GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 4 NO 1 - 16 OCTOBER 2008

Respect, support and celebration of gifts differing…
With Orientation programmes underway this week for students joining Gib Gate and Frensham in 2009 and interviews for 2010 also scheduled this term for Frensham, response to questions about what we offer and what we value allows us to highlight the uniqueness of our educational approach and our commitment to every student’s progress and development.

Recently I was asked by a prospective parent, ‘What is Frensham known for…?’  Rather than respond, I invited the senior student about to lead a tour of the school for her response.  She replied immediately,  ‘I don’t think we try to be known for any one thing, do we – I think everything has its season at Frensham…it depends on what you are really interested in….it feels like all the important things are valued….?’  The conversation then moved to a discussion of core values that clarified much more than was expected by the interested parent – ‘It is probably more about what is expected of us that is important – there is a really strong sense of respect – for each other, for what people can do and for what will be possible for us to achieve beyond school…by Year 12 we really know each other so well and it feels like everyone has a special part to play….’ 

At Gib Gate, with the end of Year 6 events ahead, a similar sense of celebration of gifts and mutual respect are highlighted in preparation and performance through the end-of-year Production, the Year 6 Dinner with parents, the Year 5/6 Social and Christmas Concert and the end-of-year Assembly led by Year 6.  When new students enter the school they are asked to develop and share their unique set of skills, gifts and talents, in keeping with the responsibility we all share for being the best we can be in order to be of service to others. 

Of equal emphasis is the duty we share to support and encourage others in their development and the expectation that students will learn to care and be purposeful and to reflect and challenge, in order to improve.  Above all, we take an optimistic view to students’ potential for growth, knowing that some of the best results grow from supported achievement in response to the most challenging times.

Students are usually quick to see a link to their personal growth or learning experience when we discuss possible meanings of the proverb: A lion chased me up a tree and I enjoyed the view from the top…. Similarly, teenagers can understand the danger of being over-supervised or over-supported to meet a challenging goal, when they discuss the story of the boy and the cocoon. (…watching the butterfly trying to emerge from its cocoon, the boy can finally bear to watch no more and breaks open the cocoon to set the butterfly free.  Sadly, after spreading its wings and flying for only a few metres, the butterfly falls to the ground and dies….the boy had wanted to help the butterfly by making life easier but in fact the butterfly needed the struggle to gain the strength in its wings that would enable it to fly free and live…) 

We urge all to work with us to inspire children to see learning as growth – so well captured by Teilhard de Chardin in his poem Longing to Grow:

A passionate longing to grow, to become, is what we need.
There can be no place for the anaemic in spirit,
The sceptics, the pessimists, the sad of heart,
the weary, the immobilists.
Life is ceaseless discovery
Life is movement

Enrichment and Inspiration

• 2009 curriculum planning includes expansion and development of our course offering to include:
  • the introduction of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education to the Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12) curriculum from Term 1, 2009
  • establishment of the Language Laboratories for the teaching of Language Studies and Languages other than English (in addition to face-to-face classes in Japanese, French and Latin, currently Frensham supports students enrolled in Open High School German and Italian)
  • a new Elective course is currently being developed to add to the Stage 5 curriculum (Years 9/10) and to be delivered on-line, with mentoring.  This development expands the range of options for study and extends the integration of information technology into independent research programmes.
• The major Visual Arts work by Eve Hoskins, Year 12, has been short-listed by HSC examiners for inclusion in the 2008 ArtExpress exhibition.  Works by four other students are still to be examined as part of the off-campus marking process.
• Sally Stafford, Fiona Davidson, Ms Madden and Mrs Buick have begun to share some of the rich experience gained during their recent three week Exchange visit to Kaifeng High School, China.
• Frensham has just been advised that we have been nominated in the ‘Excellence in Environmental Sustainability’ category for the 2008 Southern Highlands Business Awards for Excellence.  Over many years, students and staff have been working closely with consultants and with local and regional government agencies to improve the quality of the Nattai River and the Upper and Lower Holt areas of the school and currently we are working with bush regeneration experts on a Lower Holt project funded through a Grant offered by the Wingecarribee Shire Council.
• To enrich the opportunity for senior squad development in team sport, within the one-term-per-sport IGSSA model, we are offering from Week 4 of this term, a Senior Squad Development programme similar in concept to the mentoring programmes currently offered to musicians.  Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who wish to be considered for the senior teams in IGSSA team sports, will be given the opportunity to enhance their individual skills and team play in the term prior to the start of the IGSSA Season:

