GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 1 NO 4 - 20 MARCH 2008

Parenting for Character – equipping your child for life…[2005, Finch Publishing Pty Ltd www.finch.com.au ]
...is the title of a text for parents written by Andrew Mullins, currently Headmaster of Redfield College, Sydney.  Drawing on wisdom through the ages, the author presents easily accessible support material that I recommend highly to parents of children from the youngest age to late teens.  From Part 3 – Forging Good Habits I include here some of his advice with regard to the raising of children ‘who can take control of their lives’: 

1. Establish rules and be consistent
2. Delegate even if it takes more time to get the job done
3. Teach that actions should be motivated by love
4. Don’t let bad habits accumulate
5. Don’t do the thinking for your child
6. Model the qualities you want to pass on
7. Clearly teach what is right and wrong
8. Help your children build good habits in their younger years
9. Make character building the aim of children’s sport
10. Show your children that hard lessons can be the best lessons
11. Keep focused on sincerity and generosity – habits for our heads and our hearts
12. Teach detachment from material things
13. Focus on causes and consequences

And with regard to rules:  If pre-teen children do not learn that love must underpin actions, they will think that right is defined by rules…and you will have a difficult time trying to find rules for every possible misbehaviour.  ‘The sense of right and wrong must be interiorly adopted, not just exteriorly imposed.’

An excerpt from Anna Lochhead’s Reflection on the work of Catherine Hamlin…[Official Reception for Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, The Great Hall, The University of Sydney, 15 March 2008 in the presence of Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales]
 ‘There is a certain joy gained in seeing a roomful of 12 year-olds all rushing to claim their needles and wool so that they can help the people they describe as “the fistula women in Ethiopia.”  Here there is no disillusionment or despair.  Here there is only a willingness to give whatever we can, and from this we can learn greatly.

In a society where often all is received and nothing is given in return, a stark contrast exists in the work of Dr Hamlin; in the dedication of her life to providing treatment to women afflicted by this haunting and silent epidemic.  I think perhaps it is here that my desire to organise such a project can be found.

Rather than being constrained or intimidated by the social paradigms and intellectual restraints of one’s society, Dr Hamlin is illustrative of the immense achievements which can be attained when one has both the courage and moral fortitude to commit to a clearly defined set of goals.  In particular, I think as a female the opportunity exists to connect very deeply with these women, girls younger than myself, who have experienced trauma and life experiences that I cannot even begin to comprehend or pretend to understand.

As a privileged white person living within the comforts of the western world it is extremely easy to ignore such cries emanating from these impoverished women of Africa and the under-developed world.  In fact I can understand why many do.  When one chooses this path there is no conscious-laden guilt or sadness, but only a state of what some would term as blissful naivety.  But I cannot justify such ignorance as bliss for while members of humanity continue to suffer in such horrific, avoidable and inequitable circumstances, we must feel a sense of obligation and continue to strive for change.’
[Year 12 2007, Anna worked quietly and determinedly to encourage students and staff over a period of four years, to knit squares that contributed to the making of 30 blankets and 75 shoulder bags for the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia.]

Enrichment & Inspiration:

