From the Principal

Dear Parents, Students, Teachers and Friends

Over recent weeks we have welcomed back students and teachers who have participated in the Surf Lifesaving Camp and The Great Victorian Bike Ride.  We still have three groups trekking throughout India on the World Challenge Expedition.  All these activities have provided 130 of our students with extraordinary learning experiences they couldn’t have in traditional classrooms.  Our lifesaving students undertook a rigorous training course both intellectually and physically to qualify in gaining their surf lifesaving bronze awards.  Over summer they will make a difference to the wider community by patrolling our local beaches.  Our cyclists now understand the rewards that come from training hard and working as a team.  Fellow cyclists contacted me to let me know how courteous and friendly our students were on this trip.  We are yet to hear of the wonderful stories our World Challenge travellers will share.  One thing they will learn is how fortunate they are to be living such a privileged lifestyle and hopefully they will return with a commitment to help others less fortunate than themselves.  Thanks to the 15 very dedicated teachers who have sacrificed personal time away from their families and friends to provide our students with these wonderful learning opportunities. 

Early Commencement Program Prepares Students For 2016

It has been full steam ahead with the Early Commencement Program.  Our teachers and students have used the last few weeks of school very meaningfully in working hard to prepare for the learning challenges that 2016

will bring.  I have been impressed with the many VCE students who have completed holiday homework already and are requesting extension work to gain a head start on next year.  It is essential that students relax over the holidays, but it is also critical for all holiday homework to be completed if students are to be well prepared for 2016.  I have been most impressed with our students who are attending in full uniform each day demonstrating their pride for their school. Thanks also to parents for your generous support with this matter.  Such a great partnership between staff, parents and students is a major reason as to why we are such a high performing school. 

Long Lazy Lunch and Master Class Ends Year with a Crescendo!!!

The Senior Stage Band were brilliant as they performed with James Morrison at the Long Lazy Lunch on Sunday 22 November.  The crowd were in awe of the talent of our brilliant student musicians. To perform at such an elite level requires countless hours of practice both individually at home and as a band.  It also requires tuition from maestros and we are certainly fortunate to have maestros of the calibre of Mr De Bruin who could, in his own right, be on the world stage with James Morrison.  Also the James Morrison Jazz Academy Band performed at the lunch.  Four very talented members of this band which tour Australia and all of whom are completing music degrees under the tutelage of James Morrison are former students of Frankston High school.  The following day James Morrison conducted a master class with our instrumental music students, which was a once in a lifetime opportunity that they thoroughly enjoyed.  Accolades to Mr Sharp, Mr De Bruin and all our instrumental music teachers for providing such amazing learning experiences for our students.

A special thank you to members of the Proudly Frankston Campaign, who generously volunteer their time to organize the Long Lazy Lunch. Frankston High School is a fortunate beneficiary of the lunch. The  funds raised support our music program and the annual TEDx Youth Conference.

Eco Team Helps Win Sustainable City of the Year Award

The City of Frankston has won the prestigious award of being Australia’s most sustainable city!

Not only that, but the Frankston High School Eco Team featured as a significant part of Frankston Council’s application to win the award. The research work our team undertook on micro-plastics  on our beaches  has received much attention from the wider community and has even inspired the formation of two beach patrol groups in the Frankston area.  Ella Bowman (Year 10) and Paul Verheij (Year 10) were featured in the Frankston Times where they joined the mayor;  Cr James Dooley to celebrate this achievement.  Congratulations to Mr McKinnon and his team of Eco warriors for raising awareness of everyone’s responsibility to care for our beautiful environment and informing us of how we can make a difference.

Inspiring Students Achieve at an Elite Level

Tamara Patrick (Year 9) was presented with the Australian Scout Medallion on Saturday 14 November which is the highest award earned by scouts in the 11-14 years age category. To achieve at this high level requires leadership, organisation, drive, determination, resilience and high level practical scouting knowledge in the areas of campcraft and hiking.  Tamara is being recognized as a leader, now and in the future.  We commend Tamara on such an outstanding achievement. 

Danai Harawa (Year 10) has just been informed that she has been selected from hundreds of student  applications  from across Australia to attend the 2016 National Schools’ Constitutional Convention in Canberra in March 2016. This will provide Danai with the opportunity of learning with other top student leaders from across Australia about constitutional issues, and hearing from prominent Federal MPs as well as judges from the High Court.  

Both these young ladies are fine examples of our brilliant students.  We are so fortunate we have students who want to do their best always (Optima Semper), realising the greatness they have within, that allows them to be the best they can be whilst enriching the lives of others.

Students Excelling in Sport at Elite Levels

Congratulations to Celia Kelsall (Year 10) who is regarded in the top two percent of gymnasts having recently competed in the Victorian State Gymnastics Championships.  Celia’s team won gold with Celia being placed third overall.

Above: Celia Kelsall on Beam

Tiana Tatnell (Year 8) has been selected to travel with the Outlaws Cheerleading Squad throughout the United States of America with a highlight being competing at the National Cheerleading Associaton Allstars Nationals.  If you would like to help fund Tiana’s travel please go to this link:

https://www.gofundme.com/qnaq7tw4 

Please be aware that this is not a school endorsed trip.

Above: Tiana Tatnell

As the year draws to a close I wish everyone a well deserved relaxing time with family and friends over the festive season.  It has been another great year of excellent teaching and learning and I know this will continue in 2016, thanks to our very enthusiastic community of students, staff, parents and friends. 

Mr John Albiston

Principal