Dandenong High School
Encyclopedia
Dandenong High School is one of the largest co-educational government schools in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
. The school caters for students from Years 7 to 12. At the start of 2007, Dandenong High School, Cleeland Secondary College and Doveton Secondary College officially merged to become the new Dandenong High School, as part of the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution
. As of 2011, the school has 281 teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as 2050 students, who come from 66 different cultural backgrounds. The revitalised Dandenong High School takes an innovative approach to teaching and learning, adapts well to educational and technological changes, and caters for all students in its new state-of-the-art, world-class learning centres. Stages 1 and 2 of the Dandenong Education Precinct Project have been completed as of 2011, whilst $10 million has been approved for a part of the final stage of work, Stage 3.
, of the First Australian Imperial Force
, and saw action in France
and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign
. He was invalided out of the Army in September 1916 suffering from typhoid. He then undertook recruitment work for the Army. Mr Langford served at the school until 1934 when he transferred to Mildura, then to Frankston in 1937 where he worked until his retirement in 1948.
The colours of the school are those of Mr Langford’s Regiment, the 4th Light Horse, and are red and two shades of blue. The school crest was designed by the art mistress, Miss D. McKinnon. In 1920 there were six houses – Bluegum, Clematis
, Orchid, Wattle
, Boronia and Waratah
though this was soon reduced to four with the loss of Boronia and Waratah. The names and colours of the houses were chosen by Miss Dora Taylor, the senior Mistress. With the regeneration of the school came seven brand new houses - Banksia, Callistemon, Eucalyptus, Hakea, Darwinia, Fern and Grevillea, named after Australian flora. Dandenong High School is the oldest school, public or private, in Melbourne's outer east and now has 1400 students alone, on its Dandenong Site. The historic façade of the Administration building will remain, as it is heritage-listed and is a landmark of Dandenong. In 2009, Dandenong High School celebrated its 90th Anniversary. The Administration Building was renamed the Langford Building in 2010, where a plaque was placed at the entrance to the building in honour of the first Headmaster.
, Darwinia
and Callistemon Houses, and also the extension and refurbishment of the current Library Resource Centre. Stage 2 of the building program consisted of the constructing of the remaining 4 Houses: Fern
, Hakea
, Grevillea
and Eucalyptus
, as well as the construction of a Commonwealth-funded Language Centre on the Ann Street Site, costing $2 million. The new learning spaces allow for inquiry and collaboration to take place, whilst also cultivating a strong sense of respect and integrity amongst students. The school architecture designed by Hayball
involves 'green' and environmental aspects and incorporates Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles, including passive solar design and natural light penetration.
Each House or SWIS building (School-With-In-School building) houses 300 students and a core of 25 teachers. There are 50 students from each year level, in each house. This allows for inter-age mentoring and collaborate learning to naturally occur, as students from years 7 through to year 12 are based in the same House for their 6 years of secondary schooling. From years 7 to 10, 3 teachers conduct a class of 50 students. However, because the new buildings can cater for both collaborative and independent learning, these class groups usually break off into groups of 17 to 1 teacher. Thus, whilst Dandenong High School is one of the largest public schools in Australia, it also has one of the lowest student to teacher ratios. In years 11 and 12, however, classes are capped at 25 students to 1 teacher, due to the complexity of the VCE, VCAL and VET programs. The House buildings resemble a mini-school because of the administrative structure in each House. Each of the 7 Houses is led by a House Leader (or Assistant Principal), along with an Assistant House Leader and a House Student Coordinator. An Attendance Officer/Receptionist assists with attendance and general tracking of student records. All 7 Houses are overseen by the two Associate principals and the Principal.
Stage 3 of the building project, which is yet to be funded, will consist of a Performing Arts Centre, a 350-seat auditorium
, additional Physical Education Centre (with a double gymnasium), Fine Arts Wing, Design Technology Wing, Senior Chemistry/Physics Laboratories, Food Technology Centre, cafeteria
, and Fabrics/Media/ICT Wing. Students will be based in their Houses for around 65% of the time, whilst specialist subjects such as Food Technology and Art will be conducted in their respective wings and buildings. The new Alkira Secondary College and William Ruthven Secondary College schools are following a similar architectural concept as Dandenong High School with the SWIS approach.
