The Arrow, Term 1. No 3

As we move forward into the second half of term 1, I am delighted to share some significant updates and celebrations from our school community. The long weekend has passed us, and this signals that we are already eight weeks into the school year. Most classes have reached a point where assessment has taken place, and students have received feedback. New topics are underway, and the rhythm of school life is fully embedded. Summer sports have become a key feature of our school weeks, with teams competing in the Mullum division. Our swimming team recently competed at Aquanation Ringwood with distinction, with many students progressing to regional finals. Camps have also been an important part of the term, with Year 12 students travelling to Cowes, Phillip Island, and Year 7s attending Camp Rumbug in Gippsland. These experiences are invaluable, fostering social connections, personal growth, and a strong sense of belonging.

We extend our thanks to parents for nominating for the School Council elections. Congratulations to our newly elected School Council representatives Mr Marcus Thomas (Y7 parent) and Mr Shannon Baptist (Y7 parent). Both gentlemen bring extensive financial and business experience and have already connected with myself and Trent Adams, Business Manager. Our Student Representatives will be Brigitte Godfred-Spenning (Y12) and Taha Rasaeimoghaddam (Y10). Brigitte enters her final year at the school and Taha is a new member of council. Both will bring a valuable student voice to our council. Representing our dedicated staff are Genevieve Papon and Ella Price. The first meeting for this council will be Monday March 30^th.

Our student leaders continue to be actively engaged in significant initiatives, including participation in activities led by the Hon. John Pesutto, where they had the opportunity to discuss leadership, advocacy, and the role of young voices in shaping the future. In addition, our Year 9 students were at the City Cite program last week. It was inspiring to see them immersed in their research and presentations, demonstrating impressive critical thinking, perspective, and engagement with their city. This week, parents and family members will have the chance to hear from students as they present their findings—a wonderful demonstration of our Auburn Learner Quality of Citizenship. Thank you to our dedicated staff who facilitated this outstanding experience.

We were honoured this week to host the French Consul of Melbourne in an event that celebrated French bilingual schools across the city. It was a fantastic occasion to showcase our school building and highlight our commitment to fostering global education. Many special guests joined our staff including French Consul Paule IGNATIO, Honorary Consuls of Monaco and Switzerland, Principals from Camberwell PS, Glen Eira SC, consulate staff and government attaches. A big thank you to Ms Paule IGNATIO for providing a wonderful array of French food and light refreshments.

Investing in our staff’s professional learning remains a priority, ensuring that teaching and learning continue to evolve in response to new challenges and opportunities. School funds are being strategically allocated to the implementation of the new Victorian Curriculum 2.0, supporting contemporary learning frameworks. Additionally, we are focusing on Disability and Inclusion reform, equipping our teachers with the tools to create inclusive classrooms that cater to all students. Training in Individual Education Plans (IEPs) is being enhanced to ensure a more personalised learning experience for students. Further professional learning is focused on teaching strategies that enhance adjustments for learning diversity, reinforcing our commitment to fostering an environment where every student can thrive.

As you will be aware there is a 24 hour stop work being planned by the AEU next week on Tuesday March 24. This is part of a multifaceted industrial action campaign that the AEU will coordinate during enterprise bargaining negotiations with the Victorian Government. Tuesday is a scheduled student free day allocated to Parent Student Teacher conferences. AEU members who choose to participate in protected industrial action will not be available for interviews on that day. Conferences will proceed for staff who are on duty on Tuesday, and for all staff on Wednesday March 25 (2.30 – 4.30pm). Staff have been directed to complete all reporting and data entry on Compass to allow for parents, and students to have access to relevant feedback and results. More information will be provided as it is available.

Finally, it is exciting to announce that the 2026 NASA trip is going ahead. Auburn High School students are joining with some students from Woodleigh School to create a super-group of 25 students. Two staff from each school will attend. The only catch is that the date of the trip is now December 7 – 18. I am very pleased that we have found a way to make the trip work and the families, and students are very excited. The itinerary involves STEM, and space related activities in San Francisco, Orlando and Los Angeles.

