By Casey Neill
Students took charge in the classrooms at Dandenong High School.
They’re involved in a project focusing on student voice and agency and trained about 80 primary school students on Tuesday 14 November.
The younger cohort hailed from 10 Greater Dandenong schools and Grades 3 to 6.
The idea was to impart them with skills to speak to their own teachers about how they wanted to learn.
Dandenong High associate principal Katie Watmough wanted her students to see how much younger students had to offer.
“They have a unique perspective and they understand what’s important about learning and they’ve still got joy and passion for learning,” she said.
She hoped the students who came into the school would take back with them the “skills and confidence in being able to engage with their teachers and engage in those learning conversations and create a learning partnership”.
Ms Watmough hoped the event would also break down some fear about the transition from primary school to high school.
“I am very proud that we are working across the Dandenong area to empower both primary and secondary students and ensure they can make a positive impact upon both their individual schools and the wider education system,” she said.
In one room, Dandenong High students led kids from Spring Parks Primary School in brainstorming ideas for extra-curricular activities and technology to enhance their learning.
Next year’s Dandenong High School captain Bianca Baker was in tears following a session with Springvale Special Developmental School (SDS).
“I’ve just been talking about what they like at their school, what they’d like to improve, and stuff like that,” she said.
“One of the students said there was something missing at their school that every other school had.”
She promised to help them to attain whatever it was.
“Then she said it was bullying,” she said.
“At a school where everyone is different … they’re still all so kind to one another and understanding of one another.”
Bianca said the conversation inspired her to investigate a program between the two schools next year.
“If they’re capable of it, we’re more than capable of it,” she said.
