Principal’s Report
Principal’s Report – 12 June 2026
College Uniform Expectations
As a College, we are proud of the work we do to provide a positive learning environment where students feel connected and valued, and where they take pride in being a member of this community.
Through our focus on School Wide Positive Behaviour Supports, we have worked with our students and shared with families the core behavioural expectations of our students including how we expect them to behave inside and outside the classroom and how we expect them to present themselves as members of our College community.
Adherence to our uniform policy is one of our core expected behaviours and clearly aligns with our values of respect and excellence.
Wearing the correct school uniform signifies pride in one’s school and promotes a sense of belonging which is crucial to student connectedness. Uniform is symbolic of being part of this community; a community that our students and families have all chosen to be a part of.
With schools no longer being able to include school logos on items below the waist, some students and families have misinterpreted this as meaning students can wear any pants that they choose. This is not the case. While families may choose not to purchase school pants from PSW, items purchased elsewhere must still comply with our Student Dress Code policy. This means that items must still be the same colour, style and fabric as the items sold at PSW.
We are finding that with the winter months now upon us, students are choosing to wear tracksuit pants as part of the regular school uniform. This is not in line with our policy. Students must wear tailored pants (navy for girls and grey for boys). Girls also have the choice of wearing the winter skirt with or without black tights. Leggings are not to be worn at any time. Tracksuit pants are for the PE uniform only and must be navy blue and cuffed ankle. Black tracksuit pants are not part of our uniform nor are branded tracksuit pants such as Nike or Elite Eleven.
I can assure families that the College uniform, if worn appropriately with the jumper and jacket, does provide students with sufficient warmth over the winter months. We are very fortunate that all classrooms are heated. With this in mind, we encourage students not to wear their outer jackets while in the classroom, instead using them for warmth outside.
All expectations are important
Reinforcing uniform expectations prepares students for a world outside of school where expectations of dress are also in place. Many of our students are aware of this through their own part-time jobs.
I ask parents and carers to support us by reinforcing these expectations at home and by ensuring that your children have the appropriate items of uniform. When uniform expectations are overlooked, students may begin to view other school expectations as less significant, which can impact the positive and respectful culture we work hard to maintain.
Please do not hesitate to make contact should you require any assistance. Our sub-school and Wellbeing Teams are very happy to assist families who may require assistance with obtaining correct uniform items.
East Doncaster Secondary College Price List Flyer June 2026
Semester 1 Exams
Our examination period is well underway with our Year 11 students undertaking exams over the past week. I commend our Year 11 students for the manner in which they have approached their exams. They have arrived early and adhered closely to exam protocols and procedures. Our Year 10 students started their examination period yesterday, and like the Year 11 cohort, have started this important stage in their learning admirably. Both year levels have set a positive example for our Year 9 students who will undertake their first exams at the College on 16 June.
A reminder too that all students undertaking a Year 12 subject will be completing the GAT on Tuesday 16 June.
This period of time may see some of our students feeling slightly anxious and apprehensive. As parents you can assist your children, our students, to build their self-management skills by working with them on strategies to help organise their time effectively, to identify the ways they best revise for tests and exams and by ensuring they have a study space at home which is free from distractions and interruptions. Ensuring that they maintain healthy eating and sleep habits in this time is crucial. Continuing with routines outside of school and study time is also important. Continuing with sporting and other activities can assist in alleviating anxieties and contribute to maintaining a positive frame of mind during this time.
Above all, this time should be viewed as a learning experience for all students. The resilience developed during these busy weeks of a school term is a valuable tool to prepare our young people for the challenging rigours of VCE and Tertiary examinations and the multitude of tasks within the workforce in later years. As stressful as these moments may seem, they are also developing coping mechanisms and organisational skills that will continue to assist them as they move into adulthood.
I wish all of our students well over this period of time and encourage them to maintain a healthy balance between study and maintaining other important activities such as sport, part time jobs and social events.
Reporting and Assessment Day – Monday 22 June
I would ask that students and parents please note that Monday 22 June will be a pupil-free day as our teachers are given the opportunity of completing learning task and examination corrections before we roll into our Semester 2 timetable on Tuesday 23 June.
Cycle 3 reports will be published to parents on Friday 17 July which is in the first week of Term 3.
Winter Warmers Music Concerts
Our annual Winter concert series has begun with our Senior Winter concert taking place on 28 May. These are always outstanding events that celebrate the talents of students across all year levels. I am sure that those of you who have attended these in the past would agree that the Instrumental Music talent at our school is exceptional and our staff work very hard to showcase this and work with them tirelessly to excel.
Congratulations to our senior performers who did not fail to impress at their concert. I know that those in attendance were in awe of the array of talent on the stage.
A reminder that our remaining winter concerts will be conducted next Wednesday 24 June where we will welcome our Middle School Instrumental music students and ensembles to the stage of our Performing Arts Centre.
Winter Concert 1– 6:00-7:00pm
Winter Concert 2– 7.30- 8:30pm
Please note that our wonderful EDSC Parents and Friends Association will be selling refreshments between the two concerts.
We look forward to celebrating the incredible talents of our students as we finish up this term.
Student Enrolment Census Data Collection – Student Family Occupation
Every year the Department of Education conduct a Student Enrolment Census in August which helps determine the level of our school’s student-based funding.
To ensure that the College is able continue to provide quality programs and an efficient learning environment for our students it relies on being supported by Department funding. Student Family Occupation details are an important component used by the DE to formulate our correct level of funding. These details are originally collected on your child’s enrolment form but are often not up to date.
For this census to be accurate we ask that all family details are up to date, including parent occupation and occupation code, employer and all contact details. Please complete the data collection form, even if you believe your details have not changed, and return to the College Reception by Friday 17 July. For assistance with identifying what occupation code to use please refer to the attached document.
It is also vital that families maintain up to date contact information. If your details change, we ask that you please complete the Updated Details Form and return to Reception or via email to east.doncaster.sc@education.vic.gov.au . This form is published in each edition of the College Newsletter.
EDSC – Change of Details form/Student Enrolment form
August Census letter to parents 2026
Families will also shortly receive an automatically generated student enrolment form via email. We ask that you check the details are up to date. If any changes need to be made, please complete the form and return to Reception by Friday 17 July.
Thank you for your assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding this matter.
Karen Boyle
College Principal
