From the Principal

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends

Students have been enjoying wonderful learning experiences even during the holidays thanks to our devoted staff and also throughout the first few weeks of Term 4.  It is great to be having some warmer weather which has helped everyone to be in high spirits leading to a sensational start to the term.

Relay For Life Has Our Students Raising Money For Cancer

Thanks to Ms Edward’s outstanding dedication, the Student Leadership Team and sports leaders who joined together to participate in ‘Relay for Life’ on the first weekend of the holidays.  This involved walking around the Ballam Park Athletics track from 3pm on the Saturday until 11.00am the next day with quite a number of teachers whose willingness to supervise over a holiday weekend made this special event possible. They raised an incredible $3500 to support cancer treatment and research.  This was a particularly poignant event because students lit candles for people they know who have cancer and for those we have lost to cancer. Dylan Garrett Year 8 participated in this event and lit a candle to support his uncle, Drew Malcolm.  Drew was very proud of Dylan’s efforts and the funds that were raised. We were saddened to hear that Drew (a former student of Frankston High School) passed away during the holidays.  This has touched our hearts and made us realise the importance of raising funds for cancer treatment and research, because we have all lost too many friends or family members or know of others suffering from this illness.

Drew Malcolm - Passed away 27 September 2015 after a 2 year battle with Cancer. Aged 40 years.

Southern Zone Athletics:  Students And Staff To Be Proud Of! 

A few weeks ago students competing at the Southern Zone Sports epitomised our motto of doing their best always together with displaying great sportsmanship.  Upon their return I asked one boy if we had won.  He said to me: “Mr Albiston it is not all about winning it is about doing your personal best and that is what I did”.  I certainly stand corrected because he is absolutely right.  However please forgive me for bragging a little, but we did triumph as Southern Zone Champions, a title we have held for well over two decades.  A huge thanks to the leadership and expertise of our coaches (Ms Edwards, Mr Burt, Ms Douglas and Mr Bonfadini) who have devoted countless hours preparing our athletes for this event.  Look out in the next newsletter to see how our team performed at the State Championships.

Central Oz Adventurers Return - Trip Of A Lifetime

From all reports our Year 11 students and staff enjoyed a fantastic tour throughout Central Australia.  They have returned with many stories of the fun they had learning about our great country.  I did hear their tents were flooded by torrential rain in Darwin but everyone survived, some perhaps with a little less sleep than anticipated. We remain indebted to those staff members who gave of their holiday time with family and friends to accompany our students on this trip.  A family travelling throughout Australia contacted me to let me know how proud I should be of our students because they entertained their young children and were always respectful of fellow campers.  This feedback doesn’t surprise me because I remain in awe of how respectful our students are to each other and all they meet.

Frankston High School Joins Safe Schools Coalition

Each year we survey students and consistently they have reported that the level of bullying is very low and that we have a very safe school environment.  As I walk around the school I always have the impression of a very friendly caring atmosphere, where students and staff accept each other for who they are.  In fact we all celebrate the fact that living in such a diverse community enriches our lives.

Consequently I am proud to announce that Frankston High School recently joined the Safe Schools Coalition. This represents our school's determination to ensure the safety and inclusivity of same sex attracted, gender diverse and intersex students, their families and teachers, while taking a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia and transphobia in the school community.  In the first week of term we had Roz Ward, CEO of the Safe Schools Coalition, come to provide professional learning for all teaching staff. Her training drew on national and international research to help staff gain new insights and ideas to support all teenagers with the struggle they experience in discovering who they are. 

More info: 

http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org.au/what-we-do

HPV Teams Best Ever Results  Thanks To Their Coach Mr Ridoutt

On Saturday 10 October, our HPV teams competed with great determination and spirit.  This is the first time we have had two teams competing with a boys open team and a girls open team.  The boys open team came 5th with the girls team gaining 3rd place in their divisions.  Teams competed from all over Victoria: many from private schools. Many thanks to Mr Ridoutt who has sacrificed numerous Sunday afternoons and provided time after school to train this team.  It was also very pleasing to have so many parents supporting this event.

National Chemistry Quiz - Students Excel

Year 11 Chemistry students recently competed in the National Chemistry Quiz which involved many private and government schools from across Australia.  The results were very impressive and a real tribute to their outstanding Chemistry teachers.  These results told us that our students’ understanding of Chemistry is significantly ahead of the Australian and state average.  Highlights included four high distinctions, six distinctions and three credits.  Many thanks to our very talented Chemistry teachers (Mr Valerio, Mr Elias & Ms Adriaans) who inspired our students to believe in themselves, by entering them in the competition and look what they achieved.

Year 12 Holiday Exams Prepare Students For Final Exams

A huge thank you to Ms Wilson who sacrificed over a week of holiday time to organise and oversee the Year 12 holiday practice exams.  This provided a great opportunity for our Year 12 students to hone their exam techniques. I am pleased to report that student attendance at these exams was outstanding.  Thanks to parents for supporting their Year 12 children in studying throughout the holidays and over the next few weeks and throughout the up-and-coming exam period.  As a stressed parent of a Year 12 daughter, I am relieved to report that we don’t have long to go.  Students need to remember that the more practice exams that are completed under exam conditions at home whilst taking the time to check the quality of their responses, will make a significant difference to final subject scores.  Teachers are available for additional support and I encourage students to avail themselves of such an opportunity.  Our students need to walk into their exams feeling they have done everything possible in preparation for them. Then whatever their results, they can be justifiably proud that they gave their all. 

 John Albiston