GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 3 NO 3 - 24 AUGUST 2006

Book Week at Gib Gate…more than books
Strongly evident during the celebrations of Book Week at Gib Gate was the sophisticated knowledge of children’s literature by children.  The parade of characters which included fully-costumed staff, heightened awareness of the depth and breadth of that knowledge and the love of reading which is core to life at Gib Gate.  Also evident was the sense of humour shared by staff with children – humour which supports and strengthens staff-student connections within the context of learning.

In a recent study [In Teachers’ Hands], commissioned by the Federal Government, the literacy skills of 2,000 children were assessed at the start and end of the year, and children were observed in classrooms.  A report on the findings, in the 3rd edition [2006] of the Australian College of Educational Leaders [ACEL] journal, confirms the understanding on which our approach to teaching is developed:  The most effective teachers – those whose pupils made the biggest literacy gains over the year – drew on a much wider repertoire of teaching practices. They explained activities more clearly, had deeper subject knowledge, maintained a high level of intellectual challenge for their pupils and had more fun, than did less effective teachers.  As detailed in the Winter Edition of the Foundation Newsletter, action research-based professional development for staff is core to the programmes we develop with, and for staff.

Acknowledgement to:

• WWS Foundation Golf Day participants and organisers on a hugely successful day at Bowral Golf Club;
• Choir members and boarders hosting St Mary’s School, South Africa, for what was a magnificent two days of exchange, both musically and in the broader cultural sense.  Those attending the Concert were moved by the quality and energy of the performances and the warmth of connection between hosts and guests;
• Gib Gate students on their creative response to the Book Week dress-up day and presentations;
• Ms Liz Stephenson [Editor] and Mrs Indra Deigan [Designer] on completion of the Winter Edition of the Foundation Newsletter;
• Fathers and special partners who accompanied Frensham girls to the Father-Daughter Ball held in the Parker Gymnasium last Saturday night.  More than 600 guests danced from 7.00-10.30pm after being welcomed in each of the Boarding Houses.  Thanks go particularly to Mr John Huskisson, Mrs Sue Cyganiewicz and Mrs Ros Buick, for their efforts in organisation and management of what is a major event for the School;
•  Year 12 – on completion of the Trial Examinations followed by the Year 12 Development Day and final preparations for practical components of their studies – Drama, Music, Visual Arts and Design and Technology.  Also due for completion by next week are the major works in Extension English and History;
• Equestrians competing in the Oxley College Equestrian Day, with Year 7 Reserve Champion - India Wallace;  Year 10 Champion - Kate Rodgers; Year 11 Reserve Champion - Emily Sharp, combining with individual achievements of Laura Thompson, Sophie Seper and Kirby Delamont to place 2nd of 31 schools in the teams event;
• The Madrigals, on their high-quality performance as part of the Toybox fundraiser in Clubbe Hall on Sunday afternoon, sharing a full programme with the Sydney Male Choir;
• Mr Philip Boyce, coach of Frensham’s successful Mock Trial team, who has given so generously of his time and expertise over the past two years.  We rely heavily on such voluntary support and Mr Boyce has both inspired and challenged the team, through his guidance;
• Ms Fiona Jowett, local solicitor, who has offered to coach the Mock Trial team as they prepare for the Elimination Rounds;
• Cast and Crew of Hating Alison Ashley, the Year 8/9 production and Director Ms Anna Phillips;
• Year 9 students who led parts of the Year 9 Parent Weekend, including the Service and Concert and to staff who coordinated the weekend and conducted parent/teacher discussions;
• FOGG volunteers who arranged and served the special lunch for Book Week;
• Staff leading the Year 10 Goal Setting interviews.  Commitment to the time involved in preparation for, and conduct of, the half-hour interviews for Year 10 is not taken for granted and we have appreciated the positive feedback from parents about this opportunity for individual focus;
• Mr McMahon and Year 11 representatives who attended the ceremony in Bowral last Friday to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

