HISTORY

The history of Frensham begins with a young woman with a dream and the courage to make it a reality. Winifred Mary West came to Australia in 1907. Here she met Phyllis Clubbe and soon after they considered the founding of a school. To prepare for this they adjourned to England, Miss West to further her experience in teaching and Miss Clubbe to undertake teacher training. In 1912 they returned to Australia and began the search for a suitable site. A country region with an invigorating climate, within a reasonable distance of Sydney was sought. "Y Berth", a house belonging to Mr Tooth, was located. The twelve room house on five acres was leased from June 1st 1913 for 5 years with the option to purchase.

The school opened on 17 July 1913 with three girls and five mistresses. With the support of trusting benefactors and a dedicated staff the school survived its early years. Numbers increased year by year - 15 (1914), 21 (1915), over 40 (1916), over a hundred (1919-25). With the optimism and vision of Winifred West, surrounding properties were secured and the long term viability of the school was assured.

The school offered its young women a unique opportunity to explore drama, music, philosophy, sports, arts and craft as well as Education Department courses. Numbers of staff and students steadily increased and a program of building construction and further purchase of adjoining property reflected this growth.

The twenty-fifth birthday celebrations saw the retirement of Miss West and the beginning of Miss Bryant's period of office. The school was firmly established, and the future was looking promising.

WINIFRED WEST

The founder and inspiration of Frensham, and headmistress for its first twenty-five years, Winifred West, was born in the village of Frensham in Surrey, England. She was educated at Queen Anne's School, Caversham, and Newnham College, Cambridge, where she read Medieval and Modern Languages.

After leaving the University in 1903, Miss West taught at Guernsey Ladies' College. In 1907 she came out to Australia where she spent the next three years teaching, drawing for the museum and studying art.

Pursuing her love of sport, especially hockey, brought her into contact with Phyllis Clubbe. Together they helped initiate the Women's Inter-State Hockey Matches in 1909. At this time they developed the notion of founding a school. They decided to return to England so that Miss Clubbe could gain teaching qualifications at the Bergman Osterberg Physical Training College and to enable Miss West to gain further teaching experience at Harrogate Ladies' College. This completed they returned to Australia in 1912 to begin their quest for a suitable site. In July 1913 Frensham opened with a mere three students and five mistresses.

Much has been written and said about Miss West's inspirational leadership and dedication, but the true testimony to her was the successful evolution of Frensham over its first twenty-five years. It survived economic hardship, World War I, the Depression and devastating bushfires. Its survival and blossoming is in no small part due to the influence of its principal founder.