Until next time,

All the best,

Ross Pritchard

NAPLAN 2026

We are pleased to share that another round of NAPLAN is done and dusted!

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is completed by Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The assessments are aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and reflect the learning that takes place every day in classrooms.

NAPLAN provides valuable information about a student’s strengths, areas for improvement, and academic growth over time. At a school level, the data also helps us reflect on our teaching programs and ensure we are meeting the needs of all learners.

Over an intense four days in Weeks 7-8, our Year 7 and Year 9 students completed testing in writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy.

Despite news reaching us of national platform outages on the first day of the official testing window, Auburn High students sailed smoothly through their testing schedule. 280 students participated in NAPLAN over twelve sessions, completing a total of 1,120 tests. We want to extend a huge thank you to the support of our amazing IT technicians, teachers, and support staff for making this happen.

We would also like to thank our families for helping students to be prepared for testing by being well rested, arriving at school on time, and proactively communicating with us about absences so that all students could catch-up on missed tests.

Finally, well done to all Year 7s and Year 9s on your focus, effort and aspiration during NAPLAN 2026.

We look forward to sharing results with you, your family and the wider community when they become available.

Phoebe Allen and Andrea Ganotis

Leading Teachers of Curriculum – Years 7–8 and Years 9–10

The 2026 school year has started with a number of exciting opportunities for high ability students and their teachers.

Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Program

Auburn High School offers a Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program for students in Year 7-9. The program brings together like-minded, high-achieving students, giving them a sense of belonging and extending them to fulfil their potential.

Students in the program learn Victorian Curriculum English, Humanities, Maths, and Science in their SEAL class. The teaching and learning programs are designed to emphasise opportunities for challenge, extension and acceleration above the curricula level of the cohort.

Spotlight on Year 7 SEAL Science with Ms Kim

Our newest SEAL recruits to Auburn High School, the Year 7 SEAL class, have grown dramatically in their scientific skills over the past few weeks. During our investigation into how salt affects the time it takes for water to boil, students didn’t just follow the method, they really engaged with the thinking behind it. They questioned their results, explored different possibilities, and took the time to understand what was happening.

What stood out most was the way they learned together. There was a quiet confidence in the room as students shared ideas, listened to one another, and worked through challenges side by side. It was a lovely reminder of how powerful learning can be when curiosity and collaboration come together.

Victorian Maths Games Challenge

The Victorian Maths Games Challenge has begun! Six teams of Auburn High students across Years 7-8 are participating in the challenge as a lunchtime club run by Ms Cefai.

The students will be presented with six challenge tasks, which will be released each month from March to August.

The Maths Games Challenge is organised by the Maths Association of Victoria and provides an opportunity for highly able students to compete against their peers in other schools. The students will work in teams of 3 or 4 and have two months to complete each challenge.

Huge thank you to Ms Cefai for organising this opportunity!

Professional Learning – Centre of Higher Education Studies

Ms Roberts, Ms Hudson, and Ms Allen engaged in professional learning at the Centre of Higher Education Studies in South Yarra earlier in the term. The program focussed on identifying high ability students, and approaches to curriculum and pedagogy to extend and stretch our high ability learners.

Through our discussions with the session facilitators and teachers in other schools, we had the opportunity to share practices embedded at Auburn High School, such as the school-wide use of differentiated tasks framed as ‘mild’, ‘medium’ and ‘spicy’ application options.

We were also able to explore approaches to extension that place emphasis on deepening and enriching knowledge and understanding, instead of accelerating pace of curriculum. In particular, we discussed the benefits of higher order thinking activities and opportunities to transfer learning to real world contexts. We are excited to continue to work on building these approaches into our own lessons and programs of learning so that every student is extended and challenged.

