Reflecting upon the character of strengths

As we reach the end of Term 3, we reflect with gratitude and appreciation amidst the challenges brought about by COVID-19 restrictions, and the need for sacrifice and compromise in order to keep our state safe during this current outbreak. We have this term reflected upon the character strengths of persistence, resilience, patience, humility and gratitude, and explored their relevance for our current circumstances. 

Earlier this week, the US Open saw both Australian tennis superstar Dylan Alcott and Deide De Groot of the Netherlands achieve the “Golden Slam” – winning titles at the Australian and French Open, Wimbledon, an Olympic Gold for each player in their respective events, then topping it all off with a US Open win. What persistence, perseverance and resolve must these sportspeople have had to cultivate and demonstrate in order to reach the very top of their game in the world? How many times must they have thought that the journey ahead of them was too difficult, too long, or too arduous? How many times in their sport must they have had to re-commit to their goals, re-focus on the future after a disappointment or loss, strive and persist through difficult conditions or injury? It is inspiring to see such positive role models of the human spirit, 

We also very much enjoyed the video message shared by School for Life this week, a school we are closely connected with through Old Girl founder Annabelle Chauncy OAM. Girls in Uganda sharing their experiences of learning from home during COVID highlighted the significant work of School for Life in supporting girls’ education and was a powerful exercise in perspective for students and staff alike. 

Frensham students have persisted and persevered – particularly Year 12 in their final week of classes - and are finishing the term strongly and positively after a couple of challenging months. We recognise our student and staff determination to finish well, to reflect upon and recognise the lessons we have all learned over the course of this term. Year 12 are often told that their final year is a marathon, not a sprint - and this year there seem to be a few laps added by stealth at the end. We know Year 12 can do it, and they will strengthen and grow through the process. We look forward to being able to farewell and celebrate you in person next term. For now, we say thank you – and keep going – and we will be here with you, as your team, cheering you on.

We reflect with gratitude on the term that has been – for everyone’s efforts under trying circumstances, for our health, safety and access to education when so many in the world do not have the same. For the technology that lets us keep connected with friends, classmates, teachers and family members around Australia and around the world. For the sustained efforts of our teachers and staff, who have continued to pivot and flex at very short notice and have toiled in a most extraordinarily committed manner. 

Our term concludes this afternoon with the induction of our Student Leaders for 2022, where we will gather in a virtual space via Zoom instead of the usual Service format in our beloved Clubbe Hall. We invite all families to join us for the Leadership Induction Service which commences at 2.00pm on Zoom and requires attendance from all students. It is a formal recognition of Year 12, 2022 student leaders and is an important occasion, recognising and celebrating the role that these girls play in the leadership of the School in the year ahead. All students are required to wear their full Winter Uniform for this service and we ask for those attending to be online at 1.55pm to enable us to commence promptly. 

It is with great anticipation that we look forward to the return of students to campus during Term 4. Whilst it is not possible to confirm exact arrangements at this time, given the ever-changing status of LGA restrictions, we will be continuing to plan across the upcoming holiday period for the term ahead, in light of anticipated updated information and guidelines being provided. A draft schedule will be posted on Schoolbox today, along with a survey designed to provide the opportunity for feedback and suggestions for our planning. As the government announced earlier in August, school staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by 8 November and we encourage all families to pursue vaccinations for students aged 12 and above to assist us in keeping safe as a community and being able to return to full campus operations as soon as possible. 

We wish all students, staff and families a safe and restful vacation ahead.

FACULTY FOCUS

Music

Term 3 2021, with most of our community isolated at home, will be remembered as the term where we were unable to enjoy those powerful elements of the Frensham culture that are so reliant on us all being together on campus. One of the most memorable and most affected of those elements is our coming together for singing and music making, and yet, despite these challenging times, students and staff continue to make and enjoy music together.

While Morning Prayers on ZOOM regularly features Mr Spencer playing the keyboard and singing the daily hymn, musicians from Years 7-12 have also sent in videos of themselves playing their instruments for the “Processional” and singing the hymns. Similarly, the School Services for Years 9 and 11 featured video compilations of singers from those year groups delivering the hymns for us to enjoy, and currently, singers across the school are sending in videos of themselves singing the School Hymn for the Leadership Induction Service on Thursday.

Choir rehearsals and performances are always the first to be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but, this term, the Madrigals achieved something they have not done since 2012; filmed at the close of Term 2, they submitted their videos and won both their sections in the Sydney Eisteddfod and then went on to be named Australasian Choral Champion for U/19 Choirs.

It was a sad moment for Frensham’s HSC Music students when they were told that they no longer needed to practise for their final performance examinations, as these were unable to be held this year. Despite this, our community was still able to enjoy their performances, filmed at their Trial Examinations at the beginning of the term, via Vimeo: 2021 HSC Music Performances.

While ZOOM is not ideal for musical sound, individual Music tuition has continued online again this term, reflecting the great goodwill and commitment of Frensham musicians and staff alike. We all look forward to coming out of lockdown and being able to enjoy the fruits of our musicians’ labours in person once more.

Mr Michael Spencer, Head of Music

Visual Arts and Design & Technology

A major focus for both Visual Arts and Design & Technology during Term 3 has been to reach the best possible outcomes for Year 12 students completing major projects in these subjects. During the term, both students and teachers had to navigate their way through changes made by NESA to the parameters of submission of both Visual Arts Bodies of Work and Design & Technology Major Design Projects. In normal circumstances, these projects are submitted by approximately mid Term 3; this year, the submission dates moved closer to the end of term.

While there have been some significant challenges for all in terms of resolving major projects, I would like to focus on things we must celebrate. Firstly, beyond the actual work, it is imperative that we acknowledge the resilience and determination of all students during this process. When faced with limited access to specialist materials and equipment, actual physical separation from their work, delays in sending or receiving packages of work, and of course, live one-to-one discussions with their teachers, our students stood tall. With the support of staff, every student took some personal responsibility for solving whatever issue they faced in terms of resolving their work, and in doing so, demonstrated great strength of character. One element that put our students in a good position to deal with the challenges of Term 3 was the sustained work undertaken throughout Semester 1 which meant that broadly, the essential frameworks of projects were in place. 

Taking into account many unavoidable barriers which negated full resolution of projects for some, I would like to commend the students for the outstanding collective standard of work produced in Year 12 Visual Arts and/or Design & Technology. Present in the major works of 38 students are exquisite skill, diversity, cleverness, sensitivity and refinement. 

Presently, the faculty is exploring ways to be able to share these projects with our wider community. Clearly, any physical exhibition under current restrictions appears to be problematic and therefore unlikely. Discussions at this point revolve around exploring effective ways to potentially share the work in a virtual format. 

Pivoting has become a familiar term during 2021, and subjects with a significant practical component have needed to pivot substantially. Many planned making tasks have needed to be adjusted or postponed to suit an online environment. In Visual Arts, Design & Technology and STEM classes throughout Years 7-11, we have adapted tasks where necessary to embrace or extend digital processes. Practical work in both Design & Technology and STEM is often underpinned by computer-based technologies, so much of planned Term 3 work has been possible. In Visual Arts, we have consistently used parts of the Adobe suite (particularly Photoshop) extensively as a tool to develop compositions for painting, printmaking and drawing. While many students possessed a good skills base with this software, moving to a making environment where programmes like Photoshop have been used not just as a tool, but as a way to make a resolved artwork, has been an opportunity, not a hinderance. It will be interesting to see whether we see an uptake in the exploration of Photomedia and Graphic Design as Expressive Forms in the HSC in 2022 and beyond. For some students, employing this software more extensively may well have opened a creative pathway for them moving forward.

Mr Phil Alldis, Head of VA & DAT

Drama

How will people remember the dramatic chaos of the Class of 2021? Through the poofy moustache of the Lorax bouncing onto the stage? Through the frustrated blehs, ahhs and stutterings made during truly intense scenes as the lines slipped our minds? In the dent made by Ms Shannon in the cupboard from a very believable session of method acting, or in the small dent in the drama studio floor made by a girl performing a very passionate monologue with a cricket bat? Or will it be through the notably attractive faces of characters in top hats, leather jackets and fake-male jawlines? Though the pandemic may have cast a shadow over the light of performers around the world, it certainly has not dimmed the legacy of our time here at Frensham. Now, at the conclusion of our final Act, the drama students from the Class of 2021 can take our bows and reflect on the rollercoaster of our experiences:

Scene One - Year 7: Zip, Zap, Zop!
Where it all began. As we stepped into the Drama Studio for the first time, there it was. The stage, clear. The lights, bright, and a room full of possibility. What we did not know was that we were now stepping into the place we would see as a second home for the next six years, a place where we felt most comfortable and a place, we have made some of our best memories. From our class games and story book staging in Year 7, this was the perfect introduction to a world of drama. Collaborative and creative games was the ultimate way to immediately get our interest and gave the best opportunity for all of us to get to know each other in a fun and exciting environment.

Scene Two - Year 8: Footstools and Foliage
Our starring roles in our first Junior Production: Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, were as large as footstools and the letter L in the word ‘love’, learning the importance of the ensemble in creating theatre. We longed to escape our roles as props in the End of Year Musical, only to play the forks, napkins and pepper shakers in Beauty and the Beast, a rather interesting experience playing a singing spoon, but one of our favourites so far.

Scene Three - Year 9: Green Eggs and Ham
This was even bigger and better as we were now the older ones in the junior productions, and suddenly had gone from looking up at the main parts to being luckily enough to take them on. As we tackled the masterpiece and all engaging works of Dr Seuss, we all worked together to our strengths to put on a funny, warm, and great show, and I think was perhaps a valuable time when we saw how worth it long practices and regular rehearsals truly are. 

Scene Four - Year 10: To Life!
We formed unbreakable bonds as we sang Amazing Grace and acted out our worst nightmares using Brecht, making Mrs Hannah cry, and having us all reaching for the tissues. We performed our first monologues to Jasper Jones. We nervously auditioned for our first lead roles and danced as Russians in the unexpected joy of Fiddler on the Roof, forever yelling out ‘Tradition!’ as we counted the steps; one, two, three, stop!

Scene Five - Year 11: Did Someone Say M@cb3th?
Now in our senior years, we started to find ourselves fully absorbed by the genius works of playwrights Chekhov and Brecht in class as we took on more challenging, and more absurdist pieces. As well as this we found ourselves absorbed by none other than Shakespeare himself, learning lines and doing table reads of his famous Macbeth. However, with a modern twist. This was our first time entering the world of a senior birthday play, where we would get to perform to staff, parents and girls for a once-a-year special event and the birthday of our school. And yet, the curse of the Scottish play meant that our access to the stage was limited, surrendering out first roles to the radio play and looking instead to our End of Year Production. Grease was an experience we will never forget, from fighting over who would be the five singers in each song, to flipping off cars to a screaming chorus, we will forever be grateful for the way this musical brought us closer and sparked joy in our peers during a time of COVID.

Scene Six - Year 12: ...and yet.
Hope. A year spent hoping. We hoped for opportunities as we organised musical theatre concerts and theatre sports competitions. We hoped until it hurt that I Have Five Daughters could go ahead without any pandemic hiccups. We hoped we would remember all our wordy lines about it being “prodigious hot”. We hoped our families would be able to see our Major Works. In vain we struggled against forces we could not change. A struggle which, at times, made it hard to keep a polished twinkle in our eyes. And yet we conjured lots of “oohs and ahhs” as we told stories to our friends, we fostered smiles which for a moment lost sight of the rising cases, we made hope in places where hope was hard to find. In a time of theatrics, we created hope through theatre, we made our own opportunities, forged our own paths; we organised film festivals and laughed as we tried to remember what happened to Scar in The Lion King, attempting to tell the story to our peers. 

We became living proof that no matter how dismal life becomes, art will always create an ‘and yet’. 

To conclude what has been a rollercoaster of six years, for us, there are perhaps very few words to describe drama at Frensham that could truly capture the infinite fun we have had, memories we will cherish forever, and lessons we have learnt as our passion for performance has only grown each year. 

It has certainly been one of a kind and we have loved every minute.  

So, to all the young stars, keen musical theatre singers and stage dancers, as your high school years continue, we hope that drama at Frensham can bring you just as much joy and fun as it has for us. 

Georgie Hill and Eleanor Swan, Heads of Drama 2021

Mrs Sally Hannah, Head of Drama 

Acknowledgement to: 

• Recent award recipients: Iris – Grace Lewis, Eleanor Swan, Jessica Billet, Madeleine Mulligan (All Round Excellence); Girdle – Alexandra Crawford (Academic Excellence), Sophie Rodwell (Sport), Georgia Hill (Academic Excellence and Service to Drama), Sophie Perkins (Service to Music).
• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients: Silver – Lara Kyriazis (Year 11), Darcy Maple-Brown, Edie Staniforth (Year 10); Bronze – Gracie Hindmarsh, Monique Andersson (Year 10).
• Gib Gate Tournament of Minds (TOMs) Team was awarded Primary School Honours at the recent online Ceremony.
• Gib Gate students as they said farewell to Year 12, 2021 Gib Gaters. This year, the annual celebration was held via Zoom.

Staffing update:

• Ms Janene van Gogh, Director of Studies, will be taking Long Service Leave during Term 4.
• We welcome: Mrs Katelyn Williamson returns to Gib Gate in 2022, as Maternity Leave cover for Miss Stefanie Klauer. 

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Embracing the sense of optimism and enthusiasm – a spring clean!

We wish all members of the Frensham Schools community a very happy Spring, and hope and trust that wherever you are at this time, there are signs of new growth, Spring warmth and blossom scent in the air. Spring is typically known as the season when new growth begins and changes happen all around us. Snowdrops, daffodils, and of course irises are starting to bloom. The magnolias at Sturt, the daffodils at Gib Gate and the blossoms are out on Range Road, lifting our emotions and signalling a new season ahead. It’s a reminder that the cycle of life is starting over again, trees are in bud, and blossom is starting to appear, so it’s not surprising that Spring is also seen as the start of better times. It’s an opportunity to be less lethargic and inclined to hibernate at home, becoming more open to changes, big and small, in our lives. Approaching September with a sense of possibility, renewal, and regrowth is an optimistic outlook to take, even if a positive outlook is something we must deliberately cultivate in these challenging circumstances.

