From the Principal
Dear Parents, Staff, Students And Friends
How things have changed since our last newsletter. Nearly everyday I am providing families and staff with the latest updates regarding COVID-19. We are living in unprecedented times and I am most confident that the Department of Education and Training (DET) is giving us sound advice being constantly in communication with Victoria’s Chief Medical Health Officer.
I am so proud of our community and staff because everyone has been sensible in terms of good respiratory and hand hygienic practices and remaining calm. Such a response is a reflection of the quality of the people across our community. Congratulations everyone.
Sadness Across School Community With The Loss Of Dylan Briggs
As you are aware staff, students and their families have been devastated with the sad passing of Dylan Briggs. Everyone who knew Dylan has fond memories of this young man who was much loved by those who knew him at our school. Comments from teachers and students alike as they sadly reminisce about Dylan include:
"He was a student with a great imagination and loved it whenever he was given the freedom to be creative with a task. He was always very excited and eager to show off what he had created.”
"A cheeky smile and bubbly personality"
"One of the kindest people"
As many of you will be aware, Dylan’s family thought you might be interested in contributing to this gofundme page in memory of Dylan.
The following is information about the Dylan's gofundme page:
This page is in honour of Dylan Briggs who tragically lost his life after an accident riding his bicycle home from school. We are promoting awareness to improve etiquette for ALL road users. Our message is simple and that is to get home safely, not quickly. We will be using our campaign motto of: "Chill out and look about" - Get home safe!
Any donations will be put into a trust and in time will fund a memorial and ongoing safety campaign in Dylan's honour. This is yet to be decided. Dylan will be remembered as a superhero, always caring and considerate of others needs before his own.
Please Click HERE for link to the gofundme page.
2020 School Captains
Congratulations to our 2020 School Captains Blake Shaw and Mia Davies and Deputy School Captains Tavishek Sharma and Elly Howell . I know from the already outstanding leadership they have shown, that they will continue to be inspiring role models for us all.
Above: Franskton Standard Leader, 23 March 2020
Students On Camps Impress Us All!
We managed to sneak in the Year 7 camps and the SLC camp before the emerging COVID-19 put a stop to such events. I must say as I am becoming more acquainted with our Year 7 cohort I am even more impressed with what lovely young people we have been entrusted to nurture in partnership with their very supportive parents. I managed to lead all the night walks and I amazed myself by not getting lost or losing anyone: quite an achievement! It was most inspiring to meet our student leaders on the SLC camp. I was in awe of the already exceptional communication skills demonstrated by these students and it was heartwarming to observe the older students mentoring their young peers in developing their leadership skills. Thanks to the many staff who gave time away from family and friends to provide such special learning opportunities for 400+ students.
Swimming Carnival: A Day Of Participation and Fun!
Congratulations to Ms Chloe Stevens and Mr Luke Rowe who organised and energised students and staff to have a wonderful time at our recent swimming carnival. In terms of student participation, costumes and dancing, it gave us all great cause for celebrating how lucky we are to be part of this exceptional school community.
Largest Training Band Ever In History Of Frankston High School
Congratulations to our Instrumental Music Department for organising a terrific Training Band promotion concert. Overwhelming positive feedback from Year 7 students and their parents places us in a great position to be having a mammoth highly talented Training Band up and running when students return to school.
All Schools Swimming Opportunity and District Swimming Champions!
Mr Luke Rowe and Ms Kate Burgess have gone out of their way to provide our students with the unique opportunity of competing against the elite private schools at the All Schools Swimming Championships recently. This is a very late night out which wouldn’t happen without the dedication of these two terrific staff. Our families are indebted to our staff for their willingness to give so much beyond the classroom in providing our students with such a great opportunity. I was so proud of our courteous students participating in this event being excellent ambassadors for our school. Also, recently we yet again became District Swimming Champions winning overall and in all age groups. This placed us in a great position to win the Regional Championships yet again but COVID-19 has put a stop to that.
Flying And Flopping At Moomba's Birdman Rally
We couldn’t be prouder of Mrs Sarah Bahramis and the LEAD Class for their efforts in fund raising for ‘Dogs for Kids’ which culminated in their wonderful machine flying an incredible seven meters across the Yarra in the annual Moomba Birdman Rally. Former School Captain Guy Taylor was a terrific pilot with students and staff cheering him on. At this stage the fund raising for this charity is heading towards $3000. It was great to have Ms Elise Roper organising students at the event together with Ms Kylie Williams and Ms Sharon Bourne cheering on the team.
Students And Staff Fill Hoyts Cinema
Thanks to all staff and parents who went to Hoyts Cinema recently to see ‘Call of the Wild’. This event supported fund raising for our athletics team who were planning to travel to compete in Malaysia. We are indebted to Mr Mal Burt and Ms Chloe Stevens who assisted our athletes in organising this event.
First Year Of The LLI Reading Program Showing Promising Results
Congratulations to our trained LLI teachers who are withdrawing our underachieving readers to participate in the LLI program. It is one year since the program began and we have found that 50% of participants have increased in reading by over two years and 89% of participants have recorded over one year’s growth in a year. Go English teachers, you are doing a great job! Many thanks to Mr Jacob Givogue and Ms Emily Johnson for their leadership in implementing this program.
Joanna Angeletos has won her way into Lions Youth of the Year Zone Finals
Late last year Joanna Angeletos (Year 12) was proclaimed as the overall winner of the Frankston Lions Youth Of The Year. Recently she participated in District Finals competing against others from across the Peninsula. We are thrilled to announce that she was the overall District winner. We wish Joanna every success as she competed in the Zone Finalsin Trafalgar but COVID-19 prevented me from being there to cheer her on.
Prestigious Victorian School Sports Awards
Congratulations to Noah Oliver (Year 11, Current Australian Decathlon Champion) and Alessandra Davis (Year 9: selected in Team Victoria Soccer team) who received Victorian School Sports Awards. These awards are very prestigious only being given to elite sporting stars. We are very proud of these students, not only are they considerate and kind but they always do their best always
It was great to meet with parents at our recent Year 7 Meet and Greet evening, which explains why we have such a lovely new cohort of students beginning at our school. Wishing you a safe and relaxing Easter break. Remember to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene and social distancing behaviour. Also, follow any updated guidelines that the Health Department and the DET provide. Can’t wait until everything returns to normal and I bet everyone feels the same.
Mr John Albiston
Principal