Danebank 2012 Prospectus

KEEN minds FAITHFUL hearts

Welcome to Danebank. Come with us on a journey of learning and discovery, where girls are both nurtured and challenged to become the very best they can be – young women with keen minds and faithful hearts.

“Her education will determine her way to the future and the woman she will become. She should meet the future with skills, confidence, hope and a heart for service.”

Mrs Maryanne Davis, Principal

Dream more, learn more, do more and become more John Quincy Adams

D

anebank is a special place of extraordinary energy, enthusiasm and purpose. It is a place

where girls can learn to grow into their best selves, academically, physically, spiritually and personally.

Danebank girls are guided by teachers who are

“Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”

Philippians 2, 15-16

personally dedicated to their wellbeing and are passionate about their areas of expertise. The girls enjoy academic challenges and opportunities that promote the development of their keen minds and enable them to identify their personal strengths.

Her humanity I believe that each girl is precious in God’s sight and that each girl’s humanity is enriched when she awakens her ‘heart of service’. It is imperative that every young

Danebank girls are also challenged to develop their

woman develops a strong inner core. She should be

faithful hearts, to become the best people they

comfortable with all aspects of her life and understand

can be. Each girl’s journey is different and each girl

the real meaning of living and contributing in the

is valued. It is a joy and a privilege to watch them

diverse community that will be the future world she

develop, to overcome challenges and ultimately to

inhabits. Then she will express her keen mind and

mature and flourish.

faithful heart with confidence.

Traditions for a modern world

W

hen 21st century living and rapidly changing technologies change the face of our society and

challenge the ways that children learn, Danebank’s traditions uphold the standards which are essential for succeeding in our world. The Danebank environment promotes the highest personal and academic standards in our students through the Christian environment, outstanding academic outcomes and a record of innovative successes.

A Christian school Founding Headmistress, Miss Edith Roseby Ball said she wanted to establish “a fine Christian girls’ school with a high standard of work and behaviour”.

Miss Roseby Ball said that the complete life was “one of service” and she chose Ut Prosim, That I May Serve, as the school’s motto. Ut Prosim expresses the Christian view that God has created us to serve Him and each other.

Service to Others Service to others is a working ideal at Danebank and it is expressed in a number of ways:

Every Danebank student is introduced to the Christian faith through the teaching of the Bible and the practical experience of Christian care. Each student’s personal response to the Christian message is respected.

All students are challenged to develop their own visions of a better world and the part they will play

In the words of a Year 8 parent:

in it, to adopt the finest personal standards so they

“Danebank is thoroughly grounded

may be valuable members of society.

Danebank has been described as “a school with a heart”. There is an emphasis on the girls building positive relationships with each other. They are encouraged to be compassionate and not to “put a wrinkle in someone else’s heart” as they work, learn and develop together.

Service to others is also exemplified in the many community service activities that students undertake.

on solid Christian principles.” each year by running events and making donations as expressions of service to those who are in need.

They also collect and donate goods like blankets for the homeless, books for schools affected by natural disasters and Christmas gifts for children who would not otherwise receive them.

They are encouraged to look for ways they can

Compassion

contribute. They are aware of the privilege they have in

Miss Roseby Ball set the benchmark for compassion

attending Danebank and they express a special desire

when, in the 1930s, she enrolled a boy with cerebral

to assist organisations like the McGrath Foundation,

palsy. The boy was refused entry to other schools but

with its emphasis on helping women to fight breast

Miss Roseby Ball taught him for eight years. The boy

cancer, and the Katoke Trust, which supports Tanzanian

undertook further education when he left Danebank

children so they may receive an education and escape

and he gained employment. He said: “Miss Roseby

a life of poverty. Our girls raise thousands of dollars

Ball gave me my life.”

Encouraging keen minds M

rs Maryanne Davis, Principal, expressed Danebank’s academic goals when she said:

“Ongoing research will always inform Danebank’s academic programmes. Learning should provide our girls with the knowledge, competence and commitment that will lead to deep understanding, the confidence to aspire and the courage to aim high.”

All external measures of academic success rank Danebank among the best schools in New South Wales. Indeed, the Sydney Morning Herald described Danebank as the best non-selective school in the St George and Sutherland Shire areas of Sydney. Today more than 90% of Danebank graduates qualify for university entrance leading to professional careers.