Term 4 2008 – Tennis and Softball, in preparation for Term 1
Term 1 2009 – Basketball and Soccer, in preparation for Term 2 2009
Term 2 2009 – Hockey and Netball, in preparation for Term 3 2009
Term 3 2009 – Cricket, in preparation for Term 4 2009

The programme for these teams, commencing early in the preceding term, will involve morning training sessions and practice matches.  Training sessions will be on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 6.30-7.15am and involvement in this programme will not affect the current term of team sport.  Please contact Mr Marsh if you wish to discuss this proposed opportunity.

Acknowledgement to:

• Year 9 parents who shared responsibility this year for the Saturday morning hosting of IGSSA Sport at the Games Field Pavilion.  Mr & Mrs Faulkner will be in touch with Year 9 parents shortly to invite all to a BBQ lunch and Cricket match on the final day of play (Saturday 22 November), to celebrate a wonderful team effort this year;
• All students who assist with the leadership and management of school events for others – the Gib Gate students who led at the recent T-Year 2 Fun Athletics Carnival, the senior Frensham students who will take major responsibility for hosting parents and students at the overnight Orientation this week and those who continue to offer their services to coach juniors in team sport…;
• Heads of Community Service Sally Newton and Charlotte Alrich whose enthusiasm for fundraising linked to special events has facilitated raising of significant support for Breast Cancer Research through a ‘wear one thing pink’ day and for The Children's Hospital at Westmead, through a Friday night ‘Teddy Bears' Picnic’ to reflect the annual event held in Sydney for that cause;
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recipients – Bronze: Isabel Faulkner; Emma Quinn; Emily Maker; Harriet Robertson; Harriette Nation; Katherine Miller; Victoria Livingston.  Silver: Lucy Hawker; Emma Bowman; Beatriz Grattan-Smith, Harriet Hooke, Polly Paradice, Sarah Loewy.

Gib Gate Advisory Committee
Preliminary notes from the meeting:

• From Week 4 we will trial the e-mailing to parents of the Weekly Bulletin (with the hard copies sent home for the rest of the term also) using the current e-mail address supplied to the School by parents.  Parents will then be asked to advise their preference for distribution in 2009.  Should parents not want to receive an e-mail copy of the Newsletter, please advise the School, per Mrs Russell at Gib Gate, prior to Thursday 6 November;
• The Car Park shelter plans are now with the Council for approval, prior to completion of the structure;
• Allergy Awareness protocols were discussed and Ms Robson outlined the approach Gib Gate is taking in this area;
• The RTA has met with the School to discuss our concerns about safety of entry and exit to the Car Park and parking along Old Bowral Road;
• It was confirmed that the Japanese programme will continue in 2009 and that a teacher has been appointed to commence in January;
• Retiring from the Committee after serving his full three years, Mr Jonathan Purvis was thanked for his active service to the Committee and support of Gib Gate;
• Proposed changes to the Year 6 Parent/Student Dinner were outlined, for advice by Ms Robson to parents of Year 5 and Year 6;
• Uniform matters were raised for the School’s response, including queries about repairs and re limited access to the Shop over the recent vacation.

End of Year Events
A summary of the major community events is included with this Newsletter as an invitation to family and friends of the School.  Please contact us for further details or clarification.

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

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

The T-2 Fun Athletics Carnival was held on Wednesday 22 October.  As the senior students in the K-2 section, Year 2 students worked with Mr Standen prior to the carnival on the planning, organisation and running of the event.  On the day they assisted by setting out the equipment according to their plan and were responsible for the running of activities.  Students enjoyed the opportunity to accept the extra responsibility and acted as positive role models to younger students.  Transition students also enjoyed the day, experiencing another opportunity to socialise with the K-2 section of the school.   

Interaction between Transition and Gib Gate students and teachers will be further strengthened this term as Preschool students begin their formal Transition to School Programme over the next few weeks.  The students are already experienced with many aspects of the School through participation in the T-2 Junior Musical, attending performance assemblies and T-6 events.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Curriculum Insights
The development of students’ problem-solving ability in Mathematics is vital in the teaching of this Key Learning Area from Preschool to Year 6 at Gib Gate.  “Working like a mathematician”, students learn to think creatively and use their developing bank of mathematical facts and strategies to solve problems which require them to utilise individual and group skills to find answers to challenging mathematical questions.  All class programmes introduce, practise and refine important mathematical concepts and teach major strategies while developing each student’s flexibility for problem solving.

