From the Principal

As we near the end of the year, we begin looking forward to 2026 in earnest.

Our 2025 learning program officially ended on Friday 21st November, with the senior exam program and junior progress interviews taking place. The exam program has been positive, providing our Year 10 and 11 students with an exam experience to not only showcase their learning from this year, but to understanding the importance of organisation, preparedness and how to focus in an exam setting in the future. Year 9 students then sat exams on Monday 24th November in English and Maths.

We are incredibly proud of all our students who have continued to ‘thrive in 2025’ and are now ready to reflect and look forward to their 2026 program.

Smartstart began on Monday 24th November, for all year levels. Over the past two years, we have developed an extensive senior school Smartstart program, with great success. Smartstart provides opportunities for students to connect with teachers and their learning for the following year. Since its introduction we have seen evidence of students more engaged and better prepared, with higher attendance and a more deliberate focus on how they can achieve their best.

This year, we expanded our Smartstart program so that every year level moved into their 2026 classes in Week 8. This will provide an opportunity to connect with 2026 teachers and with next year’s learning program to ensure a smooth transition and greater success for every student from the beginning of next year.

The purpose of SmartStart includes:

Reinforcing learning until the end of the year – continuing to build a culture of learning, responsibility and connection
Providing time for teachers to get to know their 2026 learners
Setting expectations in the Junior School and continuing the work on readiness for learning and routines
Providing a smooth transition in 2026 and setting students up for success by commencing their learning prior to the holiday break, allowing for homework and preparation tasks to be completed by students.
Providing feedback on recent exams or assessments and reflection on 2025 learning.

Smartstart also includes end of year testing for each year level. This will be used by the school to identify students for special programs, including high achiever or programs for students who need additional support. It will also be used for Pathway interviews with House Leadership Teams next year. Students have been spoken to about the importance of the testing, and why each student should do their best, so teachers can continue to support and extend them in their learning. We ask all families to re-enforce this important message at home. Towards the end of our Smartstart program students will have the opportunity to attend activities and excursions to celebrate the end of the year, their achievements and hard work.

Finally, on Tuesday, the 9th of December we will welcome our 2026 Year 7 students for Orientation Day and look forward to them beginning their secondary school journey with us. We will end the year with our 2025 Dandenong High School Awards Evening at Robert Blackwood Hall. This will provide our community with the opportunity to formally farewell our Year 12 students and families and celebrate their achievements as they leave Dandenong High School for the final time and move into the next phase of their lives. We wish them every success in their journey ahead and thank them for their service to our school community.

I very much look forward to seeing you at this important celebration.

Susan Ogden

Principal