From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends

The month of May is always a great time of many different events that exemplify the diverse learning opportunities at our school.  It is also a time to pause and give thanks to parents for entrusting their extraordinary children to our care and also to staff for giving more than what is expected to allow our students to grow beyond their potential. I cannot write about all that has happened because you would be reading ‘War & Peace’.  Here are just few highlights to illustrate some of what is remarkable about our wonderful school.

Hairspray: A Celebration of All That is Great About Frankston High School

Virtually full house audiences had a real treat as they thoroughly enjoyed our 2015 school musical production of Hairspray.  Our musical productions seem to be getting better each year.  The singing, dancing, musical accompaniment and all other aspects of the show allowed this production to be nothing short of sensational. Thanks especially to those leading the production:  the extraordinary directors: Ms Vidotto, Ms Gibson, brilliant producers; Mr de Valle,  Ms Foskett,  highly talented musical directors; Ms Bredin and Ms Laughlin.  The important theme of Hairspray provided a most powerful message for everyone.  A message that we as educators join with parents in giving our young people every day.  It doesn’t matter about the colour of our eyes, skin, type of hairstyle we have or the gender of the person we fall in love with.  We need to embrace and celebrate our differences.  We encourage our students to befriend those that are different from themselves because such friendships enrich their lives and provide them with another perspective on life.  Our students do value diversity which enables Frankston High School to be a very safe, friendly, welcoming learning environment.  Thanks to all parents for sharing such values with your children.

Enterprising Teachers Share With The World Our Exciting New Project!!

Thanks to both Mr Hunt and Ms Constanzo for outstanding leadership in planning for the establishment of our Entrepreneurial Centre which will allow students and teachers to immerse themselves in cutting edge 21st Century teaching and learning experiences.  It is hoped that teachers who work in this centre will be able to replicate similar authentic learning experiences in their classrooms.  Last week The Age featured an article about the centre.  Please follow link: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/frankston-high-school-inspires-new-class-of-entrepreneurs-20150519-gh4q3f.html. Ms Constanzo also coped brilliantly as she was interviewed by the infamously humorous Red Symons on 774 ABC.  It was a wonderful promotional opportunity to showcase our great school.

World Renowned Educator Dylan Wiliam Challenges Teachers and Parents

This week all staff had the privilege of learning from world renowned leader and researcher in education, Mr Dylan Wiliam.  Dylan challenged our teachers to reflect upon their practice and shared research based successful strategies that teachers can learn and acquire to become even more effective teachers.  Our staff embraced this challenge and finished the conference enthused with plans about how to support one another in further developing to be the best they can be.  We are fortunate to have a team of teachers who are the best in the world yet committed to continue to improve as leading educators.  Dylan also informed parents who attended the parent forum in terms of how they can support their children to take control of their lives, appreciate their culture, make a difference in their culture and find rewarding work.  A phenomenal number of parents attended, demonstrating how much our parents want the best for their children.  As we know the quality of our parents allows our students to be so successful. 

Mr Hunt Provides an Inspirational Experience For Youth of Frankston

Many thanks and congratulations to Mr Hunt who secured the exclusive rights to convene the TEDx Youth@Frankston  INSIDE OUT Conference last week.  Students from across Victoria with 55 Frankston High School students enjoyed a professional conference at ‘The Cube’, being exposed to a range of creative ideas from outstanding guest speakers and performers. They received the message loud and clear that with a combination of passion and hard work, determination and never giving up attitude, they can achieve their dreams. There is no better message for the youth of our times to receive. 

Stage Bands Receive Acclaim at Mt Gambier National Jazz Festival

The Senior Stage Band was placed 8th and the Intermediate Band was placed 7th in their division in the recent Mt Gambier National Jazz Festival, yet again maintaining our school as a leading Australian Music school. These results are testimony to the incredible team of Instrumental Music and Music teachers we are so fortunate to have at Frankston High School. Sincere thanks to Mr De Bruin, Mr Sharp, Ms Bredin, Ms Starr and Mr Dunian, who gave up their weekend and countless hours in rehearsal to allow our students to have such an extra special learning experience.  Also thanks to our remaining extraordinary team of instrumental music teachers for preparing our students exceptionally well for this event.  Special mention to Jordan Dearsley and Shane Coulter who were both selected to play guitar in the Super band, informing us that they are two of the best student guitarists in Australia.  Also accolades to Cyrus Nikolic-Paterson who received the Blanchard encouragement award, worth $5000.  

Chaplaincy Dinner:  Thanks to Staff for Their Support!

Our annual Chaplaincy Dinner was a huge success.  As we usually have speakers from beyond our wider community, it was an extra special evening to have outstanding speakers from within our school community, talking about our wonderful Soweto Scholarship Program.  Thanks to all staff who generously supported our chaplain, Miss Linda Hughes' great work by attending and thanks to Mr Rowe (former Principal), Ms Poole (former PFA president), Ms Hogg (Year 7-10 Campus Principal) and Jessica Rivombo (2015 Scholarship recipient), who had the audience spellbound as they became aware of the difference it has made to the lives of young girls from Letsibogo Girls High School.  If you would like the rewarding experience of hosting Jessica Rivombo, please contact Ms Anne Thompson at school. 

Sport Continues to Provide Students with Healthy Fun Activities

HOUSE ATHLETICS FORGE AHEAD DESPITE INCLEMENT WEATHER

Well done to Ms Edwards, Ms Tierney and all our staff who endured a day out in the cold so our students could enjoy the Athletics Carnival.  I was impressed with the numbers of senior students in attendance who were excellent role models for our younger students.

ROAD RELAYS:  A GREAT WEEKEND ENJOYED BY 11 RELAY TEAMS

Thanks alsoto Mr Burt, Ms Edwards and Ms Douglas whogave of their Saturday to allow 44 students to enjoy a day of racing at the road relays.  It seemed we were the only government school in attendance and held our heads high providing great competition against the elite private schools.

STUDENTS BRING HOME GOLD AT DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY

Nine of the 10 teams competing recently at the Northern Peninsula District Cross Country won Gold at these Championships and will proceed onwards to compete at Zone finals.  We wish them all the very best and recognise their commitment to being the best they can be.  Well done Team!

AEROBICS TEAMS DO FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL PROUD AT SCHOOL AEROBICS

Ms Poynder gave her all as usual to allow our two aerobics teams to compete at the Arena in Geelong recently.  Ms Poynder made the costumes: just one of her many talents whilst inspiring the girls to do their best.  They shone, making their parents, myself and themselves very proud. The Stage Team have successfully qualified for the State finals and the Open B team have made it through to the Wildcard event.  An incredible achievement girls and a testimony to the hard work you have devoted to honing your talents to an exceptional level.

Financial Support for Families with Health Cards

Applications are now available for families with Health Cards to apply for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund.  Further information is provided in an attachment in this newsletter, titled: Financial Assistance under Dates and Notices. Please be aware that these newly available funds will replace the Frankston High School self managed concession scheme as of 31 May 2015. 

In Conclusion

If you have managed to read my entire report then you can see I was correct in stating that May is a very busy, yet exciting fun time of year. I hope you are rugging up and keeping warm and enjoying the football and/or other leisure pursuits as we embrace all that winter has to bring.

Mr John Albiston