Dandenongs education history dates back over one hundred years. St Mary’s Primary School in Dandenongs was established by the Presentation Sisters in 1912 and has an established tradition of welcoming and celebrating cultural diversity within its community.

Mr Percy Langford was its inaugural Headmaster. Having served with the 4th Horse Regiment at Gallipoli, he chose red, light blue and royal blue as colors to commemorate ANZACs while creating the school motto Faber Quisque Fortunae – Everyone is the architect of their own destiny.

Dandenong State School

Dandenong High School was established in 1919 and remains one of Australia’s oldest and most culturally diverse secondary schools today, boasting over 1,600 students enrolled with 200 teachers and staff members based at its heritage-listed Administration Building – providing access to architecturally designed learning centres behind. Situated southeast of Melbourne in Victoria Australia, Dandenong High School acknowledges traditional land custodians such as Bunurong people from Kulin nation; paying respect to past, present, and emerging Elders alike.

As part of its response to pneumonic influenza, Doveton School opened temporarily on March 10, 1919 due to a pandemic. Early students came from Doveton (known then as Berwick), Berwick East Pakenham East Garfield Hallam Yarraville Koo-Wee-Rup and Korumburra via subsidised bus services and train from Dandenong station.

Students at our school are organized into “Houses”, each comprised of 50 students in Years 7-12 with one teacher per House. This structure promotes a sense of community among the pupils as they can learn in small classes of around 16 students from their same year level, providing ample opportunity for developing leadership, collaboration and communication skills through small group study.

As one of the world’s most multicultural schools, with over 70% of its student body hailing from non-English speaking backgrounds – making it truly international and vibrant! Additionally, they pride themselves on an impressive history of exceptional teaching practice while proudly serving Australia’s most culturally diverse region.

David Dobson and 45 local residents petitioned the Board of Education in March 1879 for the establishment of a school in Dandenong. William Chandler Junior donated land which today would be situated near Simpson Road and Doongalla Road; an allotment near this intersection provided its site for construction. On opening day a special assembly was held to commemorate this important occasion while singing God Save the Queen as part of its festivities.

Dandenong High School

Dandenong High School, situated in Dandenong, Victoria is one of Australia’s premier secondary schools with one of the lowest student-to-teacher ratios in Victoria. Composed of seven houses each led by their own House Leadership Team and 25 staff members – students begin being assigned their house in Year 7 and stay there through all secondary schooling allowing for strong relationships across age groups as well as teachers – Dandenong High School is designed to engage every student while challenging them to reach their full potential.

At an extraordinarily multi-cultural school, international students are welcomed and integrated seamlessly into the community. International students hailing from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia have excelled in their studies here before proceeding onto higher education with remarkable results. At school, international students benefit from receiving support through House Leadership Teams, Well-Being Clubs, Homework Clubs and Careers Teams and regularly receiving translated reports outlining student accomplishment each semester.

History at our school dates back to 1919 when its original building was inaugurated by Mr PCW Langford as its inaugural Principal. Soon thereafter, its rapid growth led to expansion plans being put in place; once these extensions were complete by early 1930s they transformed it into one of Victoria’s premier educational establishments.

As decades passed, Dandenong High School continued to expand and new buildings were added, eventually culminating in its current layout and layout of campus. Where possible, original structures have been maintained or restored while upholding their integrity – keeping a landmark structure alive!

The school was known for its motto ‘Faber Quisque Fortunae’ – meaning, “Everyone is the author of their own destiny”, which can be seen through its many academic and sporting achievements over time. Notably, Casey Cardinia School led in developing sports education within its locality while becoming the first equal gender schools back in 1960s.

St Mary’s Primary School

St Mary’s Primary School offers a high standard of Christian-inspired education to children from Kindergarten to Year 6. Through spiritual, intellectual, physical and social guidance it aims to foster lifelong learners who love both themselves and God alike. Working in collaboration with families and the Catholic community it promotes student development of an in-depth knowledge of our world, its people and place within it.

Early years of the School were characterised by yellow London stock brick construction for the older parts of its Hall block and garden on Charlwood Road, fronted by yellow London stock brick gardens. Back then, classes ran using the Lancastrian system where older children (monitors) taught younger ones and classroom benches would feature two seating arrangements with children at one end and monitors on the other.

Following World War II, attendance at the School increased significantly and plans were drawn up for its expansion. Though still free for everyone in attendance, parish contributions helped cover building costs.

By the 1950’s, St Mary’s School had expanded rapidly with a single story Nursery extension being constructed along Barn Street. A large plot of land that had once been owned by Pullman Farm (purchased for expanding St Mary’s Cemetery), now called Pullman Farm Leased Land was now being used to plan a large school building.

Over the decades of the 1980s and 90s, several changes were made to the School. A new Administration Centre was constructed, the adventure playground expanded, and all classrooms received refurbishments complete with reverse cycle heating/air-conditioning installations.

St Mary’s celebrated its 75th anniversary during the 2000’s by hosting an incredible annual community event called Walk Through Bethlehem at Christmas time. Additionally, new technology was also added into classrooms so all could take advantage of computer networking for convenience and communication purposes.

Recent years have brought further improvements to the School with the opening of a state-of-the-art Science Lab in the Main Building and construction of Monsignor Wingler Ella Hill Hall (also known as the gym). This hall was named in honor of Mrs Ella Hill who made a substantial donation when she willed her house on Lee Street to the Church and her money went toward building this facility that now plays an essential part in school and parish life providing space for daily gym classes, HSA fundraising events, dances, Sunday School Mass musical productions/productions/productions/CYO Basketball games/ large parish events etc.

St Angela’s Primary School

St Angela’s School adheres to the educational philosophy established by St. Angela Merici when the Ursuline Congregation was first founded at Brescia in Italy in 1535. This philosophy emphasizes the value of each child and their ability to excel within a safe, caring environment; furthermore it stresses developing strong relationships with God as well as respect for all cultures. Students are supported to reach their full potential through holistic curriculum that addresses physical, intellectual and spiritual needs of the whole child.

Angela Merici returned to Desenzano and discovered that many young girls lacked any education, prompting her to open her home as a day school, teaching the children her faith while providing them with an ideal platform for academic development.

In 1872, nuns started commissioning a building to house their growing number of pupils. The first wing included a study hall (now our library) with classrooms above it; also added was a dormitory for boarders; this also served as the place where masses would take place every Sunday morning saving local faithful the trip further down to Stratford.

With the 1944 Education Act, Richmond House School was finally able to expand and become truly comprehensive for the first time, drawing pupils from other Catholic parishes. By 1960, however, its original “Old House” no longer met demand; so two prefabricated buildings were installed on Richmond House’s tennis court to form Iona and St Ursula’s schools – today known as Six Year houses.

By the 1980s, nun/teacher numbers had significantly diminished and were gradually replaced with qualified lay teachers. Furthermore, the school began offering teacher training courses called Brownies which gave their students more independence.

Today the school boasts a modern campus equipped with top-of-the-range facilities. There are two school buildings and an administration centre at Copelands and Mills Roads in Warragul, while before and after school care services provided on site by Ambrose School Age Care are also provided on-site.