GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 3 NO 2 - 2 AUGUST 2007

In support of WWS Foundation…
Please join us for the launch of the 2007 Iris Country Fair on Saturday evening 25 August!
This promises to be a fitting night of celebration for all connected to Winifred West Schools –  parents, grandparents, Friends of Sturt, Foundation, Company and Board members and staff, with the chance to enjoy musical entertainment by Australian tenor, Peter Brocklehurst, of ABC Australian Story fame - the Singing Cobbler.  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased easily by cash, credit card or cheque directed to Company Office or to Natasha Wainberg on 4860 2000 / 4860 2138 – foundation@frensham.nsw.edu.au.  This night also marks the launch of the School Fee Voucher Raffle [500 tickets only].  Please see the flyer for further details. [This Newsletter and on the website at: www.frensham.nsw.edu.au/icflaunch.htm]

Problem Solvers are patient…
One of the key messages for which parents can share responsibility with us, is the notion that interest in problem-solving can be nurtured and that it requires patience, practice, knowledge, skills and a willingness to think creatively. 
Dr Freeman Hrabowski, President, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, offers the following advice to teachers and parents committed to helping students discover or develop their problem-solving ability:

• Avoid  telling your child that you were not good at Mathematics and/or Science and avoid labelling these subjects as being ‘more academic’ than other subjects or more ‘worthy’ of commitment [NB this still happens far too often];
• Avoid telling your child that he/she is clearly heading down Mathematics/Science or, alternatively, English/Humanities subject pathways as though these disciplines require discrete thinking and skills;
• Encourage your child to: dream about possibilities; be excited about learning; be skilled and ethical in his/her  direction;
• Promote understanding that teamwork in problem-solving is core to research in all disciplines;
• Encourage effort to solve problems that cannot be solved quickly [Problem-solvers have patience, problem-solvers take time];
• Encourage curiosity: How many good questions have you asked today? What question will you ask today?

To inspire families to share in problem-solving, with and without single solutions, we offer a problem (see below). For our shared interest, please e-mail your response to:oursolution@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Acknowledgement to:

• All involved in the Gib Gate Athletics Carnival last week;
• Ms Melanie Olde, Sturt weaver, on the opening of her Exhibition Distort in Sturt Gallery;
• Girdle for Academic Excellence recipient, Sally Carter, Year 12;
• WWS Foundation Director, Mrs Edwina Macarthur-Stanham, organiser of the Night with Peter Brocklehurst and Launch of the Iris Country Fair - a huge task ahead;
• Heads of Frensham Community Service for their successful dress-up dinner on the first Friday of term, raising funds for the Sunrise Children’s Village in Cambodia;
• Year 10 students who will represent Frensham in Term 4 in three overseas schools: Isabelle Reynolds [Gordonstoun, Scotland], Katherine Evans [Havergal, Canada] and Jesse Ambler [St George’s Argentina];
• Frensham ICAS Science Competition Awardees, including High Distinction recipient [for a result in the top 1% of the candidature], Gemma Moran-Gibson – Year 10.  [Mathematics, English and Writing results to follow];
• Stephanie Wright (Year 11) who is the Berrima Rotary representative for the National Youth Science Forum;
• Public speakers recently competing in the South Coast Public Speaking Competition and the Rotary Four-Way Speaking Competition and those preparing for the AHIGS Festival of Speech on the last weekend of this term. [See details in English – in this Newsletter]
• Year 12 for their skilled management of the first week of the HSC Trial Examinations.  When the Trial Examinations are completed this week, students of Japanese are Frensham’s first candidature  to sit for an HSC 2007 Final Examination, their Oral Examination scheduled for Saturday 11 August;
• Year 11 for their creative, energetic leadership of weekend House activities.  Already this term 40 members of the year have stepped forward to take responsibility for the planning and management of events or for membership of staff/student committees;
• Students enrolled to sit for AMEB Examinations over the next week in Voice, Piano, Violin, Flute, Trumpet, Clarinet and Saxophone;
• Mrs Cherylynne Williams, Coordinator of Information Services and Careers on her coordination of the Work Experience programme for Year 10 [See Report following].
• Gib Gate’s Book Week Programme on Thursday 9 August, featuring the Parade of Characters and the special Book Week Assembly that feature all grades;
• The School community performance of Living with Lady Macbeth [A Year 8/9 Drama Production, directed and produced by Mrs Sally Hannah] - Friday 10 August, Clubbe Hall.  Please be seated prior to the 7.30pm start.  There is no interval and the Play runs for 70 minutes.  Day Boarders will be ready for collection from the House, as for all School events, by 9.00pm.  Living with Lady Macbeth is best suited to an audience of 12+ years of age.
• WWS Foundation’s Cocktail Party featuring Australian tenor, Peter Brocklehurst and including the Launch of the Iris Country Fair, Saturday night 25 August 6.00pm-8.30pm at Frensham.

