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Open Day and Autumn Fair 2026 was a celebration of learning and community at Danebank.

Our campus was buzzing as visitors enjoyed live vocal and musical performances from our students, vibrant classroom displays, and hands-on activities in classrooms across the school. Bustling pop-up stalls and delicious food added to the festive atmosphere.

We were delighted to welcome new families to experience our outstanding learning environment through student-led guided tours.

A heartfelt thank you to our staff, students and families for bringing such enthusiasm to the day, and to everyone who joined us.

Here’s a look back at some of our favourite moments!

If you missed this year’s Fair, book in for an Open Morning to experience the Danebank difference.

Our 2026 Open Day and Autumn Fair is on Saturday 9 May and everyone is invited!

The Fair begins at 9am, with student performances on the outdoor stage and classroom visits from 10am. Our teachers will be showcasing Danebank’s outstanding learning environment, and guided tours are available for families who are not yet enrolled. Tours run from 10am until 3pm and can be booked here.

This year’s Fair will feature a range of internal stalls offering delicious food and drinks, along with external stalls featuring art, crafts, fashion, jewellery, plants, ceramics, candles, homewares and more. It’s the perfect chance to pick up any last minute Mother’s Day gifts.

There will be plenty to keep children entertained, including a petting zoo, cupcake decorating, hair braiding, slime activities, a toy stall and face painting, as well as a juggler and stilt walker. Children can also enjoy hands-on activities in classrooms across the campus.

You can find more details, including stage schedules and highlights to look forward to, in our special Autumn Fair Portal.

We hope to see you there!

We were delighted to celebrate Founder’s Day and mark 93 years of Danebank. Students and staff gathered for our traditional Founder’s Day Chapel service, taking time to reflect on our school’s heritage and values, and remarkable journey from humble beginnings in 1933.

Founder’s Day is also a special opportunity to recognise members of our community who embody the school’s founding principles and live out our motto, Ut ProsimThat I May Serve.

Our congratulations go to the 2026 award recipients:

• Edith Roseby Ball Award for Compassion: Aleeya W (Year 11, 2026)
• Old Girls Association Citizenship Award: Abigail F (Year 12, 2026)

It was an honour to continue this beautiful tradition and celebrate both girls for their commitment to living out Danebank’s values beyond our green gates.

We were delighted to welcome our 2025 High Achievers to a special assembly on Wednesday 11 February 2026. The assembly was in recognition of their outstanding HSC results and was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the culmination of the girls’ hard work and dedication.

The 2025 Year 12 cohort included 36 Distinguished Achievers, students who accomplished the highest band possible in one or more HSC courses, and two All Rounders, students who achieved the highest band in 10 or more units of courses.

During the assembly, we were privileged to hear from guest speaker, Dr Olivia Wills from the Class of 2017. Dr Wills reflected on the strong foundations Danebank provided and how discovering her values, her voice and her passions at Danebank shaped her path forward. She commented on how the skills, confidence, resilience and sense of community that had been instilled in her during her time here had prepared her for life beyond our green gates.

We were also delighted to hear from three student speakers from the Class of 2025, Renee B, Stephanie O and Angelina C. The girls shared their insights and tips for studying for the HSC, as well as the challenges they faced and overcame along the way.

It was a joy to celebrate the Class of 2025 and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the years ahead.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on their outstanding HSC achievements. Their results are a testament to their dedication, perseverance and hard work. 

This year, 70 Year 12 students sat the HSC examinations, while seven Year 11 accelerated students completed the HSC Mathematics Advanced and Extension courses. Two Year 12 students completed the Life Skills Program and one student was engaged in the Pathways program (a two-year course of study).

Congratulations to Danebank’s Dux, Angelina Cikusa, who achieved an ATAR of 99.15.

All Rounders

This year we celebrate two Danebank All Rounders (students who achieved a result in the highest band, Band 6 or E4, in 10 or more units), as well as 55.7% of HSC students achieving 80+, 90+ and 95+ ATAR levels.

