News from Frankston High School

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

My name is Andrew Batchelor and I feel very privileged to be appointed as Principal of Frankston High School.  Frankston High School is a high performing school supporting students in achieving their best in their learning and through a range of pursuits whether they be sporting, music, the Arts, or student leadership.  Such exceptional student achievement across many areas has been due to the leadership shown by previous Principals, together with the outstanding teaching and support provided by our extremely dedicated teachers and support staff.  We also have such a supportive parent/guardian community who continually encourage their children to value the learning opportunities offered by our school.  Frankston High School has developed a learning culture where all community members (parents, staff and students) value learning and demonstrate our best always – Optima Semper.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME

I wish to acknowledge the warm welcome that staff, students and parents have shown me since my appointment.  It has been wonderful to meet all of the staff, students and many parents during the start to the school year.  I look forward to further opportunities to meet with parents/guardians and work closely with you all.  I would like to thank and acknowledge Mr John Albiston for all of his time and support in ensuring I make a smooth transition into the Principal role.  John’s inspirational leadership over many years has resulted in Frankston High School progressing from strength to strength.  He has left a wonderful legacy and a great base for ongoing improvement.

 

WELCOME NEW AND RETURNING STAFF

We welcome a number of new staff to the school to start the school year:

 

Mr Anthony Anderson – English/History

Ms Tugce Bircan – English/MYLNS

Mr Enver Bise – Maths

Mr Jai Block – AFL Trainee/Outdoor Education

Ms Danielle Bretherton – French

Ms Jessica Carrie – Classroom Learning Support

Ms Kimberley Drever – Business

Ms Courtney Eller – Science

Ms Sacha Fisher – English/EAL/MYLNS

Ms Rebecca Ginsberg – English

Ms Catherine Kyriakos – English

Ms Hannah Martin – English/History

Ms Jordan Morris - Vis Art/VCD

Mr Mahdi Pourdanial – Maths/Science

Ms Jasmine Rabinov – Science

Ms Courtney Rix – Classroom Learning Support

Ms Imogen Slinger – Outdoor Education/PE

Ms Victoria Stewart – Science

Mr Ben Watkins - Wellbeing 

Mr Matthew Whittle – English

Mr Niall Young – Maths

 

We look forward to their contributions to the Frankston High School community and supporting their growth and development throughout the year.  

 

OUTSTANDING YEAR 12 RESULTS

At the very end (30 December) of last year we received the excellent VCE results of the Class of 2020.  Despite all of the challenges placed in front of them, they demonstrated our school values (Empathy, Integrity, Optimism, Persistence, Respect and Responsibility) to a high level resulting in some great achievements.  We can continue to be justifiably proud of Frankston High School’s renowned reputation as a high performing academic school of excellence.  

 

Highlights 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
  • 10% of subject scores over 40
  • A median subject score of 31 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.
  • achieved a 50 in the study of Biology.

These results reaffirm Frankston High School as one of the leading schools in the state.

 

FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL - AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS

I am thrilled to report that Kai Malcolm (Year 10) has been recognised as Frankston’s Young Citizen of the Year.  Further to this, our Chill Out and Look About group were awarded the Community Event of the Year.

Thank you to Mrs Sarah Bahramis for her leadership in working with these students. This is a fantastic achievement for our students and would not be possible without the support of their families and the staff at Frankston High School.  For more information on the initiative, head to https://chilloutlookabout.org

 

STUDENTS ARE TOP IN THEIR STUDIES IN THE STATE

Congratulations to Tavi Sharma (Year 12, 2020) whose work (pictured above) for Media – Photography has been selected for exhibition in Top Designs 2021, part of the VCE Season of Excellence.

 

Media received over 350 submissions this year, of which 43 were shortlisted.  Tavi was one of only three Media – Photography students selected for exhibition.  We are exceptionally proud of Tavi’s success in what was a competitive and talented field.  Thank you to Ms Annie Griffin for all of her work with Tavi. 

 

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. 

 

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 Campus (Year 11 and 12 students) is Ms Helen Wilson and the Principal of the Year 7-10 Campus (Years 7 to 10 students) is Ms Cathy Hogg. 

 

SUPPORT 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 Year Level Coordinators, then Sub School 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 The Wellbeing Team (Ms Kirsten Bakker, Ms Michelle Beirouti, Ms Myriam Camilleri, and Ms Melissa Donegan) who are available to help students and their families with welfare related concerns, and also a Careers Counsellor (Ms Sharon Bourne), 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 throughout the school.

 

FAMILY WELCOME EVENINGS (subject to Covid-19 access restrictions)

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, on Thursday 11 February, 7.00pm.  Also, we have our ‘Meet and Greet’ Evening for parents of Year 7 students on Tuesday 9 March. I look forward to seeing you at these evenings as we form a strong supportive partnership in your child’s development. 

 

I extend my best wishes to everyone as we commence a 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 give their best always and 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 Andrew Batchelor

Principal