From the Acting Principal

 Welcome back to all our families and I extend a very warm welcome to all our new families who are joining Auburn High School.  The school community has had a smooth start to the 2023 school year.  Our school enrolment numbers continue to increase (720), with unprecedented demand for an Auburn High education.  It has been pleasing to observe a calm start to the year with students settling in well to their new timetables and year levels.

We have completed a staggered return to school.  Staff attended a preparation day on Friday 27th January, Year 7 and 12 students began on Monday 30th January and the whole school was on campus on Tuesday 31st January.  During the first few days the staff offered a special program to transition our students into the daily routines of Auburn High School.  Tutor Group teachers outlined expectations regarding timetables, uniform, and our school values.  ICT sessions for all year levels were available to ensure clear communication and collaboration between students and staff.  The laptop is an integral tool in both teaching and learning at our school and we explicitly teach our students how to best utilise it.

I would also like to welcome back all our staff and thank the many staff, including Education Support staff and the Leadership Team, who have worked during the holiday period to ensure there is an efficient start to the year.  We welcome the following new staff:

• Fanny Beck – French
• Isobel Hudson – English
• Mimi Ng – Mathematics/Science
• Letesha Ruberto – PE
• Nicholas Szabo – PE
• Badi Sheidaee – Business Management/Humanities
• Claire Walker - Mental Health Practitioner

We also welcome staff returning from leave:

• Jared Smith – English/Humanities
• Courtney Ambrose (nee Fernandez) - Mathematics
• Alexandra Fabry Thompson – French
• Leigh James - Nurse (Term 1)

There are brief biographies on each of the new staff further in this newsletter.

The school community is fortunate to have a confident, committed, and professional staff team working with their children.  In 2022, Auburn High continued to flourish and provide an outstanding state education program.  Now in our tenth year, we offer a unique range of education options:  Victorian Curriculum, SEAL, French Binational and immersion programs, VCE, VET, university enrichment and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.  Our staff work tirelessly to design and deliver engaging learning opportunities that embed the fundamental skills and knowledge needed by students to progress through the year levels.  Across the school the staff continue to improve students’ writing strategies, numeracy skills and learning behaviours.  Complementing this academic focus there is a targeted effort to create a safe and inclusive learning environment that is based on our school values of Diversity, Aspiration, Respect and Excellence.  An exciting year lies ahead.

I have also had the pleasure of presenting the 2023 School Captains with their badges at the first whole school assembly.  Amisha Russell and Amelie Bourrat are outstanding young adults who have displayed leadership qualities that will be a major asset to the student body.  Amisha and Amelie have been working during their holidays to prepare the Student Leadership agenda for 2023 and they have already started mobilising the Student Leadership team. Student voice and agency is valued at Auburn High School and another impactful year is upon us.

As you will be aware, the school continues to grieve the loss of our long-term, beloved Principal, Ms Maria Karvouni.  Auburn High School is the school it is today because of her vision, leadership, and commitment to state education.  Maria recognised the importance of high expectations, value-based culture, inclusive community, and bilingual education in providing academic rigour and opportunities for personal development.  The school remains committed to all these things and the staff, all of whom were employed by Maria, will continue to get job satisfaction from providing students with an outstanding education.  There will be occasions this year where the school community will be given the opportunity to pay tribute to Maria’s career and life at Auburn High School.  These events will be organised in conjunction with Maria’s family.

Planning is underway for social and school-based parent events this term, and throughout the year.  This will include meet the teacher, parent student teacher conferences, parent forums and parent social events.  Please keep up to date via this newsletter, Compass posts and emails from staff in charge of programs.

Finally, I feel compelled to write a short note about the most recent phenomena, AI ChatGPT.  As 95% of you will be aware this conversational AI language model generates responses to a wide range of topics and questions.  The concept of this application of AI is polarising, to say the least.  The applications of the technology in an educational sense are up for debate with opinions ranging from devastating for learning to being the best thing ever.  For now, the Victorian Department of Education and Training has denied access to staff and teachers on school networks due to the 18+ age limit required for students to sign up.

Time will tell what is next for ChatGPT and it is evidence at the exponential pace of which technology is evolving.  I am interested in connecting with our university partners and DET to find out more.

Wishing you all the best, until next time.