Staff Development / Staffing

• As advised to students last week, Ms Michelle Leach [Kennedy House] leaves Frensham in three weeks to pursue studies as an Enrolled Nurse.  The regret felt at her departure must be tempered by excitement about her achievement.  Ms Leach was selected for the course as a mature-age student, after significant effort to prepare for the entrance examinations and interview process – a fine example to all of us about pursuit of one’s dream!
• We are pleased to congratulate Mrs Kate Chauncy on her attainment of a Certificate of Gifted Education – with a High Distinction grade for the course.  This post-graduate qualification involved Mrs Chauncy in an 80-hour intensive programme of lectures and seminars, completion of five essay assignments and completion of a strategic planning component.  Additionally, Mrs Chauncy has been sharing her knowledge by leading workshops for Gib Gate staff.

Sample Boarding: 14/15 September / Information Evening
The Sample Boarding programme offers those for whom Frensham boarding is a consideration, an opportunity for an overnight stay in the Boarding House and a day at School, in an age-appropriate programme.  This year we have added an informal Information Evening for parents interested in hearing more about the 21st Century model of boarding education which is offered at Frensham.  Guests for the evening will include parents of those attending Sample Boarding, plus those interested in more information.  In addition to a short presentation, there will be ample opportunity to speak to the Registrar and to senior staff and students.  [See below re registration or information]

Information Evenings ahead - Frensham:
Cooma [Raglan Gallery]: Wednesday 6 September
Mittagong [Clubbe Hall]: Thursday 14 September
Please contact Mrs Joy Stewart for further details or to add names to the guest list.
jstewart@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Ms J A Gillick
Head of Frensham
Head of Winifred West School

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

On Friday 11 August I attended the NSW Junior School Heads’ Association of Australia (JSHAA) AGM which was held at Shore Preparatory School.  One of the many roles of the NSW branch of JSHAA is to provide the opportunity for Heads of Junior schools to share in professional development and also to provide a forum in which to discuss common issues relating to primary education in NSW.  Discussions focused on the changes in reporting requirements to parents and students.  Many independent schools, including Gib Gate, have already addressed these changes in Semester One reports and are now preparing for Semester Two reports.  During Term 3, feedback was received from parents and we are now in the process of refining the new report to meet the needs of students, parents and the School more effectively.

I would like to express my thanks to the parent community and FOGG representatives for their recent support of Gib Gate Preschool Open Day, which was held on Wednesday morning.  We are always delighted to show prospective families the learning environment at Gib Gate and it was a pleasure to meet so many parents of young children who are interested in P-6 education at the School.

Gib Gate students and teachers are preparing science experiments for the Fathers’ Day breakfast on Friday 1 September.  The children, from Preschool to Year 6, are looking forward to showing their fathers around the Gib Gate classrooms, where they will participate in hands-on experiments.  They will also have breakfast together and join in some sports activities on the field.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Annual Book Week Celebrations – Read that Book … with a ‘Zooful’ of Animals!
Literature and the pleasure of reading were celebrated at Gib Gate during Week 3.  Children’s author and illustrator, Kerry Millard, was welcomed to the School on Monday 7 August.  Kerry spoke to students from Kindergarten to Year 6 over 3 sessions about her body of work which encompasses both writing and illustrating children’s books.  The students were fascinated by her ability to draw their imaginative suggestions spontaneously as she spoke.  These unique and original works of art, on display in the Library, will continue to inspire the creative flair of the children.

