Principals Report

Dear Families,

At Auburn High, our DARE values—Diversity, Aspiration, Respect, and Excellence—are not simply ideals; they are guiding principles that shape every facet of our school community. This term, I have witnessed these values in action, whether through our students’ daily conduct or their contributions to the wider school culture.

Recently, I was proud to receive feedback from a community member praising the exemplary behaviour of our students on the Glen Waverley train line. They were described as courteous, considerate, and willing to assist fellow passengers—standing out from students from other schools as role models of respect in shared public spaces. Such observations affirm the strength of our values, reflected in the everyday actions of our young people, your children. We take pride in the ‘brand’ that our school represents in community and I thank parents, guardians, and family members who support us in this. Even in moments that need boundaries, the DARE values give us a framework to use for discussions, restorative conversations, and mediation. This is a strength-based conversation that can result in significant improvements in a short period of time.

Within the school, our end of term assemblies are a time for vibrant celebration of these values. Students are formally recognized for their contributions, whether through fostering diversity, setting aspirational goals, demonstrating respect, or achieving excellence in academics and beyond. These moments of acknowledgment not only inspire those recognized but also encourage others to embody the same principles. Over 5000 DARE posts have been logged on Compass this term. This equates to hundreds of hours of teacher time invested in positive reinforcement.

Our student leaders have played an invaluable role in driving these efforts forward. From creating detailed term summaries to capturing school highlights through photography and speaking with confidence during assemblies, their leadership has been integral to enhancing our collective school experience. Their dedication reminds us of the importance of empowering students with opportunities to lead, innovate, and engage.

This term, I would also like to draw attention to a significant social issue that has sparked meaningful discussions within our learning community. The Netflix series Adolescence has ignited global debates about the impact of social media on young people, particularly adolescent boys. The series explores the consequences of online exposure to harmful content, such as violent misogynistic narratives, and the importance of parental supervision in mitigating these risks.

As families and educators, we share the responsibility of guiding young people through these challenges. Experts recommend fostering open discussions about their online experiences, focusing on how those interactions shape their perspectives on gender roles, masculinity, and social norms. Modelling balanced online habits, minimising screen time, and encouraging face-to-face connections are vital steps in promoting a healthier, more thoughtful relationship with technology.

Here at Auburn High we are proactively addressing these concerns through initiatives like our Respectful Relationships curriculum and planning specialised programs launching next term. These programs are designed to empower students to navigate complex social issues with resilience, empathy, and integrity.

Together, let’s continue to nurture a community where connection, belonging, and values-driven education take centre stage. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Until next time,

Ross Pritchard

Principal

Junior School Newsletter Article – End of Term 1 Reflection & Looking Ahead

As Term 1 draws to a close, I would like to extend my congratulations to the Junior School for the way in which they have embraced the core values outlined in their year level statements: Creativity, Collaboration & Citizenship. This term has been a time of growth, as students have navigated the transition into new year levels, formed new relationships with both peers and teachers, adjusted to the increased demands of their subjects, and faced a variety of new challenges. It has been inspiring to see how our students have found creative and resourceful ways to overcome these challenges and thrive.

Over the past two weeks, our Junior Student Leaders facilitated their very first year level assembly. I want to commend them for demonstrating courage, creativity, and commitment as they led this important event. It was truly wonderful to witness the many ways in which our students are being celebrated, and to come together as a community in recognition of their achievements. Our end-of-term assemblies play a crucial role in acknowledging the strengths demonstrated by each year level and reinforcing our shared values.

During these assemblies, we also had the privilege of formally presenting our Tutor Group Leaders with their badges. These leaders play a vital role in advocating for their peers and guiding the use of Tutor Group time to foster positive connections and ensure students start each day feeling supported and engaged. I look forward to hearing more about the exciting work they will undertake in Term 2 as they embark on their Tutor Group Leader Action Projects.

Congratulations to our Semester 1 Tutor Group Leaders:

Year 7:

Year 8:

Year 9:

Looking Ahead to Term 2

As we move into Term 2, I am consistently impressed with the way our students conduct themselves both within our school and the broader community. We regularly receive positive feedback about their kindness, responsibility, and consideration for others. These qualities define our school culture, and we continue to invest in developing the skills necessary for maintaining positive relationships and managing challenges effectively.

