GIB GATE • FRENSHAM • STURT
TERM 3 NO 4 - 10 SEPTEMBER 2009

School Evaluation: Pathways to Excellence – Strategies for Improvement…
Having written recently of my serious concerns about the federal government’s proposals for school measurement and accountability that is narrowly focused on particular numerical data, I am pleased to have been invited to work with a Reference Group of Heads of Independent Schools to develop what we hope would be considered a useful, effective School Evaluation model that would lead to continual, planned improvement for all schools.

Grounded in relevant research and drawing on best practice, the process of discussion and debate has reinforced the commitment to evaluation, shared by those working within and leading Independent Schools.  To date we have focused particularly on a recently developed Scottish model of self-evaluation called How Good Is Your School? (HMIE 2007) developed in conjunction with legislation that requires all schools to develop and act upon improvement plans.  Some key questions lead this model:

As part of our work, I will be trialling questionnaires for parents, teachers and students over the final weeks of Term 3. 

Staffing update:

• I am pleased to note that we will be welcoming two new staff to join Frensham for the start of Term 4: Ms Lee McGuinness, B A (UNSW), Dip Ed (UNSW), M Arts (Macquarie) is a highly experienced teacher of Senior English currently in the role of Assistant Coordinator in English at Chevalier College and Mrs Sharyn Stafford, M Arts UTS, B Ed WAU, Dip Teach is currently a senior teacher and regional consultant in English and Faculty Head of English, History and Languages at Coonabarabran High School.  Mrs Stafford will also assume additional responsibility as Coordinator of Special Projects.  Ms McGuinness and Mrs Stafford replace Mrs McClay, who retired officially at the end of 2008 and Mrs Virginia Tupou who retired early in 2008, both of whom have generously supported the School by remaining on staff till the new teachers could commence at Frensham.  Mrs McClay will in fact complete the year, covering Mrs Muir-Smith’s Long Service Leave position in Term 4.  A highly experienced director, Mrs McClay is already well underway with preparations for Guys and Dolls.

Sturt Notes:
Exhibitions ahead:

• Sunday, 13 September: Teach - Wood Teachers’ Exhibition to be opened by Brian Parkes, Associate Director and Senior Curator at Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design;
• Sunday 25 October: Threads of Influence- Celebrating Elisabeth Nagel’s 50 years in Sturt Weaving, to be opened by Grace Cochrane, curator and writer of contemporary Australian craft.

Sturt Café: please see information re new Friday morning opening time of 8.30am on particular dates.

Acknowledgement to:

• Recent Year 12 Girdle recipients: Tamara Smart – Athletics and Anika Rookyard – Service;
• Celia Stewart, Year 5, who has been selected for the NSW Southern Branch U12 girls’ soccer team to compete in the NSW Soccer Championships in the October vacation;
• Charlotte Cosyn, Grace Musgrove and Charlotte Lymbery for their success at the recent IGSSA Athletics Carnival; Year 7 who attended as spectators giving the team encouragement and support and to the coaches and Team Captain Tamara Smart;
• Grace Musgrove for her 15th placing (U18s female), 8th  placing (17 Years) and 2nd placing as part of the NSW team at the recent All Schools National Cross-Country Championships;
• The Gib Gate Athletics Team for their success at the IPSHA Athletics Carnival and to those selected to compete at the NSWCIS Athletics Carnival - Adelaide Bailey, Atalanta Mitchell, Sally Montgomery, Monique Turczynski, Michael Zawal, Madeleine Conomos and Atalanta Mitchell;
• Frensham and Gib Gate Science students who participated in the recent ICAS Science Competition;
• The Young Achievement Australia team who won Best Marketing and were Runners-up in Best Corporate Presentation and Best Customer Service at their first Trade Fair (Wollongong) on Saturday 5 September.  Their company Junkyard has manufactured hundreds of calico, printed carry bags, for sale by the end of term;
• Gib Gate children and parents for their enthusiastic participation in the recent Father’s Day Breakfast programme;
• The Gib Gate Tournament of Minds Team led by Mrs Barnett Royds with encouragement from parents and families;
• Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians award recipients for outstanding results including 3 High Distinctions, 5 Distinctions and 11 Credits.  High Distinctions were awarded this year to: Rebecca McCreath, Lauren Zawal and Georgina Whatmore;
• The large contingent of the 20 Year Reunion group who returned to Frensham for the weekend of 29-30 August;
• Year 12 HSC Music 1 students and the younger musicians and technical crew members who performed for the School in a final public concert as preparation for their Examination in two weeks’ time – it was a memorable evening of highly musical performances;
• Year 11 Service and Concert presenters for their excellent preparation and contribution to what was our final Parent Weekend for 2009.