Goal Setting Interviews for Year 10 and their parents
Saturday 4 August – Clubbe Hall
How many hours do you spend on: social networking on the internet / television / nights out with friends / reading for leisure / playing team sport / sleeping / sharing responsibilities around the house [home or school] / coaching or leading others / revising class work / practising a musical instrument / completion of set Prep? 
Which units are you planning to study in Year 11 at Frensham?
Why complete Extension courses?
How refined are your study skills – what techniques do you use?
Are you aware of the career paths to which your proposed patterns of senior study are directed?

The above are sample questions from the Year 10 Goal Setting Questionnaire that forms the basis for one-on-one half hour discussions with parents and students next Saturday afternoon.  Goal Setting Interviews are held in conjunction with a plenary session that outlines Frensham’s Preliminary and HSC studies programme. 

Parents will this week receive details about the time of their daughter’s discussion and students are encouraged to liaise with parents about their responses to the questionnaire, prior to the individual discussion on Saturday.

Drug Form – Year 9
Parent-child party agreements / popular culture and the impact on teenagers’ decision-making with regard to drugs / alcohol - about which there are such mixed-messages.  On Friday Ms Joanne Parsons of InfoReal will work with Year 9 on Frensham’s Drug Education programme and will then speak to Year 9 parents as part of the plenary session on Saturday 4 August, commencing at 8.30am in Clubbe Hall.   Parent feedback from previous years is that this presentation is extremely powerful and essential.

Year 10 Work Experience / Careers Testing
See the full report by Mrs Cherylynne Williams in this Newsletter.

Year 10 students have been sharing their experiences with Year 9 during Form meetings, to encourage Year 9 to commence planning their own work placement in 2008.

Uniform Update

Gib Gate:

• Designs for the new summer dress for Gib Gate will be finalised this week so that production will be completed for delivery in time for Term 1, 2008 implementation.  The taupe shorts and white shirt that are also core summer items for girls and boys will soon be available in the Uniform Shop, ready for wear in Term 4 this year.
• **With stock of winter tights to match the old winter tunic unavailable please note that the option of the new tights may be worn with both the old and new uniform until the end of winter 2008.
• Order from Shop and Delivery to Gib Gate

By arrangement and pre-payment, orders can be transferred from the Shop to Gib Gate, for collection or sending home with students.

• Reminder: Blazers and all other uniform items except the sleeveless polar fleece are now in stock at the Ranier Shop.  A School scarf is also being sourced for next winter.

Frensham:  All sizes in all garments remain in stock, including sportswear and School bags.

Request re arrangement of payment for boarders:
For students to purchase items, with parent approval, Credit Card Authority can be registered with the Uniform Shop.  Please enquire directly through the Shop by PH/FAX: 02 4860 2136
Shop Hours: Monday 8am-1.30pm, Thursday 12noon-5pm or contact the Business Manager, Mr Patrick Duck [02 4860 2000] for further information or assistance.