In Week 2 of Term 2, students in Years 7–10 will participate in the ‘I Belong’ program, facilitated by my esteemed colleague Eric Agylman. Eric works with young people across Victoria, sharing his inspiring story of overcoming failure, reflecting on our roles in society, and making commitments to kindness, challenging racism and stigma, and building a more inclusive community. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to reflect on their personal growth and how they can contribute to creating a positive school environment.

Winter Uniform Reminder for Terms 2 & 3

As the cooler months approach, I would like to remind all students of the expectations regarding the winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3. It is important that students adhere to the uniform requirements, which are unique to our school and must be purchased through the school’s nominated uniform supplier or the onsite second-hand uniform shop. Students should not wear sporting garments from other stores. Please note, students are permitted to wear the hijab or headscarf in the school colours of red or white. Additionally, sports uniforms are allowed to be worn on the way home if students have PE or sport during the last session of the day.

Winter Uniform Guidelines:

• School blazer: Red with school logo
• Winter skirt: To be worn with black tights or black crew-length socks
• Charcoal grey school trousers or shorts 
• School jumper: Charcoal with school logo
• White shirt with school stripes: Long or short-sleeved with logo
• School tie 
• Black crew-length socks: To be worn with trousers
• Grey marle school-issue socks: To be worn with shorts
• Black leather school shoes: Traditional/classic style
• Auburn High School backpack 

Uniform Expectations:

• All students are expected to wear the school blazer to and from school, upon entry to the school building, and during Tutor Group and Periods 1 & 2.
• The school shell jacket may be worn over the blazer when travelling to/from school in inclement weather or if cycling, but must be removed upon arrival, with the blazer being worn into the school building.
• The winter skirt, trousers, and shorts must be worn with the shirt and tie.
• Students may carry an umbrella in case of wet weather.
• A plain black scarf is permitted during winter.

Uniform Exemptions:

If any student needs to apply for an exemption from a specific component of the uniform, they should submit a written request along with medical certification to the appropriate Year Level Leader. For any assistance or further questions regarding uniform requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.

As we approach the end of a successful Term 1, I would like to once again thank the entire Junior School community for their hard work and positive contributions. I am looking forward to all that Term 2 will bring, and I am confident that our students will continue to excel and demonstrate the values that make Auburn High School such a special place to be.

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable break, and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 2!

Kindest,

Dannielle Gibson,

Junior School Assistant Principal

Senior School Assitant Principal

Teaching & Learning

This term our staff have engaged with ‘Reimagining Curriculum’ at Auburn High School. With the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 familiarisation and implementation occurring across 2025 – 2026 we have used this as a vehicle within our School Strategic Plan to review our Year 9 & Year 10 curriculum offerings for our students. With a growing school community, we now see more students in each of our year levels, all while the world continues to evolve and change around us.

Through our Learning Area teams we have engaged the expertise of our staff, alongside student voice through focus groups, and our Pivot student feedback survey on teaching and learning to consider the opportunities we want for all students so that they leave Auburn High School being able to thrive. Not only do we hope that through this exploration we will refresh, rebrand and add to our current subject offerings, but ensure all learners are authentically engaged, challenged and supported as they prepare to select their Senior School Program (VCE, Vocational Major or the International Baccalaureate). We look forward to finalising our 2026 program early next term and sharing this with our community, ready for course selection.

The World Economic Forum outlines the skills most rapidly rising between 2023 – 2027 as part of their Future of Jobs Report. When presented these at the recent IB Conference I felt validated by Auburn High School’s development of our Auburn Learner Qualities in 2020. Based on the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning, and in line with our school DARE values, Learning Behaviours and the IB Learner Profile, we committed to ensuring that our students explicitly learn creativity, collaboration, citizenship, communication, critical thinking and character as part of both their learning and community programs. Seeing these skills as those that will be fundamental to support our students to flourish in their post-school journeys validates our next stage of curriculum design for community. While we need to be aware of the limitations on the development of these skills, for example, artificial intelligence, we can also teach students how to harness technology for routine tasks. However, it is the non-routine tasks, as well as social interactions, that technology and AI cannot replace. With deep-learning opportunities in and out of the classroom we can support students to reflect on their own strengths and what they can contribute to the world (socially, economically, ethically, politically, creatively, digitally, or through human knowledge).

