GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 1 NO 3 - 5 MARCH 2009

Hundreds of guests joined the School for the Opening and for a tour of the new Esther Tuckey Library and newly refurbished southern and northern courtyards. Revealing the plaque for the Esther Tuckey Library, from L-R: Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO Governor of New South Wales, Miss Cynthia Parker OAM, former Headmistress of Frensham (1968-1993), Mr Tony Carroll, Chair of the Board of Governors of Winifred West Schools, The Hon Michael Yabsley, Chair of Winifred West Schools Foundation; Katherine Evans, Head Girl, the Governor, Madeleine Maslin, Vice Head Girl. View of the Library from the Schavemaker Centre for Science and Technology; the Governor, Mr Howard Tanner, architect of the new Esther Tuckey Library, Ms Julie Gillick, Head of Frensham and Head of Winifred West Schools and Mr John Allen, architect of the original Esther Tuckey Library.

Gib Gate and Frensham’s Outdoor Education & Senior Studies Programmes
Why should anyone be led by you? This was one of the questions posed to Year 11 when we met on the first morning of their three-day leadership programme, a question drawn from Executive Leadership work by Robert Goffee (Professor of Organisational Behaviour, London Business School) and Gareth Jones (Director of Human Resources and Internal Communications at the BBC).  Year 11 students are focusing on moral and ethical dilemmas relevant to their lives as students and as teenagers, working through solutions to the decision-making process in which they are involved on a daily basis as seniors of the School.  Working in groups, with staff mentors and guest speakers, they have a limited time in which to prepare written, visual and dramatised versions of their response to a variety of ‘real-life dilemmas’.  Once presented to the rest of the year group, the solutions will be added to those of Year 11, 2008 to form a valuable resource for the School.  The shared wisdom evident this week speaks well of the potential for positive action by students, in the interests of their peers.

Meanwhile, students of Years 3 to 10 will complete outdoor adventure activities designed to test and develop their resilience and leadership ability in age or developmental stage-appropriate ways. 

Whilst we employ professional outdoor educators to lead students through the programmes implemented ‘outdoors’, we believe that involvement by academic staff adds greatly to the value of the experience for students.  Likewise, staff value the opportunity to work alongside students in this out-of-formal-class context, despite the extra time and overnight commitment required. 

We are hugely appreciative of the contribution made by teaching staff to the Outdoor Education programme.

Acknowledgement to:

• Parents and friends of the School whose presence added so significantly to the events of our recent Open Day, Welcome Dinner, Year 7 Parent Weekend Service and Opening of the new Esther Tuckey Library; we feel honoured that so many joined us for the weekend or sent their best wishes personally or through others – the meeting of generations always makes for special conversations and observations and we greatly value those precious moments;
• Staff and students hosting visitors for the 2009 Frensham Open Day and Opening of the new Esther Tuckey Library; acknowledgement from guests highlighted the warmth of welcome and the quality of expression and personal presentation offered by those involved in the weekend’s activities;
• Gib Gate parents, whose attendance in support of the Games Field and Swimming Pool at this time of the year adds to the sense of occasion for children and also allows staff to focus on the management of important events which require their closest attention;
• Friends of Sturt, for their ongoing effort in hosting the Exhibition Openings at Sturt Gallery; 
• Sally Newton, Year 12, recipient of an Iris for Community Service;
• Bec Parsons (Year 12 1998), guest speaker for ‘An Evening With…’, spoke about her career as an artist and freelance photographer.  One of her recent assignments was as a photographer for the television series ‘Australia’s Next Top Model’;
• Lani Maher, Year 8, for being selected to be part of the Australian Equestrian Vaulting Team to compete in Germany in 2009;
• Mr Chris Jowett, from Selman Jowett Solicitors for his support and expertise with the preparation of the Year 11 Mock Trial team;
• Grace Musgrove, Year 11, representing IGSSA in the Combined Independent Schools Triathlon this week at Sydney International Regatta Centre Penrith Lake and Laura Kent, Year 12, continuing to compete successfully in Fencing at State level;
• Elizabeth Friend, Captain of Swimming, for her report to the School on the progress of training and competition this term;
• The Gib Gate and Frensham Equestrian team competing this weekend at the NSW Interschools Championship Event at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC), Horsley Park;
• Emma Bowman and Isabelle Gillespie, recent Exchange Students to Argentina and Canada, respectively, who shared with the School sensitive, insightful accounts of their Term 4, 2008 experiences overseas, representing Frensham;
• All who contributed to the Salvation Army’s Bushfire Appeal, over the past two weeks; students at Gib Gate and Frensham were extremely active in response to organising a significant donation from the School and continue to be anxious about how they can assist beyond financial support.

