GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 1 NO 1 - 5 FEBRUARY 2009

In preparation for the Opening of the new Esther Tuckey Library on Sunday 1 March by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of News South Wales, several colleagues have worked with me on tracing the history of library facilities within Winifred West Schools and, particularly, the impact of English Mistress Miss Esther Tuckey whose teaching career at Frensham spanned 1920 to 1962, with a brief period of teaching in the United Kingdom in the mid 1920s.  For part of a display on a feature wall in the new Library we have drawn the following from the Frensham Chronicle of 1971, the year of the Opening of the original Library named in honour of Miss Tuckey:  The Esther Tuckey Library was opened on 4 December…Joan Phipson introduced Miss Tuckey, who was to perform the opening ceremony…To illustrate the theme of her talk on the Importance of Reading, in an age when wireless and television threaten the use of books, Miss Tuckey called on Rosemary Dobson to read a passage from Thoreau’s Walden on the difference between the spoken and written word and the perennial value of the classics…

It was noted that: ‘the presence at the Opening of six ‘live authors’… (Beatrice Bligh, Rosemary Dobson, June Epstein, Nancy Keesing, Joan Phipson and Esther Tuckey)… may have fired the ambition of others yet to be, for whom the Library will become an inspirer and educator.’  In addition to the writers present an exhibition featured works by Old Girls Helen Blaxland, Lena Curd, Annette Macarthur-Onslow and Rosalie McCutcheon.

In these first few weeks of 2009 the sense of history in the making has been powerful – new facilities, new students, new teachers and new families – all building the future at Gib Gate, Frensham and Sturt.  We continue to draw inspiration from that sense of excitement and optimism embedded in our past, in accordance with text that is now etched on the mezzanine floor glass of the Library…from ‘Addresses and Talks’ by Winifred West (1945) Each generation has its dreams of what the world might be….you are needed, your integrity is needed…your vitality is needed and your dreams are needed…

Please work with us to help shape that future for the children and adult learners in our care.

Changes for 2009 & Events Ahead
In a series of photographs in this Newsletter we have tried to capture some of the property and facilities development achieved over the vacation.  Also, with major community events on this year’s calendar, your attention is drawn to what lies ahead for parent involvement and/or support over the next few weeks:

Vacation Works / New Resources - Summary

Gib Gate:

• New Car Park pavilion for roundabout – completed;
• Internal painting of classrooms;
• Installation of interactive whiteboards in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 classrooms.

Frensham:

• The new Esther Tuckey Library ready for full usage (on the site of the original Esther Tuckey Library) and completion of St Francis Courtyard landscaping;
• Bathroom upgrades for Turner House;
• Installation of interactive whiteboards in all remaining classrooms in HSIE, English, PDHPE and Languages;
• External painting of the Schavemaker Centre for Science and Technology and of School Hall;
• New beds and bases in all Years 7-10 spaces and in Bryant House;
• Renovation of Bryant House staff quarters.

Academic Highlights
Prior to Christmas, by separate letter we forwarded to parents the initial summary of Higher School Certificate results for Year 12, 2008 and we have recently received advice about University Offers.  Highlights not previously reported include:

• the achievements notified this week of Odetta Davison and Jessica Kennedy who were placed 7th and 9th respectively in HSC Latin Extension, bringing to a total of six the number of Frensham students achieving a ‘top ten’ result in HSC studies NSW in 2008.
• Jesse Ambler (HSC Japanese 2008) has been accepted into a Distinction course in Philosophy to study alongside her final HSC subjects of English, Mathematics and Mathematics Extension, Chemistry and Latin.