• The New Sydney Wind Quintet’s performance in Clubbe Hall on Sunday afternoon as part of the regional concert series for ABC Classic FM’s Sunday live programme was warmly received by the audience.  We are also pleased to note advice that the recording of the Frensham Madrigals who provided the curtain-raiser for the ABC programme will be included in a future Rising Stars programme that airs from 9.05am to 10.00am on a Sunday morning.
• A fine ambassador for her school, Simrin Desai of Havergal (Canada) spoke with insight about the highlights and challenges of her experience as a Frensham boarder in Year 10 during her Exchange visit this term. 
• Annabelle Chauncy (2003), recently returned from completing voluntary work in Kenya with Jessie Wythes (2003) and has now undertaken to work as Uganda Project Manager for 1999 Old Girl, Phoebe Williams' organisation Hands of Help.
• Parents and friends are urged to support Easter Sunday’s ABC Classic FM Sunday Live FREE performance / broadcast from Clubbe Hall this weekend.  Presented by Julian Day, the half-hour programme (2.00-2.30pm) features Frensham staff and student musicians performing music by Weber, Massenet and Tchaikovsky and the live broadcast (3.00-4.00pm) features violinist Emma West and cellist Timothy Nankervis perfoming music by Percy Grainger, Passacaglia (after Handel) and Kodály.  [Sunday Live is ABC Classic FM's primary means of profiling Australian musicians in live performance, providing an important public and broadcast platform for local talent.  [Sunday Live is broadcast from a different capital city or regional centre each month. These free concerts are presented in collaboration with local venues and communities.]
• Supported by WWS Foundation Scholars in Residence programme, Dr Melanie Bradley, PhD (Griffith University), B Sci (Hons) (Griffith), B Science/Economics (ANU) will be in residence at Frensham from 9-23 August to work within the Science and HSIE Faculties.  Dr Bradley will also speak at the Year 9 Parent Weekend Service.  Currently working as a Post Doctoral Fellow for the CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems programme in Darwin, Dr Bradley is keen to share her scientific and economic knowledge with students during her time with the School.  Also a former Australian Track and Field representative, orienteer, Wagga Wagga Sporting Hall of fame inductee and Golden Key National Honour Society member, Dr Bradley is a vibrant contributor who hopes to be as involved as possible with students in the widest possible sense.

Acknowledgement to:

• Staff of Sturt, working in preparation for the commencement of our international conference Sturt Woodfire 2008, four weeks from now. (see full details in this Newsletter)
• The appointed Frensham Year Book Committee who will work with Year 12 Editors Harriet Royle and Laura Reading: Year 11 - Emily Holland, Olivia Leicester, Molly MacDiarmid, Kate Maitland, Lucinda Nicolls Small, Annika Rookyard, Isabella Walker-Smith; Year 10 - Sally Stafford and Harriet Hooke;
• All staff and students of Frensham for their efforts in relation to the preparation for and hosting of the Year 10 Parent Weekend;
• Frensham Madrigals and their director Mr Michael Spencer, who participated in the Vice-Regal Reception for distinguished Old Girl, Catherine Hamlin AC, at Sydney University last Saturday afternoon and in the ABC Classic FM Sunday Live programme the following day; 
• The Frensham String Quartet of Sarah Hayes, Adriana Bond, Hannah Beith and Madeleine Quinn who performed in support of the Reception for Catherine Hamlin;
• The Show Cattle Team, representing the School for the first time this year at Moss Vale Show: Ellyse O’Leary-Sims, Laura Kent, Hannah Burrows, Tillia Withers, Harriet Robertson, Georgina Milne, Olivia Luff, Georgina Kelly, Victoria Sanderson and Georgina MacDiarmid.  With Mrs Leonie Harris, three students will compete with the Frensham steers at the Sydney Royal Easter Show from 22-28 March;
• Managers of Sturt Café, Bridget and Martial Cosyn for their support of School functions at the Café on the School’s behalf.
• Ms Natasha Wainberg, Coordinator of Fellowship activities for Frensham, for her meticulous preparation for the recent 50-Year Reunion attended by 38 of the leavers of 1958 and to Mrs Joanna Vink, Archives Coordinator, who prepared a special display of materials relevant to the Reunion guests;
• Alexandra Hanbury, Year 12, recipient of a Girdle for Academic Excellence;
• Alice Bowman, Year 12, regional winner of the Lions’ Youth of the Year competition conducted last weekend in Yass.

Year 12 Dinners: 6.45pm – 7.30pm weekly
Topics for discussion over the past two weeks generated considerable debate:
11 March – Teenage Binge Drinking - Federal Government proposals
18 March – the 2020 Summit
For each of the discussions students are given reading material as background and a Chair per table is appointed to manage the discussion.  Students have expressed appreciation for the contributions made by Mrs Rose, Mrs Buick and Mr de St Guillaume in support of the Dinner debates and follow-up with regard to preparation of representative responses has grown considerably since we implemented this opportunity at the start of term.

Uniform update:
Winter Uniform
Please note that students wear winter uniform from the start of Term 2. 

