The Arrow Term 3. No 2

Dear Parents and Carers,

Term three is halfway through, there is a hint of the sun shining, and for now Spring appears to be just around the corner. Our students have been shining as they participate in several activities.

Our School production was last week. Held in Elwood at the Phoenix Theatre, a cast and crew of experienced and novice thespians performed ‘Singing in the Rain’. There were break out performances from our lead actors and a large cast all captivated the audience. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Sally Edwards, Caroline Hardy, and Kylie Wagenvoort (vocal teacher) who have inspired, motivated, guided, and coordinated the students involved. Many other staff and students assisted behind the scenes and pleasingly our audiences were larger than ever before.

The house competition is well and truly in action. This week we held our annual House Athletics carnival at Duncan McKinnon track in Carnegie. I really enjoy watching the performances of the students, and the team spirit and costumes all add to the energy of the day. Students winning the events will progress to the Division athletics carnival. Good luck to all.

Students have shown a keen interest in the DAV debating competition both as speakers, researchers, and audience members. It has been pleasing to see the appetite for expansion in the debating program. Thank you, Isobel Hudson and other staff, who have organised this competition and I know many students involved will be key parts of our house debating competition.

Currently we are in the mid-term cycle of learning behaviour reports and Parent Student Teacher conferences. As most parents would know we rate the student around: Agency in Learning (AKA taking responsibility), Completes required work, Works productively in class, Seeks assistance, when necessary, Works in a team, and Respects the rights of others to learn. Student are given a score of 2, 4, 6 (expected), 8 or 10. Educational research shows that behaviours drive performance, and that feedback on process, routines, structures and actions has a significant impact on learning outcomes, and student engagement. Self-reporting of grades and a student’s awareness of their levels is also a developmental phase we are emphasising here. Education is a lifelong process, and I demand the same learning behaviours in my staff. Please have open conversations with your children to reinforce the real-world applications of these skills and behaviours. Parent Student Teacher conferences are next week and provide a great chance to meet teachers and get some additional individual feedback. Currently there is over 2000 appointments booked.

This week parents/carers received an email regarding the 2026 Parent/Carer Opinion Survey. Each household receives a link to the state wide survey, and I encourage you to complete it. Responses from the Auburn High community help system wide programs and provide invaluable insights for our own school. The survey closes September 18th. Last year we had a disappointing response to the survey with only 12% of parents submitting. This meant that the data set was not enough to form substantive judgements. I encourage you to be involved in this annual fact-finding process.

Finally, with an eye on 2027, the school is processing enrolments presently. Our enrolments are controlled by an Enrolment Management Policy (DET), except for our French Specialist Programs where students are coming from Caulfield Junior College, and Camberwell Primary School. Currently it looks like we will have around 160 students in year 7 and around 140 year 12 students in 2027. This will likely mean that the total student numbers will total between 840 – 860.

Until next time,

Kind regards,

Ross Pritchard

As we progress through the final weeks of winter before we are greeted by the warmth of the Spring sun, we continue to be proud of our junior school students’ approach and commitment to their learning and engagement in the range of different extra-curricular activities that have been happening in our community.

In Week 5, we were treated to an incredible school production of ‘Singin’ in the Rain Jr.’ at Phoenix Theatre. The talent and hard work of our students shone brightly on stage, captivating the audience with their performances. We would like to extend a special congratulations to all the students involved, both on stage and behind the scenes, for their outstanding efforts. A huge thank you as well to Sally Edwards, Caroline Hardy, Julia Burke and Kylie Wagenvoort for their dedication and countless hours of work in bringing this production to life. It was a true testament to the creativity and passion within our school community.

On Tuesday we held our annual Athletics Carnival, and we were so proud of our students’ willingness to get involved and participate in a range of different events throughout the day. The energy and enthusiasm displayed on display was a reminder of how special our school community is, with many embracing the opportunity to compete, cheer on their peers, and demonstrate our school’s DARE values. Commendations go to Freeman, who won the House Chant competition at our House Assemblies in the leadup, and we are all eagerly awaiting an update regarding the final tallies for the day and our overall winner. A big congratulations to everyone involved, and in particular thank you to Luke Dellorso and the HPE department for leading our staff and volunteers who helped make the day such a success.

Next week, we are holding the first round of Parent Student Teacher Conferences on Tuesday 25th August, with additional bookings available in the afternoon on Thursday 27th August. We value the opportunity to strengthen our partnerships with our families to support our students at Auburn High School. These conferences are an opportunity for teachers, students, and families to come together and discuss student progress, celebrate successes, and identify areas and steps for growth. Teachers are looking forward to these conversations as a lever to provide personalised feedback and recommendations to help each student achieve their best. We encourage families to review their child’s Learning Behaviour Report, which will be released on Monday 24th August, prior to attending the conferences. This report will serve as a helpful guide for your discussions and ensure that you make the most of this valuable time together. Bookings are available via Compass.