Foundation: Fees Raffle
A reminder to all that there are only 500 tickets (@$100) for the 2010 Fees Raffle. 

The prize of $15, 000 towards School Fees at Gib Gate or Frensham is to be drawn on the last day of Term 1, 2010.

Advisory Committees
Gib Gate Advisory Committee:
From Matters Arising - Tuesday 4 August Meeting

• Head of Gib Gate led discussion re: Cyber-bullying – current programmes and policies;
• Feedback sought by Head of WWS on: use of Sturt Café by Gib Gate community; After School Care usage and needs (for further discussion at Term 4 meeting); publication of ‘School Data’ (related to the proposed government requirements and Draft Report );
• Discussion of the Building Education Revolution projects: the new Preschool Playground, current Library facility and the plans for the new Library.  Parent request that current Year 6 be invited to Library opening in 2010;
• Advice regarding WWS Foundation’s proposed phone calls to parents regarding the work of Foundation and seeking parent support.

Frensham Advisory Committee:
From Matters Arising - Friday 4 September Meeting

• Commitment to earlier selection of senior sports teams, to allow match practice prior to each season, where appropriate;
• Review of the parking arrangements for parents at the entrance to Kennedy House;
• Father/Daughter Ball - very positive feedback from Committee and from parents who wrote to the School after the event;
• Feedback sought by Head on proposed new format for the General Report for Years 7 to 11, including additional details about Personal Development and Work Habits;
• Feedback sought by Head, leading to preliminary discussions about the rationale for the new Jamieson Programme, with the focus on Years 7-9, initially.

Ahead:
Important Community Dates:
Service for The Blessing of Pets – 10.00am Sunday 27 September
Foundation / Fellowship, Generations’ Lunch – Sunday 1 November

Head of Frensham
Head of Winifred West Schools

AHEAD:

Parent / Community News

GIB GATE

The Gib Gate Tournament of Minds Team led by Mrs Barnett Royds, recently represented the School at the Tournament of Minds competition.  The team is commended for its preparation for the event and also performance on the day.  The parents’ enthusiastic support for the team is much appreciated.  A report on the competition is provided below and parents are invited to attend Performance Assembly on Friday 11 September where the team will present its solution to the long-term problem.

The Gib Gate Fathers’ Day Breakfast held on Friday 4 September was well attended by fathers, uncles, grandfathers and friends.  Gib Gate teachers enjoyed planning Science activities which everyone from Preschool to Year 6 could enjoy together and the students gained much pleasure from having Dad at School with them.  Thank you to the Gib Gate mothers who arrived at School early to assist with serving breakfast to students and fathers.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Tournament of the Minds
The Gib Gate 2009 Tournament of Minds Team has been working over the past five weeks to devise a creative, original solution to a problem and present it as a play to a panel of judges.  The team was not permitted to receive outside assistance in devising the solution, writing the script, or making the costumes or props.  The Team members are: Hannah Rewais (Year 3), Skyla Harris, Matilda Martin, Madison Moore (Year 4), Charlotte Condon, Amelia Vidler (Year 5) and Alexandra Condon (Year 6).