Staffing:

• Mrs Sally Hannah completed her teaching after the Open Day weekend, commencing Maternity Leave from Monday 2 March.  We are pleased to note that Mrs Jennifer McClay, who retired at the end of Term 4, 2008 returns next Monday to join the English/Drama faculty in the position vacated by Mrs Hannah till the end of this year;
• We will be sad to farewell Mrs Liz Rule, Assistant to Foundation and Assistant Registrar, at the end of this month, but wish her every success and happiness as she moves with her husband to live and work in France.  Mrs Rule has been a vital member of the Administration team, with particular responsibility for the past 3½ years for preparation, with the Editor, of the annual Frensham Chronicle.

WWS Foundation – Staff Scholarship:
I am pleased to advise that Ms Sally Robson is the 2009 recipient of professional development support through the WWS Foundation Scholarship programme.  Ms Robson will complete an intensive, one-week Study Tour in the City of Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy, involving lectures and workshops at the Malaguzzi International Centre.  The programme also includes tours of the Reggio Emilia Municipal Pre-School centres and requires participants to complete pre-reading and course preparation materials relevant to their own school contexts.  Reggio Emilia principles have been core to the way the Gib Gate Pre-School has operated since it was established.   

Ahead
Important Community Dates:
Sturt Dinner to farewell Paul Davis – Monday 6 April
ANZAC Day March – Saturday 25 April
Gib Gate / Frensham Equestrian Day – Sunday 3 May
WWS Birthday Service – Friday 29 May
Frensham 96th Birthday Service – Sunday 31 May
Frensham Father-Daughter Ball – Saturday 15 August
Service for The Blessing of Pets – Sunday 27 September
Foundation / Fellowship, ‘Generations Lunch’ – Sunday 1 November

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

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

Students in Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 enjoyed the K-2 Swimming Carnival held during Week 5 at Bowral Pool.  Encouraging participation at every level, Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Lomax, together with the Year 6 Monitors, ensured all students were able to take part and that all children finished the Carnival knowing that they had made a positive contribution to their House.  Appreciation is offered to the parents who assisted on the day.

The Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4) Outdoor Education Programme at Gib Gate is carefully scaffolded to build on each year group’s previous experience, ensuring that students develop an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment and build the skills necessary to equip them for their camp experience in Years 5 and 6.  On Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 February, Year 4 and Year 3 students took part in Outdoor Education Adventure Days at Welby and Mount Alexander.  Year 3 students approached the new challenges with determination, many experiencing Abseiling and Orienteering for the first time.  The Year 4 Adventure Day focused on developing skills in mountain biking and outdoor cooking skills preparing students for the camp in Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6).  Talking to students in Years 3 and 4 about their Adventure Days reinforced just how important the OEG experience is for students, allowing them the opportunity to face and overcome fears within a safe and supportive context.  Each individual could describe how good it felt to have achieved new personal goals.  It was pleasing to note how delighted students were for each other, recognising how they worked as a group throughout the day.

Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 are looking forward to joining Years 2-6 at the Gib Gate Cross Country Carnival this Friday.  Kindergarten and Year 1 students will take part in a modified fun run before recess followed by age races for students in Years 2-6.  Parents are welcome to attend.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Curriculum Insights
This week parents will receive information about a number of opportunities open to Gib Gate students in Years 3-6.