Gib Gate Advisory Committee
31 July 2007 Meeting:

From the Head’s Report

• Information Technology User Policy - current policy and procedure under review to support safe School and home use.
• Uniform Shop queries - see the update in response in this Newsletter
• Student ‘problem-solving’ a major academic focus of the School. [See this week’s Newsletter].  Patience and willingness to ‘struggle / grapple’ are qualities essential to the problem-solving process.  Discussion re how this is nurtured

Other Business

• 2007 School Photographs not of the quality expected - concern raised by the School;
• Car Park - paddock surface will be maintained during period leading up to the major works (filling scheduled this week);
• Student Reports - clarification sought re how grades are assigned and the impact of single students identified by grade.  Consideration given to provision of an additional prose report, drawn from current report [without grades] to facilitate parent/child discussion.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 23 October 2007

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

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

Curriculum Insights

Literature
Term 3 has begun in earnest with students actively involved in all areas of their learning programme.  Enhancing and extending the classroom Literature programme is the variety of learning activities designed by Mrs LeeAnn Marsh, Teacher Librarian, and each class teacher to celebrate Children’s Book Week during Week 4.  Children have been reading the variety of picture books written and illustrated by visiting author Louise Pfanner in preparation for her two-day visit next week.  In addition, students have been enjoying a wide variety of classic children’s literature from fables to myths and legends and working on their creative costuming ideas for Book Day!

Science and Technology
All students have become involved in their scientific investigations for this term and are already looking forward to sharing some of their observations, hypotheses and experiments with the school community.

Kindergarten are investigating animals as one scientific group of living things and Year 1 are investigating the life cycles of a variety of plants and animals and are expecting numerous visitors to their classroom over the coming weeks to enjoy some feathered hatchlings!

Year 2 are taking their investigations outside to the Gib Gate pond and examining the small creatures which live in this specific environment.

Years 3 and 4 will be visiting Taronga Zoo to extend their knowledge of the animal world and scientific classification and will be conducting investigations on plant growth requirements later in the unit.  Year 5 students, using their new knowledge from last term about how things work and adding their developing knowledge of electrical circuits, will be designing and making a unique moving toy to specific criteria.

Year 6 are becoming seriously specialised scientists – their unit of work for this term, named ‘We Will Rock You’, is a geological study of the earth and its surroundings involving a variety of exciting hands-on activities with crystals, minerals and rocks.

ICAS Competitions 2007
Results for the competitions will be available this term to students and their parents and will be published in the Newsletter.  Certificates are awarded at Performance Assembly on Fridays and parents will be advised of these dates through the Weekly Bulletin.  Certificates for the Science Competition will be awarded on Friday 17 August.

Mrs Kate Chauncy
Curriculum Coordinator P-6
Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes

STURT

FRIENDS OF STURT Ruth Wright (President), Joan Dinning (Secretary), Denise Sumner, Chris Hurdtich, Julie Musgrave, Helen Jones, Bill Dinning.  (Ex-officio members: Tom Harrington, Melanie Olde, Paul Davis, Megan Patey).

Sturt News
Frensham Year 12 students will exhibit a selection of their art, photography and design pieces for three days from Friday 31 August until Sunday 2 September.  These Major Works will be on show at Sturt Gallery and Frensham School Hall.  On exhibition will be paintings, prints, sculptures, photography, textiles, fashion design, architectural models are much more.  This special exhibition will be opened at 6pm, Sturt Gallery on Friday 31 August by Slavica Zivkovic.

Slavica is well known as Manager of Sturt Gallery and Shop, but she is also a practising artist, exhibiting prints and paintings regularly throughout New South Wales.  For many years, Slavica was President of the Southern Highlands Printmakers, and her work is currently on show at Mosman Regional Gallery, exhibiting with the Print Circle.  In September this year Slavica will show recent paintings and prints in a solo exhibition to be held at Sturt Gallery.  Slavica is also a much-loved teacher of children’s art, having taught at the Bowral and District Art Society and the Sturt Summer School for more than 10 years.