The South Coast Regional Competition was held at Nowra High School on Sunday 30 August.  The Gib Gate team entered the Primary Social Science section where it had to present its solution to the long-term problem entitled “Counter Culture Crisis”.  Part of the challenge is included below:
‘Cultural identity is something treasured by all and sometimes we guard our own culture religiously.  But an occasion has arisen where it is imperative that the diverse groups of the society of Disunitia must join their cultures as one cohesive group.  They gather together to create a group dance that reflects all of their backgrounds, but there is a reluctance of some to participate.  The future of their society is dependent upon their ultimate cohesion.’

On the day, the team faced an additional challenge of solving a spontaneous problem using acronyms. The team performed exceptionally well and was pleased with its solutions.

Parents, grandparents, Ms Robson and Mrs Barnett Royds were delighted to watch the team’s ten-minute presentation of the solution to the long-term problem.  The team’s performance reflected the effort it had put into refining the script, developing its presentation skills, learning the lines, working co-operatively and assiduously meeting the required criteria presented in the problem.

Mrs L Barnett Royds, Tournament of Minds Facilitator

Curriculum Insights - ICAS Science 2009
Certificates of achievement were awarded to all ICAS Science competitors from Years 3 to 6 at Performance Assembly on Friday 28 August and they are commended on their success.  Parent Reports were sent home with the students in sealed envelopes on the same day.

This year 57 students participated and were awarded one High Distinction, eight Distinctions, 16 Credits and 32 Participation Certificates.  Year 6 - Credit: Robert O’Brien, Alexandra Roach, Michael Zawal.  Distinction: Olivia Battcock, Livija Berzins, Jonathan Chambers, Alexandra Condon, Benjamin England.  Year 5 - Credit: Charlotte Condon, Michael Duck, Airlie Kinross, Amelia Vidler.  Year 4 - Credit: Liana Berzins, David Loewy, Jasmin Wikramanayake.  Distinction: Lucinda Chambers; Thea Horsley, Matthew Worden.  Year 3 - Credit: Alice Battcock, Celia Battcock, William Brittain, Isabella Camilleri, Stephanie Onisforou, Thomas Tregenza.  High Distinction: Hannah Rewais.

Parents are reminded that the ICAS Writing Competition Certificates will be awarded tomorrow on Friday 11 September at Performance Assembly.

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

Junior Musical - The Colour Factory
The School is in the final weeks of preparation for the Transition to Year 2 Musical Production with performances on Thursday 17 September at 12:00noon and Friday 18 September at 6:00pm in Clubbe Hall.  The junior students will be supported with performances by the Gib Gate Orchestra and Madrigals and the School would welcome an audience from family and friends of the wider Winifred West community.  Thank you to parents who have supported staff with costuming and the children look wonderful.

Extra-Curricular Enrolments - Term 4
Enrolment forms for next term’s activities went home this week and parents are requested to consider a child’s commitments prior to enrolling, with enrolment forms due back to School by Monday 28 September.

Mrs A Graham, Co-ordinator

Sport - Netball
The Cheetahs and the Super Troupers Netball Teams played their semi final matches last Saturday with both games being close contests.  There was a significant improvement in the fundamental Netball skills of the Gib Gate players with the Super Troupers winning their semi-final match.  They now progress to the Junior Grand Final on Saturday 19 September.

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).

