GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 1 NO 4 - 19 MARCH 2009

Enrichment and Inspiration
Guest of the School overnight on Sunday and at Prayers on Monday morning, artist Ms Virginia Cuppaidge (1960) spoke of what made the difference for her on entry to Frensham in 1957: ‘When I first arrived I was tall and shy and very unsure of myself but Dianne McKinnon (Klippel) came to me and invited me to join her and her friends...that was what made the difference and I will never forget how grateful I was that day....(later) – my art teachers seemed to think I was quite good at art – they encouraged me to use the studios whenever I wanted to and I loved that opportunity...and it was the same for my friends in the areas they loved...this gift, a watercolour titled  ‘Sunset in the City’ offered to the School in memory of Dianne, is my way of acknowledging how fortunate I was to have her as a friend – and it means a lot for the painting to be back here where we had such good times...’  After the presentation, Ms Cuppaidge met with a small group of Year 12 Visual Arts students to hear of the inspiration behind their major art works and to share a little more of her story about life as a practising artist and Professor of Art, teaching within the university system of New York.  ‘Sunset in the City’ (pictured above) is currently on display in the Esther Tuckey Library.  In subsequent discussions with students, several commented on the links they were making that morning between Virginia’s Address and the poem by Mother Teresa shared during the Service – particularly the stanzas included here:

If you are kind,
people may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

Australian Representative – Saskia Dumas
Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar
In 2008, approximately 1,600 Year 11 students from around Australia applied on-line for the 288 places available for the 2009 National Youth Science Forum held in Canberra and Saskia Dumas was one of the 288 participants selected for the Forum.  News received this week is that Saskia, now Year 12, has been invited as one of two young scientists to represent Australia at the 2009 Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar.  First held in 1976 and organised by the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists and the Nobel Foundation, only 25 young scientists (ages 18 to mid 20s) are invited to the event annually.  Students invited to attend have usually won major international science prizes at contests such as the European Union Contest for Young Scientists or the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.  Saskia has been selected on the basis of the quality of her skills and contribution as evidenced by the selection panel present at the National Youth Science Forum.

The next challenge for Saskia is to complete a project or research paper within a field of natural sciences and prepare to demonstrate her results in a presentation of international quality, at the Seminar in November.  To conclude the week-long programme of visits and lectures, Saskia is invited to attend the 2009 Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony, Banquet and Ball.

Sponsored by Berrima Rotary Club, for her participation in the National Youth Science Forum, we also acknowledge the support of the Club and of Saskia’s teachers within the Science faculty.

Esther Tuckey Library – featured artwork
Many visitors and students have commented on the magnificent painting by artist Ms Juliet Holmes à Court (1973) generously donated by Mrs Mary Tanner (nee Stephen, 1967) to hang in the new Library.  Titled ‘that I should see a sun by rising set, and by that setting, endless day beget’ (John Donne), the oil painting is a feature of the southern wall that bridges the main floor of the Library and the spacious area for quiet reading.

Acknowledgement to:

• Gib Gate staff and upper primary students recently returned from their Outdoor Education Week.  Feedback from OEG leaders noted their appreciation for the active involvement by teachers, every step of the way;
• Recent donors of gifts to the WWS Archives and to the Esther Tuckey and Gib Gate Libraries.  As precious as the gifts generously donated by former students or relatives are the words, often in an accompanying letter, explaining the motivation behind the gift or a little of the historical significance of the item;
• Mr Michael Fortune, Sturt School for Wood 12-week course tutor, for his energetic commitment to the wider life of Sturt, alongside his role as teacher within the new short-course for fine woodworking;
• Mrs Leonie Harris (Agriculture teacher and Farm Manager) and the Cattle Show Team for their preparation and performance at the recent Robertson and Moss Vales Shows.  Senior leadership  and team support for those new to this experience have been exemplary;
• Year 11 Debaters, prepared by Ms Samuels, for their participation in the Seniors Week Debating at Moss Vale Council Chambers.  Student leaders of Public Speaking and Debating, Emma Campbell and Lucinda Nicolls Small were particularly inspired by the opposition team members and are seeking to maintain contact for future debating opportunities;
• The Frensham Swim Team, competing at the recent IGSSA Carnival;
• Gib Gate and Frensham riders who represented the School at the recent Interschools event at the International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park; it was a delight to see so many well prepared horses and ponies being competently ridden and handled;
• Year 9 parents who have already given time in support of the Games Field Pavilion operation on Saturday mornings.  Organiser Mr Bowdern is very keen to see the ‘volunteer register’ filled for Term 2, given there is a term vacation fast approaching.  Please ring Mr Bowdern directly (per Class Lists) if you are able to assist.  The service provided at the Games Field is a key factor in maintaining the warm welcome we offer to IGSSA guests at our home grounds each Saturday;
• Grace Nelson, Year 12, recipient of a Girdle for Sport;
• Elizabeth Friend, Captain of Swimming is commended for her leadership of the Swimming Team throughout the season;
• International Hockey player, Hockeyroo Rebecca Sanders, guest speaker as part of the 2009 Year 11 Senior Studies Programme. 

