From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful autumn weather throughout the Term 1 holiday break because it would seem the colder rainy days are now setting in.  At Frankston High School the first few weeks of Term 2 have as usual been very busy and productive.

School Tours are Booked Out By Families Of Prospective 2018 Year 7 Students

Our school tours have been booked out with families eager to consider enrolling their children at our great school.  Families tour the school and are able to see a normal day in the life of Frankston High School.  Overwhelmingly, parents comment on how focused our students are on learning and how impressed they are with our very dedicated teachers.  Frankston High School remains a high demand school where the capacity to enrol is far exceeded by the demand for enrolment.  Consequently, house prices in the zone are at a premium compared to the cost of comparable housing outside the zone.  I always suggest to families that investing in real estate in the zone is a wise financial decision because there is the potential for significant growth in housing prices compared to growth outside the zone,  as well as you are saving money by not having to invest in expensive private schools, since the quality of education and level of student achievement at our incredible school, is at the very least, equivalent to and even better than what is on offer in the most expensive of private schools.

Jack Higgins Receives Prestigious Premier's Award

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Jack Higgins (Year 12) has been awarded a prestigious Premier's Award. This was determined by the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority, based on Jack's performance in Year 12 Further Mathematics last year, whereupon he achieved a perfect study score of 50.  It recognizes Jack as one of the top 15 students in the state. He was presented with his award by the Minister of Education Hon James Merlino, last Thursday with his proud parents, myself and Ms Wilson in attendance to cheer him on. Jack epitomises our motto Optima Semper: ‘Best Always’.  He is a student who has a very strong work ethic being determined to be the best he can be.  Jack aspires to study Science at University.

Building Project Is Well Underway

Demolition of the Student Resource Centre on the Senior Campus has been in full swing with now only the roof remaining.  It won’t be long before this facility is converted into a flexible study centre with ‘English as an Alternative Language’ classrooms.  Also a flexible large space will be able to be used for various functions with a concertina wall of glass able to be opened completely, to fully enjoy our beautiful Japanese Garden.  Once this refurbishment is complete, the next stage will involve complete modernisation of another building on our Senior Campus, resulting in a brand new contemporary Senior Campus.  

Celebration Of The Opening Of Our Multisport Synthetic Field

During our first week back the Mayor of the City of Frankston Cr Brian Cunial and the Federal Member for Dunkley, Mr Chris Crewther joined together to officially open our new Multisport Synthetic Field.  This incredible facility will allow for many different sports to be played including, netball, tennis, hockey and soccer.  Students are able to use this complex during recess and lunchtimes.  We are particularly proud of this project because it was built from funds raised by our local community, with no government funds provided.

Students Pay Their Respects To The ANZACS

I stood with thousands of others at the dawn ANZAC day service in Frankston as we joined together to honour all those Australians who served and are currently serving in the defence forces.  I was most proud of our students who were a highlight of the service, eloquently sharing some ANZAC stories and also other students stirring our emotions with beautiful singing.

Back at school, students attended ANZAC day assemblies and it was clear that they have learnt to appreciate the message of ‘LEST WE FORGET’.  The ANZACs were renowned for their mateship in supporting and caring for each other in life threatening situations.  Similarly, our students demonstrate such mateship in caring for each other and in doing so are helping to keep our school and Australia a safe peaceful place to be, where people can be free to be whoever they want to be. A huge thank you to one of our outstanding History teachers, Mr John Russell who has been responsible for ensuring student appreciation of the story of the ANZACs.  The development of such student understandings has become embedded in our school culture thanks to Mr Russell. Also, many thanks to Ms Peta Laughlin who gave of her exceptional talents as a music teacher to support our students in providing poignant musical performances to support these events.

I look forward to catching up with many families and friends at our up and coming musical ‘Rock of Ages’.  I am confident that for once I will be singing along to many of the songs, because of my fond memories of 80s music and believe it or not, attending a few discos during this decade..  I am confident this term will be one of many celebrations of student learning and encourage everyone to make the best of the wonderful opportunities on offer.

Mr John Albiston

Principal