Victorian High Ability Program coming in Term 2

The Victorian High Ability Program is managed by the Department of Education and delivered by Virtual School Victoria (VSV). It is a 10-week online enrichment program for high-ability students in Years 5 to 8 at Victorian government schools. The program supports students to build critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity in English and Mathematics. Students learn with other high-ability students from across Victoria.

We were thrilled to send offers to twenty-five students across Year 7 and 8 to participate in the Secondary Maths and Secondary English courses in Term 2.

The Secondary Maths program is designed to build students’ interest and confidence in mathematics, working like a research mathematician, and devising their own investigations. Students explore topics beyond the usual curriculum, such as networks and paradoxes with the concept of infinity woven throughout. They apply new ideas to real problems and reflect on their problem-solving strategies.

In the Secondary English course, students study a range of texts that explore imagined future words and alternative societies. They examine common themes and messages within the genre. Students analyse and compare short stories, short films, and selected extracts from novels and films. They complete both creative and analytical writing tasks.

VHAP lessons take place during school hours. Students are expected to catch up on work missed in regular classes. We are waiting to hear back from VHAP with more information about the Term 2 program and will be in touch with families when this is available.

8S engaged in collaborative learning; a sprint to identify significant events in the novel

Leading Teacher of Year 7-8 Curriculum

Phoebe Allen

When I first arrived at the Grand Prix, the atmosphere was incredibly exciting and full of energy. There were huge crowds of people everywhere, and you could hear the loud roaring of the Formula 1 cars even from a distance. As I got closer to the track, the noise became even more intense, and I could feel the vibrations from the cars as they sped past. There were also big screens, flags waving, and fans cheering, which made the whole experience feel electric.

The most exciting moment of the day was watching the cars race past at full speed. It stood out to me because of how fast and powerful they were, and how quickly they disappeared around the track. The sound of the engines was so loud and thrilling, and seeing the drivers compete so closely made it even more intense.

There were also a number of exhibitions at the event. I saw displays of different cars, including older racing cars and some new models. There were interactive areas where people could learn more about racing and technology, as well as merchandise stalls and food stands.

It was also really fun spending the day with Bill and Owyn, which made the experience even better.

My favourite part of the day was being able to watch the race live and experience the atmosphere in person. It was something I had never experienced before, and the combination of the speed, noise, and crowd made it really memorable. At the end of the day, we even got interviewed by the news, which was a really cool way to finish the experience.

This all couldn’t have happened without Mr Bevacqua so on behalf of all the VCE VM students and all the other year 10 AHS students i would like to say thank you very much we all had a blast.

Kostas

🏆 Interschool Sport Achievements 🏆

Auburn High School students have once again achieved outstanding success in interschool sport, demonstrating both talent and dedication across multiple competitions.

A major highlight was our continued dominance at the Swimming Division Carnival, with Auburn High School winning the overall title for the sixth consecutive year — an incredible achievement that reflects the strength of our swimming program. Congratulations to our Age-Group Champions: Charline Estoquie, Charlie Schmidt, Jordan Choo, Oceane Estoquie, Leo Chen, Cedric Wetzels, and Mikael Bonne, who delivered exceptional individual performances.

In team sports, our Senior Soccer team, coached by Mr Layton, secured a fantastic division victory, showcasing excellent teamwork and skill throughout the competition.

Our Senior Tennis team, coached by Mr Quinn, also claimed division honours. They performed strongly at the next level and should be commended for their effort and sportsmanship.

Meanwhile, our Intermediate Tennis teams, coached by Mr Brochet and Ms Labarre, achieved outstanding results, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams winning their divisions. They will now progress to regional competition later in the year, and we wish them the very best.

These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our staff, and we congratulate everyone involved for proudly representing Auburn High School.

