GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 3 NO 4 - 4 SEPTEMBER 2008

Bush Dance – Saturday 20 September
Special arrangements for boarders:
For parents attending the Bush Dance and planning to stay overnight in the Southern Highlands on the Saturday night, please note that special overnight Leave (Exeat-free) will be provided for that evening, should you wish your daughters to join you after the Bush Dance.  Given that we expect all students to be in attendance for the Year 8-9 Drama Production on the Saturday afternoon and for the Service at 11.00am on Sunday morning, 21 September, parents and friends of the School are warmly invited to attend these events also, with the whole family.  With two weeks to go:   …have you sent in your reply to Mrs Liz Rule at PO Box 34, Mittagong, NSW 2575.  Ph: 02 4860 2100 or Fax: 02 4860 2101?

Global Forum – Year 9
As part of the initial evaluation of the Year 9 Global Forum, girls worked with Deputy Head, Mr Geoff Marsh to reflect, in groups, on what they felt had been the major learning outcomes of their three-day programme.  As a resource for further discussion, I note here some of the feedback shared:
…think big – don’t think about the obstacles – think about how you can overcome them…; …every little thing you do has a ripple effect…; …opened our eyes (awareness)…; …don’t wait on the world to change…;…ordinary people can make a difference…; the importance of education; sustainable living takes everyone’s efforts; …use your talents to help…;…politics = complex…;we have to consider everyone’s perspective; …we are so lucky to have what we have…; education = hope = future…;…the task that lies ahead is not easy, it is more complicated than it seems but it is achievable…; there is more to life than helping yourself…

Acknowledgement to:

• Parent managers of the Ski teams involved in the recent Inter-Schools Championships at Thredbo for their active support of students representing the School. (See Frensham Sport Report for details);
• Thea Horlsey, Year 3 and Adelaide Lang, Year 12 who have been successful in selection for the 2008 National Interschools Snow Sports Championships;
• Staff and guest presenters at the Year 9 Global Forum: Mr Geoff Marsh (Coordinator of the programme), Mrs Symons, Ms Judy Bradley, Mr Matthew McMahon and Mrs Trudi Spencer with guests - James Symons, Penny George, Mahboba Rawi and Peter Andersen and Old Girls, Annabelle Chauncy (2003) and Lucy Watson (1996);
• Year 9 for their enthusiastic participation in last week’s three-day Global Forum programme;
• HSC Visual Arts, Design and Technology and Photography students for the Exhibitions in Sturt Gallery and School Hall over last weekend.  Compliments also to Mr Phil Alldis, Coordinator and to HSC teachers Ms Elizabeth Francis, Ms Sophie Piper and, in the final weeks of completion of work and in the set-up of the Exhibition, Mrs Trudi Spencer, Ms Melanie Olde and Head of Sturt, Ms Megan Patey;
• Ms Shirley Becke, Director of The Old Milk Factor Gallery in Bowral who formally opened the 2008 Year 12 Visual Arts, Design & Technology and Photography Exhibition;
• Charlotte Merz, Year 12, for the presentation of her Extension Music Concert to family and friends, in preparation for her HSC Performance Examination;
• Girdle for History recipient, Kate Green, Year 12 who is currently studying Ancient, Modern and Extension History as part of her HSC programme;
• Recent Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recipients: Silver - Jaleesa Newell and Sally Stafford and Bronze - Melinda Ryan and Isabelle Gillespie;
• School and community hosts of the cocktail Party and Information Evening held recently at the Royal Sydney Golf Club;
• Frensham Old Girls who returned to School for their 20 Year Reunion last weekend;

Enrichment and Inspiration:

• In the presence of family, friends and members of the NSW Women’s Hockey Players Association, Mr Jeff Prell presented what will be a cherished gift to the School - the 1953 Australian blazer worn by Frensham Old Girl the late Mrs Jess Prell (Marshall, 1948) when she represented Australia in Hockey.  With Harriet King, Vice Captain of Frensham Hockey, I was delighted to receive the gift, which will now be prepared for display by our Coordinator of the Archives, Mrs Joanna Vink.  I include here, for the interest of all, some background information provided by Jess’s daughter, Old Girl, Sandy Prell (1972):

After playing hockey for Frensham, and being sports captain in 1948, Jess went on to a representative hockey career.  She was selected to play for NSW in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953.  Jess went on to be selected in the 1953 Australian team to tour Great Britain.  It was this year that the blazer was earned.  To quote a fellow team member who wrote after Mum died:  "Jess was a very skilful right fullback, very hard to pass!"

