From the Principal
Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends
This term continues to be action-packed with many challenging and varied learning activities on offer for our students. This edition of the newsletter highlights some of the incredible experiences our students are having at Frankston High School. Become friends with us on the Frankston High School Facebook page and the Frankston High School Sport group to find out more about our great school.
MUSIC STUDENTS CONTINUE TO EXCEL AT OUR GREAT SCHOOL
Congratulations to our Intermediate concert band in their amazing achievement of winning gold at the Victorian Schools Music Festival. This was a great accomplishment against private schools and a real tribute to Mr Peter Sharp and his terrific team of instrumental music teachers. The band’s conductor Mr Rob Mattessi has done an excellent job in nurturing this band to perform at such an exceptional level. Just as importantly, much positive feedback was provided regarding the excellent behaviour of our students. Such a triumph reminds us that our school bands are up there with the best in Australia.
In addition, we are very proud of Felix Stuart (Year 11) who has been awarded this year’s Peninsula Music Society's Bursary prize of $3500 receiving this prestigious award as a top musician from private and government schools’ students from across the Peninsula.
GREEN ASSEMBLIES RAISE AWARENESS
Many thanks to Mr Brendan McKinnon and our Eco team student leaders for delivering very informative Green assemblies about how we can all change our behaviours to help preserve our environment. Students realised that, by changing behaviours at home and school, they can have a positive impact in preserving our magnificent planet. Hopefully this assembly has generated some discussions at home about what can be done to be even more eco-friendly. Easy things to do include: composting, turning lights off in rooms not being used, turning off appliances at the plug and using your recycling bins productively.
COUNSELLING PROCESS MOST SUCCESSFUL
Many thanks to all parents who have supported their children by attending course counselling. Parent support has enabled families to actively participate in helping students to choose their learning pathways as they proceed up to the next year level, from Year 8 onwards. Parent attendance indicates the extent to which our parents take an active interest in their children’s’ education and, when this happens, young people achieve much higher, more successful learning outcomes compared to those parents who remain disconnected from their school community. Congratulations to our parent community!
PERFECT WEATHER FOR SCHOOL HOUSE ATHLETICS
Accolades to Mrs Chloe Stevens, Mrs Carly MacDonald and Mrs Kylie Grech for leading the organisation and implementation of a wonderful house athletics day carnival. The weather was superb, together with record participation, especially of our Junior students. It was a great day of fun, celebrating the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship and the joy of leading a fit and healthy lifestyle. Students made the most of the day demonstrating exceptional cooperative behaviour throughout the event.
DEBATING TEAMS OFF TO STATE FINALS
Frankston High School has an incredible four out of five teams going through to State finals. The students have achieved some amazing results against some formidable opponents, being one of few State schools in the competition. Our C grade team remains undefeated for the season. Our combined Year 11/12 team competed in A grade (Year 12) this season and achieved some excellent results but were disappointed not to make the finals. The team this year contained many students who had never debated before, and they developed excellent speech writing and public speaking skills. Ms Georgie Long is to be congratulated for engaging so many students in debating, with Frankston High School recognised as a very strong school in the area of public speaking.
AEROBICS TEAMS: NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
All Aerobics teams made it to the National finals in Queensland and made a dash to Queensland to compete in the National championships over a recent weekend. Our three pairs’ teams triumphed in this event by taking out Gold, Silver and Bronze. All students were great national ambassadors for our state and school. Thanks to all the hard work of Ms Genevieve Donovan and Ms Lucy Foskett, our teams have performed to such a high standard. All girls and staff returned from Queensland with glowing tans after enjoying the Queensland sun.
As I am writing my report I am looking forward to the Winter concert which is a great celebration of the many bands and ensembles at Frankston High School. It is also the debut performance of the Training Band who I am sure will have received resounding support from the audience with deafening applause from our supportive community. Hope everyone is well and enjoying life.
Mr John Albiston
Principal