Also received over the vacation were the School Certificate Test results for Year 10, 2008, with highlights including:

• Band 6 level (90+), results in all subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography) were well above state average (up to six times higher);
• As a cohort, students gained the highest number of Band 6 results recorded in the past ten years at Frensham;
• In SC Geography, Harriet Hooke gained a Test result of 100/100 and Charlotte Midson a result of 99/100; in SC Science and SC History, Teresa Santonastaso gained a Test result of 98/100;
• Twenty-five girls (45% cohort) gained a School Certificate Test average of more than 85: Sarah Loewy, Teresa Santonastaso, Tess Brennan, Harriet Hooke, Guislaine Allen, Rosie Latimer, Jordan Ashby, Arabella Kilmartin, Tess Hanna, Lucy Hawker, Charlotte Midson, Antonia Cadell, Annabel Hyles, Lucia Mentink, Alice Lee-Warner, Jacklyn Wyer, Grace Musgrove, Fiona Davidson, Gabriella Marcolin, Beatriz Grattan-Smith, Clara Lamond, Zoë Philip and Isis Oliver (Emma Bowman and Isabelle Gillespie, who were on Exchange, gain estimated marks that placed them in this group) and 65% of the current Year 11 gained a Year 10 School Certificate Test average of more than 80;
• 46.2% students gained a Mathematics Test result of more than 80 and in the English Literacy Test (English is the only mandatory subject for girls when they continue with Years 11 and 12) 76.4% of the cohort gained a result of 80+;
• Averages for the entire cohort were also well above State Mean in all subjects, as noted below:

Students
Whilst the full listing of Frensham Student Leaders was published at the start of Term 4 last year, the following positions were confirmed at Final Prayers, December 2008:

Acknowledgement to:

• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recipients: Bronze: Emily Meredith, Carolina Merriman,  Ashleigh Mulé and Claudia Seyffer and Silver: Jordan Ashby, Katherine Evans, Rosie Latimer, Matilda Reynolds, and Zoë Philip;
• Student Shadows, Heads of Houses, Heads of Day Boarders and Prefects for their efforts in the welcome of new students and their families at Orientation;
• Mrs Reiko Yokoyama, Japanese Assistant teacher for 2009.  Reiko will live on campus at Frensham and work with Mrs Reidy at both Frensham and Gib Gate;
• Australia Day Poetry Competition joint winners, invited to read at the Berrima Australia Day Celebrations: Hannah Forbes and Jacqueline Miller, Year 10;
• Sturt staff and tutors for the highly successful Summer School of just over 200 students;
• Iris Award recipients (Term 4 2008): Lucinda Beak for Sport, Odetta Davison for Academic Excellence and Rosie Nielsen for Service to Boarding;
• Staff - for the detailed preparation completed in anticipation of the start of a new academic year.

Staffing
Further to advice in the 2009 Information Book, please find here details of changes in staffing, including promotional positions and location of resident staff:

Welcomed back to Winifred West Schools from the start of 2009 after a year’s leave:
Ms Mary Kidner, teacher of French (& Coordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme);
Ms Kelly Chalmers, teacher of Year 4 at Gib Gate.
Promotional positions:
Mrs Susan Flaxman - appointed to the Executive staff of Frensham as Director of Studies, maintaining her role as Head of Mathematics;
Mrs Jacky McCarroll - joining the Faculty Coordinators as Head of HSIE for 2009;
Mrs Sally Musgrove, Coordinator PDHPE/Sport at Gib Gate (replacing Mr Michael Standen, on Leave for 2009).
Expansion of Role:
Mrs Anne Graham, full time from the start of 2009 and teaching Music from Gib Gate to Year 8, Frensham.
New Staff:
Frensham:
Mrs Anthea Falkiner, teacher of English;
Dr Mary Finsterer, part-time teacher of Composition for Elective classes in Music (new programme).
Gib Gate & Frensham:
Ms Karen Reidy, teacher of Japanese
Ms Georgina Bean, School Assistant at Gib Gate, working in Pre-School and Kindergarten and Assistant in Hartfield House;
Mrs Belinda Hill, part-time teacher of Science (Frensham) and Gib Gate (Senior Extension, new programme).
Gib Gate:
Mrs Alicia Cardwell, part-time teacher of Mathematics (new programme) and relief teaching.
Sturt:
Mr Niklavs Rubenis & Mr John Gallagher - teachers of the full time course in the Sturt School for Wood.
Boarding:
Director of Boarding:          Mrs Ros Buick
Coordinator of Boarding:   Mrs Amanda Wansey
Weekend Coordinator:       Mrs Avril Goldsack
Senior Teachers in Boarding - location for 2009
Kennedy:           Mrs Jayme Rafferty
Hartfield:            Mrs Trish Symons
McCarthy:         Mrs Leonie Harris
Resident teachers:
Mrs Karen Reidy, Japanese - Hartfield
Mrs Liliane Heininger, French - Linden/Turner
Ms Sophie Piper, Photography – Bryant