University of NSW International Competitions and Assessments for Schools 2006
In Term 2, a number of students in Years 3–6 elected to sit for the International Schools’ English and Writing Competitions, which covered a range of literacy skills.  The Writing Competition focused on the narrative text type and had very clear marking criteria regarding expression, structure, spelling and punctuation.  Students are congratulated on their participation in these challenging competitions.  Following are the certificates awarded in Performance Assembly last Thursday:
English:
High Distinction: Year 6 Georgia Ross; Year 3 Jonathan Chambers, Alexandra Condon. 
Distinction:Year 6 Sophia Macken; Year 5 Edward Attenborough, Jessica Blackmore, Georgina Williams, Lauren Zawal; Year 4 Georgina Harrington, Caitlan Mahony, Adelaide Wallace; Year 3 Livija Berzins (at Year 4 level), Atalanta Mitchell, Michael Zawal.
Credit: Year 6 Alexandra Graves, Kate Lee, Ella Purvis, Alice Scamps-Goodman; Year 5 India Doyle, Georgina Gotterson, Lani Maher; Year 4 Jemima Purvis, Aidan Sullivan, Charlotte Vidler; Year 3 Julia Cavanagh, Madeline Miller.

Writing:
Distinction: Year 5 Edward Attenborough, Georgina Williams; Year 3 Livija Berzins (at Year 4 level).
Credit: Year 6 Reilly O’Byrne-Inglis, Ella Purvis, Alice Scamps-Goodman; Year 5 Hannah Buschman, India Doyle, Georgia Duncan, Molly Macqueen, Lani Maher, Tess McLaughlin, Alexandra Perry, Morgan Wood, Lauren Zawal ; Year 4 Caitlan Mahony.

Mrs Kate Chauncy, Curriculum Coordinator P-6

Music
In recent weeks students have been practising their repertoire for AMEB piano and violin examinations.  Congratulations to Annabel Hay, Aidan Sullivan, Isabella Conomos, Jessica Blackmore, Sophia Macken, Laura Mullen and Ella Purvis for some excellent results.

The Junior Musical Production The Pied Piper is progressing well.  Students know their songs and are looking forward to practising their acting on the ‘big stage’ at Clubbe Hall.  Performances are on Thursday 21 September at 11.45am and Friday 22 September at 6pm.  Thank you to parents who are assisting with costumes.

Students from Years 3-6 have also started work on the Musical Production Jungle, with Year 6 being given their parts.  Work has begun on songs and dances with much input from the students.  Assistance from parents with costuming for Years 3-6 would be greatly appreciated.

Mrs Anne Graham, Music and Gib Gate Coordinator P-6

Sport
Athletics
Congratulations to members of the Athletics Team who competed at the Southern Highlands Independent Primary Schools (SHIPS) Carnival last week.  There were many pleasing performances and results.  In preparation for the JSHAA Athletics Carnival the Athletics team has been involved in training sessions and specific event clinics at school during Week 4, and it is looking forward to competing at Homebush.  We have a large team of 50 athletes competing from Year 2 to Year 6.

Skiing
We wish skiers good luck this weekend as they compete in the Interschools State Finals at Thredbo.

Winter sports
Many of our winter sports commitments have come to an end, with Hockey and Soccer finishing last weekend.  Netball continues for a few more weeks with several teams already qualifying for the finals. 

The effort and commitment displayed by all Gib Gate teams are pleasing.  With hard work, commitment from coaches and parents and the will of the players to keep training and playing, a sense of achievement and success is experienced by all.  More important, however, is the development of a strong and resilient character.  Thanks go to our coaches, parent managers and supporters for their efforts over the winter season.

Preparations have begun to enter teams in the summer competitions to begin next term.

Mr Michael Standen, Coordinator of PDHPE/Sport

STURT

The Sturt Summer School 2007 brochure is currently being printed and will be available from Sturt Shop by the end of this week.  The brochure will be mailed on Tuesday 29 August to all Newsletter recipients as well as those on Sturt’s mailing list.  If you know of anyone who would like to receive a Summer School brochure, but who is not on either of these mailing lists, please ring Sturt on 4860 2083 with mailing contact details.  With over 55 students enrolled, Wood Turning is full and there is one position left in Basketry.  Please ring Sturt Shop for enrolment details or view the website on www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Sturt Short Courses
Three weekend courses in Basketry, Mosaics, and Jewellery to be held in September and October are full, except for one position in Mosaics.  The Mosaics course will be taught by Vicki Grima and will be held on the weekend of 23 and 24 September.  Please ring Sturt Shop for details.

