Dear Middle School Parents/Carers and Students

As we reach the end of Term 2, it is time to reflect on the remarkable progress and memorable experiences our Middle School students have had. This term has been filled with significant milestones, including Middle School exams, Year 10 Work Experience, and Year 9 Discovery Week, all of which have contributed to the growth and development of our students.

Our Middle School students have demonstrated commendable dedication and commitment during the recent exams. We applaud their efforts in preparing for these assessments, and their hard work has paid off. Our teachers have been impressed by their resilience, focus, and determination throughout the examination period. We commend our students for their persistence and desire to excel academically.

Year 9 Discovery Week was an incredible opportunity for our students to embark on a journey of exploration, self-discovery, and personal growth. This week-long program exposed them to a range of activities, including a City Experience where students worked as part of a team navigate their way through a city scavenger hunt, workshops with wellbeing organisation such as Speak Share, the Council Youth Bus, Toolbox Thinking Traps, Monash University, Empowered Together, Pat Cronin Foundation and lessons on a diverse range of subjects including Cooking, Sport, House Competition, Respectful Relationships, Safe Partying and Career Education. It was heartening to witness our Year 9 students stepping out of their comfort zones, building new friendships, and embracing challenges with enthusiasm and resilience. The experiences gained during Discovery Week will undoubtedly shape their character and provide a solid foundation for their future endeavors. We will finish the Discovery Week with a Magical Performance and celebration assembly including lunch and prizes such as a Giant Bike voucher to be drawn for students who had 100% attendance throughout the week. A massive thank you to the Year 9 Coordination Team; Mr Darin Joyce, Ms Hannah Martin and Mr Mark Quiambao, Mrs Jessica Bambridge (Head of Connectedness & Careers) and Mrs Sarah Bahramis (Head of Student Leadership, Voice and Agency) for all their hard work in planning and organising the Year 9 Discovery Week.

Work Experience is a crucial aspect of our students' journey towards understanding real-world applications of their education. Our Year 10 students had the opportunity to explore various industries and professions during their work experience placements this term. Through this valuable experience, they have gained insights into different career paths and developed essential employability skills. We are immensely proud of their professionalism, adaptability, and eagerness to learn during this period.

Reports and photos from students about their experiences from Year 9 Discovery Week and Year 10 Work Experience will be in the next newsletter

A friendly reminder that when we return in Term 3, students are expected to adhere to our school Uniform Policy and attend school every day. We encourage students to reflect on their achievements and areas for growth during the break. This time away from school offers an opportunity for rest, rejuvenation, and personal reflection. We also encourage students to engage in activities that inspire creativity, enhance their skills, and broaden their horizons.

I would like to extend my gratitude to all the parents/carers, teachers, and ES staff for their continued support and partnership. Your involvement is integral to the success of our students, and we appreciate your unwavering commitment.

Wishing you all a wonderful mid-year break filled with joy, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming our middle school students back in Term 3, ready to embark on new challenges and make further strides on their educational journey.

Ms Leah Hannas

Campus Principal

Middle School

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS

Senior School Course Selection

Year 10 students will commence their Senior School Course Selection early next term. We are excited to offer two new experiences as part of Careers Education at Frankton High School. The Middle School Careers Day (Thursday 20 July) which will include the VCE and VCE Vocational Major Subject Expo and Tertiary Expo, families can attend this event from 3.30pm till 5.00pm. The second new opportunity being the VCE and VCE Vocational Major Taster Day for all Year 10 students on Monday 31 July. Students will be able to taste a selection of VCE and/or VCE Vocational Major studies they may like to pursue as part of their Senior School Certificate.

All students are families are encouraged to access the Frankston High School Careers Website (via Compass) and search Senior School and the VTAC Guides. These guides specify the prerequisites for different courses and universities. The Senior School Handbook is also now available via the Compass star tab. Students should spend some time over their holidays reading these resources in preparation for Course Selection and Course Confirmation in Term 3. Year 11 and 12 students are encouraged to read the incredibly informative Career Newsletters accessible via the school's Careers Website, these specify personalised information about Open Days, Universities and how to apply for further study. For example, the VTAC Quick Reference Guide for Year 12 Students.

