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.
Celebrating the Year 12 Class of 2026 – Farewell and Best Wishes for the Journey Ahead
Our graduating class of 2026 were celebrated at their Valedictory Dinner held at The Grand Receptions at Cathies Lane, on Thursday 22 October. The atmosphere on the night was joyous as our students; their families and teachers came together to proudly congratulate and support our wonderful Year 12 cohort at yet another milestone event in their final year.
I was also filled with pride to see the event so visibly supported by our teachers who throughout the year have embraced the privilege of guiding our students through their final year of VCE and VCE VM. The commitment of our teachers to their students and the bonds they form, which is something that is so clearly evident on nights like this, says something pretty special about our College community.
I was honoured to deliver an opening address on the evening where I was able to share with our senior students our collective pride in their achievements, their growth as young adults and reflect on their time at the College. The have come a long way from the wide-eyed and nervous Year 7s that joined us back in 2021. It has been heartening to see, particularly throughout this year, the support and encouragement they have shown to one another as they moved closer to the finish line.
In their time with us they have built friendships, discovered passions and learnt lessons that will stay with them for life. And while they face yet another transitional stage in their life that brings with it a variety of emotions, there is a sense of readiness and a focus on the possibilities that lie ahead. Our Valedictory Dinner celebrations focused on embracing the optimism and excitement for all the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead for this outstanding group of young people.
I will also highlight how rewarding it has been to see so many of our Year 12 cohort give back to our College.
I would particularly like to recognise the role of our 2026 College Captains Taylor Greco and Harris McNamara, Vice Captains Rudra Hatkhambkar and Isabel van Geysel, International Captains James Vo and Nicole Zhu and International Vice Captains Jayden Chirasawanon and Sivinn Ngo. These students have consistently led with kindness, compassion and a genuine commitment to having a positive impact on our school and to supporting their peers. There are of course too many student leaders in this cohort to mention by all name, but I do thank all our student leaders this year who have made the commitment- in what is a very busy year- to include a focus on the service to others.
In concluding my address to our graduating students, I encouraged them to trust in their ability to thrive beyond the familiar walls of school. To continue to be curious, to challenge themselves, to never stop learning. My final hope is that they look back on their time at East Doncaster Secondary College fondly. That many years from now, the memories of these formative years, still put a smile on their faces and that they will be proud to say that you are part of the extended EDSC family.
On Tuesday of this week, our Year 12 students began their final examination program with their English and EAL exams. The sun was shining as they gathered for this first exam and it was great to see the readiness and calmness exhibited. I wish our students all the very best as they complete each of their final examinations.
Finally, we will conduct our Final Assembly for all Year 12 students and parents who are able to attend on the day, on Friday 20 November, upon the completion of the VCE exam period. Full details will be posted for this event on Compass shortly.
World Teachers’ Day
While this is traditionally celebrated across the world on the first Friday of October, in Australia we celebrate on the last Friday in October to coincide with the school term.
World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to say thank you to the teachers who continue to make a difference today – and everyday – to children and young people’s lives. I am very proud of our teachers at East Doncaster Secondary College who strive to do this every day. Our teachers do far more than teach their subject areas; they provide care and safety, spark curiosity, build resilience, guide students to see their potential and always strive to do their best for our young people.
On behalf of our school community, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to our teachers. Thank you for your passion, your patience, your meticulous planning, endless care for others and for your professionalism. We are proud to celebrate you today and every day.
Middle School Spring Concerts
Following on from our Senior School Spring Concert that took place on 14 October, our two Middle School Spring Concerts closed out the series last night. These concerts once again showcased the incredible musical talent and dedication of our students. Our Spring Concerts have become a cherished school tradition and are a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the hard work and indeed growth of our young musicians and vocalists.
Special thanks to our Director of Instrumental Music, Carl Williams for his organisation of the evening. Both concerts were compered by our Music Captains who did a wonderful job introducing each group, their conductor and their chosen performance pieces. Last night’s audiences were delighted by all performances on the stage with the Concert Band closing concert one with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and the String Group closing concert two with ‘Viva la Vida’.
