GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 2 NO 5 - 25 JUNE 2009

Student Reporting – Semester Reporting
At a national level we are currently hearing a lot about proposals to strengthen the achievement level of Australian students by implementing League Tables so that schools will be under pressure from parents to ‘perform’ and parents will be in a position to compare the quality of schools, when making decisions about schooling for their children.  Interestingly, on international levels we see the dismal outcomes of such measures following that kind of approach in the United States of America and the United Kingdom: in the USA – very little challenge for able students, owing to a focus on achieving benchmarks for every child and a primary education where there is cursory attention to other than ‘literacy or numeracy seen to be relevant to the test’, and the absence of teaching for deep understanding or for the development of thinking that grows from creative and critical problem solving; and in the UK – realisation that the League Table comparison was doing little to assist parents with their understanding of what really happens in a school for their individual child, owing to the limitations in scope of the parameters used in measurement and the failure to acknowledge students’ academic entry skills.

However, it is easy to be critical of attempts to strengthen academic achievement and I am mindful that the Student Reports about to be distributed to parents are a crucial part of the statement we make about academic achievement at Gib Gate and Frensham – about what we measure and how we report what we measure.  They should articulate what we value in an achievement sense and how we are working with your son or daughter to improve his or her skills, understanding, attitudes and contribution. What we hope will be clear to parents is that, above all, we accept that it is the minute-by-minute, day-by-day, effort of teachers and students working tenaciously together to expand the boundaries of understanding, uncover deeper levels of meaning, set and strive for small and large goals, link detail with enduring understanding, reveal the significance of new learning and affirm growing competence, that will make the difference in terms of individual student achievement.

Behind the Reports, to achieve that goal, we expect to initiate or respond to need for ongoing discussion with parents, individual meetings with students, teacher focus groups to share thinking or to plan for meeting of individualised needs. 

We also know that to improve quality our teaching must be grounded firmly in a research base that provides evidence on what works.

Ahead:
Barry McGaw, Chair of the National Curriculum Board, a Professor of Education at the University of Melbourne, director of the Melbourne Research Institute and consultant with McGaw Group, is charged with implementing in Australian schools a National Curriculum, from 2011.  Interestingly, in a recent article for the Australian College of Educators he confirmed the need to assess Australian school education not by a comparison with the past but by comparing what is achieved here to best-practice education in an international context, with Finland the focus of considerable attention.

[As a measure of academic quality, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is often used as a benchmark that provides direct, comparable assessments of the school achievement of 15-year olds. Finland has for more than a decade been the focus of attention worldwide for its strength of outcomes on that measure.]

Of the several measures credited as having significant impact on student achievement in Finland, McGaw notes:

‘.... Almost immediately on entry to primary school... more than 35% of students are identified as needing some additional support..... (That is, early identification and action is essential) and...
....Teaching in Finland remains a high status occupation, entered only after six years of Masters-level initial education that provides a strong basis in both content and pedagogy....

At Gib Gate and Frensham, we continue to look critically at our ability to individualise support of students for the myriad reasons driven by their special talents or need for support, from the earliest entry in Preschool Reception, to those entering Frensham in their later high school years. 

As a team of educators we also commit to a professional development programme that is designed to build our shared understanding of pedagogy and of the content of programmes taught. 

(Please see the regular reports by the Director, Teaching and Learning and the 2008 Educational and Financial Reports that will be published on our websites from 1 July, 2009, for further detail.)

Primary Schools for the 21st Century – Commonwealth Funding
We are pleased to announce that we have been successful in gaining $2million in funding through the Australian Government’s Primary Schools For The 21st Century element of the Building the Education Revolution programme.  This means we are about to commence construction of a new Library and also refurbishment of the Gib Gate Preschool playground - to be ‘Reggio Emilia-inspired’.  At this stage we are hoping to commence the first stage of this project which means relocation of Year 3 and of the Library, in order to prepare the site for the new Library.  With a tight timeline for planning, I look forward to communicating more information once we have had a chance to finalise details of what promises to be an exciting development for Gib Gate.