Springtime has always been thought of as a time for change, as we can embrace that sense of optimism and enthusiasm by having a good clear out – a spring clean. Spring cleaning is valuable to us as a way of clearing out any clutter from our homes and lives and bringing in the new, symbolising new beginnings. These new beginnings can be tiny – little daily steps that help us build a new habit or reframe our mindset. It’s a great time for students to start being more active – even whilst spending more time in front of a computer than whilst on campus, to use their break times well and to get moving whenever possible. I’ve seen lots of photos shared and girls on Zoom who are obviously helping in their local community and at home, demonstrating their community spirit, their generosity, and their service mindset.

This is also an opportunity for us all to pause when we see the sunrise, or perhaps the sunset, to really name and notice the changes around us and within us as the light and smells change. To set our intention for the day or days ahead, to welcome the opportunity for the new beginning inherent in each day, to make a positive contribution in the small, individual ways each of us is able to during this time. These changes can be seen in the way that we work, how we organise ourselves, how we connect with other people and how we go about our day.

We appreciate all submissions to the various school surveys that have been undertaken over this past term to help inform our future planning. These surveys have included communications, catering, Stage 4 and 5 curriculum and online learning. In the coming days all parents will receive a further link to assist with some work we are currently undertaking with a consultancy firm around our school marketing and communications. This brief survey (10 minutes) will invite your views on the perceptions and value of a Frensham Schools education. All responses will remain anonymous and confidential. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Boarding

“When it comes to health and well-being, regular exercise is about as close to a magic potion as you can get.”
Thich Nhat Hanh

Before Breakfast, early morning signouts for swimming, running, team training, gym use, and a variety of other fitness activities are a regular feature and an important part of Boarding life. 

After a busy day of classes, the Boarders often race back to the Houses to quickly change in readiness for afternoon activities, either as part of team sports or for personal fitness. Saturday mornings are always a hive of activity, as all Boarders make their way to the Games Field and courts for the range of Saturday sport activities. The weekend programme often features swimming, bushwalking, physical fitness and outdoor games, so that exercise is also incorporated into the programme in a fun way. 

Although most Boarders are not on campus at the moment, we are enjoying hearing about how they are continuing to stay active - whether that be through the IGSA online Saturday competition, the Strava challenges set up by the PDHPE Faculty or the small group and individual initiatives such as bike riding, bush walking and horse riding. The activities built into our Boarding programme are an acknowledgment of the important role that exercise plays in our wellbeing, and we are delighted to know that girls are continuing to carry on the exercise habits, developed at school, into their learning from home routines. 

Ms Amanda Graham, Director of Boarding and Ms Sally Arnold & Ms Sally Fennell, Deputy Heads of Boarding

FACULTY FOCUS

Science

According to UNESCO “To face sustainable development challenges, governments and citizens alike must understand the language of science and must become scientifically literate.” This has never been more important than in the world today when we are bombarded with messages about Covid-19 and climate change. Through questioning and seeking solutions to problems, students develop an understanding of the relationship between science and technology and its importance in the current and future practice of science. By sifting through information from primary and secondary sources and evaluating its validity and reliability, students learn how to make informed decisions about issues affecting all of us, both locally and globally.   

Student Research Projects (SRPs) are an important part of Stages 4 and 5 Science. These involve investigating an area of interest, writing a hypothesis, designing and carrying out an experiment and writing a detailed report. Year 10 students have carried out their SRP as this term’s assessment task. It was more challenging than usual as most students were at home and so had to use whatever equipment was available. Despite this difficulty some excellent projects were carried out including 

• Has the use of PFAS during bushfire fighting had an impact on the water and soil quality in Shoalhaven? - Heidi Jervis
• Behavioural impacts of environmental enrichment on individual caged rabbits – Charlotte Hopperton
• Does altering surfboard volume have a measurable effect on paddle speed? – Clara McDonald
• Which natural antimicrobials inhibit bacterial growth? – Sarah-Joy Day
• How do different exercises affect heart rate? – Darcy Maple-Brown

Communicating scientific ideas and discoveries to the world is a complicated task, scientists and science enthusiasts like Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Bill Nye and David Attenborough make every effort to share their passion for science to audiences worldwide. For the Year 9 assessment task for this term, students were required to make a short video (between 1 and 3 minutes) to communicate a scientific concept, finding or problem to the general public. They were assessed not only on their video but also on how they worked together as a team. Some of the topics included   

• Why is Covid-19 so contagious? 
• Wormholes in the Space/Time Continuum 
• How much water do you need to drink in a day? 
• What is one thing that you can do today to save the Great Barrier Reef? 
• What makes nuclear bombs so dangerous? 

Another way scientists communicate is through the use of models. Models can help us to understand concepts that are too small or too large to see. The process of building a model also helps students to remember concepts more easily. Year 9 students recently made models of isotopes using whatever materials they could find at home, from Scarlett Francis (left) and Susannah Gooden (right).

Mrs Alison Andrew, Head of Science

Agriculture

While learning@home has been challenging for many, any challenges that may have faced the Agriculture Faculty have been tempered by willing workers. There have been plenty of reports in the media recently, about a lack of farm workers who are critically needed during harvest times and to complete general farm work. COVID-19 related National and State border restrictions and restricted movement between LGAs has caused many problems in the Australian agriculture industry. Many producers have had to plough crops back into the soil or leave produce to rot on the trees due to a lack of staff to help with the harvest. This obviously has flow on effects due to the subsequent lack of income from sales of their produce. This situation is being replicated at Holt Farm and the Ag plot with all Agriculture students having returned home for the current lockdown. In a ‘normal’ year, the Year 10 Agriculture class are usually responsible for the care and welfare of the school sheep flock which includes feeding and lamb marking. Lamb marking includes vaccination, ear tagging, tail docking and castration and the students are involved with undertaking of or assistance in these animal husbandry practices. However, as the whole Year 10 Agriculture class is learning@home, I was in need of assistance recently to complete these tasks. Ms McGarry generously offered her time to not only assist in the feeding and checking of livestock on a weekend but also to catch and hold lambs and to vaccinate the lambs during lamb marking. Although a first-time experience for Ms McGarry, she quickly picked up the skills required and enthusiastically threw herself into the tasks. I would like to offer my thanks on behalf of myself and the Year 10 Ag class for her willing and generous efforts in helping out with the sheep flock.

Another group of keen workers who stepped up to fill a gap were Ruby Young and Chloe White (Year 8) and Emily Webb (Year 12) who, during Science Week, buried some underpants as part of the University of New England’s ‘Soil Your Undies’ challenge. In eight weeks’ time, the underpants will be dug up on National Cotton Day (hopefully by some returning Ag students) to investigate the decomposition rates of the school’s soils.

A small but eager group of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 students, who are currently learning on campus, are collecting eggs daily and caring for the welfare of the laying hens and pullets at the AG plot. Again, these students do not study Agriculture but have generously offered their service each day to assist me and to ensure the animals are being well looked after.

My thanks and appreciation go to all who are ensuring the farm and AG plot are still productive at this time.

Ms Leonie Mutch, Coordinator of Agriculture

Careers

As Year 12 students move into their final weeks of School, they have been reminded of the following tertiary deadlines and notices (detailed information is also available in the Year 12 section of Schoolbox, Schoolbox Careers):

• Complete Early Entry applications as any remaining schemes are due in the next few weeks.  (See Schoolbox Careers or visit each institution's website for more information).
• Schools Recommendation Scheme - Closes Sunday 19 September.
• USYD E12 (early entry) application - see the webinar notes on how to best answer the three questions. Closes Sunday 19 September.
• If students are applying for the Education Access Scheme (via UAC) – they are reminded to start preparing supporting documents e.g. medical certificates/reports etc. This may take practitioners longer than usual given the current circumstances.
• Pay for their UAC application by Tuesday 28 September. After this date the fee increases.
• If students are applying interstate, please visit each state’s university admission centre to make their application and be aware of closing dates.
• Apply for a college if they intend to attend in 2022.
• Research and apply for scholarships (See Schoolbox Careers or visit each institution’s website).

Open Days are happening in every institution over the next few weeks. (See Schoolbox Careers or visit each institution’s website).

Jamieson Programme

Year 9 students are to be congratulated on their effort in submitting their Cambridge IGCSE Individual Research projects under the current conditions. The topics chosen explored some of the most challenging global issues, and it is notable the way in which students embraced learning about the different perspectives, whilst firmly articulating their own personal responses. The girls will now be embarking on preparation for the examination in Term 4, which will entail lessons to develop their critical-thinking skills - identifying bias, facts and opinion through a range of sources on important global issues and learning to reason with evidence. Students will also practice using past examination papers along with utilising a response scaffold that prepares them for the different types of questions asked.

Year 9 students enjoyed a presentation in Week 7 from Tom Carter who was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Women’s Rugby Sevens Team who played in the recent Tokyo Olympics. Girls were intrigued to hear about Mr Carter’s Olympic journey and experiences and the way in which he inspired the team to perform at the highest level. He also gave some candid advice on subject selection and university choices and how students should not be put off doing something just because they find an area challenging. 

Girls continue their community service efforts through knitting scarves and hand-warmers for local nursing home residents. Mrs Alison Andrew and Ms Jackie Dalton, Fellowship Liaison, have also arranged for Year 9 students to hand-write personal letters to the elderly Frensham alumni to cheer them up now that lockdown has been extended. 

Mrs Kate Gallagher is planning an exciting Term 4 for Year 9 with a focus on ethical consumerism and financial literacy workshops, and we look forward to catching up on some of the activities postponed because of Covid-19.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme & Activities and Careers

IGSA Lockdown Tournament 

Over the past 5 weeks, Frensham students have been participating in an online fitness competition. IGSA schools were invited to participate in this event in an effort to break down the physical and social barriers created by the current lockdown environment and provide some healthy competition amongst schools. Sessions consisted of physical workouts as well as inspirational talks from current and past elite athletes. Students received individual points every week based on their participation, interaction and demonstration of school spirit.

The final results are in and it is exciting to note that we finished in first place! Congratulations to all girls who took up this challenge!

Ms Erin Gray, Head of Sport

Acknowledgement to: 

• Recent Iris award recipients Isabelle Promnitz (All Round Excellence) and Grace Amos (Service to Singing).
• Frensham Madrigals for their success at the Sydney Eisteddod by winning both their sections: Youth Choir for Females (U19) and Youth Vocal Ensemble (U19). The Madrigals then competed in the John Lamble Foundation Australasian Championships for Youth Choirs (U19), for which, with great excitement, they were placed first. The two winning performances included 'Tulit Ergo' by Michael Spencer and 'Since You've Been Gone' by Aretha Franklin.
• Shortlisted in the Whitlam Institute What Matters? Writing Competition 2021, from over 5,500 entries: Scarlett Alldis (The Endless Platter) and Phoebe Rouse (Fire) (Year 10). 
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award participants: Gold: Madeleine Mulligan, Annabelle Ranken, Georgia Shakeshaft (Year 12); Silver: Zoe Gallagher, Mia Greig, Sarah Hunter (Year 11), Emilie McMurtrie (Year 10); Bronze: Poppy Jensen (Year 11); Olivia Faulkner, Meg Jones, Zoe Logan, Alice Mitchell, Jemima Mutton, Sarah Partland, Hannah Perkins, Jessica Savage, Inka Wilson (Year 10).
• Australian History Competition - High Distinction: Sophie Hassall, Millie Moar, Eliza Mulligan (Year 10); Elizabeth Laverty, Bliss Ow-Yang, Sophia Windsor (Year 8). Distinction: Matilda Damiani, Sarah-Joy Day, Bearte McDonald, Clara McDonald, Summer Oxley, Hannah Perkins, Amalia Scales (Year 10); Anna Fagan, Georgia Rapp, Ella Scott, Ruby Young (Year 8).
• Maya Basson (Year 11) competing at official Equestrian Australia/Eventing NSW events this year was placed third overall in the 1* class in the NSW Equestrian Interschools Eventing leaderboard and qualified for selection to National Interschools event 2021.
• Frensham achieved first place the IGSA Sport Lockdown Tournament.
• Gib Gate Tournament of Minds team members of Amelia Blackshaw, Ana McInnes, Isla McVinish, Sofia Nesci (Year 6), Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo and Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver (Year 5), who successfully completed and submitted their online team solution after creatively reworking their performance into digital format.
• Gib Gate students who are continuing to work on the whole school musical, The Aristocats, while Online Learning – singing, acting and dancing on Zoom.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Flexibility, adaptability, creativity, persistence, resilience, grit and good humour

Gratitude must go to all members of our school community who have demonstrated such remarkable flexibility, adaptability, creativity, persistence, resilience, grit and good humour in the face of such challenging circumstances so far this term. We know that everyone is living, working and learning in ‘unusual’ contexts at the moment and that some level of disruption is, for the time being, a new normal. We also know the importance of remaining connected despite disruption and distance, with family and friends, neighbours and colleagues – and a number of our students and staff have initiated activities to help our community engage online. Whether it’s the Frensham Move Club on Strava, the Wrap with Love knitters, Year Seven girls handwriting letters to pen pals, girls writing letters to nursing home residents or thank-you notes to frontline workers, taking sunset selfies to share, sharing their book recommendations, making short films or sharing their inspirational quotes, we encourage all members of the Frensham community to continue getting involved in these kinds of activities from wherever you are. These small acts of kindness, generous actions and moments of levity help to boost oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine levels in our brains – reducing stress and blood pressure, increasing feelings of wellbeing and connection, lifting and stabilising our mood and improving wellbeing. When acts of kindness and service towards others are repeated, the oxytocin ‘boost’ that comes from a single act is prolonged, contributing to a happier self and a stronger community. 

Whilst some of our usual school celebrations and rituals can’t occur in person as they usually would, we hope that Frensham families are able to join in with some of the online versions of these events in the coming weeks. The Year 9 Service scheduled for next weekend will be proceeding in virtual format, with girls and staff filming their contributions remotely. We look forward to sharing this with you at the end of next week. Please check Schoolbox for further event details.

We are also inviting all Parents and Carers to join us for Friday Prayers, commencing this Friday 20th August. It will not be the same as being in Clubbe Hall together but it is a time where we gather together to reflect on the week and to celebrate accomplishment and contribution – and an important part of the Frensham daily experience. 