Our wonderful Parents and Friends Association were once again on hand to provide supper at the interval break between the two concerts, as always, they did terrific job. The pizza is always very well received, and the brownies were once again a hit! We are certainly appreciative of all they do to support our College and our music performances.
Planning and preparation for 2027
This is a quick reminder to the Parents/Guardians of students who will no longer be attending East Doncaster Secondary College in 2027.
If you have not already done so, can you please contact the school to inform us that your child will not be attending next year. This information can be communicated to the staff members in our General Office or the Year Level Coordinators.
This information is vital for our coordination teams in order to plan and prepare classes and programs for next year.
College Arrangements for Monday 2 November
A reminder to students and parents that the College will be conducting our allocated professional practice day on Monday 2 November. Students will therefore not be required to attend school on this day.
Year 12 VCE examinations scheduled to be conducted at our College on this day will proceed as planned.
At East Doncaster Secondary College, we prioritise regular school attendance. We work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings.
We ensure parents/carers are advised of any unexplained absences via an SMS attendance alert which is sent several times a day. When a student is absent without explanation, parents/carers will receive an SMS.
It is the College’s responsibility to account for student attendance and parents/carers have an obligation to notify the College if their child is going to be absent as soon as possible.
Whist SMS attendance alerts have been sent out each day; a number of students still have unexplained absences. Over the coming weeks we will be sending out letters via Compass email asking parent/carers to review and update all outstanding unexplained their child may have.
Moving forward into 2027, these letters will be sent at the end of each month. We will work with parents/carers to ensure that student absences are accounted for and reinforce that regular attendance is prioritised. We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time and limit absences to approved absences only.
Attending school every day means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future. For more information about the importance of everyday attendance, see Attendance and Missing School. If your child is having difficulty attending school, talk to their Year Level Coordinator about getting support.
Remember, Every Day Counts.
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.
Child Safety Code of Conduct which outlines acceptable and unacceptable behaviours for all staff and volunteers at our school.
Our students and families are important partners in providing a child safe environment. These regular newsletter reminders are one of the ways we ensure our school community is aware of: our commitment to child safety, and how to provide feedback or raise child safety concerns.
If you have any concerns about child safety at any time, please contact Assistant Principal, Cameron Campbell, at east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au . Any child safety complaints or concerns are treated seriously. For more information about our school’s complaints process, see our Complaints Policy.
We also welcome your ideas on ways we can improve our approach to child safety and wellbeing. If you have any suggestions or comments, 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.
Claims for Property Damage and Medical Expenses Policy
Parents/carers and students are reminded that they are responsible for a student’s personal item/property, including if it is lost, stolen or damaged at school. For more information, please refer to the Claims for Property Damage and Medical Expenses Policy
On Tuesday 27 of October, the 2027 Middle School Captain speeches took place and it was heartening to see the applicants give it their all on stage in front of their cohort. Eight courageous candidates gave inspirational speeches that highlighted not only their unique qualities as students, leaders, community advocates and peers but also as students who are proud to be a part of the EDSC community. Their sense of pride in the college was evident, each outlining how they aspire to make positive contributions to their peer group, their classrooms, the current programs running at EDSC and the wider EDSC community. To see this level of leadership talent that exists within the cohort is a very exciting prospect for 2027 and beyond. It is now over to the students to vote on their preferred candidate and the final stage which will be an interview. We would like to thank all applicants for taking this step in the process and wish all luck in the final interview stage.
Year 9 Semester Two Exams
Year 9 exams are scheduled for Thursday 26 November 2026. The exams will take place in the following order: Period 3 and 4: English/EAL. Period 5 and 6: Maths
Students do not have timetabled classes in the morning; students should arrive at recess (10:35am) and be at the exam rooms 10mins prior to the exam. The library will be unavailable for study during Period 1 and Period 2. Please note that students are only allowed to sit exams if they are in full school uniform or have a note with a valid reason. Students should also bring their student ID card.