‘One photograph for 2009’
Recently to Frensham students, Faculty Head of Visual Arts, Mr Phil Alldis shared ‘some reflections on photography’ that have since been the catalyst for a challenge that is about to be offered to every student of Gib Gate and Frensham.  The following extracts from Mr Alldis’s message are included here, to provide some context for the opportunity ahead:

Imagine if everyone in the world today were granted a provision to take only one photograph during 2009.  This would amount to approximately 6,785,740,000 photographs.  If we averaged out ten photographs per person in the world this year, this would amount to approximately 67 billion photographs.  Remember, that is for this year.  I was browsing through a Dick Smith catalogue recently, and noticed a page advertising external hard drives.  A listed feature for one model was ‘stores 270,000 photographs’. ….If I started tomorrow, I would need to take 10,000 photographs for the next 27 years to reach that number…

What is this fascination for the photographic image?  Why do we feel the need to document the myriad moments of our lives?  How many of the world’s photographs would feature the human form, or perhaps the human face?

The vast amounts of images seem to dilute the potential power of photography.  As the art critic John Berger noted, ‘If everything that existed were continually being photographed, every photograph would become meaningless.’ 

I can’t imagine how many photographs would exist of each of you by the time you are 20 - many hundreds, if not thousands.  This has not always been the case.  I asked my Dad on the weekend how many photographs exist of him under the age of 20 and he thought less than 30.  This would not be uncommon for people of his generation.  Each photograph, when one of a small number, seems to become of greater significance.

There is no doubt, when it finds its mark, that a photograph can have a strong and resonant presence.  Photographs which feature subject matter of personal significance are often in this category.  They don’t have to be beautifully composed, or correctly exposed.  In fact, the imperfection of certain images seems to make them more endearing.  The passing years can intensify the presence of these photographic images.  Whether you are reducing from several thousand images or only a handful, it is likely, and hopeful, that we will all have a photograph of this type that becomes treasured. 

So, for 2009, to capture a glimpse of history-in-the-making, we offer advance notice to all students (Gib Gate and Frensham) of the opportunity to contribute a ‘treasure’ to something special....Full details of how to participate will be published in the first Newsletter of Term 3.

In this Newsletter

• Term Dates for 2010 are published in Community News and Parent Weekends for Frensham are now being finalised for advice in our next Newsletter;
• Ranier Uniform Shop Vacation Hours are published in Community News;
• Work Experience for Year 10 takes them off campus at the end of this week for the five days leading up to their vacation and we are excited with them about the placements they have secured for what promises to be a special experience;
• Gib Gate’s new Science programmes have been a highlight of Semester 1 and we are pleased to confirm ongoing support for what has been implemented this year through the collaborative effort of Frensham Science staff and teachers of Years 5 & 6;
• Sturt’s weekend Exhibition Openings saw crowds that filled the Shop and Gallery and a sell-out of paintings by Brian Kirkby.

Acknowledgments to:

• Isabelle Gillespie, Clara Lamond and Polly Paradice [Year 11] who have been accepted for the National Art School Intensive Studio Practice Course (Painting) run in the July and September/October vacations;
• Recent Girdle recipients:  Grace Musgrove [Cross Country] and Saskia Dumas [Soccer];
• Geography students in Years 7-10 who were awarded High Distinctions, Distinctions and Credits in the 2009 National Geographic Channel Australian Geography Competition including Lyreda Bennetts [Year 9] who was recognised by the Competition for her ‘top1%’ result;
• Sophie Meredith, Rebecca McCreath and Lauren Zawal  [Year 8] on their selection to participate in the Talented Student Forensic Camp, Armidale during the July vacation;
• Mr Michael & Mrs Jacquie Merriman [Yass], Mr Henry & Mrs Annie Nation [Young], Mr Derek & Mrs Sandra Bush [Bookham] and Mr Simon & Mrs Eliza Pavitt [Harden] who provided an insight into Sheep and Wool production to Year 10 Agricultural Technology students who had the opportunity to visit each of the properties and to Old Girl, Mrs Louise Hufton and parent of Elizabeth [2006] who talked to the group about Land Care;
• The cast of the 2009 Junior Production, Shakespeare’s Vignettes: Year 9: Harriet Cadell, Emily-Rose Currans, Eleanor Davies, Nicola Fenaughty, Phoebe Hawley, Kate Lee, Georgina MacDiarmid, Adelaide Nielsen, Zoë Price, Elsie Wright, Alexandra Yabsley; Year 8: Isabeau Gavel, Hannah Hall, Grace Ives, Joscelyn Markerink, Emma McCrabb, Emma Murphy, Freya Spencer, Meg Stranger, Bianca Tini Brunozzi, Lauren Zawal;
• Fellowship, for the invitation to join them for their Annual General Meeting and Birthday Lunch in Sydney on Wednesday 10 June;
• Coaches of Term 2 Sports at both Gib Gate and Frensham; we appreciate the quality of support and guidance offered to all, from the youngest players at Gib Gate to the senior teams at Frensham.

Ahead:
Important Community Dates:
Frensham Father-Daughter Ball – Saturday 15 August
Service for The Blessing of Pets – 10.00am Sunday 27 September
Foundation / Fellowship, Generations’ Lunch – Sunday 1 November

Welcome to new members of the Winifred West Schools Foundation Board of Directors, George Buschman and Peter Macqueen.

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

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

Many parents who have attended Performance Assemblies and recent parent information mornings have enjoyed the opportunity to gain an insight into their child’s everyday learning experiences at Gib Gate. It has been particularly rewarding to observe younger students presenting their work with confidence and enthusiasm and to be able to share in the excitement of scientific discovery experienced by students in Year 5 and Year 6 as they participate in the JASON project.

Semester One reports provide parents with an overview of each student’s individual progress and these are currently being finalised in preparation for distribution during the last week of term.  School reports form one part of the reporting process at Gib Gate and it is important that parents meet with their child’s classroom teacher on a regular basis to gain a comprehensive overview of their child’s progress and approach to learning.  During Semester 1, all Gib Gate parents were formally invited by their child’s teacher to attend a parent/teacher interview and will be invited to attend a second parent/teacher interview during Term 3.  However, should parents have any questions or concerns prior to the Term 3 interviews they should request an appointment with their child’s teacher via the School diary or contact Mrs Russell to arrange an appointment to meet with me.

The classroom curriculum at Gib Gate is complemented by an extensive, rigorous specialist and extra curricular programme.  The Dance aspect of the Creative Arts programme has provided students from Preschool to Year 6 with much enjoyment during Semester 1 and they are looking forward to sharing these skills and celebrating the end of term at the P-6 ‘Dance Off’ on the final afternoon of Term 2.  I look forward to seeing parents at this event and to saying farewell before students depart for the vacation.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Curriculum Insights
The Design and Make Process – Hands on Science
Students from Kindergarten to Year 4 have been actively immersed in their various design and make projects this term in the Science & Technology K-6 content strand of Physical Phenomena.  Much recycled material has now been successfully incorporated into interesting objects.
 
Kindergarten has made an aesthetically appealing wheeled toy which travels across the playground in all manner of unique ways that is dependent upon the alignment of the shaft.  Year 1 are perfecting their percussion musical instruments by applying their knowledge of how musical instruments produce sounds and making design changes and modifications to ensure the sound travels successfully to the ‘listener’. Year 2 students’ colourful parachute designs are being tested and modified to ensure they float through the air to deliver the ‘passenger’ safely back to ground.

Year 3 have taken their initial ideas from existing board games to create ‘their design brief’ of making a game, suitable for primary school children, which incorporates the use of magnetic forces and Year 4 have been working cooperatively to produce an intricate marble track that relies on the invisible force of gravity to ensure each marble ‘let loose’ on the track reaches its final destination!