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

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

Gib Gate welcomed 38 new students from Preschool to Year 6 in 2009.  Families of Gib Gate (FOGG) Welcome Drinks function, Friday 6 February, will be an ideal opportunity for the Gib Gate community to welcome new parents to the School.

Stage two of the Car Park project, funded by Winifred West Foundation, is now complete with only a few final touches to the new pavilion required.  The extensive work has improved the safety and comfort of children being dropped off and picked up from School.  Parent cooperation and patience as the new staggered finish time is being trailed are appreciated.

Parents who have volunteered to be FOGG Class representatives for 2009 are thanked and the School looks forward to working alongside the Gib Gate Advisory Committee and FOGG class representatives.  Currently there are vacancies in all years; if you are interested in becoming a representative please call the Gib Gate School Secretary Mrs Karen Russell.  (Gib Gate Advisory Committee Member details are located in the first section of the Newsletter.) 

The aim is to give Gib Gate parents the opportunity to get together for social functions and to share the load with regard to supporting School events.  The first FOGG Class Representative Meeting will be held on Monday 16 February (8.45am Gib Gate Library).  After this meeting Class Representatives will be contacting parents with news of upcoming events and how they can become involved.

At the Gib Gate Performance Assembly on Friday, Year 6 students will be presented with their monitor’s roles and badges for 2009.  The awarding of monitors roles in Year 6 is part of the Young Leaders’ Programme at Gib Gate.  During 2009, Year 6 students and Ms Robson will meet on a weekly basis to focus on the skills and attitude needed for effective student leadership.  The Young Leaders’ programme consists of class lessons, activities and community projects and is based around the five building blocks of responsibility: public speaking, confidence, organisation and team skills.  Year 6 students started the leadership programme during Term 4 2008 and over the next few weeks the School will be working together to finalise job descriptions, to set appropriate goals and to put procedures in place which will assist the students in fulfilling their roles.  The major emphasis being for the Year 6 class to work as a leadership team within the School and for it to experience the personal growth associated with such a role.

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

Sturt School for Wood
A new year at the Sturt School for Wood has commenced, with teachers Mr John Gallagher from Sydney and Mr Niklavs Rubenis from Canberra.  Both teachers bring the experience of strong contemporary practice to the Wood School.  Mr Gallagher makes commissioned pieces from his studio in Sydney and has created furniture for both commercial and domestic customers in Sydney and interstate.  In the past five years, he has also taught fine woodworking at Sturt and Lidcombe TAFE, Sydney.

Mr Rubenis is an honours graduate from the Furniture/Wood Workshop, Australian National University, where he studied under Dr Rodney Hayward.  His work is characterised by fusing traditional woodworking techniques with new technologies and he has exhibited widely both locally and overseas.  Mr Rubenis’s designer/maker practice and industry experiences are broad and he brings this to his teaching at the Sturt.

Positions are still open for students to attend the full time course. Enquiries to Ms Patey on 4860 2080.

The first Twelve-Week Wood Course has commenced with tutor, Mr Michael Fortune.  There are two vacancies in this course, and students may still enrol until February 16.

Designer/maker, teacher and mentor, Mr Fortune is one of Canada’s most respected furniture masters.  Since his career began 33 years ago, Mr Fortune has become acclaimed for his innovative designs for one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces.  In 1993 Mr Fortune received the prestigious Prix Saidye Bronfman, Canada’s highest award in the crafts.  Judged by his peers, he was the first woodworker to receive this award.  Mr Fortune works from a large workshop near Toronto in Canada designing and making furniture for a wide range of clients, receiving the 2007 Award of Distinction from the Furniture Society.  There have been 14 recipients and Michael is the first Canadian to receive this prestigious award.