Everyone is welcome to attend this exhibition opening.  Following the speech at Sturt Gallery refreshments will be available at Sturt Cottage, and guests will then move on to Frensham School Hall to see the balance of the exhibition.  The opening hours for this exhibition at Sturt Gallery and School Hall are:

Other Sturt Gallery news
Melanie Olde’s exhibition of weavings and collage are on show at Sturt Gallery until 26 August.  Melanie also teaches weaving regularly on Saturday mornings, and for Short Courses (22 and 23 September) and the Summer School (2-6 January 2008).  A new class with Melanie will commence in Term 4 on Thursday evening 18 October, at 6-9pm and continue for eight weeks.  For more information regarding any or these courses, please ring Sturt on 4860 2083.

There are currently 80 students enrolled in the Sturt Summer School courses, so if you are interested in a particular course please ring Sturt on 02 4860 2083 or view the website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au (for enrolment forms and full details regarding all courses and accommodation).

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

At the end of each Term all Form Groups at Frensham elect a Head of Form to represent that group in a number of ways.  The Heads of Form collect the morning Bulletin and read it to the Form Group.  They also act as a conduit of information between the Administration of the School and the other students in the Form.  Heads of Form are announced by Ms Gillick each Term.  Congratulations to the newly-elected Heads of Form for Term 3.

This week students in Year 9 have been preparing for the Year 9 Parents’ Weekend and preparations for the Year 11 Weekend are also well underway.  The Parent Weekends are an exciting time for Frensham girls and staff.  They offer parents the opportunity to discuss with staff their daughter’s progress, and also a chance for girls from that year to share their talents with the rest of the School. To this end the weekends play an important role in building community and school spirit.  Hence the importance for every girl at Frensham to support the year group by being at both the Service and the Concert.

Year 10 students are in the process of completing Work Experience interviews and are looking forward to Goal Setting Interviews on Saturday.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

Year 7 Secondary Numeracy Assessment Programmes (SNAP) Test Results
In the past few days SNAP Results have arrived.  The test itself (which was completed on 8 May) monitors the numeracy achievements of Year 7 students.  This year it consisted of multiple-choice questions and two long tasks.

Over the following week personalised SNAP results will be mailed out to parents, outlining student performance in relation to set national benchmarks and in relation to individual performance across various aspects of numeracy (including: numeracy problem-solving; number; measurement; data; space).

SNAP results provide teachers, parents and students with valuable information about numeracy skills as they relate to the secondary curriculum.

A subsequent newsletter will highlight the overall performance of the cohort across both the ELLA and SNAP tests.

Year 12 HSC Update
Year 12 Students are nearing the completion of their HSC Trial Examinations and students are to be commended on their study, revision and organisation.  With the return of results will be recommendations for improvement when students return to classes from Tuesday of Week 4.

On Tuesday 7 August Sarah Cawthorne (Year 12) will be completing her HSC Dance Performance examination.  She will be presenting with Elouise Abraham (Year 11) who has prepared a ballet performance for one of Sarah’s choreographed pieces.

On Saturday 11 August Year 12 Japanese Continuers students will complete their HSC Japanese conversation examination and this will mark the culmination of their study of the spoken language.

Mr Matthew McMahon, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

Harry Potter has been a focus at school for many girls since its release on the Closed Weekend, beginning with a dress-up dinner on Friday night.  Many books had been pre-ordered so we were at the bookstore for its release at 9.01am.  The School is under a ‘Code of Silence’ till Year 12 have finished their Trial Examinations and have had time to read the final volume.  Reading is a wonderful activity and quiet time in the Houses, or as some call it ‘feet off the ground’ on the Closed Weekend saw many girls taking advantage of the time to read.  By the pond at any Morning Tea and Lunchtime girls are also to be seen reading.

Year 11 students are now leading the weekend activities and last Friday night there was a ‘Birthday Party’ followed by a Games night in the Dining Room.  There was also a movie excursion and Ten Pin Bowling.

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

Teaching and Learning

A formalised process of Teacher accreditation in NSW is steadily developing with input from the Public, Catholic and independent schooling sectors.  The process of ensuring all recent graduates reach, and are accredited for, a standard of Professional Competence within three years of their appointment has been in place for some time.