International Baccalaureate (IB) at AHS

It has been a strong and purposeful start to the year for our IB Diploma Programme students, with both Year 11 and Year 12 cohorts engaging in the core elements of the programme and demonstrating the breadth of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

Our Year 11 students have commenced their CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) experiences, already showing impressive initiative and enthusiasm. A highlight has been their involvement in running the BBQ for the Year 10 Study Success Day, supporting the wider school community. Students have also begun a diverse range of personal experiences, including learning musical instruments, participating in circus and dance classes, attending the gym, and even beginning to learn Greek. This variety reflects the true purpose of CAS, developing students as well-rounded individuals who are willing to challenge themselves, try new things, and grow beyond the academic curriculum.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) classes are also underway, with students beginning to explore big questions about knowledge, how it is constructed, how it can be challenged, and how it differs across disciplines. These discussions are building strong foundations for critical thinking and reflection.

Our Year 12 students have begun their final year with focus and determination. A key milestone has been the development of their Extended Essay (EE) research questions. Students have been assigned supervisors and have completed their first reflection sessions, marking the beginning of this independent research process. The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word investigation into a topic of personal interest, designed to develop students’ research, thinking, and communication skills while fostering the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

Across subjects, many Internal Assessments (IAs) have now commenced. These are subject-specific investigations that allow students to apply their knowledge in meaningful and authentic contexts, developing both subject understanding and independent learning skills. Students are also continuing their work on the TOK Exhibition, which challenges them to connect knowledge to the real world through carefully selected objects and thoughtful analysis.

We also take this opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Manon Bihry, who received an exceptional IB score of 42 out of 45 in 2025. Manon has been invited to attend the Victorian-Tasmanian IB Awards Ceremony at Federation Square, a recognition of her hard work and academic excellence.

There will also be an IB Information Evening held in Term 2 for students interested in the Diploma Programme at Auburn High School. Further details will be shared via Compass.

If you have any questions about the Diploma Programme at AHS, please feel free to contact me at peter.ryan2@education.vic.gov.au

La journée de la francophonie

On Friday 20 March, we celebrate the journée internationale de la francophonie. This day celebrates all French-speaking countries and the over 300 million French people who speak French around the world! French is the fifth most spoken language in the world. At AHS, this day holds a special place as three of our French staff are native to French Islands, including Mauritius Island, Reunion Island and New Caledonia/Tahiti. 

Madame Paule Ignatio, Consul General of France in Melbourne and current Auburn High School parent invited French teachers from bilingual schools in Melbourne to the Soirée festive de la francophonie. This special event, which was held at Auburn High School, was part of the Francophonie Week celebrations to honour the richness and diversity of the French language. This was a wonderful opportunity for French teachers and educators to connect and exchange in a festive atmosphere.

In preparation for this week of celebrations, Year 7 French students created flags of francophone countries which are on display in the student entrance, while Year 8 students learnt and made posters about Francophonie!

Year 11 IB French B – Exploring Environmental Challenges Across the Francophone World

As part of the IB theme Sharing the Planet, our Year 11 French B students have been exploring one of the most pressing global issues: the environment. With a focus on the francophone world, students were asked to investigate environmental challenges affecting a French-speaking country or region of their choice.

Their research covered a wide range of topics, including a general overview of the country (geographical location, population, and standard of living), as well as an in-depth analysis of current environmental issues. Students examined why these countries are particularly vulnerable, the nature of the environmental problems they face, and whether these challenges have wider global consequences. They also investigated recent extreme weather events and considered the measures being taken—or that should be taken—to address these issues, including the role of international support.

Students then synthesised their findings into informative and visually engaging brochures, which they presented to the class. These presentations sparked thoughtful discussions, allowing students to compare situations across different regions and reflect on the global nature of environmental challenges.

This project not only strengthened students’ research and presentation skills in French, but also deepened their understanding of environmental responsibility on a global scale.

Camberwell Primary School Grade 6 Students Visit AHS!

We were delighted to welcome once again Grade 6 students and their teachers from Camberwell Primary School to Auburn High School this term!

