News from Frankston High School

PRINCIPAL's Message

Dear Parents/Carers, Students and Friends

🏅Aerobics Success!!!

Congratulations to all of our Aerobics students on their performances at the recent State Championships. All of our students performed remarkably well, with the following results:

 

Elementary Pairs (Isla Molloy and Chantelle Walshe) - 3rd place

Secondary Fitness Team - 2nd Place

Yr 8-12 Pre-Choreographed Team - 2nd Place

Elementary Solo (Madi Malcolm) - 2nd Place

Secondary Solo (Elizabeth Vo) - 1st Place STATE CHAMPION

Year 7 Pre-Choregraphed - 1st Place STATE CHAMPIONS

Phase 1 Large Team - 1st Place STATE CHAMPIONS

Secondary Pairs (Miller Wilkinson and Glancy Pendlebury) - 1st Place STATE CHAMPIONS

 

Congratulations and thank you to our coaches and staff, including Ms Genevieve Donovan and Mrs Cindy Bryant. We are looking forward to the National Competition later in Term Three. 

 

 

VCE Premier’s Awards 

Congratulations to Jen Charlton of Year 12 Class of 2024, on receiving the prestigious VCE Premier’s Award in Art Creative Practice for her perfect study score of 50 last year. Congratulations also to Angelique Psegiannakis of Year 12 Class of 2024, on receiving the prestigious VCE Premier’s Award in Philosophy for her perfect study score of 50 last year.  Well done to our team of amazing Art and Philosophy teachers, including Ms Birra-li Ward and Mr Jon Christie who taught Jen and Angelique respectively last year.

 

Reconciliation Week

We recognised the importance of National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) which is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

 

There have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away. But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect. National Reconciliation Week’s theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue. Thank you to Mr John Russell, supported by Mrs Jess Bambridge, Mrs Leah Hannas, Mrs Carolyn Florance, and Ms Kate Burgess for their efforts educating others on the importance of this.

 

 

 

Examinations and SACs

Students in Years 7 to 12 have recently undertaken examinations/school assessed coursework (SACs) to assess their learning progress this semester. These are a great opportunity to reflect on student growth and our teaching and learning programs. Thank you to our Learning Area Leaders and Sub-School Teams for their efforts overseeing these important learning opportunities. 

Production – Chicago

We are excited and looking forward to our Production of Chicago with opening night on Thursday 7 August in our Performing Arts Theatre. Our dedicated Production staff have been extremely busy preparing our talented students for what promises to be another amazing show. I hope you can join us for one of the four shows. 

Attitudes to School Survey

Thank you to Mrs Leah Hannas, Ms Tiffany Greenhill, Mr Cam Heyes, Mr John Simon and our Sub-School Teams for overseeing and running the 2025 Student Attitudes to School Survey. This is very important in gaining student voice and feedback as to what we are doing well and further areas of improvement. We look forward to unpacking these results when we have them later this year. 

Solar Schools Initiative

Thank you to Mr Jon Christie on his efforts organising a successful Run for the Sun event recently which included raising funds and awareness of our Solar School Initiative via different events. This included a special event with the Frankston Business Collective, a Bunnings BBQ run by the Interact Team, along with a Celebration BBQ at school. Thank you to Mr Michael Simmons for his support. 

 

Eco Team

Thank you to Mr Brendan McKinnon and our Eco Team on their engaging and informative presentation to students at recent year level assemblies to mark World Environment Day (5 June). Their message on reducing our use and consumption of plastics is something we can all support in our school community. 

Updated Suspension and Expulsion policies

Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).  

 

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.  

 

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.  

 

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. 

 

Please note:   

  • They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.  
  • They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards. 

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.  

 

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people. 

Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools

Frankston High School is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where racism is not tolerated. Racism harms students’ mental health, learning and sense of belonging. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, ethnicities and faiths of all our students. It is up to all of us at Frankston High School to make our school a place that is free of racism and where everyone feels respected and can learn in a safe and inclusive environment.

 

What Frankston High School is doing to prevent racism: 

Frankston High School follows the Department of Education’s Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy. We are building a culturally safe school with inclusive learning for everyone by working with staff, students, families, carers and communities. We will: 

  • provide programs that teach about and celebrate diversity, inclusion and the impact of racism to build understanding and empathy
  • use practices that support all students to thrive
  • implement anti-racism efforts to prevent and address racism effectively
  • make sure everyone feels safe, with clear and accessible pathways to report racism

What to do if your child experiences or witnesses racism at school:

If your child experiences or witnesses racism or religious discrimination at school, please let us know. You can tell your child’s teacher or one of the following Campus Principals: Year 7 – John Simon, Year 8 - Cameron Heyes, Year 9 and 10 - Leah Hannas, Year 11 and 12 - Tiffany Greenhill on 9783 7955. 

Report Racism hotline:

If you don’t feel comfortable reporting racism to school, or you are not happy with the school’s response, you can report racism to:

For additional support following an incident of racism:

 

For more information about how to report racism to the school, and to get information in community languages, visit this website: Report racism or religious discrimination in schools.

If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: Guide for Families: How to use an interpreter to contact your school.

 

How Frankston High School will respond to racism

When you report a racist incident, Frankston High School will:

  • take your report seriously and act quickly 
  • give you ongoing support
  • investigate and respond safely and appropriately 
  • keep you informed, while respecting privacy 
  • review the incident to help avoid it from happening again.

 

 

Mr Andrew Batchelor

Principal