Schools join in spirit of togetherness

By Shaun Inguanzo
THEY’RE one, but not yet the same.
Dandenong High School, Cleeland Secondary College and Doveton Secondary College will unite beginning in January as part of the schools’ plan to become a $35 million super school.
But the unity is for now in spirit only, as construction on the two new campuses has not yet begun, and will not be finished until at least 2009.
The schools will keep their respective names, participate in their usual, separate school sport events, and wear their own uniforms.
The major change to next year will be Dandenong High School principal Martin Culkin assuming the role as head principal of the three colleges.
Dandenong High School council president Alan Collier said some early curriculum changes would also appear next year.
Mr Collier said a larger school council consisting of three representatives from each school, focusing on building the new campuses, would also be formed.
He said all involved would now play a waiting game to see if the next State Budget would contain the $35 million needed for works.
Meanwhile, Doveton Secondary College principal Nigel Hutchison has retired. Mr Hutchison did not comment on his retirement.
But John Haines, the Department of Education’s southern metropolitan regional director, said Mr Hutchison would be disappointed not to be part of the $35 million project.
“He has just reached the age where he wants to move on to bigger and better things,” Mr Haines said.