The Arrrow Term 3, No. 1

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we settle into Term 3, I’m delighted to reflect on several events and community developments that exemplify our school’s commitment to excellence, inclusion, and shared success.

Last week’s Senior School Expo was a tremendous success, showcasing the deep expertise of our Teaching and Learning Team and the breadth of new curriculum offerings available to students in 2026. With over 100 parents in attendance, it was encouraging to see families engaging in conversations that will support informed subject selections and course counselling for our Year 9, 10, and 11 students. This event is an important milestone in the schooling of young people and in shaping future-focused pathways. Staff and students have all invested effort and time in recommending certain pathways based on the data collected each term. This week the conversations continue as we have two dedicated days for course counselling. Year 9, on Tuesday and Year 10 on Thursday.

Last Tuesday’s Cultural Day was a joyful celebration of the more than 25 cultures that are represented in our school community. The overall spirit on the day is a testament to our commitment to the DARE values and the power of tolerance, respect, and belonging. The highlight for many was the vibrant lunchtime fashion parade, which featured traditional attire and performances from Australian, Chinese, Palestinian, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Indian, Malaysian, and Filipino students and staff. Events like these reinforce the strength we draw from our diversity and the way in which culture thrives through connection.

Our Year 12 students are now in the final full term of their time at Auburn High. With under 100 days to go before the commencement of VCE and IB exams on October 28th. In parallel, our Vocational Major students are making excellent progress, finalising their projects and VET assessments. We acknowledge the resilience and focus this final term demands and wish all our students every success in what lies ahead.

It’s also my pleasure to welcome several new staff to Auburn High School:

Jennifer Chisholm, joining us as Careers and Pathways Coordinator, brings a wealth of knowledge from Heritage College and will provide leadership in the careers program and Education for Life pathways curriculum. This starts in Year 9 and culminates in Year 12 as students finalise their options for post high school.

Linda Cao, taking on Science and Maths teaching duties, replacing Georgia Mangano who has commenced family leave. Linda is a graduate teacher who is very enthusiastic about beginning her teaching career at Auburn High School. She comes highly regarded by her mentors, and lecturers.

Kendra Klick-McMahon, a French-trained Maths and Science educator, joins us from Canada to take over the French classes of Alexandra Fabry who has also begun family leave this term.

A heartfelt thank you to our staff who have warmly inducted our new colleagues into the Auburn High culture — ensuring clarity around programs, expectations, and values. –

Our school is one of the many recognised at the University of Melbourne Careers in Teaching expo this week. Auburn High has a long-term partnership with the university and were a key presence at the expo aimed at recruiting teachers and providing guidance to current Master of Teaching Students and graduates. Two of our students, Tully Dick and Sam Pappas, accompanied myself and Ms Price for the day and were very popular with the university students as they sought information on student agency, and school culture. As we plan for 2026, it is invaluable to have connected with these graduate teachers.

This term the School welcomed a group of new international students who will be completing language centre programs and electives. There are 60 international students at Auburn High from a variety of destinations, including Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Malaysia. I regularly speak to them about the courage it takes to embark on their adventure, the opportunities that we offer, and my desire for them to feel connected to the School. The one thing they all have in common is the blazer, and the school community. It is important that all students, from all backgrounds, local and international, accept and acknowledge difference and utilise this to add to the depth and breadth of school experience.

Next Wednesday August 13^th, is a student free day. On that day staff will participate in a Professional Learning Day held on campus.  The focus is on wellbeing. The DET definition of wellbeing is the development of the capabilities necessary to thrive, contribute and respond positively to the challenges and opportunities of life. This is relevant to study and work, and teaching programs at Auburn High are all centred in providing the optimal environment to maximise learning outcomes for individual students. By achieving this we also provide a teaching environment where staff enjoy their work, know their students and connect to their vocation and the community. Currently, we have an instructional model, GANAG (Marzano), embedded in each lesson that provides a framework for teachers and students to operate within. The school has a tool kit of proven teaching strategies that can be used within this framework that ensure the best opportunity for knowledge and skill development in students. Our leading teachers will facilitate workshops extending our strategies to include targeted teaching strategies to engage all our students. Whether students need modifications, adjustments, extension, or special provision to access the teaching and learning, we are building our staff tool kit to create access to an inclusive, high quality state education.

Another aspect of the day will be the opportunity for staff to participate in a ‘CYOA – choose your own adventure’ session to acknowledge different staff needs across the area of student and staff wellbeing. These sessions will provide opportunities for collegiality and collaboration, aimed at providing staff with strategies that can be implemented immediately in their teaching.