There is also an emphasis on student leadership at Dandenong High School. At each year level, 7 Student Representative Council (SRC) members are elected (one student from each House). At the year 12 level, 2 House Captains are selected from each House. 2 Student Representative Council (SRC) Presidents are elected from the year 12 level to head the SRC meetings. In addition to this, 2 School Captains and 2 School-Vice Captains are elected by students and teachers, to represent the whole student body. This means that there are 20 major leadership positions and 42 minor leadership positions, collating to form a strong Student Leadership Team comprising 62 members.
. The school offers VCE, VCAL and VET study options, with at least 66 VCE subjects for students to choose from.
Dandenong High School has also developed a Select Entry Accelerated Learning
Program over the years. The Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program (SEAL Program) was created to better enforce the needs of students who show above-average capabilities, high levels of task commitment and imagination. This program has become an integral aspect of the school's culture and academic excellence since 1919. Acceleration allows students to start a unit of work earlier, or to move through a program faster than other students of the same age. The integration of enrichment and acceleration is the stepping stone for abstract concepts to be taught to highly capable students.
Every year in May, a detailed examination schedule is utilised to choose 50 talented Year 6 students to join the SEAL Program in the upcoming year. Tests are used and information is collated in many ways, including advice from the applicants' teachers and parents. As 50 students are enrolled into the program at each year level, they make up one full House of one year level. Entry into the Program is in Year 7, however, limited places may be available in later year levels. The Program now does not involve skipping a year level, but gives students the opportunity to complete a 3 year VCE. Students can take up higher level subjects than the mainstream students.
In 2011, students from 7 Fern, 8 Grevillea, 9 Banksia and 10 Darwinia are in the Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program.
The Ann Street Campus comprises the old buildings from the former Cleeland Secondary College as well as football fields and basketball courts. A Language Centre is currently being built on the site, and when Stage 3 is complete, the Ann Street Campus will comprise a Physical Education Centre (with double gymnasium), a 350-seat auditorium, Performing Arts Centre, and extra sporting fields. The Princes Highway will also have a Fine Arts Wing, Design Technology Wing, Senior Chemistry/Physics Laboratories, Food Technology Centre, Cafeteria, and Fabrics/Media/ICT Wing as part of Stage 3.
also focused on the Dandenong Education Precinct Project in a special education edition of the newspaper. On 10 September 2009, Dandenong High School appeared on the TV news show, The 7.30 Report
, on ABC
. In September 2009, the then Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike
visited the school and officially opened Stage 1 of the project, presenting the school with a plaque. In September 2010, the Governor-General
of Australia, Quentin Bryce
, visited the school.
In August 2009, Dandenong High School, in conjunction with its architect Hayball Pty Ltd and interior designer Mary Featherson, received an award from the Victorian Chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International. The school obtained the award for Best New Construction/Major Facility. In October 2009, Dandenong High School received two major awards in the Government's School Design Awards. The awards won by the school were Best Overall School Design and Best Secondary School. Education Minister
Bronwyn Pike said that, “The awards showcase innovative building design that reflects the 21st Century learning occurring in our Victorian schools.” She also said that “Leading architect Hayball pushed the boundaries with its design of this outstanding Victorian school”.
In February 2011, new Minister for Education Martin Dixon
visited Dandenong High School and officially opened Stage 2 of the redevelopment, presenting the school with a plaque. In March 2011, the Minister for Education Martin Dixon
returned to the school for a second visit. In May 2011, The Premier of Victoria Ted Baillieu
made a visit to Dandenong High School to announce $10 million of funding (in the 2011/12 State Budget) for part of the school's final stage of redevelopment.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The school caters for students from Years 7 to 12. At the start of 2007, Dandenong High School, Cleeland Secondary College and Doveton Secondary College officially merged to become the new Dandenong High School, as part of the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution
Building the Education Revolution
Building the Education Revolution is an Australian government program administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations designed to provide new and refurbished infrastructure to all eligible Australian schools...
. As of 2011, the school has 281 teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as 2050 students, who come from 66 different cultural backgrounds. The revitalised Dandenong High School takes an innovative approach to teaching and learning, adapts well to educational and technological changes, and caters for all students in its new state-of-the-art, world-class learning centres. Stages 1 and 2 of the Dandenong Education Precinct Project have been completed as of 2011, whilst $10 million has been approved for a part of the final stage of work, Stage 3.