National School Pride – Commonwealth Funding
In response to the recently announced National School Pride funding opportunities for all Schools, we have this week submitted applications for projects that would involve refurbishment of existing facilities at both Gib Gate and Frensham.  We expect to be notified of the outcome of our submissions by the end of this term for commencement of approved works over the Term 1 vacation.

A submission for a major building project at Gib Gate is also being prepared, in response to the Primary Schools for the 21st Century funding programme.

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

Change to Calendar
The Year 10 Parent Function will now be held on the Frensham Games Field at 12.30pm
and not as previously advised.  

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

In Week 6, Students in Years 5 and 6 enjoyed the opportunity to use the Frensham ICT facilities and Frensham Science Laboratories as part of their studies in the Stage 3 JASON project.  Mrs Hill, Mrs Venish and Mrs Wheeler assisted students as they conducted soil nitrate testing on soil samples in the Science laboratory; filtering water through soil and testing for nitrate levels using an indicator.  Students also attended a skills session using the specialised features of the Google Earth programme to support their investigations involving global environments.

Years 5 and 6 three-day Outdoor Education Programme took place in Week 8.  The camp was a learning experience for all students, allowing individuals to face personal fears and overcome challenges.  Students in Year 5 were able to test their orienteering skills, abseil, take part in low rope challenge activities and learn canoeing skills on Wingecarribee River.  Year 6 built on skills developed during Year 3 and 4 Adventure Days and their 2008 camp experiences.  Abseiling 25 metres and using caving ladders provided a suitable extension challenge, as did the introduction of a mountain biking component to the OEG experience.  Invaluable experience gained through learning to co-operate with others and in developing leadership skills are also integral to the programme.  Students also took advantage of being based in a remote natural environment to conduct experiments and gather field data for the JASON programme. 

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Visiting Illustrator
Vitva Voutila’s presentation on illustrations to students from K-Year 6 this Monday, showed a variety of approaches, styles and techniques and explained why each text requires a particular style of illustration.  Her message about how to become more creative and how to increase the effectiveness of one's imagination supports Mrs Willmott’s work in Visual Arts.

Transition-Year 2 Torres Straight Island Experience
On Wednesday 25 March, students from T-Year 2 will participate in a whole-day experience of the culture of the Torres Strait as their Outdoor Education day. Students will be involved in hands-on workshops in Art, Song and Dance and Storytelling.  

Mrs A Graham, Coordinator

Swimming
Gib Gate was represented by a team of 35 swimmers at the Southern Highlands Independent Primary Schools Carnival at the Bowral Pool on Tuesday 24 February.  The team, placed in the top three positions in most age groups, displayed enthusiastic support throughout the Carnival.

The team then travelled to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 4 March to compete at The IPSHA Swimming Carnival.  Many personal bests were achieved on the day.  Matthew Worden is commended for his first place in both the 10 Years Boys 50m Freestyle and the All Age 100m Freestyle Division One.

Tee Ball
The Gib Gate Comets enjoyed a winning run for the 2009 games of the Tee Ball season.  The final round concluded with a small presentation to each team. 

Cricket
The Southern Highlands Cricket Competition concludes this Saturday for the Gib Gate Under 10s.  The skill development of the team over the season has been highlighted in their recent successes.  Parental assistance with training, umpiring and scoring is appreciated. 

The Gib Gate Under 12s Cricket Team has qualified first in their competition rounds for the semi finals on Saturday 21 March, to be played at Chevalier College. 

Basketball
This week is the final round for all Gib Gate Basketball teams.  All five teams have trained consistently and played hard each week. 