In the coming weeks we will also be facilitating our yearly Student Attitudes to School Survey focus groups across both our junior and senior sub-schools. All students complete the DET-mandated survey in May, and upon receiving the data our Year Level Teams review for trends, celebrating successes and identifying areas for further investigation and/or attention. Our Year Level Teams look forward to meeting with a group of students from their year level to unpack the survey responses and hear more about their perspective on being a student at AHS. There is still time for students to get involved – if they would like to attend their focus group and contribute as a representative for their year level, they should contact their Year Level Leader.

As we continue through the term, we thank you for your ongoing support, and look forward to celebrating more achievements in the weeks to come.

Sam Francis

Acting Assistant Principal (Junior School – Years 7-9)

Year 12 IB French Students Take the Next Step in Their IB Journey

 Our Year 12 IB French students are about to complete their oral internal assessment, an important milestone in their International Baccalaureate journey. This assessment reflects months of dedicated preparation and provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their advanced proficiency in French language and communication. The oral internal assessment is a crucial component of the IB French course, requiring students to communicate effectively in French through structured oral presentations and discussions. As they approach this assessment, students are refining their language skills and building confidence in preparation for their final IB examinations. Bonne chance to all our Year 12 IB French students as they undertake their oral internal assessment. We wish them every success as they continue their IB journey toward the final examinations in November!

Year 8 French Partial Immersion students Explore the Legends of King Arthur

 In Year 8 FPIP French, students have begun an exciting new unit on Le Roi Arthur et les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde. They started by exploring French legends and reading our class novel, Le Roi Arthur. In the coming weeks, students will undertake research into knights and medieval French villages, deepening their understanding of life in the Middle Ages. They will also begin reading extracts from Perceval et le Conte du Graal, one of the most famous stories of Arthurian legend. Oyé, oyé, braves gens! The students of 8 FPIP are well on their way to becoming medieval experts! Below are some examples of their posters showcasing French legends.

9 French Travellers: A Day in Paris

Unit 1, Une Journée à Paris (A Day in Paris), has come to an exciting conclusion for our 9 French Travellers students. As part of their learning, students are currently completing their second CAT, which challenges them to navigate a realistic restaurant scenario entirely in French. They must order food, check for allergens, resolve an unexpected issue (such as finding a bug in their meal!), and ensure they receive the correct change when paying with cash. It is a task that requires confidence, problem-solving skills, and plenty of French language knowledge. Earlier in the semester, students completed their first CAT, where they practised asking for directions and purchasing a Pass Navigo for the Parisian métro. This assessment helped them develop practical communication skills for travelling in a French-speaking environment. Their first CAT was also accompanied by a cultural project in which students designed a realistic and engaging one-day itinerary for a tourist visiting Paris. Through this task, they explored some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, attractions, and cultural experiences while applying their language skills in an authentic context. As we bid farewell to Paris, we are now ready to embark on our next adventure in Unit 2: Bienvenue au Québec! Below are some examples of the creative and informative Paris itineraries designed by our students.

Dear Parents,

I hope this message finds you well!

We are delighted to announce the continuation of our joint Auburn High School–Caulfield Junior College–Glen Eira College initiative for 2027, following the success of this year and last year’s competition.

Once again, our students in Years 7 to 11 studying French in one of our French Specialist Programs (FBN & FPIP), VCE or IB level, will have the opportunity to participate in the Ambassadeurs & Ambassadrices en Herbe Public Speaking & Debate Competition, which brings together students from AEFE schools across the Asia-Pacific region for a week of debates, cultural exchange and linguistic challenges — all in French!

The Melbourne Finale

The Melbourne Finale (Finale Établissement) will take place on Monday 7 December 2026 at Glen Eira College. During this event, an external jury will assess the participating students, and selected students will have the opportunity to represent our schools at the Asia-Pacific Zone Finale.

Further details regarding the Asia-Pacific finale, including date and location, will be communicated from the organising body AEFE at the beginning of Term 4. At this stage, we anticipate that the competition will take place most likely in one of the lycées français in Southeast Asia.

Estimated Cost

The anticipated cost of the overseas component is approximately $2,000–$2,400 per student. This is expected to cover:

• transport and flights
• accommodation
• meals
• registration fees
• activities and excursions during the programme

Please note that this is an estimate and may vary depending on flight prices and other logistical factors. More detailed information, including the final itinerary and confirmed costs, will be shared with families once the team has been selected and the arrangements have been finalised.

Why participate?

Taking part in Ambassadeurs & Ambassadrices en Herbe offers students a unique opportunity to develop both their French language skills and their personal confidence.

Authentic French Language Experience
Debating and presenting entirely in French helps students develop fluency, confidence, spontaneity and the ability to express and defend their ideas.

Critical Thinking & Collaboration
Students learn to analyse issues, construct arguments, listen to different perspectives and communicate effectively as part of a team.

Personal Growth
Travelling and representing their school and country encourages independence, leadership, resilience and a strong sense of achievement.

Cultural Enrichment
The programme includes cultural visits, exchanges and opportunities to meet students from other French-language schools across the Asia-Pacific region.

We encourage you to discuss this exciting opportunity with your child and consider whether they would like to be involved.