Entry in the 2009 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) run by Educational Assessment Australia, UNSW will be facilitated at Gib Gate in Science, Writing, English and Mathematics in June and August.  All participating students will receive a certificate and an individual student report which provide teachers and parents with comprehensive reporting of each student’s strengths.  Participation in these competitions is optional and parents are invited to speak with teachers if they would like more information.

Berkelouw Books at Berrima has invited Primary students from nine years old to participate in a new initiative, the Young Writer’s Workshops 2009, to be held at the Book Barn in Berrima on 18-19 April.  These workshops are designed to inspire young writers by allowing them the opportunity to work with local writers as mentors.  The writers include Mr Bryce Courtney, Mr Mark Tredinnick, Mr Jonathon Hardy and Ms Lin Meeks.  An application form has been sent home with students.  As further incentive to ‘keep writing’ The Book Barn will continue to facilitate the 2009 Young Writers’ Award Story Writing Competition with entries open from 1-30 August.  Students aged between 9 and 12 are invited to enter.  First prize winners will receive $500 and $1,000 in books for their school.

As wide access to shared reading and appreciation of quality children’s literature continues to be a valued curriculum focus at Gib Gate, the School is pleased to advise that children’s writer Sue Whiting will be the visiting author during Book Week in August 2009.  Author of over 60 books including picture books, chapter books and novels for pre-teens, she will become part of the literature and writing programme on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 August.  All children will participate in multigrade dramatic storytelling, picture book fun and creative writing workshops designed to allow students the opportunity to explore further the writing process from ‘idea’ to finished story.

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

Music Tuition
Limited places are available for tuition on the Cello and Violin and there is also an opportunity for students to learn the Double Bass.  Instruments are available for hire.

Mrs Anne Graham, Music 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)

Sturt News
Winter School 13-17 July
With the Winter School courses beginning to fill, those interested in participating should call Sturt Gallery.  Returning courses include: Making Books with Caren Florence; Wood Carving with Nick Statham; Weave a Floor Rug with Melanie Olde; Printing onto Clay with Petra Svoboda; Ikebana with Sandra Marker; Tapestry Weaving with Dimity Kidston; Painting in Gouache with Noel Ford; Printmaking Without a Press with Marianne Courtenay; Digital Photography with Debra Pearson and Botanical Illustration with Belinda Biggs.  New courses include: Experimental Drawing with Anne-France Fulgence from Kangaroo Valley; Wild Knitting with Laoani Pryor; Watercolour with Andrew Gemmill; Mosaics with Ellen Nolet; Making a Pierced Box (jewellery) with Alida Cappelletta; Creative Writing with Jenny Murchie; and Weaving in Shibori with Kay Faulkner.

Sturt Residencies 2009
October 2009, celebrates the 50th year of Ms Elisabeth Nagel’s teaching at Sturt.  To mark this occasion, Sturt Gallery will present an exhibition of recent weavings by Ms Nagel, to be accompanied by works from others who have worked either alongside her or who have completed recent residencies in the weaving room.  As well as this important exhibition, two residencies in Weaving will take place this year.  Ms Monique van Nieuwland, from Canberra, will be artist-in-residence from March until May, followed by Queensland weaver, Ms Kay Faulkner, from mid May until mid August.

Upcoming events
On Sunday 15 March, Mr Michael Fortune from Canada will present a workshop on photographing craft pieces.  The course will cover how to make inexpensive light boxes, how to use a variety of backdrops and the basics of digital photography.  Students will be encouraged to bring a piece of their own work to photograph.  This course is relevant to all those who wish to improve their studio photography without having to purchase expensive flash equipment.  It will be held in the Photographic Studio at Sturt, from 9-1pm, and the fee for the morning is $55. 

