Buildings and Grounds update

Whilst we were all off enjoying the break, our school building was bustling with tradies! The old windows over the canteen have been removed and are being replaced, our main electrical switchboard has been upgraded (so our new heating/ cooling system can now operate at full capacity), our retro bathrooms have been demolished, landscapers have established a memorial garden for Ms Karvouni at the school entrance and construction of our senior building hast just ticked over the 50% mark!

With the internal bathrooms offline for the remainder of Term 4, temporary student facilities have been installed in the canteen courtyard. These bathrooms take a few minutes to reach from the furthest classrooms, so teachers are encouraging students to use the facilities at breaktimes rather than taking bathroom breaks during class time which disrupts the learning program. Students are expected to treat the temporary facilities with respect and to report any issues to myself or to the office.

Central Australia tour and upcoming travel opportunities

22 Year 10 and 11 students were outstanding ambassadors for Auburn High School on our Central Australia tour during the September holidays. They demonstrated our DARE values authentically and admirably and really left a positive mark on the Yulara community! We couldn’t be more proud of them.

Sincere thanks to my colleagues Sam Tolomei and Charlotte Dibben for joining me on the trip and supporting our students to engage, to question and to step outside their comfort zone in many instances.

This was the first trip for AHS post-Covid and it will be offered every 2nd year. Please refer to the article further in this newsletter outlining some of the many trip highlights and happy snaps.

Auburn High School is committed to providing our students with opportunities that will support them to become engaged and curious global citizens. Our first NASA STEM trip since 2019 is locked in for September next year and again, this will run every 2nd year. We know that many AHS families have been keenly awaiting the return of a French travel opportunity. I’m excited to advise that planning is currently underway for a France tour to be held in April next year! This tour will provide students with an immersive language and cultural experience, as well as a focus on arts and history. An information session will be scheduled very soon. More information to follow in coming days.

Early stage planning is also underway for a philanthropic trip to Vietnam in April 2025. This experience will support the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and will also be open to non-IB students.

Introducing our new Leading Teacher 7-9 Curriculum

Cassie Mahoney finished up on Friday to embark on a new adventure; motherhood! Cassie has done an excellent job in her Leading Teacher role and as a valued member of the English Learning Area team over the past three years and we wish her and the bub all the very best. With Cassie being on leave, Ashley Lanfranchi has stepped into the 7-9 Curriculum role in an acting capacity. Ashley is a highly experienced teacher and has successfully led the Health/ PE team and Sports portfolio at AHS for a number of years. I’m excited to work with Ashley in this new capacity and he has been warmly welcomed to our school leadership team.

Entrepreneurial thinking in Year 9

We were very excited to introduce a new entrepreneurial thinking program exclusively for Year 9 students this week! The “Innovation Sprint” is an intensive, fast-paced, two-day program that alternates with attendance at the Year 9 camp.

Leading Teachers Mr Ryan, Mr Lanfranchi and I developed this program with the guidance of staff at the University of Melbourne Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship. The “Innovation Sprint” is a dynamic and interactive program that challenges students to be creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, and innovative leaders. This program is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore their potential, collaborate with peers, and apply their knowledge in real-world situations, all while making a positive impact on society and the environment. The program has been designed to explore and develop Citizenship skills – the Auburn Learner Quality focus for Year 9.

During the Innovation Sprint, students have:

· Worked in teams to tackle real-world challenges with a social and environmental impact,

· Learned to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions that address pressing issues,

· Enhanced their communication and presentation skills as they advocate for positive change,

· Showcased their creativity and ingenuity in a final pitch to industry experts and members of the community.

Students presented impressive pitches on initiatives such as supporting people with disabilities within the community, encouraging foster caring and promoting animal rescue.

It has been wonderful to see our Year 9’s thriving in this very different context. They participated with energy, curiosity and a collaborative spirit and are to be commended for their efforts! I’d like to thank Mr Ryan and Mr Lanfranchi for their enthusiastic leadership of this unique program and to the teachers who assisted in its facilitation.

Finally, special thanks to our wonderful panellists for contributing their time to provide feedback to students on their pitches: AHS parents Victor Franco and Natasha Cook, Yarra Primary School Principal Saraid Doherty, Emily Hui from Auburn South Primary School along with four impressive year 6 students and AHS School Captains Amelie B and Amisha R.

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