Sturt School for Wood
Director of the Sturt School for Wood, Tom Harrington returns on 4 September after a three-month exchange, teaching in the USA at the Centre for Contemporary Furniture Making at Rockport, Maine.  In Tom’s absence, Stuart Faulkner has been an inspirational teacher, and we look forward to Stuart returning to teach Sturt Short Courses in Wood during 2007.  Applications and enrolments are being received for 2007.  If anyone is interested in more details regarding the Certificate IV in Fine Woodworking course, please contact Megan Patey on 4860 2080 or email: mpatey@sturt.nsw.edu.au. Full details of the course are available on www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Sturt Gallery
If you have not already seen the latest exhibition of tapestries by Dylis Condell, please be advised that this exhibition concludes this Sunday 27 August.  Six of the 10 tapestries have been sold, indicating the popularity and excellent value gained from purchasing any of these unique works of art.

The following exhibition at Sturt Gallery will feature selected works from Frensham Year 12 Design, Art and Photography students.  The exhibition will be formally opened at 6pm on Friday 1 September by Jonathan Purvis, at Sturt Gallery.  Jonathan Purvis is a Southern Highlands landscape designer of high esteem, and will speak at the opening from a professional experience of design, creativity and education.

Please note, this exhibition is open for restricted hours: Friday 1 September 5.30–7pm; Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September 10am–4pm.

Sturt Gallery is open seven days from 10am–5pm each day.  New stock is arriving regularly at Sturt Shop, with more than 25 suppliers of jewellery, providing an excellent range of contemporary jewellery from which to choose.  For all enquires please ring Sturt on 4860 2083.

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

The middle of Term 2 is an exciting time for students at Frensham.

Year 12 students have completed the Trial Examinations and are now in the process of finishing courses in preparation for the HSC.

Year 11 students are preparing for the Year weekend and they have approximately one month until the Preliminary Course Examinations.  They will also be confirming their final HSC course choices, involving an interview with the Director of Studies.

Aside from preparation for the School Certificate examinations early in Term 4, Year 10 has also begun to consider subject choices for Years 11 and 12.  The initial choices are used to structure the subject lines and students will make final choices early in Term 4.

Year 9 is awaiting the Global Forum which is scheduled to take place in Week 6 of Term 3, and the Year 7 and 8 examination period will take place in Week 7 of Term 3.

The Hockey and Netball seasons are approaching the half-way mark.  A number of teams are vying for semi-final positions and the results in the next few weeks will be crucial.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

Year 7 ELLA and SNAP Results
Recently Year 7 parents received their English Language and Literacy Assessment (ELLA) and the Secondary Numeracy Assessment Programme (SNAP) test results.  Such tests, important components of both the NSW Government’s mandatory testing of Literacy and Numeracy and the National Benchmark Statements in Reading, Writing (excluding spelling) and Numeracy, allow schools to recognise areas of strength and/or development.  This can assist in directing and differentiating teaching and learning activities and programmes.

The 2006 ELLA test results for Frensham show that 100% of the Year 7 cohort is placed in the High or Proficient band for all components - Writing, Reading, Language and Literacy.  The SNAP test results show that between 79% and 93% of the Year 7 cohort is placed in the High and Proficient bands across the range of competencies - Numeracy, Problem-Solving, Number, Measurement, Space and Data.

Please contact me if you have any queries about these examinations or results.

Year 9 Parent Teacher Interviews
The Year 9 Parent Teacher Interviews provided important feedback from parents to assist staff in working with students.

The Drug Forum held by Ms Joanne Parsons on Friday of Week 3, and the subsequent Parent Information Session on the Saturday morning, were timely and, with initiatives such as the Global Forum only weeks away, it is most edifying to see the confidence and outlook of Year 9 students.