The 1953 Australian team sailed to England on the RMS Strathaird in August/September 1948 for the 5th Triennial Conference and World Tournament at Folkestone.  They played six matches against Austria (won 6-1), Germany (won 1-0), Denmark (won 9-1), South Africa (lost 0-5), Wales (won 7-1) and England (won 2-1).  (This was the first time England had been beaten on home soil for over 30 years.)

Some comments from the tournament:
When the Australian team defeated England, it was the "coming of age" for Australian Hockey.  It changed the way players and officials felt about Australia's standing on the international stage.

• At the weekend’s Fellowship Soirée, outstanding ‘old girl’ musicians combined with current students to celebrate the love of music through high quality performance… Our special thanks goes to those soloists and Choir members who gave so generously of their time to perform in support of Fellowship’s fund-raising effort and to the staff team: Natasha Wainberg, Michael Spencer, Indra Deigan and Sabine Madden, who worked with such commitment alongside the Fellowship team of Emma Knott (Coordinator of the Event) and Felicity Cavill (President);

• Charlotte Alrich, Katherine Evans, Gemma Moran-Gibson, Grace Nelson and Sally Newton worked with Year 11 Coordinator Mrs Kate McGregor to write the Address Freedom with Responsibility, for the Year 11 Parent Weekend Service, which opened with the following introduction:

In preparing for today we have been reflecting on the human rights issue of freedom of speech and on the responsibility we share, as global citizens, for protecting the rights of every human being to enjoy this freedom.  Through discussions and reading, we have also raised our awareness of the need to exercise our rights respectfully and to learn as much as we can about every issue.  In the words of Winston Churchil, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

This morning we explore the notion of freedom of speech through the writings of advocates of civil rights.  We highlight both the right to express or disseminate information and ideas and the responsibility to foster and protect the freedom of others, those closest to us and those who rely on our support from afar.

Every day here, we strive for personal growth and identify with moral and ethical values that include tolerance and respect and the duty to care and be purposeful.  In acknowledging different, diverse opinions we are able to formulate our own sense of identity and the basis to use our freedom of speech for the ‘greater good’.

Ahead:
Higher School Certificate Music – Concert performance
Friday evening - 5 September
Following last Friday evening’s outstanding HSC Visual Arts, Photography, Design and Technology (29 August) HSC Music 2 and Music 1 students will present their works to friends and family this Friday evening, 7.15 – 8.30pm in Clubbe Hall.  Boarders will be attending and all members of the School community are welcome.

Frensham – Sample Boarding & Information Evening:
Sample Boarding: Thursday 11 & Friday 12 September
Information Evening, Clubbe Hall – Mittagong:  6.00pm Thursday 11 September.
Please Contact Mrs Liz Rule (Assistant Registrar) for details or to inquire about invitations to these events: 02 4860 2100

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

Change to the Term Calendar

Saturday 13 September:  Owing to the AHIGS Festival of Speech on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September, the IGSSA Semi-Finals have been rescheduled to Saturday 20 September.  Both the semi finals and finals will be played on Saturday 20 September. 

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

The Gib Gate Robocup teams, led by Mrs Musgrove, and the Gib Gate Tournament of Minds Team led by Mrs Wheeler and Mrs Barnett Royds, recently represented the School at competitions in Sydney and Nowra.