This visit gave our future students a wonderful opportunity to experience life at Auburn firsthand. They enjoyed a guided tour of the school, observed classes in action, and had the chance to catch up with older ex-CPS students during recess and lunchtime.

The visit also provided a valuable opportunity for teachers from both schools to collaborate and plan strategies for a smooth and successful transition from primary to secondary school.

We look forward to seeing many of our new students join us next year!

A Taste of French Cinema for Auburn Students

Students across Auburn High School—from Year 7 Binational and Partial Immersion classes to our Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 VCE and IB cohorts—have the wonderful opportunity to experience French cinema on the big screen as part of the Alliance Française French Film Festival.

Running from 4 March to 8 April 2026 in cinemas across Melbourne, the festival offers a rich and diverse selection of films, providing students with an authentic glimpse into contemporary French language and culture beyond the classroom.

This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen cultural understanding, hear French as it is spoken in real life, and enjoy high-quality international cinema.

The French team at Auburn High School warmly encourages our Auburn community to take advantage of this event and go and see a French film—or two—during the festival.

Not to be missed!

Kangourou des Maths 2026

Students in Years 7–9 from both French Specialist Programs proudly took part in the annual Kangourou des mathématiques on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Now in its 36th edition, this international competition brings together students from around the world to tackle engaging mathematical challenges. Results are expected in mid-April.

Well done to all our participants for their enthusiasm and effort—bonne chance for the results!

Nuit du Code 2026 – A Coding Challenge for All

The Nuit du Code (NDC) is an exciting programming marathon open to French and francophone schools around the world. Using Scratch or Python (with the Pyxel game engine), students work in teams of two or three to design and code a video game based on a given theme.

Participants have up to six hours (less for younger students) to bring their ideas to life, developing both their creativity and coding skills in a fun, collaborative environment.

Students in 5ème, 4ème and 3ème are invited to take part. Interested students can see Madame Wong-Fat or Madame Oldfield for more information.

Ambassadeurs en herbe 2026: A Wonderful First Collaboration for Melbourne Schools

For the first time this year, three French bilingual schools in Melbourne—Auburn High School, Caulfield Junior College, and Glen Eira College—joined forces to form two teams and participate in the highly anticipated Ambassadeurs en herbe competition organised by the AEFE.

The 2026 edition took place in Sydney and Canberra from 13 to 18 March, bringing together 15 delegations from over 10 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. This year’s thought-provoking theme, “L’intelligence artificielle : une révolution au service de l’humain ?”, challenged students to reflect, debate, and present their ideas in French at a very high level.

Although neither Melbourne team progressed to the final, we are incredibly proud of their achievements. A special congratulations goes to Romain P (7F), who placed 7th Best Speaker in the entire Asia-Pacific region—an outstanding accomplishment!

Another highlight of the week was the reception hosted by the French Ambassador to Australia, where students and teachers alike enjoyed celebrating their hard work on the dance floor.

Congratulations to all participants for their dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm. We look forward to building on this success and participating again in the future!

Philip (8F): From March 8th to 13th, our debating team traveled to Canberra for an action-packed Asia-Pacific competition. After a quick stop in Sydney to explore its CBD, we dived into intense debating rounds against Bangkok, Bali, and Hanoi, debating in unique venues like Narrabunda College and the Botanical Garden. After that we explored national parks, Parliament House and the French embassy, but the true highlight was watching Tokyo debate against Singapore in the finals. Huge congratulations to Romain for being named the 7th best orator in the region! We returned to Melbourne inspired by new international friendships and world-class debating.

Romain (7F): Incroyable expérience à Ambassadeurs en herbe ! J’ai adoré débattre et rencontrer des jeunes du monde entier. Côté ambiance, on logeait à trois par chambre : j’étais avec mes super colocataires, Isao de Shanghai et Anton du Cambodge. On a créé des liens forts et découvert plein de cultures. Inoubliable ! Romain Pelage, orateur de l’équipe Auburn.