Ahead - ANZAC Service 25 April
Those representing Gib Gate and Frensham at the ANZAC Service in Mittagong are also asked to wear full winter uniform, with blazers and hats.  Parents are asked to ensure that the tunic length meets regulation length of 6-9 cm above the knee when kneeling.

Frensham Replacement of winter tunics
All parents who purchased the new Frensham winter tunic in 2007 are asked to arrange for return of tunics to Ranier Shop prior to the end of term for replacement.  [Replacement is owing to a fault in the fabric.]

With more than 150 tunics to be replaced it will be of great help to the Shop if this replacement process can be completed prior to the end of this term.

Where possible, please send tunics back with your daughter, after Easter.  Alterations for replacement tunics can then be arranged prior to the start of Term 2.

Staffing:

• We are pleased to advise that Mrs Merrilee Harris (Frensham 1987) has been appointed to the position of part-time Teacher-Librarian at Frensham, commencing Term 2 this year.  A Fine Arts/History Graduate from Sydney University (1980), Mrs Harris brings both recent commercial and teaching experience to her role, along with further qualifications including: Grad Dip Ed (UNE), Certificate in Direct Marketing (RMIT), Graduate Diploma in Office Systems (RMIT) and a Certificate in Public Relations (USyd).

From Term 2, extending teacher-librarian support for students, the Library will be open beyond the current school hours, as follows:
Monday: 6.45-8.00pm
Tuesday: 3.30-9.00pm
Wednesday: 3.35-6.00pm & 6.45-8.00pm
Thursday: 3.30-9.00pm
Friday afternoon-Sunday: by arrangement with the Director of Boarding – for boarders.

• Mrs Ros Buick will be travelling overseas for a portion of Long Service Leave from the end of this week, returning for the start of Term 2.  We wish Mrs Buick a refreshing break and note that during her absence, former Deputy Head of Frensham, Mrs Joanna Vink will be teaching Mrs Buick’s classes.
• Mrs Nina Redpath is welcomed to Frensham as the recently appointed Administrative Assistant.  Mrs Redpath will be working from the Main House in support of the overall management and administration of systems within the School.

Ahead:

Information Evenings 2008:

• 13 June (Friday) 12noon-5pm & 14 June (Saturday) 9.30am-3.30pm - Rydges Lakeside Canberra: Boarding Schools Expo
• 6 August (Wednesday) - The Commonwealth Club, Canberra
• 20 August (Wednesday) - Royal Sydney Golf Club
• 11 September (Thursday) - Mittagong Sample Boarding Programme & Information Evening

 Reminders:

• All end of Term 1 Travel Details are now finalised and parents are thanked for their support in meeting the closing date of Tuesday 11 March.
• We are pleased to be hosting the second of two live concerts in the ABC Classic FM Series Sunday Live: Easter Sunday – 23 March, in Clubbe Hall.  Please note the timing for the Concerts:
  1.50pm: seated for the half hour Frensham curtain-raiser programme: Frensham tutor and professional guitarist Luke O’Neill with Sabine Madden on piano (Weber’s Divertimenti, Opus 38), Mary Bokey on violin with Sabine Madden (Massenet’s Meditation), flute trio, Mary Bokey, Emily Maker and Emma Quinn (Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker) and Charlotte Moss (Irish Folk song, a capella).
• 2.30-2.50pm break (Audience may leave the Hall during the break)
• 2.50pm seated for the 3.00-4.00pm live performance/broadcast.

WWS Schools-supported events in Clubbe Hall

Communication…
The WWS Newsletter is posted on our website on the date of publication of each fortnightly Newsletter and archived copies of the Newsletter are also accessible on-line. 
See: http://www.frensham.nsw.edu.au/newsletter.htm or visit the websites of Gib Gate or Frensham and click on the Newsletter icon.  Sturt’s site is updated regularly with Sturt-specific information.

In the lead-up to the Easter break, reminding students of the significance of the Easter story, we have challenged them to consider the context in which we live and deal daily with the contrasts of pain and hurt and the power of love and hope.

