Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the end of Term 3, I want to express my sincere thanks for your continued support and involvement in our school community. This week, we concluded our Term 3 Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences with an impressive 2,595 bookings. This represents over five thousand valuable opportunities for us to connect with our students and families, fostering a strong finish to Term 3. I hope you found these conferences to be as meaningful and constructive as the staff did. Your feedback is immensely valuable, and it’s clear that these conversations are making a positive impact on our students. I encourage you to celebrate the role you play in supporting your child’s education. It really does make a difference.

In addition to these conferences, our Year Level Leaders have been actively engaged in promoting our school’s high standards of uniform. They have conducted uniform blitzes to remind students of the importance of wearing their uniform with pride. I am pleased with the improvements we’ve observed and appreciate the efforts of our Tutor Group teachers who have been diligently recording uniform compliance and addressing any issues. The Auburn High school uniform stands out, it creates a sense of school pride and provides a predictable start to the day. Each day I wear a suit and tie as a sign of respect for the expectations we have of our students. On Friday, I counted the students I had to remind to wear their blazer home, and it was less than ten percent. Only a handful of students didn’t have their blazer. This means when they walk home or get on public transport with students from other schools in our area, they can feel confident they are representing the Auburn pride.

Celebration of other positive trends and achievements observed by our staff will occur this week and next, in our Year Level Assemblies. Please check the Compass calendar for the schedule. You will be able to discuss the assemblies with your child and hear about all the DARE awards. Parents can also check on their child’s Compass for DARE posts which staff add when a student demonstrates positive behaviour in relation to Diversity, Aspiration, Respect, and Excellence. These are ‘green’ these are written by staff members each term. In fact, there is a growing trend where students try and get only green posts on their Compass Chronical. These events play a crucial role in reinforcing positive behaviours, and academic success.

Outside the classroom, our students have had enriching experiences, from participating in the Science and Engineering Challenge in Geelong to enjoying sports activities and the AHS Olympics. These opportunities contribute significantly to their personal and academic growth. Good luck to the students competing at Division Athletics on Thursday 12th September. I will be out there cheering you on and presenting some ribbons to students.

Looking ahead, we are preparing for Term 4 with various exciting activities. Our Year 9 Camp briefing was well-attended by over 40 families where they heard of the exciting outdoor activities and general program. Many schools have reduced their camps programs due to the 2022 Teachers’ agreement and Time-in-Lieu for teachers. I remain convinced of the benefits of a camps program and committed to finding a way to ensure they continue. Alumni in years to come will remember the extra-curricular program, the social connections and the fun of camps.

It is a big two weeks for our Year 12 students as they focus on their Unit 3 & 4 or Year 2 IB subjects. Final teaching of content is occurring, with half an eye on revision, trial exams (second week of the holidays) and planning for the week of activities leading up to their Valedictory. Each year the final day of Year 12 creeps up on us, and this year it is week 2 of Term 4. This is slightly earlier to accommodate the IB students whose exam period is slightly earlier than the VCE.

It is confirmed that we will be welcoming over 175 Year 7 students in the 2025 school year. The excitement builds, and the preparations for our specialised programs has already begun. The SEAL exams are completed, and interviews have taken place for the final few spots. This week we had the French Specialist pre-orientation program, and parents and guardians of 2025 Year 7 students have a family information session this week also. In the background the getting started at AHS parent information evening, staff recruitment, 2025 timetable development, and Head start 2024 planning are all being FINALISED.

In exciting news, I have placed an advertisement on Recruitment Online (DET portal) for the vacant substantive Assistant Principal (AP) role. With the departure of Kristie Satilmis earlier this term, I have completed a revision of the Assistant Principals’ roles and responsibilities. With our current strategic plan focusing on two goals (1. Teaching and Learning, 2. Wellbeing, Inclusion, and school connectedness), the Assistant Principals (AP)’s will be responsible for one goal each. Ella Price will remain AP of the senior school and will oversee the whole school strategic role of school improvement Teaching and Learning. The new role will be an AP for Years 7 – 9 will oversee student engagement, wellbeing and inclusion. I am excited that this clarity will allow for other leadership roles, and positions of responsibility to be linked to a whole school focus.

Finally, this week on Thursday, the 12th of September, we will be celebrating RUOK? Day. Over the past decade, we have integrated this day into our school community with activities, and education around the importance of meaningful conversations and supporting one another. This initiative complements many of our other celebratory days, and events that raise awareness of specialised initiatives. They also reinforce our school values.

Thank you once again for your continued support.

Library

Shirley Wong