History
Dandenong High School was officially opened on 10 March 1919. This was later than a usual school opening date due to the outbreak of pneumonic influenza that was prevalent at the end of the First World War. When the School opened it was in temporary premises with the junior students housed at the Old Fire Station and the senior students at the Temperance Hall and Church of Christ. There were 104 students. The foundation stone of the Administration Building (A Block) was laid on 21 November 1919 and the school was officially opened in late 1920. In 1920 the total student enrolment was 150, of which 60 students came from the Berwick, Pakenham, Garfield, Bunyip, Hallam, Lyndhurst, Cranbourne, Koo-Wee-Rup, Carnegie and Murrumbeena areas. The first Headmaster of Dandenong High School was Mr Percival Charles William Langford. Mr Langford served in the 4th Light Horse Brigade4th Light Horse Brigade
The 4th Light Horse Brigade was a mounted infantry brigade of the First Australian Imperial Force serving in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I. The brigade was formed in March 1915 and shipped to Egypt without their horses and was broken up in Egypt in August 1915...
, of the First Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
, and saw action in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign
Sinai and Palestine Campaign
The Sinai and Palestine Campaigns took place in the Middle Eastern Theatre of World War I. A series of battles were fought between British Empire, German Empire and Ottoman Empire forces from 26 January 1915 to 31 October 1918, when the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Ottoman Empire and...
. He was invalided out of the Army in September 1916 suffering from typhoid. He then undertook recruitment work for the Army. Mr Langford served at the school until 1934 when he transferred to Mildura, then to Frankston in 1937 where he worked until his retirement in 1948.
The colours of the school are those of Mr Langford’s Regiment, the 4th Light Horse, and are red and two shades of blue. The school crest was designed by the art mistress, Miss D. McKinnon. In 1920 there were six houses – Bluegum, Clematis
Clematis
Clematis is a genus of about 300 species within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. Their garden hybrids have been popular among gardeners beginning with Clematis × jackmanii, a garden standby since 1862; more hybrid cultivars are being produced constantly. They are mainly of Chinese and Japanese...
, Orchid, Wattle
Wattle
Wattle may refer to:*Wattle , a fleshy growth hanging from the head or neck of certain animals.*Wattle is another term for Congenital cartilaginous rest of the neck...
, Boronia and Waratah
Waratah
Waratah is a genus of five species of large shrubs or small trees in the Proteaceae, native to the southeastern parts of Australia...
though this was soon reduced to four with the loss of Boronia and Waratah. The names and colours of the houses were chosen by Miss Dora Taylor, the senior Mistress. With the regeneration of the school came seven brand new houses - Banksia, Callistemon, Eucalyptus, Hakea, Darwinia, Fern and Grevillea, named after Australian flora. Dandenong High School is the oldest school, public or private, in Melbourne's outer east and now has 1400 students alone, on its Dandenong Site. The historic façade of the Administration building will remain, as it is heritage-listed and is a landmark of Dandenong. In 2009, Dandenong High School celebrated its 90th Anniversary. The Administration Building was renamed the Langford Building in 2010, where a plaque was placed at the entrance to the building in honour of the first Headmaster.