Ranier Uniform Shop – Limited Trading Hours

The Ranier Uniform Shop will open every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month for processing of online orders only. These limited hours will remain in place until COVID-19 restrictions ease. As parents will not be able to access the uniform shop during this time, we encourage the placement of online orders. 

Online Orders: Please place orders by 9.00am of each 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. https://shop.ranier.com.au/login 

Any online orders placed during this period will be taken to Company Office for distribution or posted, depending on the selection chosen at check out. 

For urgent matters, please contact Ranier head office:
E: custservice@ranier.com.au | P: 02 8337 7201

Boarding

Last Saturday was a whirlwind of activity as we were all thrown into disarray with the government lockdown announcement. This was disappointing news for all boarding staff who have have been committed to providing all girls able to be here at school with a wonderful boarding experience despite the circumstances. We focused on providing much fun and laughter whilst waiting to learn from the Government what it meant for us. Saturday night was pizza and ice cream in the Dining Room which proved to be (unsurprisingly) hugely popular. On Sunday, girls made garlands for their rooms, walked to visit and provide treats to Phillip, Frensham’s resident Donkey, and made crepes in the Bryant McCarthy kitchen. Girls also packed for their return home and the beginning of online learning. 

Boarding staff take pride in providing care and a great sense of community to all our students - it is certainly a challenging time. We are now focused on supporting those girls who need to stay at school and girls are happily ensconced in Bryant McCarthy House in the hope that life will return to normal soon. 

Frensham is a special place and in reflections girls always comment on the cold, winter mornings playing sport on the Games Field, the sound of music emanating from the Glenn Music Centre, Monday night’s Chicken Schnitzel and the fun and frivolity of Friday Night activities. We cannot wait until we have all our girls returned and Frensham is brimming with girls’ laughter, chat and endeavour. In the meantime, we continue to keep the spirit of Frensham alive, albeit via ZOOM. 

Ms Sally Arnold and Ms Sally Fennell, Deputy Heads of Boarding

Character Education/ Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Whilst we are all working from home, unable to connect with extended family and friends in the usual ways, it is important to look after our mental health and wellbeing. We may have feelings of loneliness, frustration and anxiety – all these feelings are very normal. If you or your daughter require extra support, please reach out, we are here to assist.

Year Co-ordinators and members of the Pastoral Care team are always available as an initial point of contact should you have any concerns. Contact details are on Schoolbox, on each Year group page. There is also a link to the Character Education and Pastoral Care page, where you can find details for external services and wellbeing apps to support your daughter’s mental and physical health.

Services such as Headspace and Kids Helpline provide free online and telephone counselling support for young people ages 12-25 and families. Reach Out is the most accessed online mental service for young people and their parents in Australia, providing interactive activities and wellbeing advice.

Stay Healthy HSC site to help year 12 students stay healthy, stay active and keep connected.

Please contact Mrs Fawbert if you have any further questions or concerns.

Mrs Wendy Fawbert, Director of Character Education and Planning

FACULTY FOCUS

HSIE

In an era dominated by rapid change, technological advancements, and innovation, predicting our future needs might appear to be the task of our mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Some may wonder about the place of history within a future-focused curriculum. At Frensham, its place is clear - the study of history is indispensable. 

Fundamentally, history is about change. Professor Peter Stearns, of Carnegie Mellon University, refers to history as the ‘laboratory of human experience’. Unlike science, we cannot test hypotheses for wide-scale social change through randomised controlled trials. Questions around privacy and security, expanding human rights, and developing a more equal and inclusive society are all challenges humanity is facing. It will be our students who will lead us through these challenges, and in doing so it will be helpful to look at this ‘laboratory of human experience’. Studying Ancient Rome in Year 7 and Year 12 is excellent field for evidence for expanding citizenship rights. Year 10 students have a firm understanding of the dangers of the state having unobstructed access to our private lives through their study of totalitarian regimes. While, Year 8 students, through their study of the Industrial Revolution, can make informed contributions to debates on how societies will be transformed when the relationship between labour and capital changes. 

History, at its best, provides a deeper understanding of where our societies have been, how we behave as communities, and how we perceive the world. It is the study of how we have grappled with our own humanity. And the question of what it means to be human has not been answered. No more is this true than in Year 9 students' study of Australia’s experience of war in the twentieth century. By exploring sources and histories of the First and Second World Wars, students are faced with questions about the value of life, the folly of man, and the complexity of honouring sacrifice while condemning conflict. As students step into their senior studies, they begin to recognise that conflict is a consistent and widespread aspect of the human experience, as demonstrated by Modern History students' study of the origins and progression of the Arab-Israeli conflict. By studying these conflicts, students may be able to contribute to solutions that reduce human conflict in the future. 

The study of history is essential. It provides greater scope for contemplation, provides us with our greatest role models and challenges our preconceived notions of truth. History is the greatest antidote to a binary world of good and evil, black and white, right and wrong. Our girls understand that to genuinely lead our communities into the next chapter, they must understand where we have been. And this is only possible through the study of history. 

Mr Nathan Bessant, Head of HSIE

LANGUAGES

French

Year 12 French students have returned from their Trials and are now into the final weeks of preparation for their HSC examination. I expected to be sharing anecdotes about the HSC French speaking examinations with you, which were planned for 31 July, but the girls have had to dig into their reserves of grit and resilience due to the rescheduling of this examination to 11 September. The silver lining of the Covid-related change in timing is that the girls have another month and a half to finesse their conversational skills while authentically manipulating language features. The French Extension speaking examination will be held as planned on 4 September and our focus is responding to feedback from the Trials to strengthen analytical and argumentative skills.

Year 11 students are currently studying Le plaisir des loisirs, the theme of free-time and leisure activities. Last week students researched and presented an exposé on their favourite extreme sport, introducing the class to such adventure sports as heli-skiing, skateboarding and white-water rafting. This is the last thematic focus for the year as we move into revision and examination technique later in the term.

Junior classes have been developing their communication skills through the use of process writing documents. The functionality of Google docs allows the student to share her writing with her teacher in real time, promoting and exchange of ideas and the opportunity for ongoing learning conversations to occur. Year 7 students are building on their ability to talk about themselves and their families, their pets and their likes and dislikes. In Year 8, the students are learning how to talk about their town and give directions. The Year 9 girls have moved on from daily routines to expressing past events using the passé composé. In Year 10, students are learning how to describe someone’s character and give advice. 

Mrs Kerry Lennon, Director of Languages

Latin

Senior Latin students also had to demonstrate resilience after the event of the year, the Latin Classics dinner at Newington, was cancelled. Students usually have a great time at this annual celebration dressing in togas or as centurions and vying for the coveted prize of costume of the evening.

As Year 12 return to normal classes after their Trial Examinations, students are considering and implementing feedback about their performance in the Trial Examinations. They have moved into pre-HSC mode, completing practice Examination style questions. In the Continuers class, students are studying the final sections of the prescribed text of Cicero In Catilinam. While in the Extension class, students are studying the final prescribed poems of Horace. 

Year 11 students are well underway in their study of Virgil's Aeneid Book 2 which will be the text assessed in their examinations later this term. Year 10 are nearing the end of the Part 3 Workbook, learning about complex grammatical constructions including the passive voice and the subjunctive mood.

The grammatical concepts encountered by Year 9 students this term are the future tense, irregular verbs, and possessive adjectives. As they build their skills in analysis and translation, they are also exploring the culture of ancient Rome through their readings about a visit to the seaside and life in the Roman army. 

After meeting the family of Marcus Cicero in Chapters 1 and 2, students in Year 8 focus on his daughter Tullia and her visit to Arpinum. Their grammatical skills are growing as they master verbs from the 3rd and 4th groups as well as adjectives and the irregular verb sum esse. The mythology of Gods and Goddesses is the civilisation focus for this term. 

Agriculture

While the AG classroom has been quiet over the last few weeks with many students learning@home, much has still been happening in the Agriculture Faculty. During the winter holiday, ten lambs were born including four sets of twins. A few of the Year 10 Agriculture students, who were still learning on campus have assisted in the care and general husbandry of these lambs as well as the other livestock at the farm.

Week 6 is National Science Week and this year’s theme is Food by Design with a focus on Agriculture and food production. The Agriculture classes have been joining in webinars presented by the NSW Department of Primary Industries on Innovation in Agriculture with topics such as precision agronomy, biosecurity, drones and ag-sensing technologies. A webinar from the University of Sydney on Future Plants and Food Security covered topics such as CRISPR technology, cotton production, plants as a source of protein, genetic research into controlling plant disease and urban agriculture.

Also, during National Science Week, the AG classes were involved in a programme conducted by the University of New England called ‘Soil your Undies’. The programme entails schools burying a pair of cotton underpants (supplied by UNE) for eight weeks and then digging them up on National Cotton Day to examine how much of the underpants are left. Data is collated from across the schools involved, to develop a database on decomposition rates of the soils.

While most of the Agriculture students have been working from home this term, they still have been able to be involved in some of the practical experiences covered in the courses. Year 10 AG has been studying crop production and recently was required to conduct soil tests to determine the texture of the soil, at home or at school. Year 9 students have been researching an integrated weed control strategy for a weed that they have found at school or around home.

Students in Year 11 unfortunately were unable to attend the AG on Tour excursion to complete their Farm Case Study. In its place, some of the students from farming backgrounds have been doing their own research at home and presenting their findings to the rest of the class. They were also fortunate to have Mr Ross Thompson (father of Millie, Year 9 and Ollie, year 8), from Millah Murrah Angus Stud, Bathurst, join a Zoom lesson to discuss with the class what happens on his farm as well as the impact of consumer trends on his production systems. Thank you to Ross for his time and considerable knowledge and in assisting the class to gain a different perspective of farm production.

Year 12 students have completed their Trial examination and are now finishing the HSC course and working on fine-tuning their examination technique in preparation for their HSC examination.

Ms Leonie Mutch, Head of Farm Management and Agriculture

Schoolbox

How do you currently use SchoolBox?

In the last 20 years educational institutions have subscribed to Learning Management Systems (LMS) as a platform for innovative practice: these include Google classroom, Canvas, Moodle, Sentral.  It is a competitive market. The Frensham Schools LMS, SchoolBox, is a superior product favoured by many independent schools as, not only does it support advanced methods of delivery and differentiation of P-12 education, but its primary goal is to ensure that learners thrive in a connected community, enhanced by their integrated communications system. This year has seen the initial stages of a plan to develop the use of SchoolBox at Frensham Schools to unite parents, students and staff in learning journeys. 

The first phase involved an aesthetic overhaul of the dashboard which occurred over the winter vacation. You will now find a dashboard with intuitive navigation and information customised to your role in the School community.  

The next phase involves the rollout of the communications system, which you may have noticed already in the form of instant messaging whenever priority News Headlines are posted. Soon this will include automated, customised News Digests which further streamline Frensham Schools’ communications. 

Following this you will see increased innovation and creativity of coursework across Frensham and Gib Gate campuses, as the students’ spirit of inquiry develops. Gib Gate staff have already begun building their online classrooms which are now being used by SchoolBox as exemplars of best practice in Primary Schools.

As we continue to rollout innovation and unify communication across Frensham Schools, please take the time to log in to SchoolBox and engage in a conversation with your children around how they currently use the LMS for learning and communicating. We look forward to bringing you more SchoolBox updates in the coming months. In the meantime, please peruse the SchoolBox focus pages.

SchoolBox Focus: A-Z of Frensham, A-Z of Gib Gate (Formerly the Frensham and Gib Gate Information books respectively)

Mrs Lucy Dalleywater, Head of Special Projects

Acknowledgement to: 

• Year 11 Mock Trial Team (NSW Law Society competition) and Frensham’s Debating Team (AISNSW NGS National Virtual Debating) for their continued success in their respective competitions. 

• Amelia Blackshaw, Iman Byrne, Imogen Diver, Sienna Donat, Isla McVinish, Ana McInnes, Sofia Nesci, Ruby Rodgers (Year 6) for their selection to the Southern Highlands Water Polo U14 Girls team.

Acknowledgement to:

• Frensham’s Year 8 Debating Team of Penelope Cay, Lauren Fox, Skye McLelland, Lucy Rouse and Sophia Windsor, competing in the AISNSW/NGS National Virtual Debating competition, for their recent top division achievement and progressing to the quarter finals, to be held in September. 
• Australian Mathematics Trust Maths Challenge participants - High Distinction: Sarah-Joy Day (Year 10), Sophie Goodisson, Georgina Lewis (Year 8); Distinction: Bella Cay (Year 10), Anna Fagan, Sophie Hanrahan (Year 8); Credit: Sidney Wheeler (Year 9), Isabella Barber, Hannah Day, Amelia Hartnell, Camilla Ranken (Year 8).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

As we head towards the halfway point of Term Three, we thank all families for their patience, encouragement and support over this difficult period. A student remarked to me last week that she thinks that times of challenge are when the Frensham community ‘shines’ – and we are seeing many examples of this spirit from staff, students and families alike as we work to remain connected despite circumstance and distance. We are thinking of students and teachers in Greater Sydney and we are currently working through our plans for a return to face-to-face teaching on campus in the coming weeks. We continue to encourage girls to return to campus if they are able to do so. Overwhelmingly students report that even though they are still learning online, being on campus helps to keep them feeling connected to their peers and teachers and the routine of the school day helps with their focus.

Students have been engaging very well in online learning overall, and staff have been working tirelessly to design and deliver engaging learning experiences. Mrs Fawbert has included information for parents in this newsletter – also on Schoolbox for students – to assist you in supporting your girls to participate meaningfully in their learning whilst online. It is a very common challenge, during periods of uncertainty and during COVID-19, to remain in the present, to focus our minds and to avoid our ‘monkey minds’ running away from us – catastrophising, getting stuck in negative thinking and the “what if” trap. This uncertainty can be difficult for most adults, and can lead to anxiety and a sense of hopelessness in young people. We need to remain sensitive to our young people’s emotional wellbeing and to try to shift the focus from what we cannot control to what we can. Routine and structure – whether at home or at school – bring comfort, stability and reassurance. Getting adequate sleep, maintaining regular sleep patterns, eating well and being physically active each day are simple but very effective foundational pillars of health and wellbeing.

