Senior School

COURSE COUNSELLING AND SUBJECT SELECTION

Thank you to our Careers Coordinator, Mrs Carolyn Walsh, and the Senior School Coordination Team for overseeing the course selection process for senior school studies in 2017.   I would also like to thank the team of course counsellors, including Mr Craig Richardson, Mrs Helen Page, Mr Andrew Watson and Mrs Carolyn McIver who assisted students and parents in this important process. 

CONGRATULATIONS REECE PELLOW

School captain Reece Pellow has won the prestigious 2016 Annual Roy Ward Prize presented by the Order of Australia Association, Mornington Peninsula Regional Group.

The prize is granted to a secondary student in Years 11 or 12, who has shown, both in his or her school, qualities of character, leadership and community service, which exemplify Australian citizenship, over an extended period.  In addition to Reece’s leadership roles at Frankston High School, his commitment to service to others includes Reece intimately involved in Riding for the Disabled at Mornington Racecourse and “busking” to raise money for “The Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia Limited”.  The money raised has been used to widen the organisation’s services and obtain specialized equipment.  Reece has been training assistance dogs for the past 24 months and has been a speaker at Monash University to the third year nursing and paramedic students and at the Australian Centre for Grief on the topic of “what it is like growing up with a disabled sister”’.  Reece has hands on experience in living with people with disability and special needs.

Mr Albiston and I had the pleasure of attending the award presentation last Friday, and we congratulate Reece on this prestigious award.

The Order of Australia Association stated:  “We were impressed with the information submitted on behalf of Reece and also the way he handled the interview process, he is indeed an impressive young man and a worthy winner”

MONASH SCHOLARS PROGRAM – CONGRATULATIONS TO ELLA ANDERSON AND SHANAE GOGGIN

Congratulations to Ella Andersen (Year 10) and Shanae Goggin (Year 10) who have been accepted into the Monash Scholars Program.  The nominations were based on these students’ academic ability, leadership qualities and contribution to school and community life.  The benefits of the Monash Scholars Program include:  enhanced learning, exploring career ambitions, defining personal aspirations, preparation for university life and building networks with other high achieving students.

VTAC SELECTIONS 2016

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 Practitioner, Mrs Carolyn Walsh.

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA/DARWIN TOUR

I would like to wish the 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 Shepard 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 Mr Cameron immediately. The examination period begins on Monday 3 October and ends on Sunday 30 October.   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 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 exams during the September holidays.  The exams will commence on Friday 23 September and will conclude on Thursday 29 September.

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 examinations and the final VCAA examinations.  These examinations will be conducted under VCAA and Frankston High School guidelines. Final examination timetables have been distributed to students and parents.

I hope this initiative of examinations and the provision of teacher feedback will significantly enhance your child’s performance in the exams, allowing them to achieve their best.

SCHOOL TOURS

On Tuesday 9 August and Friday 12 August school tours were held for families interested in attending Frankston High School in Years 9-12 for 2017.  The tours were well attended, and the parents were full of praise and admiration of the learning culture which was showcased on the tours of both campuses.  Congratulations and a special thank you to our captains James Lilley and Alana McDermott who gave families a perfect insight into the teaching and learning, and culture of Frankston High School in the middle school and senior years.  Their presentations were passionate and we appreciate them taking time out of their busy Year 12 schedule to make the tours so successful.

PARENT OPINION SURVEY

Thank you to the parents who participated in The 2016 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 2018 Program.

In addition to the