In order for the whole school to share in the term’s learning, final products and fun, each class will host a 30-minute session in their classroom during the last week of term.  Other classes are invited to visit and examine the projects and quiz the design teams about their creations.

Year 5 and 6 students will host a sharing session in their classrooms during Week 10 to present their ‘scientific information reports’ on the last known surviving (and in some instances now believed extinct)  Dragon species.  This research task has been completed with much enthusiasm by students during the Stage 3 Library Programme throughout Term 3 and their research now offers the opportunity for younger students to share in their highly imaginative findings!

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

Co-curricular Activities
Musica Viva:  Students from Transition to Year 2 will be attending a Music Viva performance of the string quartet, Zephyr Quartet, on Friday 26 June at 12:00noon.  This Musica Viva In Schools programme is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience professional quality musical performances at Gib Gate.
Dance Programme:  During Term 2 students have enjoyed participating in the Dance Programme delivered by Ms Annabel Lomax.  To conclude this unit there will be a ‘Dance-off’ on Thursday 2 July at 2pm on the tennis courts.  Students from all classes will share the dances they have learned as part of this programme.  Parents and friends are most welcome to attend.
Extra Curricular Enrolments Term 3: Enrolments for extra curricular classes in Term 3 are currently due. Please return the forms promptly so that classes can be finalised for next term.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator

STURT

FRIENDS OF STURT Christine Hurditch (President), Joan Dinning (Secretary), Julie Musgrove, Henrietta and Ralph Ierace, Ruth Wright, Bill Dinning (Ex-officio members: Megan Patey, Melanie Olde).

Sturt Gallery
Drawings and sculptures do not adequately describe the exhibition on display at Sturt Gallery this month. Luminously coloured, sensitively depicted landscapes and large carved wooden sculptures fill the room – all created in the last 18 months by Brian Kirkby.

An art teacher all his working life, Brian Kirkby spends his non-teaching time painting, drawing and carving.  Two sites fascinate him – the Capertree Valley near Mudgee, and Jamberoo, 25kms from Mittagong.  The drawings in this exhibition are constructed using oil pastels and graphite – creating landscapes of strong colour and sensitive line.  The sculptures are carved from a range of woods – pear, camphor laurel, rosewood and white cedar.  This popular exhibition is on display till 26 July and is well worth a visit.

The Ceramics Triennale2009 is a large Ceramics Conference to be held in Sydney, 16-19 July  this year. In conjunction with this Conference, several galleries in regional areas are hosting ceramic exhibitions to be promoted as part of the Triennale.  Sturt Gallery is presenting two exhibitions, A Celebration of Form showing the work of the late Gillian Broinowski, and Six Southern Highlands Artists – showing the work of Sandy Lockwood, Don Court, Steve Harrison, Janine King, Tania Rollond, Elizabeth Charles and Martin Halstead.

As a girl, Gillian Broinowski attended Frensham.  After completing her formal training, Gillian practised her art of ceramics for over 40 years, from studios at Camden, then near Dalgety, and then again, from Cobbitty near Camden in NSW.  Her concern was initially with functional ware, her pots finely made, clothed in a range of traditional glazes but exhibiting a quiet control and made with a care typical of the artist.  Years of seeing pots, as she made them and as she collected them, (her kitchen and living areas were surrounded by beautiful pots chosen carefully) led Gillian in the last 20 years to play with shape and form, creating ‘sculptures’ which referenced function but which stood alone as small works of sculpture.  These later works are on display at Sturt Gallery.  Sturt Gallery is proud to present a selection of Gillian’s work, left in her studio, following her death, in November 2008.  This presentation is on view, until 25 July.

