GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 3 NO 1 - 30 JULY 2009

Vacation – a time for reflection and deep thinking....
Within a framework of rest and relaxation, senior colleagues took advantage of scheduled time towards the end of the recent vacation for review and consideration of our programmes and structures. 

At Gib Gate we had the added stimulus of seeing a new project growing rapidly on a daily basis, the realisation of Ms Robson’s Reggio-Emilia-inspired Preschool playground as well as the transformation of existing spaces into the new Year 3 classroom and the temporary Library, whilst we continued planning for the possibilities that will flow once the new Gib Gate Library is opened in just over 12 months from now.  The professional development at the end of Term 2, exploring Dr Andrew Martin’s research-based views on the learning needs of boys and girls, also provided a catalyst for consideration of our ongoing focus on high quality teaching designed to meet the individual needs of children.

For Frensham, the major focus of our debate and planning was on ideas we have been developing over the past two years, all driven by a rationale that considers best-practice for the education of teenagers, including acknowledgement that: ‘Teenagers are risk takers, growing up in a complex and rapidly changing world; traditional education was for the known, whereas today’s is for the unknown. New physical, intellectual and emotional challenges embraced within a stimulating environment are inherently exciting and rewarding.’ 

Drawing on the underpinnings of the Jamieson programme introduced in the 1980s the new scope is embedded in the academic curriculum and ‘full life’ of students from Years 7 to 12.  For 2010, our current Year 8 will see the most significant developments in our efforts to develop further the critical, ethical, flexible thinking of our Year 9 cohorts, through physical, intellectual and emotional challenges that build skills, confidence and courage to deal with the unfamiliar.

With Megan Patey, Head of Sturt, the areas for closest consideration related to our part-time and short courses in Ceramics and Weaving and the upgrade of facilities in particular areas.  Following directly from the success of the 12-week intensive courses in Wood introduced in 2008 will be new courses of a similar style and structure for the other major elements of Sturt’s teaching programme.

Charting the New Education Landscape
9th World Convention of the International Confederation of Principals, Singapore 2009
Questions or theses of particular interest to me, following my attendance at the recent ICP Convention in the first week of the vacation included:
For teachers: ‘What have you learned today (about a child’s learning) that will guide your teaching tomorrow?’
From the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong: ‘Teach less, learn more’ is the guiding principle behind curriculum reform in Singapore’s government schools.
From Sir Dexter Hutt (CEO, Ninestyles Plus) ‘How can we achieve a 21st century school with 20th century default settings?’
From Andy Hargreaves (Chair of Education, Boston College and author of ‘The Fourth Way’) – three professional essentials of professionalism: ‘high quality teachers, powerful professionalism and lively learning communities that are committed to the lifelong learning of students and adults alike. (Where data is used intelligently and meaningfully)...’
From Michael Furdyk (Co-founder and Director, Taking ITGlobal) His vision: Young people everywhere actively engaged in working within their communities to contribute and make a difference to global issues and sustainability – a learning community where students are inspired, informed and  involved.
From Professor Yong Zhao (Michigan State University) – ‘What knowledge is of the most worth: implications of globalisation and of the digital revolution for education?.’

Ahead, I look forward to opportunities to discuss these and other areas of educational debate that are occupying considerable attention in our planning for the future at Gib Gate and Frensham.

Acknowledgment to:

• Emily Meredith, Year 10, for her outstanding achievement in winning the national UNIFEM Essay Prize for students up to Year 12, for her submission that focused on the impact of primary education for all, as one of the Millennium Goals;
• Georgina Milne, Year 10, for the selection of her extremely creative, well-resolved work as part of the 2009 National Portrait Gallery on-line Exhibition for students, ‘Headspace 9’;
• Annabelle Chauncy (2003) for winning $10 000 for her School in Uganda through the Marie-Claire – Women Making a Difference programme;
• Recent Iris recipient Jesse Ambler (All Round Excellence) and Girdle recipient Annika Rookyard (Service);
• The Gib Gate and Frensham Snowsports Teams, for their commendable results in the recent Northern NSW Interschools Championships;
• Nellie Evans (2008) for selection for the Regional Design TECH Award for her On the Green Cluster Housing Concept from the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of NSW, recognising young designers in Architecture;
• Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recipient: Alexandra Hanbury (2008);
• Sturt Staff, for conducting a most successful Winter School held on the Frensham and Sturt campuses in Week 2 of the recent vacation;
• Students attending state, national and School-based camps in Science, Visual Arts and Hockey and independently organised Drama rehearsal during the vacation. Please see Reports in this Newsletter.
• Frensham Heads of House appointed to serve in Term 3: Year 11Linden: Zoё Philip & Katherine Porter; Year 11 Bryant: Charlotte Lymbery & Scarlett O’Connor ; Year 12 Turner: Katie Snow & Emily Alison; Year 12 McCarthy: Katherine Scott & Georgina Waters

