By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
THE rows of photos of male principals at the entrance of Dandenong High School’s offices help tell the tale of one of Victoria’s oldest high schools.
Although there’s still space below the roll-call, the school’s first female principal, Susan Ogden, lightheartedly says she doesn’t want her portrait to be placed underneath the male heads.
Downplaying the gender issue, she said: “It’s a significant step. However, I don’t see myself as a woman leader, but as a leader. It’s just wonderful to be given this opportunity at such an amazing school.”
Ms Ogden has spent all 23 years of her teaching career at the school, working her way from graduate English and history teacher to the leadership position.
She was a member of her predecessor Martin Culkin’s leadership team, helping create an acclaimed school after merging with two other secondary colleges in 2005. “Martin Culkin said it was a coming together but it wasn’t a merger. It was the creation of a new educational entity,” Ms Ogden recalled.
Mr Culkin ended his 12-year tenure earlier this year, halfway through a $45 million building project at the site. After an exhaustive selection process, Ms Ogden took over officially in term three.
She’s not shy of walking out of Mr Culkin’s shadow. Ms Ogden points out she was one of the “drivers” of the school’s transformation, and had inherited a sustainable, secure future.
The campus of 2000 students is carved into seven intimate, self-contained schools or ‘houses’ within the school. Each house has its own building and a mix of years 7 to 12 students — a set-up that has attracted vast international interest.
“You won’t see the same structure anywhere else in the world,” Ms Ogden said.
There was a conscious effort to engage with many students from a refugee background. Many had experienced war trauma and had no schooling.
“One of our school captains spoke at assembly last year and said ‘Everyone acknowledges Dandenong has been a community of disadvantage. But when you walk through the grounds of Dandenong High there’s no disadvantage here — there’s opportunity’. For me that’s what I want to create.”
■ A diamond anniversary reunion will be held at the school on October 27 at 11am for former students, partners and friends who attended in 1947-52. Details: Elaine or George Gill, 9802 7876 or george.gill@bigpond.com before October 13.
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