From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

Wasn’t the warm weather over the Easter break absolutely phenomenal?  I hope our families were able to get out and about and enjoy the sunshine.  Everyone has hit the ground running first week back and it has been especially gratifying to see our students enjoying their friendships whilst focusing on their studies.

GREAT ATTENDANCE AT PARENT TEACHER STUDENT CONFERENCES

I was most impressed with the huge attendance of parents and their children at our recent Parent, Teacher, Student Conferences.   The research tells us that teacher feedback is one of the most powerful strategies in helping to improve student learning outcomes.  Hopefully all families left such discussions with plans for continual improvement as a result of suggestions provided by teachers.  If you have been unable to meet with a teacher, perhaps because they were booked out with appointments or they were unavailable, please contact the teacher via email and they will be only too happy to catch up with you.  It was so gratifying to see the many parents throughout the day who were demonstrating to their children how important their education is by attending this event. 

MARTIN HEPPELL ENTERTAINS HUNDREDS OF PARENTS WITH A POWERFUL MESSAGE: THE RESILIENCE PROJECT

Frankston High School’s priority to introduce the Resilience Project at Year 7, and eventually across the school, was emphasized at our parent forum during the first week of Term.  Martin Heppell our guest speaker from the Resilience Project engaged and captivated the audience, providing powerful messages through the artistry of storytelling.  We are hoping that as educators and parents we can join together in teaching our students values and skills from the resilience project which will help to improve their wellbeing and inoculate them with coping skills during times when life is tough.  The Resilience Project will hopefully teach our students to be grateful for the wonderful lives they have rather than always wanting more.  It will also teach them to be kind and empathic towards others, whilst teaching them the power associated with practising mindfulness.  When mindfulness strategies are regularly practised then research shows that you are better able to cope in stressful situations.  Most importantly, the message is that when you have a problem, always share it with others.  There are people who can always help, no matter what the problem is.  There is nothing so bad, or sad, that you can’t share it with someone else.  I encourage parents to talk with their children about how important it is to talk with others when they are feeling troubled, whilst we give them the same message at school.

WELCOME BACK INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC TEAM

We have welcomed back our International Athletic team from their tour of athletic competition throughout New Zealand.  I have heard a number of stories about the students’ wonderful experiences and, most importantly, their teachers have informed me that all members of the team were outstanding ambassadors for the school and their country.

Ayden Dignan of Year 9 broke the New Zealand record (9.08) in U/15’s 3000m, which I am sure you will agree is an incredible achievement.  Special thanks must go to Mrs Chloe Stevens, Mrs Carly MacDonald and Mr Mal Burt who so generously gave of their time and coaching expertise to organise and accompany our students on this amazing trip. 

REGIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONS YET AGAIN

It is a thrill for me to announce that towards the end of last term we became Regional Swimming Champions yet again. We have held this title for many decades.  I was able to cheer on our swimmers at this event and couldn’t have been more proud of their efforts in doing their best always.  As usual their behaviour was exceptional.  Thanks in particular to Mrs Carly MacDonald and Ms Kate Burgess who have devoted countless hours to support our swimming team and to provide Semper Squad swimming training for all students, regardless of their swimming ability.  Such regular swimming opportunities are instilling in our students the importance of leading a fit and healthy lifestyle.  We were also very proud of our State swimming team with students and teams being placed from first to eighth in the State.

Special mention to Ryan Longden (Year 9) who became State Champion in 50m butterfly, and second in 100m butterfly

and also to Helena Herman  (Year 9) who was placed second in 50m butterfly.

AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Frankston High School  had great success in this event.   Stand out performances were Amber Kamau (Year 9) winning the triple

jump,

Rhemmy Gibbs (Year 10) placing second in the 3000m and

Paddy Colgan (Year 8) received gold in the 4x100 relay.

All students trained hard in the lead-up to these championships and we are very proud of their results.

Aerobics and Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) competitions are on this weekend so wishing our teams all the very best.  Also a number of Stage Bands are performing from 10.00am onwards,  at Functions by the Bay: Frankston Football Club.  This is a free event which promises high class entertainment for the family to enjoy.   We are so fortunate to have staff who give of their expertise and time way beyond what is expected to provide these wonderful learning opportunities for our students. 

EQUESTRIAN CHAMPION

Congratulations to Shae Latimer (Year 9) who represented Frankston High School at the Interschool Equestrian Championships on 4 April and was awarded Reserve Champion.  In achieving such high results, Shae qualified to represent Victoria at the Interschool Nationals in September 2018.  Exceptional achievement, Shae!

PUT TUESDAY 19 JUNE IN YOUR DIARY: HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL

2018 is an important year in our school’s Accountability Cycle.  It is a year of review where all members of the community are invited to contribute to evaluating our achievements over the last four years whilst identifying areas for ongoing improvement.

Tuesday 19 June 6.30pm our usual School Council meeting will be an open meeting whereupon all parents will be invited to contribute to our self-evaluation.  The recommendations from the self-evaluation will be presented to an independent reviewer who will visit and assess our school in Term 4, helping us to develop a new Strategic Plan for the next four years (2019-2022).  Parents are encouraged to attend this forum to have their say about what they feel the priority areas for improvement should be.  I am looking forward to meeting with you and especially hearing from you at this gathering.  Refreshments will be provided.  Please RSVP to ssmaragdiou@fhs.vic.edu.au

MOTHER'S DAY HIGH TEA

I would like to recommend to all our mums, grandmothers, daughters and grand daughters our Chaplaincy High Tea on  Saturday 12 May.