Studies and Career News – Old Girls
Also: re Annabelle Chauncy – from the Sydney Law School:
Final year Arts/Law student, Annabelle Chauncy (BA 2007) is the winner of the 2009 Sydney Chinese Lions Humanitarian Scholarship.

Annabelle has always been involved in humanitarian aid work. 

Between 2001-03 (Years 10-12 at Frensham) Annabelle was school leader of Youthbeat - a youth project which addressed drugs, alcohol, and other youth problems. 

In 2007, she travelled to Kenya and Uganda on a self-funded three-month volunteer program, living in a remote village, teaching over 50 children in a mud hut, and renovating a small orphanage there.  Recognising education as a means to breaking the poverty cycle, she undertook the voluntary role of Project Manager of Hands of Help's Uganda and facilitated volunteers on a school construction project.  Since 2008, together with another co-founder, she created United Future Foundation (UFF), a non-profit organisation.

UFF is planning to build a primary school/vocational training centre in Uganda in July 2010, focusing on children and youth with limited access to education.  Their goals are expansive and aim at benefiting the whole community, offering sustainable and free education for disadvantaged individuals such as orphans, HIV/AIDS victims and those who have dropped out of school.  UFF has received sponsorships from a number of professional firms as well as from the Ugandan High Commission in Canberra.

Annabelle will continue to work on a pro bono basis for UFF to undertake humanitarian services for those in need.

The Sydney Law School extends its congratulations to Annabelle.

Staffing
I am pleased to welcome to Kennedy House and to the coaching staff of the School, Miss Fiona Harris, BA (Hons), a PDHPE graduate from the UK, who moves to Frensham from her position on the staff of Lancing College for the past two years.  Miss Harris, encouraged by recent Year 12 leavers, Georgia Kirkpatrick (Head Girl 2007), Elizabeth Hufton (2006) and Samantha Pogson (2008) who were GAP students at Lancing College, to seek experience at Frensham, prior to taking up her studies in teaching at the end of 2010.  Miss Harris will work alongside Mrs Parsons, Mrs Hart and Mrs Goldsack as part of the Kennedy House team from Tuesday afternoons to Sunday evening each week.

Major Works on Campus:
Major projects completed or progressed over the vacation included:

• Demolition of the Gib Gate Library and Year 3 classroom in preparation for building works commencing in the October vacation;
• Refurbishment of a classroom for Year 3 and of a space for the Library, to operate during the building of the new Library / Classroom / Computer Research facility;
• Commencement of the Archives Extension project on Sturt Campus, for completion this term;
• Refurbishment of the Latin Room at Frensham (Rm 7);
• Refurbishment of the Games Field Pavilion at Frensham (including the addition of a male and disabled toilet, for completion within the next couple of weeks);
• Completion of the initial architectural design of the connection of McCarthy and Bryant Houses, to add Common Areas for Year 12, 10 single rooms for boarders and senior residential staff accommodation.

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

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

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

During the last week of Term 2, Year 5 students accompanied by Mrs Venish enjoyed Sample High School Day at Frensham.  This is an important part of the Stage 3 experience at Gib Gate and is designed to help prepare students for entry into Year 7.  

The day began with an introduction to high school by Deputy Head, Mr Marsh.  Students were then taken on a tour of the campus by hosts from Year 9, gaining an insight to high school from a student point of view.  Students then participated in a number of sample high school lessons which included Drama with Mrs Muir-Smith, Science in one of the Science Laboratories with Mr Smith, Geography with Mrs Elliott and Mathematics with Mrs Rafferty.  During morning tea and lunch, a number of senior staff were able to answer students’ questions about what they had experienced and what to expect when they enter Year 7.