Click HERE for Year 9 into Year 10 2024 and

Year 10 into Year 11 2024 Course Selection process

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAINS

This semester, the Year 9 Captains have held a few focus groups on important topics like that relate to our year level, mostly relating to safety around school and issues like bullying. Any other feedback from these sessions was also noted. We found out that there are students who are unhappy with or unsure about certain things/processes within the school, and this information is what will be used in formulating solutions or in new initiatives that may be implemented at school. We also have been organising a Year 9 Dodgeball game. It will be a Teachers vs. Students game and will be held during a lunchtime in the stadium (date to be announced at a later time). Players who shine will be featured in the next newsletter and there are prizes to be won. We believe that dodgeball will be a way for our cohort to feel more connected, to celebrate on completing half the year and welcome back for Semester 2, and also will be beneficial for students' focus during class as exercise has been proven to improve concentration. Recently, the Year 9 Captains have also met with the Year 7 and Year 8 Class Captains to collaborate, and also to provide guidance and offer any advice to help them through their leadership journey. Michaela, Oliver, Eliza and Matilda – Year 9 Captains

Over this term, the Year 10 Captains have had the opportunity to work with the coordinators to run focus groups to help get feedback on the school and how it can be improved, by discussing solutions to the problems that were addressed from the data, and coming up with ways to implement them in the school. At our meetings we have also been talking through and planning for events in the upcoming terms including information regarding VCE, the Year 10 Formal as well as running lunch time activities to increase student engagement. We look forward to working with the teachers, coordinators, and fellow students over the next semester. Maryjo, Year 10 Captain

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM

The Middle School Team is here to support the student’s learning and wellbeing throughout 2023. Please see the below table for key contacts:

Year 9
Year 9 Coordinator	Ms Hannah Martin	hmartin@fhs.vic.edu.au
Year 9 Coordinator	Mr Mark Quiambao	mquiambao@fhs.vic.edu.au
Head of Year 9	Mr Darin Joyce	djoyce@fhs.vic.edu.au
Year 10
Year 10 Coordinator	Mr James Cameron	jcameron@fhs.vic.edu.au
Year 10 Coordinator	Mr Tyler Sawrey	tsawrey@fhs.vic.edu.au
Head of Year 10	Ms Paige Jessulat	pjessulat@fhs.vic.edu.au
Middle School Support
Middle School Admin	Mrs Bianca Johnson	bjohnnson@fhs.vic.edu.au
Campus Principal	Ms Leah Hannas	lhannas@fhs.vic.edu.au

If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact any member of the teams.

IMPORTANT DATES | MIDDLE SCHOOL

DAY	WHEN	WHAT
Thursday	22 Jun	3.30pm, School Reports published
Friday	23 Jun	Last Day of Term 2, 2.30pm dismissal
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Monday	10 Jul	Professional Learning Day (student free)
Tuesday	11 Jul	Students Commence Term 3
Thursday	13 Jul	State Cross Country
Thursday	20 Jul	Middle School Careers Day 1.30 – 5.00pm Careers, Tertiary and Subject Expo
Tuesday	25 Jul	Production Rehearsal
Wednesday	26 Jul	Production Rehearsal
Thursday	27 Jul	7.00pm, School Production 'The Addams Family' Opening Night
Friday	28 Jul	7.00pm, School Production 'The Addams Family'
Saturday	29 Jul	1.30pm, School Production 'The Addams Family' 7.00pm, School Production 'The Addams Family'
Monday	31 Jul	Year 10 VCE/VCE VM Taster Day Apps to continue a Unit 3/4 study due
Tuesday	1 Aug	Year 9 2023, VCE/VCE VM Acceleration applications due Year 10 2023, VCE VM Applications due Year 9 2023 to Year 10 2024 Course Selections due
Wednesday	2 Aug	Australian Maths Competition Year 10 2023 to Year 11 2024 Course Selections due
Friday	4 Aug	House Athletics (Years 7-12)
Monday	7 Aug	Year 10 2023 to Year 11 2024 Course Selection Interviews
Tuesday	8 Aug	Year 10 2023 to Year 11 2024 Course Selection Interviews
Thursday	24 Aug	Division Athletics
Friday	1 Sept	9.30am Progress reports published
Monday	4 Sept	9.30am PST Conferences bookings open (Years 7-10)
Friday	8 Sept	Japan Trip departs (util 25 Sep)
Wednesday	13 Sept	9.30am PST Conferences bookings close
Thursday	14 Sept	Parent Student Teacher Conferences (remotely via Teams)
Friday	15 Sept	Middle School Assemblies Last Day of Term 3, 2.30pm dismissal

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