News from Frankston High School

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

What a terrific year 2019 has been, jam packed with rigorous learning experiences that has allowed our young people to grow to become the best they can be.  I continue to enjoy the privilege of being Principal of this great school, where we are so fortunate to have students who want to make the best use of their learning time.  This is matched by the dedicated teachers and parents who inspire and nurture our children to be kind towards everyone they meet and to be involved in as many different aspects of school life as possible.  This allows students to express their individual traits and develop their passions and areas of interest to their full potential.  We are ending the year with students promoted to their next year level and rising to embrace new learning challenges, whilst as usual having many celebrations of a great year of teaching and learning.   

20 Years Of Surf Lifesaving Camps

We just recently welcomed back staff and students from the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Camp.  This amazing camp allows our students to gain their surf bronze qualification.  Consequently, many of our students will be patrolling the peninsula beaches over the summer and helping to save lives.   We are indebted to Mr Rowan Cameron’s leadership and passion for lifesaving that has enabled 20 years of camps to occur, fostering hundreds of students’ strong open water safety knowledge and skills whist being able to save others in life threatening situations.  This is Mr Cameron’s last official tour of duty as he goes onwards with the next exciting phase of his life.  However, we are most fortunate to have appointed Mr James Cameron who will continue to provide a lifesaving program for our students.  We thank Mr Cameron for his incredible contribution to Frankston High School over 34 years and to education for in excess of 40 years.  We look forward to him further contributing to our school when not out on his own travel adventures. 

Lifesaving Program With Indigenous Students Receives Order Of Australia Award

Further accolades to Mr James Cameron and Mr Rowan Cameron who have developed the great partnership between Frankston High School and St Teresa's College in Abergowrie Queensland.  This has enabled our lifesaving students to give to young indigenous people by teaching them lifesaving skills whilst in return our students have had the authentic learning opportunity of developing a great respect and understanding of the indigenous culture.  This project received a high commendation from the Order of Australia Association.  Thanks especially to our Business Manager, Ms Carolyn Florance who accessed grant funds to subsidise our students in travelling to St Teresa's College to work with the indigenous students.  I am pleased to announce that this trip will occur again in 2020.

GVBR Provides Great Weather And Cycling Challenges

A huge welcome back to our Great Victorian Bike Ride Team who from all reports had a terrific time.  Many thanks to Ms Jen Martyn, Ms Libby Toovey, Ms Emily Papadimitriou, Mr David Nicol, Ms Michelle Snooks, Mr Doug Peters and Mr Heath Booth who worked with great enthusiasm, attending all those after school and weekend training sessions to allow our students to have the trip of a lifetime.  Despite the inclement weather conditions the following is just one of the many positive student comments I have lifted from facebook that says it all:

Two Kwong Lee Dow Scholars; Bound For The University Of Melbourne

I am pleased to inform the school community that Year 10 students Nissi Cai and Michaela Goggin have been selected by the University of Melbourne for the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program.  The University of Melbourne received thousands of applications to join this program. This is an extremely prestigious award and is given to a selected number of students who have demonstrated academic excellence.  The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars will form an exciting community of scholars and future leaders who have the opportunity to access the university's library facilities and attend lectures whilst at secondary school.  Congratulations Nissi and Michaela; we are very proud of you.

Back To School Assemblies Inspire Our Students!

This term we held our ‘Back to School’ Assemblies to honour former students by inducting them into the Frankston High School Hall of Fame.  Our special guests were:

  • Mr Lachlan Coates who graduated in the class of 2009.  Lachlan is the CEO of his own thriving business:’Burst Graphics’  specialising in Design, Print, Signage and Websites. Burst Graphics was recently named winner of the “Entrepreneur” category in the Frankston Business Awards.
  • Ms Ashleigh Alsadie (nee Hoult) who graduated in the class of 2002 As an accomplished speaker and entrepreneur, Ashleigh currently runs two successful sales-focused businesses;The Promo Donna a lead generation firm and Sale Sistas, a support network where women learn not only how to grow their business but how to sell themselves and their brand successfully.
  • Mr Robert  Cook who graduated in the class of 2009.   Robert completed a Bachelor of Commerce (major in accounting) and Bachelor of Arts (major in politics) at Monash University.  Robert currently works at Bayland Finance, a finance broking company on the Mornington Peninsula. Robert has also been heavily involved with philanthropy, mostly with the volunteer organisation Rotary. He has managed numerous large fundraising events which have raised tens of thousands of dollars for various charities. And he has held a number of important roles such as treasurer of Rotaract Australia (the national arm of Rotary’s youth clubs) and board member of the Rotary district, the youngest person to hold that position. Robert will be critical in forming an Interact Club at our school for our students in 2020.

As you can imagine, these speakers greatly inspired our students, giving a powerful message that if students are able to identify their passions, strengths and talents at school and build upon these by doing their best always, then they too are capable of pursuing very rewarding career pathways

Sports Presentation Evening Celebrating Sporting Success

Last week we also enjoyed another night to celebrate the many sporting successes that have occurred throughout 2019.  I am thrilled that the majority of our students actively participate in our sporting program which shows how committed they are to leading a fit and healthy lifestyle. Thanks to the many students on the Sports Leadership Team who organized this event and of course we are eternally grateful to Ms Chloe Stevens, Ms Carly MacDonald and Ms Kylie Grech for their ongoing passion and great leadership of sport at Frankston High School.  Thanks also to the many staff who give of their time to coach sporting teams and who get up early in the mornings to run our terrific Semper Squad program.

Artfest Showcases Our Students’ Artistic Talents

A huge thank you to the many parents, students and friends who attended our Artfest throughout the week.  Each piece of work represented a labour of love where students have spent many hours honing their creative skills in collaboration with their teachers to an exceptional level.  We are greatly appreciative of Ms Emily Vogt’s leadership in working with the team of Art and Product Design teachers to organise a wonderful exhibition of student art.

Mobile Phone Policy For 2020 And Onwards

In June 2019, the Minister for Education announced a new Mobile Phone Policy that will come into effect from Term 1 2020.  Please read the article on Mobile Phone Policy (page 8) following the Importance Dates and Notices tab. 

Sponsor A Seat: Performing Arts Theatre

As a fundraising initiative, families are able to sponsor seats and have their family name inscribed on the back of a seat.  Get in early because some families are competing for their favourite seat number and/or position.  Contact Mrs Stav Smaragdiou if you are interested or book via Trybooking  https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=533255&

This is only a glimpse of what has happened since our last newsletter report.  Keep reading for more exciting news.  As I write we have 60 students and staff still on their World Challenge Expedition in India.  I have spoken to some parents who say their children are having a great time.  Yet another experience of a lifetime offered by our terrific school.  Finally, it is time for everyone to enjoy some relaxation time with family and friends.  I wish you every happiness over the festive season and look forward to sharing another terrific learning adventure in 2020.

 

Mr John Albiston

Principal