Gib Gate Semester 1 Reports were posted to all parents on Friday 3 July.  The reports give parents an overview of individual progress in the form of teacher comments and grades.  Information is also provided which allows parents to see how many children in each class received a particular grade.  Please note that Semester 1 Reports form one part of the reporting process.  Parent/Teacher interviews play an essential role in the reporting process and, if you have not already done so, we encourage you to make an appointment with your child’s teacher in so that we can work together to ensure that your child is reaching his/her full potential.  Parents are welcome to contact Ms Robson should they have any questions or concerns regarding the Reports and their child’s progress.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Curriculum Insights
Beginning this week, students from Kindergarten to Year 6 begin new units of work in HSIE for Semester 2.  A range of excursions and guests to the School has been arranged to support each teaching and learning unit.

Kindergarten’s unit ‘A Day in the Life of a Child’, allows students the opportunity to learn about the lives, homes and families of children in other countries and to make comparisons about how their own lives are similar to and different from those of other children.  Stage 1 students, in their unit ‘Around the Block’, observe and gather information about the natural and built features in the local area and gain an understanding of how people interact with, and care, for both environments.  Stage 2 students, through the unit ‘China Down Under’, will explore and investigate the diverse characteristics of Australia’s cultural heritage with a particular emphasis on how Chinese migration to our country has assisted in creating a culturally diverse society in our contemporary culture.  Year 5 students, through the Australian Migration History unit, learn about the significant events and people in the past who have shaped and contributed to the ‘Australian identity’, particularly those individuals and groups who made Australia their home after World War 2.  Year 6 students focus on an in-depth study of key figures in Australia’s past and present who have made significant contributions and achievements, both nationally and internationally, in a variety of fields.

With the ‘2009 Book Safari’ approaching and excitement building for one of the favourite activities at the School – Children’s Book Week at Gib Gate -  the Library teaching and learning programme will focus on the books written by our visiting author Sue Whiting.  Children across all years will continue to learn more about Sue’s work and enjoy shared reading sessions of her picture books and novels with Mrs Marsh and class teachers.

During last term, a number of students in Years 3-6 undertook the annual ICAS Science and Writing Competitions.  Next Tuesday 4 August, participating students will sit for the annual ICAS English Competition which assesses reading and language skills in a range of contexts including reading for meaning in literary texts and factual texts, textual devices, syntax and vocabulary.  The questions require students to locate, identify, interpret, infer and synthesise information in and about texts.  

The Mathematics Competition will take place in Week 4 on Wednesday 19 August.  This will complete the competitions for 2009 and results for both Science and Writing will be advised as they are received during this term.

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

Gib Gate Sport
Gymnastics - Students involved in the co-curricular activity of Gymnastics, travelled to the Mittagong Recreational Centre to experience a training specific gymnasium with different apparatus not previously experienced by the students.  The deep foam pit and rings proved to be popular with the students.  Selected students from the Gymnastics group are preparing for their first IPSHA Gymnastic competition in Term 4.

Skiing - Gib Gate entered one team and two individual skiers in the Northern Region Interschools Snowsports Championships held at Perisher Blue over the vacation.  Congratulations to Ryan Tan (Year 6), Airlie Kinross (Year 5), Andrea Tan (Year 5), Celia Stewart (Year 5) and Adrian Tan (Year 2) who competed in the Alpine, Skier X and Mogul events.

Athletics – In Term 3 Athletics begins at Gib Gate with the School Carnival involving all students from Year 2 to Year 6 on Friday 7 August.  This is followed by the representative carnivals beginning with the SHIPS Carnival at Tudor House on Friday 14 August and the IPSHA Carnival held at The Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre, Homebush on Wednesday 2 September. 

All students from Year 1 to Year 6 were involved in a series of Athletics Clinics last term conducted by Lotrez from Little Athletics Australia.  Many students have also taken the opportunity to attend two morning Athletic sessions per week with Ron Thompson in preparation for the coming season.

Clinics - Gib Gate students will be involved in a variety of Clinics during Term 3.  The School’s Jump Rope for Heart Programme will begin with Skipping Workshops in Week 2.  Athletics sessions with Ron Thompson will continue until the end of the Athletics session on Wednesday and Friday mornings.  Years 3 to Year 6 will participate in AFL Clinics during Physical Education lessons in Week 3 and Kindergarten to Year 2 will enjoy a Cricket afternoon with NSW Cricket Representatives also in Week 3. 

