From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students And Friends

As Victorians and as a school community we need to feel very proud because we have joined together to act responsibly and support one another with our efforts rewarded as the numbers with COVID-19 significantly decrease. We are now buoyed with optimism as our lives slowly return to a COVID normal lifestyle.  An example of this was our excitement as we welcomed back to school our Years 7,11 and 12 students.  As the pictures show our parents were equally excited as they dropped their children off to school, having difficulty suppressing their ecstasy that no longer do they have to be ‘pseudo-teachers’.  Everyone was smiling with the joy of catching up with friends and teachers and attending class as normal.  I must say I have been most impressed with our students who are persevering with wearing their masks even though having them on all day can be annoying. Although most students have settled well into a school routine, some are finding the transition from life in lockdown back to school a little more challenging and anxiety provoking. Please be reassured that the wellbeing of our students is our priority and staff are monitoring them very carefully.  If you have concerns about your child’s readjustment to school, please do not hesitate to contact the school to speak with the relevant Coordinator. 

GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GAT) A MAMMOTH LOGISTICAL EXERCISE: SUPERBLY EXECUTED

We are most grateful to Ms Helen Wilson and Mr Simon Cameron for the huge responsibility they assumed in organising the successful implementation of the GAT for our large cohort of Year 12 students. As you can imagine many more rooms were required to maintain social distancing and entry into the exams had to be carefully orchestrated so everyone was sanitised (so to speak) and in the right place at the right time.  Our students were exceptional in their behaviour and attendance was excellent due the high expectations we maintain.  This year the GAT will have a greater influence in determining students’ final results and we are hoping with the thorough lead up support, together with the smooth execution of this event that our students were given every opportunity to do their best. 

PARENT STUDENT TEACHER (PST) CONFERENCES; A HUGE SUCCESS

We had a significantly higher attendance of families at our recent PST Conferences, than is normally the case at this time of year. This is further evidence that we are all working hard to remain connected and supporting one another despite the challenges of remote teaching and learning.  With such parent interest and support this bodes well for the future of Frankston High School as continuing to be a high performing school of academic excellence.  It is the joint efforts of staff, parents and students that makes our school so great. Teachers are happy for parents to make contact via email if they were not able to speak with a teacher during these conferences.

MICHAELA GOGGIN IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH WESTERN PORT BIOSPHERE

Past esteemed 2016 Frankston Citizen of the Year: Mr David Cross (current School Council President) and current 2020 Young Citizen of the Year Michaela Goggin (Year 11) both have a passion for making our planet more sustainable.  Mr Cross is a dedicated member of the Westernport Biosphere and supported Michaela in being featured in this volunteer group’s magazine known as Connector.  Michaela was able to showcase the great work she is doing across our school community and beyond in sustainability.  An extract from Michaela Goggin in the Spotlight is as follows; 

‘I have always had a passion for the environment and became inspired to act on climate change because it directly impacts on my future and the world my generation, and our children’s generation, will have to live in.  This doesn’t mean I am not concerned with other issues.  I have helped refugees and immigrants and support disability and indigenous issues.  However, I feel climate change is the over-arching issue.  It will impact on every aspect of our lives.

Being in the Eco Team and then becoming its President has been exciting, challenging but rewarding.  It is amazing, at my age, to be given so much responsibility, trust and just being listened to (thank you to my parents and teachers for that).

What gets me down is being told “no” for no real reason.  Sometimes I am told I am too young, or perhaps not taken as seriously as I would like because I am a girl and being in the Eco Team still isn’t “cool”, but that doesn’t bother me.  We are a great team, we are getting things done, like tackling single-use plastics.’

To read this article in full CLICK HERE.

SO LONG, FAREWELL ……… IT IS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!

I have recently received official confirmation from the Department of Education and Training (DET) that I can relinquish my position as Principal of Frankston High School at the end of this year.  I did this on the understanding that a substantive Principal appointment process would occur this term, with the new Principal beginning at the commencement of the 2021 school year.

I feel comfortable with my decision even though at times I have some mixed feelings of trepidation/anxiety/sadness about the future and knowing that this is a part of my life I can never return to.  However, it is the right decision for myself and Frankston High School.

Words cannot express how indebted I am to each of you for your ongoing loyalty and support throughout the last 15 years.  I have had a 40-year career in education with over a third being at Frankston High School.  Frankston High School is the school I have been at the longest. This is because from the very first day it has been an absolute privilege to work with such amazing young people (staff, parents and students: because you are all younger than me!). Our students have inspired me each day to do my best always because they have done the same.  They have been incredibly polite and friendly having made it a joy for me to come to work.  The reason our students are so special is because they have such wonderful parents.  Thank you to our parents for all your support of myself and Frankston High School.  As parents you have valued the education on offer at our great school and communicated this to your children. Consequently, with your encouragement our students make the best of their educational opportunities.  What happens in the classroom and in our co-curricular program is what makes our school special.

I wish to thank all our dedicated teachers and educational support staff who have also worked tirelessly, sharing their expertise and talents most generously to inspire our students to be the best they can be. Our school community has been a terrific team and I hope you all agree that we have had a great time and achieved much over the years.  I know that with such a wonderful community remaining, the school is in a great place to continue to prosper.

We look forward to welcoming our Years 8,9 and 10 students back to school next week and hope restrictions are further eased so as we can return to a life of enjoying the company of others face to face, which is what we as humans all yearn for.

To end on a lighter note, I am becoming more aware that parents can’t wait to be waving goodbye as their children leave for school.  This parent sending us this message after their son forgot to check in at the beginning of the day for remote learning:

“My son is present in some capacity at school today.

Regards,

His secretary”

Mr John Albiston

Principal