did, not giving too much away.
All students will be presented with a Participation Certificate. Prizes are awarded for the first, second and third in each category (Year 7 & Year 8), and Special Mention Certificates are presented to students outstanding in their presentation.
We wait eagerly to find out if any of our students have been successful in achieving an award.
Recitation is a highly valuable experience in language learning, and this competition is an excellent way to enrich the study of Italian language and culture. It is also an opportunity for students to practise their public speaking skills.
Congratulations to our Euphonix vocal group under the direction of Mrs Tegan Gaschk, who received a Silver Award for their first ever performance at the Victorian School Music Festival last week. This finishes another successful year for EDSC at VSMF, with a record six large ensembles and the highest number of students performing.
Spring Concerts Term 4
The start of Term 4 will see our Spring Concert Series, with the Senior Spring Concert in Week 2, 7pm on Wednesday 14 October, and then the Middle School Spring Concerts in Week 4, Thursday 29 October.
The Senior Concert will include Chamber Strings, Colla Voce vocal group, Symphonic Band and Flute Ensemble. Tickets ($10 each plus booking fees) are now available from: https://www.trybooking.com/DPOPE
Tickets for the Middle School concerts on 29 October will be available early in Term 4. All remaining music ensembles will be performing across two concerts on this date.
Etude Band Workshop
Etude (beginner) Band members will be participating in a combined workshop with students from Blackburn High School and Healesville High School on Thursday 8 October. If you are involved in this event you will see a request for consent and payment in Compass. Please make sure to meet the deadline for consent and payment.
Defence Force School of Music Free Concert
The Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) holds a regular series of ‘At Home’ Concerts throughout the year at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia.
These performances are free, open to the public and feature a variety of music performed by Australian Defence Force Musicians.
They are now accepting bookings to the next At Home Concert, which will be held at 10.30 am on Wednesday 23 of September 2026.
We have strict requirements for our Performing Arts uniform just like other options of the school uniform. This includes the required black shirt, straight black ‘business’ style pants, black socks and black dress shoes (including school shoes).
The Performing Arts uniform does not include white socks, sneakers or barrel-style pants.
Students who do not have the correct uniform will be given out-of-uniform reminders and may be asked not to perform.
Upcoming Events
Thursday 8 October – Etude Band Workshop
Wednesday 14 October – Senior Spring Concert, PAC 7:00pm
Thursday 29 October – Middle School Spring Concerts, PAC 6:00 and 7:30pm
Six the Musical was an amazing experience, from the wonderful and suspenseful lighting to the actor/audience interaction. It was a great opportunity to be able to attend this musical and experience this unique and exciting show. I enjoyed the learning opportunity not only learning about the history of King Henry and his six wives, but it also showed us how ‘breaking the fourth wall’ can look like on stage. I knew many of the songs they sang beforehand so being able to sing along was enjoyable with the hard-working actors. Overall, Six the musical was a highlight of my performing arts class.
Lea – 9E
The excursion to see SIX: The Musical was by far one of my favourites this year. The blend of history and theatre is always enjoyable. My favourite aspect of the performance was how it felt like an actual concert, as the cast kept breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience. The costumes were also very awe-inspiring, and they helped to add an extra layer of personality to each cast member. The lights, sound and enthusiasm of the cast have made this into one of the highlights of my year!
From 7 – 11 September, the STEM captains organised STEM Week to celebrate National Science Week. It was a week to try something new, learn hands-on skills, and see science, technology, engineering and maths in action. Activities included a Robotics Forum, Science Week Movie, Science Trivia, Paper Plane Competition, and a Scavenger Hunt. We were privileged to be joined by Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde OAM, a DNA and blood stain pattern expert, who presented on what her job involves and the pathway towards forensic science.
One of our STEM captains, Elly T, shared her experience:
For a STEM week finale last Friday, the STEM captains hosted a school-wide scavenger hunt! Participants tackled challenging STEM-focused questions, following a designated path to reach the finish line where they collected their well-earned prizes. It was a lunch time full of both fun and learning!
Michelle Chan and Evelyn Xu Learning Specialists – STEM
Robotics at EDSC
On 5 September, the EDSC Robotics team took part in the RoboCup Junior State Event in the Line Rescue – Open category. Led by team captain Ken – 9M and group members Theviru and Angad – 9M, we were able to finish second overall in the category, placing EDSC rank 2 overall in the state.
The robotics team members were on hand during STEM Week to show off their robot in action, giving students a hands-on look at the skills behind it. They ran mini demonstrations and taught interested students some of the techniques needed to navigate a maze challenge, creating plenty of curiosity and excitement about what goes into building and programming a competition robot.
Ken – 9M
Walking around our classrooms, it was wonderful to see students maintaining high levels of engagement and enthusiasm for learning, even as the term came to a close.
Thank you to our dedicated Science staff for inspiring curiosity and creating these valuable learning opportunities for our students this term.
Emalyn Wicking and Johnson Yao Science Domain Leaders
Year 7 conducting Forces experimentsYear 9 investigating electron transfer between atomsYear 10 Physics students collecting dataYear 12 Physics students observing the emission spectrumYear 12 Biology students identifying evolutionary skull structures.
Last Friday some of our newly arrived international students participated in the Year 10 Social. What a fantastic occasion to get to know other people, build friendships and get involved in the school community! We are very grateful to the staff who organised such an important event as many students, both local and international, join EDSC at Year 10 level.
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:
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:
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.
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.
