Frensham is very much a boarding school; that is, a school where the majority of students are in residence. Although there are a number of girls’ schools that offer boarding, there are very few girls’ boarding schools. With more than 70% of our students living in residence and a relatively small student population of 360, we are unique in the Australian context.
So, why is this difference so important to our culture?
The key goal of a values-based education is the development of character. We believe that a residential environment provides an ideal setting for students to naturally develop character as they live, learn, lead and work together.
An extended day timetable for students allows them, closely supported by staff and parents, to strive and grow. And of course, this includes day boarders: all girls enjoy the benefit of routines woven into the fabric of Frensham’s 24/7 life. But inevitably, this is not always easy, and issues associated with teenagers living and learning together have to be addressed. In a residential setting, students have little choice but to work together to develop the social skills and character traits that help them manage difficulties or conflicts that may arise. Boarding can be challenging at times, and the combination of passion and perseverance which is required to navigate a boarding environment is often referred to as ‘grit’. In a world that offers increasingly complex challenges, Frensham girls will have the benefit of drawing on this ‘grit’ across the spectrum of situations they encounter through life.
Another advantage of a boarding school with a relatively small student body, is that every girl is known. Staff know girls as learners and as individuals. They will often also know the families and understand any difficulties the student is experiencing that could have an impact in their capacity to learn. Being known in a community promotes a sense of belonging for that girl, and it enables the school to personalise her learning experience where necessary.
The extended day timetable is only possible because the majority of our students live on campus, and this enables a rich co-curricular program in which cheerful participation is the norm. Supervised prep in the evening, compulsory sport, music practice, drama rehearsals, Sturt offerings and weekend boarding programs are all examples of popular activities that are accessible to all our students because of our residential setting. This can have significant benefits. As an example, in the broader community 50% of young people who are involved in sport at the age of 10 have dropped out by the age of 15. At Frensham, because our boarding environment supports it, all our 15-year-olds play sport. The boarding program is enriched by the involvement of local families too, and has been carefully designed to envelop day boarders, who also become integral to ‘house’ and after-hours activities: all girls benefit from our immersive framework.
Aiming to enhance the intellectual, spiritual, social and physical growth of our students, a boarding school experience is a central component of Frensham’s mission and identity. It is a model of education which celebrates diverse talents, equips students with the skills they need to thrive, and fosters lifelong friendships and a love of learning.
Unlike schools that offer more limited boarding, where the primary focus is on day-to-day education for its local student body, our founders designed a school which provides a holistic education that embraces the multifaceted development of each individual.