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

Sturt WoodFire 2008:

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

With the support of Frensham Fellowship: A Walk to Beautiful Special screening Saturday 5 April at 7.00pm A Walk to Beautiful follows five women in Ethiopia who suffer from devastating childbirth injuries.  Shunned by their communities, these women spend their lives in utter misery, loneliness and shame. The film follows their journey to Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, where their lives are transformed because of the work of this outstanding Australian doctor. Clubbe Hall, Waverley Parade, Mittagong Tickets available at the door – no bookings necessary. Adults: $5.00 per person. Students: Gold coin donation. Proceeds to The Hamlin Fistula Relief and Aid Fund (film runs for 84 minutes) NB: The Sturt Café will be open until 7.00pm on this evening to coincide with this special event.

GIB GATE

Mrs Kate Chauncy with L-R Joshua Lemon, Cristina Schulz, Adelaide Wallace, Jemima Purvis, Georgia Skinner, Lily Swanson, Lachlan Vild, Olivia Spring, Charlotte Vidler at OEG Camp, Biloela (Year 6). Right: Mrs Angela Macken assisting Year 1 with dip netting (T-2 Outdoor Education Day at Mount Annan) Left: Emil Thaning (Year 3) abseiling as part of OEG Adventure Day, Mount Alexandra

The Outdoor Education Programme at Gib Gate is carefully scaffolded to build on each year group’s previous experience, ensuring that students develop an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment and build the skills necessary to equip them for their camp experience in Years 5 and 6. Students in Transition, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 enjoyed their Outdoor Education experience at Mount Annan Botanic Gardens on Thursday 6 March, where students went on bush walks, identified native flora and fauna and used dip nets to discover the different kinds of water life found in the lakes. Year 3 students had wonderful weather for their first Adventure Day with OEG staff at Mount Alexander.  Abseiling for the first time was a great experience and students are now looking forward to having the opportunity to try it again next year.  Unfortunately the weather was not so ideal for the Year 4 Adventure Day forcing us to cancel the excursion, much to the disappointment of Year 4 who were looking forward to cooking their own lunch on the camp cooking equipment.  The Year 4 Adventure Day will be rescheduled for Term 2 and parents will be advised of the new date. Year 5 and Year 6 students returned from the three-day OEG camp at Biloela last Friday.  Weather for the camp was warm allowing for lots of opportunities to swim and canoe in the Wingecaribee River. Students and staff spent the three days hiking, orienteering, abseiling, using caving ladders, canoeing and participating in low ropes challenge activities. We all enjoyed the opportunity on Thursday evening for a camp fire, toasting marshmallows and performing camp skits/songs.

Students  took turns to cook, clean and lead their group and  gained valuable skills from their experiences. The change in environment, with all the challenges and stimuli which this encompasses, brings out skills and knowledge in many students which may not have been apparent in the classroom setting.  All students face and overcome challenges during outdoor education and benefit from the boost in self-confidence this entails.  I am sure that parents would join me in thanking the Gib Gate staff for organising outdoor experience opportunities and for their enthusiasm in supporting the camp programme.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Curriculum Insights
Narrative writing has been a focus of the English literary programmes this term from Kindergarten to Year 6 and many imaginative stories have been read, shared and written over the past few weeks.  In support of the classroom writing programme, children’s author, Jane Carroll, will return to Gib Gate in Week 10 of this term for four days to continue to stimulate and refine the children’s skills and develop their passion for writing.  Each class group will work with Ms Carroll and its teacher in an intensive one to one and a half hour session during the time she is ‘writer-in-residence’ in the Gib Gate library.

Parents of students in Year 3 and Year 5 have received notification of the Term 2 dates for this year’s National Assessment Programme test schedule.  Known as NAP, these tests replace the NSW Basic Skills Test Program (commonly known as BST) and will allow a national standardisation of student achievement  We have practice papers available for use in the classroom and teachers will use these materials over the coming weeks to familiarise the children with each section of the testing which covers Language Usage, Reading, Writing and Mathematics.  Practice, follow-up questions, talk and discussion ensure that the children feel confident when applying themselves to formal assessment tasks.

Parents of students in Years 3 - 6 have also received information about the ICAS (International Competitions for Australasian Schools) for 2008.  Students are invited to enter Science, Mathematics, English and Writing competitions which will be held during Term 2 and 3.

