It’s not every day you lose a classmate and student to a traumatic incident on Princes Highway.
Dandenong High School is in mourning for the death of a fourteen-year-old student who died after being involved in a collision 20 metres from school grounds while walking home from school.
The incident, which occurred at 3:45 p.m. on the 6th of March, came as a blow to both staff and students of the secondary school.
The year 9 student’s death has since impacted the daily lives of the schooling community and the Dandenong public.
Dandenong High School teacher, James Hughes, expressed his sadness and shock of the situation and discussed the impact it has had on the school.
“Initially, it’s just the sadness to know this young girl has lost her life”, he said.
“For those who knew her it was extremely upsetting and overwhelming”.
The students of the school who were either personally or generally connected to the student felt the weight of the grief on their shoulders.
“Being a student at the school, I have witnessed how much pain it has caused everyone in the school environment. It has been very tough for everyone but hopefully we can overcome it”, a year 10 student said.
“The teachers were all in shock, but very supportive to the students family, and to every student in the school.”
During this traumatic event that stunned the school and impacted the lives of many people, the teaching staff, students, families, and Victoria’s Education Department all came together to help one another overcome the grief.
Following the day of the incident, the school principle organised psychologists and councillors from the education department, which were available to students and teaching staff.
Respects paid to student on behalf of Dandenong High School.
“One room was set aside in each house, where kids who just wanted to talk things through could go”, said James.
“No questions asked, if you are feeling upset or you need to talk, you just got there. A lot of students did that, and I think that was helpful for them in the process.”
It is amazing to see how students and teaching staff can come together to assist one another in overcoming the saddening grief that lingers within the school each day.
“The school and teaching staff have come together a lot in this situation”, said James.
“There were a lot of things done that helped make a tragic situation doable for both the family and the students, so that people who were really grieving, a lot of things were put into place to help them.
“A lot happened in a lot of small and large groups, and I think they can be congratulated on doing a really good job with that.”
The memorial ceremony held on the 18th of March welcomed all students and staff who wished to attend and pay their respects to a young life lost.