I would like to advertise some upcoming events on our calendar:

School production – Little Mermaid – Thursday 14^th – Saturday 16^th. Tickets for sale HERE 

Parent Teacher Conferences – Tuesday August 26^th, Thursday August 28^th.

House Athletics – Friday September 5^Th. Parent spectators’ welcome. Duncan McKinnon reserve.

Until next time,

Kind regards,

Ross Pritchard

Work Experience Celebrations

In the final week of Term 2, our Year 10 student embarked on their Work Experience program – and what a week it was! With placements spanning education, engineering, healthcare, retail, law, hospitality, real estate, design, and beyond, Auburn High School students demonstrated enthusiasm, professionalism, and a genuine curiosity about the world of work.

Across Melbourne (and beyond!), students were described as “delightful additions to the team,” “punctual and professional,” and “future leaders in their fields.” Whether supporting doctors, teaching Year 1 students, tuning guitars, working in fast-paced retail settings, or shadowing engineers, our students immersed themselves in the opportunity to gain real-world insight into life after school.

Some highlights from the week include:

• Students in schools and early learning centres: Many thrived in classroom settings, helping young students learn to read and write, run PE games, and model positive behaviour. The employers praised their maturity, leadership and care. For some, this experience confirmed a future in education.
• Healthcare placements: From hospitals and physiotherapy clinics to aged care, students explored the dynamic world of healthcare. They learnt how to make splints, joined group therapy sessions, shadowed GPs, and even attended Pilates classes! Feedback highlighted their professionalism and compassion.
• Creative and tech-focused roles: Budding designers and engineers had the chance to build 3D models, draft architectural blueprints, edit media content, and assist with design software like InDesign. Employers commented on their creative thinking, digital skills, and keen eye for detail.
• Retail and hospitality: Students quickly adapted to fast-paced customer service environments—serving at bubble tea shops, managing stock, working the register, and mastering mannequin dressing! Employers noted how helpful, punctual, and reliable our students were throughout the week.
• Law and business: From shadowing lawyers in courtrooms to participating in corporate meetings and assisting in administration, students gained invaluable insight into the legal and commercial sectors. Some even discovered new career passions!
• STEM and trades: Students in labs observed bacteria and viruses under microscopes, conducted experiments, and explored the future of biomedical science. Others in trades worked on cars, helped design bridges, and discovered what engineering and automotive careers could look like.
•  

Feedback from employers was overwhelmingly positive. Many described our students as “hard-working,” “enthusiastic,” and “well-prepared.” Several businesses even offered future opportunities, including apprenticeships and internships!

We congratulate all of our Year 10 students who participated in the program and thank our Year 10 teachers for their support and placement visits in Week 11. We look forward to our 2026 Year 10 students confirming their placements so that they are able to explore their interests, develop confidence, and connect classroom learning to real-world practice. A huge thank you to our community of employers for supporting our students, we appreciate your mentoring of our students in your industries last term.

Below is a letter we received in Week 1 while Yash M and Finn G were completing their placement at The University of Melbourne:

Below is a LinkedIn post from Nicholson Construction in Ballarat who posted Max P:

2026 Course Selection

Thank you to our families who attended our Senior School Expo in Week 1. We saw strong parent and carer engagement in the post-school sessions with 31 families attending between 3:00pm – 4:30pm and over 100 attendees in the evening between 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

We appreciate your feedback on our new Handbook format being more accessible to you as parents and carers, helping you not only to understand all of our programs and subject offerings, but also supporting them to engage in conversations at home. Alongside conversations with our staff members, and scaffolds students have worked through in E4L we saw active participation and engagement from our community. We anticipate that this greater visibility of our pathways for our subjects will support our students with their course counselling conversations this week.

This week marks an exciting milestone for our 2026 course counselling process, our course confirmation meetings. By the end of this week all our current Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students will have had a one-on-one conversation to confirm their individual course for 2026. All staff have participated in a whole-school professional learning session where we collectively increased our confidence in providing support to our students as they prepare for Senior School. In additional, staff who have volunteered as course counsellors have participated in training to support rigorous conversations with students that reflect their engagement in E4L and their course counselling activities.

NAPLAN

Last week the Department of Education begun reporting on this year’s NAPLAN data. With statewide and national data now available to us our School Improvement Team will begin their analysis of our 2025 Year 7 and Year 9 data.

