Principal's Report

Tree planting 

As visitors to our school site would know, we are very fortunate to have beautiful school grounds. Whilst some trees on site date over 100 years old, many of the tall eucalypts around the main building date back to when our current Building A was first built back in the 1970s, when it was the Coburg Teachers' College. We have benefited from the decisions made back then to ensure our site retains as many native trees as possible, and it's great that we can add to this with the recently planted native garden. 

On Monday May 26, we continued the greening of our site with Year 7 students planting over 80 trees, most of which are along the back fence of the school. These will not grow as tall as the gums near Building A! Visitors coming in the front driveway will also note around 10 larger trees planted by students near the entrance. As part of their tree planting session, students learned about the species of native trees being planted (eucalypts, hakeas and callestimons) as well as the benefits of trees for the environment, birds and animals as well as for us!  

A highlight of the day was Later Years students from the nearby Coburg Special Development School visiting to plant trees near our shared boundary. Our VCE Vocational Major students joined them for this tree planting event.

Over the long weekend, another 32 trees have been added around Buildings A and C as well. 

Technology Building

In a previous newsletter I wrote that the original head contractor responsible for delivering our school upgrade entered voluntary administration in March.

We have been advised that the best way to remobilise the project is for the VSBA to go back out to tender and seek a new contractor to complete the works. My understanding is that the steps involved before construction restart include tender documentation to reflect the current project requirements (thorough review of the site and works), tender release, tender evaluation, contract award to the new builder and hand over of the site so construction can begin again. A new completion date will be confirmed once a contractor is appointed, but this will take some time.

In the meantime, the VSBA has appointed an interim contractor to manage the site to ensure it is safe and secure while this process takes place.

More information

If you have any questions, you can contact the VSBA by phone at 1800 896 950, email vsba@education.vic.gov.au or visit their website: https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/  

School Council Education Forum

A big thanks to School Council members Sam Bond and Mitch Jones for their organisation and promotion of our School Council form on public education. We had over 100 students, parents and community members in attendance. Thanks to the Coburg Uniting Church for hosting the event and to Rumi for providing the delicious catering. See below for a report from Year 11 Politics teacher James Rozek:

Several Year 11 students, Adam S, Astrid R, Sophie F and Theo G were fortunate enough to be able to directly question local candidates on their educational policy positions. Year 12 Hasti M eloquently co-MC'd the event alongside Mitch. Coburg High School would like to congratulate these students for their brave public speaking skills and for their enthusiastic participation in the school forum. 

Student Testimonials

Adam S, Year 11: "It was a really great experience, we got to learn where our local MPs stand on issues, and ask our own questions, a great learning opportunity for our Politics class."

Sophie F, Year 11: "The Wills candidate forum was an amazing opportunity to come face to face with the politicians running in our electorate, and a great platform to allow us students to ask the questions. It was an empowering experience, and I revelled in the chance to directly question the current federal member about AUKUS, engaging in a stare off. Democracy is fun."

This event was great to make sure that education, which was not a high profile issue in the federal election campaign, got the attention of decision makers. 

Read the Brunswick Voice article about the night here

Sadly, I learned for the first time about the additional Gonski funding for government schools largely not flowing until after 2030 - a very disappointing outcome. The federal government had said that all government schools are on a 'path' to full funding - let's make sure that path is not a long and winding one. To help ensure all schools are fully funded sooner rather than later, please visit https://www.foreverychild.au/

Open Day & School Tours 

Wednesday 23 April was our annual Open Day, and once again we had a very strong attendance. Our student ambassadors did a great job of leading school tours, with only positive feedback received.  We added some new tour stops this year, featuring games club, outdoor education, the basketball academy and production rehearsal. There was also some free food!

As always, it is great to finish the tours with live music, with talented Year 8 and 9 Kool Skools bands showing off their recently composed songs. See below for my speech from the day:

We have run some follow up tours for any families that were unable to attend Open Day, with very big attendances as well. Tours still available, including this Friday 13th June (it won't be scary) - BOOK your place here.

Year 7 Camp

Early this term, two groups of Year 7 students headed to Camp ADANAC in Yarra Junction for their camp. It was pleasing that a very high proportion of the cohort attended the camp. There was lots of positive feedback from students and the staff who attended staff. I understand new facilities have been added to the camp since our last visit which were enjoyed by our students. 

Thanks for supporting the raffle 

At the end of last term it was great to be able to welcome families on site for the Term 1  Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences. The last minute raffle which I ran raised over $1100, which will go towards supporting worthy students in the Outdoor Ed program, in line with fundraising this year following the death of staff member Hannah Wilmott earlier this year. We're planning for a whole school event in late Term 3 as a fun, fundraiser to remember Hannah.

