From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,

I’m delighted to share the latest happenings at Auburn High as we approach the end of Term 3. Our school community has been bustling with energy and involvement across a range of activities and events.

House Athletics: Embracing Team Spirit and Friendly Competition

Our recent House Athletics event showcased the enthusiasm and sportsmanship of our students, as well as the commitment of our staff to engage with students beyond the classroom. The weather was ideal, and the vibrant display of house colours on the track and in the stands was a testament to the strong house spirit and camaraderie within our school. Students, whether competing, cheering, officiating, or helping with the BBQ and kiosk, displayed exceptional energy and positivity. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Lanfranchi, our Sport Coordinator, and his dedicated team for organizing a memorable event that united our staff and students in a spirit of competition and support. Freeman won the house chant competition and Hollows the overall Athletics Cup. Congratulations also, to the students who qualified for the Auburn team and will advance to the next level of School Sport Victoria athletics.

Time and Space events: Building Connections 

This term we have held two nights aimed at acknowledging the work of parent figures in our young people’s lives. These nights involve our students connecting with significant adults in their lives, and spending time reflecting on past experiences, committing to future supports, and sharing treasures of the past. Both the Year 7, and the Year 8 and 9 nights, aim to strengthen the bonds between students and their parents, or significant adult role models that attend with them. The evenings were filled with laughter, conversations, and shared experiences, creating lasting memories. Feedback from attendees, and the senior students who facilitated the event has been very positive. This feedback will help us plan our upcoming senior school families evening later this year. 

We all flourish when we feel safe and acknowledged and the Time and Space events are going to be an ongoing part of our community engagement program. Special thanks to Anna Naylor, our Learning Specialist for Wellbeing and Inclusion, for her excellent coordination of the evening.

Student Forums on Attitudes to School Survey Data: Valuable Insights and Discussions

Recently, we held a series of student forums to discuss the Attitudes to School Survey data. These discussions were both enlightening and productive, offering invaluable insights from our students. Their ideas and suggestions are crucial as we work to enhance the school experience and empower students to take charge of their learning. Some of the topics discussed were student safety, school response to bullying, effective feedback regarding student progress, and positive classroom behaviours. 

The open and honest conversations during these forums underscore the importance of student feedback in shaping our educational environment. I attended some of the sessions and the students’ perspectives were enlightening and have already sparked action at a staff professional learning level. Our Leading Teacher, Pauline Delhostal, did a fantastic job coordinating the six forums, working closely with Year Level Leaders, organizing students, and designing the sessions. The feedback gathered will continue to be used in our planning for 2024 and beyond.

NASA – Space tour 

In a little over three weeks forty intrepid students, and five Auburn High teaching staff will embark on a trip of a lifetime. In an action packed twelve day tour of the US, the group will travel to San Francisco, Kennedy Space Centre Florida, and Los Angeles for Disneyland, and Universal Studios. The Auburn High group will be ably led by the staff of Global Learning Expeditions and the itinerary will provide some lifelong memories. I am attending the trip along with Ms Jayasuriya, Ms Mangano, Mr Crowe, and Mr Munday. Stay tuned for my report in term 4. 

Science and Engineering Challenge Competition

I would like to mention the fantastic effort of our budding engineers who have been working closely with Ms Wong-fat, Mr Carpenter, and Mr Dundon as they prepare for the state finals of this competition in Geelong. The challenge involves groups being given random problems and scenarios that need to be solved under time pressure. Mr Dundon is a former structural engineer and I know he has been tutoring the students in the essential skills and knowledge that they will use in the competition. This STEM related program provides much stimulation and inspiration for young minds and I wish the staff and students all the best for the finals on Thursday 5 September. 

Parent Student Teacher conferences Wednesday 28 August, Thursday 5 September

Recently teachers have been providing feedback to students via Compass, on assessment tasks returned to students, and during conversations during class time. Over the last two weeks students have been completing surveys that will provide feedback to teachers regarding student learning, and elements of classroom environments. Having the two-way feedback loop is very important to create high expectations, and the best possible student outcomes. Parent Student Teacher conferences are a great way to bring this all together in conversations between parents, students, and the teaching staff. Five minutes does not seem long, but it is long enough to obtain the essential information that provides an insight or overview. I encourage parents to be clear about what they would like to find out from the teachers, and if extra time is required to discuss things in depth, then please arrange an alternative time to do so. 

 Celebrating Achievements

As we near the end of Term 3, it’s an opportune moment to celebrate the achievements of our students and the hard work of our staff. The dedication displayed throughout the term is commendable, and we are proud of the progress our students have made. With Learning Behaviour reports released, Parent-Student-Teacher conferences underway, and Year Level assemblies approaching, it’s a great time to reflect on each student’s progress, celebrate milestones, and recognize their resilience. Students are encouraged to set goals for their continued growth through E4L, My Learning Growth tool, or with the support of staff.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the events and opportunities that Term 4 will bring. October will arrive before we know it, and we’ll soon be celebrating the final week for our Year 12 students! As always, your involvement, support, and partnership are vital to the success of our school community.

Until next time,

Ross Pritchard

Principal