We have a display of new books covering a variety of genres from graphic novel, romance to fantasy! These books are available for loan now.  Come into the library to find a book to read for the school holidays. As the weather is getting cooler always nice and cosy to tuck in with a good book. There will be a good read to suit your taste. Remember reading is food for thought.

Year 7 and Year 8 students have conscientiously written book reviews. Many of these reviews are featured on the back wall of the library on the windows above the board games.  We encourage you to read the reviews which give recommendations including plot summary and star rating. The reviews paint a picture of the type of books Auburn High School students are reading.  You can share on this same reading journey as one of your classmates by reading a book they have reviewed.  Students can take it a step further and have a healthy discussion about the books they have enjoyed.

In anticipation of Easter celebrations, the library has a display of Easter pictures. Many of these images are connected to reading and books.  The display contains a brief meaning of Easter, a conservation story of bilbies set up by chocolate stores in Australia and poetry.

Cultural Diversity Week at AHS Library

To celebrate Cultural Diversity week at Auburn High School Library we have a select  display of author profiles who have written on culturally diverse topics. There are a variety of title and book covers displayed of fiction and non-fiction books. On display are culturally diverse library books available for loan now.  Students are encouraged to browse the display for a good book to read to increase understanding of knowledge on diverse cultures.

Hello | Namaste | Bonjour | Hola | 你好 |

Celebrating Cultural Diversity Week at AHS

Culture is more than traditions, language, or food — it shapes our identity, our values, and the way we connect with one another. At Auburn High School, we are proud to celebrate the rich diversity within our community, and Cultural Diversity Week is a meaningful opportunity to honour and learn from each other’s stories.

Throughout the week, students were encouraged to get involved in a variety of activities that celebrated culture in different ways. If you want to be a part of it, you can still share a recipe from your culture to be included in the AHS Community Recipe Book, which is helping us create a collection that reflects the diversity of our school. Students also contributed a word or phrase to the Cultural Wall, and learnt about our peers’ cultural heritage, and brought along food that represented their background to share with others.

On Thursday 26th March – Cultural Showcase, students (and staff) were invited to share aspects of their culture, including food, artefacts, traditional clothing, music, dance, or photos. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate identity and learn from one another.

On Friday 27th March – Collaborative Cultural Canvas, the whole school came together to contribute to a shared artwork in collaboration with Headspace. This activity encouraged creativity, reflection, and connection, as we collectively expressed what culture and belonging mean to us.

We thank all the students who participated, were curious, and celebrated with one another. Whether you shared, learnt, created, or simply took part, every contribution helped strengthen our inclusive school community.

Together, we celebrated the idea that culture connects us all.

Farewell Note from our Mental Health Practitioner – Leah Rintoule

When I first started as the Student Wellbeing Coordinator in 2017, I felt like I had just been thrown into the deep end. Having just graduated my counselling degree mere months before getting the role, I was sure everyone would quickly realise that I was an imposter who was still scared of large groups of teenagers. The reality, however, was quite different and I was soon swept up in the care, passion and proficiency that makes Auburn High School special.

I am not often at a loss for words but I admit that I don’t quite know how to sum up the impact the last 9 years has had on me. I have met so many amazing staff, students and families that I couldn’t possibly do them all justice here. To all of my team members over the years, including Leigh, Tania, Roland, Claire, Emily, Shelly, Penny, Riva and Fiona, thank you for your dedication and support. There is no way the Wellbeing department would have grown into what it is now without you. I am so confident that I am leaving it in capable hands.

