From the Principal
Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends
I hope most of our community have managed to have an enjoyable relaxing holiday break. However, I am very aware that not everyone will have had a great holiday. On behalf of our community we are certainly thinking of those many fellow Australians who have lost their lives, homes and livelihoods during the catastrophic fires. We are also most grateful to our fearless firefighters, emergency services and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to support fire threatened communities. If you have concerns about your children returning to school feeling distressed about the fires please don’t hesitate to contact the relevant Coordinators or Wellbeing staff. If you are still wanting to donate to support our fellow Australians a reputable organisation that I have donated to is RAWCS which can be found via this website link. https://rawcs.org.au/
At the end of last year, we were celebrating our excellent VCE results whilst also welcoming back over 100 students who had been either trekking overseas on the World Challenge Expedition, gaining their Surf Bronze Qualification on the Surf Lifesaving Camp or completing the Great Victorian Bike Ride. This provides just a brief snapshot of some of the challenging learning experiences our young people are able to participate in throughout the school year. As we begin 2020, I encourage all students to get the most out of school life by becoming involved beyond the four walls of the classroom. I hope everyone has a terrific year with a special welcome to all new students and their families.
Outstanding Year 12 Results
We need to all be very proud of our Class of 2019 who achieved outstanding VCE results. As you can see from the front page of our newsletter, we are thrilled with the results achieved by this cohort, some of which are the best ever in the history of our great school. Consequently, we can continue to be justifiably proud of Frankston High School’s outstanding reputation as a high performing academic school of excellence.
Highlights other than those featured on our front page include: -
- Frankston High School continuing to be the leading government school on the Peninsula and in fact obtaining results up with and ahead of many private schools.
- 12% of subject scores over 40 places Frankston High School within the top six of Metropolitan Government Co-educational and Non-select Entry schools in the state.
- A median subject score of 32 indicates that a typical Year 12 student at our school achieves significantly above average study scores compared to students in private and government schools across the state.
- The many students who were able to reach their full potential as a result of their commitment to their studies and the outstanding teaching at Frankston High School.
- Lucy Cripps achieved a 50 in the study of Physical Education.
These results reaffirm Frankston High School as one of the leading schools in the State.
University Placements
It is a great pleasure to report that following the first round university offers, 96% of our Year 12 students who applied for tertiary study have received an offer.
We anticipate that after second round offers and mid-year offers, 100% of these students will be proceeding with tertiary courses.
This is an outstanding result. We were thrilled that most students received their first or second choice. This is another great example of how our students achieve their dreams by striving to do their best always.
Frankston High School Community Feature In Australia Day Awards
I am thrilled to report that the incredible Michaela Goggin (Year 11) has been recognised as ‘Frankston’s Young Australian Citizen of the Year; 2020’. At the awards ceremony on Australia Day we were all inspired by Michaela’s outstanding speech impressing upon us the importance of taking action now about climate change. Michaela is an extraordinary leader in our community and beyond who has had a positive influence on all of us to act in a more responsible manner to preserve our environment. Currently Michaela is leading the Eco Team as our school endeavours to become a non single plastic use school. For example, isn’t it about time we all think of how we can avoid using gladwrap which is killing birdlife, fish, seals and dolphins to name a few of our precious local animal life in our beautiful bay? Resealable plastic containers are a great way to avoid or at the very least reduce our use of gladwrap. Michaela also expressed her gratitude to her teachers and family who have provided her with so much support along the way. Michaela’s success is a great example of how parents in partnership with teachers can bring out the best in our young people. In addition, Peter Patterson (former Frankston High School Council President) was awarded ‘Frankston City’s Citizen of the Year’ particularly for his voluntary leadership of the Frankston Susono Friendship Association. Also, current School Council President David Cross led a team that won the Community Event award for the efforts of Frankston Heights Primary school in planting hundreds of indigenous plants at the Wallace St Reserve. Australia Day was certainly a day of celebration for many connected to Frankston High School.
Students Are Top In Their Studies In The State
Congratulations to Chiara Mascaro (Year 12, 2019) whose work for Media – Photography has been selected for exhibition in Top Designs 2020, part of the VCE Season of Excellence.