Cross Country
Following a successful School Cross Country Carnival on Friday 6 March, a strong team of runners has been selected to compete at the IPSHA Cross Country Carnival to be held at The Kings School Parramatta on Saturday 28 March.  The Gib Gate Cross Country Team has been training three mornings per week in preparation for this next level of competition.

Winter sports
This winter, Gib Gate has entered teams in the local competition for Netball, Hockey and Soccer.  All teams will have begun training by Week 9.

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
Visiting lecturer, Michael Fortune from Canada
Mr Michael Fortune has created a method of making soft boxes for studio photography, designed to create inexpensive and flexible lighting for photographing furniture and smaller craft items.  Constructed from readily accessible materials, these soft boxes enable students to achieve professional lighting at little cost with digital cameras.  Mr Fortune shared his method for making these boxes with his experience of photography, to ten students in a morning workshop on Sunday 15 March.

Following this, Mr Fortune presented an evening talk showing the development and range of his furniture designs, his studio in Canada, as well as touching on work he has done in support of Third World development.  This function was hosted by Friends of Sturt and was warmly received by all who attended.

Sturt School for Wood
Students at the Sturt School for Wood are progressing well under the guidance of new teachers John Gallagher and Niklavs Rubenis.  Mr Gallagher brings his studio furniture background and vast teaching experience, while Mr Rubenis couples his broad industry knowledge with contemporary design and practices to Sturt.  Together they offer an exciting dynamic for fulltime students.

Two more 12-week intensive fine furniture master courses with world-renowned makers will follow on in 2009.

• Adrian Potter (4 May-24 July) - one of Australia’s leading studio furniture designer/makers based in South Australia.  Trained at the Canberra School of Art under George Ingham, Mr Potter’s work has been critically acclaimed and described as “conceptually sophisticated”.  His pieces are exhibited and collected widely.
• David Upfill-Brown (10 August-20 October) - Graduating from Parnham (United Kingdom) in 1981, Mr Upfill-Brown has an un-equalled reputation as a designer and maker of fine furniture.  Academic Director and Principal of the Australian School of Fine Furniture, Launceston and instructor at the Centre for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine (USA) are just two of his high profile teaching positions.

Short Courses in April
Three courses will be held in the first week of the April vacation: Learning How to Throw for Ceramics, with Sandy Lockwood (five-day course), Laminating and Veneering with Tracy Gumm (five-day course) and Photoshop with Robyn Kinsela (three-day course).

Sturt Gallery
Valerie Kirk’s exhibition of tapestries and digital prints continues until 5 April.  Following this, Sturt Gallery will feature an exhibition of unusual Ceramics – paper-thin cast shapes arranged and inspired by Origami (Japanese paper folding).  Junko Asaba will present her work to be on display from Sunday 12 April, with the official opening on the following Sunday 19 April at 11am.

Easter Hours
Sturt Gallery and Café will be closed on Good Friday and both will be open as usual on Saturday and Sunday.  The Gallery will open on Easter Monday.  Sturt Café will be closed Easter Monday.

Sturt Winter School 13-17 July
Thirty-six students have so far enrolled in the Winter School, with Printmaking fully subscribed.  All course details are available by ringing Sturt on 02 4860 2083 or on the website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

Students in Years 9-12 have been asked to nominate either Soccer or Basketball as their Term 2 team sport.  Girls in Years 7 and 8 are able to play Soccer.  All students may take part in Cross-Country with training having already begun, taking place on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

The IGSSA Cross-Country Event will be held at Frensham on Friday 15 May.  This is one of the major sporting events on the IGSSA Calendar with over 600 runners from more than 30 schools taking part.  Schools can enter up to eight runners in each age group.

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

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

International Women’s Day 2009
On Monday 9 March, Sally Newton and Annika Rookyard, Year 12, represented the School at a breakfast meeting in Bowral to celebrate International Women’s Day.  The purpose of the meeting was to introduce senior school students to women active in business and community affairs, with a view to providing possible connections and mentors.  The meeting was well attended, with about 120 participants from all areas of the local community.

The guest speaker was Ms Suzanne Williams, Principal of Moss Vale High, who is the first female Aboriginal principal of a New South Wales school.  Ms Williams spoke of the role her parents played in instilling a love of learning in their children, with lots of vibrant and heated discussions around the dinner table.  She encouraged the students present at the meeting to consider education as a possible career choice and spoke passionately about the importance of education in today’s society.  Ms Williams also encouraged women to continue to develop their skills in teamwork, an area in which women are particularly successful.

