Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

I have been so proud of our students and teachers because, as I have walked around classes, I have seen how enthusiastically they have become involved in a range of learning activities throughout the Early Commencement Program. Our students and teachers know that every precious minute of learning time counts and that their hard work will be rewarded by a relaxing summer break with family and friends. As usual, this final edition of the newsletter is a celebration of many great achievements across our school community.

Journalism Class Wins National Award

Ms Georgie Long’s Journalism Class has won a National Award with Fintona as runners up. Entries were submitted from across Australia for the National Fairfax Media / ATOM (Aust. Teachers of Media) Award. Our team of Year 10 students in this class won with their outstanding school newspaper submission. Congratulations to Ms Georgie Long and the following Year 10 students: Mitchell Baker, Tara Borovic, Madeleine Juleff, Hugh Park, Bianca Statton, Phoebe Walker, Alina Dremel and Nick Hammel. They are Australia’s top Journalistic student team: what an achievement!

Training and Junior Bands Make Us Proud

Recently, our Training and Junior Concert Bands performed at the Deakin Edge; a magnificent auditorium in Federation Square overlooking the Yarra River. What a perfect performance space for our young Years 7 and 8 students to showcase their talents. This comment from a loving grandparent about our Instrumental Music Department says it all:

“I would like to congratulate the Frankston High School Band on the wonderful performance at the Deakin Edge Theatre. What an amazing experience for every child in the band, including my grandchild. The Judge and Director both said to me that they felt the Frankston Bands were exceptional, that the students were totally committed and disciplined, with wonderful work ethics. They also commented how lucky the children are to have Mr Peter Sharp as their conductor and it is rare to see such a special performance and group of students. I thank you (Mr Sharp) for giving my grandson such a wonderful experience and providing him with some very important self-esteem. Thank you again for your professionalism, enthusiasm, skill and ability to make the experience fun.”

Election Day Sausage Sizzle: A Huge Success

Sincere thanks to Mrs Nickie Fidge for organising the election day sausage sizzle. Ms Fidge assumed this mammoth task on behalf of PFA to raise funds for the school. Thank you to the many PFA members and other parents and staff for volunteering their weekend time for this event. We raised in excess of $1,000 to be invested in resources of the PFA’s choice for students to benefit from.

Great Victorian Bike Ride

We congratulate our Great Victorian Bike Riding Team of students, parents and teachers who have just completed a nine day epic journey from Bright to Benalla. To be well-prepared to ride hundreds of kilometres Mr Mal Burt, Ms Cheryl Hodgson, Mr Heath Booth and Mrs Jenny Martyn have devoted countless hours to weekend and after school training rides, and then been prepared to accompany our students and parents on this challenging event. As usual, many other participants commented on the courtesy shown by our students and staff and their willingness to help others as they undertook this adventure. Well done on being outstanding ambassadors for our school.

Welcome Back Lifesaving Team

Congratulations to Mr Rowan Cameron who has led another very successful Surf Lifesaving Camp. Our students are leaving this camp with Surf Bronze qualifications that will allow them to patrol local beaches and ultimately save lives.

This was a truly authentic learning experience, as students learnt alongside indigenous students from St. Teresa's College, Abergowrie QLD, learning about lifesaving and also about the indigenous culture. Thanks to staff who gave of their time away from family and friends to allow this camp to take place: Special mention to Mr Brett Cook, Mr Shane Moffatt, Ms Georgia Tierney, Ms Mary Hunter and Mr Aiden Smith and many former students who attended to inspire their successors. Thank you also to Ms Carolyn Florance for crowd funding for the Abergowrie student’s lifesaving program and building a relationship between Frankston High School and St. Teresa's College.