Thank you again to Andrea Ganotis, Cassandra Mahony, and their support team in reaching nearly a 100% completion rate for our students across the testing period. This data informs us of student performance which we can triangulate with our annual PAT and bi-annual Teacher Judgment data.

We invite you to review our 2025 performance summaries below. As you can see, our school data outperforms the state of Victoria in every Domain, celebrating our collective contributions across all students and subjects.
The collated data outlines the percentage of our students who are in the following categories:

• Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
• Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.

Congratulations to our community on such amazing results

Teaching & Learning Programs

Thank you to our Curriculum Leaders, Leading Teachers: Phoebe Allen (Year 7 & 8), Andrea Ganotis (Year 9 & 10), and Michaelle Tomolo (Year 11 & 12) who have supported staff in setting high expectations for our teaching and learning programs at the start of the term. Together they have monitored the publication of CAT dates for each of our subjects, checked if the unit planners were uploaded to the Compass NewsFeed, and checked in the Term 3 Snapshot tasks have been configured correctly in Compass. We thank our staff for following up and ensuring this is mirrored across all subjects.

Families can find our assessment dates through Compass, under School Favourites:

In addition, families can support student learning at home by familiarising themselves with our unit planners for each subject:

Reinforcing our high expectations in Senior School

Building a routine at the start of the term takes time for our students. As we move into Week 3, the 21-day mark approaches (commonly a time frame suggested to begin a habit). Over the past two weeks we have seen our students rebuild their automatic routines as they adjust back to Term 3. With this comes fatigue and for some, forgetfulness. Week 3 is an opportunity for us, as staff, parents and carers, to support them with their routine, directing their energy appropriately so they set themselves up for success.

• All students are required to stay within the school grounds during school hours (8:30am – 3:00pm). This includes study periods as part of a student’s timetable which is protected for private study in our Study Centres. If students have an approved absence they are to sign out at reception.
  We thank families who communicate via Compass and with Liv Mitchell (Senior School Administration) to ensure attendance is recorded accurately to support student programs and our duty of care.
• All students are to ensure they organise themselves before Tutor Group, planning for the resources they will need to Period 1 and Period 2. This will enable a consistent morning routine where all students arrive on time to class, prepared with their resources and are able to apply themselves productively in learning time.
  We thank families who promote punctuality to school each morning through routines at home.
• All students are to ensure they are wearing our winter uniform in Term 3. This includes Year 12 students who have elected to purchase a Year 12 jumper. Expectations regarding our school tie, school shirt and blazer are still in place, role modelling our school-wide standards to the younger year levels as well as promoting school pride.
  We thank families who communicate with us when something arises regarding uniform as well as those who promptly ensure that items are found or replaced in line with our policy.

Careers & Pathways

Welcome to Jenni Chisholm! This week we have welcomed our new Careers & Pathways Leader, Jenni Chisholm to Auburn. A trained English and Humanities teacher, Jenni joins us from Heritage College where she has advocated for careers education for all students. Jenni has jumped in this week observing our course confirmation meetings and connecting with our local networks. We look forward to our students working with Jenni as part of the careers education at AHS.

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) has recently updated the Key Dates for the 2025 – 2026 Selection Period.

Applications for university and TAFE courses via VTAC or any interstate Tertiary Admissions Centre will open on Monday 4^th August July 2025.

• To support students and their families with this process we invite parents and carers to a VTAC Information Evening on Wednesday 20th August at 6pm. 
• Students will need a USI to apply for tertiary or Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. If you do not have a USI (or are unsure if you do) Get one now
• Students will also need a Tax File Number when enrolling at university.
• Students should check the essential requirements for selection and admission for their preferred courses carefully. Courses may have additional requirements such as compulsory external testing (eg. UCAT, ISAT, CASPER), portfolio submission, audition or interview. These may be subject to limited booking and/or early closing dates.

