From the Principal

Staff Professional Learning Day

2021 Annual Report and Parent Public Meeting June 14th 6pm – 7pm

Our parent Public Meeting was held on site on Tuesday June 14th where we presented an overview of the 2021 Annual Report.  There was a great turnout of parents and students who joined a workshop on a current priority area of the 2022 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP):  Challenging all learners, Assessment and feedback, and Building school community. The School Leadership team ran the workshops and there was great discussion and feedback received in the three areas of focus.  Thank you to the leadership team, members of School Council and to all who attended the evening.

International Baccalaureate – (DP) Consultancy visit

Our IB consultancy visit was held on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th June with interviews being held remotely over the two days.  The schedule involved the consultant meeting with: myself, 7-10 Assistant Principal, IB Coordinator, teaching staff of the IB, Student Wellbeing Counsellor, Library and Laboratory Technicians, School Council President, Treasurer, Business Manager, as well as prospective students and parents.  The purpose of the consultation visit was to provide feedback on the work we have completed so far in the consultation process and to answer questions.  She also discussed the requirements for authorisation and the school’s progress towards meeting them.  At the final meeting we got a sense that we are tracking well to meet the requirements.  The consultant mentioned that there was a clear alignment with our school values and philosophy and the IB mission statement and this was apparent when she spoke to senior management, staff, parents and students.

The next stage is the authorisation process, likely to be held in August.  I would like to thank all who were involved in the meetings and thank staff for all their work in preparing for this visit.  In particular, I would like to thank Ross Pritchard and Peter Ryan for organising the visit.

Visit from New Zealand Principal

On Tuesday 7 June, Phil Holstein, Principal of Burnside High School, located in Christchurch, New Zealand, visited our school. Phil leads one of the largest secondary schools in New Zealand, it is a state coeducational school, with 2,500 students and 275 staff.  Phil’s visit was part of the Woolf Fisher Fellowship which he was awarded to study and travel overseas with a focus on leadership of secondary schools.  His focus is on how Principals and their leadership teams maintain and develop a strong school-inclusive culture and how they manage change effectively and promote continuous improvement.  Auburn High School was selected as we are a school that demonstrates these qualities at a high level and has an outstanding reputation and academic results.  It was great to meet an international colleague who is leading his school in a complex environment and who also is very active in leadership with his colleagues and broader school networks.

On a final note, with the cold weather upon us we are looking forward to the upcoming mid-year break.  I wish all families and staff a safe and restful break.  I look forward to seeing you again at the start of Term 3.