Senior School
Course Counselling and Subject Selection
Thank you to our Careers Coordinator, Mrs Carolyn Walsh, the Senior Sub-School Leader Mrs Maree Granger and the Senior School co-ordination team for overseeing the course selection process for Senior School studies in 2015. Year 10 and Year 11 students should have completed their selection of subjects for 2015 by now. If for any reason this has not occurred students should see the Senior School Coordinators, Careers Coordinator or myself, to ensure they do not miss out on subjects for 2015. I would also like to thank the team of course counsellors who assisted students and parents in this important process.
Congratulations to Laura Fairbairn and Tamsyn Webster
Congratulations to Laura Fairbairn and Tamsyn Webster for their success at the recent Victoria University's I Plan a Business Competition. This competition was aimed at emerging business entrepreneurs. Over 160 business plans were submitted from schools around Victoria. Laura and Tamsyn were both invited to attend the formal presentation awards and were given the opportunity to listen to two remarkable guest speakers. Firstly, Jason Cunningham, Director of a multimillion dollar accounting firm "The Practice" followed by Alan Kohler, a well-known financial journalist and a Professor of Business at Victoria University. Jason Cunningham presented the winning awards:
- Tamsyn Webster - Equal winner in the Year 11 Individual Category with her business idea "The Little Barkery"
- Laura Fairbairn - Equal winner in the Multimedia Category with her business idea "Bare Body Wear"
With a bit of humour on the side, the judges initially thought "The Little Barkery" should have read "The Little Bakery" but then realized the business idea was about products for small dogs. They acknowledged the strength of this plan with correct financial costings.
Additionally, they made mention that Laura's multimedia entry was the best they had ever seen and an extraordinary standard for a Year 11 student.
An amazing achievement and recognition of the hard work put in by both students. As equal winners, both students received a cheque for $250 and a Winner's Certificate.
Thank you to Mrs Sally Sanderson for organizing this wonderful opportunity for our students.
National Titration Competition
The RACI Chemistry National Chemistry Quiz and National Titration Competition are run by the VCE Chemistry team – in particular Rob Valerio, who leads the team in organising the students for both activities.
Five teams were entered this year into the RACI Chemistry National Titration Competition. There were 240 teams entered from 51 schools across Victoria.
The Victorian results of Frankston High School’s entries are below:
Team: Nikola Guzys-McAuliffe, Pan Kim, Daniel Van Zeil
Year 12 Ranking 1st
Overall Ranking 1st
Team: Gabe Robinson, Billy Stewart,
Kristian Susanj
Year 12 Ranking 5th
Overall Ranking 6th
Team: David Turville, Joshua Smith,
Charlotte Henson
Year 12 Ranking 9th
Overall Ranking 10th
Team: Cassandra Tan, Matthew Blaak, Bradley Clinch
Year 12 Ranking 10th
Overall Ranking 11th
Team: Brittany Van Zeil, Megan Runacres, Ema Placko
Year 12 Ranking 28th
Overall Ranking 32nd
All Frankston High School teams finished in the top 11% of students and the top four teams go through to the national finals later on this term. All students will receive a certificate and prizes for their participation. The number one ranked team is officially State Champion for 2014.
Congratulations to all students involved – a fantastic achievement.
Curriculum Enhancement Program
A group of 25 Year 11 Legal Studies students had the opportunity to participate in a Curriculum Enhancement Program offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University Peninsula Campus. Students were able to experience problem based learning with the focus on Legal Negligence. Teams of students were given a legal problem and had to determine an appropriate solution. This required them to research past judgments and apply relevant legal principles. All students thoroughly enjoyed this activity and were able to understand the benefits of problem based learning.
Model United Nations Conference
A team of four Year 11 Legal Studies students, Angus Simmie, Georgia Smollen, Amy Moody and Zakiya Gora-Ivanoff, participated in the Model United Nations Conference at Monash University, Clayton Campus. The Model United Nations was a simulation of the UN General Assembly during which the students acted as ambassadors to the UN and debated the issue of "mass atrocity crimes". Students needed to deliver a prepared speech outlining their position on mass atrocity crimes, and followed this by questioning and challenging the speeches of other nations. The above students diligently researched and prepared their opening speech. They also demonstrated exemplary public speaking skills.
