Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

With a very mild summer throughout Term 1, the weather has been most conducive for effective teaching and learning. That is exactly what has been happening with teachers and students collaborating on exciting learning challenges, extending themselves to grow and become even better people. So much has happened in such a short time, which is indicative of all the wonderful opportunities on offer at our great school.

Farewell to Long Standing School Council Members and Welcome to New Members

We were very sad to farewell a number of parent representatives on School Council who have given tirelessly of their free time and expertise to ensure Frankston High School has continued to prosper. Each of these parents have had children who made the best of their time at Frankston High School and all have graduated to pursue meaningful post secondary learning pathways. In total, they have contributed well over two decades of service to the school. We hope they will remain connected to the school in some way. Farewell to Mr Brian Carte (retiring School Council President), Ms Annette Wallace (long standing PFA President), Ms Belinda Butterfield (member/secretary of PFA, enthusiastic Working Bee attender….) and Mr Brad Bowman (retiring due to work commitments but still has two lovely daughters in Year 10 at the school). Many thanks to our staff representative Mr Glenn Fischmann who is finishing his term on School Council.

It is my pleasure to welcome the following new parent and staff representatives on School Council:

Parent Representatives: Mr Daryl Durack, Ms Melissa King, Ms Vera Roberts and Ms Helen Hay.

Teacher Representatives: Ms Danielle Mates and Ms Cathy Hogg.

Students Save Lives

On 21 December, students who have studied lifesaving at school combined as a very effective team to perform an incredible 12 rescues on patrol, with one of the rescues involving 5 people, at Portsea. Our community says a huge thank you to these talented very fit lifesavers: Cal McCrimmon, Emily Blaak, Georgina Maxwell, Tom Reid, Richard Thomson, Issey Read and Corey Smith. We are also indebted to Mr Rowan Cameron who teaches lifesaving at school and through our annual lifesaving camp, students gain qualifications to responsibly patrol our beaches. Certainly these students have learnt the importance of productively contributing to society. Around the Portsea Lifesaving Club, they are attracting positive attention and comments from all who see them in action.

Year 7 Parents Enjoy Meeting Each Other and Staff at Wine and Cheese Evening

We had a wonderful turn up of parents to our Year 7 Wine and Cheese evening. The overwhelming feedback from parents was how quickly their children had settled into school. Our feedback to parents was that they have provided us with a very impressive group of young people. I am sure our Year 7 students will make the most of their time at our great school and progress in the footsteps of their older peers to have terrific success. We are a winning combination: Fantastic parents who value education together with a school that provides a learning culture of excellence. This guarantees our ability to nurture students who will achieve their full potential and have a successful future.

Leadership Camps: Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

Sports Leadership Camp

Last week I visited the Sports Leadership Camp at Portsea and the Student Leadership Council Camp at Phillip Island. I was absolutely thrilled to meet our student leaders at these camps and was in awe of their already exceptional communication skills. Such multi-aged camps are special because the older students actively mentor the younger students in developing our school values and outstanding leadership skills. These camps wouldn’t run if it wasn’t for the dedication of our teachers who give of their time away from their families and friends to provide such special learning experiences.

Student Leadership Council Camp

A huge thank you to Ms Chloe Edwards and Ms Georgia Tierney who organized the Sports Leadership camp and Ms Sarah Bahramis who was responsible for the Student Leadership camp. I can honestly say that the world is in for a bright and better future thanks to the exceptional quality of leaders Frankston High School is producing.

Vale William Raff, Principal - Frankston High School 1975 - 1979

We say farewell to Mr William (Bill) Raff who passed away peacefully on 6 February at the age of 93. Mr Raff was Principal at Frankston High School from 1975 until 1979. He is remembered fondly and was held in high esteem by both staff and students during his time as Principal. The year after his retirement in 1979, he and his wife Joyce were delighted to have the debutantes presented to them. We send our condolences to Mr Raff’s family and friends.

Zakiya Gora-Ivanoff Selected for National Schools Constitutional Conference

Zakiya Gora-Ivanoff (Year 12) has been selected as one of the best students from across Australia to attend the 20th National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC), being held at Old Parliament House in Canberra. The National Schools Constitutional Convention program provides senior students with an opportunity to become better informed about how Australia's constitution provides a democratic framework and encourages them to take an active interest in the operation of government. We know Zakiya will be an exceptional ambassador for our school and will find this to be a most stimulating, challenging learning experience.

In Conclusion

I participated with the Semper Swimming Squad last week. Our coaches, Ms Carly Douglas and Ms Kate Burgess, certainly put us through our paces and I must say that I was lagging behind our squad members who were having a great time. I now look forward to giving the Athletics and Basketball squads a go. All students are invited to join a squad, regardless of their ability. It is all about being fit and having fun, so I wish everyone health and happiness as we progress into the latter half of the term.

Mr John Albiston

2015 School Production