Learning Behaviours

Learning Behaviour reports are published occur each term to report on student engagement to our students and their families, promoting metacognition, reflection, and student autonomy in learning. You have been able to download your child’s Learning Behaviour report for Term 1 on Compass via the ‘Reports’ tab. Teachers have made these judgements based on the Learning Behaviour rubric, included on the second page of the report. We hope this has been beneficial data as you attended our recent Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences, supporting them to identify areas of strength and growth.

In the Senior School learning behaviour data is used to determine students’ suitability for promotion to the VCE/IB/VM (for current Year 10s) or acceleration into the VCE (for current Year 9s). Where a student has low, or inconsistent Learning Behaviours strategies should be put in place to support the student to improve their Learning Behaviour throughout the year. Protected time is provided to students as part of Education for Life (E4L) and Study Periods at Year 11 & Year 12 to ensure students reflect on their data. Students enter this into their My Learning Growth templates, helping them to track trends alongside their goal setting.

As a Senior School, the learning behaviour we want to collective work towards is ‘Completes required work’. Work avoidance can be common as the term progresses. Students should be utilising the supports and strategies provided to them in E4L and Study Periods, such as time management and schedule building, using the Study Centre spaces after school, seeking opportunities for teacher support. The start of Term 2 can be an appropriate time to reset and support our students to ground themselves in routine.If we start with ‘Completes required work’, we believe students will also then see an increase in their productivity as students will feel up to date in classes and be able to fully engage in their lessons.

Students will have protected time early in Term 2 to review their Term 1 data (attendance, learning behaviours and academic results) and enter this into their My Learning Growth documents. We look forward to supporting our students to reflect on their individual data, enabling them to set individualised goals to support their growth across the year.

Vietnam Philanthropy Trip

Thank you to all members of our community who have support our 19 students and 3 staff who are travelling to Vietnam on Monday for our first philanthropy tour. We are so proud to share that we far surpassed our fundraising goal of $3,500. Our final total is $8,911.23.

We have been able to include a toilet in the house project for the family in need within the village. We are also able to provide educational supplies and other products of need with the additional donations we received. We look forward to sharing this, along with our other experiences across the holidays through social media and more formally next term.

Teachers: Ella, Damian & Zoe

Year 12: Jasper, Ivy, Kirsten, Lachlan x 2, Xavier, Tate, Phoebe, Audrey & Rory

Year 10: Charlie, Anaelle, Sam, Yash, Elijah

Year 9: Tully, Tom, Patrick, Alex

Kindest Regards,

Ella Price,

Senior School Assistant Princpal

PRODUCTION CAST ANNNOUNCEMENT

We are thrilled to announce the incredible cast of our upcoming School Production of The Little Mermaid Jnr.!

Thank you to all students who auditioned, we were blown away with the level of talent and enthusiasm displayed!

Get ready to dive into the magical world under the sea with unforgettable characters, incredible music, and a splash of creativity and talent! Stay tuned for more updates – and get ready to be part of our world!

Tickets on Sale Now, book via the trybooking link below!

https://www.trybooking.com/DCKOV 

CAST LIST

Ariel- Summer O’Keefe Prince Eric- Pascal Franco Sageman Ursula- Hermione Barrow Sebastian- Alex West Flounder- Alyssa Larkins Scuttle- Aiko Deighton Grimsby- Tully Dick Triton- Ted Harbottle Flotsam- Zara Lienert Jetsam- Madeleine Yates Chef Louis- Leon Polack Triton- Philippe Asselin Mersisters/Princesses- Loulou Lambel, Konstantina Samartzis, Tara Sharrock, Eleanor Carroll, Elea Vagedes, Zoe Rudge Carlotta- Abigail James

Ensemble: Asha Lienert, Alyssa Barnes, Shaurya Chowdhury, Merline Deighton, Angus Dick, Selwyn Greenwood, Audrey Hodges, Humi Keenan, Chris Kerr, Coco Lewis,Vaanika Mali, Hannah Murphy, Leonie Pourchot- Dautun, Liugo Rivoalan, Ria Sharma, Zachary Taylor, Miles Ting, Madeleine Trevaskis, Charles Wiggins,Adrian Yates, Penelope Yates, Ariel Zhang

Our Students Shine at AEFE Ambassadeurs en Herbe in Kuala Lumpur!