Year 10 Goal-Setting interviews
The Year 10 Goal-Setting interviews on the afternoon of the Year 9 Weekend were approached in a mature manner.  Students received information on aspects of Year 11 and 12 study.  When considering such areas as ‘possible patterns of study’, ‘proposed involvement in the Frensham community’ and ‘life beyond the HSC’, students spoke conscientiously about their futures.  It is an interesting time for students in their academic and life-long ‘journeys’.  Subject Information Sessions will continue this week.

Year 12 Study and Development Day
On the Year 12 Study and Development Day (Monday Week 4) students were provided with the opportunity to consider ways of enhancing the current level of balance in their study regimens.  Having just sat for the Trial HSC Examinations it was an opportune time to take stock of their approaches and outlook towards the remainder of their study.

Ms Joanne Parsons provided excellent advice to students on their individual potential.  Mrs Williams presented information on UAC and the processes surrounding university admissions.  Ms Gabrielle Peterson considered dealing specifically with overcoming stress leading up to the HSC.

Mr Matthew McMahon, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

he highlight of the past two weeks was the Father-Daughter Ball, which was enjoyed by all.  Year 11 girls had assisted in decorating the Parker Gymnasium to resemble a ballroom, with chairs covered in bright red, blue, orange and lime green.  Combined with most effective lighting, life size posters of dancers on the wall and music which reminded some fathers of their youth, it was indeed a night to remember.  The Houses were decorated, each in a different colour, in preparation for greeting the fathers on their arrival.  The girls enjoyed being hosts and escorting their partners to the Parker Gymnasium

The Boarding Staff were pleased with the opportunity to meet so many parents over the weekend and to discuss their daughter’s progress.

On the evening of Friday 18 August the whole School was the audience for the HSC Drama Major Works Performance.  After Sport on Saturday there was an excursion to Macarthur Square.  On Sunday, after church services, an origami session was conducted to complete the 1,000 paper cranes begun last term.  The knitting of squares to make blankets for Dr Hamlin’s Fistula Hospital continues.

Mrs Susan Cyganiewicz & Mrs Ros Buick, Co-Directors of Boarding

Director of Teaching and Learning

The Interactive Whiteboard Conference was held at St Bernadette’s Primary School in Parramatta on Friday 11 August.  The conference offered the opportunity to examine this new, interactive display technology closely through demonstrations, discussions with participants who are regular users of the technology, and presentations of research.

Winifred West Schools appraises innovative technologies in the light of evidence that such tools will provide measurable benefits for student learning and that the technology fits with optimal approaches to teaching and learning.  We do not embrace such tools without a clear rationale for their use.

Interactive Whiteboards have great promise for increases in the level of interactivity in the classroom, but the precise impact on learning is not yet fully established within the educational community.  Some significant features which may impact on classrooms include:

• The dynamic nature of input possible as a result of simply touching the screen when a group of students works together.
• Software written for such devices tends to have many more features designed to promote interaction between students.
• The availability of lesson management tools increases the ability of teachers skilled in their use, to respond spontaneously to student needs in the classroom.

We await the findings of a number of trials currently underway in Australia in anticipation of more reliable data with which to evaluate the devices.

Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning P -12

Careers News

At this time of the year an enormous amount of careers information is received which is relevant to Year 12 students, and the challenge is to disseminate this information as quickly and effectively as possible.  Form meetings, email communication, a monthly careers newsletter, individual interviews and a careers ‘library’ located in Study Hall are all available for students’ information.  However, it is important that students inform themselves individually by looking at online handbooks, investigating websites and by carefully reading the material made available to them.

The 2007 UAC Guide was distributed this week and the procedure for applying to universities was explained.  The closing date for applications is 29 September.  However, changes to course / university preferences can be made at any time.  Students are advised to read the UAC Guide thoroughly and to seek further advice from me prior to submitting their UAC application.

A wide range of Scholarships is on offer, as well as Principal’s Recommendation Schemes for some universities.  Year 12 is being kept informed about these and, where applicable, asked to fill in applications.