An exam briefing will be held the week prior to the exam where students will be further prepared for the exam.
Year 7 (2027) Orientation Day – Student Free Day for Current Year 9 Students
On Tuesday 8 December (Week 10), the Year 7 Orientation Program will take place. This involves our 2027 Year 7 cohort joining us at EDSC for the day. To support this important part of the Transition Program, our Year 9 students will remain offsite for the day, engaging in their lessons remotely from home.
The purpose behind this is to provide greater support to our new students to the College. We feel that large numbers of students may overwhelm them on their “first day” of secondary school. With building works continuing, we have a portion of the College that are currently “out of bounds” and believe that it would be safer to have a reduced number of students on the block during this day.
Year 9 (2027 Year 10 students) will have lesson plans on Compass to follow and students will be expected to complete this work from home. Lesson plans will be available the day prior for download should there be any issues with internet access at home.
Parents/carers, if you are not able to supervise your child at home on this day, please make contact with the College on 9842 2244 or via email middleschool@eastdonsc.vic.edu.au and a coordinator will contact you to discuss what arrangements can be made. We appreciate your support with this matter.
End of year program
Students who are currently in Year 7, 8 and 9 will commence their 2027 studies (“Advance Program”) from Monday 30 November for two weeks. It is essential that all students returning in 2027 attend these classes. The work undertaken during this program contributes to the 2027 academic year.
Following the Advance Program (during the week commencing 14 December), there will be no formal classes for students. Instead, the College will be offering an integrated end of year activities program designed to strengthen relationships and build connections across the College. Please refer to your Compass newsfeed for information about the Advance Program and Activities Week. The excursions for Activity Week went live this week and spots are limited so we encourage families to sign up soon should their student want to attend.
Giulia Catalano Middle School Assistant Principal
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.
From plan to planting: Year 11 VM students make a lasting difference at EDSC
The Year 11 VCE Vocational Major (VM) Personal Development Skills (PDS) students at East Doncaster Secondary College have recently completed an outstanding Community Action Project, transforming the area between K20/21 and the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) into a rejuvenated and welcoming space for the school community.
What began as a student-led idea developed into a hands-on project that required planning, teamwork, problem-solving, budgeting and plenty of hard work. The finished result is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when students take ownership of an initiative and work together towards a shared goal.
Turning ideas into action
As part of their VM PDS studies, students were challenged to identify a meaningful opportunity to improve their school community and develop a practical plan to make it happen. After seeking approval from school leadership, the students were given the green light to rejuvenate the garden area between K20/21 and the PAC.
However, before the first plant could go into the ground, there was plenty of preparation to complete!
Students worked through planning templates, conducted risk assessments, sought the necessary approvals, calculated costs, considered available resources and navigated the challenges associated with working within a limited budget. They needed to think critically, anticipate potential problems and make decisions that would help ensure their project was both achievable and successful.
These were not simply classroom exercises. Every decision had a real purpose, with students putting their learning into practice and experiencing first-hand the organisation, responsibility and persistence required to bring a community project to life.
Teamwork, determination and a lot of hard yakka!
Once the planning was complete, it was time to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
The students began by cleaning up the area and removing the accumulated green waste before preparing the garden beds for planting. They then dug, planted, added compost and fertiliser, and worked together to bring new life to the space.
One of the biggest challenges was transporting the mulch needed to finish the garden beds. With access to the area presenting a logistical challenge, the students had to wheelbarrow the mulch all the way from the Stadium car park to the garden in 27-degree heat!
It was certainly no easy task, but the students showed tremendous resilience, cooperation and determination. Rather than being deterred by the physical demands of the project, they supported one another, shared the workload and kept working towards their goal.
Their efforts demonstrate that community action is about much more than having a good idea. It requires commitment, adaptability and a willingness to put in the hard work needed to make a genuine difference.
Real-World learning with a lasting impact
The Community Action Project is an important part of the students’ learning in VM PDS, providing opportunities to develop skills that extend well beyond the classroom.