Of course, the Olympics are proving to be a wonderful digression from the COVID news and are providing us as a community with some fine examples of character in action. The Australian team have achieved some wonderful successes, wins, personal bests and record-beating performances. Alongside these are numerous instances of resilience, tenacity, compassion and generosity which have been quite moving to watch.

One example is Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar. They were locked in first place after a tough few hours of competing in the High Jump on Sunday. The two athletes, who are also good friends, were then given the option to settle matters with a jump-off – but decided instead to share the gold medal, the first time this has occurred in 109 years. This really is the Frensham value - of the unselfish pursuit of excellence - writ large.

The efforts of our girls playing Table Tennis in the Gym at last week’s Friday night activities were admirable, and their enthusiasm commendable, but their form was nothing like Jian Fang Lay representing Australia in table tennis. The 48-year-old player is competing in her sixth consecutive Olympic Games — one of only two Australian women to do so. Her grit and determination, not to mention her speed, coordination and instinct, are quite joyful to witness.

What a memorable Olympic Games Tokyo 2020/1 will be for us all and no doubt each of you will have your favourite moments of the Games, an example of an athlete exhibiting strength of character and living the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. I found the words of swimmer Cate Campbell, interviewed after her incredible performance in the final leg of the Women’s 4X100m relay, very uplifting as she spoke of the mindset and attitude she took towards what may be her last swim in an Olympic Games:

“That is an incredible effort by everyone. I think that obviously I was a little bit disappointed with my 50 freestyle earlier, but I just kind of told myself that you find out what you’re made of in the times when things don’t go your way, not when things go your way, not when things are working well for you. And I took that mindset into this race and I just thought, ‘You have to be brave and get back out there.’”

Parent Information Sessions

Over the coming weeks, we will be conducting Zoom meetings with parents of each year level. Please note the dates and times below as we hope to see as many parents on the screen as possible.

• Year 11 – Parent Plenary (usually part of Year 11 Weekend) – Thursday 5 August 6:30pm
• Year 10 – Planning for Senior Studies (usually held on Year 11 Weekend) – Wednesday 11 August 6.30pm
• Year 7 – Academic and Pastoral Focus – Tuesday 17 August 6.30pm
• Year 8 – Academic and Pastoral Focus – Thursday 19 August 6.30pm
• Year 9 – the time of this session is to be advised  

Boarding

Although the number of girls in Boarding over the last week has been smaller than usual, the sense of community has been very strong.

While Year 12 students have been highly focused on their studies over the course of the HSC trial examination period, their support of each other in Bryant McCarthy House has been in evidence daily. Year 11 boarders demonstrated their thoughtfulness by baking brownies for Year 12 and junior girls supported with smartie cookies and cupcakes to sustain the older girls over the examination period.

With Year 12 students studying, Year 11 has stepped up and taken on the responsibility of maintaining connections with junior girls. They have been achieving this through visits to Hartfield House, organising afternoon activities for junior girls and supervising the Friday night activity, including last week's Olympic-themed table tennis tournament. In addition to their regular afternoon sport activities, junior girls have also had the opportunity to enjoy the additional afternoon activities of modern dance and tennis fun.

The spirit of friendship is one that is certainly thriving amongst our girls on campus, as they find creative and collaborative ways to make the most of all our school has to offer in COVID-19 times. It is clear to see through their interactions that: 

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be. – Winnie The Pooh, A A Milne

Character Education/ Pastoral Care

A Character Education/ Pastoral Care page has been added to Schoolbox. The link can be found on any year group page.

The page is updated regularly and has information about useful websites and apps to support student character, growth and wellbeing. We hope you find this tool useful.

Online Learning Guidelines for Parents

Schoolbox is the base for all student learning and everything students will need is linked through Schoolbox.

The day at home will follow the same timetable as the day at school, please note times have been adjusted to incorporate exercise throughout the day.

Online lessons in real-time will be via Zoom and links to each lesson will be posted on Schoolbox.

Establishing Routines and expectations
Establishing routines and expectations are critically important for students during online learning. Routine allows focus on the correct mindset - learning will occur just as it did in face-to-face teaching.

Establishing clear expectations also helps understanding the need to be organised, respectful, productive and considerate.

Start of the Day
Students begin the day at 8.25am joining the Prayers ‘Zoom’ link, which is emailed every morning. They are then expected to participate in the form programme. This involves a year meeting on Mondays with the year Co-ordinator and Character, Wellbeing and Pastoral care programmes with the Form tutor for the rest of the week.

Being ready and organised
Students should set up a place to work from, desk or table, not on a couch or bed, ‘Zoom in’ to each lesson, take notes and complete all classwork.Sports Uniform is to be worn every day - the wearing of uniform helps create the right frame of mind for learning. Mufti days have been scheduled to allow for casual clothes of a specific colour or theme to be worn.

Being considerate, productive and respectful
Students have been asked to contact their teachers directly if they cannot attend a class. Subject teachers are checking in with girls every lesson and considerate notification of absence is appreciated.

The aim is to be productive, getting the most out of each online session. Girls have been asked to remove any distractions that could impact on their learning - movie streaming, emails, music, games and chat apps.

Respectful online communication is of the utmost importance. Girls have been asked to have their cameras on and are muted, when beginning a lesson. Questions can be asked through the chat bar or directly, the raise your hand function can also be used. Students are asked to speak online in the same way they would in a classroom, respecting the point of view of others and contributing positively to class discussion.

Being active
All girls are encouraged to get up and move when they can. There has been extra time given for movement between each lesson and fitness lessons have been incorporated into the timetable for Years 7-10. Exercise time should be spent away from the screen and outside if possible. A few minutes walking outside can have a positive impact on learning outcomes. Stretching the back, neck, arms, and doing squats or lunges will also help with screen fatigue.

End of the Day
The school day will end at 3.35pm. Years 7-10 will only be required to complete prep for English and Mathematics. Years 11-12 will have prep from all subjects as normal.

IGSA Sport Lockdown Tournament – Years 7-12
Provided by NetFit, this is a five-week programme, with a 35-minute workout followed by 15 minutes of Inspire time. The fitness session will be Olympics-themed, with Inspire time composed of chats around mindset, wellbeing and leadership. Sessions will run from 9.30am-10.20am, with a Zoom link being distributed to schools each week.

After the first round of the tournament, Frensham was in first place. We are looking forward to seeing even more girls participating online this Saturday.

Mrs Wendy Fawbert, Director of Character Education and Planning

FACULTY FOCUS

Mathematics

“Do you know the difference between a mentor, coach, and a teacher?”

A mentor is the person who can show you the way because they have been there. For instance, if you want to be the greatest talk show host of all time, Oprah could be your mentor. Oprah would be able to give you a clear outline of the steps that she took, let you know what her motivations were, and also give you an idea about obstacles you may face along the way. The interactions could be informal or formal depending upon how well you know your mentor. I would also like to add that people can be mentors from a distance…you have never met them in person, or even spoken to them BUT you study their work. 

Teachers help you build a skill set. An excellent example of a teacher is one who gets you to a certain destination or to achieve a skill. That’s what teachers do – they help you build skills. The goal of coaching is to boost confidence and/or manage anxiety to improve performance. The coach is there to help you change your mindset around your goals.

Coaches can sometimes help with a very specific skill, but really they are there to answer questions and anticipate mental setbacks before they occur. Tony Robbins is one of the most well-known, transformational coaches. And, in some cases, this person doesn’t necessarily have to already be equally or more successful than the client. However, this does not mean that you need one coach, one mentor, and one teacher. But sometimes you might need the help from a mentor, teacher, or a coach.

This semester, the Mathematics Coaching Programme continues whilst online learning. The coaches are available during the school day for Seniors (scheduled during study lessons) and during some lessons or after school for Juniors (scheduled session times) and during Prep for all year groups (booked weekly on a rotating schedule). Students may like to have a permanent booking or an occasional help session. The programme is managed by the Mathematics Faculty (Ms Allison and Mr Selby) and the coaches include Mr Tarik Jeffcoat and Miss Mahime Watanabe, new to us from University of Wollongong. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information or to request a coaching session for your daughter.

Ms Joanne Alison, Head of Mathematics

Careers - Important Notices & Key Dates

Students are aware of the following information via ‘Tertiary Thursday’ meetings and the Careers Page on Schoolbox  (Click on ACTIVITIES tab and then the CAREERS tab).

Early Entry CLOSING dates:

• University of Wollongong: Friday 13 August
• Charles Sturt University: Tuesday 31 August
• University of New England: Friday 17 September
• University of Sydney: E12 application via UAC: Sunday 19 September (online session: Tuesday 17 August)
• Schools Recommendation Scheme (Early Entry for a number of institutions): Sunday 19 September
• UAC: Early bird admissions, Tuesday 28 September

General reminders and information:

EXCITING NEWS: University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – just announced a new Early Entry Scheme: OPENS Tuesday 10 August; CLOSES Sunday 12 September. Please follow this Link to the UTS Early Entry information page.

Open Days: Many institutions have virtual tours and some are still going ahead with physical Open Days. Please see the Schoolbox Careers page for dates.

College: If not undertaking a Gap Year, it is time to start applying to university colleges online.

Scholarships: Are now open. Please go to the Careers Schoolbox page and click on the individual university, then click on Scholarships. Please note, there are many industry-based scholarships and college scholarships for consideration. Please encourage your daughter to make an appointment with Mrs Harris, if she requires assistance in completing early entry, UAC application, scholarship or college application.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme, Activities and Careers

Jamieson Programme

Usually, I would be reporting on the highlights of Year 9 Global Forum. We were disappointed to have to postpone the event, Mrs Gallagher had organised a wonderful three-day residential programme with a special array of inspiring speakers and a trip to Sydney for a cultural tour. We do intend to reschedule this important event.

However, we were able to hold one of the Global Forum activities. We secured a private viewing of the documentary, Rosemary’s Way. The documentary celebrates the remarkable Rosemary Kariuki (Australian of the Year – Local Hero 2021) and the group of vulnerable migrant women of suburban Sydney whose lives she helped transform from isolation to connection, so they can better participate in Australian life. Over the course of the year, we witnessed Rosemary reaching out to isolated migrant women from cultures as diverse as Iraq, the Congo and Peru. Referred to by these women as a ‘charismatic change-maker’, our students and teachers were moved and inspired by all that Rosemary has achieved through her individual initiatives. We witnessed intimate revelations as women shared their experiences with other women.

After the film, students were able to engage in an interactive Q & A session with Rosemary. We, and Rosemary, were impressed by the quality of questions posed by the girls. Our hope is that the documentary will help to create empathy and understanding of migrants and that it might stimulate our students to think about what they themselves can do to make migrants feel welcome. It certainly promoted a deeper understanding of the nature of ‘multiculturalism’ in Australia and the various layers of which it is comprised.

Year 9 students are completing their Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives Independent Research Projects. They have been participating in Fitness programmes with Mr Green, remotely and on campus, and have been pursuing their Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Community Service activities in a variety of ways. Individualised knitting kits have been sent home to willing students and I know the Nursing Home residents will enjoy a lovely surprise at Christmas with their beautifully knitted hand-warmers and scarves – never mind that it will be Summer!

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme, Activities and Careers

Teaching and Learning at Frensham: Professional Learning

Peer-to-Peer Learning and Sharing

Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people. – Steve Jobs
And schools are no different.

In the modern world you might think that Google, YouTube, or formal training programmes would be the place where most people start. But no, peers are our first port of call for most adults. When people want to learn a new skill, more people turn to their peers first (55%) than any other group and this is second only to asking their boss (Palmer & Blake, 2018). Using your peers to learn new skills is called Peer-to-Peer Learning.

Peer-to-peer learning is powerful because it builds skills, improves connection and community, and taps into the expertise that already exists in the organisation. It is also uniquely well suited to the way we learn because it allows us to gain knowledge; practice by application; obtain psychologically safe feedback; and reflect - all within context in which the learning will be used. 

And so, this week at Frensham our amazing team of teachers who always work together to develop new skills constantly, are focussing on online learning.

We have turned to our own experts to make online learning more effective and to give our staff the opportunity to add skills to their teaching. We have used the challenge that is COVID-19 to create unique learning opportunities for staff and students. So, thank you to the staff who have offered their time to share their skills with others and a thank you to those wanting to learn new skills to make the learning for our students even better.

We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn. – Peter Drucker

Dr Ruth Phillips, Acting Director of Teaching and Learning and Coordinator of Professional Learning

Acknowledgement to:

• Frensham’s Year 8 Debating Team of Penelope Cay, Lauren Fox, Skye McLelland, Lucy Rouse and Sophia Windsor, competing in the AISNSW/NGS National Virtual Debating competition, for their recent top division achievement and progressing to the quarter finals, to be held in September. 
• Australian Mathematics Trust Maths Challenge participants - High Distinction: Sarah-Joy Day (Year 10), Sophie Goodisson, Georgina Lewis (Year 8); Distinction: Bella Cay (Year 10), Anna Fagan, Sophie Hanrahan (Year 8); Credit: Sidney Wheeler (Year 9), Isabella Barber, Hannah Day, Amelia Hartnell, Camilla Ranken (Year 8).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Term 3 Information

Term 3 has commenced in a most unusual way. We send our best wishes to all students and families currently in lockdown, either in Greater Sydney, the Central West or interstate. This is an extraordinary time in the life of our nation and our school community. We can take heart in the knowledge that we have managed challenging situations like this previously and we will be able to manage this current circumstance as well. For many of us, life is different from usual – movements are curtailed, we are unable to visit family and friends, we are missing out on special events, having to wear masks, undertaking testing, working from home as a family, all meetings on Zoom – as we work together to contain the spread of the virus. With approximately 1/3 of our students here on campus, we are working hard to remain connected as a community, through virtual and ‘IRL’ activities. We are reminded that from the moment when COVID-19 first burst into our lives, we've had to learn to deal with change, as each stage of the pandemic has changed the way we live, work and socialise.

Our school’s unique location and diverse community, distinguishing features of Frensham, set us apart from other schools. This means that we have some distinctive operational considerations to work through when lockdowns and restrictions apply to some Local Government Areas and not others. We do thank all members of our community for their patience and understanding.