Media received over 350 submissions this year, of which 41 were shortlisted. Chiara was one of only seven Media – Photography students selected for exhibition. We are exceptionally proud of Chiara’s success in what was a competitive and talented field. Chiara’s images involved coffee which makes sense because Chiara is regularly found to be making coffee and serving it at the Country Folk Café. Chiara achieved a study score of 49 in Media placing her well within the top 1% of the State.
In addition, Nadja Xu (Year 12, 2019) and Ryan Pfleger (Year 12, 2020) have been selected to perform as a duo in the Top Class group music performances next year, due to their outstanding performances during their Year 12 music performance exams. I will be excited to attend their performances this year with other top music students in the state. They will perform as a duet, both playing the clarinet.
More evidence that Frankston High School has teachers who are up there with the best of the world being able to nurture the talents of our students to be regarded as equivalent to the best of those students in the State.
Welcome To New Students, Parents And Friends
Welcome to all new students and their families. You are joining a wonderful school with exceptional teachers who will support you to achieve your best. Frankston High School provides a learning community where we all respect and care for each other, always working cooperatively as a team. It is most exciting that our new students will have complete access to our many brand-new facilities. This includes new Senior Campus facilities, a state-of-the-art theatre, and a contemporary STEM Centre. In addition, our builders are just completing final touches to our Sporting Complex (including a huge sports stadium, swimming pool, gymnasium/fitness centre and café). I know our families and particularly our students will love these new areas of learning. Please be reassured you are among friends who care and support each other. Please don’t be afraid to ask question, students and staff alike will enthusiastically respond to ensure you feel welcome. Staff, students and parents are eager to help you make a successful transition into our school.
A Multi Campus School
Frankston High School is a multi-campus school. We have two Campus Principals who have responsibility for making decisions regarding the students on their campus. The Principal of the Senior School (Senior Campus) is Ms Helen Wilson and the Principal of the Junior School (Year 7-10 Campus) is Ms Cathy Hogg.
Help Always Available
Frankston High School has a commitment to providing all the care and support necessary for each student to do their best and achieve the highest possible learning outcomes. It is important when parents have concerns about their children, they contact the relevant staff members immediately to ensure a quick supportive response.
The most appropriate staff members to talk with when you have specific concerns are the classroom teachers, then Assistant or Year Level Coordinators. These are the staff members who have a thorough understanding of the needs of the students in their care. Decisions regarding students are made in partnership with parents and students with careful consideration of what is in the best interests of the students.
In addition, we are fortunate to have a very caring Student Wellbeing Team. This year’s Wellbeing Team consists of four staff members who work between the 7-10 Campus and Senior Campus. Mrs Michelle Beirouti who works as the Student Wellbeing Coorindator and Mental Health Practitioner on the 7-10 Campus, alongside a School Counsellor Mrs Myriam Camilleri and Mental Health Practitioner Mrs Melissa Donegan. Mrs Kirsten Bakker works as the Student Wellbeing Coorindator for the Senior Campus. In addition to providing counselling to students, our Wellbeing Team is also able to provide referrals to students and families to access appropriate external support services.
The Wellbeing Team is also actively involved in supporting students through a range of programs, including Breakfast Club on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays morning, Hands On Learning and various programs throughout the year that are focused on supporting the Wellbeing of students.
We also have Ms Sharon Bourne as a Careers Counsellor, who is available to counsel students and families in relation to exploring career options.
Ritchies
I encourage all parents to patronise Ritchies Supermarkets and access a Community Benefits Card, nominating Frankston High School as your preferred beneficiary. Each time you shop at Ritchies you will be actively contributing to your child’s education by helping us continue to provide high quality resources for our students
Family Welcome Evenings
I look forward to welcoming our parents of new students in Years 8 to 12 at an evening get together to familiarise yourselves with our great school, at 7.00pm 13 February. Also, we have our Year 7 Parents Meet and Greet evening at 7.00pm on 12 March. I can recommend these nights to new parents, as an informal, social get together in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.
In conclusion, I extend my best wishes to everyone as we embark on another challenging, stimulating year of teaching and learning where I am sure we will be regularly celebrating the many achievements of our extraordinary students. I encourage all students to become involved in many different aspects of school life, which will enhance their learning and provide wonderful lifelong memories of well spent years at Frankston High School.
Mr John Albiston
Principal