Illustrated Lecture this weekend
David Upfill-Brown returned to Australia in July this year to teach the last 12 week Fine-Woodworking course at Sturt for 2009.  He previously taught in the Wood Workshop at the Canberra School of Art, ANU, served as Academic Director and Principal of the Australian School of Fine Furniture (Tasmania) and then moved to Maine, USA to become the Lead Instructor at the Centre for Furniture Craftsmanship.  The Centre was founded in 1993 by Executive Director Peter Korn and quickly attracted a distinguished visiting faculty, including internationally respected furniture makers such as Alan Peters from England, Michael Fortune from Canada and James Krenov from California.  In 2008, the school had 311 course enrolments from 37 states and five foreign countries.  Sturt has made connections with this centre through the sharing of tutors:  Tom Harrington taught a twelve-week intensive course there in 2006; Michael Fortune, who teaches regularly at the CFC, taught at Sturt early 2009 and teaches here again in 2011; Tim Roussea from America (CFC key teacher) travels to Australia in early 2010 to teach at Sturt and finally, David Upfill-Brown, presently teaching at Sturt, has been lead instructor at the Centre for the past four years.

This Sunday 13 September at 5.30pm, David Upfill-Brown will present an illustrated lecture, talking about the Centre, its teachers and the effect this important teaching institution has had on contemporary furniture making and design in the USA.  This presentation will be held Sturt Cottage, adjacent to Sturt Café and Gallery.  For attendance, please contact Sturt Gallery 024860 2083

Sturt Gallery
Teach is an exhibition presenting five teachers working at the Sturt School for Wood in 2009 – John Gallagher, Michael Fortune, Niklavs Rubenis, David Upfill-Brown and James Carr.  This exhibition celebrates the high calibre of teaching staff at the Sturt School for Wood.  All five are also engaged in making and exhibiting, confirming the notion held by Sturt in the value of practically based tuition given by practising designers and craftspeople. This exhibition will be opened at 11am 13 September  by Curator and writer, Brian Parkes, Associate Director of Object, Sydney.  The Exhibition continues till 13 October.

Sturt Summer School – January 4- 9, 2010
The Summer School is taking enrolments now, with 50 students already enrolled and the popular courses are filling quickly.  Ring Sturt for more information regarding courses and enrolment procedures or view www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Ms Megan Patey, Head of Sturt

FRENSHAM

Deputy Head

The process of subject selection has begun for a number of Year Groups.  Year 11 students will be making their final course selections for the HSC.  They are currently undergoing interviews with the Director of Studies to discuss their final choices with a letter of confirmation being sent to parents during the vacation.

Year 10 girls will be indicating their initial subject choices for Year 11, 2010.  These initial choices are used to create the subject lines from which Year 10 will make their final subject choices.  This process will be finalised towards the end of Term 4.

Year 8 students will be asked to consider their Year 9 elective choices at the beginning of Term 4.  This process involves Year 8 choosing one subject from each of three elective lines.  These elective subjects are then studied in Years 9 and 10.

Year 7 girls will be given the option of studying Japanese or French in Year 8.  Students will begin a unit of Japanese in Term 4 and when they are asked to make their language choice for Year 8, towards the end of Term 4, they will have completed units in both French and Japanese.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head

Director of Studies

During this week, students in Years 7 and 8 have undertaken formal examinations in most of their subjects.  While these examinations do not mark the end of the students’ assessment programme, they are nevertheless an important part of it.  Teachers have worked with their students to prepare for these examinations and the students will gain valuable experience working under timed conditions for longer-than-usual periods.  Examinations for students in Years 9 and 10 will be held in Term 4.

For Year 12 students, the HSC examination period is well underway, with Language students having already completed their HSC speaking examinations.  On Monday, Year 12 Drama students were examined on their performances in group and individual presentations and, next Monday, the Design & Technology HSC projects will be assessed by visiting examiners.  With less than four weeks of term left, all Year 12 students are consolidating and refining their examination techniques in preparation for the written examinations in October.

Mrs Sue Flaxman, Director of Studies

Director of Boarding

This week the School welcomes girls in Years 5-7 for Sample Boarding to experience life as a boarder at Frensham.  It is an opportunity for girls to meet others from a variety of schools both in Australia and overseas.  Having an extra 45 boarders means rearranging the sleeping arrangements of existing boarders and the girls who give up their beds are thanked in advance for their participation in the ‘camp-out’ on roller beds in the Parker Gymnasium.