Mrs Sally Musgrove, Coordinator of PE and Sport

Teaching and Learning
The Professional Development programme on Friday 3 July included presentations by Ms Melinda Tankard Reist on Issues for Adolescent Girls and Professor Andrew Martin on Boys’ Education.  A full report can be found on page 8.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

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 News
An exhibition of paintings and monotypes by Sarah Gray will open at Sturt Gallery this Sunday at 11am. Ms Gray has lived in Bowral for the past 30 years, coming from a career in music before taking up painting in 1995.  Since then, another world full of colour, shapes, emotions and large challenges has opened up for her.  She has completed a two-year Diploma of Fine Art at TAFE, followed by a Bachelor of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong before completing an Honours year.  Ms Gray is currently working on a PhD and her thesis looks at writing and painting in reference to a particular section of history of the Southern Highlands.  Speaking in particular about her creative work, Ms Gray is not concerned with mimesis but with matters of abstraction and feeling.  Her paintings present an abstract portrait of the landscape, rather than an imitative reproduction of the landscape.

A Sense of Place, Ms Gray’s exhibition, will be opened by Dr Glenn Mitchell, Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Wollongong, on Sunday 2 August.  The Archives will be open on the same day, between 11am and 1pm.

Sturt Courses
Term 3 classes have recommenced and there is still time to join classes in Jewellery, Throwing (ceramics), Fine Woodworking or Weaving.  For all enquiries, phone Sturt on 02 4860 2083.

Twelve-week course in Fine Woodworking
Six students will commence their studies in a twelve-week full-time course in Fine Woodworking on Monday 10 August.  The tutor for this course is David Upfill-Brown, one of the world’s leading educators in wood. Originally from South Africa, David trained in the UK, taught at Canberra School of Art for many years, was the Director the School for Fine Furniture in Launceston and most recently the main instructor at the Centre for Furniture Craftsmanship, in Maine, USA.

Sturt Summer School
One hundred students spent a successful week studying a range of courses in crafts and fine arts as part of the recent Winter School.  Enrolments have now opened for the Summer School to be held from 4-9 January 2010.  The Summer School brochure will be released at the end of August; in the meantime, full details are available on the Sturt website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

The beginning of Term 3 marks the start of the Year 12 Trial Examinations.  It also involves numerous events for other Year Groups, which include:

• IGSSA Hockey and Netball
• Continuation of the Junior Production Rehearsals (Years 8/9)
• The start of auditions for the End of Year Production (Years 7-12).

Most extra-curricular activities began in Week 1 and the School is looking forward to the start of the IGSSA Netball and Hockey seasons this weekend.  The first Closed Weekend of Term will involve Year Groups in a number of activities including Hockey and Netball Clinics on Sunday.

Preparations are underway for the upcoming Year 9 and Year 11 Parent Weekends and the Year 10 Goal Setting interviews.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

Year 12 students have commenced Term 3 after a refreshing but work-filled vacation.  During that time, they completed study notes, practised past examination papers, worked on Major Projects, developed speaking and performance skills and revised for their Trial HSC examinations which will be held from Monday 3-Friday 14 August.  While these examinations are an important part of the learning programme, they are also excellent practice for what students can expect in the final HSC examinations in October and November. These comprise a major part of internal HSC assessment marks in most subjects.  Year 12 students have been provided with information highlighting the rules relating to the examination period and their responsibilities during this time.  Once the examinations have been marked, Year 12 parents will receive a summary statement of their daughters’ results.

This week Year 10 parents will receive a letter outlining details surrounding the Year 10 Goal Setting Interviews on 15 August.  During the afternoon, each family group will have a 30-minute interview with a senior member of staff, as well as attending an important plenary session which will detail the process for subject selection, Board of Studies’ regulations and the requirements for successful senior studies.  Prior to these interviews, Year 10 students will complete a questionnaire which covers such topics as study techniques, approach to study, career planning, initial subject planning and extra-curricular involvement.

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

A lot of excited girls returned to School with many stories to tell about their adventures over the vacation.  Three new members of the School were also welcomed and a new member of the House Staff, Miss Fiona Harris.

Plans are well underway for the Father-Daughter Ball on 15 August.  Hopefully, all fathers or significant adults have their Dinner suits ready and are practising their dancing.  This event has always been one of great enjoyment.