The accreditation process not only involves teachers who are new to the profession, but can also be used by experienced teachers who wish to be recognised for a standard of Professional Accomplishment.  The Teaching Standards Framework lists the specific skills and behaviours of exemplary teachers in seven different aspects (elements) of their work.  An evidence guide was recently published by the Independent Schools Teacher Accreditation Authority (ISTAA) listing the types of documents which should be included in an application for Accreditation for Professional Competence.  The evidence guide indicates that the standard of Professional Accomplishment applies to teachers who are effectively undertaking a leadership role within their schools, initiating innovative programmes and supporting colleagues in their implementation, but may not necessarily hold a formal leadership position.  Prior to the publication of the evidence guide by ISTAA, WWS drafted a similar document.  Reassuringly, the correlation between the two documents was high.

Bronwyn Tregenza, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning

English and Drama

Preliminary Extension English students have just completed two assessment tasks based on the novel The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, their own research and a fantasy text of their own choice.  The tasks produced original and sophisticated thought in analysing what is logical and ‘acceptable’ in an alternate world, including the observation by some girls that our world is not always predictable, so why expect logic in a fantasy world?  Research took them firstly into  some of the  classic writers mentioned in The Eyre Affair such as Brönte, Wordsworth, Dickens, Milton and Shakespeare and then into their own choices including Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl’s The Matrix, JRR Tolkien, JM Barrie, CS Lewis and even Harry Potter by JK Rowing.  One insightful student observed that it is probably lack of logic which causes the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus fantasies to be questioned.  It is ironic that such a playful and seemingly superficially crafted Postmodern novel, The Eyre Affair, has produced such sophisticated, deep and independent thinking in this cohort.

The Debating enrichment class in Year 9 continues to provide an opportunity for girls to develop their skills in logical argument.  This week Mrs Vink is continuing with the emphasis on matter and distinguishing the case from the argument.  Next the class will view a world debate using the click view computer programme to generate discussion on manner and method.

The Trial HSC Examinations in Standard and Advanced English have been completed and it should be noted that these are to be considered as another part of the learning process and preparation for the HSC.  There is still a part of the syllabus content to be completed, a Listening assessment task and the focused revision programme.  The responses in the Trial highlight areas which need to be improved in the considerable time available in the weeks leading up to the examination itself.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director of Language Arts

Biology

Students in Year 11 are completing their final topic Evolution of Australian Biota this term and will then be preparing for the Preliminary examination.  The students have been researching using digital technologies, the changing ideas of scientists in the last 200 years for individual species such as the platypus, as new technologies have be come available.  They are also discussing current research into extinct species including the megafauna which is noteworthy since a Diprotodon, a giant wombat jaw was found in the Jenolan caves only last week.  This giant wombat weighed up to 3 tonnes.

Year 12 Biology students are currently undertaking their Trial examination and will resume the completion of the course in class and the final topic, Search for Better Health next week.  The class has completed a report on the change in approach, from treatment and control of disease to management and prevention, as new technologies, including the development of vaccines become available.  They are able to use the introduction of the vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer, a vaccine that has been available to them this year, as an example of such technologies which offer prevention.

Mrs Kate McGregor, Teacher of Biology

Careers News

Later this week Year 10 students will be briefed on their Career Testing results and each student will receive a detailed portfolio to keep.  Parents are encouraged to read their daughter’s portfolio as the information can be helpful in subject consideration as well as future career planning.

In reading through the Work Experience Journals it is clear that girls in Year 10 had some rewarding and memorable moments.  For some, this opportunity confirmed an interest while for others, a need to search in different fields.  Year 10 students have been sharing their experiences with Year 9 during Form meetings to encourage them to commence planning their own work placements in 2008.