In addition to class programmes in Stage 3, Gib Gate offers students the opportunity to enter the annual Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad.  A group of Year 5 and 6 students has successfully completed the 2008 Olympiad.

Gib Gate 2008 Mathematics Olympiad Team: Front row left to right, Livija Berzins (Year 6), Charlotte Vidler (Year 6), William Eustace (year 5), Jonathan Chambers (Year 5), Michael Zawal (Year 5), Alexandra Condon (Year 5) and Olivia Battcock (Year 5).  Back row left to right, Cosi Hofman (Year 6), Georgina Harrington (Year 6), Isabella Conomos (Year 6), Adelaide Wallace (Year 6) and Lilli Jephcott (Year 6).

The Olympiad is open to primary school students from all school systems from Year 6 or below in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, New Guinea, Christmas Islands and Indonesia.  Olympiads consist of five separate contests spread across Terms 2 and 3 and are completed during school hours over a limited time.  While students compete on an individual basis on the Olympiad Day, the one-hour sessions timetabled weekly have enabled the students to work collaboratively with like-minded peers in an across-grade environment as members of the “Gib Gate Olympiad Team”.  This fosters their ingenuity, creativity and enjoyment for Mathematics.  

Year 6 students are commended for their enthusiasm in accepting and completing a challenging programme of mathematical problem solving to represent their school in 2008, with the team score reflecting their dedication and high achievement.  The team comprised Livija Berzins, Isabella Conomos, Georgina Harrington, Cosi Hofman, Lilli Jephcott, Charlotte Vidler and Adelaide Wallace and Year 5 students; Olivia Battcock, Jonathan Chambers, Alexandra Condon, William Eustace and Michael Zawal.  Lilli Jephcott is highly commended for her scoring 20 out of a possible 25 throughout the Olympiad, placing her in the top 10% in the competition.  The students will receive their Certificates of Participation at Performance Assembly prior to the end of Term 4.

Mrs Kate Chauncy, Curriculum Coordinator K-6
Coordinator Gifted & Talented Programmes

Music
Senior Musical: Sinbad Sails Again, the Year 3-6 musical production has performances next week on Thursday 6 November at 12:00noon and Friday 7 November at 6:45pm, in Clubbe Hall.  All students are excited to share the culmination of their work in the Creative Arts.  The work of parents who have been making costumes based on Mrs Wheeler’s concept is appreciated.

Parents’ Choir: Practices will commence shortly in preparation for the Christmas Concert, with notices published in the Weekly Bulletin.  We look forward to parents joining us again this year.

Mrs A Graham, Coordinator

Sport
Summer sports are now underway with Gib Gate teams participating in the local Basketball, Cricket, Tee-ball and Waterpolo competitions.  This summer, Gib Gate has become a centre for the Milo IN2Cricket programme.  This programme runs on a Tuesday afternoon from 3:30pm – 4:45pm.  There are almost 30 children from Preschool to Year 3 involved and this is proving to be great fun for all children.  Last Saturday many responded to the invitation from Cricket NSW to provide lunchtime entertainment at the One Day match between the Indian Women’s Cricket Team and NSW at the Bradman Oval.

Equestrian
The Camden Interschools Equestrian event was held at the Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park on the 20 September.  Gib Gate was represented by Valentina  Aliprandi (Year 3), Lauren Chapman, Sophie Driver, Georgina Harrington and Yasmine Taylor (Year 6).  There was strong competition with over 30 competitors in each class and in their respective Hacking classes, Valentina and Lauren were placed well.  In the 60cm showjumping with over 60 competitors in the class, Sophie was placed third and Lauren fourth. Lauren also gained a fourth in the 60cm Showjumping equitation. 

Cricket
Jonathan Chambers, Nicholas Crowley and Robert O’Brien (Year 5) were selected for the Highlands District Cricket Association Under 12 representative squad.  Nicholas went on to be selected in the final 12.

Athletics
Cedric Hely (Year 3), Isabella Conomos and Lilli Jephcott (Year 6) represented Gib Gate at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships at Homebush on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 September.

Mr Michael Standen, PE and Sport Coordinator

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)

Extended trading hours at Sturt
Sturt Café will be open till 4pm this week, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October.  (Normally the Café closes at 3pm on these days.)