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
The purpose of the mandatory National Assessment Program is to assess the literacy and numeracy learning of students in all Australian schools at Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.  The results of the tests will provide important information to schools about what each student can do, and will be used to support teaching and learning programs.  Parents will receive a report indicating their child’s level of achievement, with each student’s level of achievement being reported against the national minimum standard.

The tests will be conducted across Australia on the same days for all students according to the following timetable:

• Tuesday 12 May – Language Conventions test (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) and a separate Writing test
• Wednesday 13 May – Reading test
• Thursday 14 May – Numeracy test (Number; Algebra, function and pattern; Measurement; Chance and Data; and Space)
• Friday 15 May – a ‘catch-up’ day for any students who missed a test.

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

We look forward to welcoming Year 10 Parents to their Parent Weekend and remind parents of all students that on Parent Weekends girls may go out overnight on Exeat but must be back for all School activities.

Year 10 students play a vital role in the running of the Junior Houses, developing their leadership skills as Heads of House and with their weekly responsibilities.  They meet regularly with House Staff and Seniors in Boarding to discuss the management of their roles.

Girls in Years 9, 10 and 11 are looking forward to the Boarders’ Dance at Riverview on Friday evening.  Riverview has two venues, one for Year 9 and another for Years 10 and 11.  Year 12 will be holding a ‘cook up’ for all not attending, with the produce to be sold at the Games Field on Saturday morning.

End of Term Travel
Parents are reminded that all end of term travel is be finalised by 26 March 2009.  Rail Corp has been efficient with providing buses on the Wednesday afternoon prior to Easter and only those girls travelling North of Dubbo will travel on Thursday morning.  Please note that Rail Corp has stated that if the transport provided is not used it will not be offered in the future.

Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Boarding

Teaching and Learning

This week the School captured and processed its first video and audio using the newly installed cameras in the Research Lab in the Schavermaker Centre for Science and Technology.  The initial footage, which depicts a teacher presenting to colleagues, gives the opportunity to explore the hardware and software tools involved and to fine-tune the quality of the capture and output.

The most effective models of professional learning for teachers are those which involve feedback and critique from a skilled observer.  Once teachers complete their pre-service training, they most commonly work separately to their colleagues and have few opportunities to observe and to be observed.  The camera technology installed in the Research Lab is intended to create a Professional Learning Laboratory where teachers can choose to record themselves teaching and replay the lesson or lessons in order to analyse and improve their practice.

It is anticipated that teachers will:

• Have a consultant present during the recorded lesson who will then use the footage to assist with a debriefing session to highlight effective strategies and behaviours and to identify opportunities for further growth;
• Record a lesson without an observer and then invite a trusted colleague or consultant to join him or her to analyse the footage later;
• Record a demonstration lesson which incorporates highly effective strategies so that many colleagues can observe innovative techniques being used with students;
• Record the debriefing sessions with a colleague or consultant so that they can be revisited later;
• Use footage captured in the Professional Learning Laboratory that shows specific teaching standards in their folios of evidence for accreditation applications.

The effectiveness of teaching can only be fully understood in the context of what the students learn. The cameras have been configured so that student dialogue and activities can be captured at the same time as the teacher is being filmed.  By switching between views, connections between teacher behaviour and learner responses can be made.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

English and Drama

On Tuesday 17 March a team of Year 11 debaters represented the School in a debate to celebrate Senior’s Week.  The topic was “that the Popular press supplies our lowest needs”, and Frensham argued for the negative.  Ms Samuels and the Heads of Public Speaking and Debating, Lucinda Nicolls Small and Emma Campbell, prepared the team and accompanied them on the night.
The debate was a spirited exchange and despite a challenging affirmative team line, the Frensham team maintained its argument and was successful on the night.  The highlight was the time spent with the Seniors present, many of whom shared their years of Debating expertise with the girls.

On Tuesday 24 March Steven Herrick, a celebrated Australian poet whose work has been selected as part of the prescriptions for the HSC, will be conducting a Poetry Workshop for Years 7 and 8 in the Drama Studio as part of the Young Australia Workshop Programme.