Ann Street Site
The Ann Street Site (the late Cleeland Secondary College site) is situated on Ann Street, Dandenong opposite the Dandenong Site. Formerly Cleeland Secondary College, it was built as a girls high school in 1957 with the motto, Above Renown, and the Olympic Torch as its logo. The student population at Cleeland reflected the local cultural diversity and it was for some time the most ethnically diverse in the state. The College established Literacy and Numeracy Centres to promote crucial educational skills to its mainstream and many special needs students. In recent years Cleeland consistently maintained a retention rate of 150%. Cleeland Secondary College was the first school to offer, in conjunction with Chisholm Institute, the new Vocational Education Training (VET) course in Information Technology/Multimedia. The buildings on the Ann Street Site will be demolished after Stage Two building works are complete. A new double-gymnasium, performing arts/drama centre, 350-seat auditorium and sporting ovals/fields will be constructed on the site, as part of the Stage 3 building works. The construction of a federally-funded Language Centre is nearing completion on the Ann Street Site.Former Doveton Campus
The Victorian Education Department anticipated an increasing demand for technical school education in areas surrounding Dandenong when it decided to establish Doveton Technical School at the beginning of 1963. Temporarily housed in Dandenong Technical School, Doveton began with 115 boys in Form 1. The new school, built in cement tile veneer on the 14.5 acres (58,679.5 m²) site in Box St, became available at the beginning of 1964. The Principal W.J.H. Smith was joined by a staff of six. The Parents' Association formed in early 2010 was led by Mrs W. Montagne as President and Mrs B. King as Secretary. The Chief Inspector of Technical Schools, J.L. Kepert. attended the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Council when Cr G.F. Knowles was elected President. On 5 April 1968 the Minister, the Hon. L.H.S. Thompson, MLC, officially opened the school of which the first three stages had been completed. Enrolments from 1963-68 included students from Doveton, the area E of the Frankston-Dandenong Rd, Narre Warren North, Beaconsfield, Pakenham East, Koo-Wee-Rup, Korumburra, Lang Lang and Cranbourne. Subsidised bus services, trains and school buses from Dandenong Railway Station brought children to Doveton. In 1967 girls courses at Form 1 level were introduced. The previous Doveton Campus, or Doveton Secondary College officially closed down 1 December 2008. Doveton Campus students joined students on the Dandenong Site for the remainder of the 2008 school year. The buildings on the Doveton Campus have now been demolished.Dandenong Education Precinct Project
The Dandenong Education Precinct Project is a major regeneration project funded under the Federal Government's Building Our Education Revolution. The previous three separate schools were officially merged under the one name of Dandenong High School in 2007. The amalgamation of the campuses, called the Dandenong Education Precinct Project, will cost the Victorian government $45 million and will be completed in stages. Stage 1 of the building program was completed in early 2009; including the construction of BanksiaBanksia
Banksia is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. These Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes and fruiting "cones" and heads. When it comes to size, banksias range from prostrate woody shrubs to trees up...
, Darwinia
Darwinia
Darwinia may refer to:*Darwinia , a genus of Myrtaceae found only in Australia*Darwinia , a 2005 video game by Introversion Software*Darwinia , a 1998 novel by Robert Charles Wilson...
and Callistemon Houses, and also the extension and refurbishment of the current Library Resource Centre. Stage 2 of the building program consisted of the constructing of the remaining 4 Houses: Fern
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
, Hakea
Hakea
Hakea is a genus of 149 species of shrubs and small trees in the Proteaceae, native to Australia. They are found throughout the country, with the highest species diversity being found in the south west of Western Australia....
, Grevillea
Grevillea
Grevillea is a diverse genus of about 360 species of evergreen flowering plants in the protea family Proteaceae, native to Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Sulawesi. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Greville. The species range from prostrate shrubs less than 0.5 m tall to trees...
and Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
, as well as the construction of a Commonwealth-funded Language Centre on the Ann Street Site, costing $2 million. The new learning spaces allow for inquiry and collaboration to take place, whilst also cultivating a strong sense of respect and integrity amongst students. The school architecture designed by Hayball
Hayball
Hayball is a Melbourne based australian architectural practice offering architecture, interior design and urban planning services.Hayball works include residential, commercial, education and institutional projects, as well as urban design...
involves 'green' and environmental aspects and incorporates Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles, including passive solar design and natural light penetration.
Each House or SWIS building (School-With-In-School building) houses 300 students and a core of 25 teachers. There are 50 students from each year level, in each house. This allows for inter-age mentoring and collaborate learning to naturally occur, as students from years 7 through to year 12 are based in the same House for their 6 years of secondary schooling. From years 7 to 10, 3 teachers conduct a class of 50 students. However, because the new buildings can cater for both collaborative and independent learning, these class groups usually break off into groups of 17 to 1 teacher. Thus, whilst Dandenong High School is one of the largest public schools in Australia, it also has one of the lowest student to teacher ratios. In years 11 and 12, however, classes are capped at 25 students to 1 teacher, due to the complexity of the VCE, VCAL and VET programs. The House buildings resemble a mini-school because of the administrative structure in each House. Each of the 7 Houses is led by a House Leader (or Assistant Principal), along with an Assistant House Leader and a House Student Coordinator. An Attendance Officer/Receptionist assists with attendance and general tracking of student records. All 7 Houses are overseen by the two Associate principals and the Principal.