Continuing from last Newsletter are some thoughts on Self-Awareness.  Self-Awareness is the ability to perceive one’s own emotions and moods.  This contributes to how effectively an individual can respond to his/her own emotion – communicate feelings to others and, therefore, how accurately he/she displays emotional dispositions (eg genuineness, warmth, trustworthiness).  The more accurately an individual can express feelings, the more effectively others can respond.

Self-awareness is the basis of understanding ourselves and our responses to different situations.  An inability to understand ourselves can lead to problems in social relationships.  It stands to reason that we cannot start and build relationships with others without knowing our emotions, and how to express them.  The advantage of self-knowledge is something of which we are conscious in the boarding houses and it is part of the School’s approach to pastoral care.

Travel Requests - End of Term 3 travel arrangements need to be completed by Tuesday 15 September and House Staff will be asking girls for their details.

Parents who would like their daughters to travel by air to a destination at the end of term need to be aware that transport to the Airport will be provided.  

Whilst we are not able to accommodate individual requests for Airport pick up to return to School, the Sydney Bus to Frensham departs Central at 6.00pm and parents are encouraged to arrange their daughters’ transport to meet that bus or make alternative arrangements.  If assistance is required, please contact Mrs Wansey.

Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Boarding

Teaching and Learning

On 3 September Mr Geoff Marsh and Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza attended a conference organised by the Children’s Hospital at Westmead titled Mental Health and Well-being of Students: Keeping it Strong.  

The conference programme included a presentation by Dr Michael Carr-Greg on the most significant negative factors affecting teenage mental health in which he highlighted the early introduction of alcohol to teenagers, face-to-face or online bullying, highly sexualised media and marketing directed at children and adolescents and insufficient parent management of the online environment being accessed by teenagers.

A number of excellent coaching and counselling models to guide students through the development of self-management and social skills were presented by educators aligned with mental health services at major Sydney hospitals.  Online resources to promote students’ mental health were shown and the research underpinning their design outlined.

While the presentations by University lecturers and doctors on various mental health conditions were at times confronting, the overwhelming message from the conference was that there are effective and positive support strategies that can be put in place and that school personnel are frequently central to recovery.

Mrs Bronwyn Tregenza, Director of Teaching and Learning

English and Drama

On Monday 7 September, the HSC Drama class completed the practical component of the examination. All girls presented their Individual and Group projects to a team of examiners in front of an audience.

In Drama also, the rehearsals for the End of Year Production, the musical Guys and Dolls have begun. Students are to check the schedule carefully for times of their rehearsals.

The results for the ICAS Writing Competition have arrived and will be published in the next newsletter. This year, students were asked to write a persuasive text, resulting in the award of 50 Credit, 21 Distinction and one High Distinction certificates.

On Tuesday 7 September, students in Years 9 and 10 have the opportunity to experience an intensive poetry workshop entitled: Poetry Exposed as part of the 2009 Poetry in Action Programme by Shaman productions.  In this performance, they examine poetic tools and discuss a number of well known poems with the content designed to consolidate the students’ knowledge of poetic techniques in a workshop environment.

In Prayers last Friday, Lucinda Nicolls Small and Emma Campbell (Year 12), Heads of Debating and Public Speaking, outlined the preparations for the AHIGS Festival of Speech which will be held on 25 and 26 September at Loreto Kirribilli.  This year, Frensham has entered all categories of the competition and girls are preparing with the guidance of a range of staff members.

The next Pen and Ink meeting will be held on Thursday 17 September.  Interested students are to contact Mrs Chauncy.

Mrs Trish Symons, Director Language Arts

HSIE

As part of the Jamieson programme, on Thursday 17 September, all Year 8 students will be involved in a bush regeneration day in the Lower Holt.  They will be clearing weeds and replanting native grasses in the area along the Nattai Creek behind Hartfield House.  Core to this particular challenge is the sense of teamwork and satisfaction that follow such important work, results of which benefit all who enjoy the special natural bushland on campus.