Cherylynne Williams, Careers Adviser

English and Drama

On Tuesday 22 August a team of students travelled to Holy Spirit College at Bellambi to compete in the South Coast Public Speaking Competition.  This is an annual event in which students can choose from a range of topics, allowing flexibility in purpose (entertain, inform, persuade, narrate, argue, describe).  The competition is very good grounding for speaking competitions in general.  This year Frensham was represented by Emily Maker and Emily Meredith in Year 7; Jacklyn Wyer and Fiona Davidson in Year 8; Madeleine Maslin and Katherine Evans in Year 9; Diana Nielson and Eve Hoskins in Year 10; Sarah Winter-Irving and Skye Stranger in Year 11.

International Writing and English Competitions - Results for Years 9 and 10:

English:
Year 9: Credit: Charlotte Alrich, Sophie Bligh, Lucy Daniel, Katherine Evans, Elizabeth Friend, Emily Irish, Olivia Leicester, Alexa Mahony, Madeleine Maslin, Jessica Nagel, Amy Wyer Distinction: Jesse Ambler, Emma Campbell, Gemma Moran-Gibson, Jessica Newham, Sally Newton, Lucinda Nicolls Small.
Year 10: Credit: Alice Bowman, Alexandra Burkitt, Amy Cavill, Phillipa Daniel, Alexandra Hanbury, Olivia Jansz, Harriet Lawless, Nerida Leahy, Eleanor Mackay, Harriet Pfeiffer, Olivia Pirie-Griffiths, Harriet Royle, Katrina Weir Distinction: Odetta Davison, Kate Green, Samantha Hawker, Sarah Hayes, Eve Hoskins, Adelaide Lang.

Writing:
Year 9: Credit: Olivia Leicester, Victoria Macarthur-Stanham, Alexa Mahony, Grace Nelson, Sally Newton, Victoria Steadman-Towell Distinction: Cassandra Hughes, Isabella Walker-Smith High Distinction: Sophie Bligh, Gemma Moran-Gibson, Isabelle Reynolds.
Year 10: Credit: Lucinda Beak, Jessica Bond, Georgina Davies, Margot Gemmell-Smith, Alexandra Hanbury, Nerida Leahy, Caitlin McDougall, Alison Murphy, Diana Nielson, Harriet Pfeiffer, Isabelle Small, Katrina Weir Distinction: Alice Bowman, Alexandra Burkitt, Eve Hoskins, Jessica Kennedy, Stephanie Wright High Distinction: Odetta Davison, Olivia Jansz.

Early in Term 2 a group of students in Years 7, 8 and 9 entered the Write Now Competition, sponsored by the Sydney Morning Herald.  In this competition girls are required to select a story starter from three children’s writers and complete it.  Results are announced in Book Week and the following girls received Certificates of Commendation: Angela Blair, Emma Bowman, Georgia Fairbairn (Year 8); Olivia Leicester, Victoria Steadman-Towell (Year 9).

Examinations in Years 7 and 8 will be held in Week 7.  They will include three sections which assess their skills’ development and their understanding of the work being studied this term.  For Year 7 the Literature response (Section 3) will be on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and for Year 8 on The Representation of Young Women in Text.  In Section 1 they will be asked to read a number of different  short texts and answer questions which show their understanding of both the content and the way the language has been used to create the meaning.  In Section 2, the students are required to write in a selected text type which will reflect activities completed in class.

English Extension 2 students completed their Major Works which were submitted to the Board of Studies on Wednesday 23 August.  The handover of both the product and the Process Journal is an emotional time for many girls as they part with something which has been an ongoing part of their thinking for many months.  They are to be congratulated on their application and diligence in engaging with the challenging process.

On Friday 18 August, students in Year 12 Drama presented their Individual and Group perfomances at Clubbe Hall.  This is a chance for girls in this subject to perform to a wider audience before the HSC Practical Marking.  Girls completing individual projects submitted these on Monday 21 August.

