From the Principal

A busy and productive term for our School Community

Term 2 has proved to be an eventful and productive one, with learning, camps, excursions and events for our students to engage in. The House Competition is currently keeping our students busy, with the Chorales Competition coming up soon. It has been great to see the students practising their songs during lunch times, preparing for the big night on Thursday 27th June. I look forward to seeing our students be involved in this great event.

This week, we welcomed back our Principal, Susan Ogden, who has been on secondment with the Department over the past 4 weeks. This opportunity has allowed Susan to support the work of other schools and enhance their leadership and improvement practice. Susan has brought a wealth of knowledge to this role in supporting schools in the Southeast Melbourne, having lead our community over the past 12 years. Susan is returning to the school in Week 11 and I’m sure she will share her experience in an upcoming newsletter.

Melbourne Victory Program

I had the pleasure of joining the Melbourne Victory Program as they celebrated the Elite Performers for Semester 1. Congratulations to Ali (Year 9 MV Program) and Arif, Ali and Benji (Year 8 MV Program)- well done for their outstanding efforts and commitment to the program. Trials for the Program will take place in early Term 3, for students who are interested in joining the program in Semester 2.

Lunchtime Jam Sessions

Over the past few weeks students have enjoyed music sessions on Wednesday lunchtime, through our partnership with City of Greater Dandenong. Students have been able to showcase their amazing talents, performing in the Green Space and outside Melaleuca. Thank you to Mr Davies and the music staff for their work in putting these events on.

Preparing for 2025 - Course Counselling

While it may seem a long way away, the school has commenced preparations for 2025, which is an enormous logistical operation starting staff information and student course selections. It was wonderful to see so many families and Year students attend the Course Counselling day on Tuesday 18th June.

Parental involvement in a child's education is not just beneficial; it's essential. Research consistently shows that active parental engagement in schooling leads to higher academic achievement, improved engagement, and better decision-making regarding future career paths. As we strive to provide the best educational environment for our students, understanding and leveraging the power of parent involvement can make a significant difference.

Parental involvement also plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s career aspirations and choices. Research indicates that students whose parents are actively involved in their education are more likely to consider and plan for further study once they leave school. The research also highlights that students feel encouraged to pursue higher education when their parents are engaged in their academic life, compared to students with less involved parents.

A strong partnership between school and parents is a cornerstone of educational success and positive future outcomes for students. By fostering an environment where parents actively participate in their child's education, we can help students achieve their full potential academically and make informed decisions about their future pathways. Let’s work together to ensure that every student has the support they need to succeed.

The school has commenced the 2025 course selection process for Year 11 students, with Year 8, 9 & 10 students selections taking place in Term 3. We encourage all parents to attend their child’s course selection interview.

There are numerous ways parents can engage in their child's course selection and career pathways process:

Help your child identify and reflect on their strengths, interests and aspirations
Help your child reflect on their current progress by reviewing their Semester 1 report
Review the school course handbook (available on the school website)
Listen to their perspective

Push-up Challenge - Sponsor our Push-up Superstars

Three weeks down for our Push-up Superstars and the school has completed over 30,000 push ups so far. With one week to go, please donate to this important cause and show recognition to our students for their amazing effort.

The Push-Up Challenge is Australia's largest mental health and fitness event. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Australians take up the challenge to complete a set number of push-ups (3,249) that represent the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in the most recent year.

https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/fundraisers/DandenongHighSchoolHouseChallenge

Mark Dewar

Acting Principal