As a feature of their studies on Wetlands, Year 7 students will be undertaking fieldwork at the Penrose State Forest on Tuesday 29 September. 

Mrs Jacqualine McCarroll, Coordinator of HSIE

Mock Trial
Frensham’s Mock Trial team travelled to Canberra on Wednesday to compete against Bega High School in Elimination Round Three of the state Mock Trial Competition.  Frensham was one of only 16 teams of the original 240 teams competing.

Frensham was the plaintiff in a civil case, suing in a duty of care issue against a council which, Frensham alleged, had failed to notify the plaintiff of a traffic hump on a road and failed to paint the hump to make its presence obvious.  At this level of competition, there are few mistakes and the Bega team lived up to expectations.  The Frensham team was well prepared and the barristers, Sarah Loewy and Jacklyn Wyer, were quick to defend the witnesses, Charlotte Midson and Guislaine Allen.  Both barristers displayed excellent cross examination skills.  The Bega barristers were equally skilled and their witnesses were also impressive.  Frensham’s Court officer was Rosie Latimer and the solicitor was Jaleesa Newell, with both being well supported by Zoë Philip and Isis Oliver.  

The ‘magistrate’ was Mr Ron Friesen of Canberra who proved to be a demanding, meticulous but fair judge.  In the end, the scores were drawn at 261.  Mr. Friesen broke the deadlock by awarding the trial to Bega for ‘a better grasp of the law’.

Much time has been invested in preparation for these trials and the team’s skills have developed under the expert tutelage of Mr Chris Jowett who has given both time at School and via email.  The School is appreciative of his assistance and guidance over the course of the trials.

The girls are to be congratulated on making this level in the competition.

Ms Judy Bradley, Mock Trial Coordinator

Young Achievement Australia
Young Achievement Australia (YAA) is a non-government charitable institution which provides opportunities for young people to participate in a small business programme which teaches them how to start up and operate their own business.  The programme is open to Year 11 students and this year, 12 Frensham students have created the ‘Junkyard’ business.  The business is operated using a private company structure and the students have been active in selling shares to raise the necessary capital to fund their company’s business activities.

Over the course of this Term the students have been meeting with Business Mentors for two hours each Monday afternoon and have completed a comprehensive business plan for the Junkyard business.  They have designed and organised the manufacture of a range of tote bags as the Junkyard product.  Over the remainder of the Term, students will be actively involved in sales and marketing activities, as they have 1,000 tote bags to sell.

Bowral Mittagong Rotary Club - Charlotte Cosyn, Katherine Porter and Sally Stafford represented the ‘Junkyard’ business at a dinner meeting of the Bowral Mittagong Rotary Club, at Highlands Golf Club on Wednesday 19 September.  The students presented a speech on their involvement in the YAA Business Skills Programme at Frensham and also, had the opportunity to learn more about nature of Rotary’s work in developing countries, such as their significant work in polio eradication.

Wollongong Trade Fair - On Saturday 5 September students travelled to the Wollongong Central Shopping Centre to participate in a Trade Fair with six other schools from the Illawarra region.  The Trade Fair provided students with an opportunity to set up a ‘Junkyard’ stall to market and sell their tote bags to the general public.  The students had enormous fun on the day and were delighted with customers’ response to their product and with their sales efforts, with over $300 of stock sold.  Furthermore, the students were delighted to win the award for ‘Best Marketing’ and they were placed runner-up in the categories of “Best Corporate Presentation” and “Best Customer Service”.  The students are commended for their considerable effort in planning for this event and for their enthusiasm and presentation on the day.