In both the NAP Writing assessment for Years 3 and 5 and ICAS Writing Competition for Years 3 to 6, students will be required to write a narrative in a short time period so the creative writing skills they are developing throughout this term will be put into practical and imaginative use in Term 2.

Mrs Kate Chauncy, Curriculum Coordinator K-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
STURT WOODFIRE 2008 is the first conference of its kind to be held in the sixty-seven year history of Sturt.  To be held from 18 – 21 April (in the middle weekend of the April school holidays), Sturt WoodFire will attract over two hundred delegates.  Uniquely, Sturt WoodFire will address important issues such as environmental responsibilities and studio practice within the contemporary environment.  This is essential for the ongoing vitality and contemporary vision of a strong ceramic sector.  As an international conference, it will also encourage multi-cultural dialogue with the attendance of international delegates.

Sturt provides the ideal venue for the next wood fire conference.  In the 1960’s and 1970’s, Sturt Pottery trained many of Australia’s most significant ceramic artists.  As a craft centre, Sturt was also the site for many firsts: a meeting of textile artists gathering at Sturt in 1975 formed the first TAFTA group (The Australian Forum for Textile Arts) and a similar meeting of jewellers and metal smiths, formed the group JMAG in 1986 (Jewellery and Metalsmiths Group).  Sturt has never hosted a ceramic conference until now.  With a long history of support for the artistic expression through craft, studio practice and design, Sturt is perfectly positioned to take on this role.

Keynote speakers will lead discussions.  Speakers include Jacqueline Clayton (Head of Ceramics, College of Fine Arts, Sydney); Janet Mansfield OAM, editor of the magazine Ceramics Art and Perception; Ron Meyers, past Professor of Ceramics at the University of Georgia, USA; Tony Bond, Director Curator Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney; Robert Bell, Senior Curator Decorative Arts and Design, ANG, Canberra; Robert Freeland, Director, Ceramic Art Gallery, Sydney; and Chester Nealie, practising artist from Gulgong, NSW.  Central themes will explore:  sustainability and environmental issues, economic survival in the twenty-first century, curatorial focus for the exhibition of ceramics, inter-cultural influences and the impact of tradition. There will be opportunity also for individual presentations and open forums.

Sturt pottery facilities include three wood kilns which will be fired in the week leading up to the Conference. These firings will be part of three participatory workshops which are being held prior to the Conference with tutors Sandy Lockwood and Robert Barron firing the salt kiln, Yasuo Terada (from Japan) firing the ogama kiln, and Ron Meyer (from the USA) firing the anagama kiln.

As well as the timetable of lectures and forums, many exhibitions will be shown over the three days at Sturt and Frensham.  The exhibitions are open to everyone.  The range of exhibitions has been designed to cover the full range of contemporary wood firing – from table ware to sculpture, from mugs to conceptual art.  These exhibitions will include:

• The Masters and Key Presenters. This is the main exhibition, being held to showcase the conference and to be held in Sturt Gallery and in the Archives building.  This exhibition will present a wide range of artistic expression from artists who have worked in the wood firing genre over many years, placed alongside five artists who have been chosen for the strength of their work, and who are keynote speakers and workshop tutors during the conference;
• A survey of current wood fire ceramics makers from Australia – to be shown in Sturt Shop;
• An exhibition open to international visitors - to be shown in Sturt Shop;
• An exhibition which features emerging artists – to be shown in the foyer of Clubbe Hal;
• An exhibition of three artists who make work which is non-traditional in form – to be shown at Sturt Cottage;
• Mugs, Mugs and more Mugs – to be shown at Sturt Café.

Exhibition openings will be held every afternoon during the Conference:
Friday 5.30pm Sturt Lawn – Outside the Square and Susie McMeekin to be opened by Chester Nealie, potter and well know commentator on ceramics from Gulgong, NSW
Saturday 5.30pm Sturt Lawn – Key Presenters, The Masters and A Taste of Wood Firing to be opened by Robert Bell, Curator Decorative Arts and Design, Australian National Gallery, Canberra
Sunday 5.30pm Sturt Lawn – Far Flung and Watch this Space to be opened by Janet Mansfield, OAM, Editor Ceramic Arts and Perception, President of the International Ceramics Academy, based in Geneva.

