MIDDLE School Update
A warm welcome back to our new and returning families in 2026!
I’m pleased to introduce myself and the Middle School Team, who will be working closely with you in 2026 to support every student to achieve their Optima Semper. I’d also like to thank our dynamic Middle School Team for the work they’ve already done to ensure students have been well supported as they return to classes this week.
Year 9 will be led by Ms Jasmine Rabinov as Head of Year 9, supported by Mr Gareth Fuller and Mr Tim Bunawan.
Year 10 will be led by Mr Mark Quiambao as Head of Year 10, supported by Ms Tahnee Richardson and Ms Jo Beck.
Ms Bianca Johnson will continue in her role as the invaluable Administrative Support for the Middle School Team.
The lead Wellbeing Team contacts for Years 9 and 10 are Ms Melissa Donegan and Ms Myriam Camilleri, and the lead Careers Team contacts are Ms Rhonda Gifford and Ms Teena Borshoff.
Prior to this year, I worked as Campus Principal on the Senior Campus alongside the Senior School Team. Through this experience, I’m looking forward to bringing a strong focus on Careers Education into the Middle School, supporting students to explore pathways well before they make their VCE or VCE VM subject selections in Years 11 and 12.
Students can expect to learn more about careers and pathway options during their weekly Optima classes.
For our Year 9 students, this begins in Term 1 with the Morrisby Profile. A comprehensive career assessment that provides personalised guidance by identifying students’ strengths and interests.
Year 10 students are also preparing for Work Experience, which will take place from Monday 22 to Friday 26 June (Term 2). Please note that all placements must be organised by Monday 16 March (Week 8, Term 1).
The Year 10 whole cohort theme for 2026 is ‘Connection and Direction’. The Year 10 Team, Careers Team (particularly Ms Gifford and Ms Borshoff) and our Year 10 Optima teachers are very much looking forward to supporting students throughout their Work Experience preparation. The Year 10 Work Experience pack can be downloaded via Compass (star tab).
Other key dates for our families to be mindful of for Term 1 in the Middle School include:
Thursday 4 March | Intermediate Sport
Wednesday 11 March | Year 9 NAPLAN commences. More details will follow closer to the date.
Friday 20 March | Parent Student Teacher Conferences
During Early Commencement and first-day assemblies, staff spoke with students about the role our school values and pillars play in helping them make the most of the opportunities at Frankston High School and work towards their personal learning goals. I also spoke with students about our school motto, Optima Semper — Best Always. This aspirational phrase captures a key principle of our school: while it isn’t always possible to be at your best, consistently striving towards it makes a meaningful difference.
Demonstrating respect, responsibility, resilience and empathy goes a long way in helping students achieve their goals. This includes being in full school uniform, maintaining positive attendance, arriving to class on time and prepared, and engaging positively with peers and teachers.
Through staff professional learning, we have also explored the Science of Learning and Cognitive Load Theory. Research tells us that consistent and predictable routines, including consistent language, support student learning. In 2025, our school community worked together to clearly define our values, which guide our behaviour. Included below are the consistent phrases we will use to define these important values.
Respect At Frankston High School, we act with respect by being safe, kind and fair.
Responsibility We act with responsibility by making positive choices and owning our actions.
Resilience We demonstrate resilience by accepting challenges and persevering through them.
- Empathy We show empathy by being inclusive and compassionate.
Regular attendance plays a vital role in supporting students’ learning, wellbeing and connection to school. Being at school consistently helps students maintain continuity in their learning and build strong relationships with peers and teachers. We encourage families to support students in aiming for high attendance, and to be mindful that 90% attendance equates to missing one day of school each fortnight, which can quickly add up over time. We want our students at school, engaged in learning and feeling connected to their school community.
Please make sure you contact your child’s teachers throughout the year if you have any questions regarding their progress within their specific subjects. Our Middle School Team is always available to support with any concerns that may arise so please don’t hesitate to get in contact where required.
The Middle School Team and I are very much looking forward to a positive and successful year with our Year 9 and 10 students. We hope students have settled well into classes and feel both supported and challenged as they work towards achieving their Optima Semper.
Ms Tiffany Greenhill
Campus Principal
Years 9 and 10
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