Sturt Gallery will be open till 7pm on the Friday evenings of 21 and 28 November and 5 December.  Mark these dates in your calendar for a relaxed opportunity for Christmas shopping, and bring a friend to enjoy a glass of champagne on the lawn at Sturt. 

The Sturt School for Wood Graduating exhibition, Connection, will be opened this year by Tony Emmett, at 2pm Saturday 29 November.  The following exhibition, The Gib, brings together for the first time artists John Lascelles, Steve Harrison, Robyn Kinsela and Tony Ameneiro from the Southern Highlands to show work based on Mount Gibraltar.  Drawing inspiration from the recently published book, The Gib will be opened by Jan Jones at 6pm on Friday 19 December, 2008.

Short Courses in November
There are still positions in the Advanced Digital Photography course to be held this weekend (1 and 2 November).  The tutor, Debra Pearson, is an arts photographer, tutor and writer who has produced photography for the media and corporate publications, as well as for exhibitions.  For more details and enrolment details, ring Sturt 02 4860 2083.

Slide evenings at Sturt
7 November, Sturt Cottage 6 for 6.15pm
Toby Muir-Wilson the teacher for the third Twelve-Week Fine Woodworking Course at Sturt will show images of his work and scenes from his home in northern Tasmania.  Mr Muir-Wilson has been making furniture for over 30 years and believes that this must be based on a thorough understanding of hand skills, knowledge of structures and experience with materials thus continuing the philosophy common to all teaching at Sturt.  In particular, he enjoys using wood sourced not only using sustainable practices but also, wherever possible using wood which has some kind of connection with the client.  Tasmanian timber is always a feature in Mr Muir-Smith’s work and a fine example of Toby’s work, a huon pine blanket box, is displayed at Sturt Gallery.
21 November – Steve Harrison
Steve Harrison, will show images of recent ceramics at Sturt Cottage on Friday evening, 21 November.  Mr Harrison is as fascinated by the research which informs centuries of ceramics, as well as by making the pieces themselves.  He has been particularly interested in developing clay, glaze and firing materials, sourced entirely from local materials.  In doing this, Mr Harrison feels he is building on the work started by Ivan McMeekin at Sturt Pottery in 1954 who made pots which represent the geology of the Southern Highlands.  He is one of the only potters in Australia working in this way, making his pots unique.  Mr Harrison’s work is displayed at Sturt Gallery, from 26 October till 23 November.

Sturt Summer School 3-8 January 2009
Enrolments are being taken for the Summer School, with several courses filling quickly.  There are vacancies in the following courses: Calligraphy with Lexie Arlington; An Introduction to Drawing with Kit Bullivant; Making a Bodhran with Geoff Tonkin; Marquetry with Leo Huyghebaert; Milinery with Waltraud Reiner; Acrylic Painting with Sara Farmer; Pastels with Lynne Flemons; Soldering and Rivetting to make Rings with Marcello Zavala-Baeza and making an Upholstered Stool with John Gallagher.  Ring Sturt for enrolments requirements or visit the website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

For all enquiries regarding Sturt please ring 02 4860 2083.

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

Jamieson Weekends began at Frensham in 1986 when a portion of the Hilda Jamieson bequest was used to buy camping equipment.  The last week of Term 4, Jamieson Week, has traditionally focused on Community Service, outdoor activities, creative activities and pastoral care and academic care sessions.

Planning is underway for Jamieson Week 2008 and a timetable of activities will be available shortly.  Including also the traditional Christmas lunch, the week will involve two matinée performances of the end-of-year production, Pajama Game, for the local Primary Schools.  Other activities include: visits to local Nursing Homes to present gifts and to sing Christmas Carols; various Year Group activities including ‘Summer Safari’ and ‘Self-defence’ for Year 10; a ‘Secret Whole-School Activity’ led by Year 12 and community service work in conjunction with the local council.

Time is also allocated for preparation for the Final Prayers and Carol Service.  The Sports Department will be holding trials for Tennis and Softball Teams for the Term 1, 2009, IGSSA Competition.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

As part of its regular monitoring and evaluation, the NSW Board of Studies is reviewing aspects of the Higher School Certificate examinations and school assessment procedures.  This review has stemmed from both the 2006 BOS Assessment Roundtable as well as the NSW ICAC Report into the Board of Studies’ assessment procedures.