Gifted students have placed first in the state in HSC subjects, received Premiers Awards and represented Australia overseas at international conferences.

High achieving groups have participated in and won high profile academic challenges such as the University of New South Wales Engineering Challenge. Other groups have achieved masterful results in academic competitions and examinations in many subjects.

Yet academic success takes different forms for different students. One of the most meaningful examples of success was a student who received special learning support in her Junior School years and had some challenging times in the Secondary School academically. Yet, this student improved her results

Danebank celebrates many individual and group examples of outstanding academic success – keen minds in action.

over time and had great success at the Higher School Certificate. She scored an ATAR in the 90s and moved on to university studies. This is well worth celebrating for the student, her family and her teachers.

“The teachers make an effort to help us each individually, they really get to know us and how we learn and respond to things. And they make an effort to know us personally as well, not just in the classroom, so then we respond better to them in the classroom too.”

All girls Danebank is a vibrant, positive academic community where teaching and learning are tailored specifically for girls. Visitors comment about the general tone of the school. They remark that our girls are friendly, confident and happy. There is a definite ‘buzz‘ of purposeful learning activity as the girls go about their school days.

It is also true that girls perform better in an all-girls environment. They are more comfortable and more willing to grasp new opportunities when there is no gender pressure.

The girls say that they can be themselves and be less selfconscious. They can be more collaborative in their learning and they are more engaged in the learning process.

The all-girls environment has led to our girls thriving in

“At Danebank everything is real, we’re cared for, supported and challenged by teachers who are passionate that you do the best that you can.”

traditionally male areas of study, including tertiary studies leading to careers in areas such as business and science. The first Danebank girl to study Engineering at Sydney University won the University medal. Many others have followed in her footsteps in studying Engineering, while thousands more have adapted their keen minds to other areas of tertiary studies, and have succeeded.

In the words of a Year 5 parent, Danebank is:

“A prestigious school known for educational leadership.”

Innovation at work and play T

“Danebank lets students have the ideas; they don’t have to be the same as the teachers.”

he greatest challenge for schools today is to embrace

stimulates intellectual curiosity and opens young minds

the changes necessary to continue to serve the

to new experiences and ideas.

needs of students. At the outset, Danebank’s Founding Headmistress, Miss Edith Roseby Ball, established a

Technology

learning program that was progressive for the times.

Danebank has remained at the cutting-edge of

Since then, education has changed, especially for girls.

Society is more complex and there have been enormous changes in the workforce. Many of today’s careers were not even dreamt of twenty years ago and the next twenty years will create even more changes. As the pace of change accelerates, so does the need to maintain developments in infrastructure to support educational needs and to provide new opportunities for our girls. A good education can be like a passport to a better adult life when it

technological innovation. It was among the first schools in Sydney to establish computer laboratories in the 1980s and to use interactive whiteboards for teaching and learning. The school has embraced the need to incorporate new technology to enhance learning programs, thereby extending opportunities for our girls.

The more recent introduction of iPads as replacements for textbooks will be revolutionary in educational repercussions. iPads provide fast, easy access to the latest digital and online information and place our students at the forefront of contemporary learning. Our girls also express added enthusiasm when learning with iPads.

Inside the classroom It is so very rewarding for the school to be able to provide meaningful opportunities for students who are passionate about their areas

of study. In recent years, Danebank has maintained a

Literally hundreds of girls participate in sporting,

record of academic success in the traditional subjects as

musical and many other activities each year.

well as success in new subjects such as Multi Media and

Participation is essential to each girl’s self-discovery

Visual Design which have ignited students’ passions for

process. Each one should try new ideas and activities

digital learning. Danebank’s Terraces building houses

so she may discover her personal strengths and

state-of-the-art technological equipment for the creative

preferences at the same time as making new and

subjects. This has resulted in many more students taking

lifelong friendships.

the opportunity to study these subjects and a number have excelled. Recently, Danebank students have come first at the Higher School Certificate in Design and Technology and Information Technology.

This philosophy is embodied in the words of Danebank Principal, Mrs Maryanne Davis:

“Her education will determine the

Outside the classroom

woman she becomes. It should give her

The vast majority of Danebank girls participate in a

skills, confidence, hope and a heart for

wide range of activities outside the classroom. There is no way of predicting the personal rewards and other outcomes of these activities but sometimes the rewards

service so she may be a successful, contributing global citizen.”

can be astounding. Since the establishment of the school’s Aquatic Centre, for example, Danebank has been able to give students many more opportunities at water-based sports. This has led to outstanding results in swimming and water polo.