After first semester, we are evaluating the weekend programme, gaining feedback from the different year groups and planning ahead to ensure that the weekends continue to be meaningful as well as fun.  Friday nights remain a special focus for the whole School.  This coming weekend we are planning to once more tackle Mountain Bike riding; this proved to be great fun on the last Closed Weekend especially the visit by a team of Juniors and Ms Gillick to perform war cries for seniors.  Some Seniors found riding the bikes more difficult than they imagined.  

Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Boarding

Teaching and Learning

The Professional Development programme on Friday 3 July included presentations by Ms Melinda Tankard Reist on Issues for Adolescent Girls and Professor Andrew Martin on Boys’ Education.

Ms Reist outlined the messages being directed at adolescent and teenage girls about sexuality, self-worth and body image through magazines, television and merchandise.  She documented many examples of misinformation, damaging advice and poor modelling to young women in contemporary media which work directly against young women’s mental and physical health.  Ms Reist praised the structures and practices in place at Frensham which minimise student exposure to media messages and counter their effect.  In the afternoon, Ms Reist worked with members of the teaching staff to examine curriculum opportunities for developing students’ ability to recognise and criticise destructive media messages.

For Gib Gate, Professor Martin reviewed research related to differences in the learning needs of boys and girls.  He highlighted research that suggests the strength of co-educational environments for social and emotional development of junior school students.  Dr Martin stressed that, above all, what is most important is that students are being taught by highly skilled teachers.  He also emphasised that a very wide range of developmental differences in any class group in the early years of school is very normal and while research shows some physiological and behavioural differences in the ways boys and girls learn, it reveals far more similarities than differences between boys and girls.  Dr Martin outlined some of his own research, conducted as part of a review of boys’ education for the Australian Government, which highlights the particular importance to boys of a strong, caring relationship with the teacher.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

English and Drama

Term 3 is filled with Public Speaking opportunities and the events in which students from Frensham are entered begin in Week 2.

On Wednesday 5 August, Sarah Loewy (Year 11) will speak at the Berrima District Rotary meeting in the 4 Ways Speaking Competition.  Sarah has to prepare a speech which includes the following ideas: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned?  Will it build goodwill and better friendships?  Will it beneficial to all concerned?
On the following Friday, Brooke Martin-Smith and Madeleine Bowdern (Year 9) will travel to Bomaderry for the regional Final of the Legacy Plain English Speaking Competition, in which they have to present a prepared speech on a significant topic of five minutes and an impromptu speech for which they have five minutes preparation to speak for two minutes.

On Tuesday night 18 August, a team of students form Years 7-11 will travel to Holy Spirit College at Bellambi for the South Coast Public Speaking Competition.

This term also, teams are preparing for the AHIGS Festival of Speech which is held at the end of Term 3 and Year 9 English will experience the Debating Enrichment programme conducted by Mrs Vink.  For eight lessons (timetabled in English), students complete an intensive debating course.  Interested students must confirm their interest with Mrs Symons this week.  If parents have questions about this course, these can be directed to Mrs Symons.

Rehearsals have begun for Shakespeare Vignettes, the Junior production which will be performed on Saturday 29 August.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language Arts

Japanese
This term, we welcome a new Japanese Assistant, Misa (pronounced as in ‘mi’ in mini-mouse and ‘sa’ as in sayonara) Tatematsu, a 21-year-old student from Nagoya, who is studying to become a Japanese teacher.  During her time at Frensham she will observe and participate in classes and assist students to improve their Japanese language skills.  Misa has already spent four months in Australia studying English and traveling to the major cities. 

Ms Karen Reidy, Teacher of Japanese

HSIE

Mock Trial - The Frensham Mock Trial Team travelled to Bateman’s Bay on Thursday of the last week of Term 2 to contest the First Elimination Round of the NSW Mock Trial Competition.  

Frensham contested this round against St Peter’s Anglican College, Broulee and Frensham was the plaintiff in a civil case.  The Frensham team comprised Rosie Latimer, Zoë Philip, Jaleesa Newell, Guislaine Allen, Charlotte Midson, Isis Oliver, Jacklyn Wyer and Sarah Loewy.  Frensham was taking legal action against St Peter’s Anglican College for not displaying enough duty of care during a nature expedition during which guns were used.  Frensham successfully pursued this case and the magistrate awarded some damages to the plaintiff.  Frensham also won the case, based on the performance of the team, given the materials supplied by the Law Society.  Frensham progresses to the Elimination Round 3 and will face St Francis’ College, Leeton in August.