Sturt Winter School
Enrolments for the Sturt Winter School continue up until the commencement of the Winter School on 13 July, so there are still plenty of opportunities for students to enrol in favourite courses.  For all enquiries, please phone Sturt on 02 4860 2083 or view the website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

The Extra Subject Enrolment Forms for Term 3 will be sent to parents by email this week.  If your daughter is currently enrolled in an Extra Subject it is assumed she will continue with this activity next Term unless you notify the School of her withdrawal.  If your daughter wishes to commence a new Extra Subject, a new Extra Subject Enrolment form should be completed.

Sturt activities require students to enrol each term because courses are designed to last 10 weeks.
 
A reminder to parents that all girls should be dropped-off and collected from the Boarding Houses. Thank you for your support with this.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

Changes to the University Admission Index (UAI)
The University Admissions Centre has published, on its website, changes to its ranking procedures for university admission.  These changes will be in effect for the 2009 HSC cohort in NSW and ACT, for university admission in 2010.

The UAI will now be called the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), which is the common name that all states (except Queensland) will be adopting for their university selection index.  The other states will commence using the name ATAR in 2010.

The ATAR, like the UAI, is a rank not a mark.  One major change is that the maximum rank will now be an ATAR of 99.95 instead of 100 as previously.  Ranks will continue to be calculated in lots of 0.05 and will indicate a student’s rank in relation to her Year 7 cohort rather than to the Year 10 group.  As a consequence, the majority of students will receive a slightly higher ATAR than the equivalent UAI. More information, including tables comparing UAIs and ATARs, is available on UAC’s website at www.uac.edu.au .

For all students these changes will have very little effect. The scaling process will be the same, the rank order of students will be the same and the same applicants will be selected for the same courses.  Any small change in an ATAR compared to a UAI will see an equivalent change in the course cut-off.

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

The Salvation Army Doorknock was a great success in terms of both money raised and the spirit in which the girls went about the collection.  They returned with many stories of those whom they met and what they had encountered.  We continued the notion of ‘giving’ in the School Service on Sunday.

In the latest edition of Lights Out, [the Australian Boarding Schools’ Association magazine] there was an interesting article on problems facing Boarding Schools written by the Chairman, Dr. Timothy Hawkes:
‘Perhaps one of the significant new threats to the well-being of our boarders is that of cyber bullying and the risk to student privacy.

Now that most mobile phones have in-built cameras, the capacity to take a covert photo and send this image to others, is very great.  This constitutes a gross breach of privacy and may be considered as breaking the law.  If the image is particularly inappropriate, such as a photo of a student in the nude, then the chances of criminal charges being laid are high.

The simplicity of taking photos and transmitting them to others combines with ignorance of the severity of the infraction, to ensure that too many students are falling foul of the law in this area.

An associated problem is that of cyber bullying by sending inappropriate text messages, posting abusive or defamatory comments on Face-book sites, and a myriad number of other miseries and harassment is inflicted using modern electronic means.  Our boarders need to understand the seriousness of these actions.  They can bring discredit on the student and on the boarding community.  More importantly these actions can bring distress into the lives of another.’

The School continues to evaluate ways to keep students safe from harm.

End of Term travel is being finalised.  Parents should ensure that girls are aware of the transport arrangements requested.

Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Boarding

Teaching and Learning

Next week, for the first time, we harness the potential of video conferencing technology in a formal learning setting to allow students to prepare for the Religious and Ethical Questions section of the AHIGS Festival of Speech.  Dr Mianna Lotz, a lecturer in applied ethics at Macquarie University will meet students for the first time next week via Skype, a popular online technology for video calls.  Students will be required to read material supplied by Dr Lotz prior to the Skype video conference so that they can pose thoughtful comments and questions.

Dr Lotz will visit Frensham early next term and conduct a face-to-face workshop with students with further follow-up conversations via Skype to assist preparation for the Festival.  Dr Lotz’s involvement allows students to explore academic literature as far as they are capable and forges a link with the academic community.