Part-time classes in jewellery, fine woodworking, weaving and ceramics have commenced for Term I.  Mr Paul Davis will continue to teach the Wednesday ceramic classes for Term I.

Winter School and Short Courses
Information regarding the Winter School and Short Course program for 2009 is available on the Sturt website.  For all enquiries regarding all courses at Sturt, phone Sturt Gallery on 4860 2083 or view the website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au.

Sturt Gallery
The Gib, an exhibition celebrating Mt Gibraltar in printmaking, photography and ceramics, has received an excellent response over January with many of the pieces from this exhibition being sold.  Continuing until 15 February, the following exhibition will feature tapestries by Valerie Kirk, Head of Textiles, at Canberra University, to open at 11am Sunday 22 February.

Friends of Sturt AGM
The Friends of Sturt AGM will be held at Sturt Cottage, Sunday 15 February at 5pm.  All Friends of Sturt members are welcome.

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

As expected, the girls have returned to School with a positive attitude and are well prepared for the year ahead.

The first round of IGSSA Sport will begin this weekend and girls in Year 7 are looking forward to their first matches.

Most Extra-Subject and Co-curricular activities began at the beginning of Week 2 with timetables for tennis lessons and music lessons now finalised.  The final planning for Dance classes is now in process and the timetable will be available early Week 3.

Medical forms for Outdoor Education Week for girls in Years 7-10 are included with this newsletter.  These and the permission slip are to be returned by Monday 16 February.  Forms and other information about the camps are available from the OEG website (www.oeg.net.au).  The username for the School’s section of the website is frensham and the password west.  Equipment lists for Outdoor Education Week are in the Frensham Information Book, pages 44 and 45.  Detailed information about the programme for each year group will be included in the next newsletter.

Senior Studies and Leadership Seminars for Years 11 and 12 will be held in conjunction with the ODE programme.  Information and permission slips are included with this newsletter.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

Students have settled into their classes enthusiastically, ready to take on the challenges of a new academic year.  Year 12 students, who have already completed one term of their HSC courses, have spent time in their vacation revising all coursework and preparing for their first assessment task in Week 2.  Over the next three terms they will complete an assessment programme contributing 50% towards their final HSC mark in each course.  

For Year 11 students entering the final stage of secondary schooling, undertaking HSC Preliminary courses presents a new and different challenge.  Having chosen the programme of study which bests suits their learning profiles and tertiary aspirations, they now need to become more independent learners.  For the first time, they will have occasional study periods during the school day and it is essential that they use these wisely.  These study periods provide them with the added opportunity to meet with their teachers and to access the excellent resources available.  Success in study depends not only on aptitude and hard work but on effective methods of study, so their teachers will support them in developing efficient study plans and timetables.

For Year 7 students, this is a momentous time as they learn how to prepare for many different lessons and teachers throughout each day, and they have made a very smooth start.  In Years 8, 9 and 10, students have chosen elective courses to complement their mandatory studies, with Year 10 students completing their School Certificate programme at the end of this year.

Three very useful habits of mind which students need in order to become engaged and effective learners are:

• Persisting – not giving up when they encounter a difficulty
• Thinking flexibly – being able to change perspectives
• Managing impulsivity – thinking before acting

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

The School has welcomed new students, returning students and exchange students over the last few days.  They have been renewing friendships, meeting new people and seeing all the changes that have taken place; this has created a mood of excitement. New beds and the plasma televisions in Kennedy and Hartfield drew strong comments of appreciation. 

Boarding affords the experience of developing strong friendships and camaraderie within a supportive environment. At Frensham, the links across year groups and ages for every student are particularly significant, fostered through the School’s Shadow and Crack system as detailed in the Information Book.

Last weekend’s activities were varied, with soaring temperatures drawing most to spend some time at the Mittagong Pool.  Games in the Gymnasium, dancing in Clubbe Hall, touch football on the Games Field and Sports Trials and Clinics involved girls in every year.  Sunday Service was led by Year 12, Sunday afternoon was ‘Feet off the Floor’ for juniors and Year 10 had a House leadership workshop.  Years 11 and 12 had study periods on both Saturday and Sunday and Year 12 finished their weekend with a dinner with Ms Gillick. 

Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Boarding

Careers News

Congratulations to Year 12, 2008 on outstanding HSC results.  All students who applied for tertiary studies received a university offer within their first three preferences.  It is interesting to note that this cohort has chosen to study at ten universities across NSW, the ACT and Melbourne and the range of courses is broad.  Some have decided to defer acceptance of an offer for 12 months in order to work so that they gain eligibility for Youth Allowance payments when they do commence their studies.  The School is keen to hear from former students (or their parents) to know where they are now and their future plans.  Please email Mrs Williams with news: cwilliams@frensham.nsw.edu.au

This week, Year 12, 2009 will participate in the annual University of Wollongong “Discovery Days” Programme where they are treated as university students for the day.  Areas of interest were chosen late last year so that an individual programme could be organised.  The girls will attend lectures, tutorials and workshops covering a broad range of subject areas, providing a valuable insight into tertiary study.  In March, a visit to the campuses of the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra (UC) will take place.

Year 10 students and their parents are reminded that planning for their mid-year Work Experience needs to be well underway.  Potential work placements need to be sourced and applications made well in advance.  It is recommended that students have a backup placement in mind.  Advice from some parents about placements has been received and the School will be sending its information package to respective employers during the next vacation.

Please note: details of confirmed Work Experience placements are required by the end of this term at the latest, to enable the necessary paperwork to be sent to employers.

Tax File Numbers: Applying through the School is a simple process for students, even if they do not anticipate working for a while.  Forms can be collected from Mrs Williams, with applications being sent to the Tax Office later this term.  Parents will need to supply their daughter with a birth certificate number and place of birth details.

Mrs Cherylynne Williams, Careers Adviser

Teaching and Learning

The Frensham 2009 Professional Development Programme comprised six days of meetings, discussions and presentations spread over a two-week period, in preparation for commencement of classes.  The programme included a workshop on Educational Leadership facilitated by Deputy Head of Frensham, Mr Geoff Marsh, who along with colleagues, Mrs Anne Graham, Ms Machelle Williams and Ms Jacqueline Longworth, is currently studying a Masters of Education at the University of Wollongong. 

A thorough analysis of the learning needs of students was undertaken and briefings were conducted to assist teaching staff to translate data about the way particular students learn into specific classroom conditions and strategies to promote learning.

Gib Gate and Frensham Teaching Staff, Health Centre Staff and Boarding Staff attended a Plenary session presented by Ms Bronwyn MacLeod, Lecturer in Gifted Education at University of NSW on the Affective Needs of Gifted Students.  Ms MacLeod’s presentation is part of ongoing professional development activities supporting specific Faculties and Stage Groups at Gib Gate and Frensham to meet the specific learning needs of every student. 

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

English and Drama

On Wednesday, senior Drama students in both Years 11 and 12 will be attending the On Stage performance at the Seymour centre.  This is an opportunity to see HSC work which has been selected as demonstrating excellence in all the options for Drama Projects.

Hannah Forbes and Jacqueline Miller (Year 10) were awarded a prize in the Schools’ section of the Australia Day Poetry Competition, conducted by the Wingecarribee Shire and presented on Australia Day at the official ceremony at the Courthouse in Berrima.  They were invited to read the poem on the day and Hannah represented them both at the occasion.

Students in Stage 4 and 5 have begun their exploration of narrative in Term 1.  Year 7 are investigating The Hero’s Journey; Year 8  Journal Narrative with a close study of So Much to tell You by John Marsden; Year 9 a study of elements of the Mystery genre  and Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and Year 10 the features of the Romance genre with a focus on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Year 12 Advanced and Standard English students will complete their first assessment task in Week 2 on the Module studied in Term 4 as well as beginning The Area of Study on Belonging.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language/Arts

Japanese News

This week the Japanese Department at Frensham welcomed Mrs Rieko Yokoyama from Nagoya in Japan.  Rieko has taught Japanese to foreigners for four years and has come to Australia to learn new techniques for teaching Japanese and to improve her English.  Her assistance will be invaluable in supporting the students with their speaking skills and enriching their understanding of the culture.  Frensham is looking forward to hosting her visit for the first part of the year.