The members of the Year 11 ‘Junkyard’ team include Claudia Ablett, Antonia Cadell, Charlotte Cosyn, Fiona Davidson, Millie Ellice-Flint, Georgia Fairbairn, Arabella Kilmartin, Charlotte Lymbery, Emily Moller, Isis Oliver, Katherine Porter and Sally Stafford.

The students are most appreciative of the generous support provided by their sponsors Mrs Allison and Mr Graham Marcolin. Also, this year Mr Chris Pearsall of Sydney Capital Partners, Mr Terry Mortensen, Mr Nick Padol, Mr Trevor Fair of Oxley Partners and Ms Machelle Williams of Frensham are mentoring the students in the operation of the ‘Junkyard’ business.

Ms Machelle Williams, Teacher of Business Studies and Economics

Music

The AMEB Examination period is now complete and there have been some excellent results across the various performing disciplines.  Students are commended for their thorough preparation and for the composure they displayed as they performed in a formal examination context.

HSC students have been presenting their performance repertoire in recent concerts as they prepare for their Practical Examinations on 22 and 23 September.  The performances have been of a high standard and the students can look forward with some confidence to presenting their work to the external examiners.

Year 9 Music students have been looking forward to attending the final Meet the Music concert at the Opera House this week.  They will be hearing the SSO perform three concertos by Handel, Dvorak and Gordon (a contemporary Australian composer).  The concert will be conducted by the inspirational music educator Richard Gill and should be both entertaining and edifying.

Mr Michael Spencer, Music Coordinator

Science

At Prayers, on Friday 4 September, certificates of achievement in the ICAS Science Competition were presented by Ms Gillick to the following students:

Year 7 – Credit: Isabella Conomos, Louise Crane, Juanita Kelly-Mundine, Adelaide Lewis, Keely Mackie, Jemima Purvis, Jessica Southwell, Tara Stewart, Charlotte Vidler, Adelaide Wallace.  Distinction: Phoebe Cook, Georgina Harrington, Alice Hood, Antonia Parker. 

Year 8 – Credit: Hannah Hall, Grace Ives, Rachel Jin, Annabel Locke, Molly Macqueen, Lani Maher, Emma McCrabb, Rebecca McCreath, Freya Spencer, Jasmine Talbot.  Distinction: Catherine Hall.  High Distinction: Jessica Burns, Lauren Zawal.

Year 9 – Credit:    Georgina Alison, Chloe Andrews, Molly Collins, Nicola Fenaughty, Annabelle King, Rachel Latimer, Olivia Luff, Georgina MacDiarmid, Sophia Macken, Ainsley Maurer, Charlotte Nicholls, Adelaide Nielsen, Raissa O’Shanassy, Madeleine Quinn, Victoria Sanderson, Cordelia Symes.  Distinction: Lyreda Bennetts, Emily Marsh, Brooke Martin-Smith, Zoë Price, Jarra Robinson.

Year 10 – Credit: Charlotte Alley, D’Arcy Bush, Isabel Faulkner, India Irvine, Jade Karp, Emily Meredith, Sarah Mitchell, Cassandra Perry, Harriet Robertson.  Distinction: Kate Daniel, Rosetta Freelander, Emma Gorman, Katherine Miller, Georgina Milne.  High Distinction: Emma Quinn.

Students are commended for their success in this competition and for their willingness to participate in this challenge which showcases their ability to observe, interpret data, predict and form conclusions.  

Mr Jason Smith, Coordinator of Science

Sport

Athletics
The 2009 Athletics season has been positive for Frensham with marked improvement from both Track and Field competitors.  All team members have trained hard throughout Terms 2 and 3, demonstrating commitment and a willingness to learn and improve.  

The IGSSA Athletics Carnival was held on Tuesday 25 August with Year 7 attending as spectators, motivating and encouraging the girls.  Charlotte Cosyn finished 8th in the 17-years 100m Hurdles; Grace Musgrove 4th in the Senior 1500m and 2nd in the 3000m and Charlotte Lymbery 5th in the Senior Discus.  Thanks to coaches Ron Thompson, Peter Reed, Bill Cape, Rachel Shaw and Captain Tamara Smart who have led the team this season.

