From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

As Term 2 draws to a close, we can reflect on a term that arrived with many challenges but thanks to our great community we have worked through these challenges with students making incredible progress in terms of learning outcomes and personal growth.

CONGRATULATIONS TO APPOINTED STUDENT MEMBERS ON SCHOOL COUNCIL

It is my pleasure to announce that two of our student leaders have been appointed to School Council.  They are Michaela Goggin (Year 9) and Zoe Cox (Year 11).

I am confident that both students will be excellent representatives of the student body on School Council and both parents and staff representatives look forward to hearing directly from the ‘student voice’. 

YEAR 10 STUDENTS SELECTED AS MONASH SCHOLARS

I am very pleased to report that the following Year 10 students from Frankston High School have been offered a place in the Monash Scholars Class of 2018-2020:  Tiana Atkinson, Ben Fiala and Elly Howell. 

Such an honour is very well deserved since these students excel in their studies by always doing their best always. Feedback from Monash University has indicated that the calibre of students applying for this award was exceptional, with many being unsuccessful.  The benefits of the Monash Scholars Program include:  enhanced learning, exploring career ambitions, defining personal aspirations, preparation for university life and building networks with other high-achieving students.

I am sure Tiana, Ben and Elly will take full advantage of the opportunities that Monash University offers them in the coming years.

PUBLIC SPEAKERS MAKE US PROUD

Recently, Michaela Goggin (Year 9) competed in the DAV's Intermediate Public Speaking Competition against Years 9 and 10 students from all around Victoria.  Michaela spoke about bullying and resilience for her prepared speech and gave two impromptu speeches.  She came 8th and was the second highest scoring government school student.

Mia Davis (Year 10) competed in the Melbourne Final of the Rostrum 'Voice of Youth' Competition.  She was in the Senior (Years 10-12) division and selected 'Set your Wheels in Motion' as the topic of her prepared speech and focused on mental health and self-esteem.  She also gave an impromptu speech.  Mia’s brilliance shone through with her coming first in the Senior Division!  She will now compete against the winners of the Victorian Regional Finals.  If she makes it through that stage she will represent Victoria in the National Final.

Recently, I had the pleasure of accompanying Stella Cowan (Year 12) and Tandie Banana (Year 12) to the VCAA

Regional Finals

English speaking award.  This competition was primarily against private schools with Stella winning and now proceeding to the State Finals.  Stella provided her prepared talk on social justice in Australia, highlighting the divide that exists between private and government schools.  Very brave since she was speaking at Toorak College.  Accolades to Ms Georgie Long for her efforts in preparing these students and our debating teams to excel during competition.  

YEAR 12 STUDENTS HAVE A GREAT TIME AT FORMAL

It was wonderful to see our Year 12 students kicking up their heels and having so much fun at their recent formal.  Everyone was certainly jiving on the dance floor with an atmosphere of friendship and happiness.  The students scrubbed up very well, looking most impressive in their formal attire.  The staff at the Mornington Racecourse commented on how well behaved and courteous our students were and as Principal, I must say they were excellent.  I am immensely proud of this Year 12 cohort who have stepped up considerably, to give of their best in their studies and also for their great sense of encouragement and acceptance they provide for each other.  They were most deserving of this light relief as Unit 4 begins. (Photo gallery in Senior School News)

SEASON OF CROSS COUNTRY HAS OUR ATHLETES IMPRESSING US ALL

Thanks to the willingness of coaching staff (Mrs Chloe Stevens, Mrs Carly MacDonald, Mr Mal Burt and Mr Steven Bonfadini) for giving of their time and expertise so generously to coach our long-distance runners to star at the Victorian All Schools Cross Country Championships. 

Highlights included Rhemmy Gibbs (Year 10) and Ayden Dignan (Year 9) becoming State Champions in their age group, with U16 boys achieving Silver (Ayden Dignan, Sean Van Wijk, Jaxon Fraser and Jye Dignan).

Twenty of our students were great ambassadors for our school at this event competing against elite private schools. This event was followed by the Regional Cross Country State Schools’ Championships.  Congratulations to all students who competed.  We had some fantastic results with our 13 years girls, 14 years boys, 14 years girls, 15 years boys and 15 years girls all winning and off to State along with many outstanding individual performers!  I was thrilled to cheer on Ayden Dignan, Rhemmy Gibbs and Bevan Does (Year 10) as they finished first in their races.

SNOWY RIVER CAMPUS FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP HAS YEAR 9 STUDENTS FLYING HIGH

Last week I visited the Snowy River Campus for Student Leadership in Marlo where six of our Year 9 students have been living and learning throughout Term 2.  It was exciting to catch up with these students and to hear of their adventures.  I am convinced this has been a life changing experience for these students and they will return to our school and their families, having grown as young people, further developing their leadership skills to an exceptional level.  During our visit the students presented their community project.  They plan to complete a mural at the Frankston Hospital, which will be a reminder whenever we have a hospital visit of how important it is for a school to reach out and make a difference to the wider community.  I look forward to welcoming the following talented students back to school in Term 3:  Tess Rogers, Alex Hayes, Matt Debenham, Jack Westley, Lucy Philpott and Amelie Rule.

FLUTE ENSEMBLE AND CHOIR PROVIDE MOVING PERFORMANCES AT HIGH STREET UNITING CHURCH

Last Friday our flute ensemble and choir provided moving performances at the High Street Uniting Church in support of the Choir of Hard Knocks.  In addition, our Senior Concert Band stole the show at a recent concert at McKinnon Secondary College.  Music at Frankston High School is flourishing thanks to the leadership of Mr Peter Sharp with the support of a very talented dedicated team of Instrumental Music teachers.

REPORTS AVAILABLE ONLINE DAY 1 OF TERM 3

Semester 1 reports will be made available to families online on the first day of Term 3.  It is recommended that parents read these reports with their children to reflect upon the comments teachers have made and to make plans for future improvement.  Please don’t hesitate to contact teachers at the beginning of Term 3 should you require any further ideas and support for how to best assist your children to make the most of their learning time at Frankston High School. 

Staff and students are exhausted af