Robocup and Tournament of Minds extra-curricular activities allow students to pursue interests and strengths in a team environment with an emphasis on problem-solving and collaboration.  Reports from the events are provided below and parents are invited to attend Performance Assembly on Friday 12 September where the teams will present an item.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Robocup
Two teams represented Gib Gate at the 2008 NSW Open Robocup Competition held at the Roundhouse, University of NSW on Friday 29 August.  Both teams were entered into the Junior Dance section.  The teams were: The Bond Girls: Isabella Conomos, Livija Berzins, Charlotte Vidler, Adelaide Wallace (Year 6) and Olivia Battcock (Year 5).  The Fix-It People: Michael Duck (Year 4), Lucinda Chambers and David Loewy (Year 3).  

The teams were given the following brief in preparation for the competition:

• Design a robot or team of robots to perform to music for a minimum of one minute and not more than two minutes.  This section of the competition was worth 60%.
• The stage consisted of a marked 3x3m boundary.  The aim of the performance was to programme the robot/s to dance within this boundary.
• Robots could be decorated and team members were encouraged to design a uniform or logo that reflected the theme of their dance theme.
• Prepare a log book outlining details such as programming, music and team ideas, to be presented in a 15 minute interview with each individual team.  This section was worth 40%.

The competition at UNSW, commenced at 9.00am for the Gib Gate teams.  The performances were well received and were of a high standard in the competition.  Gib Gate teams then had their interviews.  The interviewer was very impressed with both teams’ log books.  Both teams performed a second time in the afternoon.  Once again, the teams performed with enthusiasm and even more determination after having watched the 25 other competitors.  The judges commended both teams on their fine performances.

Mrs Sally Musgrove, Robocup Teacher

Tournament of the Minds
The Gib Gate 2008 Tournament of Minds Team has been working over the past six weeks to devise a creative, original solution to a problem and present it as a play to a panel of judges.  The team was not permitted to receive outside assistance in devising the solution, writing the script, or making the costumes or props.  Tournament of Minds team members were: Matilda Martin (Year 3), Lydia Jupp (Year 4), Julia Cavanagh, Alexandra Condon, Sally Montgomery (Year 5), Lachlan Vild and Charlotte Vidler (Year 6).

The South Coast Regional Competition was held at Nowra High School on Sunday 31 August.  The Gib Gate team entered the Primary Social Science section where they had to present their solution to the long-term problem entitled The Singer or the Song.  They also had to make up a song which incorporated a message about a moral dilemma.  An additional challenge was solving a spontaneous problem which was about an Antarctic expedition.  The team performed exceptionally well and, as runners up, received an Honours Award in their section.

The judges commended the team for the originality of their solution, use of humour and the quality of their presentation.  The team’s performance reflected the effort they had put into refining the script, developing their presentation skills, learning their lines, working co-operatively and assiduously meeting the required criteria presented in the problem.

Mrs Robyn Wheeler and Mrs Louisa Barnett Royds,Tournament of Minds Teachers

Junior Musical
Performances of Captain Noah are on Thursday 18 September at 12.00pm and Friday 19 September at 6.00pm at Clubbe Hall. The Madrigals will be performing beforehand.  All family and friends of Gib Gate are welcome to attend.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator

Curriculum Insights
Certificates of achievement in the ICAS Science and ICAS Writing Competitions were awarded to all participants at Performance Assembly on Friday 22 August and Friday 29 August.  All participants are congratulated on their individual results.  The following were commended for their high level of achievement:

Science: Year 3 – Distinction:  Lucinda Chambers, David Loewy, Matthew Worden.  Credit: Liana Berzins, Thea Horsley, Lachlan Larney-Dawson, Georgia Saeck, Jasmin Wikramanayake.
Year 4 – Distinction:  Airlie Kinross, Andrea Tan, Amelia Vidler.  Credit: Alexander Bunyan, Madeleine Conomos, Michael Duck, Lydia Jupp, Monique Turczynski.
Year 5 – Distinction: Jonathan Chambers, Alexandra Condon, Michael Zawal.  Credit: Olivia Battcock, Atalanta Mitchell.
Year 6 – Distinction:  Georgina Harrington, Cosi Hofman, Charlotte Vidler.  Credit: Isabella Conomos, Lilli Jephcott, Emily Little, Adelaide Wallace.

