News from Frankston High School

Senior School News

Welcome Back

Welcome back to what is a critical and very busy time of year for our senior school students. 

Year 12 September Exams

I would like to thank all students and parents for the overwhelming support for the Year 12 exams which were held over the September holiday period.  This program was an outstanding success, and I hope it is a valuable learning experience for students in terms of perfecting exam techniques and time management.  It is now important for students to act on the feedback which has been provided by their teachers to further improve their learning outcomes and examination performance.

I would also like to thank the supervisors who assisted with the exams, in particular, Mrs Bev Valentine, who worked tirelessly to ensure the exams ran efficiently and under VCAA guidelines.  I would also like to acknowledge the extra work and dedication of our Year 12 teachers in the setting and marking of these exams.

Year 11 Central Australia Tour

Another successful tour of Central Australia and the Northern Territory has arrived home safely with students and staff reporting on a memorable and enjoyable trip.  Congratulations to the students who were excellent ambassadors for Frankston High School.  I am sure you gained an invaluable appreciation of Australian culture and will have life-long memories of this tour.  Thank you to the staff involved, under the leadership of Mrs Adrienne Shepherd who gave of their personal time and worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the trip – their commitment and dedication is outstanding.  Thank you also to Mrs Anne Thomson for the excellent organisation of the trip.

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
  • Don’t 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.
  • Don’t stay up all night; it’s 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.  Any student who has not received a timetable should see Mr Cameron immediately. The examination period commenced on Monday 8 October and ends on Sunday 4 November.  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

Year 12 Examinations begin on Wednesday 31 October and conclude on Wednesday 21 November.

Year 11 students are not required to attend school on Wednesday 31 October due to the Year 12 English Examination taking place on this day.

 

Year 11 Examinations begin on Monday 19 November and conclude on Friday 30 November.  The results from these Year 11 examinations are very important and determine subject selection and promotion to Year 12.

 

The final submission date for all work for Year 11 students is Friday 9 November.

 

The early commencement program will run from Monday 3 December to Friday 7 December.  Attendance is compulsory for all 2019 Year 11 and Year 12 students.

 

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

Congratulations to Calvin Gu

Congratulations to Calvin Gu who has been awarded first place in the Frankston City Council History Student Media Competition.  This is a wonderful achievement and is a testimony to Calvin’s outstanding media skills, in particular photography.  Thank you to teachers Ms Griffin and Ms Kulling for their assistance.

Year 12 Valedictory Dinner

24 October 2018

The Year 12 Valedictory Dinner will be held on Wednesday 24 October at The Pullman Melbourne, Albert Park from 7.00 pm to midnight.  Students should have finalised their tickets and tables as catering numbers need to be confirmed.  I would like to thank Mr Simon Cameron and Ms  Nicole Filippou  for their excellent organisation of this night.  I look forward to seeing Year 12 parents and students at this important event. 

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 Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). The annual scholarship will contribute towards the cost of tertiary education in music performance.  The application form is published on the VCAA website:

THE DAVID BURGESS FOUNDATION

The David Burgess Foundation has provided scholarships to well-deserving, disadvantaged students for the past 27 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. 

Applications for 2019 scholarships close on 31 October, 2018.

Details regarding the criteria and additional information regarding The David Burgess Foundation can be found at:

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. 

THE 2018 C.A.S. HAWKER SCHOLARSHIP

Applications for the 2019 Charles Hawker Scholarships open on  3 December 2018 and close on  4 January 2019, and are open to Year 12 students.  Selection is largely based on personal qualities of principle, character and a demonstrated commitment to the wider community, in addition to academic ability.  Information about the scholarship and an application form are available at:

Best Wishes to the Class of 2018

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 also like to congratulate and thank the excellent work and leadership of our two school captains Sam Ilobuchi and Stella Cowan and deputy school captains Eilis Peters and Sian Nugent.

​Ms Helen Wilson

Senior Campus Principal