Danebank students have represented their state and Australia in both these sports.

Students take to new technology with enthusiasm and creativity.

Junior School A journey of self-discovery

It is a treat to stroll through our Junior School, to hear Kindies enthusiastically singing or to see parents support children who are learning to read. There could be a Prep learn to swim lesson in the Aquatic Centre or an interesting Year 1 lesson in the Japanese Room.

T

he time a girl spends between ages 4 and 12 can

A Year 3 student could be explaining a Numbers

be described as a journey of self-discovery. It is

solution to her classmates using the Interactive White

a time that is full of milestones. It is a time when our

Board while some younger girls are receiving extra

youngest girls are nurtured to move from focusing on

assistance from support staff. Perhaps Year 5s are

their personal worlds and being dependent learners

away at camp and you may be intrigued by

to becoming middle school-aged children who have a

Year 6’s concentration as they lap up

deeper appreciation of the wider world and are more

their time together preparing

independent, both personally and in their learning styles.

films in the computer

‘You can do it’

laboratories.

Those who visit our Junior School on a regular school day remark on the high level of engagement of the girls. This eager concentration, willingness to learn and purposeful activity are testimony to the individual care of their teachers and to the stimulating and diverse curriculum that is taught.

Blossoming young minds are a joy to see.

Classes become voyages of discovery, expression and growth.

Challenge and nurture Keen minds and faithful hearts are nurtured through challenge and activity. What could be more challenging for a young girl than her first attempt at abseiling?

She looks over the cliff-face and it seems a very long way down to the earth below. She knows there is no escape. She is assured the harness and helmet will do their job of supporting her. She must take a deep, trusting breath and make the plunge over the precipice.

But then, when she makes it to the solid ground below, her friends greet her with applause. She experiences a feeling of relief and the reward of success. She has discovered something else that she can do.

Creativity and expression G

irls are creative, expressive beings and we enjoy the fruits of their efforts. Every week, we are

treated to a wealth of quality creative materials and expressive presentations from the girls. They may come from the traditionally creative subject areas such as Visual Arts, Drama, Speech, Writing and Music or they may arise out of new opportunities using applied technology, such as Design and Technology, Multi Media, Textiles and Design or Visual Design.

A creative environment Exhibitions, displays and performances occur each week.

In the Junior School, hallways and classrooms are awash with samples of the girls works. The same applies in the secondary school, especially in The Terraces building.

These displays encourage our girls to aim high, to tap into their imaginations and to be inventive.

Many Danebank students have received awards for their creative works. Junior School students have been winners of competitions for drawings, cards and other artworks. Musical ensembles have won competitions and received invitations to perform outside the school.

With first class facilites, like the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre, girls have the chance to create, produce and perform works of their own invention.

“Each girl’s creative mind must be challenged and given the tools to experiment and progress. Those who persevere and find creative solutions today will be the innovators of tomorrow.”

Mrs Maryanne Davis, Principal

Our Year 12 students have had their creative works held over for inclusion in displays of the best HSC works. These include Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Drama and Multi Media. In fact, recently all of the students in the Year 12 Multi Media class, working in digital design and animation, had their works held over for one of these ‘best in the HSC’ displays.

Creative subjects and activities are very popular with our girls. It is a treat to see their inventiveness on display and to enjoy their performances. Our girls develop skills and

confidence and express themselves enthusiastically

through all creative opportunities.

“At Danebank, it is the girls that matter most.�

Mrs Maryanne Davis, Principal

Secondary School Explore O Dream ur Secondary girls are enthusiastic, expressive and

achieving. The milestones they accomplish and their

spirit of adventure are inspiring. It is a learning environment

Discover

where our girls explore, dream and discover and where

diverse classroom challenges bring them amazing rewards.

Our girls also respond energetically to opportunities outside the classroom, like the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and many musical and sporting activities. It is, most importantly, a place where girls are appreciated and upheld as people and where they appreciate and uphold each other.