Ms Karen Reidy, Teacher of Janapese

Latin

In the last week before School resumed, five current Year 12 students, Jesse Ambler, Emma Campbell, Katherine Evans, Madeleine Maslin and Lucinda Nicolls Small, attended the 15th Latin Summer School held at the University of Sydney.  The Summer School is organised by the Classical Association of New South Wales and has classes for all levels, from beginners to scholars reading and discussing Latin texts.  Approximately 200 people of every age attend the School each year including around 50 Year 12 HSC students.  The School has become so popular with this group that three tutor groups are required to teach them and the level which they attend is specifically designed for them.

The girls translated extracts from a variety of texts: Cicero’s Pro Archia, a speech in defence of the Greek poet Archias and de lege Manilia, a speech in support of Pompey being given the command against Mithridates, King of the Pontus,  Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Ars Amatoria I  and Virgil’s Aeneid Book IV, the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage.  Each day there were Latin mind puzzles to complete and special guest lectures on a variety of relevant topics.  The girls found the course extremely beneficial, giving them a greater appreciation of the Latin language and helping their preparation for their HSC year.

Mrs Liz Stephenson, Senior Teacher Latin

HSIE

Once again, the School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate HSIE results were outstanding and students are commended for the way in which they approached their studies.

At HSC level, in Business Studies, Economics, Modern History, Ancient History, Geography and History Extension, most significant was that there was considerable value-adding for individual students from their Year 10 SC marks in 2006 (results which were in their own right very strong).  All results were above the State average and there were 29 ‘top Band’ (Band 6 or Extension Band 4) results across the Faculty.  Above all, we hope that the love of learning evident in classes will continue, well beyond HSC studies.

In the January Professional Development Programme HSIE staff continued their work with Ms Bronwyn MacLeod – an expert in the delivery of course work for Gifted and Talented Students.  In 2009, this work will be continued and there will be several opportunities to extend the development of activities within classrooms across the Faculty, especially in Years 7-11.

As this is my final Newsletter Report at Frensham, I would like to extend my gratitude to staff and Faculty members.  It has been a pleasure working with such a professional team and with such engaged students.

Mr Matthew McMahon, HSIE Faculty Coordinator

Music

Extra-curricular Music lessons have begun this week.  Students are allocated teachers and lesson times which rotate with the two-week cycle in order to minimise disruption to academic studies.  All Choir and Ensemble rehearsals have also resumed.  Parents of new students should note that all string and wind/brass players, who play their instruments confidently, are expected to participate in Wednesday afternoon ensembles (4-5pm).  Students should see Mr Spencer if they would like clarification.

The Junior Choir is an inclusive ensemble; all students from Years 7 and 8 are welcome to join.  It should also be noted that choristers are expected to commit to attending rehearsals and performance for the year.  New students in Years 9-12 who would like to join the Senior Choir are welcome to audition at the beginning of Term 1 and should see Mr Spencer as soon as possible.

Mr Michael Spencer, Coordinator of Music

Science

The Science Faculty continues to grow with the addition of Mrs Belinda Hill and Mrs Jenny Booth to teach Year 9 and Year 7 Science respectively.  Both teachers bring enthusiasm and experience to their teaching and the faculty is looking forward to working closely with them in 2009.

Saskia Dumas (Year 12) who attended the National Youth Science Forum at the Australian National University in January has returned describing it as a 'life changing experience'.  The Forum is an intensive two-week programme designed for students in Year 12 who may wish to follow careers in Science, introducing them to research, encouraging the achievement of excellence in all their undertakings and developing their communication and interpersonal skills.  Saskia was fortunate to hear addresses by Dr Tim Flannery and by physicists from the CERN particle accelerator.  She also met Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce at Government House.  The programme also involved workshops with leading scientists and opportunities to refine public speaking, debating and science communication skills.  Saskia's application to attend the forum was supported by the Berrima District Rotary Club.  The application process involved a day of rigorous interviews in Canberra.  Interested students in Year 11 should ask their Science teacher for further details about this programme.