If you would like your child to participate, please complete the Expression of Interest Form using the link below:

AAEH 2026–2027: Expression of Interest

Further information will be communicated to families via Compass in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support and for encouraging our students to take part in such a rewarding international experience!

Warm regards,

Sophie Oldfield

Chers parents,

J’espère que vous allez bien !

Nous sommes ravis de vous annoncer la poursuite de notre initiative commune Auburn High School–Caulfield Junior College–Glen Eira College pour 2027, à la suite du succès de l’édition de cette année.

Une nouvelle fois, nos élèves d’années 7 à 11 étudiant le français dans l’un de nos  programmes français spécialisés (FBN & FPIP), ainsi que nos  élèves de VCE ou IB, auront l’opportunité de participer au concours Ambassadeurs et Ambassadrices en Herbe, qui réunit des élèves des établissements AEFE de la région Asie-Pacifique autour d’une semaine de débats, d’échanges culturels et de défis linguistiques — le tout en français !

La Finale Melbourne

La Finale Melbourne aura lieu le lundi 7 décembre 2026 à Glen Eira College. Lors de cet événement, un jury externe évaluera les participants. Les élèves sélectionnés auront ensuite l’opportunité de représenter nos établissements lors de la finale de la zone Asie-Pacifique.

Les informations concernant la finale Asie-Pacifique, notamment la date et le lieu, seront communiquées au début du quatrième trimestre. À ce stade, nous pensons que la compétition aura lieu probablement dans un lycée français d’Asie du Sud-Est.

Coût estimatif

Le coût estimatif du séjour à l’étranger est d’environ 2 000 à 2 400 $ par élève. Ce montant devrait comprendre :

• les transports et les billets d’avion ;
• l’hébergement ;
• les repas ;
• les frais d’inscription ;
• les activités et excursions sur place.

Il s’agit d’une estimation. Le montant final pourra varier en fonction notamment du prix des billets d’avion et d’autres facteurs logistiques.

Des informations plus précises, notamment concernant l’itinéraire et le coût définitifs, seront communiquées aux familles une fois l’équipe constituée et les différentes modalités du séjour finalisées.

Pourquoi y participer ?

Participer à Ambassadeurs et Ambassadrices en Herbe offre aux élèves une expérience unique pour développer à la fois leurs compétences en français et leur confiance en eux.

Une expérience authentique de la langue française
Débattre et prendre la parole entièrement en français permet aux élèves de développer leur aisance, leur confiance, leur spontanéité et leur capacité à exprimer et défendre leurs idées.

Esprit critique et travail en équipe
Les élèves apprennent à analyser des problématiques, construire des arguments, écouter différents points de vue et communiquer efficacement au sein d’une équipe.

Développement personnel
Voyager et représenter leur établissement encourage les élèves à développer leur autonomie, leur leadership, leur résilience et leur fierté de participer à un projet international.

Enrichissement culturel
Le programme comprend des visites culturelles, des échanges et des occasions de rencontrer des élèves d’autres établissements francophones de la région Asie-Pacifique.

Nous vous encourageons à discuter de cette belle opportunité avec votre enfant afin de voir s’il ou elle souhaiterait participer à cette aventure.

Si vous souhaitez qu/il ou elle y participe, et si votre enfant est volontaire, nous vous invitons à remplir le formulaire d’expression d’intérêt en cliquant sur le lien ci-dessous :

AAEH 2026–2027 : Expression d’intérêt

De plus amples informations seront communiquées aux familles via Compass au cours des prochaines semaines.

Nous vous remercions pour votre soutien continu et pour les encouragements que vous apportez à nos élèves afin qu’ils puissent participer à une expérience internationale aussi enrichissante !

Bien à vous

Sophie Oldfield

Auburn High School International Student Recognised Among the Top Three International Students in VCE

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Yiyang (Terry) Yao, a 2025 Auburn High School graduate, who has been recognised as one of the Top Three International Students in Victoria at the Premier’s VCE Awards.

The Premier’s VCE Awards celebrate students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Victorian Certificate of Education. Terry was recognised alongside some of Victoria’s highest-achieving VCE students at this prestigious event.

Being named one of the Top Three International Students in Victoria is an exceptional achievement and reflects Terry’s dedication, perseverance and commitment throughout his VCE studies.

Terry’s achievement is also a very proud moment for the Auburn High School community and our International Student Program. Completing VCE as an international student involves not only the academic demands of senior secondary study, but also adapting to a different country, culture and education system. Terry embraced these challenges and made the most of the opportunities available to him.

We would also like to acknowledge the teachers, staff, family and friends who supported Terry throughout his journey at Auburn High School.

Congratulations, Terry, on this remarkable achievement.

Jean Zhang

International Student Program Coordinator

With the school production of Singin’ in the Rain happening in week 5, the library has put together a display showcasing highlights from the original movie

There is also a new display of books are on display available for loan

Students are reminded there are ebooks and audio books available for loan on the EPlatform via the AHS Library on Compass.

Here are some of the popular titles:

Interested in joining our music program – we are now taking applications through Compass!