Throughout the project, students demonstrated:
Leadership and teamwork: working collaboratively, sharing responsibilities and supporting one another to achieve a common goal.
Planning and organisation: developing a clear plan, completing required documentation and managing the project from beginning to end.
Problem-solving and adaptability: responding to practical challenges and finding solutions when things did not go exactly to plan.
Financial literacy: calculating costs, making purchasing decisions and staying within budget.
Communication and responsibility: seeking approval, considering safety requirements and taking ownership of their work.
Community participation: contributing positively to the school environment and creating an improvement that can be enjoyed by others.
Most importantly, students were able to see the direct impact of their efforts. They can now look at the rejuvenated garden and know that it exists because of their ideas, their planning and their willingness to work together to make it happen.
A fantastic achievement to be proud of
The transformation of this area is something the students should be incredibly proud of. What was once an area in need of attention has been given a new lease on life through their collective effort, determination and enthusiasm.
As their teacher, I could not be prouder of the way the students approached this project. They embraced the challenge, worked together as a team and demonstrated a willingness to get stuck into every aspect of the job, including the less glamorous tasks that were essential to achieving the final result.
They have shown that community action does not have to be complicated or expensive to be meaningful. Sometimes, it simply takes a group of motivated students, a clear purpose and a fair bit of hard yakka!
A huge congratulations to our Year 11 VM PDS students for their outstanding work, and thank you to the school leadership team for supporting their initiative and providing them with the opportunity to turn their ideas into action.
Their efforts have not only improved a physical space at East Doncaster Secondary College; they have also demonstrated the value of student voice, active citizenship and working together to create positive change.
Well done, Year 11 VM – a fantastic achievement and a lasting contribution to our school community!
Before
During
Finished
Mr Justin Bond VM Year 11 PDS/VPC Teacher
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.
Have you ever scrolled through social media and felt like everyone else is having more fun, looking better, achieving more or living a more exciting life than you? Maybe you have seen photos of a party you weren’t invited to, compared your appearance to an influencer or wondered why someone else’s post received hundreds of likes while yours received only a few.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Social media can be a great way to connect with friends, explore interests and express yourself, but it can also affect how we see ourselves and measure our self-worth.
Social media is often a carefully curated collection of life’s best moments. People might post holiday adventures, achievements, exciting social events or photos that have been edited, filtered or taken dozens of times before the “perfect” one is chosen.
What we don’t usually see are the ordinary days, awkward moments, disappointments, worries or challenges behind those posts. Comparing your everyday life with someone else’s highlight reel is an unfair comparison – because you’re only seeing part of their story.
This can contribute to FOMO (fear of missing out), where seeing others’ experiences makes us feel excluded or as though we’re not doing enough. Remember that not being included in every event doesn’t mean you’re less valued and having a quiet weekend doesn’t mean you’re missing out on life.
It’s easy to get caught up in numbers online. Likes, comments, views and follower counts can feel like a measure of popularity or acceptance. When a post receives less attention than expected, it might leave us questioning ourselves.
Online trends can create similar pressure. From appearance-focused content to viral challenges and idealised lifestyles, social media can promote narrow ideas about what is attractive, successful or popular. Repeated exposure to edited images and unrealistic body ideals may affect body confidence and make it harder to appreciate our own individuality.
Social media engagement is not a reliable measure of your friendships, personality, achievements or value as a person. You don’t need to look a certain way, own particular things or follow every trend to belong.
You have more control over your online experience than you might think. A few small changes can help make social media a more positive space.
Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel worse. If an account regularly leaves you feeling inadequate, anxious or unhappy with your appearance, it’s okay to create some distance.
Follow content that inspires you. Look for accounts that celebrate different body types, share realistic experiences, teach you something new, encourage creativity or make you laugh.
Pause before comparing. When a post triggers negative feelings, remind yourself that you’re seeing a selected moment, not the whole picture.
Notice how you feel after scrolling. Do you feel connected and entertained, or stressed, left out and less confident? Your feelings can help you decide when to change your habits.
