Tributes have poured in after the sudden death of Maria Karvouni, a Melbourne high school principal remembered by students, parents, fellow teachers and members of the broader community for her trailblazing spirit and warm character.

Ms Karvouni “passed away on the weekend after being unwell for some time”, read an announcement by Auburn High posted on their Facebook page this week.

Described as a “role model” by the school, she is given credit for creating “Auburn High to be the school it is today.”

“Maria has also contributed significantly to state education and the general Boroondara community for over 30 years,” read the post.

https://www.facebook.com/AuburnHigh/photos/a.284324895053279/2458133241005756/

Taking over from the closure of Hawthorn Secondary College, the school adopted its current name in 2014, introducing a unique French Immersion Program, where students were taught the language at an advanced level, but also nearly 60 per cent of the regular curriculum was delivered in French.

A proponent of bilingual education, Ms Karvouni was leading the relaunch of the program.

“Students that have gone through the bilingual schools see the benefit and I think that they want to continue with their language. Kids actually enjoy speaking French and speaking another language, whether it’s Greek or French, etc.,” Ms Karvouni had told Neos Kosmos in an interview with Vasso Zangalis in early 2022.

Australia, she was saying, is “a very monolingual society.”

“It’s not until you travel that you realise ‘wow – how do these people in Europe learn three languages at once’. It’s about just infusing and using it in the curriculum as much as we can, particularly in primary, instil a love of learning, the love of other cultures and understanding. It creates better citizens, a better tolerance and understanding of where people come from.”

Hundreds of online tributes have praised Ms Karvouni’s “impactful dedication” to her work and the children, her “exemplary leadership” and “welcoming kindness”.

Ms Karvouni was a mother of two.

Her funeral service, scheduled for 22 December, will be livestreamed.