It can sometimes feel stressful and overwhelming for young people and adults alike during an event like this current outbreak of COVID-19 and individuals are affected differently. You might feel overwhelmed by the information, conversations and the increased levels of stress in your community. It can be hard to know what information to trust, especially in a situation where things are changing so quickly. It can be helpful to keep up-to-date but it is also important to switch off from the 24-hour media cycle if this gets too much at times. Please do refer to our COVID-19 Information Page for useful support resources, fact sheets and relevant links, and do not hesitate to contact a member of staff should you wish to discuss support for your daughter during this time.

We have had to make the difficult but necessary decision to postpone, adjust or cancel many of our planned school events for the coming month. This is because of the current restrictions in place for schools and the proportion of our community who are not able to travel due to various restrictions in different parts of NSW. The full list can be found on the front page of Schoolbox and will be updated as decisions are made about further future events.

Families of girls in Year 10 and 11 are asked to note that the Year 11 Weekend and Year 10 Planning for Senior Studies sessions will be proceeding on the weekend of 7/8 August. At this stage we do not have clarity about whether we will be able to hold these on campus. If they are not able to occur in person we will conduct these in an online format to ensure all families have access to individual meetings with teachers and information about Senior Studies.

To assist further with your planning, please note the Term Dates for 2022

• Term 1 - Gib Gate & Frensham
  Monday 31 January - Thursday 7 April
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)
   
• Term 2 - Gib Gate & Frensham
  Wednesday 27 April - Thursday 23 June
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)
  *Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend* – Departure: Thursday 9 June, 3.00pm – Gib Gate and Frensham

• Term 3 - Gib Gate & Frensham
  Monday 18 July - Thursday 22 September
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)

• Term 4 - Gib Gate: Tuesday 11 October-Friday 9 December
  Term 4 - Frensham: Tuesday 11 October-Sunday 11 December 12.00pm (after 11.00am Carol Service)
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)

Boarding

Exciting news! This week we have launched our Boarding Page on Schoolbox, where you will find important boarding information. It is also a place where you are able to see photos that capture the many aspects of life at Frensham. Please take a moment to look at the page and see some images from our recent bonfire. This is updated each Wednesday and we hope that you enjoy the photos of girls having fun on the weekends here at Frensham.

What you will find:

Weekend Programme: This is a varied programme, changed weekly, with a range of activities organised over the school term. Some of these activities involve outside organisations coming to school to run sessions, such as yoga, whilst others are off-campus trips, like bowling or ice-skating. We also ensure that girls have a little quiet time as they would at home with ‘feet off the floor’.

Friday Night Activities: Each term senior girls organise the Friday night activities. Pop Concerts, Harry Potter nights and Valentine’s Day dinner are perennial favourites. We began this term with an exciting spotlight game with torches across the main campus. Lots of laughter could be heard when girls spotted each other with their torches in the dark!

Weekend Activities and Excursions: This details specific information about the upcoming weekend activities or excursions. Each year we aim to visit Jamberoo (Term 1), go ice skating, rock climbing and attend the theatre.

Exeat Forms and bus sign up: This contains links for weekend leave and transport arrangements.

Ms Amanda Graham, Director of Boarding

FACULTY FOCUS

Studies

The Trial HSC Examinations for Year 12 students commenced on Monday 19 July. These examinations are an important part of the learning programme and are excellent practice for what students can expect in the final HSC Examinations in Term 4. School-based assessment measures performance in a wide range of course outcomes and Trial Examinations are the final component of this HSC assessment programme. Student’s results will be posted on Schoolbox when marking has been completed.

The conditions for the Trial Examinations closely resemble those of the final HSC Examinations, with supervision carried out by the School’s current appointed Presiding Officer and her team of supervisors. Year 12 students have been provided with information highlighting the rules relating to the examination period and their responsibilities during this time. A reminder that all students should present for their HSC examinations where possible. If illness or accident prevents a student from attending, the appropriate Illness/Misadventure forms will need to be completed, accompanied by a medical certificate or other required documentation. This will be facilitated by the School and students should contact me as soon as possible in the event of any issues.

Year 11 students are in their third and final term of Preliminary studies, with their examinations commencing Friday 3 September and their HSC studies to commence at the beginning of Term 4. During Term 3, evaluating course progress and making initial decisions about modifications to their overall programme for the HSC are important. This may involve taking up an extension course or reducing their total units.

The end of the Preliminary Course should consolidate the skills and behaviours for success in studies into Year 12. Year 11 Parent Teacher interviews will provide parents with an up-to-date assessment of their daughter’s progress to assist in this decision-making process.

In Week 8, students in Years 7 and 8 will also undertake examinations as part of their Stage 4 skills development programme and will be guided by their teachers as to how to prepare for these examinations. Examinations for Years 9 and 10 will be held in Term 4.

Ms Janene van Gogh, Director of Studies

English

White Sheep, white sheep
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops
You all stand still.
When the wind blows
You walk away slow.
White sheep, white sheep
Where do you go?

Clouds by Christine Rossetti

The power of a vivid metaphor capturing the image succinctly in our mind is creativity at its finest. We have all gazed at clouds and wondered at their beauty. It is a challenge for many of us to find the words to represent the precise moment of what we see, (real or imaginary) and how we feel. Poetry can express the inexpressible.

For a student to gain a deeper understanding of a poem, in this case the beauty and mystery of the natural world, they need to be familiar with figurative language. They need to explore how its use can add to the meaning of the text. Explicit teaching of figurative language and studying authentic texts, are key.

For Year 12 students, their final HSC module is the study of the masterful works of TS Eliot. They are learning that a life “measured out in coffee spoons” is not the way “to disturb the universe” and as humans we should always be moved by the “infinitely gentle” and the “infinitely suffering”.

Year 8 students will embark on a unit this term which examines the Truth of War. They will explore a selection of texts which will include war poems. They will be moved by Owen's tragic Dulce et decorum and recognise that tales of the glory of war are indeed lies.

Year 10 girls, in their most recent unit of work, had a glimpse of Poetry Through the Ages from Shakespeare, to John Keats, Alfred Tennyson, Christine Rossetti, WH Auden and Maya Angelou. They composed their own poems, submitting accompanying annotations which informed us of their creative process and how they were inspired by the experts.

Some student samples which highlight just how skilled they are in the poetic form. 

A monochrome forest,
Identical leaves,
Geometric, greyscale canopies.

The Wise Old Owl stood tall and strong,
Narrating the phrases that emerge over the courses of our lives.

I love the story that doesn’t quite end,
Leaving you gasping and breathless.
You’ll never know what happens next as the narrator drops the pen,
Right in the middle of a-

Let me speak                                
And say my own words,         
The things I know                   
And the things I’ve heard.    

As quick as a dart,                     
As loud as a silent room,    
A voice is cut off                       
Another quiet doom.  

One day, we will all grow old,
And forget where we left our socks,
Confusion will warm when our feet are cold,

As we sit and stare at the clocks: 

Ticking, ticking, ticking, ticking 

Frozen in motion.

Ms Lee McGuinness, Head of English

Drama

The final few weeks of Term 2 were filled with Drama…in a good way.

On Thursday 27 May, Zeal Theatre worked with Year 12 Drama students on their Group Performances in preparation for the HSC Drama External Examination to be held later in Term 3. 

On Tuesday 8 June, Drama students, accompanied by Ms Allison and Mrs Hannah attended a production of Anton Chekhov’s classic The Cherry Orchard at Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills, starring Pamela Rabe. Students were mesmerized by Rabe’s brilliant performance and the way the ensemble brought Chekhov’s characters to life on stage. To be able to watch a production live (especially now) was a wonderful opportunity for students to see professional theatre at its finest.

On Wednesday 9 June, Years 9-11 Drama students attended a production of The 7 Stages of Grieving, directed by Shari Sebens and performed by Elaine Crombie at the Wharf Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company. The 7 Stages of Grieving is studied as a Preliminary HSC Drama text in a unit of work on the Elements of Production in Performance. Co-written by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman, this is a contemporary Indigenous play which appropriates western form whilst using traditional storytelling, The 7 Stages of Grieving. This one-woman show gives an emotional insight into Murri life, following the journey of an Aboriginal 'everywoman' as she tells poignant and humorous stories of grief and reconciliation.

Mrs Sally Hannah, Head of Drama

 

Acknowledgement to:

• Year 12 – as they commence their Higher School Certificate Trial Examinations this week.
• Eliza Mulligan AMEB Flute Video Repertoire Grade 8 examination – Honours (A).
• To all involved with the publishing of the Frensham 2020 Chronicle.
• Frensham Madrigals for their performance of Share Your Truth, published on Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/Frensham Madrigals, Share Your Truth 2021. Share Your Truth lyrics are taken from the speech from the 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame at the National Press Club in March, and set to music by Michael Spencer, Head of Music.

 

Staffing update

During the vacation we farewelled three members of staff. We thank all these staff for their contribution to Frensham Schools and wish them all the very best in their future.

After eight years of dedicated service to Frensham Schools, Mrs Colleen Relf has retired from her position as Registrar; from the Health Centre, Ms Millie Ellice-Flint and her fiancé have relocated to country NSW; and, Mrs Camille Macpherson, Enrolments and Marketing, has been recalled to recommence her responsibilities with Qantas. Camille will remain as a member of the Frensham community as a Gib Gate parent.

We welcome:

• Mr Andrew Lundy will be working in our HSIE department this semester, currently teaching Year 9 History.
• Ms Carole McCormick returns to Frensham Schools in the role of Registrar.
• Miss Theresa Healey joins Gib Gate as a Preschool Assistant.
• Health Centre team, Mrs Abigail Gordon (Registered Nurse) and Ms Britt Martin (Registered Nurse)

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director Teaching and Learning, is taking Long Service Leave during Term 3, with the following staff taking on additional responsibilities during her absence:

• Dr Ruth Phillips
• Ms Emma Lake
• Mrs Alison Andrew
• Ms Lee McGuinness

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

End of Term 2

It has been another eventful term, and I recognise the efforts and achievements of many students in the Frensham community across these past nine weeks. The School’s Birthday Celebrations were truly joyous, celebrating the history, ethos, values and the future of Frensham Schools and also celebrating the opportunity for us to gather as a community in a somewhat more ‘normal’ way than was possible in 2020. Of course, we are not back to our full complement just yet and are not able to accommodate our pre-2020 Service numbers in school venues, but to be able to raise our voices together in song without restriction, participate in friendly sporting matches with Year 12, join with all students and staff in the Birthday Lunch in the Dining Room for the first time in over a year was very special indeed.

It has also been a pleasure to have read all Student Reports of their progress over this first semester, and to see the growth and development in maturity, skills and confidence that so many of them have experienced. Our feedback and advice to students is very focused on supporting future growth, and we encourage families across this vacation period to engage with their daughters in conversation about their learning their goals and aspirations for next term. This learning conversation, discussing academic strengths, weaknesses, areas for future focus, helps to keep students focused on their growth rather than their results or marks. Whilst important, too much of a focus on “scores” are somewhat secondary to students’ feelings of self-efficacy, independence and their mindset for future development.

We wish all families a safe and restful vacation period ahead and look forward to welcoming students back to Boarding Houses on Monday 12 July ready for classes to commence on Tuesday 13 July.

Parent Feedback
The Frensham Advisory Committee is an advisory body to the Head set up under rules approved by the Board of Governors. It meets at least three times each year to discuss matters raised by the Head or the committee members as pertaining to Frensham policy and procedures. There are often matters discussed in this forum that help to inform the School’s future plans and to give the Executive, through the Head, greater insight into a particular topic from a parent perspective.

Following the two meetings in Semester One, we invite parent feedback on two areas of the School’s operations. The first is the student catering provided and this brief survey will be conducted alongside a student survey and an evaluation of the overall catering offering. We also invite feedback through our Communications Survey, which seeks to understand the ways in which parents currently access required information, what is working well and suggestions for future improvements to be incorporated into our future planning in this area. Both surveys will be open until the end of the vacation period (Monday 12 July 2021).

Boarding

As the term draws to a close, girls are packing and readying themselves for a holiday break with family. The Boarding Houses will then prepare for a new group of girls in Term 3.

Winifred West wrote on 1 June 1920, One reason why school is good is because at school we meet people with different ideas, different temperaments, different outlooks, and so arises a greater demand for tolerance and imagination than is made at home. There is more need for ‘give and take’ and the experience of school should prove of value in life.

This same message applies today and is one of the primary outcomes of the boarding experience. Girls from country, city and even from overseas with different ideas and experiences learn to live together and become a cohesive and collaborative community. Girls are supported in the development of key qualities and dispositions as outlined in our Character Education framework. 

Next term, Year 7 and Year 8 students stay in their House of Origin, Year 12 are all located in Bryant McCarthy and all boarders from Years 9 to 11 move between Houses. 

Once House allocations are determined, careful planning occurs to decide on room allocations. Each House has a combination of different sized rooms, from single rooms through to rooms with eight beds. The aim is for all students to have an opportunity to experience a range of dorm sizes throughout their time at Frensham, finishing with Year 12 in single rooms. 

When determining the room allocations, significant discussion occurs between Heads of House and House staff, Year Coordinators and Executive staff. Decisions about rooms are never made lightly as girls will be sharing dorms and learning to live with girls of different personalities and needs. This approach is purposeful and made with each individual student in mind. We are currently working towards our new House and dorm allocations for next term.

We wish all girls a happy holiday and look forward to welcoming them back to new experiences and the strong friendships that will continue to develop in the coming term. 

Ms Amanda Graham, Director of Boarding

FACULTY FOCUS

English

While the study of English continues to evolve as all great learning should, at its heart, it is the study of literature. As the Year 12 Extension 1 English rubric notes:

Literary texts can invite responders to engage with the interior worlds of individuals and how they perceive, think and feel about themselves and the societies in which they live...how texts communicate notions of identity and alternative ways of being and thinking...how diverse textual representations enable the responder to experience insight into the lives of other groups and individuals, and other times and places.

From Years 7-12, students study the vast and different literary worlds, learning how stories transcend time and place. Engaging with these texts invites a reflection on their own world and their place in society. Here are some samples of what the girls have been studying over the course of the year.

A Word dropped careless on a Page
May stimulate an eye
When folded in perpetual seam
The Wrinkled Maker lie
Stanza 1, Emily Dickinson

We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep. …
Prospero, The Tempest, William Shakespeare

I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils.
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favour. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself.
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald

This is the hottest summer I can remember, and the thick heat seems to seep in and keep in my sleepout. It's like the earth's core in here. The only relief comes from the cooler air that creeps in between the slim slats of my single window. It's near impossible to sleep, so I've spent most of my nights reading by the light of my kerosene lamp.