Ella Price

Senior Assistant Principal

Welcome Back to Term 3

Term 3 is often described as the “term of flow”, a time when students have found their place, routines are embedded, and meaningful learning deepens. At the same time, we know some elements of school can still feel challenging, and the start of a new term is the perfect opportunity to reflect, reset, and focus on the supports that help every young person succeed. If you are finding your habits are slipping, here up some quick tips to help get you back on track:

• Re-establish Routines at Home and School
  Now’s a great time to check that sleep, homework, and screen-time routines are supporting focus and wellbeing.
• Reflect and Reset Learning Goals
  Encourage your child to look back on what worked well in Term 2 and set one or two specific goals for Term 3, whether it’s improving organisation, asking more questions in class, or sticking to a study schedule. Learning Behavior Reports are a great anchor point for this conversation.
• Use Support Systems Early
  If challenges come up, academic or emotional, reach out early. Tutor Group teachers, Year Level Leaders, classroom teachers  and wellbeing staff are all here to help. The earlier we catch an issue, the easier it is to support.
• Stay Engaged in the Learning Journey
  Ask your child what they’re learning , not just how their day was. Showing interest helps reinforce the value of school and keeps them connected to their purpose.
• Celebrate the Small Wins
  Progress isn’t always linear. Take time to acknowledge effort, improvement, or resilience, not just final results. This builds confidence and keeps momentum going.

Professional Learning: Creating the Conditions for Learning

Next Wednesday, Auburn High School staff will participate in a full day of professional learning dedicated to enhancing the conditions for learning in every classroom. Teachers and education support staff will explore how to guide students in understanding their own behaviour, managing challenging moments, and developing tools to regulate and engage in learning. This aligns with our belief that wellbeing and behaviour should be taught explicitly,  just like any other part of the curriculum.
A key part of the day will be further engagement with our AHS Pillars of Wellbeing, a framework developed in 2024 and that guides our framework and the teaching of  skills we know young people (and adults) need to build and sustain positive wellbeing, both now and in the future.

NAPLAN Celebrations

 We are incredibly proud of the effort and dedication shown by our students during NAPLAN testing last term. NAPLAN provides an important benchmark to ensure we are adding value to every student’s learning experience and making sure no child is left behind. It also helps us calibrate our internal assessments, so that additional support and extension are targeted to the right areas. Our Year 7 and 9 cohorts achieved outstanding results, with many students receiving certificates for exceeding growth in both literacy and numeracy. This term, we are using this data to adjust and refine curriculum planning, ensure diagnostic testing is aligned with student needs, and adapt teaching so that it supports and extends every learner. We look forward to sharing more about this important work in future updates. Please refer to Mr. Pritchard’s comments on Compass for a more detailed celebration.

Celebrating Diversity Week

At Auburn High School, we are proud of our diverse community and the inclusive culture we’ve built together. We believe that embracing both our similarities and our differences makes our community stronger, more compassionate, and more innovative.  Last week, we celebrated Cultural Diversity Day, a showcase of our students’ and staff’s rich backgrounds, customs, and traditions. Events like these are a reminder of the vital role we all play in upholding the school values of respect, responsibility, creativity, and citizenship.

This week, teaching staff engaged in professional learning focused on the Big Picture Questions that drive our learning programs. These questions help connect academic content with the world around us, encouraging students to reflect on how their learning shapes the way they think, act, and contribute to society. One powerful example came from our Year 9 English team, who explored the text Night by Elie Wiesel through the question:
How does reading Night help us understand and empathise with the historical context of the Holocaust?
This sparked rich discussion about the importance of citizenship, empathy, and advocacy  both in the classroom and in the world beyond school.

Year 8 Camp Reflections

Our Year 8 students returned from Alexandra Adventure Resort on Friday full of stories, laughter, and a few tired bodies! Over three action-packed days, students had the opportunity to develop new friendships, collaborate on challenges, and step outside their comfort zones, all while having a lot of fun.
A big thank you to the staff who gave their time, energy, and care to ensure the camp was a positive and inclusive experience for every student. One of the highlights was a group of students who, unprompted, created and presented thank-you messages to the camp staff, a heart-warming display of gratitude and leadership.Special mention goes to Lincoln, who despite having a broken arm, took on the role of camp photographer. He captured some fantastic highlights from the trip and was keen to share these with the school community below

We’re so proud of the way our students represented themselves and AHS, with kindness, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community.

• Camp was really fun whether it was the laser tag or gaga ball there was something for everyone, even me. I went to camp thinking it was going to be boring due to having a broken arm. But even with one arm I was still able to participate in different activities. If I didn’t have a broken arm there are so many more activities I would have been able to do like high ropes and flying fox. Best of all, the food was great. On the second day for lunch we had Spud bar but not literally just what you can order at Spud bar the potato and toppings. The views of the nearby hills and mountains were outstanding. There was loads of free time as well, during that time my friends and I visited the lake and skid rocks across the water (We weren’t supposed to be there. Please don’t tell the teachers.). That is how much fun you will have at Alexandra Adventure Resort. Lincon Fa

The Little Mermaid Jr! 