The major issues to which the BOS is now responding, involve concerns about over-assessment, excessive examination pressure (leading to an increase in student stress levels) as well as inconsistencies in the assessment and examination requirements of different courses.

Some of the general proposed changes include: (i) reducing the number of assessments in 2 Unit courses to only four assessment tasks and assessment tasks in 1 Unit courses to three; (ii) including more student planning time in examinations; (iii) providing clear advice on what is expected of students when responding to examination questions; (iv) reducing limitations on subject assessment schedules (eg the number of examination or test items) thereby providing more opportunities to ensure the authenticity of a student’s work; (v) bringing in line the duration of examinations so that a 2 Unit course would be a 3 hour examination and a 1 Unit course would be 1½ hours; (vi) providing greater consistency to the way in which subjects are examined – including greater parity between the number of objective items which a student can be expected to answer.

At present, schools, teachers and interested parties have been asked to respond to the specific subject proposals which have been posted on the Board’s website (the changes and potential implications for each subject differ considerably across subjects).  Accordingly, various faculties at Frensham have sent off comments and responses to these proposals.

The BOS review will be released to schools early in the new year.  While still in the consultation phase, however, it is important to note that none of these changes would be implemented before the 2010 HSC. 

Mr Matthew McMahon, Director of Studies

Teaching and Learning

On Friday 14 November Professor Andrew Martin will address Year 12, 2009.  Dr Martin is a psychologist and researcher specialising in Educational Psychology.  In 2002, the American Psychological association judged his PhD the world’s most outstanding doctorate in Educational Psychology.  Dr Martin has conducted extensive research into student motivation, engagement and achievement as well as gifted and talented education and educational resilience.

Dr Martin will guide Year 12 through research into the factors that “boost” and “guzzle” student motivation and introduce tools to improve student enthusiasm.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

Director of Boarding

Year 12 2009 organised a successful Friday night activity, Soccer on the Games Field.  

House Staff are continuing their Professional Development sessions with Mrs Di Francesco.  As part of an evaluation programme for Boarding these sessions are examining practices and procedures with close reference to the values of the School.

This week the final HSC examinations take place with Year 12 students returning home.  They will return for Final Prayers and the Carol Service.

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

English and Drama

Lucinda Nicolls Small and Emma Campbell (Year 12 2009) attended the Rotary State Conference at Sussex Inlet on Sunday 2 November where Lucinda was representing the Berrima and District Rotary Club in the Rotary 4 Way Speaking Competition.  They were privileged to hear Li Cunxin as the keynote speaker and following is a brief report in which they share some of the highlights.

“Li Cunxin, author of Mao’s Last Dancer and former world-class ballet dancer, shared memories of his childhood and told the audience of the long and difficult road which he had travelled to become the internationally renowned dancer and author he is today.  He shared the story of his selection as a dancer for Mao’s Cultural Revolution and his defection to the West.

“Not only was his message about the rewards of dedication and hard work to achieve your goals inspirational and the story of his life even more so, but his speaking style and charisma were indescribable.  He had such a commanding presence and the audience was moved by his grace and evident inner peace.  It was a privilege to hear him speak.”  Lucinda Nicolls Small, Emma Campbell.

At the conclusion of the School Certificate Examination period, students in Year 10 English will explore ideas about how values and context are represented in the film the Mona Lisa Smile.  Set in the 1950s, this film very clearly demonstrates the values of the time and allows students to develop their skills in critical literacy.

Year 12 Extension 2 English students are making decisions concerning their Major Works and working on the Proposal with which they commit to the process for the development of their work.  Students work independently, and also meet with a mentor on a weekly basis or more regularly if needed in allocated lessons.  They also meet as a group when required.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language Arts

HSIE

Recently, Year 12 Geography 2009 took part in fieldwork in the Upper Holt as part of the topic Ecosystems at Risk.

Students were able to enhance their skill development across several areas, including: soil testing, measuring direction, identifying aspect and observations of differences in vegetation. 

Students enjoyed enhancing their skills and, as a result of these studies, have constructed a fieldwork report which analyses the differences in ecosystems caused by differences in biophysical interactions. 

Year 12 2009 Modern History students are commended for their preparation for the School Remembrance Day Service under the guidance of Ms Judith Bradley.  They also represented the School at the Mittagong RSL Commemoration of Remembrance Day Service, where Madeleine Maslin (Year 12 2009) prepared and delivered a Remembrance Day speech on behalf of students in the district.