Take a break when you need one. Put your phone away during meals, before bed or when you notice yourself scrolling without enjoying it. Make time for activities and friendships that help you feel good offline, too.
Choose real connection over online approval. Spend time with people who value you for who you are, not how your profile looks.
Digital wellbeing isn’t about giving up social media altogether. It’s about using it in ways that supports your confidence, relationships and mental health. You can also help create a healthier online culture by avoiding negative comments about people’s appearance, celebrating others without comparing yourself and remembering that everyone deserves respect online.
If social media is regularly affecting your mood, body image or confidence, consider talking with a trusted adult, teacher or school wellbeing staff member. You don’t have to manage those feelings on your own.
Your challenge this week; Take five minutes to audit your social media feed.
Ask yourself: Does this account make me feel good about myself? Does it inspire me, inform me or help me connect with others?
If the answer is no, consider unfollowing or muting it. Then find one new account that encourages creativity, kindness, learning or positive self-image.
Your life doesn’t need to look like someone else’s highlight reel to be meaningful. Be present for your own moments, celebrate what makes you unique and remember that the best measure of your worth has never been a number on a screen.
Find out more: Explore these Victorian Government resources for more information and practical tips:
ELC had a lovely excursion at Healesville Sanctuary. Students developed their knowledge of Australian First Peoples cultures, Australian history and Australian wildlife.
On Thursday 15 October the Year 12 International Students celebrated their time at EDSC marking the occasion with a farewell lunch. It was a lovely event with a friendly and calm atmosphere as many of their teachers came to farewell and encourage them for their upcoming exams. There was plenty of uniform signing going on and conversations were seasoned with a tasty dose of fried chicken, dumplings, sushi and doughnuts as per students requests! We thank the Year 12 internationals for choosing EDSC as a place to share their stories and help globalise our classroom curriculum. We also know we have provided them with a solid foundation for their future University pathway options!
How wonderful it would be if we could hop on a plane and take a short trip to Italy, taking students on a day trip. Unfortunately, it is not possible, so when opportunities to experience the Italian culture present themselves to us we take advantage of them.
On Wednesday 14 October, the Year 11 Italian class was fortunate enough to visit the ROME: Empire, Power, Peopleexhibition at the Melbourne Museum.
“Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome’s political, cultural and social life.”
Students explored the exhibition, examining ancient artefacts and discovering how the political, social and spiritual worlds of Ancient Rome shaped everyday life. They investigated the themes of empire, power and people, considering how Roman leaders exercised authority, how society was organised and how religion influenced daily life.
We then took a tram and travelled to Balwyn Cinema to take part in the ST. Ali Italian Film Festival which is one the world’s largest festival of Italian cinema featuring some of the best new Italian films. We met with our Year 10 Italian students and were treated to a private screening of Domani Interrogo – (Classmates). It is a story about a teacher who refuses to give up on a class of struggling teenagers in Rome, showing how education, respect and human connection can make a difference in young people’s lives. Through patience and empathy, the teacher helps her students recognise the value of education, trust and the possibility of a better future.
The feedback was positive. Students enjoyed the film feeling they could connect with it and its themes.
All in all, a great Italian day out for our students.
Senior school students looking for study support during exams are encouraged to visit our Study Resources collection in the EDSC Library. We have a range of senior school resources available for overnight loan to support students during the exam period. Our resources include Cambridge Checkpoints books, Insight Guides, and ATAR Notes for a range of subjects. Any students who would like more information can visit the library and speak to library staff. We are happy to help students find the right resources for their exam study.
Our Spring Concert series continued this week with the two Middle School concerts on Thursday evening.
More than 350 students performed across both concerts to full houses of appreciative family and friends. We heard three wind bands, three string orchestras, the Jazz Ensemble, two guitar ensembles, one huge Euphonix vocal group, and solos from Lea, Timothy and Yumo.
Congratulations to all performers and stage and tech crew for putting on a great show, and thank you to EDSC Parents and Friends Association for providing a great selection of food and drink refreshments between the concerts.