Don’t miss your chance to see The Little Mermaid JR! Get ready to dive into the magical world under the sea with unforgettable characters, incredible music, and a splash of creativity and talent!
Tickets are selling fast, so be sure to secure yours now before they’re gone! Purchase your tickets HERE!

Happy Principals Day 2025!

On Friday 1 August we come together to celebrate the school leaders who guide and inspire our education communities every single day.

Principals play a vital role in shaping the culture of schools. Championing student growth, supporting teacher development, and leading with integrity.

Leadership in schools isn’t easy – it’s not just about meetings, policies, or paperwork. It’s about people. And here at Auburn High, we’re lucky to have a leadership team who truly lead with people in mind – students, staff, and families.

On behalf of students, staff, families, and the wider community, we say thank you to Ross Pritchard, Ella Price, and Dannielle Gibson.

Joanne Hayes 

Bussiness Manager 

Principals Day School Captins Speech! 

Prateek: We’ve come to say a thank you to all three of you on behalf of the students of Auburn High School. I’d first like to say that there is so much we could say about all three of you being encouraging, enthusiastic principals at this school, but what really stands out is that you go above and beyond for us. 

Sophia: The roles and responsibilities of a principal that are listed on the government’s website include ‘ensuring the delivery of a comprehensive, high quality education program to all students’, but you three have taken that to a whole other level, to the point where I’ve been sharing activities we do in class with friends outside of school. Mr Prichard, I remember one time in year 10 when you explained the difference between Methods and Spec which actually made me choose Methods for year 11 because you described it in a way that just sparked my curiosity. 

Prateek: Another point on that list is ‘appropriately involving staff, students and the community in the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations,’ and I know that this school prides itself on its student voice and agency, and for good reason. There is of course, the leadership team, but more than that, you each take the time to get to know us individually, Mr Prichard with your frequent trips to our building wayy over there.

Sophia: Ms Price, when you always take a second to talk to us in the hallways even with the million other things you have to do.

Prateek: And Ms Gibson, you make students feel really special through all the enthusiasm and genuine care in your assembly speeches or even just in conversation. 

Sophia: You don’t just involve us, you engage us, and for that, we thank you.

Exciting Wellbeing News: A New Chapter!

After eight rewarding years as the Student Wellbeing Coordinator at Auburn High School, it’s time for me to say goodbye to that role. But don’t worry, I’m not going far!

I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be stepping into the role of Mental Health Practitioner while Claire is on family leave. What does this mean for the wellbeing team? It means I’ll now be working under Fiona Adams in her new role as Student Wellbeing Coordinator, and joining Riva and Emily in the F4 office as part of our wonderful multidisciplinary team.

I will continue to support students I already work with in an ongoing capacity and will also be available for new referrals where needed. In addition to individual support, I’ll be running small group programs and leading whole-school mental health promotion initiatives. such as Body Kind August and Wear it Purple Day (more on those later).

I’m excited about this new chapter and the chance to continue supporting the wellbeing of our school community in a slightly different way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, I am available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Kind regards, Leah Rintoule

Mental Health Practitioner

AHS WELLBEING TEAM:

The power of Connection 🌍🤝💬

As we move through Loneliness Awareness Week Australia (4–10 August 2025), it’s a timely moment to reflect on the power of genuine connection—and how small, meaningful moments can have a lasting impact on our emotional wellbeing.

Just last week, we acknowledged International Friendship Day (30 July), a day that celebrates the joy, comfort, and strength that friendships bring to our lives. Whether it’s a lifelong companion or a new connection, friendships remind us that we are not alone. And while the official day may have passed, the spirit of friendship is something we can carry with us every day.

This year’s Loneliness Awareness Week theme—MomentsMatter—echoes that same message. A kind word, an unexpected message, a shared laugh—these seemingly small interactions can be powerful antidotes to loneliness, especially for young people navigating an increasingly digital and disconnected world. It’s not just about being around others; it’s about feeling seen, valued, and emotionally present.

In Australia, 1 in 3 adults report feeling lonely, and 1 in 4 experience it regularly. These feelings are more than just passing emotions—they can have a real impact on our physical health, productivity, and mental wellbeing. But there is hope: studies show that having just five supportive friendships can make a profound difference.

