From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

We have hit the ground running with the beginning of Term 2 having so many great things happening, which keeps reminding us all how Frankston High School is such a very special place to be. 

Parent Student Teacher Conferences Draw a Huge Crowd

We drew a huge crowd of parents with their children to Parent Student Teacher Conferences.  Our dedicated teachers were losing their voices after working all day and into the evening having back to back discussions with families.  So many parents were thanking me for the wonderful teachers the school has whilst all our teachers were commenting about the lovely families we are so fortunate to work with.  It is certainly a win win situation when we have a community that together make the very best of the educational opportunities our great school offers.  Now is the time for our students to reflect on the feedback that has been provided and be inspired to continue to do their ‘best always’.

Senior Stage Band a Highlight at Frankston Music Festival

I was so proud of our Senior Stage Band when they performed recently at the Frankston Football Club during the City of Frankston’s Music Festival.  The enthusiastic audience appreciated their rendition of some jazz classics.  We are indebted to our teachers (Mr Ben Braithwaite and Mr Rob Mattessi) who give up their weekend time for our students to have such a rewarding learning experience. 

Families of Prospective Year 7 Students Come in Droves on School Tours

We have just completed our series of school tours with over 1000 prospective parents and students visiting our school.  The feedback from parents and children was very positive after they had the opportunity to see our high performing school in action.  Such attendance in high numbers confirms Frankston High School remains a high demand school where the capacity to enrol is far exceeded by the demand for enrolment. Consequently, house prices in the zone are at a premium compared to the cost of comparable housing outside the zone.  I always suggest to families that investing in real estate in the zone is a wise financial decision because there is the potential for significant growth in housing prices compared to growth outside the zone.  As well as you are saving money by not having to invest in expensive private schools, since the quality of education and level of student achievement at our incredible school, is at the very least, equivalent to and even better than what is on offer at the most expensive of private schools.

Frankston High School Wins PARC’s "Let’s Move" Competition

Thank you to Frankston High School community members who visit PARC regularly and supported us in winning PARC’s Let’s Move competition.  The school has been awarded a $5,000 gym equipment cheque.  With last year’s win Frankston High School has won a total of $15000 to be invested in equipment for our new gym.  We are indebted to Mrs Chloe Stevens and Mrs Carly MacDonald for their great enthusiasm and leadership of this initiative. 

Resilience Project Forums for Parents and Years 7 and 8 Students

This term we have provided guest speakers for our Years 7 and 8 students to inspire their learning in class regarding the Resilience Project.  Also, we ran our annual Resilience Project night for parents and a session for staff.  The presenters whilst providing essential information certainly know how to captivate and inspire their audiences.  Due to the Resilience Project parents, students and staff are learning to be grateful for the wonderful lives we have, learning to be in the present, rather than always wanting for more.  We are also learning how to be more empathic and kinder to others and experiencing the joy this brings to our lives.  At the same time, we are all learning that life is not always a bed of roses. During such times of challenge, we can seek help from others and if we have practiced and acquired mindfulness strategies this helps us with everyday living and particularly enhances our resilience during these times of challenge.  It is recommended parents of Year 7 and 8 students look at their child’s diary with them and discuss and practice the strategies in the diary.  Also, there are many great apps for mindfulness.  I will be using the Resilience Project app to help me regularly practice mindfulness strategies. 

Celebration of Athletics at Frankston High School

Thank you to Mr Glenn Davey who has supervised the construction of our new athletics track.  It has been terrific to see students enjoying the sprint track as well as the two lane track that runs around the border of the oval.  To justify the investment in this resource we are celebrating the fact that an incredible 12 students qualified for and represented Frankston High School at the Australian Track and Field Championships in Sydney recently.   These students were placed from second in Australia to 14th in a huge range of events including, hurdles, relays, triple jump, long jump, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 3000m and the 2000m steeple.  Congratulations to:

Alicia Ockerby (Year 9)

Paddy Colgan (Year 9)

Elli Symonds (Year 7C)

Amber Kamau (Year 10)

Declyn Tanner (Year 7J)

Riley Lovick (Year 9)

Noah Oliver (Year 10)

Rhemmy Gibbs (Year 11)

Jeremy Ockerby (Year 10)

Isabella Phanivong (Year 12)

Blake Shaw (Year 11) and

Lily Oxley (Year 10)

Recently, Elli Symonds (Year 7C) had a great weekend in Hobart at the Australian Little Athletics Championships.  She won the triple jump (New Australian Champion).

I am looking forward to waiting on a room of mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunties and sisters at this weekend’s High Tea. All proceeds will be donated to helping students and their families with wellbeing needs.  This event is a real celebration of women who contribute so much to our very special community.  Also don’t forget tickets are selling for Legally Blonde.  Our students are looking forward to performing for you. 

As you are reading my report, my wife and I will be touring up to Queensland with our caravan.  This should be an interesting experience to say the least.  Hopefully my reversing onto sites will improve without too many distressing arguments all of my own doing.  I could be returning at the beginning of Term 3 for a rest.  Have a great term everyone. 

Mr John Albiston

Principal