Stage 3 of the building project, which is yet to be funded, will consist of a Performing Arts Centre, a 350-seat auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
, additional Physical Education Centre (with a double gymnasium), Fine Arts Wing, Design Technology Wing, Senior Chemistry/Physics Laboratories, Food Technology Centre, cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
, and Fabrics/Media/ICT Wing. Students will be based in their Houses for around 65% of the time, whilst specialist subjects such as Food Technology and Art will be conducted in their respective wings and buildings. The new Alkira Secondary College and William Ruthven Secondary College schools are following a similar architectural concept as Dandenong High School with the SWIS approach.
Former Houses
| Bluegum | Clematis | Orchid | Wattle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Blue | Purple | Yellow |
New Houses
The new Dandenong High School Houses, or Learning Centres, are named after Australian native plants. These Houses are also the same student bodies used for school curricular activities, such as sporting and music chorals events. Thus, students cultivate a strong sense of respect and tolerance of the students around them and the team of teachers around them, through association of their House. The seven new houses, which consist of 300 students each, are:| Banksia | Callistemon | Darwinia | Eucalyptus | Fern | Grevillea | Hakea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | Red | Burgundy | Blue | Green | Purple | Yellow |
Ethos, culture and student life
Dandenong High School is a multicultural school, with over 2000 students who represent over 60 nationalities and cultures. A sense of unity is created through extra-curricular activities and programs such as: clubs, inter-house debating, swimming, talent quests, athletics, music competitions, inter-house chorals and performing arts galas.There is also an emphasis on student leadership at Dandenong High School. At each year level, 7 Student Representative Council (SRC) members are elected (one student from each House). At the year 12 level, 2 House Captains are selected from each House. 2 Student Representative Council (SRC) Presidents are elected from the year 12 level to head the SRC meetings. In addition to this, 2 School Captains and 2 School-Vice Captains are elected by students and teachers, to represent the whole student body. This means that there are 20 major leadership positions and 42 minor leadership positions, collating to form a strong Student Leadership Team comprising 62 members.
Curriculum
The new Dandenong High School offers students a broader and larger variety of subjects that will enhance career pathways and further study. The curriculum is a very distinctive and unique one, which has been progressively devised by staff and key professionals for the past 5 years. It was only once the curriculum was finalised did the architectural work begin - thus, the curriculum drove the design. Dandenong High School adopted a Mode 2 approach to teaching and learning, and will have a team of teachers delivering the curriculum to students. Dandenong High School has opted for 'collaborative learning', which has been used successfully overseas, so that it can be at the forefront of educational revolutions in VictoriaVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. The school offers VCE, VCAL and VET study options, with at least 66 VCE subjects for students to choose from.
Dandenong High School has also developed a Select Entry Accelerated Learning
Select Entry Accelerated Learning
A Select Entry Accelerated Learning program is a form of streaming used in government secondary schools in Victoria, Australia to provide a focused educational environment for academically gifted children...
Program over the years. The Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program (SEAL Program) was created to better enforce the needs of students who show above-average capabilities, high levels of task commitment and imagination. This program has become an integral aspect of the school's culture and academic excellence since 1919. Acceleration allows students to start a unit of work earlier, or to move through a program faster than other students of the same age. The integration of enrichment and acceleration is the stepping stone for abstract concepts to be taught to highly capable students.
Every year in May, a detailed examination schedule is utilised to choose 50 talented Year 6 students to join the SEAL Program in the upcoming year. Tests are used and information is collated in many ways, including advice from the applicants' teachers and parents. As 50 students are enrolled into the program at each year level, they make up one full House of one year level. Entry into the Program is in Year 7, however, limited places may be available in later year levels. The Program now does not involve skipping a year level, but gives students the opportunity to complete a 3 year VCE. Students can take up higher level subjects than the mainstream students.
In 2011, students from 7 Fern, 8 Grevillea, 9 Banksia and 10 Darwinia are in the Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program.