To all the teaching and learning staff I have had the pleasure to work closely with, whether it be though the Emerging Leaders Program, the various positions of responsibility such as Year Level and Learning Area Leaders, or those in leadership; I have learnt so much from you all and have always felt so valued by each of you, thank you for being my champion cheerleaders! The culture of Auburn is upheld by the dedication of each and every teacher here. The genuine curiosity and care we show for each other as well as the students, is what makes it such an amazing place to work. To all my fellow ES staff – you are literally the backbone of the school! I wouldn’t have been half as successful without your friendship and good humour; having access to the inside scoop from reception, the patience of finance, HR, IT and daily org. with my endless issues and questions, and simply being able to stop by for a chat and a laugh has filled me with gratitude and good vibes.

Finally, to the students and families of Auburn; it has been the greatest honour of my life to have you trust me with a window into yours. Barely a week goes by that I am not in awe of my students. I have met some of the strongest, most insightful, intelligent, interesting, and kind young people throughout my time here. I will never forget your stories. I have hope for the future because of you. Keep doing the hard things, never stop learning about yourself and the world around you, trust your instincts, and know that you will always have a supporter in me.

So, from someone who can now confidently walk past a large group of teenagers without the desire to cross the road, this is farewell. I wish you all the growth, success, and happiness you deserve. I am truly going to miss you all.

• Leah Rintoule

We look forward to welcoming you to our school and showcasing our curriculum and vibrant extra-curricular programs in action!

Throughout the evening, you will hear from our Principal Team and Teaching & Learning Leaders, explore our diverse extra-curricular offerings, and enjoy live student performances.

Our Student Leaders will be available to answer your questions and share their experiences, and a BBQ will be provided for a gold coin donation.

Places fill quickly — reserve your spot early!

Just a reminder that Relay for Life is happening this Saturday the 28th of March!

WHAT IS IT?

Relay for Life is a great event in which people walk laps around the lower oval at AHS to raise money for cancer. You can either get people to sponsor you per lap or just for participation. It’s always a fun way to spend time with your friends while raising money for cancer. There are teams other than Auburn there and there are food vans and music.

WHERE AND WHEN IS IT?

Relay for Life is held on the Lower Oval at Auburn High School on Saturday the 28th of March between 10am and 10pm.

WHY?

Cancer has touched so many lives within our school community in different ways. All donations go to the Cancer Council to support research into treatments and providing information packs on treatments to all Australians affected by cancer. Funds raised can be used to support those seeking treatment to access medical practitioners and transport to local facilities to see a healthcare professional- so, every dollar counts!

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

To sign up as part of the Auburn High School Team, you follow this link: https://www.relayforlife.org.au/register/hawthorn-2026 Or follow this one to create your own team, https://www.relayforlife.org.au/event/hawthorn-2026

Then you select your participation type, donate a small registration fee and then you’re all ready to start raising money and relaying.

WHAT IS A DAY LIKE?

The Relay for Life day starts at 10.00am with an opening ceremony and lap for cancer survivors before everyone else is allowed to start relaying. Each team has to have someone walking at all times. Since the Auburn High School has a lot of team members, you do not have to stay for the entire day but you may choose to. At the event there is also food, live music and games. The day ends at 10.00pm.

We hope to see you there, your Philanthropy Student Leadership Action Group

(Saya, Elea, Tully, Grace M, Serena G, Konstantina and Carol)

🚸 Stay Safe Around Schools! 🚸

Busy school zones need extra care—especially during drop-off and pick-up times. This important poster reminds us all to slow down, stay alert, and follow simple rules that keep everyone safe.

What is a foster carer?

Foster carers help children and young people who are unable to live with their birth family. Often these children have experienced trauma. There are several different types of foster care arrangements designed to meet the individual needs of children and families in various circumstances.

Whether you’re considering short-term emergency care or long-term care arrangements, understanding the different options available can help you determine which type of foster care might be the right fit for your family.

Our carers are trained, assessed and accredited before they start caring for a child or young person. This process involves several screening checks. We will walk by your side every step of the way.

Who can be a foster carer?

Foster carers come from many different backgrounds and family types.

As a foster carer you can:

Be single or have a partner

Have children of their own or not

Own or rent their home

Work, stay at home, study or be retired

Be from any culture or religion or sexual orientation.