For further information regarding Sturt WoodFire, visit the website on www.sturt.nsw.edu.au or phone Sturt on 02 4860 2080

Courses
Four day anagama firing with Ron Meyers (from USA) 14 – 21 April. ($372).  Bring bisque fired pots and fire in the anagama kiln over four days with one of America’s most well known potters.
Basketry with Meri Peach Sunday 4 May. Learn the techniques of random weave using natural plant materials to make a rustic nest-like basket. ($130). Suitable for beginners.

Sturt Gallery
In conjunction with Sturt WoodFire 2008, the Gallery has three openings scheduled each afternoon of the conference.
Sunday 11am 27 April – Southern Highlands Printmakers to be opened by Marianne Newman, Director Marianne Newman Gallery, Sydney. This exhibition continues until 18 May.

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

Students in Years 9-12 have been asked to nominate either Soccer or Basketball as their Term 2 team sport.  Students in Years 7 and 8 are able to play Soccer.  This will be the first time that Frensham has competed in IGSSA Soccer.  Students are also able take part in Cross-country and Athletics and training for Cross-country has already begun.

During the April school holidays a large team of riders from Frensham will be competing in the NSW Interschools Equestrian Event at Sydney International Equestrian Centre.  The event will be held between April 23-25.  If your daughter is planning on entering the event, please ensure that the entry forms have been submitted.  Entry forms for this event must be signed by the School.

A Junior Dance class has commenced in the Frensham Dance Studio on Thursday afternoons. The class will focus on Hip Hop for the rest of Term 1 and Term 2.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
On May 13, 14 and 15 students at Frensham in Years 7 and 9 (and students at Gib Gate in Years 3 and 5) will take part in tests which form the National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).  These tests are national tests and replace the current State and Territory-based assessments (in Frensham’s case the ELLA and SNAP tests).

These tests are designed to assess student achievement in both literacy and numeracy.  The format will differ from previous national assessment tools.  Some of these changes include:

• Three days of testing instead of two
• The breakdown of the literacy test into distinct areas – Language Conventions (including spelling, punctuation and grammar), Reading and Writing;
• Students around Australia will complete the same test/s on the same day/s.

For further information, the NAPLAN website (http://www.naplan.edu.au) can be consulted or a brochure can be downloaded from:  

http://www.naplan.edu.au/verve/_resources/NAP08_website_brochure_web_v11.pdf

These National Tests will provide data which can provide information on how students are progressing against national benchmarks and at a school level they are one of many tools which are used to support improvements in teaching and learning.   Parents will also receive detailed test results in the second half of the year.

In the period leading up to these tests students will be given specific information about the test formats and they will also be given access to practice tests.

Mr Matthew McMahon, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

On Friday night girls were involved in Cops and Robbers which is one of their favourite pastimes around the School.  Sophie Hutchinson, with her injured knee, was the “cop” guarding the Harbison fountain in the St Francis Courtyard so that there were no mishaps. 

The Moss Vale Show was another favourite excursion and girls went out for the afternoon.

Catching up with parents on a Year weekend is very important and many past parents were also back to celebrate their 50 Years On Reunion.  The knowledge of what past students are doing is interesting as the careers are so varied and in all parts of the world.

This week is the Easter break and the task of sending girls home for a break is followed almost immediately by end of term travel, which has now been finalised. 

We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Easter.

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

Teaching and Learning

Professional Learning days for Frensham and Gib Gate are scheduled for Staff on 20 and 25 March. Each campus and Faculty will participate in on-campus sessions designed to improve their capacity to meet the learning needs of their students in the most efficient and effective ways possible.

Gib Gate staff will undertake six different ICT (Information and Communications Technology) workshops focusing on presentation technologies, mind-mapping and drawing tools in common software titles, animation software and the use of graphics and audio features.  The workshops were planned after AIS consultant, Mr John Clear, met individually with teachers earlier in the term to pass on teaching ideas and discuss teachers’ intentions for using ICTs in Term 2 units of work.

