From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

Throughout the month of May our students have been actively participating in learning activities both within and beyond the four walls of the classroom.  No matter what learning experiences our students are engaged in, I consistently receive positive feedback from visitors to our school and members of the public our students encounter on excursions, or when travelling to and from school.  They always comment on how polite and friendly our students are.  As we know, students who uphold our school values (Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Optimism, Persistence and Empathy) by showing such behaviours and combining this with doing their best always, will continue to lead very successful rewarding lives. 

Frankston High School Students Do Their Best With the Challenge of NAPLAN!

A huge thank you to our Years 7 and 9 students, who concentrated with great diligence to complete the recent NAPLAN assessments.  Our students approached this testing in a most mature manner, abiding with exam conditions.  This is great preparation for exams in the senior years and also their results will provide parents and teachers with an understanding of how our students are progressing.  Such information will be used by teachers to plan their teaching program to address any gaps in learning students may be experiencing and to ensure we are extending appropriately any expert learners who are achieving above the expected level.  

Aerobics Teams Star in State Qualifying Comp 

On Sunday 18 May our Junior Aerobics team (Bridin Walker Year 9, Eily Walker and

Alannah Bucher, Year 7) competed in the State School Aerobics Competition and performed exceptionally well.  Such a wonderful opportunity was provided for this team thanks to the dedication of Ms Genevieve Donovan

who has worked tirelessly to support these girls in reaching such an impressive standard. As well as spending countless hours coaching and supervising the teams Ms Donovan made all the team costumes.  

Debutante Ball:  A Time For Celebration!

Our annual Year 11 Debutante Ball provided a great opportunity for families, staff and friends to join together in celebrating how our once young children have developed into fine young men and women.   It is always inspiring to hear of each student’s plans for the future, and they all were extremely impressive in their formal attire.  We are deeply indebted to all the energy and hard work from a team of staff who so generously gave of their time to coordinate this event.  It was extra special for my wife and I because our daughter participated in this event and, like all parents’ daughters, she looked beautiful and had a wonderful evening.  

Stage Bands Shine at Mt Gambier Festival

Thanks to our Instrumental Music teachers who devoted many hours after school rehearsing with our Stage Bands culminating with a four day trip to South Australia for the Mt Gambier Jazz Festival.  This allowed students to enjoy an extraordinary learning experience. Our students played their best and conducted themselves in an exemplary manner at all times, with positive feedback by attendees from across Australia and abroad. Our Senior Band placed 11th and our Intermediate Band 9th, reminding us they are equal to the best of school bands in Australia. This is a real tribute to these students and of course the talent and dedication of our incredible team of Instrumental Music teachers. 

Seussical Thrills Us All With High Class Entertainment!

Thanks to our magnificent production team, SEUSSICAL The Musical has been a huge success.  

We are indebted to so many staff who generously gave of their time to provide such incredible learning experiences for our students.  Thanks to Ms Kristie Vidotto (Director), Ms Brie Gibson (Assistant Director), Ms Lucy Foskett

(first time Producer), Mr Travis De Valle

(Lighting/Promotions), and Ms Leeanne Waters (Costumes/Make Up).

A special thank you to our Musical Directors: 

Ms Sally Bredin and Ms Peta Laughlin

and the incredible band that lifted the performances to a whole new level and really showcased our students’ singing, dancing and acting talents. Also I must acknowledge our choreographers, Aeysha Van Der Brink and Rhiannon Stewart of Year 12 who supported our students in performing impressive dance routines.  Thank you to all the families, friends and staff who attended performances.  It means a lot to our students and I believe you are giving them an important message - allowing our students to believe that when they apply themselves with great earnest to a cause, and do their very best, they are capable of achieving their dreams.

Looking For Families To Host Our South African Student

Each year we sponsor a Year 11 student from our sister school in Soweto, South Africa, (Letisbogo Girls High School), to attend Frankston High School.  

These students are selected on the basis of their potential to graduate from their school and to proceed with a successful, tertiary, learning pathway.  Such students are from a less fortunate community than ours and Frankston High School provides them with a year of opportunity which hopefully will enthuse them with aspirations to achieve their dreams.  In return, our students are rewarded with the opportunity of developing an appreciation for those less fortunate than themselves and to learn about the culture of the South African people.   This experience for our students is particularly enhanced if they are able to have our sister school student in their family home.

If you are able to support Mimi (our current student) by hosting her for four to six weeks, I am sure you would find this a most rewarding experience.  Mimi has been staying with my family this term and she has been a wonderful role model for my two senior school children since she applies herself with great zeal to her studies.  If you are interested in hosting please leave your contact details with the office and Anne Thomson will be in contact with you. 

Parent Feedback From Tours Very Positive

Over the last few weeks parents of Grade 6 students have attended Frankston High School in great numbers to acquire information and observe the learning and teaching environment of our school. I am pleased to report that parent feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.  Parents have been extremely impressed with how focused students are on their studies, the excellent, courteous behaviour of our students, together with the diversity of programs that our school offers.

I hope this newsletter finds everyone well and enjoying life.

John Albiston, Principal