Mr Jason Smith, Coordinator of Science

Visual Arts

Some re-organisation of the Visual Arts teaching spaces has occurred over the vacation.  The Visual Arts Theory room, equipped with an Interactive Whiteboard, is now located on the Third Floor in the corner of North-West Wing.  This has enabled the creation of a Stage 4 practical teaching space where art criticism and history were taught last year.  This additional practical space will provide greater room for Visual Arts classes in Years 9, 10 and 11.  Faculty teachers have been impressed with the focus and enthusiasm demonstrated in the initial lessons of Term 1 and look forward to a range of exciting creative works being made over the term.

Mr Philip Alldis, Coordinator of Visual Arts

Sport

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 the above are updated throughout the morning.

Current information for Softball, Tennis and Swimming can be found on the IGSSA website.

Swimming 2009 - Training Schedule
Tuesday afternoon 3.50-5.15pm: Junior Swimmers, Senior Softball and Tennis players participating in Swimming - Mittagong Pool. 
Wednesday morning 6.15-7.00am: All Tennis or Softball players participating in Swimming - Mittagong Pool. 
Thursday afternoon 3.50-5.15pm: Senior Swimmers, Junior Softball and Tennis players participating in Swimming - Mittagong Pool. 
Friday morning 6.15-7.00am: All Tennis or Softball players participating in Swimming - Mittagong Pool. 
Saturday morning 9.00-10.00am: Swimmers not doing Tennis or Softball - Mittagong Pool.
Friday evening Mittagong Swimming club dates –
Friday 6 February and Friday 20 February.   
Carnival dates:

• St Catherine’s Invitational, Sydney, Thursday 12 February: depart Frensham at 2.00pm return 8.00pm
• Twilight Carnival 23 February, Bowral Pool 4.00pm
• IGSSA Swimming Carnival all day event, 13 March.

Softball
This year the School has 13 Softball teams in the IGSSA competition.  All teams have a group of coaches who work with them during training sessions, to improve technique and skill level.  Years 7-9 will train Tuesday afternoon from 4-5.30pm and Friday 4-5.00pm.  Years 10-12 will train Thursday afternoon from 4-5.30pm and Friday 5-6pm. 

On Sunday 1 February, girls participated in a Sports Clinic.  In small groups, students rotated through a variety of stations with experienced coaches, learning new techniques and practicing skills to improve their game play.  The Clinic was run by Ms Felicity Witt (Australian Pitcher) with assistance from: Ms Zara Mee (Australian Pitcher), Ms Katrina Smith (NSW Catcher) and Mr Gareth Smith (NSW Men's Outfield). 

Tennis
Frensham has 18 Tennis teams in the IGSSA competition.  All teams will have coaches working with them during training sessions.  Years 7-9 will train Tuesday afternoon 4-5.30pm and Friday 4-5.00pm. Years 10-12 will train Thursday afternoon 4-5.30pm and Friday 5-6pm. 

The Tennis Sports Clinic on Sunday 1 February saw players learning new techniques and skills to improve their game play.  The Clinic was run by Mr Michael Poulos who is a Level 2, Advanced qualified coach with the TPAA (Tennis Professionals Association of Australia), NSWTPA (NSW Tennis Professionals Association) and ACC (Australian Coaching Council), with a team of qualified professional coaches.

Tennis Lessons: Extra-curricular Tennis lessons commenced on 2 February.  Girls will attend a half hour lesson on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons.  Any students who would like to join the lessons should see Miss Longworth before the end of Week 3.

Interschools Snowsports: Competition dates are:
Northern NSW Championships: 15-19 July, Perisher Blue
Scots Cup: 20 July, Perisher Blue
Redlands Cup: 21 July, Thredbo.

Mrs Amanda Wansey, Coordinator of Sport

Equestrian News
The 2009 Frensham and Gib Gate Equestrian Day will be held on Sunday 3 May.  If you would like to volunteer to be part of the committee and or help in any capacity, please contact Mrs Alana Delamont on 0412225011 or Ms Alison Lalak on 0414593883.  No horse experience is required.

Ms Amanda Sharpe, Equestrian Coordinator

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