On Sunday 15 March in the evening, Friends of Sturt will host a presentation by Mr Fortune, showing images of his work and studio.  The evening costs $15 and includes refreshments.  To attend either of these events, please call Sturt Gallery on 02 4860 2083.

Short Courses in April
Three courses in April include: Photoshop (for three days) with Robyn Kinsela; Laminating and Veneering with Tracy Gumm (five days) and Learning how to Throw Pots for beginners and intermediate students (five days) with Sandy Lockwood.

Sturt Gallery
The current exhibition presents recent digital prints, drawings and small tapestries by Canberra artist Ms Valerie Kirk, exploring her interest in migration to Australia, particularly from her birth country of Scotland. This exhibition continues until 5 April.  Following is a Ceramic exhibition by Campbelltown artist Junko Asaba, to open from Sunday 12 April, (with the official opening on the following Sunday 19 April).

Paul Davis
Paul Davis leaves Sturt after nearly eight years as Head of Sturt Pottery, at the end of Term I.  To celebrate Paul’s time at Sturt, there will be a dinner at Sturt Café on 6 April.  All are welcome, bookings are essential and the cost is $44 per person.  Please call Sturt Gallery, 02 4860 2083, for reservations.

For all course and event enquires, ring Sturt on 02 4860 2083 or visit the website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

With the Year 7 Parent Weekend, Open Day, the Welcome Dinner for Parents of new students and Outdoor Education Week now complete the School has begun preparations for the Year 10 Weekend on 21-22 March.  Other events of note scheduled for the next fortnight include:

• IGSSA Swimming Carnival – Year 9 to attend in support
• The Cattle Show Team at the Robertson and Moss Vale Shows
• The EFA Interschools Equestrian Event at SIEC, Horsley Park

Over the next few weeks in Form Groups, girls will be discussing their extra-curricular involvement.  Year Coordinators will be keen to ensure that the involvement of each student is varied and at an appropriate level, befitting the ethos of the School.

If you are concerned about the involvement of your daughter in the extra-curricular life of the School please contact her Year Coordinator or Form Tutor.

Parent Contact List 2009
The revised and updated Year Group Parent Contact List is enclosed.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

National Curriculum - The Interim National Curriculum Board was established in February 2008 with Professor Barry McGaw in the Chair.  The Board’s purpose is to develop a single, world-class Australian curriculum for all students from Kindergarten to Year 12, starting with English, Mathematics, the Sciences and History.  A second stage will involve Languages and Geography.

In November, the Board released framing papers in these four disciplines which proposed broad directions for what teachers should teach and young people should learn in the National Curriculum.  Online feedback was invited from all those interested in school education.  Following consultation on the earlier document, The Shape of the National Curriculum: A Proposal for Discussion, and the framing papers, the Board enters a curriculum writing phase in April and is currently calling for expressions of interest from curriculum writers and advisory panel members.

Members of the School’s community who are interested in following the progress of the development of a national curriculum will find useful information on the Board’s website at www.ncb.org.au

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

The weekend saw much good spirit and co-operation with the girls involved in all activities in the houses and with Open Day and the opening of the Library.

On Friday night, Year 12 Tip Top Tidy Inspectors, wearing white coats and armed with clipboards, inspected the Boarding Houses.  There was intense scrutiny with every part of the Houses being looked over by the judges and the outcome being – extremely tidy Houses and lots of fun.  This same spirit encompassed the weekend.  The girls and staff are commended for their efforts and the manner in which they conducted themselves, with feedback from visitors on guided tours being very positive.

It was encouraging to see Old Girls and former families attend the weekend with many maintaining a strong connection with and affection for Frensham.  It was also interesting to meet new families and hear their impressions of the School. 
Camp week will provide further opportunities for stories to be shared.

Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Boarding

Teaching and Learning

Outdoor Education activities being undertaken this week by Years 7-10 will present students with many opportunities to develop attitudes and beliefs which increase their capacity for senior scholarship.  Frensham students and teachers are increasingly familiar with the work of Sydney University Professor of Education, Dr Andrew Martin, which describes the various facets of student motivation including Motivation Boosters such as self belief and persistence, Motivation Mufflers such as anxiety and over emphasis on failure avoidance (rather than actively seeking success) and Motivation Guzzlers such as disengagement and self sabotage.  The Outdoor Education context where simple tasks become more complex, small collaborative groups form and reform to sustain the larger group and physical challenge is increased, assists students to become aware of helpful and unhelpful thought patterns, communication styles and behaviours.  As well as the benefits of increased environmental awareness, physical fitness and self-help skills, the Outdoor Education programme is a time of rapid growth in self-awareness which permeates subsequent study and personal development from then on, throughout senior years, with the potential to impact upon academic performance dramatically.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

English and Drama

Girls in Years 7-9 have received information and entry forms for the Write Now competition which is held in conjunction with the annual Sydney Writer’s Festival.  All girls will be asked to prepare a draft in which they choose one of three “story starters” provided by bestselling children’s authors.  This year Isobelle Carmody, Garth Nix and Mal Peet have been chosen.  From the drafts presented a selection of stories will be submitted by the closing date of 9 April.

Information was also distributed by Mrs Chauncy for writing workshops to be offered through Berkeloew Books with local authors in the Term 1 vacation.  Girls interested should collect forms and make their own arrangements about attendance.

With the first of the Debating activities to be held on the 17 March, Ms Samuels will be holding lunchtime meetings with the debaters to finalise the teams and to practise skills.  Girls interested in becoming involved with debating should register their interest with their class teachers.  The first formal debate is in Seniors Week and the Year 11 team will be given a topic to debate against a team of seniors at the Wingecarribee Council Chambers in Moss Vale.  In past years these have been very spirited debates which have provided intellectual stimulation and amusement for both sides.  Early in Term 2, Frensham will be hosting a Debating day with Nowra Anglican College at Frensham.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language Arts

Latin

On Thursday 12 March, students in Years 9-12 will sit for the National Latin Exam, run by the American Classical League.  This is the first time Year 9 students have undertaken the Exam and thus have been practising with past exam papers, becoming familiar with the style of questions asked and refreshing their memories about the gods and goddesses and other aspects of mythology.  Students in the other years have had at least one year’s experience and, while they are also practising with past papers, they are familiar with the format. 

Last Friday, Year 12 students sat for their assessment on the Cicero prose text In Verrem V and now that that is behind them, they can give more time to the National Latin Exam.

On Thursday 26 March, Year 11 students will travel to Trinity Grammar, Summer Hill, for the annual Senior Latin Dinner.  This is a night eagerly awaited by all as there are usually approximately 150 Senior Latin students from Sydney schools and the highlight of the evening is the Classical Trivia Quiz.  All participate (including the teachers) and questions are asked on both Latin and Greek topics – some quite challenging.  Students are also encouraged to dress in Roman attire and the Frensham students, used to the dress-up dinners at School, always devise with something unusual and creative.

Ms Liz Stephenson, Latin Teacher

HSIE

Year 12 Geography class travelled to the Minnamurra River Estuary for fieldwork based on the topic: “Ecosystems at Risk”, to reinforced concepts acquired in class.  Girls in Year 10 History will be visiting the Australian War Memorial on Wednesday 11 March to see the exhibits on the Vietnam War.  On the same day, Year 10 Geography class will visit Gerringong to examine coastal processes and management.

Students from Years 10-12 were invited to apply to participate in the ASX School Sharemarket Game, which begins this week.  Several girls have formed teams for this competition and are researching the companies in which they will invest a hypothetical $50,000.

An introductory meeting for Young Achievement Australia was held on Thursday 26 February.  Mrs Trish Grice explained to interested Year 11 students the aims of the Business Skills Programme.  Ms Williams was pleased with the positive response, with a large number of students expressing an interest in being involved in the Programme.