Writing: Year 3 – Distinction:  Lucinda Chambers, Lucienne Ireland, David Loewy.  Credit: Valentina Aliprandi, Liana Berzins, Cedric Hely, Matthew Worden.
Year 4 – Distinction: Mia Kroopin, Rosanna Scanlan, Andrea Tan, Monique Turczynski, Amelia Vidler.  Credit: Sarah Hassett, Lydia Jupp, Airlie Kinross, Olivia Lalak.
Year 5 – Distinction: Jonathan Chambers.  Credit: Adelaide Bailey, Julia Cavanagh, Sophie Leicester, Alexandra Roach, Annika Sallie, Michael Zawal.  
Year 6 – Distinction:  Isabella Conomos, Caitlan Mahony, Adelaide Wallace.  Credit: Livija Berzins, JemimaPurvis, Olivia Spring, Charlotte Vidler, Victoria Walker.

Certificates of Achievement in Mathematics will be awarded at Performance Assembly on Friday 12 September.  Parents are welcome to attend.

Mrs Kate Chauncy, Curriculum Coordinator P-6
Coordinator Gifted and Talented Programmes K-12

Gib Gate Sport
Winter sports are coming to an end for 2008.  This winter we had over 100 children from Kindergarten to Year 6 representing Gib Gate in team sports.  All the children involved were committed to their participation and training sessions.

Congratulations to the Lightning Boltz and Muffins Netball Teams who have progressed to the finals in the Junior Netball competition and the Under 9 Hockey Team who also reached the Junior Hockey finals. 

End of season family days have been planned over the next few weekends to thank supporters, coaches and managers for their time and commitment over the season.

Summer Sports
Notes have gone out to all Gib Gate children offering a wide selection of summer sports.  This summer children can elect to be involved in Cricket, Basketball, Touch Football, Water Polo, Tee-Ball, Tennis, Athletics and AUSKick (AFL).

Skiing
The NSW Interschool Snow Sports Championships were held during the last week in August.  Thea Horsley, Madison Moore (Year 3) and Airlie Kinross (Year 4) competed in the Division 5 Skiercross.  Thea Horsley will be part of the National Cross Country ski event be held in a few weeks’ time.

Bike Education
Last week, all children from Year 1 to Year 6 were involved in a Bike Education Programme being conducted by the RTA at their bike education centre at Lake Illawarra.  It was a valuable day for children to learn about safe riding practices and the laws associated with bicycle riding for people under 12 years of age.  The children were given simulated licences and put through a series of tests on the purpose built course.  They were given the task of maintaining the 12 points on their licence by practicing safe riding skills and obeying all the road rules.  A loss of six points meant a temporary confiscation of the licence. 

Mr Michael Standen, Coordinator of PDHPE and Sport

STURT

FRIENDS OF STURT Ruth Wright (President), Joan Dinning (Secretary), Denise Sumner, Julie Musgrave, Bill Dinning, Henrietta & Ralph Ierace, Angela Jones (Ex-officio members: Tom Harrington, Melanie Olde, Paul Davis, Megan Patey)

Sturt News
The brochure for the Sturt Summer School 2009 has been printed and if anyone would like one to be sent please contact Sturt Gallery on 4860 2083.  Given that both Basketry and Wood Turning courses fill very quickly, please contact Sturt as soon as possible to confirm a booking.

Digital Photography courses in September and November
Two weekend courses in digital photography will be conducted in the next five weeks.  The first, to be held on 20 and 21 September, is for owners of compact and SLR digital cameras with manual functions.  Students will learn about the camera’s operation and the essential elements required for improving photographs.  These will include: composition, ISO sensitivity, image quality, white balance, subject matter, exposure modes, lenses, filters and storage options.  Students will also be taught the creative techniques of blurring and freezing movement, as well as how to utilise depth of field.  The course will combine classroom notes and illustrations with outdoor practical shoots.