Age Article - VCE Vocational Major

It was great for Coburg High School student Florence Nicholls to be featured in The Age at the beginning of this term, demonstrating the success of the VCE Vocational Major at our school and at other schools across the state. See below or here for the online version.

Anzac Day

For the first time in more than forty years, the Coburg RSL held a dawn service on Anzac Day this year. Our Captaincy team (Josh, Hasti, Sienna and Clifford) joined over 600 others at the service, did a great job in representing the school, laying a wreath on behalf of CHS.

With the history of Coburg High dating back to the First World War, these students were continuing a tradition of honouring those who have served and sacrificed in war. See here for a link to the CHS Alumni (previously CHS Historical Group) re Anzac Day services and previous cadets program.

Ramp replacements & Lift

Our local state MP, Anthony Cianflone, visited recently to announce the replacement of two non-compliant ramps in the school:

Anthony also got to have one of the first 'rides' in our replacement lift. The original lift dated back to the Coburg Teachers' College times, first installed in 1979! We thank Anthony for his advocacy on behalf of the school for this important project, which improves accessibility for students like our School Captain Hasti, markedly. 

School Wide Positive Behaviour

In recent weeks we have been recognising students who have been doing 'the right things'. As the weather turned cold during May, we randomly selected students for BOTT (Be On Time Tuesday), some winners below:

We also played BOTTOM (Be On Time Totally on Monday) and WOBOT (Week of Being On Time). These winning students won themselves $10 Cafe vouchers.

Over the past week, students have been recognised for playing their part in Contributing positively to the learning community, as part of our encouragement for students to 'pick up the PACE' in Term 2.

Over the past five school days, an amazing 666 students received a total of 948 Green Compass entry for Contribute/Community.  This morning we played 'Wheel of Names' in a whole school Google Meet and our winners were:

Patrick Z, Lucien O, Christian K, Astrid R, Sabine T, Elijah C, Sophie F, Ivy T, Stephanie K, Mary P and Benjamin W. Well done!

This week's PACE focus is on 'Participate' (appropriate for Week 8) with another draw coming next Monday.

Assistant Principals Gary Vella, Melanie Buscema-Moore and I presented last week at the statewide Principals’ Conference, with our presentation entitled “Raising the Bar Through Achievable Sprints”. 

This focused on initiatives we have run in recent years in improving lateness, the culture in the yard and in increasing the submission of learning tasks. We were pleased with the reception from the more than 50 Principals and regional leaders present.

School Production Coming Soon - Get Your Tickets Now

🕵🏼 JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF LAUGHS AND MYSTERY! 🕵🏼

Our 2025 Production 'This Murder Was Staged' is sure to thrill and entertain! 

A hilarious and suspenseful murder mystery. The question on everyone's lips? WHO DID IT?!

The cast and crew have been working extremely hard to make this a night you won't forget! 

When: Monday June 30th - Thursday 3rd of July 

Where: The Space BU.07 

What Time: Performances begin 6pm sharp until 8pm (Intermission included) 

Tickets are NOW LIVE at Humanitix . Get your tickets now! 

Student Achievements

Congrats to our talented Year 10 students Holly D (main cast) and Sarah H (choir) who will be part of the State Schools Spectacular later this year!

Congratulations to talented runner Adrian Wilson, who made the final of the Under 18 Boys 100m at the Stawell Gift meet at Easter, running an impressive 11.115 seconds.

VCAA Photo Shoot

Earlier this term I was contacted by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) who were looking for a secondary school to be photographed to update their stock photos. We will use their images in our newsletters, social media and handbooks as well. 

Well done to our Student Voice Councillors who did a great job!  

Coburg High advocates for retaining Coburg Athletics Track

Merri-bek Council has released the draft Masterplan for the Coburg North Sports Hub. While the plan has many great elements, the school does not support the removal of the synthetic athletics track as part of the longer term plans. The Harold Stevens Athletic Track is always a great venue for our school's annual Athletics Carnival. We would argue it needs to stay as a purpose built facility for our school and the many other primary and secondary schools which rely upon it.

Please see here for my submission on behalf of School Council to Merri-bek Council about the Masterplan.

Vale Robert Walls, 1950 - 2025 

I was saddened to hear about the sad passing of former VFL/AFL player, coach and media commentator, Robert Walls. Robert was a student of Coburg High School in the 1960s, including being head prefect in 1967. 

Robert was also a well regarded school teacher, teaching at schools including Coburg East Primary School:

Read more about Robert Walls at http://www.coburghighhistorical.org/robert-walls.html Coburg High extendeds our condolences to Robert’s family, friends, former teammates and colleagues.

CHS Instagram

As always, keep an eye on the Coburg High School Instagram... 

...for lots more events, photos and videos, including from the recent VCE Music Night.

Brent Houghton

Principal