Concurrently, Gib Gate coordinators will work with each stage group to refine the links between syllabus learning outcomes and assessment tools and tasks.  Staff from the Macquarie University MULTILIT Centre introduce Mr Standen and Mr Sheehan to new MULTILIT materials which offer opportunities for accelerating students’ progression on the programme.

The Mathematics Faculty will be led by Mrs Jayme Rafferty as they refine their use of online resources, new software titles and presentation technologies to support the teaching of Mathematics.

The Science Faculty will work with Gifted and Talented consultant Ms Lychan Long from Gateways Education, a consultancy group closely associated with GERRIC and the University of NSW, on adjusting tasks and programmes to help gifted students reach their learning potential.

HSIE staff will build further digital resources to be used with the Interactive Whiteboards and then work through analysis of student work samples before exploring Edward De Bono’s creative thinking processes and their application for HSIE subjects.

English staff will collaboratively programme the new modules for years 11 and 12 to cater for new text prescriptions introduced recently by the Board of Studies.  Their professional learning will extend into the week following Easter with another visit from Dr Julia Atkin who will meet with teachers and work in classrooms.

The Music Faculty will continue their work with Ms Linda Magson, evaluating Term 1 units on the basis of evidence of student learning shown in work samples and continue to develop assessment protocols to develop and reveal learning.

Creative Arts teachers will finalise plans for maintaining visual records of students’ past work and, with Head of Sturt, Ms Megan Patey, fine tune the roles of various expert tutors and teachers for the STAR programme and support of major works and exhibitions.

As well as their work with psychologist, Dr Andrew Martin, on motivation, House Staff will continue to familiarise themselves with online technologies under the guidance of ICT specialist, Mrs Alex Galland.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning

English and Drama

On Wednesday 12 March, all girls in Years 7-11 had the opportunity to be involved in workshops from Actors at Work from Bell Shakespeare.  The study of Shakespearian text is a compulsory part of the English syllabus and The Bell Shakespeare Company provide an interesting programme which focuses on the language and context of the plays.

This year they presented ‘Love’s Magic’ for Years 7-9 which explored both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet; ‘A Macbeth Intensive’, which discussed  themes and ideas in Macbeth for Years 9 and 10 and ‘The Conspirators’ for Years 10 and 11 which linked issues and characters in Othello and Julius Caesar.

These are vibrant workshops which show the way meaning is created through language and the significance of the poetry.  As most classes study their Shakespearian text in Term 2, this is a very timely enrichment.

Another Shakespearian event to be foreshadowed is the visit of Year 9 students to the Sydney Theatre Company’s performance of Romeo and Juliet on 22 May at the Wharf Theatre.  This year the assessment task will be linked to this performance as well.

Students should all be focusing on their Wide Reading activities which are due late in Term 1 or at the beginning of Term 2.

Auditions are beginning this week with Mrs Muir-Smith for the Birthday Play.

Jane Carroll will conduct writing workshop activities with students in Years 8 and 9 on Friday April 4.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language Arts

Music

Frensham musicians were very involved throughout the Year 10 Parent Weekend.  On Saturday, the Madrigals and the String Quartet travelled to the University of Sydney to represent Frensham at the Official Reception for Dr Catherine Hamlin AC.  The Madrigals provided descants to the hymn in the Great Hall and sang two pieces as a special item in the ceremony.  Their disciplined performance combined well with the acoustics in the hall to create a moment to remember for all those present.  Mr Robert Smith’s performance of Widor’s Toccata as a recessional, ended the ceremony on a high point.  The String Quartet then proceeded to entertain guests at the reception which followed.

The Madrigals’ weekend continued with another substantial performance in a half-hour concert as part of the ABC Classic FM Sunday LiveConcert the next day.  They performed a varied programme of six pieces including Mediaeval motets and Renaissance madrigals as well as more recent popular genres.  Charlotte Merz, Margot Gemmell-Smith, Olivia Pirie-Griffiths and Charlotte Moss performed with great composure as soloists and accompaniments were provided by Mr Bunyan and Ms Madden.