To celebrate the spirit of connection, our Student Leaders are hosting a special event this Thursday 8 August at lunchtime! Join us-

🎨 Make a friendship bracelet for yourself or someone you care about
🍞 Enjoy some colourful fairy bread with your mates
💬 Drop by, chat, and connect—everyone’s welcome!

💛 Sometimes, the Smallest Gesture Can Have the Biggest Impact

Reach out to someone: Think of a friend, classmate, or even someone you haven’t connected with in a while. A quick message, a simple “Hey, want to come to the event on Thursday?” or even sitting together at lunch can mean more than you realise—to them and to you.

Create space for connection: Whether it’s inviting someone to make a friendship bracelet with you, share some fairy bread, or just join in on the lunchtime buzz this Thursday 8 August, your small effort might be exactly what someone needs to feel seen and included.

Be consistent, not perfect: You don’t have to say the perfect thing or have deep conversations all the time. Just showing up, reaching out, or checking in regularly—once a week, even—can make a real difference in helping someone feel valued and connected.

We know that starting a conversation—especially after some time apart—can feel a little awkward. But it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’re sharing this helpful Conversation Starters guide below, full of easy, thoughtful prompts to help you connect. 👇 Try one this week—who knows where a simple “Hey, how’s your day going?” might lead.

Auburn High School is celebrating BodyKind August

This August, Auburn High School will join hundreds of schools across Australia in promoting positive body image through BodyKind August, an initiative of the Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s national charity for eating disorders and body image.

BodyKind August encourages young people, their families, and communities to:

• Be kind to their own bodies in the way they speak about, nourish, move, and care for their body.
• Be kind to others both online and in person, showing respect for all body types.
• Celebrate and embrace body diversity, recognising and valuing the differences that make us unique.

BodyKind acknowledges that it isn’t always easy to like or love our bodies, so instead, it promotes kindness as a more achievable and inclusive goal. The initiative offers strength-based, evidence-informed resources designed for schools, families, and sporting clubs. Importantly, the content focuses on positive body image and does not include discussions of eating disorders.

At Auburn High School, we will be participating in BodyKind August by introducing BodyKind into Tutor Group activities and curriculum, encouraging discussions, poster displays, etc. using the materials provided by the Butterfly Foundation.

Research continues to show that how young people feel about their bodies has a significant impact on their physical health and mental wellbeing. By participating in BodyKind August, Auburn High School is helping to create a kinder, more inclusive culture for everyone, and encouraging families and sporting communities to do the same.

To learn more and to access parent resources, visit: www.butterfly.org.au/bodykinda

Get Ready for Wear It Purple Day – Friday 29 August 2025!

At Auburn High School, Diversity is more than just a value—it’s a celebration of who we are. That’s why we’re proud to once again take part in Wear It Purple Day on Friday 29 August 2025—a national day of support for LGBTIQA+ youth and a powerful reminder that every student deserves to feel safe, seen and celebrated.

This year’s theme, “Bold Voices, Bright Futures”, honours the strength, courage, and creativity of LGBTQIA+ youth as they unapologetically strive toward their dreams in every area of life including art, science, sport, leadership, and beyond.

💜 Here’s what’s happening at AHS:

• 🌈 Purple-Themed Bake Sale – All proceeds go to Wear It Purple, supporting inclusive youth initiatives
  💅 Nail Painting Station – A small gesture with big meaning, symbolising allyship and visibility
• 🎨 Rainbow & Purple accessories – Get decked out in colour to show your support (pins and wristbands will be sold all week!)

Now’s the time to start prepping your purple gear! Socks, hair ties, badges, glitter, scarves, flags, etc. — whatever helps you show that at AHS, everyone belongs.

Want to help organise the day?
Whether or not you are a member of student leadership your voice matters so if you’ve got an idea for an activity, would like to run a stall, or want to help out on the day, come and speak to the Wellbeing Team or your Year Level Leader by Week 5

Let’s celebrate bold voices and build bright futures and  work together to make this the biggest and brightest Wear It Purple Day yet!. 💜🌈 To learn more about the campaign or how to be an effective ally, visit wearitpurple.org

Kindest Regards,

The Wellbeing Team

State Cross Country

We are incredibly proud to announce that three of our students represented Auburn High School at the State Cross Country Championships on Thursday 24th July at the Yarra Valley Racing Club. This is an outstanding achievement that highlights the dedication and athletic talent within our school community.

Congratulations to Zachary T, Akilan S, and Kristoffer P for qualifying and competing at this elite level. Running against the best in the state, each of them demonstrated grit, determination, and true Auburn spirit on the course.