However, there are some compulsory requirements to be a foster carer. You must:

Be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident

Be at least 21 years old

Have a spare bedroom in your home for a child

Have current police and Working With Children Checks (we will help you obtain these)

Complete a health check, referee checks, and home and environment checks (we will help you with these checkComplete training and be accredited or authorised (we provide training and help you with accreditation and authorisation).

Most importantly, our carers all share the desire to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and young people in need. They understand that each child or young person has different needs. They are compassionate and resilient. And a good sense of humour helps.

French Sailing Holiday Program

Community Announcement: French Sailing Holiday Program

Looking for a fun and active holiday activity? The École Française de Melbourne (EFM) is offering French Sailing Holiday Programs for students during the school holidays.

These programs provide a great opportunity for young people to practise French while enjoying outdoor activities and learning sailing skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

Families in our community may wish to consider this exciting program for the upcoming holidays!

CSEF 2026 Applications

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is a reminder to complete the 2026 Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF) application form by 26th June 2026. Eligible families who hold a valid Centrelink or Health Care Card will receive $400 per student.

Please ensure the completed form is submitted to the school by the deadline either via email or in person. Any applications not provided in time will not be accepted.

If you qualify for CSEF and have not yet applied since your student started high school, please fill in the attached form and return it to reception or email it though to carla.broughton@education.vic.gov.au

CSEF Application Auburn High School 

Applications automatically roll over as long as you remain eligible and funds come though at the start of Term 2.

Second Hand Uniform

We operate a Second-Hand Uniform Shop at the school, open on Tuesdays from 1:15 PM to 1:55 PM for students and on Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM for parents and guardians.

Please note that at times, due to unforeseen circumstances, our Uniform Shop may not be open as it is volunteer-run. Please phone 9822 3247 on the day to confirm that it is open.

Donations of second-hand uniforms are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the main reception office.

🍎 School Canteen 🍎

Our school canteen provides a variety of fresh, nutritious, and affordable meals for students each day. We offer a balanced menu including sandwiches, wraps, salads, hot meals, healthy snacks, refreshing drinks, and tasty, sweet treats.

The canteen also caters for a range of dietary needs, including vegetarian and Gluten Free options. Daily specials and seasonal items add variety and excitement to the menu.

We accept both card and cash payments; however, please note that large notes of cash are not permitted for transactions. Students are reminded that using phones to purchase food is not allowed. For added convenience, we offer lunch orders through Flexischools. To place an order, simply visit https://flexischools.com.au/parents and follow the provided steps.

Dear Parents and Students,

Helen and Chris Pentaris are local business owners of THE FRESH FEAST in Tooronga Road.
They are impressed with the hundreds of Auburn students proudly wearing their blazer past their store to and from School.

492 Tooronga Road Hawthorn East

The Fresh Feast is an iconic store in the local shopping strip.

Until April 2nd there is a 40% discount on Smoothies and Juices to all Auburn High School students wearing their blazer.

Call in and say hello, and buy one of their quality fresh drinks.

Would you like to access FREE dental care for your child(ren)?

Did you know the Victorian Government funds a free school dental program called Smile Squad? For more details about the program visit: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad

Smile Squad isn’t visiting your school, but you can still access this high-quality service, completely free of charge.

The Dental team from Access Health & Community are accepting students at their dental clinic in Ashburton.

This means ALL students can get a free dental check-up, preventive services, and treatment.

                  (Including: teeth cleaning, x-rays, fissure sealants, fillings, tooth removal)

Access Health & Community

(Craig Centre)

7 Samarinda Ave

Ashburton VIC 3147

PH: 9810 3000 Option 1 then Option 4

Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic, or use the QR code below:

You can visit Access Health at their community dental clinic. Please contact the team at any time to book an appointment. Just let them know you would like to book a Smile Squad appointment.