Wellbeing & Community News
Meet the Team!
Who Am I?
Hi, my name is Celia Mitchell. I do two jobs at Dandenong High School - I am the Speech Pathologist and the Manager of the Learning Intervention Officer team.
I have worked as a speech pathologist for the past 9 years. I started in a primary school, but soon discovered that I liked working in a high school even more. I really enjoy working with kids and teens, and seeing the positive impact speech pathology can have on their lives.
Many people know that speech pathologists work with students with stutters or speech sound errors. However, we also help people improve their language, literacy, social communication, and voice. It's a big job! Speech pathologists in schools spend a lot of their time providing advice to staff and adjustments for students to help them reach their full potential.
A new part of my role is being the manager of the LIO team. All those amazing classroom helpers supporting students daily - that's my team! I am very proud of the amazing work that they do, and I am honoured to be their manager.
I love being a part of Dandenong High School. The many fantastic students and amazing staff members put a smile on my face every day.
Holiday Events by the Dandenong Council – Youth Services
Spring Spectacular School Holiday Activities
Looking for some excitement during the school holidays? Join us for our fantastic September school holiday program for 12–25-year-olds! Enjoy a variety of activities including Bounce, the Amazing Race, Dumpling-making, Badminton, Acrylic painting, a Gardening workshop, a Skate and Bike clinic, and a Mt Cannibal Walk with a BBQ.
Dates: 23 Sep – 4 Oct
Cost: FREE or low cost
Bookings: Holiday Activities | Youth (greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au)
Dandy's Got Talent is a talent show hosted at The Castle, designed to celebrate, and showcase the diverse talents of young people aged 12-25 in Greater Dandenong.
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Venue: The Castle, 61 Princes Hwy, Dandenong
Cost: $5 (Redeemable for snacks) / Performers attend free
Bookings: Dandy's Got Talent | Youth (greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au) Expressions of Interest for performers close August 30.
Are you 16-25 years old? Come and learn how to use a commercial coffee machine to make a range of coffees including espressos, cappuccinos, and café lattes, and gain a Statement of Participation from Jesuit Social Services.
Date: Tuesday 24 September
Time: 9.30am - 3.30pm
Venue: 54 McCrae Street, Dandenong
Cost: $10
General Services
Youth Services Programs
Intro Swim is an opportunity for young people aged 16-25 to learn basic water safety and swimming skills with accredited swimming instructors. This 6-week program is free and provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain confidence in the water.
Term 4: Thursdays starting 17 October
Time: First session runs from 4.30pm -6.30pm; subsequent sessions are 30 minutes
Venue: Dandenong Oasis, Heatherton Rd &, Cleeland St, Dandenong VIC 3175
Cost: FREE
Registrations:IntroSwim 2024 - Term 4 | Youth (greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au)
The Holiday Activities Committee (HAC) is a dynamic four-week leadership program for 12–16-year-olds where young people collaborate to design engaging school holiday activities, develop leadership skills, build confidence, form new friendships, and step into Peer Leader roles.
Term 3: Tuesdays starting 27 August
Time: 4.30pm-6.30pm
Venue: 39 Clow Street, Dandenong
Cost: FREE
Registrations: Holiday Activities Committee | Youth (greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au)
FReeZA is a Victorian Government initiative inviting young Victorians (12-25) to plan and run drug, smoke, and alcohol-free music and cultural events. As a member of the City of Greater Dandenong FReeZA committee, you'll gain hands-on music industry experience, learn event management, and support local artists while delivering safe, enjoyable events for the community.
Term 3&4: Thursdays during term time
Time: 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Venue: 39 Clow Street, Dandenong
Cost: FREE
Registrations: FReeZA Youth Committee | Youth (greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au)
Community Noticeboard
School Student Broadband Initiative
Free internet until December 2025!
The Australian Government has announced that they are extending the School Student Broadband Initiative until 31 December 2025.
The extension means that the SSBI nomination period will remain open until 31 December 2024 with free National Broadband Network (nbn) internet service for all new and existing families on the SSBI until 31 December 2025.
Is my family eligible for the School Student Broadband Initiative?
To be eligible, families must:
✓ Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school.
✓ Not have an active National Broadband Network (nbn®) Internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
✓ Live in a premises that can access the National Broadband Network via a standard connection – this will be checked for you.
✓ Not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days.
Call 1800 954 610 (10am – 6pm AEDT Monday to Friday, excluding Victorian Public Holidays) and their team will check your eligibility. Click the link below to find out more!
Introducing ACA – People Outdoors: Camps for People Living with Disability
‘Adventure For All’ People Outdoors, a program of the Australian Camps Association, was established in 1989 to provide outdoor recreation for people of all ages living with disability. Our programs include two-night weekend through to four-day residential camps held during the school holidays. Our participants are looked after by our team of disability support workers for the duration of camp. So, if you’d like the opportunity to experience the social and developmental benefits of adventure outdoors, please contact our team on 03 9863 6824 or visit our website for more information – www.peopleoutdoors.org.au
