Tuesday, 12 August, 2025
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SPORT
Glory in their sights Dandenong Rangers under-14 basketballer Keegan has eyes on a bright future, as two of the Rangers’ underage sides prepare to compete for national titles next month. Star Journal went behind the scenes at training to see what makes the talented under 14 girls and boys sides tick. More on the story, turn to page 18
(Stewart Chambers: 491963)
Big screen heroes Dandenong-based Emerson School’s success story is inspiring audiences overseas, with a multiaward-winning documentary. A week after launching a state-of-the-art $6.1 million technology wing, the school has launched a film Unlocking the Potential: The Vital Role of Specialist Education. The film highlights the “miracles” that happen in transforming specialist students’ lives, equipping them for fulfillment beyond school.
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The documentary was two years in the making with an extraordinary compilation of interviews of parents, past and present students, principal John Mooney, school council, school staff, the Monash Krongold Clinic, lifelong partners and friends. “If you’re experiencing difficulties in your learning, where you may not be motivated or you might be marginalised - well, wouldn’t it be lovely to go to a school where you’ll actually be
able to unlock, discard all their worries and fear?” Mooney said at the launch on 6 August. His friend and retired principal Kevin Mackay now helps at the school. “I think the most powerful thing about the film was the stories of the parents who would have been devastated without the support of the school.” Filmmaker Amel Tresnji said he wanted the film to be a “blueprint” for other schools.
“Part of the film was for me to essentially investigate what makes the school very unique. “The first thing I recognise, it’s John - because John is the leader, his philosophies, his kindness, his ability to really see the best in people and cultivate that is really quite unique.” More on the story, turn to page 19