Former Student: Tom Debenham Inducted Into The Hall Of Fame

At our final assemblies for the year we celebrated with a special guest of honour: former student Tom Debenham. Tom inspired our students by providing a very interesting talk about what he did at Frankston High School that is now allowing him to achieve great success in his current year. Tom spoke about always trying to do your best at school and becoming involved in activities beyond the classroom. Highlights included his involvement in the Student Leadership Program, the Alpine School and the World Challenge Expedition. Since graduating from school, Tom has gained qualifications as a landscape architect from RMIT. Currently he works for a Design Company, BEST.

He has collaboratively delivered a vast array of different design projects Australia wide. One of Tom's most recent design ventures was the completion of Swanston Street's 'Metro Tunnel HQ' - an immersive Visitor Centre that uses virtual and augmented-reality technology to encourage all Victorians to learn more about the construction of the Metro Tunnel – Victoria's largest ever public transport project in history. Tom also co-owns The Milkman Cafe, a beautiful seaside cafe on the Mornington Peninsula designed and built by himself! Tom finds joy in radiating laughter, positivity, gratitude, empathy and puts his best foot forward in every situation presented to him.

He was very worthy of being inducted into the Frankston High School Hall of Fame during these assemblies and, most importantly, our students left inspired to always put their best foot forward, also!

Opening Of The Margaret Mace Study Centre

Last Friday the Frankston High School community was thrilled to honour former student and staff member, Ms Margaret Mace, by naming our brand new study centre on the Senior Campus ‘The Margaret Mace Study Centre’. Margaret has been an active advocate and supporter of our great school for nearly 70 years. Margaret attended Frankston High School when it was on Quality Street from 1951 until 1956. In her final year of school, she was a Head Prefect and responsible for undertaking uniform checks. Perhaps this was a sign of things to come. In 1966, Margaret began teaching at Frankston High School, where she inspired thousands of students with her career spanning an incredible 34 years. Margaret’s passion was teaching English and English Literature to senior students. After retiring, Margaret has continued to support Frankston High School as an active member of our Former Staff and Students Association.

Sports Presentation Night: A Celebration Of Sport At Frankston High School

It was fantastic to see hundreds of students and parents at Sports Presentation Night, where we celebrated many students receiving awards for a wide range of sports. The participation at this event is merely the tip of the iceberg with hundreds more representing Frankston High School in sport. Being involved in sport allows our students to acquire the qualities and skills of good sportsmanship, and how to be a great team player; it also builds resilience by learning to deal appropriately with losing. The acquisition of such qualities and skills set up our students to lead successful, fulfilling lives. A highlight of the evening was the responses to questions provided by the visiting AFL players: Ed Curnow (Carlton), Ben Reid (Collingwood) and Dylan Shiel (Essendon). It was music to my ears and that of our parents to hear that Dylan and Ed, whilst playing football, are completing University degrees. This is because we know that many young people dream of becoming sporting champions, but in reality everyone needs to have a great education with qualifications that will allow them to have rewarding careers, because our bodies don’t allow us to be sporting heroes forever. A huge thank you to Mrs Chloe Stevens, Mrs Carly MacDonald and Mrs Kylie Grech for their outstanding leadership of our sporting program, and also to staff who give so much of their own time to coach teams, attend weekend events, early morning training and interstate and overseas events.

Artfest: A Fantastic Celebration Of Student And Teacher Talent!!

I am sure all staff would agree that this week’s ARTFEST was absolutely sensational. It was certainly a tribute to our Visual Arts, Design and Technology teachers and their ability to nurture the talents of our students to such an incredibly high level. Congratulations to all students who exhibited their artworks. It was terrific to see many parents and friends at the opening, rejoicing about the great team of Art, Design and Technology students and teachers we are so fortunate to have at Frankston High School.

I hope you enjoy the Kananook Yearbook which is a magnificent record of the many great achievements of Frankston High School students and staff in 2018. I look forward to seeing many parents and students at our final official function for the year, Presentation Night.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy summer holiday. I look forward to welcoming everyone back to school in 2019.

Mr John Albiston

Principal

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