The second workshop, to be held on 1 and 2 November, is for photographers who understand how to operate manual settings on digital cameras but want the technical and aesthetic know-how to reach the next level.  Attention will be given to producing correctly exposed digital images and assessing natural and artificial lighting conditions.  Exposure compensation, bracketing, metering and histograms will be explained.  The principles of long exposure (night photography) and scanning will also be covered.  The course will combine classroom notes and illustrations with studio and outdoor practical shoots.

The tutor, Debra Pearson, is an arts photographer, tutor and writer.  She holds a BA and Master of Creative Arts (in Photography and Visual Arts) and has taught at regional art galleries and adult community colleges for eight years.  She ran a successful wedding photography business for three years, worked as a community arts photographer for five years, and as a Visual Arts Curator for two years.  Ms Pearson has produced photography for the media and corporate publications, as well as for exhibitions.

Sturt Gallery
Next to exhibit at Sturt Gallery are six young jewellers. These six share workshop facilities situated at the back of the small inner city Melbourne Gallery, called Pieces of Eight.  The exhibition at Sturt Gallery represents an exciting development for these jewellers, as it is the first time they have exhibited in one space together, firstly at Sturt, and then moving on to Inform Gallery in Christchurch, New Zealand.  The exhibition, Pieces of Eight – the Workshop Group, will open on Sunday 14 September at 11am and continue at Sturt Gallery until 19 October 2009.

Twelve-Week Fine Woodworking Course
Five students have just three weeks to complete pieces of furniture to conclude their three-month intensive course in Fine Woodworking.  The next group of students commences on 29 September.

The introduction this year at Sturt of the three-month Fine Woodworking courses has provided the opportunity for a small group of students to develop skills and knowledge, in a format not available previously.  There is still one position vacant for the third course (to commence 29 September) and enrolments are open for courses to be held in 2009.

For all enquiries about any of the above, ring Sturt on 02 4860 2083 or email mpatey@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

The process of subject selection for 2009 has begun for a number of the Year Groups.  The Director of Studies discusses the procedure for Years 11 and 10, with Years 8 and 9 set out below.

Year 8 girls will consider their Year 9 elective choices at the beginning of Term 4.  Students will then choose one subject from each of the three elective lines to be studied in Years 9 and 10.

Year 7 students will be given the option of studying Japanese or French in Year 8 and all girls will begin a unit of Japanese in Term 4.   By the time they are asked to make their language choice for Year 8, towards the end of Term 4, students will have completed units in both French and Japanese.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

Year 12 – Update:  With Trial HSC Examination results sent to parents last week, the focus now is upon completing content, beginning revision and looking at ways to enhance examination technique.

Year 12 HSC Major Works Projects in English Extension 2 and Drama have now been completed and sent away to the Board of Studies.  In Languages, the HSC Speaking Examinations concluded on Saturday with examinations in Japanese Extension and Italian Continuers.

Year 11:  This week Year 11 interviews about patterns of HSC study begin.  To be conducted by the Deputy Head and the Director of Studies, these discussions will centre on the current pattern of study and the final selection of HSC subjects.  There are a number of considerations when choosing a final pattern of study and consultation and final parent approval will occur before the commencement of the HSC course in Term 4.

Year 10:  Information about Year 11 and 12 subject choices will be given to students this week, in time for preliminary choices for the 2010 HSC.  As these preliminary choices serve to assist in the creation of subject lines it is important for students to make considered decisions.

Year 9:  Congratulations to Year 9 students for the way in which they entered and engaged in the Global Forum.  While this approach was anticipated it was excellent to see students immersing themselves fully in discussion of topics such as Afghanistan, Somalia, the United Nations, refugees and civic and global responsibility.

Years 7 & 8:  This week, Years 7 and 8 students continue with their Yearly Examinations.  Examinations do not mark the final assessment items in a course as assessments continue into Term 4.