Distinguished Achievers

This year, 60 percent of our students received a Band 6 or E4 (equivalent to Band 6 for extension subjects) result and Danebank continues to be recognised as the highest performing independent school in the Georges River and Sutherland Shire regions. In total, 42 Danebank students were included on the HSC Honour Roll for Distinguished Achievers, six of whom were Year 11 accelerated students.

ATARs

Our Class of 2025’s accomplishments are further highlighted by the percentage of students who secured ATARs of 80 and above:

• 14.3% achieved an ATAR above 95 (Top 5%)
• 30% achieved an ATAR above 90 (Top 10%)
• 55.7% achieved an ATAR of 80 or above (Top 20%)

Some Highlights

There were many examples of excellence this year, including:

• One student scored an ATAR above 99, placing her in the top 1% nationally
• Two students achieved All Rounders Awards, with a result in the highest band (Band 6 or Band E4) in 10 or more units of courses
• 42 students recognised as Distinguished Achievers (Band 6 in at least one subject)
• Five students received HSC Showcase selections or nominations
• Top non-selective school in the Georges River and the Sutherland Shire regions.

We celebrate today but also acknowledge that the HSC results are only one marker of our students’ achievements and growth. We are immensely proud not only of their academic success, but also of the remarkable individuals they are becoming. Their character, faith and leadership inspire us and we look forward to the future they will shape beyond our green gates.

Read the full report here.

Our 92nd Annual Speech Night was held on 3 December in the Sydney Town Hall. 

It was a beautiful occasion which brought our community together to reflect on the blessings we have shared throughout 2025. The evening was filled with joy and inspiration as we celebrated the achievements and growth of our girls. 

Congratulations to all our award recipients on your outstanding accomplishments, and to every student who has grown in learning, character and faith this year. 

Thank you to our staff, families and community for making it a truly special evening. 

Watch a commemorative video of the evening and our year-in-review.

In our commitment to ensure our students are well-prepared for the future and in order to stay at the forefront of educational innovation, two significant curricular changes are being implemented for Danebank students in Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5).

The first is the addition of two extra courses (International Studies and iStem), and the second the opportunity for girls to choose up to four courses over the two years, doubling from the original two.

The result of comprehensive parent and student surveys and extensive discussions with our teachers, these changes are expected to have a significantly positive impact on the girls’ educational experience at our school.

The surveys also led to expanding our VET offerings for Years 11 and 12 (Stage 6).

Embracing Innovation

As innovators in education, Danebank understands the importance of preparing our students to become global citizens and critical thinkers. By introducing the elective International Studies and iStem courses, we aim to broaden their horizons and nurture their curiosity about the world:

• International Studies will expose our students to diverse cultures and perspectives, fostering cultural sensitivity and open-mindedness.
• iStem will equip girls with the skills required to navigate the technology-driven industries of tomorrow, ensuring they remain competitive in the ever-changing job market.

Fostering Flexibility

Recognising the uniqueness of each student, we are transitioning from two 200-hour courses to four 100-hour courses over Years 9 and 10.

This shift allows our girls to delve into more subjects that interest them, tailoring their learning experience to suit their individual strengths and passions.

In practice this means that students elect two 100-hour courses for study in Year 9 and then have the option to either choose the same subjects again for Year 10 (making this a 200-hour course) or select another two 100-hour elective courses.

Over the two years in Stage 5, students can now choose from Drama, Music, Photography and Digital Media, Visual Arts, Commerce, History Elective, International Studies, Physical Activity and Sport Studies, Design and Technology, Food Technology, Industrial Technology, Multimedia, iStem and Textiles Technology. The only exceptions are French and Japanese, the details of which are discussed with students when they choose a language.

This change will also allow students to be better equipped to make subject selections for Years 11 and 12.

Teach for the Future

These changes are rooted in Danebank’s commitment to teach for the future.

The curriculum review process has been comprehensive, ensuring that we maintain our school's strong educational foundation while embracing forward-thinking pedagogy. By providing our girls with the right tools and opportunities, we are empowering them to become adaptable, lifelong learners who can thrive in an ever-changing world.

Collaboration

We value the input of our entire school community, so these changes were made in collaboration with parents, students, and teachers.

