Auburn High School is a public, co-educational secondary school located at 26 Burgess Street, Hawthorn East, Victoria, Australia, serving Years 7 to 12. The school was re-established under its current name in January 2014, following the closure of the former Hawthorn Secondary College, with a vision to create a bilingual pathway in French for the local community.
The school’s zone includes the suburbs of Toorak, Armadale, Malvern, Malvern East, Kooyong, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Camberwell, and Glen Iris, drawing from a culturally diverse, inner-eastern Melbourne catchment located approximately 6 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.
Victoria’s Only Binational French Program
Auburn High School is the only Victorian government secondary school accredited to offer a Binational French program — a select-entry, internationally recognised programme fully accredited by the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) and the French Ministry of Education. Students in this program:
- Complete 17 hours of French study per week
- Are taught three other subjects (Science, Maths, and Humanities) in French, following the French National Curriculum
- Complete the Brevet Diploma in June of Year 9
A Partial Immersion French program is also available, involving 7 hours of French per week (advanced French plus one other subject taught in French). All students at the school study a minimum of 4 hours of Victorian Curriculum French per week in Years 7-9. Additional specialist fees apply for the French programmes (approximately $580/year for Partial Immersion and $2,940/year for the Binational Program, as of 2025 — confirm current fees with the school).
Other Academic Pathways
Beyond its signature French programmes, Auburn High School offers several pathways for students:
- Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program (Years 7-9) — accredited by The Academy of Accredited SEAL Schools (TAASS), compacting four years of Victorian Curriculum into three
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), VCE Vocational Major (VM), or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme at senior level
- A particular STEM focus across Years 7-12, supported by an on-site English language centre helping international students meet mainstream English requirements
School Leadership
Auburn High School is led by Principal Maria Karvouni. The school’s core values — Diversity, Aspiration, Respect, Excellence (DARE) — guide its approach to education and community engagement.
Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 26 Burgess Street, Hawthorn East VIC 3123, Australia |
| Phone | (03) 9822 3247 |
| hawthorn.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au | |
| Website | auburnhs.vic.edu.au |
| Principal | Maria Karvouni |
| School type | Government, co-educational, academically selective (for specialist programs) |
| Year levels | Year 7 – Year 12 |
Auburn High School Term Dates 2026
As a Victorian government school, Auburn High School follows term dates approved by the Minister for Education in five-year blocks, applying uniformly to all Victorian government schools.
| Term | Start Date | Finish Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Tuesday, 27 January 2026 (students start Wednesday, 28 January) | Thursday, 2 April 2026 |
| Term 2 | Monday, 20 April 2026 | Friday, 26 June 2026 |
| Term 3 | Monday, 13 July 2026 | Friday, 18 September 2026 |
| Term 4 | Monday, 5 October 2026 | Friday, 18 December 2026 |
Auburn High School Term Dates 2027
| Term | Start Date | Finish Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wednesday, 27 January 2027 (students start Thursday, 28 January) | Thursday, 25 March 2027 |
| Term 2 | Monday, 12 April 2027 | Friday, 25 June 2027 |
| Term 3 | Monday, 12 July 2027 | Friday, 17 September 2027 |
| Term 4 | Monday, 4 October 2027 | Friday, 17 December 2027 |
Last verified: 30 June 2026. Official source: Victorian Government — School term dates and holidays in Victoria
Enrolment
Year 6 students from Victorian government schools applying for the French Specialist Programs must record Auburn High School as their first preference on the placement information form lodged with their primary school. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a workshop and interview with AHS French staff during Term 2. For general enrolment (outside the French programmes), families should contact Year 7-9 Enrolment Enquiries directly via the school.
Co-Curricular and Sport
Students participate in a wide range of sports, including athletics, swimming, cross country, Australian Rules football, basketball, hockey, netball, soccer, table tennis, and volleyball, alongside the school’s strong academic and language programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn High School the only Victorian school offering a Binational French program?
Yes, it is the only Victorian government secondary school accredited to offer this AEFE-accredited programme.
Who is the current Principal of Auburn High School?
Maria Karvouni leads Auburn High School.
When was Auburn High School established?
It was re-established under its current name in January 2014, following the closure of the former Hawthorn Secondary College.
Does Auburn High School offer the IB Diploma?
Yes, alongside VCE and VCE Vocational Major, as senior school pathway options.
Who do I contact for enrolment or school-specific queries?
Contact Auburn High School at (03) 9822 3247 or hawthorn.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Related Victoria School Calendars
- Camberwell Grammar School Calendar
- Albert Park Primary School Calendar
- Ivanhoe Grammar School Calendar
- Firbank Grammar School Calendar
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