MIDDLE SCHOOL | Update
Dear Years 9 and 10 Parents/Carers and Students
We are now halfway through Term 3, and all Year 9 and 10 students have entered their 2027 courses following a busy five weeks of career education, pathway planning and course counselling. This has been an exciting time but, understandably, a little daunting, particularly for our Year 10 students as they prepare for Year 11 VCE or VCE Vocational Major on the Senior Campus.
In the lead-up to subject selection and course planning, students have engaged in a range of career education activities through their Optima classes. Year 9 students have explored the FHS Pathways Website, while our Year 10 students have conducted prerequisite research through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) CourseSearch. Our Year 10 students also experienced a day in the life of a Year 11 student during the VCE and VCE VM Taster Day on Thursday 30 July.
From here, 2027 timetables will be constructed in preparation for 2027 Early Commencement on Monday 30 November.
Thank you to our Careers and Pathways teams for their work in coordinating the many important activities supporting our students throughout subject selection and course planning, including the Year 10 into 11 Course Selection Interviews and the Year 12 VTAC Family Briefing. A special thank you to Acting Head of Pathways Mr Joel McMahon, Careers Coordinator Ms Michaeli Lyon, Careers Practitioner Ms Teena Borshoff, VET Coordinator Ms Carolyn McIver and Careers Administrator Ms Rhonda Gifford.
One highlight of our pathway and connectedness program is hearing from Frankston High School alumni through our Alumni Program, coordinated by Ms Jane Figas. Continuing our Term 3 focus on careers and pathways, our Year 10 students heard an important message from three alumni on Thursday 13 August: there is more than one pathway to success. Priscilla, Josh and Jordan each shared their different journeys since leaving school, highlighting how opportunities can emerge in unexpected ways and the variety of pathways available to our students.
Respectful Relationships
As part of our ongoing focus on student wellbeing and learning, our Year 10 students will commence the Respectful Relationships program in Optima during Term 3, continuing through Term 4. The program provides students with age-appropriate opportunities to explore respect, healthy relationships, consent, personal boundaries, online safety, peer pressure and gender stereotypes, as well as strategies for navigating relationships safely and respectfully.
Some of the sessions will be delivered by external experts, including Sexual Health Victoria and SmackTalk, providing students with current information and opportunities to hear directly from specialists in these areas. While some topics may be challenging, they reflect issues young people increasingly encounter in friendships, relationships, social media and online environments.
Our aim is to provide students with accurate information, practical skills and a safe space to develop their understanding so they can make informed, respectful and responsible decisions. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and ask their child about what they are learning in Optima.
Year 9 Cairns Study Tour
From Monday 10 to Saturday 15 August, 50 Year 9 students were fortunate to experience six days and five nights in sunny Cairns. Students explored the Cairns Aquarium, travelled to the Daintree Rainforest and visited Fitzroy Island, where they participated in guided marine and Indigenous cultural experiences.
A highlight of the trip was a full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, including snorkelling, reef viewing and the Eye on the Reef program with marine biologists. The group also travelled aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway and visited Rainforestation Nature Park, where students experienced an Indigenous Pamagirri cultural program, rainforest activities and traditional bush tucker.
It was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world experiences while developing their knowledge of our environment, Indigenous culture and the unique ecosystems of Tropical North Queensland.
A huge thank you to trip leader Ms Jasmine Rabinov for her significant work in coordinating the trip, well supported by Ms Cheryl Hodgson, Ms Natalie D’Ambra, Mr Liam McDonald, Mr Aiden Smith, Ms Bianca Johnson and Mr Josh Wallington.
It has been a busy and exciting start to Term 3, with our students embracing opportunities to explore their futures, strengthen their connections and learn beyond the classroom. Thank you to our students, families and staff for the continued support and engagement. We look forward to a productive and rewarding second half of Term 3 and beyond.
Ms Tiffany Greenhill
Campus Principal
Middle School
Expectations and Reminders
We would like to thank our students, families, and staff for their ongoing support in creating a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment across our school. This term, we will continue to reinforce our high expectations while also recognising and celebrating the many students who consistently demonstrate our school values each day. Please refer to SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS | Reminders t
We understand families calendar book up quickly. Please see below for some important dates to note.
Click Here for Middle School key contacts
Click Here for Year 9 only Calendar Dates