The Year 10 Service and Concert also featured many polished performances.  The Senior Choir sang Palestrina’s intense anthem O Bone Jesu in the Service and two others, the Mediaeval Alle Psallite and Homeward Bound in the Concert. 

Sally Stafford opened the Concert with flair as she played Black and White Rag. Emily Milne provided additional entertainment with a showpiece on one of the new electronic drumkits.  Jaleesa Newell sang the Gospel song Swing Low with confidence, accompanied by backing vocalists Isabelle Gillespie and Nicola Forrest.  Teresa Santonastaso gave a sensitive performance of Debussy’s The Little Negro and Charlotte Midson performed, with maturity, Benjamin Britten’s arrangement of Sally Gardens.  The Year 10 Music Class then performed a vocal arrangement of the Jazz standard Fly Me to the Moon and finally, all of Year 10 performed Irving Berlin’s Putting On the Ritz to conclude the Concert. 
All of the musicians involved in this weekend are congratulated for the commitment and careful preparation which created such rich experiences for the Frensham community.

Michael Spencer, Coordinator of Music

Sport

Soccer
All girls in Years 7-12 have been given the opportunity to play soccer in Term 2.  Training times are the same as every other Saturday IGSSA sport.  Matches will be played at Frensham on the Games Field except semi-finals and finals which are played in Sydney.

Please see the safety requirements below and ensure your daughter is prepared for the season.  New soccer shirts (which are compulsory uniform to be worn on Saturday mornings) will be available to purchase Week 1 of next term from the Uniform Shop.

Safety
1. Properly fitted mouthguards are compulsory.
2. Shin pads must be worn by all players.
3. Soccer boots or similar (turf/grass shoes) are to be worn.  No flat sand shoes are allowed.  Girls will not be allowed on the field in casual sneakers.

Basketball
All girls in Years 9-12 have been given the opportunity to play Basketball in Term 2.  Training times are the same as every other Saturday IGSSA sport.  Matches will be played at Frensham in the Gym or on the outdoor courts except semi-finals and finals which are played in Sydney.

Cross-Country
Cross-Country is underway with training every Wednesday and Friday morning from 6.30-7.15am and is open to all Year groups and various fitness levels.  As well as morning trainings for the IGSSA competition, held at Frensham on Friday 16 May, girls will be participating in a Cross-Country relay against Ravenswood on Sunday 6 April from 3-5pm, followed by a barbecue dinner on the Games Field.  Girls involved will be given further information in due course.

Softball and Tennis
The semi-finals will be played in Sydney on Saturday 29 March.  Teams, venues and times will be notified to all girls ASAP.  Please check all details with your daughter.

Swimming
The Frensham swim team competed at the 83rd IGSSA Championships on Friday 14 March.  All swimmers enjoyed the opportunity to swim at this world class venue.  Thanks to the parents who came in support of the girls, this competition is a high standard meet and the Frensham swimmers appreciate watching elite athletes perform in Division One.  This year Nina McGrath reached the final of the Butterfly – congratulations!  All girls swam to the best of their ability and should be pleased with their times and effort.  Caitlin McDougall and Nerida Leahy who were awarded swimming ties at School on Thursday are also congratulated.  Both girls have been part of the swimming team since Year 7 and have been excellent leaders.

Skiing
Frensham will participate once again this year in Interschools Snowsports.  For interested parents and students, please check the Interschools website at: http://www.interschools.org.au for more details.  Please remember, Frensham is skiing in the Northern NSW Region Competition at Thredbo from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 13 July, depending upon the chosen event.  Any further participation will be based on results from this first round of skiing.  Please contact Ms. Joanne Allison at Frensham jallison@frensham.nsw.edu.au if any more information is required at this time.

WET WEATHER
Due to the short season for all IGSSA Sports, every attempt is made to play the inter-school matches.  Cancellations of Saturday Sport are rarely made before Saturday morning, unless a venue notifies IGSSA that the facilities will not be playable prior to this.  For information:
IGSSA Wet Weather Line 1900 922 834
IGSSA WEBSITE  http://igssa.ahigs.nsw.edu.au or the
Boarding house.

Mrs Amanda Wansey, Coordinator PDHPE/Sport

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