Thank you to Mr Fischmann for attending this excursion and providing support to these students.
VTAC Selections 2015
This term Year 12 students begin the important process of preparing their Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC) selections for next year. Information, guidance and assistance will be available in iSupport sessions over the next few weeks and from the Careers Coordinator, Mrs Carolyn Walsh.
Central Australia/Darwin Tour
I would like to wish the 110 Year 11 students who are embarking on the Central Australia/Darwin tour all the best for a fantastic trip. I am sure they will have a wonderful time and will have life-long memories of this adventure. A special thank you to Mrs Anne Thomson who has overseen the organisation of this tour and Mrs Adrienne Shepherd and all staff attending the trip for their excellent work in ensuring the trip is an outstanding success.
Performance and Oral Examinations
Students in studies with a performance or oral component have been given a timetable for these examinations. Any student who has not received a timetable should see Mrs Granger immediately. The examination period begins on Monday, 6 October and ends on Sunday, 2 November. Students should arrive at their examination half an hour before the scheduled start time and must have photo identification with them.
Good luck to all students involved.
Year 12 Practice Exams – September Holidays
As outlined in a previous letter to parents of students undertaking a Unit 3 and 4 study, Frankston High School is conducting Year 12 practice exams during the September holidays. The exams will commence on Friday, 26 September and will conclude on Friday, 3 October.
The advantages of this practice are clear including: ensuring students utilise their September holidays for revision; opportunities for our students to maximise their success/results; maximising class revision time in Term 4 where teachers can address areas of concern in student performance and exam technique and it provides opportunities for students to hone exam techniques and practices.
It is our expectation that Year 12 students would devote the third term holiday period to revision and study in preparation for the practice examinations and the final VCAA examinations. These practice examinations will be conducted under VCAA and Frankston High School guidelines. Final examination timetables have been posted home to parents and distributed to students.
I hope this initiative of practice examinations and the provision of teacher feedback will significantly enhance your child’s performance in the exams, allowing them to achieve their best.
Parent Opinion Survey
Thank you to the parents who participated in The 2014 Parent Opinion Survey. Our ‘CASES21’ computer program randomly selected 15% of our families to participate in this survey.
The survey responses are confidential and are sent to an independent organisation that collates the data. This data will be used to enable the school to celebrate success as well as identify areas for improvement
Your participation in this important process is greatly appreciated.
Students Driving To School
Students who drive to school are reminded that they must complete a consent form (which is available from the Senior School Office) and attach a photocopy of their driver’s licence.
Students are not permitted to park in the school grounds and hence, must ensure that they follow local parking restrictions on nearby roads. Students should also be aware that they must not park too close to the pedestrian crossings or driveways, particularly the entrance and exit to the Senior Campus.
Scholarships
KWONG LEE DOW YOUNG SCHOLARS (KLDYS) PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
The KLDYS Program is aimed at giving talented students an insight into life at The University of Melbourne and to motivate and encourage them into considering going to university. Nominations from current Year 10 or Year 11 students will be called for by early Term 4 for inclusion in the 2016 Program.
In addition to the KLDYS Program, there are a range of scholarships available for international and local students who intend on studying at The University of Melbourne.
Please see me for more information. You can seek information about such scholarships at www.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships
THE MARGARET SCHOFIELD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Applications for this annual scholarship are invited from government school students of VCE Music - Solo Performance. The selection panel will consider applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to music in recent years and to a future career in music performance. The students’ study scores for VCE Music - Solo Performance will be taken into consideration. This scholarship was established by the family of the late Margaret Schofield in recognition of her achievements as a musician and her commitment to music education and is coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). The annual scholarship will contribute towards the cost of tertiary education in music performance.
The application form is published on the VCAA website: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/excellenceawards/ms-applicationform.doc