Tonight was no different. And when Jasper Jones rapped my louvres abruptly with his knuckle and hissed my name, I leapt from my bed, spilling my copy of Pudd'nhead Wilson.
Jasper Jones, Craig Silvey

Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
No animal shall wear clothes.
No animal shall sleep in a bed.
No animal shall drink alcohol.
No animal shall kill any other animal.
All animals are equal.
Animal Farm, George Orwell

The course of true love never did run smooth
Lysander, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare

Sometimes rain made me want to cry, like there was something deep inside me - the sadness flower that opened up when rainy days came, and blossomed inside me until I couldn’t breathe.
Lenny’s Book of Everything, Karen Foxlee

What Matters Competition
Inspired by Gough Whitlam's commitment to involving young people in the shaping of Australia's future, the What Matters? writing competition is currently open to school students in Years 5 to 12, from Australia. Responding to the simple question 'what matters?', entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about.

Girls from Years 7-11 were encouraged to put their passions and deeply held beliefs into words. It is clear at Frensham that there are many things that matter and teachers were impressed and inspired by the diverse range of entries. While it will be a couple of months before the shortlist is announced, it is undeniable that there is a strong link between writing and thinking deeply when students are given the opportunity to choose what they want to write about, then plan, craft and refine their work.

Bell Shakespeare - live action, Finally!
Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 were fortunate to have a live experience and a taste of two of Shakespeare’s most famous plays Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. Each performance explored key scenes and offered an analysis of Shakespeare’s language, choices and themes, all with a modern twist.

Ms Lee McGuinness, Head of English

HSIE

Our world is becoming increasingly complex, and the issues that our young people need to address are becoming more significant and overwhelming. Ecosystems are dying as unprecedented weather events decimate environments and the seemingly unstoppable march of climate change reshapes our landscapes. New technologies make the world a smaller place, but keep people further apart as we swap community for individuality. And a smaller world brings different cultures closer together, a process that can enrich us, but also makes our differences starker and more challenging. Our lives are being transformed by change. Geography’s focus on understanding the confluence of these changing forces makes it a vital discipline for all our students.

Change is a core theme throughout our Geography curriculum. We want students to recognise that there is both short term and long-term change, that it occurs at different and unexpected scales and that not all people are impacted by change at the same rate or in the same way. Most importantly, we want students to be skilled in identifying current trends and their implications for future change.

These trends are best explored when students are in the field, gathering data and learning about our world within the environments they are studying. Excitingly, Frensham’s new Year 10 IGCSE Geography programme provides students with significant opportunities to conduct field studies. Students have spent time exploring land use at Mittagong Marketplace, collected data on change in the vegetation and profile of Warilla Beach and conducted investigations into the Nattai River around the Lower Holt. As an essential element of their examinations at the end of the year, Year 10 are committed to improving their fieldwork skills and experience.

Year 9 Geography students have also been in the field, travelling to Sydney to conduct an investigation into urban change in Pyrmont and Barangaroo. Starting in Pyrmont, the girls were given a guided tour of the area going back to the land use of indigenous cultures prior to white settlement, the transformation the bay went through with the establishment of the Colonial Sugar Refinery site in the 19th century and the recent gentrification of significant sites throughout the suburb. Catching a ferry to Circular Quay, students compared the changing place of Pyrmont with that of Barangaroo. At both sites, students measured the soundscape and the height of buildings in the area (the new Crown Casino is 271.3m tall) while also making observations of salient features of the environment. Students concluded that the changing land use in the area was connected to the changing demands of the population in Sydney, making the link between place and communities stronger.

Change is also a constant theme in our classrooms. Year 7 students have conducted inquiries into the processes that change landscapes and landforms, creating features such as waterfalls, meandering rivers and cave systems. Students gathered sources of information, identified key processes and mapped these processes into a flow chart. Year 11 students conduct their Senior Geography Project on an area of individual interest, tracking change and communicating their findings to their chosen audience. Year 12 Senior Geography students have studied change in regard to our local viticulture industry and the urban dynamics in world cities, including Sydney.

Change is often referred to as the only constant in life. Thanks to their studies in Geography, our students will be well equipped to flourish in our continually changing world.

Australian Geography Competition
The Australian Geography Competition is a contest for Australian secondary school students, assessing their geographical knowledge and skills. The Competition aims to encourage student interest in Geography and to reward student excellence. Over 70,000 students sat the Australian Geography Competition in 2021.

Students in the top 1% of results in Australia: Bella Cay, Darcy Maple-Brown (Year 10); High Distinction (top 15% of results in Australia): Lucy Arnott, Augusta Muir (Year 10), Adelaide Ayling, Sophie Simpson, Imogen Smith, Sidney Wheeler (Year 9); Distinction (top 25% of results in Australia): Olivia Huggins, Millie McMurtrie, Janna Martin-Cooley, Phoebe Rouse (Year 10), Poppy Carter, Chloe Cowley, Claudia Hampson, Cate Horsfall, Abbey Kuiper, Holly Regan (Year 9).

Mr Nathan Bessant, Head of HSIE

Jamieson Programme

The Jamieson Programme is built on the belief that Teenagers are risk takers growing up in a complex and rapidly changing world. Traditional education was focused on the known whereas today’s world asks us to educate for the unknown.

Key elements of the programme are embedded throughout Years 7-10 including global citizenship, responsibility / service and leadership, health, fitness and physical challenge, critical, ethical and flexible thinking.

There is a particular focus in Year 9 where an extended day programme is undertaken once a fortnight. This semester, students have almost completed two elements of the Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives course. They enjoyed the challenge of working in teams to achieve an outcome that brought greater attention to their chosen global issue. Girls are now finalising their research on an independent topic of their choosing, considering a range of perspectives on the issue and working to establish courses of action to improve the negative effects of their global problem.

Other highlights for Year 9 have been learning about different religions, visits to the Nan Tien Temple and the Sydney Jewish Museum, current affairs and working on their fitness goals. Next term the girls will enjoy a three-day residential programme - Global Forum. The Forum is one of the central components of the Jamieson Programme and the 2021 theme is: Making a Difference - Understanding My Place in the World. Thought-provoking guest speakers – including Old-Girl Ms Annabelle Chauncy OAM, Dr Peter Anderson (UOW), Frensham parent, author and ‘Rurals for Refugees’ advocate Sarah Clutton and Rural Woman’s Award winner and Old Girl, Cressida Cains will inspire the girls this year. 

Teachers enjoy working with Year 9, exposing them to physical challenges and critical thinking about important issues that affect our world and we are very much looking forward to next semester.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme

Music

Term 2 provided Frensham musicians and ensembles with many rich performance opportunities. The first major event was the Year 8 Weekend where, in the School Service, the Senior Choir sang an anthem to a live audience for the first time in 12 months. The anthem was composed for the Senior Choir back in 2020, as a response to the shock we all felt during the catastrophic drought and bushfires. It is titled Tulit Ergo which is the beginning of a passage from Genesis:

The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. . . God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

The piece is a reflection upon the increasingly critical issues that we all face, concerning our care for, and custodianship of our beautiful planet. Lily Hunt was the soprano soloist.

Traditionally, the Year 8 Service and Concert features all instrumental and vocal ensembles in the school and this year was no exception. The Junior Choir sang Ho Hey by the Lumineers (accompanied by Year 12 musicians), the Concert Band performed Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl, the Kennedy Strings performed Enya’s May It Be and the Jazz Band played You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story. The final item featured all of Year 8 performing a traditional African song called Aya Ngena with three-part harmony, xylophones and drums.

In May, the Madrigals were asked to sing for guests at the launch of the Winifred West Legacy at Bendooley Estate. They sang Aretha Franklin song Since You’ve Been Gone featuring Grace Amos as soloist, and Frensham’s traditional grace, Non Nobis. 

Since 2020, there has been a programme in place for Gib Gate students in Years 2 and 3 to learn a string instrument under the guidance of music staff and extra-curricular tutors. On 2 June, the whole of Gib Gate visited Frensham to be given an introduction to a broader range of orchestral instruments. The Frensham Kennedy Strings and Concert Band combined to create a 70-piece orchestra, presenting a range of musical experiences including an introduction to the different orchestral families as well as a performance of Pirates of the Caribbean. The most memorable part of the afternoon was when students in the Gib Gate Junior Orchestra as well as the Stage 2/3 String Programme joined the Frensham students to play some pieces together. There were over 100 students performing together from Year 2 to Year 12! The aim of the experience was to build strong musical ties between junior and senior students and to inspire all involved to take full advantage of the musical opportunities on offer at Frensham Schools.

The Frensham Schools Birthday Service on Friday began with the violinists Hilary Swan and Chloe Litchfield playing the Processional with Mrs Pinazza. Grace Amos, Isabelle Promnitz and Amelia Byrne sang the solos in the much-loved One Voice. Grace Lewis was the cantor for the Lord's Prayer. In the Frensham Birthday and Year 12 Service on Sunday, Sophie Perkins accompanied Venite on the piano and Sachi Darling sang as cantor in The Lord's Prayer. 

In the concert that followed, Mrs Pinazza conducted the combined Kennedy Strings and Concert Band in a dramatic performance of theme music from Pirates of the Carribean. Madeleine Mulligan (Mus.1) and Sophie Perkins (Mus.2) then performed their own, original arrangement of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Following this, the Madrigals presented a piece specially composed for their concert appearance. The lyrics of the piece, Share Your Truth, were taken from the text of, Australian of the Year, Grace Tame’s speech to the National Press Club in March of this year. As always, the final item in the concert featured a medley of songs selected and performed by all of Year 12.

The Madrigals have been rehearsing for the last few weeks in order to have four pieces ready for their annual entry in two choral sections of the City of Sydney Eisteddfod. Rather than relax after Birthday celebrations, the choristers continued to work hard and, on the Wednesday night, filmed their four items for video submission. The results will be published in early August.

Mr Michael Spencer, Head of Music

Agriculture at Frensham

Year 9 Agriculture students have been studying egg and chicken meat production this term. They have been responsible for the care of 20 day-old chicks that arrived earlier in the term, and the class enjoying handling them and observing their growth, each lesson. They harvested the last of their summer vegetables and have now planted some winter varieties. The class has also been working on the Map My School Competition which involves them using the Scribble Maps programme to map the school boundary and determine the area of the school covered by trees.

The Year 10 Agriculture class has been studying milk production in the Dairy Production unit. Students travelled to Pyree, near Nowra, to visit a conventional 20-a-side herringbone dairy as well as a robotic dairy. The class was able to compare the two systems in regard to milk production, cow welfare and labour units required. At the robotic dairy, the cows come into the dairy on a voluntary basis. The computer reads the cow’s electronic collar, then portions out feed relevant to the cow’s weight, milk production and stage of lactation. While the cow is eating, lasers determine the location of the teats and then robotic arms place the teat cups on for milking. Once milking is complete, the cows then leave the robotic crate and electronic drafting gates direct them to either a pasture, silage feedlot or cattle crush for any treatment required. Of course, the highlight of the tour was the opportunity to hand feed the calves. The class is thrilled that lambing has just begun at Holt Farm.

Year 11 students have been studying the Animal Production unit and have conducted a trial on the growth rates of the Year 9 chicks. They are also excitedly preparing for their Ag on Tour trip early next term to ‘Allawah’, in Illabo, the property of Frensham parents, Nicole and John Hopkins.

Year 12 girls are working through the Plant / Animal Production unit as well as completing past HSC exam questions to fine-tune their answering technique in preparation for their Trial Examination next term. Earlier in the term, the class had a visit from Mr David Kent, past Chevalier College Agriculture teacher who purchased ‘Wesley’ (one of the Angus steers from the Livestock Team) at the Sydney Royal Easter Show steer auction. He brought with him some cuts of beef and the class analysed the quality of the cuts as well as photos of the carcass. At the end of the lesson, the students cooked up different cuts of meat to taste and compare as well as some valued added products such as home-made sausages, rissoles and a casserole. The class would like to thank Mr Kent, for not only purchasing our steer, but for providing a practical insight into ‘paddock to plate’ in the beef industry.

Holt Farm has been little quieter this term without the steers, but just in the last 3 days the sound of newborn lambs have been echoing across the paddocks. Over the term, the livestock have been cared for by a group of students who are completing Farm Management as the Service component of their Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Ms Leonie Mutch, Coordinator of Agriculture

Careers at Frensham – Key Dates for University application submission

The vacation period is a suitable time for Year 12 students to organise their application documentation for University Admissions Centres (UAC, VTAC, QTAC, TISC etc), Early Entry courses and College. Please note the closing date for application submissions and refer to the Careers Page on Schoolbox as this information is updated regularly.

UAC (NSW Universities Admission Centre)
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: 30 September 2021 (Early bird applications close) or 4 February 2022 

VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre)
OPEN AUGUST
CLOSE DATE: 30 September 2021

QTAC (QLD Tertiary Admission Centre) -TBA

TISC (WA Tertiary Admission Centre)
OPEN NOW (See website for closing dates – differs for institutions.)

Early entry deadlines coming up:

UOW – use their online portal to apply
OPEN DATE: 19 July 2021
CLOSE DATE: 13 August 2021

Charles Sturt - use their online portal to apply
OPEN DATE: 26 July 2021
CLOSE DATE: Midnight 31 August 2021

Macquarie University – Leaders & Achievers Early Entry Scheme
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: Friday 20 August 2021
*Otherwise students can apply for Early Entry via UAC ‘Schools Recommendation Scheme’ – due date 19 September 2021.

Notre Dame - use their online portal to apply
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: Wednesday 1 September 2021

UC – use their online portal to apply

Students can apply for the August Early Offer Round at UC in three easy steps (NOTE closing date 25/06/21): Go to: https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/apply-to-uc/early-offer-round

*Otherwise students can apply for Early Entry via UAC ‘Schools Recommendation Scheme’ – due date 19 September.

