Senior School News

Welcome Back To Our Senior School Students

It was wonderful to welcome back our Year 12 students to onsite, face to face, teaching on Wednesday 6 October where they were greeted by the 'King of the Jungle'.  It is a critical and very busy time of year for our senior school students.  Students and staff were so excited to be able to see each other in person after what has been one of the longest periods of remote learning for Year 12 students.

The GAT (General Achievement Test)

Thank you to our Chief Supervisor, Mrs Bev Valentine and her team of supervisors for overseeing the GAT which was held on Tuesday 5 October.  The students were exemplary in terms of attendance, behaviour and exam techniques.

Congratulations To Michaela Goggin (Year 12)

Michaela has been nominated for the 2022 Melbourne Principals’ Scholarship.  This is in recognition of Michaela’s academic achievements and contribution to Frankston High School and the wider school community.  We wish Michaela all the best as she hopes to pursue a degree in Science at the University of Melbourne.

Examinations

We have now reached the most critical time of year.  Year 12 students have less than one week of class time left and Year 11 students have four weeks before their exams.  All students should have implemented a comprehensive study plan/timetable to prepare for their examinations.

Some useful hints for exam preparation:

• Prepare summaries in your own words and use pictures, tables and graphs to help you remember the theory
• Highlight the key words that you need to remember and create the theory
• Work with a study partner and ask each other questions about the notes or explain the concepts to another person (parents come in handy here!)
• Study in blocks of time eg 50 minute blocks followed by a ten minute break
• Practise as many past exam papers as possible so you get used to the timing and types of questions examiners ask
• Do not cram before exams; a bit each day is a much more effective way to learn
• Establish a regular routine in studying, eating, exercising and sleeping
• Study and sit previous years’ exam papers at home at the same time as the end of year exam.
• Do not stay up all night; it is not an effective way to learn

I would like to remind parents and students of the Elevate presentations, where the importance of completing past exam papers was stressed.  The presenters stated that a critical component of student success in Year 12 is completing past exam papers under timed conditions and receiving feedback from teachers on their answers.  As a minimum 5-6 practice exam papers should be completed per subject; based on research the top students in each study are completing 20-30 practice exam papers and meeting with their teachers to receive feedback.  Students should also be reading the Assessment Reports on past exam papers which are available at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

Performance And Oral Examinations 

Students in studies with a performance or oral component have been given a timetable for these examinations.  The examination period commenced Monday 4 October and concludes on Sunday 31 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. 

Important Dates

Wednesday 20 October

Last day of Year 12 classes

Celebration Day

Tuesday 26 October

Year 11 students return to onsite learning

(Year 11 classes on Wednesday 27 October will be held remotely due to the Year 12 English Examination taking place on this day)

Wednesday 27 October to

Wednesday 17 November

Year 12 Written Examinations

Friday 29 October

Final submission date for all work for

senior school students

Monday 15 to Friday 26 November

Year 11 Examinations

(The results from these Year 11 examinations are very important and determine subject selection and promotion to Year 12)

Monday 29 November to Friday 3 December

Early Commencement Program

(Attendance is compulsory for all Year 11 2022 and Year 12 2022 students)

I wish all senior school students the very best for their upcoming exams.

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 VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority). 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

THE DAVID BURGESS FOUNDATION 

The David Burgess Foundation has provided scholarships to well deserving, disadvantaged students for the past 28 years.  The foundation aims to help young people from State secondary schools who have had to struggle to overcome adversity, who have shown commitment to their goals and those of the community, and who, with some help, have the opportunity to succeed in their studies and future life.

Any Year 12 students who satisfy the criteria and are interested in applying for this award are asked to please see me.  Details regarding the criteria and additional information regarding The David Burgess Foundation can be found at www.DBF.org.au

DOXA HOLLINGWORTH CADETSHIP PROGRAM 

This program is designed to provide disadvantaged youth who have satisfactorily completed their Year 12 studies, with the opportunity to pursue university education and gain future employment.

The current cadets are studying a range of degrees including Social and Environmental Science, Applied Science, Law, Arts, Commerce, Transport and Logistics Management, Economics, Business, Computing, Engineering, Accounting, Public Relations, Human Resources, Psychology, Arts, Urban Planning and Architecture.  The Doxa Cadetship provides: 

• Financial assistance
• Work experience with a corporate organisation
• A mentor
• Book allowance
• Professional and personal development

If you are interested in applying, please see me. 

BEST WISHES TO THE CLASS OF 2021

As this is the final newsletter for our Year 12 students before they embark on their final examinations, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere best wishes for their examinations and their future goals and ambitions.  I wish them every success in the future and I would like to thank them for their excellent contribution to Frankston High School.  They have been an absolute pleasure to work with.  I would like to acknowledge and congratulate our Senior VCAL Class of 2021 – the first class in our history.  Well done!

It has been an absolute pleasure working with all of our Year 12 students.  When faced with challenges remember what you have learnt from your parents, teachers, fellow students and your time at Frankston High School.  I wish you all the most fulfilling and successful of lives, everyone of you deserves it. 

Good bye and good luck – I will sincerely miss you.  Frankston High School is very proud of your achievements.

Ms Helen Wilson

Senior School Principal