Junior Assistant Principal

Dannielle Gibson

The Junior School Team wishes to extend a very warm welcome to our returning students, our many new students and to the families of the Auburn High School community as we commence 2025 with the following mantra ‘Start Well, Finish Strong’. I have been so proud of the Junior School, showing the are ready to learn by being on time, wearing their full school uniform and having all their materials for class. Well done on a superb first month to our Class of 2030! We are really proud of the way our new Year 7 cohort has already embraced the AHS DARE values and settled into their new school routine. I’ve enjoyed visiting each of the Year 7 classes in action throughout this past month and have noticed their enthusiasm, friendliness and readiness to challenge themselves in their learning. Term 1 is an exciting time in the Junior School, with a number of key events aimed at building connections, community and making a strong start to the school year.

At Auburn High School, we know that learning does not just take place in the classroom but in all of the ways that we contribute to and participate in our school community. I have been so proud of our students embracing this year with aspiration and resilience, striving for their best and facing challenges with a belief that they will overcome them.

Our year level statements give us a wholistic focus for our development each year and are outlined below:

At year 7, we are focused on building our

CREATIVITY

At year 8, we are focused on building our skills in

COLLABORATION

At year 9, we are focused on building our impact in

CITIZENSHIP

At AHS we approach our learning with curiosity and an open mind. We explore a range of possibilities to solve problems. We value innovative

ways of thinking and

act upon our ideas.

At AHS we believe that we can support, inspire and

motivate each other to work toward common goals. We do this by listening

to understand and ensuring that all members have an equal opportunity to contribute. We value trust and communication, and we embrace different perspectives.

At AHS we actively contribute to our school community and embrace our differences. We model our school values. We understand our place in society and strive to have a positive impact on the local and global community.

DARE Planners – Junior School

This year we have booklisted the Berry Street Student Planners for our Year 7-9 students and are very excited about it! These diaries will enable students to keep track of their tasks and important dates, helping them build their academic autonomy and allow us to work on accountability before our students reach Senior School. They are also filled with wellbeing tasks, calming strategies and reflection activities we will be using in our E4L classes.

You can support your child in using their planner effectively by asking to see how they are tracking their homework and assessments and using their planner to record social and personal events.

2025 Community Picnic was a great start to the year!

It was wonderful to meet so many families at our picnic on Thursday evening, the weather turned very grey but the Senior School Building turned out to be a wonderful space to meet and connect. The AHS staff left the evening feeling so energised by the wonderful community supporting our young people. Families can refer to a range of tools to support their knowledge of their child’s learning including:

• Accessing Subject Unit Planners on Compass

• DARE awards, Learning Behaviour and Semester Reports

• Communicating with their child’s Tutor Group Teacher

• Attending Parent Student Teacher Conferences

• Engaging with notices and communications sent via email and News Feed regularly

• Discussing learning with the classroom teacher

• Engaging with their child about learning goals

• Responding curiously to progress concerns communicated by Tutor Group and Subject Teachers, with their child