UNE - use their online portal to apply
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: 17 September 2021

Schools Recommendation Scheme (Early Entry) via UAC for participating universities and courses.
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: 19 September 2021

13 institutions are participating in SRS: Australian Catholic University − University of Canberra − Charles Sturt University − International College of Management, Sydney − Macquarie University − National Art School − SAE Creative Media Institute − University of New England − University of Newcastle − University of Sydney − University of Technology Sydney − UNSW − Western Sydney University.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme, Activities and Careers

ICAS Academic Competitions at Frensham Schools Term 3 for Years 2-11

In 2021, we will be offering the opportunity for all students from Years 2-11 to enter the ICAS competitions.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is designed to provide a measure of student achievement in an external assessment situation against other students who demonstrate a high level of ability in a variety of disciplines. It allows students an additional opportunity to apply their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies and gain recognition for their efforts. For all tests, a high level of literacy is assumed, including highly developed comprehension skills in a ‘limited time’ situation, including in the Mathematics and Science papers.

The ICAS papers are not designed to test the NESA syllabus in any discipline and are set at ‘above level’ knowledge of discipline content and skills. Students will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed multiple-choice style questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision. For Writing they will be provided with an age-appropriate stimulus and will write either a narrative or persuasive style response. 

All ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to online assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results. The assessment programme, supervised by teachers, will be run at School at Gib Gate for Years 2-6 and at Frensham for Years 7-11.

Final reminder: Parents can enrol their son or daughter in any, or all of the disciplines we offer by completing the Google form before the cut-off date of Thursday 17 June.

Entry link: ICAS 2021 Competition Selection form

Parents can learn more about ICAS by visiting : https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Acknowledgement to:

• Students and Staff from the three campuses of Frensham Schools who joined the Birthday celebrations and Services and the Birthday play:
  • We were grateful for the Hooke family’s kindness in bringing Frensham Schools’ mascot Tiny Tonaya from Daffodil Downs to visit after the combined Service on Friday
  • Gib Gate Year 6 speakers at the Frensham Schools Service on Friday
  • Mr John Day (Senior Teacher - Mathematics and Boarding) and Anna Rickwood and Lara Tait (Year 12) offering their respective Birthday Addresses on behalf of teachers and students at the Birthday Lunch
  • Musicians appearing in Services and Concerts
  • I Have Five Daughters cast and crew
  • And, the Gib Gate and Frensham cake cutters
• Sturt Gallery for being nominated as a Finalist in the Local Business Awards.
• Frensham Cross Country Team for their success at the recent NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Cross Country Championships, Harriet Collins, India Hicks, Annabelle Ranken, Sophie Rodwell, Amy Thompson (Year 12), Lucy Gale (Year 11), Tia Thomas (Year 8); Harriet Collins, Annabelle Ranken, Sophie Rodwell, Amy Thompson who won Gold Medal in the 18 Years Team event.
• Harriet Collins and Lucy Gale for qualifying to represent the CIS team at the All Schools Cross Country Championships, in July.
• Recent award recipients: Iris, Annabelle Ranken (All Round Excellence); Girdle, Harriet Collins (Cross Country), Taylah Stoney (Academic Excellence – Visual Arts), Emilie Hassall (Academic Excellence – Languages).
• National Geography Competition award recipients: Students in the top 1% of results in Australia: Bella Cay, Darcy Maple-Brown (Year 10); High Distinction: Lucy Arnott, Augusta Muir (Year 10), Adelaide Ayling, Sophie Simpson, Imogen Smith, Sidney Wheeler (Year 9); Distinction: Olivia Huggins, Millie McMurtrie, Janna Martin Cooley, Phoebe Rouse (Year 10), Poppy Carter, Chloe Cowley, Claudia Hampson, Cate Horsfall, Abbey Kuiper, Holly Regan (Year 9).
• Gib Gate’s Year 6 Science and Engineering team for achieving 1^st place at the recent Southern Highlands Science and Engineering Challenge.
• Frensham’s Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge team for its selection to compete at the NSW State Finals held in Newcastle, during August.
• Jemima Graham-Wansey (Year 11) a member of the Southern Highlands Netball (U17) team who were the winners of Division 3 at the Netball NSW Hart Senior State Titles.
• Big Science Competition award recipients: High Distinction - Bella Cay, Sarah-Joy Day, Heidi Jervis (Year 10), Adelaide Ayling, Sophie Simpson, Sidney Wheeler (Year 9); Distinction - Matilda Damiani, Summer Oxley, (Year 10), Poppy Carter, Alice Fergusson  (Year 9), Georgina Lewis, Georgina McBride (Year 8), Penelope Hampson, Cara Sims (Year 7); Credit - Lucy Arnott, Abigail Jorgensen, Rose Mahony (Year 10), Imogen Smith  (Year 9), York Doyle, Margaret Maynard, Scarlett Shadbolt, Scarlett Wheeler (Year 7).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Birthday Celebrations

Birthdays are special times here at Frensham Schools, with rituals and celebrations all part of marking these occasions. These not only celebrate life, longevity, and reaching another milestone, but possibly more importantly, celebrating the growth that we experience, as individuals and as a community, from one year to the next. When we celebrate, we reflect, give thanks and connect with others around us, and feel encircled in the good wishes, appreciation, happy memories and positivity that characterise our students, staff and broader community. It is also an opportunity for us take a growth mindset and refresh our outlook – to look back on the past year, and ask ourselves:

• What was the best thing that happened in the past year?
• What did you learn last year?
• What are your hopes for what will happen this year?
• What do you want to learn this year?

Particularly given such an unusual and challenging year around the globe in 2020, there is a tangible “buzz” around the School in anticipation of this weekend’s Birthday celebrations. We are thinking of our friends, family and other members of our community who are unable to join us, particularly those who are in lockdown situations at this very time.

We are looking forward to gathering all students and staff together, along with invited guests and representatives of our community, to mark this milestone for Frensham Schools.

We do also remind our community of the importance of following the COVID-19 Rules in NSW, and for our upcoming events, this means:

• Adhering to social distancing and venue capacity requirements
• Refraining from attending if you are unwell
• Following appropriate hand hygiene and cough etiquette
• Checking in at events using the Service NSW QR Code

Friday 4 June: The Frensham Schools Service is a celebration of the foundation of our three Schools, recognising Frensham’s 108^th Birthday, Sturt’s 80^th Birthday and Gib Gate’s 67^th Birthday. This Service is attended by all staff of our three schools and by all students – from our youngest in Preschool to the adult students of the Sturt School for Wood.

Sunday 6 June: For Frensham’s 108^th Birthday Service, attended by all students and staff of the School, Year 12 families and invited guests.

Board of Governors
We are delighted to welcome new Governors to the Board of Frensham Schools: Mrs Clementine Allan (Davidson, 2001), Mr Richard Melki and Mr David Wright.

Ranier Uniform Information – Frensham orders
Students and parents are still welcome to visit the Uniform Shop during usual opening hours, but for convenience, items pre-ordered from the Ranier Uniform Shop can now be collected from White Cottage at Morning Tea.

Birthday Play – I Have Five Daughters by Margaret MacNamara
The Birthday Play will be performed on Thursday 3 June for the School and Saturday 5 June for parents and the local community

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Thankfully, a mantra no longer followed by modern society. And yet, the bumbling, matchmaking chaos of Jane Austen’s seminal romance Pride and Prejudice remains ‘universally acknowledged’ by readers today. Over the past couple of months, students in Years 11 and 12 have been working to recreate the magic of Austen’s most famous novel in their production of Pride and Prejudice’s stage adaptation: I Have Five Daughters, by Margaret MacNamara.

A hilarious recount of the lives of the five Bennet sisters, the Bingleys, Mr Collins and, of course, the elusive Mr Darcy. The characters dart about each other with as much panic as formality can allow; proposing and rejecting, laughing and crying, loving and hating.

Tickets for the Saturday performance can be purchased at the following link: Birthday Play tickets

Congratulations to the cast and crew for preparation in staging the play, directed by Mrs Sally Hannah (Head of Drama), assisted by Ms Fiona Shannon. A special thanks to Ms Sam Taylor (OG 1991) for the costumes which have been custom-made to bring the characters on stage to life.

Georgia Hill and Eleanor Swan, Heads of Drama

Frensham Faculty Focus

PDHPE

What is it about moving our bodies to a song we love that is so joyful? We dance for physical fitness. We dance for mental clarity. We dance for emotional stability. We dance because it feels good! Why do we dance? Perhaps the better question is, why would we not?

Year 10 PDHPE have had the opportunity to work with a professional dance instructor as part of the practical component of the course. They have been engaged in learning both a Hip Hop and Contemporary dance routine. Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learning new skills in a fun, collaborative and challenging environment. 

Do-si-do and swing your partner! Year 7 have learnt several Bush Dance routines to assist them with their assessment task. Working in small groups, students have composed, choreographed, and performed a routine that features the elements of Dance. Students have had opportunities to perform and refine movement skills in a variety of sequences, apply strategies to solve movement challenges, demonstrate a range of interpersonal skills that build and enhance relationships and promote inclusion in various situations, and combined movement skills to effectively create and perform movement sequences.

Students in Year 8 have planned their own fitness circuit to develop their understanding of the importance of meeting the recommended Australian Physical Activity guidelines. The current unit of work encourages girls to develop a willingness and capacity to engage in lifelong physical activity through the medium of exercise. They demonstrate a knowledge of the components of fitness and an understanding of the physiological responses to exercise. 

Additionally, students from Years 10 to 12 have been attending early morning training sessions at 6.00am every Wednesday. They follow a guided programme instructed by Mr Green designed to improve mobility, strength and cardiovascular health. 

Ms Janene van Gogh, Head of PDHPE, Director of Studies In-Residence

Languages

Science

According to NESA, ‘A depth study is any type of investigation/activity that a student completes individually or collaboratively that allows the further development of one or more concepts found within or inspired by the syllabus.’ It may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth studies provide opportunities for students to pursue their interests in science, acquire a depth of understanding, and take responsibility for their own learning. Year 11 Physics students have been undertaking a depth study in their choice of Physics concepts. Yusra Chalak investigated the urban myth that if you drop a coin out of a tall building it could kill someone below. By investigating terminal velocity and forces acting on the coin such as friction and gravity she reached the conclusion that No, a coin dropped from a height would not fatally injure a person. However, she did discover that a pen of the same weight as a coin, dropped from a tall building could indeed have fatal consequences. Emily Senior investigated how our brains react to music. She found out that there are four types of brain waves ranging from relaxed to more alert. Alert is when you are at your optimal learning capacity. The music of Mozart enhances alertness. Conclusion: we all should be studying Mozart!

The Science Extension course focuses on the authentic application of scientific research skills to produce a Scientific Research Report. Students propose and develop a research question, formulate a hypothesis and develop evidence-based responses to create their Scientific Research Report which is supported by a Scientific Research Portfolio. This year, two students are undertaking the Science Extension course at Frensham. Harriet Mackie (pictured right) is carrying out an exploratory investigation to answer the research question - How do glyphosate levels in Australian non-organic commercial cereal brands compare to glyphosate levels in Australian organic commercial cereal brands? This has involved a very detailed process to grind and extract chemicals from each cereal sample, and use a test strip to test for the presence of glyphosate. 

Sophia Pernice’s research question is How would the height, leaf surface area and bulb weight of Raphanus Sativus plants differ if they were exposed to natural daylight, 24 hours LED artificial light, or daylight plus night-time exposure to LED artificial light? This has involved growing radishes in identical trays, allowing some to experience 24 hours LED lighting and moving others in and out each day. The results were then analysed using a two-way ANOVA statistical test. 

Left: Sophia Pernice

Scientists build models to allow them to visualise objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye or to make predictions. Epidemiological models making predictions about COVID-19 outbreaks have been in the news constantly in the last year. Frensham Biology students have been building models of mitosis, meiosis, DNA replication and protein synthesis.

Year 11 Chemistry have been developing their practical skills by completing a range of different experiments including dilutions, precipitation reactions and reactivity of metals. Pictured right: Jemima Melki diluting potassium permanganate

As their Science assessment this term, students in Years 7-10 have been participating in REACH testing. REACH testing provides insight into higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. The assessments are suitable for students across a wide range of ability levels. Students are provided with high-quality questions allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study. The school receives information on student performance, which enables teachers to pinpoint areas of strength and target specific student needs. This information is provided on an annual basis, allowing us to consistently track and monitor student progress year-on-year. As results become available, they will be shared with parents via Schoolbox.

On Monday 31 May, a team of 24 Year 10 students represented Frensham at the Southern Highlands Science and Engineering Challenge at the Mittagong RSL club. In teams of three, students completed a range of different half-day or full-day challenges. Training was held during Science lessons to develop STEM skills and improve communication in their teams.  Challenges included 

• Grasping at Straws – designing fingers for a bionic hand that will give independence back to patients who have lost a hand through injury or illness
• Hover Frenzy – designing, building and flying a model hovercraft that is fast, maneuverable and has a good hover height.
• Turbine – designing and building a model water turbine that will generate the greatest amount of power as water flows over it
• Helter Skelter Shelter – designing and building an earthquake-proof apartment block using masking tape, paper and straws

Representing Frensham were – Purple team: Scarlett Alldis, Savannah Linde, Hilary Swan; Blue team: Bella Cay, Charlotte Hopperton, Hannah Perkins; Green team: Abby Jorgensen, Rosie Laird, Sarah Partland; Yellow team: Sissy Fairrie, Clara McDonald, Summer Oxley; Orange team: Heidi Jervis, Augusta Muir, Megan Syme; Red team: Monique Andersson, Matilda Damiani, Janna Martin-Cooley; Pink team: Evelyn Doan, Pia D’Rozario, Cintra Maldonado; Silver team: Lucy Arnott, Sarah-Joy Day, Rosie Mahony.

The team is congratulated on being placed first in the local competition. Team members have won a one-hour workshop with Atlassian and based on points may be representing Frensham at the State Finals in Newcastle.

Mrs Alison Andrew, Head of Science

Visual Arts & Design and Technology

As we move towards the close of Term 2, the art studios are a hive of activity, with students in all years working on artworks of varied shapes and sizes, in a range of media, and in various stages of completion.