Mr Matthew McMahon, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

Parties:  For Years 11 and 12 parents a Parent Fact Sheet published by the Youth Safe Organisation and supported by the RTA is enclosed with this newsletter.  NB: The School’s policy and guidelines is to be found on page 48 of the 2008 Handbook.

Last week at the Year 11 and 12 Tuesday evening dinner the group continued its discussion on the American Presidential election, focusing on recent articles on the effect of race on voting, Vice Presidential nominees and looking at the Conventions being held at the moment.  The topic was in response to a request from girls for further information and discussion. 

While the girls have submitted their end-of-term travel requirements, if there are any extra arrangements parents wish to make, please make contact by fax or e-mail by the end of the week.

If purchasing the Summer Uniform from the Clothing Shop, please do so as soon as possible so that alterations can be made to ensure girls have full School Uniform at the start of Term 4.  All clothing must be named.

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

Careers News

Please note our deadline for Early Entry applications, the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) and scholarships (as advised) is Monday 15 September, to allow adequate time for finalisation of the application by the School.

Year 12 students are currently using the UAC website to register their university course choices for 2009/2010.  On-time applications close on 30 September but changes can be made until early January 2009.  This date also applies to many scholarship applications.  While residential College applications can be made at any time, not all Colleges will defer a place.  It is important to check this with individual Colleges as places are in high demand.

Tax File Numbers: These will be processed during the last week of this term.  Application forms are available upon request but must be handed in before 22 September.  On receipt of the application, it can take up to six weeks for the Taxation Department to send tax file numbers to individuals.

Mrs Cherylynne Williams, Careers Adviser

English and Drama

Following are the results of the ICAS Writing Competition for 2008.
Year 7 - Credit: Jessica Burns, Grace Ives, Georgina Witt, Mary Lamond, Julia Aspinall, Rachel Cossetto, Isabeau Gavel, Alexandra Goodman, Edith Gregory, Annabel Locke, Molly Macqueen, Lani Maher, Genevieve Maslin, Hannah McBryde-Marshall, Freya Spencer.  Distinction: Jessica Blackmore, Georgina Clark, Emma McCrabb, Rebecca McCreath, Georgina Whatmore, Lauren Zawal.
Year 8 - Credit: Georgina Alison, Lyreda Bennetts, Eleanor Davies, Rebecca Farquhar, Anna Gemmell-Smith, Kate Hawker, Lucy Hay, Rose Kennedy, Rachel Latimer, Kate Lee, Ainsley Maurer, Annabel Mulready, Ella Purvis, Madeleine Quinn, Jarra Robinson, Georgia Ross.  Distinction: Chloe Andrews, Madeleine Bowdern, Alexandra Graves, Sophia Macken, Alice Scamps-Goodman, Emily Vainsaar.
Year 9 - Credit: Hannah Beith, Kate Daniel, Isabel Faulkner, Hannah Forbes, Emma Gorman, India Irvine, Jade Karp, Rose Kennedy, Eleanor Lawless, Emily Maker, Katherine Miller, Camille Nock, Grace Osborne, Claudia Seyffer, Matilda Street, India Wallace, Cordelia Williamson.  Distinction: Rosetta Freelander, Emily Meredith, Cassandra Perry, Emma Quinn.
Year 10 - Credit: Lilly Ashworth, Tess Brennan, Georgia Fairbairn, Gabriella Marcolin, Charlotte Midson, Grace Musgrove, Beatrice Osborne, Georgina Paton.  Distinction: Guislaine Allen, Harriet Hooke, Rosie Latimer.
Year 11 - Credit: Charlotte Alrich, Emma Campbell, Saskia Dumas, Katherine Evans, Hannah Gunning, Victoria Macarthur-Stanham, Isabelle Moodie, Constance Mort, Grace Nelson, Lucinda Nicolls Small, Rebecca Sampson, Katherine Scott, Olivia Stewart, Isabella Walker-Smith, Amy Wyer.  Distinction: Jesse Ambler, Sophie Bligh, Alexa Mahony, Gemma Moran-Gibson, Isabelle Reynolds.  High Distinction: Madeleine Maslin, Sally Newton.