Grounds, buildings and facilities
Dandenong High School is spread across two sites in Dandenong, the main Princes Highway Campus and the Ann Street Campus. The Princes Highway Campus comprises is split into the following blocks: Administration Block or Langford Building (built in 1919), Banksia House (built in 2009), Callistemon House (built in 2009), Darwinia House (built in 2009), Eucalyptus House (built in 2010), Fern House (built in 2010), Grevillea House (built in 2010), Hakea House (built in 2010), R Block (built in 2000 and consisting of a Gymnasium and music rooms), a Library Resource Centre and a Careers Resource Centre.The Ann Street Campus comprises the old buildings from the former Cleeland Secondary College as well as football fields and basketball courts. A Language Centre is currently being built on the site, and when Stage 3 is complete, the Ann Street Campus will comprise a Physical Education Centre (with double gymnasium), a 350-seat auditorium, Performing Arts Centre, and extra sporting fields. The Princes Highway will also have a Fine Arts Wing, Design Technology Wing, Senior Chemistry/Physics Laboratories, Food Technology Centre, Cafeteria, and Fabrics/Media/ICT Wing as part of Stage 3.
Media/Awards
The revitalised Dandenong High School has garnered an immense level of media coverage. Each month, a plethora of educational professionals, school principals and interested teachers visit Dandenong High School's regeneration project from outer Victoria, interstate and even from overseas. The AgeThe Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
also focused on the Dandenong Education Precinct Project in a special education edition of the newspaper. On 10 September 2009, Dandenong High School appeared on the TV news show, The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report is an Australian nightly television current affairs program, that was shown on ABC1 and ABC News 24 at , Mondays–Thursdays...
, on ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
. In September 2009, the then Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike
Bronwyn Pike
Bronwyn Pike is an Australian politician. She was Minister for Education in Victoria in the Brumby Government, and is the State Member of Parliament for Melbourne.-Early life:...
visited the school and officially opened Stage 1 of the project, presenting the school with a plaque. In September 2010, the Governor-General
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
of Australia, Quentin Bryce
Quentin Bryce
Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO is the 25th and current Governor-General of Australia and former Governor of Queensland....
, visited the school.
In August 2009, Dandenong High School, in conjunction with its architect Hayball Pty Ltd and interior designer Mary Featherson, received an award from the Victorian Chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International. The school obtained the award for Best New Construction/Major Facility. In October 2009, Dandenong High School received two major awards in the Government's School Design Awards. The awards won by the school were Best Overall School Design and Best Secondary School. Education Minister
Education minister
An education minister is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters.-Country-related articles and lists:Minister of Education may refer to:...
Bronwyn Pike said that, “The awards showcase innovative building design that reflects the 21st Century learning occurring in our Victorian schools.” She also said that “Leading architect Hayball pushed the boundaries with its design of this outstanding Victorian school”.
In February 2011, new Minister for Education Martin Dixon
Martin Dixon
Martin Francis Dixon is an Australian politician. He is a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He currently serves as Minister for Education and as a member of the Commonwealth Election Observers Panel.Dixon was elected as the Member for the Electoral district...
visited Dandenong High School and officially opened Stage 2 of the redevelopment, presenting the school with a plaque. In March 2011, the Minister for Education Martin Dixon
Martin Dixon
Martin Francis Dixon is an Australian politician. He is a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He currently serves as Minister for Education and as a member of the Commonwealth Election Observers Panel.Dixon was elected as the Member for the Electoral district...
returned to the school for a second visit. In May 2011, The Premier of Victoria Ted Baillieu
Ted Baillieu
Edward Norman "Ted" Baillieu MLA is an Australian politician. He is currently the Premier of Victoria and the member for the Legislative Assembly seat of Hawthorn...
made a visit to Dandenong High School to announce $10 million of funding (in the 2011/12 State Budget) for part of the school's final stage of redevelopment.
Notable alumni
- Shane SavageShane SavageShane Savage is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League, playing for the Hawthorn Football Club.Born in New Zealand, Savage moved to Australia as a boy...
- AFL footballer, HawthornHawthorn Football ClubThe Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys... - David NeitzDavid NeitzDavid Neitz , nicknamed Neita, is a retired Australian rules footballer. The strongly built centre half back who became a full forward was the longest-serving captain in the history of the Melbourne Football Club and the first Melbourne player to achieve the 300-game milestone.Neitz was born in...
- AFL footballer, MelbourneMelbourne Football ClubThe Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....