The team’s performance in preparation and on the day was outstanding and the competition was close, Frensham winning by two (221-219) points.  Frensham thanks Mr Chris Jowett, of Selman Jowett Solicitors for his support and expertise in raising the level of expertise of the team.  All girls contributed to the result and many hours were involved in preparing for the trial.  The team’s performance has progressively improved over the year which augurs well for the contest ahead.

Ms Judy Bradley, Mock Trial Coordinator

Mathematics

Calculators have been in use in the Mathematics classroom since approximately 1980.  Initially pre-technology adults decried their use, remembering their own school days of much time spent on long division and using log tables or slide rules.  The use of the calculator freed up students to handle real-life problems, rather than simplified ones, and removed the drudgery while still requiring analytical skills and mathematical reasoning to solve the problems.  In more recent years, the graphics calculator has been introduced into some of the Mathematics courses, in particular in General Mathematics in Years 11 and 12.  The graphics calculator can perform operations such as fast and accurate computation, storing and recalling large amounts of data, computing simulated and realistic data and visually linking numerical, algebraic and graphical concepts.
 
Nevertheless, it is incumbent upon Mathematics teachers to ensure that their students can not only use the technology but can also make informed decisions about whether it is more efficient to use by-hand or calculator processes to solve a problem.  Students are discouraged from becoming too dependent on their calculators and are taught to develop their mental computation and mathematical reasoning skills.

In Years 7-10, the NSW Board of Studies’ Mathematics syllabus recommends that programmable graphics calculators be restricted to investigations and explorations.  While non-programmable calculators are owned by all students in these year groups and kept at hand in the classrooms, students are regularly required to use mental arithmetic processes and are taught to develop skills of approximation.  All formal assessment tasks up to and including the School Certificate Test have a non-calculator component.

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Director of Mathematics

Music

Year 10 Music students are looking forward to an excursion on the evening of Thursday 6 August, when they will be hearing the SSO perform a programme which includes Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn and A Hero’s Life by Richard Strauss.  They are studying these works as part of a unit of 19th Century repertoire, so the concert will be an edifying as well as an exciting one.

Another concert worth noting is the Song Company’s Sounds of Silence, to be held in the Frensham School Hall at 7pm on Saturday 29 August.  This professional vocal ensemble presents music of the highest quality and it is recommended to all students and parents who enjoy beautiful choral works.

Mr Michael Spencer, Music Coordinator

Science

The recent vacation period allowed many students the opportunity to participate in additional programmes to extend their understanding in Science.

Emily Meredith and Georgina Milne attended the University of Sydney Gifted and Talented Science Discovery Programme over three days.  The programme covers Physics, Chemistry and Biology with lecture topics such as Rockets, Cosmology, Chemical Disasters and Human Physiology.  The students also undertook workshops in each of these branches of Science with the highlight being a dissection of a brain.  The qualifying examination for entry to this worthwhile programme will be offered to Year 9 students later this year and is highly recommended.

Rebecca McCreath, Sophie Meredith and Lauren Zawal participated in a Gifted and Talented Forensic Science camp in Armidale during the vacation.  In this five-day programme, students assume the role of forensic scientists at a crime scene and accumulate evidence using a range of analytical techniques.  The students follow this process through to a courtroom trial using their evidence.  This exciting approach ensured that the students were engaged in the camp.

Teresa Santonastaso participated in the prestigious International Science School held at the University of Sydney.  The two-week programme had a theme of ‘From Genes to Galaxies’ and explored the latest areas of scientific endeavour.

Students in Year 9 also have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming Siemens Science Experience.  This programme is offered throughout New South Wales at various universities during the upcoming October and January vacations.  The Science Experience is highly recommended by Frensham students who have attended this programme in the past and Year 9 students will be given further details in class on how to apply.

Mr Jason Smith, Science Coordinator

Sport

Hockey
On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, a number of girls participated in a Hockey camp held at Frensham.  The camp was coordinated by Ivan Boulton from OzSports, a highly qualified and experienced hockey coach, being a FIH (International Hockey Federation) Grade One coach.  He has coached around the world, including South Africa, New Zealand and Sydney.  Mr Boulton currently coaches the NSW Men’s team as well as local club teams.  The camp was beneficial to all those who attended, focusing on improving skills and preparing the girls for the season ahead.

Netball and Hockey Clinics - The Netball and Hockey Clinics will be held this Sunday 2 August and are compulsory for Years 7-10, optional for Years 11 and 12.  The Clinics have been a great success over the years and Senior girls are encouraged to participate to develop their skills.