The HSC Drama Performance Examinations will be held this week on Friday 5 September in Clubbe Hall with an audience from Years 10 and 11 Drama.

Final preparations are being made for the AHIGS Festival of Speech to be held at Meriden and Santa Sabina on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September.  Girls selected to speak will be given programmes early in Week 8 with information for parents who may like to attend the event.

Rehearsals for the Junior production are intensifying as more work is completed on props and costuming in the lead up to the performance on Wednesday 17 September and Saturday 20 September as noted on the Term Calendar.

Entries for the Berkelouw Writing competition are to be submitted to Mrs Chauncy this week.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director of Language Arts

Music

Music of the highest quality was performed at the weekend from the students in the Year 11 Service and Concert and from Old Girls in the Fellowship Musical Soirée.

In the Sunday Service, the Senior Choir performed Mr Cooper’s anthem Jubilate, which was particularly special as Mr Cooper joined Ms Sabine Madden played in play the accompaniment for four hands.

Adriana Bond, Gemma Moran-Gibson and Lucinda Nicolls Small performed solo works in the Year 11 Concert and the Music 1 class, comprising Eleanor Leeming, Molly MacDiarmid, Isabelle Moodie and Victoria Steadman-Towell, presented two pieces.

In a rare combined performance, the Senior Choir and Kennedy Strings presented a contemporary work for choir and orchestra called Rainchant, written by the Australian composer Paul Stanhope.

The relatively new ensemble, the Frensham Jazz Band played two well-rehearsed arrangements:  Moondance and Walking on Sunshine with Year 11 students leading the ensemble and conducted Mr Bunyan.

The Fellowship Musical Soirée performances were inspirational.  Old Girls who are performing professionally returned to present a rich and entertaining programme which was met with great respect from the students.  In turn, the Old Girls were impressed with the quality of performances from the Madrigals and the Senior Choir.

Mr Michael Spencer, Coordinator of Music

Science

Year 10 Science students have almost finished the core study in Science and will be preparing for the yearly examination in Term 4.  At present, they are researching a science issue of their choosing and preparing a script for a pod cast, addressing the positive and negative impacts of the issue on society and the environment.  Some topics include research into dark matter, a bionic brain and early warning tsunami systems.  The script will be spoken and recorded in real time allowing students to demonstrate their ability to communicate scientific issues in an informative and original way.

Last term, Year 9 girls investigated electricity in detail and some students have decided to pursue their interest into the topic in the present assessment task.  It is an open-ended investigation where students determine a method to investigate a hypothesis they have devised.  Examples include the energy efficiency of light globes of differing brands, the effects of temperature on elastic objects and assessing hydrocarbons as fuels.  Students must perform the experiment and obtain data which will result in a conclusion to their experiment.

Mr Jonathan Napthali, Science Teacher

Teaching and Learning

Term 3 will conclude for Years 10, 11 and 12 with significant events marking the transition to the next stage of learning.  The Year 12 Dinner and the Fellowship Breakfast on Thursday 25 September celebrate the completion of secondary studies prior to examinations.  The Year 11 into Year 12 Programme on Wednesday 24 September marks the transition into the HSC year with a seminar on careers and further study and study skills workshops on efficient study methods and time management.

Year 10 students will also undertake a full day seminar on Wednesday 24 September teaching principles and systems for organising resources and materials.  The workshop will be facilitated by Ms Lissanne Oliver, a consultant who specialises in developing simple systems to achieve and maintain order in domestic and corporate settings.  Ms Oliver is applying her expertise to the needs of secondary students.  She is the author of Sorted! The ultimate guide to organising your life once and for all and may be familiar to those who have seen her television broadcasts.  The Organisation Skills day has been scheduled immediately preceding the break to provide Year 10 students the opportunity to implement what they learn as part of their holiday study programme in preparation for examinations.  