During Week 8 we held a number of activities to celebrate our annual Respectful Relationships Week. Students from the Events Leadership team, Interact Club, Pride Club, Performing Arts and Sports captains contributed to this fantastic week of positivity.
Students contributed their thoughts on what respect means to them, participated in Kindness challenges, had their faces painted and hair sprayed, attended the Attitudes Showcase and even played in a Year 12 staff vs students Basketball game. So there was something for everyone.
We also ran a guess how many lollies in the jar competition with the proceeds of this, and the Basketball Game going to ECASA, our charity partner of the week.
Congratulations to Ryan A 7G who guessed 550 (correct amount was 548).
Gratitude is extended to Fiona H 12B who off her own bat wrote poems for students and staff on the first day of RR Week. She asked participants who they wanted the poem for, what it would be about and took the time to engage in active conversation with them, before writing a poem on the spot for them. Those who received the poems had their days brightened.
Again, thank you to all the students from all parts of the school who ran these activities and those that supported them.
We look forward to an even bigger week next year.
Respectful Relationships Student Forum
As part of our role as a Respectful Relationships Lead School, we recently held a student forum with other students from our partner schools.
Students from Kew High School, Box Hill High School and East Doncaster Secondary College came together to look at ways we can promote Respectful Relationships within the school community. We spent the morning workshopping what Respectful Relationships looks like at our schools and came up with projects to strengthen those values within the school. Our EDSC team is specifically looking at creating posters to place around the school to support our students understanding of Respectful Relationships, re-establishing the Peer Support program and creating an event during Harmony Week next year.
We will be meeting with the students again in Term 4 to update each other on our progress and have time to plan our projects for 2027.
Thank you to Emily, Ellie, Melody and Emma who have shown such passion for these projects.
Manningham Youth Events
There are many events for students over the school holidays at various venues in Manningham. Check out our flyers to sign up.
RR Book of the Week
‘This stays between us’ – By Margot McGovern
Winner of the CBCA Student Shadow Judging 2026
Margot McGovern’s homage to 90s horror films and final girls will keep you on the edge of your seat. Four girls share a cabin on their school retreat – in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack is known to haunt the isolated campers. Shelley is the new girl with her own haunted past. Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend. Priya thinks she’s ready to take the next step with her boyfriend. Raffi has a flair for drama and convinces them all to hold a seance. But when you call on the darkness, sometimes the darkness replies . . . ‘Powerful, heartbreaking, hair-raising and absolutely terrifying. This feminist ode to the 90s slasher films is twisty, clever and frightening from beginning to end.’ AMY DOAK, bestselling author of Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer.
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).
If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.
Anna Kissane Disability Inclusion learning Specialist
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.
VCE Art Show Opening Night 2026 – 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday 6 October
Students, parents, and guardians are invited to attend our Annual VCE Art Show Opening Night at The John Landy Centre, 6-8 pm on Tuesday 6 October.
This showcases our Art Making and Exhibiting, Visual Communication Design, Product Design & Technology, and Systems Engineering students’ work, including folios and final presentations. The show is a culmination of our Year 12 and 11 students’ hard work, exploration and creative processes.
VCE students will be on hand to host the night and will be available to discuss their work processes and experiences. We will be accompanied by a musical performance or two by some of our talented music teachers and students.
For those students who cannot make it, the VCE folios will remain on display in The John Landy Centre for the duration of the week. Students from all year levels are encouraged to view these works at recess and lunchtimes.
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.
EAST DONCASTER SECONDARY COLLEGE CO-OPERATIVE LTD Co-operatives Act 1996 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2026
Meeting to be held in the EDSC PAC – 3.30pm Thursday 5 November 2026. All Cooperative Members are invited to attend.
Karen Boyle – Principal
Help your learner get on the road with a free driving lesson!
The myLearners Free Driving Lesson program offers a FREE 60-minute Lesson with a professional driving instructor for learners aged 16–21 who have completed 10–50 hours of driving practice.
The lesson is taken alongside their supervising driver, helping both the learner and supervisor build safer, more confident driving habits together.
This program supports families by making the learning experience more positive and less stressful. It aims to reduce crash risks for young drivers, strengthen supervising skills, and encourage safer driving behaviours early on all at no cost to participants.
Spots are filling fast for FREE program access in 2026 for parents/carers who want to support their teen’s mental health!
Partners in Parenting (PiP) is an evidence-based, online program designed to help parents and carers build skills and confidence in supporting their teenager’s mental
health. More than 5,000 families across Australia and the UK have already benefitted from the program!
Monash University researchers are running a study with two versions of the program, PLUS parents/carers get $40 e-gift vouchers for completing surveys after the program.
The Department of Education Victoria and East Doncaster Secondary College does not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. No responsibility is accepted by the Victorian Department of Education and East Doncaster Secondary College for accuracy or information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.
Our focus is always on supporting students through a consistent, balanced approach to learning and wellbeing. This helps ensure that everything we offer remains aligned with the College programs and is in the best interests of our students. East Doncaster Secondary College is unable to promote or endorse external businesses where this may not align with our teaching programs or the wellbeing services we provide.
Advertise in our College Newsletter
Advertise in our College Newsletter
Are you part of a community organisation that services the local community?
Do you want to reach over 2,000 families in the area every fortnight?
Our fortnightly e-newsletter has space available and can include direct links to your website (no social media sites).
Pricing:
$50 – A4 full page per edition
$10 – for community groups
$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.
provide valuable opportunities for communication, creativity and connection, the holiday period is also an appropriate time to reflect on how our online interactions can affect others.
We are looking for donations of pre-loved uniforms for incoming students and those who require support throughout the year.