Cross Country - Australian Cross-Country Championships 28-31 August 2009
After continuing on a successful pathway from the IGSSA, CIS and All Schools Cross Country events, Grace Musgrove was selected into the NSW Schools Cross Country Team to compete at the Australian Cross-Country Championships held at the Willandra course, west of Nowra.

A total of 92 runners competed in the 4km U18 Female event, on a challenging course.  Spurred on by a strong contingent of Frensham supporters, Grace was placed 15th overall, 8th in the 17 Years division and was part of the NSW team awarded silver medals in the U18 division. 

Based on her individual performance on the Saturday, Grace was selected into the NSW Cross Country Relay team which raced on the final day of the Championships.  The NSW team was placed second in a closely contested race with Queensland.

Hockey / Netball
Please be advised that Team 1 and Junior A Hockey and Junior A Netball may play semi-finals on the afternoon of Friday 25 September, time and venue to be confirmed. 
Semi-finals and finals will be played in Sydney venues to be confirmed.  All girls are to travel on the bus to the venue.
Semi-final - Saturday 19 September
Finals - Saturday 26 September    

Term 4 Sport Selections
Students have the opportunity to choose from the following sports:

• Cricket/Swimming
• Tennis/Swimming

but are unable to do Cricket/Tennis

Cricket
Juniors: Tuesday and Friday afternoon
Seniors: Thursday and Friday afternoon
Saturday morning games.  Full sports uniform required.

Swimming
Juniors: Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday morning and Saturday morning.
Seniors: Thursday afternoon, Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings.
Friday evening Swimming time trails week 2, 4 and 6.  Times to be confirmed.
 
It is compulsory for all Swimmers to attend Wednesday morning training, departing Stanley Street 6.15am.  Saturday training will depart 8.45am from Stanley Street.  Frensham Sports uniform and Frensham swimmers required.

Tennis
Juniors: Tuesday and Friday afternoon
Seniors: Thursday and Friday afternoon
Saturday is a compulsory skills session for all students for one hour.  Time slots for year groups will be advised prior to the start of term.  Full sports uniform required.

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

Snowsports
State Competition, Perisher - The teams completed their races with enthusiasm and confidence with some notable results in several events:  Qualifying for the Australian National Championships at Falls Creek, Victoria next weekend are Emma Quinn as an individual for Skiercross and the Division 2 Alpine A team (Emma Quinn, Anna Gemmell-Smith, Jessica Burns, Madeleine Quinn).  The poor weather conditions prevented the Division 2 Skiercross from competing at Perisher.

The results from State competition: Division 1 – Moguls Team Manager: Mrs S Hooke.  Placed 4th – Harriet Hooke and Beatriz Grattan-Smith.  Skiercross A Team Manager: Mrs J Kilmartin.  Placed 13th – Arabella Kilmartin, Beatrice Osborne, Harriet Hooke.  Division 2 – Moguls Team Manager: Mrs A Gemmell-Smith.  Placed 7th – Anna Gemmell-Smith, Victoria Sanderson.  Alpine A Team Manager: Mr M Fenaughty.  Placed 4th – Emma Quinn, Anna Gemmell-Smith, Madeleine Quinn, Victoria Sanderson.  Alpine B Team Manager: Mr A Burns.  Placed 8th – Jessica Burns, Nicola Fenaughty, Miriam Carr, Jarra Robinson.  Division 3 – Moguls Team Manager: Mr A Burns. Placed 9th – Jessica Burns, Emma Murphy. 

Thank you to the Team Managers who accompanied the teams and supported and organised them both on and off the mountain and also to the Volunteer Course Officials, who continue to support the team. 

Ms Joanne Allison, Snowsports Coordinator

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