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning

Visual Arts and Design & Technology

The Year 12 Visual Arts, Design & Technology and Photography exhibition concluded on Sunday afternoon after being attended by large audiences at the opening on Friday night and during the day on Saturday.  Shirley Becke, Director of The Old Milk Factory Gallery in Bowral, formally opened the exhibition and spoke of the challenges in making creative products which seek to be original, fresh and innovative.  Throughout the works presented by students across the three disciplines, there was great diversity in both the conceptual explorations and the material and technical means by which to express ideas.  Resolving creative products for exhibition takes a great deal of commitment and resilience.  It was pleasing to see the students demonstrate these qualities in abundance over the past weeks.  The willingness in supporting each other in the lead-up to the exhibition and the genuine warmth in which they acknowledged others’ achievements reflected the strong values of community at Frensham.

On Wednesday 10 September, the Design & Technology Major Design Projects will be assessed by markers from the Board of Studies.  This important process will determine in part their achievement in HSC Design & Technology.  The Bodies of Work by students of Visual Arts will be assessed by markers from the Board of Studies in early Term 4.

Mr Phil Alldis, Coordinator of Visual Arts/Design Technology/Photography

PDHPE

This term Year 10 students have been focusing on Ballroom Dancing.  Keith Nicholson, a Ballroom Dancing specialist, has been teaching dances such as the Cha Cha Cha, the Salsa and the Jive.  The girls have enjoyed the sessions and are commended for their enthusiasm and ability to learn the new skills.  

Year 9 girls will be starting a Jazz/Hip Hop unit with the expertise of The Highlands School of Performing Arts (THSPA).  Students will be taught moves which will enable them to create their own group dances, these will then be performed to their classes early next term.  

SPORT

Netball and Hockey
Owing to the AHIGS Festival of Speech being held on Saturday 13 September, there will be no IGSSA Sport on that weekend.  This year, both semi finals and finals will be played on Saturday 20 September.  Venues and times are yet to be decided.  Teams will be notified where and when they will be playing closer to the date.

All School teams are playing and training with commitment.  Results and draw information for all Frensham Hockey and Netball teams can be found on the IGSSA Website http://igssa.ahigs.nsw.edu.au

NSWWHA Centenary Celebrations
Saturday 30 August saw the celebration of 100 years of Women’s Hockey in New South Wales.  The centenary celebrations were held at Frensham as Winifred West and Miss Bryant played an integral part in the development of Hockey in NSW and also because of the links which many Frensham Old Girls have with NSW Women’s Hockey.  The celebrations included tents with memorabilia including uniforms and hockey sticks from the early 1900s, slide show presentations and many photos.

There was a special presentation of the Australian Hockey Blazer belonging to Mrs Jessica Prell (nee Marshall) to Frensham.  Mrs Prell represented Australia in 1953.  Many of her friends and family attended the presentation and the blazer is now part of the Frensham Archives.

The afternoon concluded with a display match between the Moss Vale 1st Grade Women’s Team and a mixed team of Frensham 1sts players and Old Girls.  The game was played with great spirit and it was enjoyed by players and spectators.

Ms Jane Barrett, Acting Sport and PDHPE Coordinator

Wet Weather arrangements for Saturday Sport
Owing to the short season for all IGSSA Sports, every attempt is made to play the inter-school matches and 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.

Means of gaining information concerning play:
IGSSA Wet Weather Line: 1900 922 834
IGSSA WEBSITE: http://igssa.ahigs.nsw.edu.au

Boarding Houses
All of the above are updated throughout the morning.

Snow Sports
The Frensham Snow Team competed last weekend at Thredbo in the State Competition.  All teams completed the races with enthusiasm and confidence.  Adelaide Lang qualified to compete in the Australian Championships in two weeks’ time at Perisher Blue by placing 6th overall in the event.

Thank you to the team managers, Mrs Hanbury, Mr Stewart, Dr Quinn, Mrs Lang, Mrs Gemmell-Smith, Mr Fenaughty and Mrs Sanderson, who accompanied the teams and to the Volunteer Course Officials, Mr Peter Marshall and Mr Ian Maitland.

Ms Joanne Allison, Skiing Coordinator

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