Welcome to our Dandenong Campus

Our deaf and hard of hearing students enrol into St Mary’s College and attend our campus based in St John's Regional College Dandenong, where they immerse and thrive in all aspects of school life. Our Dandenong Campus offers an integrated secondary education for deaf and hard of hearing students from Years 7 to 12. Dandenong campus students are members of the St John's Regional College community, wearing the St John's College uniform and included in all classes and extracurricular activities.

- Rebecca Legg (Head of Campus)

Dandenong Campus at St John's Regional College

Environment

Our Dandenong campus is situated within St John’s Regional College, a contemporary community nurturing the whole person and encouraging students to strive for excellence in all aspects of their humanity.

St John’s Regional College is a vibrant, multicultural learning community, that recognises the dignity of every student, driving a culture of high support and high expectations. The St John’s Sports Academy offers specialised football and basketball programs for girls and boys and The Graduates’ Restaurant, a variety of study options at senior secondary for students interested in the Hospitality industry. Extensive technology to maximise access for deaf and hard of hearing students is utilised throughout the College with digital Soundfield speakers, transmitters and wall pilots in most spaces and live captioning available for students to access on request. A wide variety of public and private transport options exist and families living more than 4.8km from the Dandenong campus can access conveyance allowance.

Learning overview

Grounded in the Science of Learning and MACS Vision for Instruction, each student's St John's subject teacher and St Mary's Teacher of the Deaf, deliver a knowledge-rich, evidence-based curriculum that supports all students in achieving across subjects and in particular, literacy and numeracy proficiency. Co-curricular stimulating and diverse offerings, help students to discover their strengths and passions, build self determination, higher order thinking skills and confidence. Parents are valued partners in their child's learning journey and contribute to learning decisions which allow for an individual approach from full participation and immersion in St John's classes to a more personalised program that divides the day between St John's classes and targeted teaching from a Teacher of the Deaf.

Our highly successful literacy program, monitors, strengthens and extends reading and writing skill throughout each student's secondary education, allowing every student to both learn and communicate their knowledge and thoughts effectively.

Additional to the Victorian Curriculum, students can choose to include in their weekly program of subjects, Extended Literacy, Extended Numeracy or Capabilities, which covers essential skills and knowledge such as communication, Deaf Identity, Careers Education and social skills. These additional curriculum areas are designed using research on how deaf and hard of hearing students learn best and develop confidence.

St John's Regional College has a vertical House system that strengthens community and belonging. Additionally, St Mary's frequently runs lunchtime activities including Auslan classes and student campus leader led activities with guest speakers including past students and Deaf mentors sharing their experiences and providing advice on various topics.

Wellbeing programs and services within the combined community provide spaces and activities where students can feel safe, accepted and belong.

Courses and activities

As part of the broader St Mary’s College community, our students participate in:

• Secondary School’s Deaf Sports Day
• St Mary’s College assemblies
• St Dominic’s Day celebrations

As members of the St John's Regional College community, our students can participate in:

• Southern Independent Schools (SIS) sports competitions
• SIS Cultural events & Teen Chef
• Numerous choirs, bands, musicals, ensembles, Productions
• Camps and retreats
• Public speaking & debating competition
• Social Justice events & activities
• Cambodia Immersion
• and so much more...

Transition programs for new students into year 7 commence the year prior to starting and continue into Term one of their first year. Program Support Group (PSG/SSG) meetings are held with parents/guardians and others including primary school teachers, Teachers of the Deaf or other specialists such as Speech Pathologists to gain a holistic understanding of the learning and social needs of every student. Our Head of Campus arranges a visit to each student’s primary school to see how they learn and engage with teachers and other children in order to create a smooth transition.

It’s a great place to be! But don’t just take our word for it – listen to what other St Mary’s College students have to say and book a tour now!