Mrs Jacqualine McCarroll, HSIE Coordinator

Mock Trial

The Year 11 Mock Trial Team had its first contest against Oxley College on Thursday 26 February.  The team comprised Isis Oliver and Guislaine Allen, witnesses, with Charlotte Midson as solicitor and Sarah Loewy and Jacklyn Wyer as Barristers.  Zoë Philip was the Court Officer.  Frensham took the prosecutorial role, alleging that the Oxley defendant ‘did drive in a manner dangerous to the public’.  The team was well prepared and performed competently, demonstrating great ability to raise objections, whilst the precedents were used effectively against the accused.  

Every girl showed determination to perform strongly, despite the fact that a court setting among strangers was intimidating.  The team’s grasp of the law was impressive and despite losing the mock trial, it was gracious in defeat and learned considerably from the experience.  

The School acknowledges the support and expertise of Mr Chris Jowett, from Selman Jowett Solicitors for his considerable help.  

Ms Judy Bradley, Mock Trial Coordinator

Music

Open Day gave Frensham musicians an opportunity to perform in a variety of venues across the campus.  The Junior Choir, Senior Choir and Madrigals were singing in School Hall, where the String Quartet and Flute Trio also featured.  Other students were involved in ‘open door’ rehearsals in the Glenn Music Centre, while many individuals and ensembles entertained visitors by performing from the Technology Centre balcony.  All those involved are commended for the quality of their performances.

The Year 7 Service on Sunday included a joint performance of an anthem by the Junior and Senior Choirs.  Such an experience is valuable for the junior singers as they discover the excitement of singing with a large, disciplined choir.  The finale to the Year 7 Concert involved the year group performing a percussive piece using ‘found objects’ such as brooms, pots and pans, garbage bins and chairs and the girls played with skill and enthusiasm.

Finally, the Madrigals performed Palestrina’s Domine Jesu Christe with great composure at the ceremony to mark the opening of the new Esther Tuckey Library. 

Mr Michael Spencer, Coordinator of Music

Science

Students in Year 10 were offered the opportunity to complete the qualifying examination for The University of Sydney, Gifted and Talented Science Discovery programme.  The aim of the programme is to provide talented Science students with additional challenges and stimulation in the areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  It provides students with an insight into Science after school as a potential university student.  The programme runs twice a year for three days, in the April and July school vacations.  Two Frensham students, Emily Meredith and Georgina Milne have been offered places to attend this programme based on their examination results, and are commended for this achievement.

Entries for the CSIRO Smart Moves Invention Convention close on the 16 March.  In 2008, Rachel Latimer’s (Year 9) entry in this programme culminated in a television appearance on ‘The New Inventors’ and the gaining of the national recognition for her ‘Easygirth’, which also won the Bright Spark award for Invention of the Year by a student under 18 years old.  Any student aged 14-18 is eligible to apply, and students should ask the Science faculty for entry requirements.

Mr Jason Smith, Coordinator of Science

Visual Arts

On Wednesday 18 February, Year 11 and 12 students of Visual Arts visited the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay to view To Make A Work Of Timeless Art: Primavera Acquisitions and the Art Gallery of NSW for the ARTEXPRESS 08 exhibition. 

The exhibition To Make A Work Of Timeless Art: Primavera Acquisitions featured work acquired by the MCA from 17 years of Primavera exhibitions, which have showcased selected artworks by Australian artists under 35 years of age.  The students had an opportunity to engage with a diverse range of contemporary artworks first-hand and observe aspects of postmodernism which are analysed in depth as part of the Visual Arts curriculum.  Year 12 students are currently producing a critical review of this exhibition as an assessment task and in doing so will test their abilities to make informed, mature and substantiated judgements on the worth of artworks in an individual and collective sense.

At the Art Gallery of NSW, the students were able to view ARTEXPRESS which featured a selection of outstanding Bodies of Work submitted to the Board of Studies for the 2008 Higher School Certificate.  The gallery presented a collection of artworks which demonstrated the diversity of material, technical, conceptual and thematic explorations undertaken by Year 12 Visual Arts students.  The students left the gallery inspired, challenged but certainly not daunted as they contemplated the development of their own artmaking pursuits.