Mr Matthew McMahon, HSIE Coordinator

Mathematics

On Thursday 30 October, all students in Years 7 and 8 were involved in a hands-on mathematical experience provided by the visiting ‘World of Maths’ organisation.  Situated in School Hall, the various problem-solving activities, relating strands of the Mathematics syllabus to real-life situations, challenged and entertained the students.  For example, in the ‘Music from Maths’ activity, students learned what Pythagoras had discovered 2500 years ago: that the octave has a ratio of 2:1.  If a string is halved it will produce the same tone, only one octave higher.  Pythagoras found all the notes in the octave with fractions: starting with a ‘C’ string, 8/9 of it gives a ‘D’, 4/5 an ‘E’, 3/4 an ‘F’, 2/3 a ‘G’, 3/5 an ‘A’, 11/20 a ‘B’ and 1/2 back to ‘C’.  The students were successful in playing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ using the relevant fractions.

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Mathematics Coordinator

Music

Concert Practice held last Wednesday featured a wonderful range of performances given by girls of all ages.  It was particularly exciting to witness Year 7 students performing for the first time and displaying such talent.  The following students are commended for their performances: Hannah Beith, Jessica Blackmore, Madeleine Bowdern, Catherine Hall, Rosie Latimer, Annabel Locke, Georgina MacDiarmid, Joscelyn Markerink, Genevieve Maslin, Emily Milne, Georgia Nelson, Madeleine Quinn, Kate Ramsay, Harriet Robertson and Teresa Santonastaso.  Ms Sabine Madden accompanied many of the students and Mrs Mercer and Ms Jarczewski were conducting the Glenn and Kennedy Strings in their respective performances.

Confirmation Service Sunday 16 November
Senior Choir members are reminded to meet on Sunday at 1.30pm on the North Lawn or 2.00pm at St Stephen’s Church, Mittagong.

Mr Michael Spencer, Coordinator of Music

Science

The recent achievement of Rachel Latimer, Year 8, and her ‘Easygirth’ on The New Inventors confirms the importance of creativity as part of Science courses at Frensham.  Whilst Rachel’s invention gained attention for its clever solution to a problem, all Science students have the opportunity to use their imagination and express ideas when solving problems.  This is an important step in the process which contributes to the vast body of scientific knowledge that we use on a daily basis.  It is noteworthy that Rachel began with a problem that required a solution and from there she applied the processes which most scientists would use, including development of a possible solution, accumulation of background research and the use of prior knowledge, followed by construction and testing of the idea.

In a paper published by the Australian Council for Educational Research in 2007 titled ‘Re-imagining Science Education - Engaging students in science for Australia’s future’, Professor Russell Tytler states: “Australia could productively take to increase student engagement in learning and doing science.  These pathways have in common that they focus on a science that is contemporary and contextually rich, on pedagogies that encourage student agency and engagement in significant learning, and on a multi-faceted view of the nature of science”.

Science teaching and learning programmes at Frensham align closely with Professor Tytler’s views in that they are largely contextually based and place emphasis on student learning through scientific processes, not simple memorisation of the curriculum.  Furthermore, he suggests that there is a need to “better link science with its technological and social implications” and at Frensham this is achieved through carefully planned programmes in a well resourced environment.  By encouraging this in all students, Science will remain relevant and interesting and there will be a continuation of satisfying outcomes from this process such as Rachel’s innovation. 

Mr Jason Smith, Coordinator of Science

Young Achievement Australia

The past weeks have been full of activity for the 17 members of the “Betty and Fred” Young Achievement Australia (YAA) team.  The students have been selling their cookbooks, performing stock takes, completing the liquidation process for the winding up of the company, writing the 2008 Annual Report, preparing financial statements, writing dividend cheques and attending to other administrative tasks.

The company “Betty and Fred” will be returning a handsome dividend to its shareholders, during its operation the company earned a net profit of $5,924.  A dividend of $7.32 per $2 share will be paid to each shareholder, representing a return on equity of 366%.  To achieve this strong financial result the “Betty and Fred” team sold over 800 cookbooks and raised $3,600 from the sale of advertising space.  In addition, the team is able to donate a share of the profits, totalling $940 to Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets charity.

The students have had considerable success at a number of YAA Awards evenings which have recognised their developing entrepreneurial skills and talents.  It has also been a fitting way for the students to celebrate their successful completion of the YAA Business Skills Programme in 2008.