Rehearsals are now under way for the end-of-year Production of The Boyfriend with Mrs Muir-Smith.  Lucy Brennan, Director of the Year 7 Production of James and the Giant Peach, has worked assiduously with her large cast, a dedicated team of Year 10 helpers, Mr Bunyan and Mrs McClay for the Matinée performance for Gib Gate and the evening performance, both on Friday of this week.

Mrs Trish Symons Director Language Arts

LOTE

ICT in LOTE classrooms
As part of the School Languages Project 2006, Frensham received a grant from the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme.  This is specifically designed to assist Language teachers to produce ICT resources or to purchase commercially available software applications.  During the past two terms, students studying Japanese, Latin and French have been experimenting with computer activities to reinforce learning in the classroom.  In Japanese, students can now practise grammar, vocabulary and script in a variety of fun activities, the most popular being Rags to Riches, in which the correct multiple-choice answer earns the student ‘dollars’ and a perfect score makes them a millionaire!

In French, a computer programme entitled Chouette has been purchased and is being used with Years 7 and 8.  It comprises exercises already completed in French which teaches and consolidates vocabulary skills.  Classes in junior French are now being programmed to include the regular use of ICT to reinforce students’ learning.

In Latin, Year 8 students have been using the activities to learn vocabulary, which has become an enjoyable experience.  Students can match the Latin word in a column with the correct translation in the opposite column, use flashcards to translate a word or the Rags to Riches programme mentioned above.  Year 9 is now also starting to choose correct translations of verbs and sentences in multiple-choice quizzes which reinforce the differences in the verb and noun endings.  The advantage for the teachers is that, as they can access the individual results of the students’ activities, their progress can be monitored.  The teacher is able not only to see the results but also the number of attempts and the length of time taken, and individual errors can be corrected.

Liz Stephenson, Senior Teacher LOTE

Japanese

The Year 9 Japanese Cooking Excursion took place on Tuesday 15 August, in Toshi’s newly-opened restaurant in Mittagong.  With not a word spoken in English by Toshi, the girls were shown how to prepare and cook miso soup, yakitori (barbecued chicken) and sukiyaki (thinly-sliced beef and vegetables cooked at the table).  When all the preparations for the meal were complete, all were able to enjoy the results of their labour in the traditional Japanese way, holding the bowls in their hands, while eating with ohashi (chopsticks) and dipping the sukiyaki in raw egg.  The meal concluded with a favourite Japanese delicacy, matcha aisu (green tea ice-cream).  Highlights of the excursion were learning to cook in Japanese, and (after removing shoes), sitting on the zabuton (floor cushions) at the small wooden tables.

Emily Alison and Amy Wyer (Year 9) preparing and serving miso soup

Mrs Adrienne Bradney-Smith, Teacher of Japanese

HSIE

On Friday 18 August representatives of the Year 11 Modern History class attended the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.  The service at the Vietnam War Memorial at Settlers Park Bowral included speech, song and poetry to commemorate the bravery and determination of the soldiers involved in the most notorious battle of the ill-fated and controversial Vietnam War.

The Vietnam War itself is a corner piece of study in the Year 9 Elective History Course and also the School Certificate Australian History, Civics and Citizenship Course.

In their studies students are taught about the multiplicity of reasons for Australia’s involvement in the War, they consider what actually happened on the battlefields and also the reaction and results ‘back home’ during the inter-war years.  The Battle of Long Tan is clearly a vital component in appreciating Australia’s involvement during this conflict.

As of this year, the Vietnam War will be one of the key areas about which Year 10 students will be asked questions in their School Certificate Examinations.

It was clear that the students who attended this Memorial Day were moved by the service which paid particular homage to those who served their country – the fallen, the ill and the battle-scarred.  War is never studied to be glorified but rather as a call to action with a clear hope for a better world.