Throughout their teenage years, girls must manage many changes, in themselves, in academic expectations and in their awareness of the world around them. They move from being wide-eyed Year 7s to young adults in Year 12 when they must undergo the most testing time in Secondary School. The academic rigours involved in sitting for the Higher School Certificate give added pressures. It is at this time that each girl’s ability to independently concentrate, absorb, be organised and not lose confidence, is tested the most. It is the time when the girls need the most support and encouragement from school and from home.

Succeed It is also often after the results of the Higher School Certificate are released that our parents express amazement when they discover that their girls have come through it with results that are beyond expectation and, yes, that they are ready to embark on post-school lives, ready

In the words

to continue to explore, dream and discover as adults.

of one Danebank student:

Life Skills

“I feel part of a fantastic

Danebank continues to educate students who have

school. I enjoy all my subjects.

learning disabilities through the Life Skills unit in the

I feel like I’m treated

Secondary School. These students have their own wonderful success stories. The vast majority gain employment after school and some have achieved sporting greatness by representing Australia at the Special Olympics. It is a joyous reflection of our mainstream students that they celebrate, congratulate and encourage the girls who are enrolled in the Life Skills unit.

like an adult.”

Enthusiasm for sports D

anebank Sports are characterised

“We get to try lots

of different sports.

I play water polo, hockey and I’m a dragon boater too.”

by great energy, encouragement, enthusiasm

and success, both inside and outside the classroom. In class, there is a strong emphasis on students improving their skills and experiencing a wide range of sporting activities. Our girls learn classroom sports subjects, including electives, as well as many extra sports and sports activities. Outside the classroom, participation rates

are very high with hundreds of girls playing sports each week.

‘The best you can be’ For some girls, success at sports means playing with their friends on Saturdays, having fun as a team in the sports of their choice. For others it means competing at the highest levels, state, national and even international in the sports they are passionate about. Either way, at Danebank there are many opportunities for all girls to be “the best you can be”.

By the end of the day, they had improved their times enormously and they were surprised to be invited to represent NSW at the national Championships as the NSW B team. They worked harder at training sessions and they adopted a keen will to do their best.

From there they had a meteoric rise. At the Nationals,

Beyond her imagination

A

t Danebank, some students and groups can be described as high flyers and others are regular

girls who can achieve beyond their wildest imaginations.

When Dragon Boat Racing was introduced, for example, our first team of 24 girls from Years 7 to 11 started as a team of “rookies”. They came from different age groups and different ability levels. They raced at the Darling Harbour Chinese New Year celebrations, competing against older teams, and improved their times with each race.

they continued to improve their times and they finished the titles defeating the NSW A team. But that wasn’t all. They were then invited to represent Australia at the world titles in Hong Kong!

This team of regular girls represented their state and will represent their country. They received accolades for their perseverance and stunning results. They also impressed onlookers with their fine attitudes.

“The thrill was in doing our best and succeeding. We have become great friends and we are proud of each others’ dedication.”

The possibilities are amazing T he journey our dragon boaters took to reach the World

titles was unexpected and so very exhilarating. It reminds

us that the possibilities for success are really amazing. It also

reminds us of the importance of each girl’s journey at school.

A great foundation The woman each girl becomes will be determined by the influences and opportunities she experiences during her formative years. At Danebank, the journey takes place in a caring, Christian environment with impressive traditions. Danebank enjoys its record of high achievement for girls, but, more importantly, Danebank values its impressive record of developing each girl as a ‘whole person’.

It is so very rewarding for us to see confident, achieving Danebank graduates embark on fulfilling adult lives. They have experienced

“Something that makes Danebank

enthusiasm and expertise from their teachers. They have tasted

different is the real sense of community

many and varied educational opportunities. They have invested

and sisterhood between the girls, not just within year groups but across the whole school.”

hard work in their personal results and they have had the wonderful experience of making strong friendships for life.

I believe that our girls have enormous potential. Each girl has her own trajectory but the most important things are that each girl strives for her best, that she seeks self-discovery and new ideas, and that she expresses herself in the best ways she can.

It is a privilege to be a part of this process.

Mrs Maryanne Davis, Principal

This prospectus offers a taste of the Danebank experience – in the words and images of our girls, our teachers and parents.

For more details and answers to any questions you have, visit www.danebank.nsw.edu.au

80-98 Park Road Hurstville NSW 2220 www.danebank.nsw.edu.au Senior School (02) 9580 1415 Junior School (02) 9580 9242 enquiries @ danebank.nsw.edu.au