On Wednesday 29 October, eight members of the “Betty and Fred” team and Ms Williams attended the YAA Illawarra Region Awards Dinner at the Novotel Hotel, Wollongong, where the company was the recipient of a number of business awards including Company of the Year and Business Plan Award.  A Special Commendation was also awarded in the Manufacturing Award category.  Lucy Brennan of Year 12 (2007 NSW Young Business Person of the Year), attended the event as an awards presenter.  She gave a short speech before presenting the 2008 Illawarra Business Person of the Year Award, describing her YAA experience, and the benefits received from participating in such a programme.

On Saturday 8 November, four “Betty and Fred” representatives, Hannah Burrows, Jasmine Cain, Emily Cameron and Alexa Mahony travelled with Mrs Buick to the YAA ACT & Southern NSW Region Awards Dinner, at the Marque Hotel in Canberra.  This occasion showcased the small businesses which had been created by Year 11 students throughout the ACT, Illawarra and Southern NSW region.  “Betty and Fred” received further recognition by winning the awards for Company of the Year and Business Plan.  The “Betty and Fred” company is now entered in the YAA National Awards and will compete with other State and Territory finalists in the categories of Company of the Year and Business Plan.

Pictured from left to right: Amelia Caspers, Emily Alison, Alexa Mahony, Eleanor Leeming, Jasmine Cain, Tamara Smart, Emily Cameron and Hannah Burrows at the YAA Illawarra Region Awards Dinner.

The students are to be commended for these achievements and for all their hard work and effort in starting up and operating their own small business.

Throughout the completion of the 2008 Business Skills Programme, the “Betty and Fred” team has been expertly guided and mentored by volunteers from the Southern Highlands community including: Mr Edward George, Mr Chris Pearsall of Sydney Capital Partners and Mr Martin Fenaughty of Bray & Associates Chartered Accountants.  Expertise and support were provided with graphic design and publishing by Mr David Horsburgh of Production Express and Mrs Coty Farquhar.  Mr Mark and Mrs Cynthia Newham have been generous in providing financial sponsorship of the programme in 2008 for which the team is most thankful.

The Year 11 “Betty and Fred’ team: Emily Alison, Charlotte Alrich, Sophie Bligh, Hannah Burrows, Jasmine Cain, Emily Cameron, Amelia Caspers, Eleanor Leeming, Annabel Livingston, Victoria Macarthur- Stanham, Alexa Mahony, Madeleine Maslin, Jessica Nagel, Grace Nelson, Lucinda Reynolds, Tamara Smart and Cassandra Wait-Hughes.

Ms Machelle Williams, YAA Coordinator
Teacher of Business Studies and Economics

Sport

Attention all Swimmers

From Wednesday 5 November, Swimming on Wednesday and Friday mornings will be at Bowral Pool.  The bus will leave Stanley Street at 6.05am and return by 7.30am. 

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings Swimming will remain at the Mittagong Pool.

Cricket
Year 7 Cricket players have the opportunity to participate in a Cricket Australia skills-based coaching programme with a specialist coach.  The programme will run for five weeks and will be held on Tuesdays. 

The CricHit course teaches the basics of Cricket in an enjoyable and safe environment.  Junior Associations across New South Wales are embracing this programme as it enables each region to develop a reasonably untapped resource of female Cricket players, therefore strengthening women’s Cricket across the state.  

Swimming
Swimming training is continuing with girls furthering skills and fitness levels at six separate sessions.

Tennis Skills
Tennis players continue to develop their skills in preparation for the 2009 IGSSA competition.  Girls are playing round-robin matches against similar standard students on Friday and Saturday mornings.  All students also have skills-based sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with Mr Michael Poulos and other specialist coaches.

Tennis and Softball selections for Term 1 2009
Tennis and Softball selections will commence during Jamieson week.  All girls must have hats and are encouraged to have their own drink bottle for training and matches.

All Softball players must have a mouth guard and shin pads and it is compulsory for all batters to be wearing helmets throughout training sessions and games.  All kits at training sessions and games have enough helmets to provide for this safety requirement; however, as helmets need to be adjusted to accommodate all head sizes it may be beneficial for parents to purchase helmets for their daughters.

Mrs Amanda Wansey, Coordinator of Sport

Wet Weather arrangements for Saturday Sport
Due 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 the above are updated throughout the morning.

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