Mr Matthew McMahon, Coordinator of HSIE

Music

The Choir and Jazz Band from St Mary’s School in Johannesburg arrived on Wednesday 9 August and were welcomed by Boarders and members of the Frensham Concert Band.  Their group comprised 22 students and two staff members.  After settling in at the Boarding Houses and having dinner with the School, St Mary’s choristers joined the Frensham Senior Choir rehearsal, during which they taught the girls a traditional South African song.  The song was unaccompanied and involved three or four very rhythmic parts which were overlaid and built up to create a rich harmony, while the girls made stylised digging movements with the arms and feet.  Items like this made their performance for the School, the following night, very special.  The St Mary’s girls came from many different cultural backgrounds, allowing them to sing repertoire in Zulu, Sotho, Tsonga, Zimbabwean, Tanzanian, Afrikaans and English.  In this respect, their performances embodied the richness and inspiration that can be derived from cultural diversity.

The Year 9 Weekend featured some fine performances: a Chopin Mazurka (Emily Irish), a Mozart Divertimento (Frensham String Quartet), Mendelssohn’s He Watching Over Israel (Senior Choir anthem), the Finale from Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld (String Orchestra), Everybody’s Free and When Doves Cry from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack (Year 9 Music Class) and an inspirational song called I Believe performed by all of Year 9.

Mr Michael Spencer, Coordinator of Music

Science

Last week was National Science Week, an initiative which began in 1997 to raise the profile and increase the public's understanding and appreciation of the role of science, technology and innovation in maintaining and improving our society, economy and the environment.

At Frensham National Science Week was celebrated with a visit from the Questacon Travelling Road Show.  Each year group attended a 50-minute presentation which stimulated its interest in Science as well as raising its awareness of some of the major issues facing society today.

At Prayers the week before last National Science Week was the focus of a presentation, from which the following excerpt is taken:

‘The aim of National Science Week is to give us the opportunity to consider the contribution of Science to the world of knowledge and the contribution of scientific thinking to the development of our society.  As we all know, Science involves asking questions about the world around us and ourselves.  The process of acquiring knowledge, investigating and then questioning is a theme which runs across all the Science discipline.  Our future depends on the knowledge and creativity of our children and not on our ability to mine or obtain resources.  Young children who do not develop flexible and complex thinking will not keep up with the rate of change in the world which, as we know, is only going to increase.  Are you a complex thinker?  Science and Technology are going to drive this change and society is constantly being confronted with new issues with which it is going to have to come to terms.  As the future leaders of our community you are going to need to understand these issues, the science behind them, the technology involved and the implications of their uses.  We are currently faced with major issues brought about by Science and technological change; global warming, water shortages, stem cell research, nuclear energy, longevity brought about by advances in medicine etc.  National Science Week is a chance for us to reflect on the impact of Science on society.  It is an opportunity to appreciate that an understanding of Science is essential for anyone who wants to make a positive contribution to society’s future.’

Mr Geoff Marsh, Coordinator of Science

Visual Arts

Nineteen HSC Visual Arts students are completing their Body of Work for submission on the morning of Monday 28 August.  Students are to be congratulated on their steady approach towards completion throughout the course this year, with many girls’ artworks ready prior to actual submission date.  Owing to the volume of work produced by this large number of students, the exhibition will have a slightly different format from previous years.  This year, gallery visitors will be presented with selected highlights from each student.  It is worthwhile taking the time to read the artist statements, as they provide insight into the conceptual thinking behind each Body of Work.  The range of art forms is extensive this year and includes digital animation, knitting, watercolour and resin casting.  The Exhibition opens on Friday 1 September at 5.30 pm and continues over the weekend from 10am–4pm.

The Claire St Claire Youth Awards is an annual art exhibition conducted by St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown.  Frensham has been invited to participate again this year and we are able to submit up to two works in each category.  The students selected this year are: Junior Eleanor Lawless and Harriet Robertson; Intermediate Rebecca Sampson; Senior Violet Forster and Sarah Winter-Irving; Photography Philippa Crampton and Dimity Martin.  The Exhibition opens on the evening of Friday 25 August at St Gregory’s and continues over the weekend.

Ms Samantha Waldon, Senior Teacher, Visual Art

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