From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing holiday break over summer and I look forward to catching up with many of you throughout Term 1. Students are settling in well to the new school year and I am confident that the wonderful partnership between parents, students and staff will allow us to continue to progress from strength to strength, throughout 2017. This year will be a very different year because we are finally commencing our building program. We are planning to begin building works on the Senior Campus in late April and at about the same time the construction of our new stadium and performing arts centre will commence. By the end of the year, our community will be enjoying these new facilities.

OUTSTANDING YEAR 12 RESULTS

At the end of last year we were thrilled during Presentation Evening to share the magnificent VCE results of the Class of 2016. As you can see from the front page of our newsletter, these results were outstanding. Consequently, we can continue to be justifiably proud of Frankston High School’s renowned reputation as a high performing academic school of excellence.

Highlights other than those featured on our front page include:-

Frankston High School continuing to be the leading government school on the Peninsula and in fact obtaining results ahead of most private schools on the Peninsula.
9% of subject scores over 40 places Frankston High School within the top 10 of Metropolitan Government Co-educational and Non-select Entry schools in the state.
A median subject score of 31 indicates that a typical Year 12 student at our school achieves above average study scores compared to students in private and government schools across the state.
The many students who were able to reach their full potential as a result of their commitment to their studies and the outstanding teaching at Frankston High School.
Results which are well above those schools which the Department of Education and Training considers to be ‘similar’ schools.

These results reaffirm Frankston High School as one of the leading schools in the state.

A MULTI CAMPUS SCHOOL

Frankston High School is a multi-campus school. We have two Campus Principals who have responsibility for making decisions regarding the students on their campus. The Principal of the Senior School (VCE Campus) is Ms Helen Wilson and the Principal of the Junior School (Year 7-10 Campus) is Ms Cathy Hogg.

HELP ALWAYS AVAILABLE

Frankston High School has a commitment to providing all the care and support necessary for each student to do their best and achieve the highest possible learning outcomes. It is important when parents have concerns about their children they contact the relevant staff members immediately to ensure a quick supportive response.

The most appropriate staff members to talk with when you have specific concerns are the classroom teachers, then Assistant/Year Level Coordinators, then Sub-School Coordinators. These are the staff members who have a thorough understanding of the needs of the students in their care. Decisions regarding students are made in partnership with parents and students with careful consideration of what is in the best interests of the students.

In addition, we are fortunate to have three Student Wellbeing Coordinators:

- Ms Kirsten Bakker,

- Ms Anna Wilson &

- Ms Michelle Beirouti

and a Chaplain

- Ms Linda Hughes

who are available to help students and their families with welfare related concerns.

Our Careers Counsellor, Ms Carolyn Walsh is available to counsel students and families in relation to exploring career options.

RITCHIES

I encourage all parents to patronise Ritchies Supermarkets and access a Community Benefits Card, nominating Frankston High School as your preferred beneficiary. Each time you shop at Ritchies you will be actively contributing to your child’s education by helping us continue to provide high quality resources throughout the school.

GIRL POWER EXCELS OVER HOLIDAYS ESPECIALLY IN CRICKET

We were very proud of Tiana Atkinson (Year 9) and Lucy Cripps (Year 10) who were selected to represent Country Victoria in the National Cricket Championships in Canberra during the school holidays. Both girls are described as talented all-rounders who can win a game with bat or ball. Well done girls on training hard to represent Victoria at such an elite level.

FAMILY WELCOME EVENINGS

I look forward to welcoming our parents of new students in Years 8 to 12 at an evening get together to familiarise yourselves with our great school, 7.00pm Thursday 16 February. Also our Wine and Cheese Evening for Year 7 Parents will be coming up in March (information to follow soon). I can recommend these nights to new parents, as an informal, social get together in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

In conclusion, I extend my best wishes to everyone as we embark on another challenging, stimulating year of teaching and learning where I am sure we will be regularly celebrating the many achievements of our extraordinary students. I encourage all students to become involved in many different aspects of school life, which will enhance their learning and provide wonderful lifelong memories of well spent years at Frankston High School.

Mr John Albiston

Principal