The insights gained from surveys and discussions have been instrumental in shaping the decisions. We are grateful for the active involvement of our community, which reflects our shared commitment to providing the best possible education for our students.

In Pursuit of Educational Excellence

The journey to expand subject selections to include International Studies and iStem, along with the introduction of 100-hour courses for Years 9 and 10, marks a new chapter in Danebank’s pursuit of educational excellence.

These changes represent our dedication to fostering innovation, preparing students for the future, and providing them with the flexibility to thrive in their academic pursuits. Together, as a community of educators, parents and students, we are embracing the future and preparing our graduates to make a positive impact on the world.

Book a tour or contact our registrar enrolments@danebank.nsw.edu.au to find out more.

On behalf of the Board of Anglican Schools Corporation and the School Council of Danebank, we are very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Michele Benn to take up the position of Principal of Danebank from Monday 14 July 2025. Following a thorough selection process, Dr Benn was selected to lead Danebank into its next phase of growth and development. Both the School Council and the Board have affirmed their full confidence in Dr Benn’s leadership of Danebank into the future.

Dr Benn will succeed Dr Emma Burgess, who departs Danebank on 4 July 2025. Dr Burgess has led the school with true vision, great love, compassion and a beautiful Christian faith for over five years. She leaves our school well placed for a wonderful future. For this, the Board and the School Council thank her most sincerely. Dr Benn comes to Danebank as a brilliant thinker and an outstanding leader in girls education. In her career of more than 30 years in education, she has held numerous senior positions, including (currently) Head of Teaching and Learning (Meriden School), Head of Junior School (Meriden School) and Deputy Head of School (St Peter’s Anglican Grammar).

Dr Benn brings a deep commitment to empowering young women through a holistic education underpinned by an authentic Christian foundation. In fact, it is Dr Benn’s strong faith and recognition that Danebank’s strategies, programs and activities are shaped by the gospel, that lie at the heart of her desire to serve as the school’s Principal. Dr Benn believes in the transformative impact of education, saying: “Danebank offers a powerful environment where young women can build their confidence, resilience and leadership skills. The school’s approach to keeping Danebank’s girls at the heart of decisions strongly resonates with me.”

The past five years at Danebank have seen impressive strategic momentum and growth, from the development of the school’s physical environment to furthering the commitment to contemporary learning approaches that nurture academic achievement and personal character. Dr Benn admires the strategic vision and momentum Danebank has cultivated as a school that honours its traditions, while continuing to evolve, ensuring that students are equipped for the future.

“I intend to continue and build on this outstanding momentum through the next phase of Danebank’s journey,” Dr Benn says.

Dr Benn and her husband, Patrick, are well known in their community where they attend the local Anglican church. Together, they have six children. Please join with us in congratulating Dr Benn on her appointment as the 8th Principal of Danebank, and in welcoming her to the school. We look forward to this exciting new step in Danebank’s journey, under God’s guidance, as we continue to prepare girls for an outstanding future.

Stage 2 Building Official Opening and Naming

Our Stage 2 Building, has been a wonderful addition to our school. Every detail of this multi-storey space has been carefully considered and is the result of much community consultation. These new spaces host:

• The canteen (Ground Floor) and library (Level 1)
• The Junior School reception
• Learning spaces for students in Years 5 and 6 on levels 3 and 4, as well as the new Technology (Level 3) and Japanese (Level 4) classrooms.
• Specially designed and equipped Junior School Visual Arts and Music classrooms on the ground floor, near the new canteen.
• The new staff and community space on Level 2 featuring conference and meeting rooms, a lounge, large kitchen facilities and an outdoor area for our community to meet and socialise.

These buildings were named in honour of three of our previous principals, who have embodied our motto, Ut Prosim, in their life of service and, in doing so, transformed the lives of others.

• Carole Tisdell Learning Centre (Mrs Carole Tisdell, Principal 1975 - 1987)
• Rosalyn Bird Arts and Design Building (Miss Rosalyn Bird, Principal 1988 - 2009)
• Maryanne Davis Junior School (Mrs Maryanne Davis, Principal 2010 - 2019)