Regional Success and Term 3 Sport Highlights

We are proud to share that our Year 7, Intermediate, and Senior Soccer teams all qualified for the Eastern Metropolitan Region competition this term. Each team demonstrated outstanding teamwork and determination, with our Senior team securing two wins from their three matches—an excellent achievement at this level of play.

Our Year 9 and 10 boys also represented Auburn High in AFL at the regional level. This group showed impressive growth and development, building on their experience from Year 7 to compete with greater skill and confidence.

What’s Coming Up in Term 3

There’s plenty of exciting sport still to come this term:

• Athletics Carnival – Week 7: Make sure payment and consent are submitted on Compass as soon as possible.
• Year 9 & 10 Sport – Wednesday 4th September
• Year 8 Sport – Friday 15th September
• Year 7 Sport – Tuesday 17th September

We look forward to seeing students continuing to get involved, represent the school with pride, and enjoy the benefits of physical activity and teamwork.

Luke Dellorso

Head of Sport

Auburn Wins First Place at the Science and Engineering Challenge

We are proud to announce that Auburn High School has won first place at the Science and Engineering Challenge, coming first among a strong field of independent and government schools competing across two exciting days of events.

The event, a nationwide STEM program founded by the University of Newcastle in partnership with Rotary Clubs and Deakin University, brought together Year 9 and 10 students to put their science, engineering, and technology skills to the test.

Our team of students took on a variety of hands-on challenges, including designing an earthquake-resistant tower, constructing a bridge, delivering electricity to a simulated city, and many more engineering-focused activities. Throughout the day, they showcased outstanding creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving under pressure.

Their impressive performance secured the highest overall score, earning our school the top place among all participating teams. This achievement means we now have the opportunity to compete at the state final, with the chance to qualify for the national competition later this year.

Congratulations to all the students involved for representing our school and demonstrating our DARE values with such skill and enthusiasm!

Culture Day Celebration at AHS
On Tuesday 29th August, Auburn High School came alive with colour, music, and energy as we celebrated Culture Day at lunchtime.

Students and staff took part in a vibrant fashion parade, proudly showcasing traditional and modern outfits from around the world. We were also treated to live music performances by our talented students, and a bake sale filled with delicious treats generously prepared by students and families.

All funds raised will go towards supporting migrants and refugees as they build new lives here in Australia.

A huge thank you to everyone, students, staff, and parents, who participated, volunteered, or came along to support. It was a joyful celebration of the diversity and community spirit that make AHS so special.

Jean Zhang

International Student Coordinator/ EAL teacher

A Message from Our New Wellbeing Coordinator – Fiona Adams

Hi everyone,

I’m really excited to be joining the school community as your new Student Wellbeing Coordinator.

I’ve spent the past 10 years working in wellbeing at another secondary school, supporting students, families, and staff through all kinds of challenges and celebrations. I’m passionate about creating a school environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and connected — and where wellbeing is just as important as academic success.

Outside of school, I love catching up with friends and family, getting stuck into creative and design projects, and staying active. I’ve always had a love for sport and will watch most sports. I especially hockey, which I’ve played for many years.

I’m really looking forward to getting to know you all and working together to make our school a positive, inclusive place for everyone.

I am currently located in the office next to the Lecture Theatre on F floor. Pop in to say hi if you’re walking past.

See you around!

Fiona Adams

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Amenities and Facilities Update – Term 3

Over the school holidays, we used the quiet time onsite to make a few important improvements all focused on making things better for our students and staff.

New Drinking Bubblers Where They’re Needed Most

We’ve installed new bubblers around the school to make it easier for students to stay hydrated throughout the day. These new additions complement our existing water bottle refill stations. There’s a total of 3 new bubblers with a 4-bubbler trough supplied.

Locations: These are located within the Student Entry Courtyard and in front of the Administration Office.

Costings: $6,500

Recycling Bin Rollout – Supporting Sustainability

As part of our continued efforts to create a more sustainable school environment, new recycling bins will be rolled out across key areas during Term 3.
These bins will make it easier for everyone to correctly dispose of recyclables and reduce waste.

Bin Locations Include:

• Staff Room (staff use only)
• Dining Hall & Canteen
• G11 Locker Area, Student Entry
• G6, F3, F6, F11 Locker Areas
• ADEC, Library (Photocopier Area)
• S1–S4 Stairwell Locker Area, S6, S8
• Study Centre ×2, West Wing Study ×1, West Wing Lockers ×2

This project is proudly being delivered in partnership with our student-led Sustainability Hub.