The use of telecommunications to allow students access to university academics was inspired by a response by Peter Senge at the Australian Council of Educational Leaders Conference to the question: ‘What will schools be like in 50 years?’  Senge predicted that we would ‘…bring the grown ups back into the raising of children’ using Information and Communication Technologies to connect young people with experts around the globe who share the same educational passions and that our most expert and accomplished citizens would take the time to support and guide individuals in the coming generations.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

Careers News

Year 10
I have met with Year 10 students and distributed copies of the Host Employer Consent Forms which contain information regarding work experience tasks, special requirements (such as clothing, footwear and meals), working hours, the contact person or supervisor and any other relevant information they may need.  Again this year, there is a great diversity of work experiences awaiting the girls, including: veterinary nursing, equine management, journalism, architecture and graphic design, advertising and marketing, fashion design, nursing and healthcare, marine biology, hospitality and events management, television and film production, opera, education and science.

Among the placements are some very interesting positions. They include:  working on the ABC television show Catalyst, marine research at Lizard Island Research Station, Taronga Zoo, Questacon, Garvan Institute ‘Mouse House’ facility, the Australian Museum and NSW Art Gallery. Two will attend rehearsals and behind-the-scenes at Pacific Opera and Musica Viva. Nine budding fashionistas will descend on Surry Hills and Melbourne designers while six girls will explore different areas of medicine. Some will work in political placements, one with ACT Local Government, another with Julie Bishop MP. Eleven students will work in schools, including the Shepherd Centre, a school in the UK and a school for disabled children.

Year 10 Career testing, conducted by a qualified practitioner, will take place on Thursday 25 June.  The data is analysed and feedback is provided through a detailed 12-page individual report early in Term 3.

Years 11 and 12
A number of senior girls attended a Health Professions information programme where they heard numerous presentations representing many areas of health.  Student-representatives from two universities were also present who were willing to answer questions about their studies.

Mrs Cherylynne Williams, Careers Adviser

English and Drama

On Monday 15 June, students in Years 8, 9 and 10 attended workshops in The Actors at Work programme from Bell Shakespeare.  The first performance was Love’s Magic and this explored the different kinds of love represented in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet, both of which are in the Stage 4 and 5 teaching programme.  Year 10 experienced The Macbeth Intensive.  This was very relevant as students in Year 10 have been preparing their speeches for the Term 2 Oral assessment on Macbeth.  The actors and writers focus on the language used by Shakespeare, showing its relevance to a modern audience.  They also discuss how ideas are represented through the characters and how these are still significant in the modern world.

Emma Campbell represented Frensham at the Sydney Morning Herald Plain English Speaking State semi-final on Friday 19 June at SCEGGS Darlinghurst.  She said she enjoyed the experience immensely and has some good ideas to share with other Public Speakers in her role as Head of Public Speaking and Debating.  This is a very demanding competition and Emma is commended for reaching this point.  In most years only six students are selected for the State Final.

Students in Year 10 will be required to read the fiction text, The Lord of the Flies over the July vacation.  Girls in Year 9 will be issued with copies of To Kill a Mockingbird and it is recommended that they begin the reading before they return to school for Term 3.  Please note that this is not compulsory for Year 9 students.

The Year 12 Standard class will be visited by J C Burke this Wednesday to discuss her novel, The Story of Tom Brennan which they are studying as their third literature module for the HSC.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language Arts

HSIE

Students in Years 7–10 demonstrated key geographical skills and knowledge in the 2009 National Geographic Channel Australian Geography Competition.  Student results and the School’s overall performance were very encouraging.  Several students performed to a very high level this year with 11 gaining High Distinctions, 19 gaining Distinctions and 36 gaining Credits.

The National Geographic Channel Geography Australian Geography Competition attracts students Australia-wide with almost 90,000 each year attempting the test.  The Competition is a joint initiative of the Australian Geography Teachers’ Association and the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland and is sponsored by National Geographic Channel, which believes that geography nurtures our natural curiosity in, and appreciation of, the world’s people and places.  Students who entered this competition are congratulated on their results.