Year 10 chose some diverse and satisfying placements.  The following is a summary of occupations trialled by students:
Advertising and Marketing; Government Departments: Legal Aid; Governor General’s Department; Events Management; Zoology (Taronga Zoo); Interior Design; NIDA (Dramatic Arts); Equine Industry (horse handling and eventing); Architecture; Magazine Publishing (fashion/lifestyle); Beauty and Hair; Law (Family); Environmental; Criminal; Property and Corporate; Television Production; The Shepherd Centre (Audiology and Speech Therapy); Questacon Science Centre; Veterinary (small animals); Art Gallery management and Artmaking; Script editing and Television production.

Public Health: Hospitals – Prince of Wales, Westmead Children’s, Bowral District, Dubbo Base (working in areas of: pathology, radiography, oncology, orthopaedic, paediatrics, cardiothoracic, surgical, haematology and physiotherapy).

Design & Marketing of Fashion accessories; Real Estate/property investment and law; Newspaper Publishing & Journalism; Hospitality (Hotel) – chef, catering and management; Equestrian merchandise (clothing) design; Ski Patrol (Falls Creek and Thredbo); Department of Primary Industry – Research climate and irrigation; Corporate Banking and Share Brokering; Early Childhood Education; Fine Arts and Design; Photography; Model Booking Agency; Hotel/resort Industry

Mrs Cherylynne Williams, Careers Adviser

HSIE

At the end of Term 2 Year 12 History Extension students handed in their History Extension Projects for 2007.  The Projects themselves account for the great majority of a student’s internal assessment marks and it was pleasing to see the quality of the projects and the considerable depth of thought which had gone into them.

The History Extension Projects covered a broad range of topic areas.  In all cases these were based on a consideration of historiographical issues and related to either historical controversies or ethical issues within a discipline.

The nine projects covered the following topics: Queen Isabella of France; Henry Kissinger; the military regime in Burma; the Nicene Creed; the Indian/Pakistan Petition; Catherine the Great of Russia; United Nations intervention in Somalia; the Bombing of Dresden; ethics and ownership of Egyptian antiquities.

There was a wide variety of subject matter across the class and it is to be noted that as the projects were being completed students demonstrated a keen interest in history.  Students are to be commended on the manner in which they embraced this historical research and their impressive final products.

Mr Matthew McMahon, Coordinator of HSIE

Music

Frensham musicians are practising diligently as the AMEB Examinations approach: Brass (1 August), Piano (7 August), Strings (8 August), Flute (9 August), Voice, Clarinet and Saxophone (10 August).  Many took advantage of the Concert Practice in Week 2 whereby students can gain experience in front of a supportive audience of their peers.

In the same week Frensham hosted a performance by the visiting Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra.  They played violin, viola, bass, cymbalom (hammer dulcimer) and an Eastern European relative of the clarinet.  Frensham string players were introduced to these instruments and the distinctive traditional music of Hungary in an entertaining workshop in the afternoon.  Adriana Bond was invited on stage to play a traditional piece she has been learning.  She opened with a dramatic cadenza and as she began to play the tune the band gradually entered, improvising an accompaniment.  All Year 7 and 8 students and Elective Music students attended the concert.

Musical activities continued on the weekend with the Glenn and Kennedy Strings participating in the String Camp on Sunday.  Ensembles from Frensham, Gib Gate, SCEGGS Darlinghurst and local schools came together to rehearse and perform inspirational repertoire and to experience playing in a large ensemble.  It was a very positive experience for students, which will enrich their playing and performance in the year to come.

Mr Michael Spencer, Coordinator of Music

Sport

Hockey
For Hockey it is a compulsory safety requirement for all goal keepers to wear a full kit, including a helmet with mask, throat guard, chest guard, gloves, leg guards and kickers (boots) at training sessions and during matches.  The School supplies these for girls, however we would like to inform parents that helmets need to be adjusted to accommodate all head sizes and it may be beneficial for parents to look at purchasing helmets for their daughters so that correct fitting can take place.  Mouth guards, shin pads and sticks are compulsory for all hockey players.  Equipment is available at many stores, including:

Ms Jacqui Longworth, Teacher of Sport

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