A group of six talented students from Year 7 and Year 9 at Auburn High School, along with four students from Caulfield Junior College, recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to Malaysia to compete in the prestigious AEFE Ambassadeurs en Herbe competition. Held at the Lycée Français de Kuala Lumpur, this annual event brings together students from more than ten Asia-Pacific countries to engage in high-level debates in French.

The theme of this year’s competition was “La francophonie, un voyage dans le temps et dans l’espace”, challenging students to explore the richness and evolution of the French-speaking world across different eras and regions. The competition was fierce, with teams demonstrating exceptional linguistic and debating skills. Our Melbourne teams performed brilliantly, holding their own in a field of highly skilled competitors.

In the final results, Shanghai and Beijing secured the top spots, while Canberra finished in third place. We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication, eloquence, and teamwork throughout the event. Congratulations to Éléa V., Addis, Éléa D., Cassidie, Rose, and Océane for their outstanding participation and exemplary behaviour during the journey.

This experience was not only a chance to showcase our students’ French language skills but also a valuable opportunity for collaboration with our partner school Caulfield Junior College. We look forward to continuing our participation in this inspiring event in the years to come!

Bravo to all involved!

Year 10 French Cinema Excursion: A Journey into the World of Le Comte de Monte-Cristo

On Wednesday 2 April, our Year 10 French students embarked on an exciting cinematic adventure to the Palace Cinema Como to watch Le Comte de Monte-Cristo as part of the Alliance Française French Film Festival.

This adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel did not disappoint! With its gripping storyline filled with action, alliances, and betrayals, the film kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Although it was a long movie, students were captivated by the dramatic twists and the powerful performances of the actors.

Beyond the entertainment, this excursion provided a fantastic opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the French language and culture. Watching a film in its original version helped them improve their listening skills while experiencing the richness of French cinema.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and we look forward to our next French outing!

Francophonie Week at Auburn High School: A Creative Competition to Celebrate the French Language!

At Auburn High School, as a French specialist school, Francophonie Week is a key event in our calendar! This celebration highlights the richness and diversity of the French language around the world.

This year, our Year 8 French students took on a creative challenge by participating in a poster design competition. Their task? To design an original poster promoting the French language and its global significance.

Congratulations to our three finalists, Tilda, Joanna, and Kaytlin, for their talent and dedication! Their hard work was rewarded with canteen vouchers, a well-deserved prize for their efforts.

Thank you to all participants for their creativity and enthusiasm! We look forward to seeing more inspiring initiatives to promote the French language in our school.

Vive la Francophonie!

Community Event: French Movie Night – A Great Success!

This year marked the launch of an exciting new community event: French Movie Night! Held at Palace Cinema Como on Wednesday 26 March, the event brought together students, parents, and guests for an evening of French cinema and cultural appreciation.

The atmosphere was warm and welcoming as everyone settled in to enjoy the featured film. Laughter, suspense, and emotion filled the room, making it an unforgettable experience for all. Beyond the movie itself, the event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the French language and share a cultural moment as a community.

Given the enthusiastic response, we look forward to making French Movie Night a new tradition. Stay tuned for next year’s screening!

Visit from Francesco Colonna Romano, Attaché for Education and French Language, French Embassy

We were honoured to welcome Francesco Colonna Romano, Attaché for Education and French Language from the Embassy of France to our school. This 3-day visit provided a fantastic opportunity for Mr. Colonna Romano to explore our campus, meet with our leadership team, and discuss exciting prospects for future collaborations.

During his visit, he engaged in insightful discussions about strengthening French language programs, enhancing cultural exchanges, and creating new opportunities for our students to deepen their connection with the Francophone world. His visit reaffirmed the importance of fostering strong ties between our school and the wider French-speaking community.