Uniform Reminder
We are coming up to our most comprehensive instrumental music assessments, which most Year 7-11 students will be undertaking in weeks 7-8.
Generally these assessments will include a class set work, ensemble work, technical work (scales etc), and a sight reading test. Some students may be auditioning for a place in a more senior ensemble, and these assessments will also inform recommendations for continuing lessons next year.
It is essential that students are putting in some consistent practice in the lead up to these assessments, and that they are clear on what they need to prepare from their instrumental music lessons and Lesson Plans on Compass.
Upcoming Events
16-27 November – Instrumental Music Assessments
Thurs 20 November – Year 12 Final Assembly performances (Year 12 musicians, Chamber Strings, Colla Voce)
This term, our Year 10 Chemistry students are designing their own investigations into the factors that affect reaction rates: surface area, concentration or temperature. Not only are students continuing to develop key science skills, the task gives students a real opportunity to put our college’s expected School-Wide Positive Behaviours into practice.
Curiosity drives the investigation process, as students choose questions they genuinely want to answer and use collision theory to explain what they observe.
Teamwork is a priority when students share the roles in their groups and listen to one another’s ideas when planning their experiment.
Fairness takes on a scientific meaning: students design fair tests by changing one variable and controlling the rest, while completing risk assessments to keep the lab safe and calm for everyone.
Excellence shows in repeated trials to improve reliability, and completing a scientific poster of the experiment.
Not every experiment will proceed to plan and that is where Resilience comes in. Students problem solve in their groups to refine their methods and to manage their time to meet deadlines.
Respect is demonstrated by students arriving to class on time fully prepared, using the lab facilities purposefully and reporting results honestly, while Care & Compassion is seen in clean benches, correctly disposed chemicals and recognising each group member’s contribution.
Sally Polidano Leading Teacher School Wide Positive Behaviour Support
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.
The State of Man is a compelling three-part investigative documentary series that dives deep into the modern “manosphere” and the complex state of masculinity in Australia.
Host Marc Fennell explores why an increasing number of young men are turning to online “red pill” gurus, radicalised online spaces, and figures like Andrew Tate. The series pulls back the curtain on the root causes driving this shift-including modern male loneliness, identity crises, and digital algorithms that profit off anger. Rather than just exposing the dark corners of these internet subcultures, the show seeks to understand the human vulnerabilities behind them, featuring raw interviews with influencers, everyday men, and experts trying to build healthier paths forward.
Rebecca James Respectful Relationships Coordinator (Pronouns: she/her)
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.
On Friday 23 October, forty lucky Year 9 and Year 10 East Doncaster students travelled on a bus to experience the last Motorbike Grand Prix to be held at the sacred Phillip Island racetrack. The excursion was an experience to link STEM (Science, Technologies, Engineering and Math) subjects to real life applications.
The following article was written by Manchun, Julien and Ashaz from Year 9.
My friends and I decided, within the span of a single day, to learn as much as possible about MotoGP. During the two-hour bus ride, we established three goals. Choose one rider to give our full and unconditional support, speak to a racer or coach to learn more about motor racing and take scenic photos to document our trip.
As soon as we stepped into the venue, we began exploring the circuit in search of passionate Yamaha supporters. Having decided to get behind Jack Miller, the Australian superstar, we were ready to embrace the role of dedicated fans. Everyone we spoke to was welcoming and enthusiastic, all sharing an excitement and passion for the sport.
We discovered that Jack Miller was competing in his final Australian Grand Prix with Yamaha, and learned about his previous success at Phillip Island, where he won the Moto3 race in front of his home crowd. While cheering alongside local supporters, we watched as Miller crashed at high speed at the first corner shortly after setting a fast lap. Thankfully, he escaped serious injury, gave a thumbs-up to reassure everyone, and returned to the pit lane to continue on his second bike.
Next, we set out to accomplish our second goal: meeting a racer or coach. We headed towards the starting grid, hoping to catch someone’s attention. Dressed in our bright, shiny blue uniforms, we managed to attract the attention of Paolo Campinoti, Team Principal of the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team. We were fortunate enough to take a photo with him before continuing on around the circuit.