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 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. 

Term 1 draws for Softball and Tennis can be found on the Frensham website.

Cross-Country
Wednesday 25 February saw the start of the Cross-Country training season, with a large group of girls in attendance.  Training sessions are held each Wednesday and Friday morning 6.20-7.15am.

Throughout Term 1, a range of training sessions will take place with each varying in design and intensity.  Sessions will include interval training, fartlek training, sprints and hill work with strengthening and flexibility components.  These training styles will complement the long, slow, distance-run exercise which the girls will also complete.

Soccer and Basketball
Soccer and Basketball squad training has commenced with all senior girls having the opportunity to nominate for consideration for the 1st squad in their chosen sport for Term 2.  Training sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 6.20-7.15am.

Swimming
On Monday 23 February, the School took part in the Southern Highlands Twilight Carnival at Bowral Pool.  All the girls swam at a high level with Frensham being placed 3rd overall.  Results include Annabelle Hoy (Year 7) winning 12 year old Champion, Alicia McCarten (Year 7) runner up for the 13 year olds and Miriam Carr (Year 10) runner up for the 16 year olds.

The IGSSA Carnival is on the 13 March at Homebush, Sydney, with the Time Trials already underway.  All girls have the opportunity to put themselves forward to compete at this Carnival.  

Tildesley Tennis
The following girls are to be commended for their selection to represent Frensham at Tildesley Tennis on 25-27 March at the Pennant Hills Tennis Centre.

Tildesley Squad - Players: Antonia Cadell; Rosetta Freelander; Harriet Hooke; Clara Lamond; Annabel Livingston; Sarah Loewy; Georgina Paton; Ella Purvis; Katie Snow.  Lines Girls: Tess Brennan; Nicola Fenaughty; Matilda de Kantzow; Annabelle King; Elizabeth Lamond; Harriette Nation.

Mrs Amanda Wansey, Coordinator of Sport

PDHE

The start of the year has seen the implementation of new programmes in PDHPE.  Year 7 students are currently participating in a unit which looks at different skills used in a variety of games and sports.  

‘New Challenges’, being studied by Year 8, focuses on some of the challenges which are faced by students as adolescents and are considering coping strategies and support networks. They are also taking part in a unit on Basketball.

Year 9 is studying Mental Health and Adversity.  Students are researching one of the five key mental health illnesses and sharing their findings with their peers.  In relation to Adversity, they are currently reading an autobiography or biography about someone who has been through some type of personal challenge.  The girls are also involved in a practical unit looking at games which require them to play either as an individual or as part of a team, with Badminton and Volleyball being the main focus.

Year 10 has been engaged in the unit ‘The Party’ considering Relationships, Drug Use and Abuse and Road Safety.  Girls are also participating in ‘Playing as a Team’ where they are looking at Modified Games.  The unit will finish with the girls, in groups, developing their own modified game. 

Miss Jane Barrett, Coordinator of PDHPE

Equestrian News

The 2009 Frensham and Gib Gate Equestrian Day will be held on Sunday 3 May.  Volunteers for either membership of the Committee or help on the day should contact Mrs Alana Delamont on 0412225011 or Ms Alison Lalak on 0414593883.  No horse experience is required.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ENTRY FORMS ARE PUBLISHED ON THE FRENSHAM and GIB GATE WEBSITE.  See the link at: http://www.frensham.nsw.edu.au/current.htm

(Limited Entries means acceptance in Receipt Order.)

Interschools Event
This week the School team is competing in the NSW Interschools Championship Event at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC), Horsley Park.  We have a strong team of 22 Gib Gate and Frensham riders in all disciplines of this major event.  Ms Sharpe is managing the team for the three days.

Ms Amanda Sharpe, Equestrian Coordinator

TOP