The Hockey Clinic will be run by Mr Boulton and he will be joined by a number of other highly qualified coaches, including a specialist goalkeeper.

The Hockey Clinic will be held on the Turf and the Netball Clinic on the Games Filed courts.  Juniors: 11.00am-12.30pm; Seniors: 1.00-2.30pm 

Mrs Amanda Wansey, Coordinator of Sport

Snowsports
The 20 girls who entered the Northern NSW Interschools Championships are to be commended for their performances.  The Team had a successful round of skiing, performing beyond expectation in many categories.  Frensham for the very first time competed and won a place in all three divisions of the Moguls competition and came a strong second for Overall Championship School (Category 2-teams with 24 or less members), which included a very strong performance by the Division 2 skiers in all events. 

Although a few skiers did not compete owing to illness, all team members gave their best on the day and the results were outstanding, with many girls skiing competitively for the first time.  A number of teams (top 5 placings) will now go through to the State Round at Perisher on 26-30 August.  The teams for the State round of competition will be advised by the end of this week.

Northern Championship Results
Division 1:  Year 11 & 12 - Moguls - 2nd Place: Harriet Hooke; Beatriz Grattan-Smith.  Skiercross A -  5th Place: Harriet Hooke; Arabella Kilmartin; Beatrice Osborne.  Skiercross B - 14th Place: Kate Maitland; Sophie Bligh; Cassandra Wait-Hughes.  Skiercross C - 12th Place: Charlotte Midson; Beatriz Grattan-Smith.  Alpine A - 7th Place: Harriet Hooke; Beatrice Osborne; Beatriz Grattan-Smith. 
Division 2:  Year 9 & 10 - Moguls - 2nd Place: Anna Gemmell-Smith; Victoria Sanderson.  Skiercross A - 2nd Place: Emma Quinn, 3rd Place Medal; Victoria Sanderson; Anna Gemmell-Smith.  Skiercross B - 6th Place: Madeleine Quinn; Nicola Fenaughty; Miriam Carr (ill).  Skiercross C - 18th Place: Charlotte Voegeli; Sarah Mitchell; Jarra Robinson (ill).  Alpine A - 2nd Place: Emma Quinn; Anna Gemmell-Smith; Victoria Sanderson; Jessica Burns (Year 8).  Alpine B - 3rd Place: Miriam Carr; Madeleine Quinn; Nicola Fenaughty; Jarra Robinson.  Alpine C - 8th Place: Sarah Mitchell; Charlotte Voegeli; Emma Murphy (Year 8). 
Division 3 - Moguls - 3rd Place: Jessica Burns; Emma Murphy.  Skiercross A - 11th Place: Jessica Burns (8th place individually & through to State Round); Emma Murphy; Amber McIntosh-Jah (ill).

Course Volunteers: Mrs Sarah Hooke, Mr Ian Maitland, Mr Peter Marshall, Mr William Midson, Mrs Virginia Osborne, Mrs Philippa Sanderson. Team Managers: Mrs Sarah Hooke, Mrs Amanda Gemmell-Smith, Mrs Virginia Osborne, Mr Martin Fenaughty, Mrs Jane Kilmartin, Mrs Susan Mitchell.

Thank you to the “on the snow” parents who acted as team managers, course volunteers, coaches and photographers, escorting skiers, equipment and clothing up and down the mountain.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

Ms Joanne Allison, Snowsports Coordinator

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.

Visual Arts

During the vacation, the School was excited to be informed that a self-portrait drawing by Georgina Milne (Year 10) had been selected for the on-line exhibition of Headspace 9, a national student self-portrait exhibition run by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.  Schools were limited to three submissions by students in either Year 10, 11 or 12.

The brief for students, as part of the submission process, was to explore in their work the sub-theme "making connections".  Georgina entered a clever and imaginative charcoal drawing which featured parts of her face visually represented on three links of a paper chain.

A physical exhibition of a limited selection of student artworks together with the on-line exhibition, which Georgina's work is a part of, will open in September at the National Portrait Gallery.  Further details about accessing the on-line exhibition will be published, when available.

Georgina is applauded on this fine achievement.  D'Arcy Bush and Ashleigh Mulé are commended for producing and submitting high quality artworks in the same competition.  

Mr Phil Alldis, Visual Arts Coordinator

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