On the other side of the venue, we witnessed an airshow. It was a surreal experience. While some of our classmates might have been watching documentaries about aircrafts, we had the opportunity to see the real thing up close.
After participating in a few more activities, we eventually returned to the gate where our group had initially dispersed. Looking back, we had an incredibly memorable and educational day, gaining a greater appreciation for the engineering, skill and excitement behind motorcycle racing. Most importantly, we had the chance to represent our school positively and demonstrate its values to the wider community.
Manchun, Julien and Ashaz – Year 9
Design and Technology Students Go Behind the Scenes
Last week, Year 7 to 10 Design and Technology students stepped out of the classroom and into the real world of product design and manufacturing, with visits to Moose Toys and the Yakult factory.
Moose Toys, Cheltenham
Our first stop was the Moose Toys headquarters in Cheltenham, home of some of the world’s most popular toys. Students toured the impressive office and facilities, including a prototyping room filled with high-end 3D printers and small-scale manufacturing tools.
During the presentation, students followed a toy’s journey through the design process: ideation, prototyping, manufacturing, production and selling. They also discovered that no toy is made by one person alone. Systems engineers, product designers and graphic designers work together on everything from the mechanics inside a toy to the packaging on the shelf.
Students then put their own skills to the test in a series of design activities, and everyone went home with a toy of their own.
Yakult, Dandenong
Next, we visited the Yakult factory in Dandenong to see how the famous probiotic drink is made. All machinery is imported from Japan so production stays consistent in every Yakult factory around the world. Even the bacteria itself, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota, comes from Japan, as it remains a closely guarded trade secret.
Students saw how the drink goes through a range of food technology processes and were surprised to learn that the iconic Yakult bottle is made on site before being filled, packaged and stacked onto pallets. Of course, everyone got to taste a little Yakult at the end.
A big thank you to Moose Toys and Yakult Australia for opening their doors to our students. Visits like these show students how the skills they build in Design and Technology connect to real careers and real products they use every day.
Michelle Chan Learning Specialist STEM
Electrical circuits
In science classes, Year 8 students have been investigating parallel and series circuits, and measuring voltage drops and currents through various components. They compared electrical circuit design to household wiring, for example, resistors, switches and power sources, and considered the arrangement of electrical components within devices. They now know how voltage and current are managed in both electrical circuits and household wiring. Many light bulb moments were experienced in the classroom!
Last week we celebrated Mental Health Week at the College. The theme this year is ‘Together We Thrive.’ The wellbeing team ran several events that students could get involved in to promote their mental health and connect with others at the College and in the local community.
We spent a lunchtime moving to Just Dance. Students were laughing and encouraging each other and have requested that Just Dance returns for another lunchtime! Watch this space!!
On Friday we had groups from the local community visit EDSC at lunchtime. These groups let students know how they can connect with them and what support they can provide. Each of our visitors were so impressed with the respect students showed our visitors and each other.
Krissy Veerhuis Mental Health Practitioner
Supporting your child’s self esteem
A secure, stable self-esteem protects us from feeling worthless when we face rejection or failure and can promote lifelong mental health. A secure, stable self-esteem is one that allows a young person to view their strengths and weakness and take on constructive feedback without it causing them to fall apart.
Parents can play an important role in supporting young people develop a strong sense of worth. To promote your young person’s mental health you can:
Praise effort and growth rather than achievement. If we only praise achievement a young person can start to believe that their value is tied to their achievements. If they feel worthless when they fail they may try and avoid anything where they might fail.
Showing your young person that they are unconditionally loved will protect their self-worth. Self-esteem is established through are interactions with others.
Provide outlets for expression and growth to help young people feel valued in who they are. Two questions can help with this: what do they enjoy and what do they believe they are good at? You can create opportunities for them to experience these activities regularly.
For more information:
Dr Billy Garvey (2024) ‘Ten things I wish you knew about your child’s mental health.’ Penguin Random House Australia.
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.
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.
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.