Carpark Safety Improvements

To improve safety for everyone using the bottom carpark, new line marking and safety signage have been installed.

These changes are designed to create a safer environment for all pedestrians both within the carpark and along Tooronga Road.

We thank all families, students and visitors for continuing to follow the signage and pedestrian pathways to help keep our school community safe.

Costing: $2,000

We’re improving but, there’s more to do!

We’re proud of these upgrades they’re practical, student-focused changes that solve real problems. But we know there’s more we can do to make our school an even better place to learn and grow.
If you’d like to support future projects, we welcome donations to our Building or Library Funds. Every contribution (big or small) is tax-deductible and helps us invest directly in the facilities your child uses every day.

Andrew Martin

Facilities Manager

Year 9 French Binational Students Create Powerful Mannequin Challenge

Our Year 9 French Binational students have created an outstanding mannequin challenge video addressing addiction to screens. Working in French during the planning phase, students demonstrated excellent collaboration while tackling this important contemporary issue with remarkable maturity and creativity.

The final product showcases sophisticated artistic vision, perfectly exemplifying our program’s commitment to developing engaged global citizens. We’re incredibly proud of their dedication and willingness to explore meaningful topics through creative expression. Please note: The video contains mature themes that some viewers may find intense.

A Visit to Collège Herrade de Landsberg 🇫🇷

During her recent trip to France, Miss Beck visited Collège Herrade de Landsberg, a school located in Rosheim, a charming town just 30 minutes from Strasbourg, in the northeast of France. This is where our Year 8 French Immersion students’ penpals are based.

The visit was part of an ongoing partnership between Auburn High School and Collège Herrade de Landsberg, a connection that began last year thanks to Mr Brochet, our former Year 8 French Immersion teacher. He first established contact with Mrs Régine Lauber, the organiser of the school’s Australian Club, and since then, students from both schools have exchanged letters and shared their cultures

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This year, Miss Beck continued nurturing the relationship. During her visit, she had the chance to meet with the assistant principal, English teachers, and of course, the penpal teacher and students. Auburn students had prepared videos introducing our school and its different spaces, which were shared with great enthusiasm in France.

The French students present were thrilled to receive new letters and small gifts from Australia, and their warm welcome was matched by genuine curiosity about Australia, Auburn High School, and the connection between the two schools.

This growing partnership continues to inspire and connect students across the globe promoting language learning, cultural exchange, and international friendship.

Fanny Beck

The Little Mermaid Jnr!

The library is excited to showcase a special display celebrating the Auburn High School production of “The Little Mermaid Jnr.” As part of the display, cast members have shared their personal reasons for why you won’t want to miss this show!

Alongside, you’ll also find a themed book display featuring the classic Disney version of The Little Mermaid and other related reads. Pop into the library to explore the display and borrow a book or two to enjoy before seeing the live performance!

Guest Speaker at AHS!

On Wednesday 30 July, we were delighted to welcome author Hazel Edwards to our school to speak with all Year 7 English students. Hazel captivated the audience with an inspiring presentation on creative writing, sharing valuable tips and insights through her recently published young adult novel Wasted.

The session sparked plenty of curiosity, with many students eagerly asking questions and joining in the discussion. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone involved, and we’re excited to see how Hazel’s advice will inspire our budding writers.

Students can continue exploring Hazel’s work and resources at: http://www.hazeledwards-for-students

Ebooks & Audiobooks!

Chase Basketball Academy – Enrolments

The Auburn High School Basketball Academy is open for mid-year enrolment.  If your student-athlete has been considering participation in the Basketball Academy, click here to register NOW!

New athletes will be placed in Academy groups that support friendship connections, skill and year levels.  All program inclusions including inter-academy tournaments are part of the second semester Basketball Academy activities so enrol now and don’t miss out on the fun. Academy fees will automatically be reduced to reflect a half year program. 

The Academy program takes place in the AHS gym before school from Monday to Friday. If you have any questions or want to know more, please reach out to [email protected]

Kindest Regards, 

Ellen Parry Director of Operations Chase Basketball 

Community Infomation & Local Partnerships

La Croissanterie & Co – 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, Guardians and staff.

AHS Members Discounts – 

• 10% Discount on Pastries & Cakes
• 20% Discount on Drinks
  

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!