We look forward to building on these discussions and developing enriching programs for our students in the years to come!

Term 1, March 2025 #2 – Careers & Pathways – Anna Langley

In this issue

●     Congratulations

●     Year 10 Work Experience

●     Year 12 VTAC update

●     Events and Activities

🎉 Congratulations

Congratulations to Year 9 students Harlene Evangeline and Jayani Shukla who were successful in their applications for the Melbourne University sheCommerce Year 9 to 12 academic enrichment program which allows students to meet like-minded peers, current Bachelor of Commerce students, alumni and inspiring academics who are making a difference in industry and through their research.

🔟 Year 10 Work Experience

Work experience is an important part of our career education program at Auburn High School. It helps students to explore potential jobs, develop employability skills, understand workplace expectations and make informed education and career choices.

🗓️ Key Dates

• Applications due: 22 April 2025
• Work experience week: 30 June – 4 July 2025

If students were absent from E4L Wednesday 2nd April,  or for those who would like to revisit the information that was covered, please view the Online Application and Safe@work slides which cover:

• work experience handbook,
• new online form,
• paper-based forms, and
• safe@work OHS certificates – these are essential for your application to be approved and should be completed over the holidays.

If you have further questions, feel free to email me. I will respond to emails received during the holidays once school resumes.

📄 Resources

• Work Experience Handbook V2
• Programs and Opportunities
• School2Work Portal
• Student Application QRG
• Parent Application QRG
• Employer Application QRG

🎓 Year 12 VTAC update

🔎 Events and Activities

All activities and events are free unless otherwise stated in the description.

Years 9 and 10

Years 10 – 12 

Years 11-12

Year 12

Female Identifying Students

Kindest Regards,

Anna Langley

Senior Careers & Pathways Manager

CSEF 2025 Applications

Dear Parents/Guardians,

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 [email protected] 

CSEF Aplication Auburn High School 

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

Kindest Regards,

Ellie Archambault, Accounts Receivable

Community Infomation & Local Partnerships

La Croissanterie & Co – Since launching a few weeks ago, we’ve been thrilled by the warm support from our local community. Our bakery is quickly becoming a go-to destination for freshly baked pastries, cakes, coffee, and a wide selection of savory baguettes and sandwiches. Given our close proximity to Auburn High School, we’d love offer the below specials for students, parents, and staffs.

• Start-of-Day Program: A 20% discount on all pastries and cakes (including savory items) to make breakfast and lunch more convenient. Plus, any pastry or cake purchase comes with a 50% discount on one coffee. (Available Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–9:30 AM.)
• School Pick-Up Program: A 25% discount on all pastries and cakes to offer a quick afternoon treat. (Available Monday–Friday, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM.)
• Weekend Sports Program: A 15% discount on all pastries, cakes, and coffee to fuel up before or after games. (Available every Saturday and Sunday.)
  

Join the MCNC Family for Season 2!

We’re proud to have students from many local schools, including AHS, actively participating in our squads, spanning from U9 through to U15-U18/Open.

As our club continues to grow and our presence at the Stonnington Centre Netball Association strengthens, we are excited to extend a warm invitation to new players to join us for Season 2. Whether you’re new to netball or looking to take your skills to the next level, MCNC is the perfect place to grow, compete, and connect.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact us at [email protected].

Come be part of our thriving netball community—we’d love to see you on the court!

Exciting School Holiday Opportunity: Camberwell Scout Holiday Program

Scouts Victoria is thrilled to present an incredible opportunity for students and families in our local community! This school holidays, the Camberwell Scout School Holiday Program will be running an action-packed series of activities designed to inspire and engage young people.

The program offers fun, hands-on experiences that help participants develop valuable life skills such as confidence, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. It’s the perfect way for young people to stay active, connect with peers, and grow in a positive, supportive environment.

By taking part, students will enjoy a range of enriching activities that provide both learning and laughter, ensuring a holiday to remember.

We encourage all families to explore this unique opportunity and take advantage of the engaging and educational experiences Scouts Victoria has to offer.

For more details contact [email protected].