The Year 11 Mock Trial team was thrilled to learn they team have progressed to the elimination rounds of the competition.  Their next Mock Trial will be held before the end of this term.

Mrs Jacqualine McCarroll, HSIE Coordinator

Music

At the end of each term, a Concert Practice is arranged one afternoon to provide musicians with an opportunity to perform pieces they have been developing to a supportive audience.  This term, given the number of musicians, there was insufficient time to accommodate all on the one afternoon.  For the first time, a new concert format was established – Frensham Lunchtime Concerts.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, lunchtime performances were held in School Hall.  Performers were well prepared by extra-curricular staff and they were well supported by their friends in the audience.  This initiative is one example of Ms Madden’s work in supporting extra-curricular musicians at Frensham, particularly those who are preparing for AMEB examinations early next term.

Mr Michael Spencer, Music Coordinator

Science

During the July Vacation, three Year 8 students will be participating in a Talented Student Forensic Camp in Armidale.  Sophie Meredith, Rebecca McCreath and Lauren Zawal will be representing Frensham at this exciting five-day programme.  This camp challenges to develop problem-solving abilities and creative thinking skills; develop research skills; develop independent study skills; strengthen communication skills and receive intellectual stimulation from contact with other highly motivated students, all within the exciting context of forensic science and crime scene investigation. This opportunity was brought to the attention of all Year 8 students by Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes, Mrs Kate Chauncy and the girls are to be commended for successfully completing the application and selection process.

Mr Jason Smith, Science Coordinator

Sport

Athletics
Peter Reed is a new member of the Athletics coaching staff, joining Ron Thompson, Level 4 Athletics Coach.  Peter specialises in field events, throwing in particular.  He has worked in the health, fitness and nutrition industries for the past 26 years.  A fully qualified strength coach, Peter has restarted his athletics career in the Masters division, with recent gold and silver medal wins at both state and national level.  We also welcome Mr Bill Cape, a High Jump specialist, taking girls through numerous High Jump drills and helping them improve their technique.  

Gymnastics
Kim Morres-Evans has been coaching gymnastics for 25 years and is one of the longest serving Gymnastics Judges in NSW with nearly 30 years’ experience.  She has attended many National Championships as a judge and has twice travelled with Junior Australian teams to International Competitions.  Kim has officiated at the World Championships in Melbourne and recently at the Youth Olympics in Sydney.  She now owns and operates her own Gymnastics Club in Moss Vale and is committed to and passionate about the sport of Gymnastics.  Frensham students have the opportunity to train at school on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with visits to Moss Vale gym to utilise specialist equipment.

NETBALL AND HOCKEY SELECTION DATES

Juniors
Netball: Games Field Courts
Hockey: Games Field. [Shin pads and mouth guards required]

Year 7 and Junior girls not in finals
Tuesday 23 June: 4.00-5.30pm
Friday 26 June: 4.00-4.45pm

All Year 7 and Junior Players
Tuesday 30 June: 4.00-5.30pm

Seniors
Netball Gym Court for morning
Netball Games Field for afternoon
Hockey Turf Field

Year 10
Wednesday 24 June: Period 4 and 6
Thursday 25 June: 4.00-5.30pm if not in a final

Year 11 and 12

Full sports uniform must be worn

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.

Mrs Amanda Wansey, Coordinator of Sport

Visual Arts

The National Art School, situated in Darlinghurst, Sydney, offers an Intensive Studio Practice course specifically catering for current Year 11 Visual Arts students who are achieving well in their Preliminary year and who plan to study Visual Arts in Year 12.  The course is comprised of three modules, run in July and October of this year.  Isabelle Gillespie, Clara Lamond and Polly Paradice are congratulated on being selected for this course from an extensive number of applications from across the state.  All three students have been accepted into the discipline of Painting.  Students who have attended this course in the past have commented on its value to their development as students of Visual Arts leading into the HSC year.   

Mr Phil Alldis, Visual Arts Coordinator

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