Girls in the Year 12 Extension 2 class are continuing to work on the preparation of their Major Works.  In Week 10, they will participate in a Viva Voce assessment which is a discussion with a panel of teachers about their project and the process they are undergoing.

Students in Years 7-9 are reminded that the entries for the Write Now Competition must be with their class teachers by 3 April.  Drafts are to be submitted prior to this date for consideration.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language Arts

HSIE

The next Year 11 Mock Trial will be held against Chevalier College on Tuesday 24 March, with preparations well under way.

Year 10 Geography visited Werri Lagoon and beach on Wednesday 11 March.  Representatives from Coastal Volunteers Australia explained environmental rehabilitation work which has been taking place around the lagoon and its tributary creeks.  The fieldwork undertaken throughout the day will form the basis of an assessment task report.

Mrs Jacqualine McCarroll, HSIE Coordinator

Year 10 History classes visited the Australian War Memorial on Wednesday 11 March to further their understanding of the War in Vietnam, an integral part of the Mandatory History course.  Students were broken into three groups and escorted to the Vietnam exhibition by Museum staff.  They were shown exhibits, including helicopters, memorabilia, tanks as well as scenes depicting protests on the home front.  The guides were most informative and students were encouraged to ask questions relating to the era.  The girls were then given time to explore the Museum, many enjoying areas of special interest. This worthwhile excursion served to enhance students’ understanding of this period.

Ms Judy Bradley, Teacher of HSIE

Science

The structure for each of the Board of Studies Science syllabuses requires that at least one open-ended investigation be included as part of the teaching and learning programme for each course.  The Open-Ended Investigations (commonly called an OEI) is an activity, usually involving an experimental investigation, in which the students take the initiative in finding answers to problems that require the gathering of information before they can propose a possible answer.  The purpose of an open-ended investigation is to assist students in further development of their scientific knowledge, understanding and skills.  Participation in open-ended investigations should also enhance each student’s understanding of the nature and practice of science.  The planning component and the problem-solving nature of an OEI distinguishes it from other types of practical work in Science.

At Frensham, students undertake OEIs as part of the Year 8 and Year 9 Science courses to satisfy this mandatory requirement.  These form part of the assessment schedule and students are supported in the initial planning stages of the task.  An OEI is also completed in the HSC and Preliminary Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses.  By the completion of the task, students will have extended their skills in working scientifically and will have developed confidence in selecting appropriate methodologies for conducting an OEI.  These investigations are usually popular units of work at Frensham due to the freedom afforded to students in conducting an investigation in an area of their own interest, the opportunity to extend investigations into areas which are more challenging and the creativity which can be exhibited in experimental design and problem solving.

Mr Jason Smith, Coordinator of Science

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
All swimmers performed well at the IGSSA Swimming Carnival held at Homebush on Friday 13 March. A high standard was achieved and girls are to be commended for gaining personal best times in a number of events.

Year 9 student support on the day was appreciated by the team and Elizabeth Friend, Captain of Swimming is commended for her leadership and enthusiasm throughout the season.

Softball and Tennis
All teams have played with enthusiasm and improvement has been evident on the Games Field.

This Saturday is the last IGSSA round of matches with the final placings being received early next week.  Please check all details with your daughter regarding Semi-Final venues, times and opposition or view the IGSSA website.  All information should be available by Wednesday of next week.

All Semi-Finals will be played in Sydney on Saturday 28 March.  It is compulsory for all students to travel on the bus but girls may be collected from the venue, with parent permission and correct Exeat procedure followed.

Mrs Amanda Wansey, Coordinator of Sport

Equestrian News
The2009 EFA NSW Interschools Championshipswere held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from the 6-8 March.  Every discipline had at least one member of the Frensham and Gib Gate team competing, and with 22 students, this was one of the largest teams to attend.  The students rode well in each competition and were  supported by their parents, who also captured many photographs.

Any second-hand Frensham or Gib Gate Equestrian gear can be donated, with proceeds going to the Equestrian Day.  Items can be left at Company Office and will be sold in the Clothing Pool.  For further information please contact   asharpe@frensham.nsw.edu.au.

Frensham and Gib Gate Equestrian Day, Sunday 3 May

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.)

The uniform for the Equestrian Day (Funkhana ring not included) will be as follows (Please note: no brow bands):

Ms Amanda Sharpe, Equestrian Coordinator

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