MIDDLE School Update
Year 9 NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. This year, students will do the NAPLAN tests online. Online NAPLAN tests are designed to provide precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive) which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment.
A parent/carer information brochure is available on Compass.
The schedule can be found below:
Wednesday 12 March
Periods 1 & 2: Year 9 Writing (42 minutes + setup time)
Thursday 13 March
Periods 1 & 2: Year 9 Reading (65 minutes + setup time)
Friday 14 March
Periods 1 & 2: Year 9 Conventions of language (45 minutes + setup time)
Monday 17 March
Periods 1 & 2: Year 9 Numeracy (65 minutes + setup time)
Tuesday 18 March - Thursday 21 March
Catch-up tests as required
PLEASE NOTE: In order to complete NAPLAN Online, each student will require:
- A fully-charged computer each day during the testing period
- The NAPLAN locked-down browser (LDB) application (updated for 2025 – purple icon and downloadable via this link
- Headphones for the Friday - Conventions of Language test (wired or wireless headphones will work with the lockdown browser, students are able to use either)
Adjustments are available for students with disability who have diverse functional abilities and needs. Reasonable adjustments will be provided for individual students with disability to access NAPLAN. Adjustments should reflect the support normally provided for classroom assessments and can be further discussed with the school prior to testing if required.
Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent/carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents/carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a student withdrawal form, which can be requested from Ms Kate Adriaans via email.
For IT support, students can email ITServiceDesk@fhs.vic.edu.au or visit the IT Helpdesk on campus. For any other questions regarding NAPLAN this year, please contact the school.
Year 10 Pastoral Care Program
On Wednesday 12 March, Thursday 13 March, and Friday 14 March, Year 10 students will participate in compulsory Optima Pastoral Care sessions during Periods 1 and 2.
Session topics will include:
- Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA)
- Hope for the Future & Goal Setting
- Careers Action Plan & Work Experience
- Vaping #NotEvenOnce Seminar
Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA)
Run by external facilitators, Emily Sykes, Jarryd Brand, or Erin Gooding, TMHFA teaches students to recognise and support peers with mental health concerns. Content includes self-harm and suicide but ends positively, emphasising seeking adult support.
- Session 1: Understanding mental health issues and available professionals.
- Session 2: Supporting a friend in crisis (e.g., self-harm, substance use, bullying) and applying the ‘Look, Ask, Listen, Help’ Action Plan. Includes a video on crisis response.
- Session 3: Recognising developing mental health concerns and knowing when to seek adult help.
Hope for the Future & Goal Setting
Students will create mood boards and set SMART goals for future planning.
Careers Action Plan & Work Experience
Students will complete their Career Action Plan on Insights, tracking career goals, counselling insights, and next steps.
Vaping #NotEvenOnce Seminar
Held in the PAT, this #NotEvenOnce presentation highlights the risks of vaping and substance use.
In Term 3, the program will be repeated with the cohort rotating, ensuring that all students participate in both the TMHFA training and the wellbeing and careers-focused sessions.
More information about the program and schedule is available on Compass.
Year 10 Work Experience
Work Experience is mandatory for Year 10 students.
Work experience takes place in the last week of Term 2 (Monday 30 June - Friday 4 July).
Please note that Work Experience forms, signed by students, parents/guardians, and the employer, are due by 28th March at the very latest. It is essential to meet this deadline to allow time for processing and compliance checks.
For students requiring White Card training, this will be completed at FHS onsite in May.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email workexperience@fhs.vic.edu.au and make sure you navigate through the Work Experience Website.
OPPORTUNITIES IN STEM AND ENGINEERING
If your child is interested in either of the below programs, please email an expression of interest to hmartin@fhs.vic.gov.au
Industry insight excursion with ARUP - global engineering firm As a benefit of the alumni program run in partnership with Ourschool, Frankston High School has the opportunity to access a selection of industry insight excursions. There are approximately 18 places available for the next one, which is to global engineering firm ARUP's Melbourne headquarters.
When: Friday 28 March 2025, 10am-1pm
Who: Year 9, 10 and 11 students interested in a career in STEM, environmental sustainability, urban design, renewable energy and business.
Where: ARUP Head Office, Sky Park, 1 Melbourne Quarter, 669 Collins St, Melbourne.
This will be an interactive event for students to:
-Hear about career pathways at ARUP, a world leading engineering firm
-Take part in small group discussions with ARUP employees
- Learn about the fastest growing industries in the sustainability and engineering sector
Students should email their expression of interest to hmartin@fhs.vic.edu.au by Friday 7 March.
Spark Engineering Camp 2025.
Spark is an annual residential camp held during the winter school holidays at The University of Melbourne that empowers students in years 10-12 to pursue STEM-related tertiary studies and careers.
Selected students receive an all-inclusive scholarship covering food, travel, and accommodation. Camp is designed to foster STEM skills, personal growth, and exposure to university life. Further details are available on the Spark website.
Students should email their expression of interest by to hmartin@fhs.vic.edu.au by 1 April 2025.
Ms Leah Hannas
Campus Principal
Middle School
We understand families calendar book up quickly. Please see below for some important dates to note.
Click Here for Middle School key contacts
Click Here for Year 9 only Calendar Dates