What's going on in
Arts DDT?
Autumn Music Concert
Once again we hosted the Autumn Concert, a Term 1 music concert that would normally terrify a lot of music teachers due to the small amount of time to prepare from students returning from holidays to performing for the school community.
However, we have some of the most passionate music students who are eager to perform as much as possible no matter when or where. This concert had some key highlights such as the AELP Concert Band making its debut. This is a result of the new AELP Band program led by Mr King to provide an enriched music curriculum along with private music lessons for our AELP students.
Due to the growing number of students joining rock band, we featured three separate rock bands for the first time. Both newly created Junior and Intermediate rock bands got to perform for the first time, gaining valuable performance experience, while our Senior rock band accompanied the singers from our upcoming musical “The Wiz”. Performing in a musical requires a large commitment and our students demonstrated they are exceeding with flying colours right now in the early stages of rehearsals.
Alongside these bands, we also featured our keyboard ensemble, guitar ensemble, choir and solo performances from senior students such as Aiden, Mico and Rose. I’d like to thank every student that was involved as well as staff that assisted. It’s a privilege to put on these events and see how much the students enjoy the opportunity to perform.
Mr Sotirakis
Instrumental Music Coordinator
Year 9 Drama
On Wednesday 29th April Dandenong High School’s Year 9 Drama class welcomed two members of the Melbourne Theatre Company to run an Acting Skills workshop. Held in the MC Theatre, the two hour workshop consisted of creating a character through physicality and costume, voice activities to build character voices and some script interpretation scenes.
It was exciting to be trained and taught by professionals in the industry and have them share their insight, knowledge and alternative approach to acting.
Later in the term, all Year 9 students will be heading off an excursion to see the MTC’s latest production of Shoelace Chaser.
Mr Lloyd
Drama Teacher
Senior Top Arts Excursion
Monday 1st May, our senior Art Making and Exhibiting students went on another excursion to Top Arts 2026. These exhibitions every year astound me of the talents that students have when they apply themselves fully. This year's exhibition seemed to go back into some of the more traditional artforms with very high-level skills, there were also various contemporary techniques which gave the exhibition a great balance.
Our students attended a lecture where they gained the insight of how artworks a selected and curated for the exhibition, they then had the opportunity to view students folios which is also exciting and a little scary for some of our students as they recognise that they are on track or that they may need to apply themselves further if they want the top end success.
Finally our students viewed the exhibition and enjoyed the final artworks. As usual, a very busy and productive day which allows our students to further grow within their own ability.
On Monday 4th of May 2026, our VCE Art Making and Exhibiting class went to the NGV Ian Potter Centre for the Top Arts 2026 exhibition, which showcased the highest achieving VCE Art students in Victoria. We started with a lecture where we looked closely at a range of selected works. We unpacked what the meaning behind some of the art pieces that’ll be on display, the different artforms the students used, and how they built up their ideas. It made me realise how deliberate every decision is, nothing in the displayed artwork felt random.
After that, we looked through the artists folios, which was one of the most humbling parts of the day. Seeing all the experimentation, failed attempts and how development behind each final piece really puts things into perspective. It showed how much work and thinking actually goes into reaching that level, and it made me reflect on my own process. Finally, we walked through the exhibition. Because we already understood the ideas and processes behind the works, it felt a lot more personal and closer. These were students just not much older than us, but their work felt advanced. It was inspiring, a bit intimidating, and easily one of the most worthwhile excursions we’ve had this year.
- Gerald B12
Ms Lewis
Art Teacher