Presently, students of Year 12 Visual Arts are in a critical phase of the production of their Bodies of Work. Due to be completed by the beginning of Week 6, Term 3, the students have just submitted their work in progress for assessment. This is the final time that the students’ development of their Bodies of Work will be assessed, and doing so at a date well in advance of Term 3 is deliberate. With three weeks of this term left, we can provide students with written and verbal feedback, advising how they may best progress to the full resolution of their Bodies of Work. Students will need to use time in the vacation to drive their work forward, so that refinement and presentation of pieces can occur in early Term 3.

We are impressed by the scope and quality of works in production by Year 12. Broadly speaking, there is a focus on conventional skills, with many works being finely crafted and requiring patience and perseverance. Painting dominates as the preferred choice of media this year; also popular are works based in printmaking and drawing. The girls are beginning to think about our exhibition in Term 3. With 33 Bodies of Work (some very large), questions like how will we all fit into Cooper Hall? are being asked by the girls. Rest assured, they will fit; we have managed to fit up to 41 Bodies of Work in there previously. Both students and teachers are looking forward to presenting a vibrant, diverse and dynamic exhibition to our community.

Students of Year 11 Visual Arts are currently undertaking a unit titled These are Desperate Times. This is a unit focusing on art as a vehicle to express social and political themes and the girls are required to resolve artworks by the end of Week 8. The artmaking component of this unit is based in printmaking; students have chosen to produce pieces in etching, lino-printing, monoprinting and collagraphy. The students have been advised to explore and test the boundaries of conventional printmaking practices and as a result, many are combining media, introducing elements like laser-cut perspex, adding three-dimensional elements or presenting pieces in more contemporary, postmodern ways.

In Stage 5, Years 9 and 10 girls populate four integrated Visual Arts classes. A total of 78 students are currently studying this subject (and undertaking the same units) in Stage 5, meaning that we have an enormous number of artworks produced in one medium at any one time. Due this week are charcoal animal portraits produced by the students. The girls were required to select a photographic image of an animal to be used as visual reference for the portrait. Many chose images of their pets, but we have a wide range of more exotic animals being drawn as well. The girls used the grid-enlargement process to scale up and transfer proportions to a 60 x 48cm piece of drawing paper. The task has required students to aim for a sense of realism, and students have learnt about observing very carefully, and applying charcoal in varied ways to render parts of their image. Employing willow, block and charcoal pencil, they have learnt to apply these materials both softly and more precisely, and additionally, that an eraser is an important ‘maker’ of drawing marks. To execute these drawings, the students have needed patience, concentration and perseverance.

Year 8 students finished their study of Mandatory Stage 4 Visual Arts in Term 1. To provide an opportunity for artmaking for interested students, we offered the first of Art Enrichment workshops, running on Wednesday afternoons during Weeks 1-5. 31 students elected to participate in this first workshop, enthusiastically producing prints using a range of procedures and techniques under the guidance of Mrs Spencer and Mr Alldis. Many students are still finishing a lino-print which we will find time to print towards the end of the term.

In a most enthusiastic manner, students in Year 7 began Visual Arts this term. We started with a foundational unit, exploring a range of visual elements and their applications to artmaking. For the first part of this unit, the students undertake a number of one or two lesson tasks related to elements like colour, tone and shape. These activities also allow students to use and test a variety of materials. In the last weeks of Term 2, the girls will begin a painting in which they will apply some of their understanding of these elements, such as the consideration of harmonious and complementary colour, organic and geometric shape, and use of space to form an effective composition.

Design & Technology

The STEM students are preparing their entries for the F1 in Schools Competition in August. This includes marketing of their team and manufacturing of their car designs.

The Stage 5 DAT students have been exploring different aspects of architectural design, with a focus on more organic shapes. Design ideas have been realised using sketching, 3D printing and the laser cutter.

The Year 11 DAT class is putting the finishing touches on the Aeropress Coffee Maker designs using Onshape CAD software and the 3D printers. In addition to this, students have been identifying areas of need in design specifically investigating situations where there is a gender bias against women users.

Year 12 DAT students are working to develop their Major Design Projects. 

Mr Phil Alldis, Head of Visual Arts and Design & Technology

Acknowledgement to:

• KIDSLIT teams from Years 6, 7 and 8 on their highly successful results at the recent State Heat of the Australian Competition.
• Frensham’s Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge team placed first in the recent Southern Highlands regional competition.
• Girdle recipient Sophia Pernice, Academic Excellence (Mathematics).
•  Frensham students trialing for Open IGSA Teams: Netball, Jemima Graham-Wansey, Olivia Laverty (Year 11) and Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), with Sophie selected in the top 16 players. Touch, Heidi Rowntree (Year 9), Annabelle Ranken, Sophie Rodwell (Year 12).
• Madeleine Mulligan (Year 12) who has been accepted into the Young Diplomats Tour of Australia. The UN Youth Tour welcomes 25 young leaders from across Australia on a three-weekend online international activity to explore the complex realities of diplomacy in the 21^st century. 
• Summer Oxley (Year 10) for her selection through application and interview into the Girl Power in Engineering and IT programme at Melbourne University. The course commences during the vacation and through a mentoring programme continues into Years 11 and 12.
• Frensham’s Year 11 Mock Trial team for its success in recent competition; barristers for Frensham were Yusra Chalak and Lulu Duck, solicitor Isobel Harrington, witnesses Eliza Hewson and Lily Huggins, Magistrates Clerk Jemima Melki, in support Isolde Cochet, Ella van Egmond and Polly Whitwell.
• The cast and crew of the Birthday play, Mrs Sally Hannah (Director) and Ms Fiona Shannon (assistant) for their preparation of staging the play.
• Gib Gate students in the Young Archie competition at the Art Gallery of NSW: Finalists, Mia Vasales (age 5), Oliver Whitfield (age 10). Honourable Mention, Darcey Burrows (age 10), James Macpherson (age 8), Heston Ryan (age 7), Matilda Spong (age 10).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Autumn Reflection

As this week we mark the exact middle of Term 2, and the weather starts to properly cool, we have been reflecting with gratitude on the opportunities we have enjoyed with our community this term. Grandparents and Mother’s Day celebrations at Gib Gate, our recent Year 8 Parent Weekend at Frensham, Saturday Sport almost back to pre-COVID arrangements, and our next exhibition opening next weekend at Sturt. We are so fortunate to be able to gather as a community for our upcoming Birthday and Year 12 Weekend in June and are very much looking forward to celebrating this major event in the School’s calendar with students, staff and families. Please do check Schoolbox for the arrangements for this weekend.

I spoke with both Gib Gate and Frensham students earlier in the term about some of the symbolism of Autumn, reflecting on the beauty of the changing seasons and that, like most things in life, how we experience the change of season and weather, is down to our personal perspective. I encouraged students and staff to purposely choose a positive perspective as we transition into a new season. Some of you might be dreading the onset of cooler months and some of you will be looking forward to them, getting rugged up and feeling that cold air on your face, the comfort of a warm fire. The season change is inevitable; instead of dreading or lamenting the change in weather, let us embrace the change in season and remind ourselves that change can actually bring new beauty for us to see. The Autumn trees have shown us over the past months how beautiful changes can be, and all around us the trees are the living example of letting things go, in preparedness for new growth.

As we approach the end of this beautiful season in the highlands, the words of the American writer and poet Angie Weiland-Crosby seem entirely fitting – “Autumn whispered to the wind: I fall; but always rise again.”

Boarding and Travel Information

Long Weekend Travel and End of Term 2, Start of Term 3 Travel bookings have now closed

Please note that late bookings may not be able to be accommodated by the State Rail Authority.

SSTS (School Student Transport Scheme) Preference is given to places for boarding students travelling home.

Information regarding luggage restrictions for booked transport

1. Stored Luggage - no more than two items for stowage in luggage bins on coach services. Not to exceed 60cm (height) x 70cm (length) and 50 cm wide (ie: length, depth and width not exceeding total of 180cm) and 20kg in weight.
2. Hand Luggage - the total weight of hand luggage is not to exceed 5kg and must be able to be stored under the seat. Hand luggage that does not fit under the seat must be stored in the luggage compartment beneath the coach.

Parent reminder: Friday night dinner leave is with students’ own parents/carers. All parents/carers are asked to sign students out of the house and back into the house when going on Day Leave or Overnight Leave.

Frensham Faculty Focus

Mathematics

Are humans born mathematicians?

Do children think and work mathematically on their own or is this a learned behaviour? 

One of the reasons this question is always on our minds is because it links closely to an idea that many people hold, which is that some people are born with mathematical ability while others are not. It is fairly common for people to think of mathematics as a special talent that only some people possess, but does it have any basis in reality? 

When we ask, ‘Are humans born mathematicians?’, what we are really asking is: ‘Are humans born to seek out and try to understand the patterns around us?’ Stating the question this way makes things clear: the answer is emphatically yes.

A pair of odd numbers always add to an even number. The exterior angle of any polygon, no matter how big or small or irregular, always add up to a full revolution. The rows of Pascal’s Triangle always add up to a power of two.

….This is why it’s impossible to put a fence around what mathematicians are interested in: they are interested in any kind of pattern, and patterns exist everywhere. (Excerpts from Woo’s Wonderful World of Maths)

This term, many of our students have been putting into practice their skills in recognising patterns: from the Year 7s, who have completed their first unit on Algebraic Techniques, to the Year 10s who completed another unit on Algebraic Techniques. Years 11 and 12 continue to challenge themselves applying Algebraic Techniques across a number of topics from Non-Linear Relationships to Calculus. All of this learning is based on recognising patterns. 

Some of our students have started the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians (MCYA). Open to all students in Years 7-10, it is a competition run by the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT) over four consecutive weeks with students working individually and or in pairs on a set of six problems. It is a competition that requires dedication and persistence, but the questions are based on mathematics which should be known at that level and separate solutions must be submitted by each student. Students have allocated class time to work on the problems, with some guidance allowed from the teacher and from any resources other than human ones - textbooks, encyclopaedias, calculators and computers. The supervising teachers will check on each student’s progress on a regular basis and offer clarification where needed. We hope the MCYA Challenge is an enjoyable and valuable learning experience for your daughter. 

Students participated in NAPLAN Tests for Years 7 and 9 in Week 4. The Mathematics REACH tests were completed by Years 8 and 10 in Week 4 and are scheduled for Years 7 and 9 later this term. Results for these tests will be sent to the school and made available to parents.

A few more thoughts and ideas for your consideration:

• Many students ask how long they should spend studying mathematics each week. The answer is: as long as they need to. Every student is different, and some students will need to study more than others. However, even the best student will not do well without studying for a few hours each week (musicians practice for many hours).
• Do you work best with silence or noise? It is better if you can study with as few distractions as you can manage. Studying is different to doing your Prep because you are trying to remember facts and procedures. Some students study better at a library and all students should complete their Prep in a silent environment, to increase their concentration, accuracy, and retention.
• Students have different learning preferences. Visual learners (who learn by seeing), could write their notes on colourful cards, a poster or in a notebook. Draw a mind map (snapshot) and use diagrams or pictures to help jog your memory.  Audio learners (who learn by listening), record notes and play them back. Study with another person and discuss your work together. Set rules and formulae to music or make a poem.  For the physical learner (who learns by doing), do lots of exercises (questions) or teach the work to someone else.

Encourage your daughter to take advantage of the many opportunities to learn and improve in mathematics and to seek help from her teacher and/or attend the ‘drop-in’ coaching sessions with a faculty teacher on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, or have private/small group coaching, by arrangement, on Wednesday or Thursday during the day or evening. Please do not hesitate to contact your daughter’s teacher by phone/email or contact me directly with any concerns about their learning and/or progress. 

Ms Joanne Allison, Head of Mathematics

Languages

French

Students of French have made an enthusiastic start to the year, with eager greetings of “Bonjour! Comment ça va?” resounding through the hallways of the North West building. While dancing and singing l’alphabet français, Year 7 students have been immersed in French culture through film and song, following the adventures of Belle and Sébastien, a story set in 1943 about a young shepherd boy and his dog, and Miraculous, a modern series about a young French girl with super powers.

All junior classes have presented colourful and well-researched demonstrations of their cultural knowledge of France and the French-speaking world. Year 7 classes focused on le Monde Francophone sharing their findings of exotic and far-flung territories such as Le Maroc, la Polynésie française, la Nouvelle Calédonie et la Belgique. Year 8 students designed a three-day itinerary for Paris where they took le métro, le RER ou le bus to visit iconic destinations such as la Tour Eiffel, le Musée d’Orsay et le Louvre. Year 9 students explored reginal housing styles and accommodation such la longère normane et la bastide provençale. Each group tested the attentiveness of its classmates with a quiz, often taking the form of an energetic and competitive Kahoot! to finish off their presentation.

Year 10 students started a new text this year called Ça y est! The colourful, magazine-style format gives the students an insight into the life of young French adults as they go to school and out with friends and plan their future after le bac.

Senior students are challenging their communication abilities with bi-weekly speaking classes as we seek to add sophistication to our mastery of the language in spoken and written form. On the first Closed Weekend in Term 1 the girls in the French Extension class met for several hours to workshop the Prescribed Themes for the HSC and to discuss the Prescribed film - Intouchables. The second Closed Weekend of Term 1 saw the Years 11 and 12 French students head off campus to immerse themselves in a slice of France here in the Southern Highlands. The girls relished the opportunity to savour la cuisine française at the Café la Palette at Mount Ashby Estate, where they were served by native French staff, and were delighted to use their language skills in an authentic linguistic setting.

Next week, from 20-27 May, all French students will compete in the ImmerseMe Games 2021, a virtual, online language immersion competition for students around the world.

Latin

Year 8 students have commenced their study of Latin this term, learning about the language, its origins and the European languages that have evolved from it. With over 70 percent of English words having their origins in Latin, learning this ancient language means that girls are constantly acquiring new and more sophisticated vocabulary as well as gaining an insight into the own English grammar. The history and writings of the Romans are interesting in themselves and still important to us. Our civilisation has evolved from Roman culture and we can see their influence in many places such as Literature, the Law, and the Sciences.

The start of Term 2 within the Years 9 and 10 Latin classrooms evoked a sense of familiarity, through rediscovering grammatical concepts and linguistic structures encountered last term, alongside the excitement of learning new language and discovering different aspects of Roman civilisation and culture. The addition of the online text Suburani, offers greater depth of research, more opportunities for reading authentic Latin and amazing visual representations of the ancient world.

Both Years 11 and 12 Latin classes have started new texts this term. Year 12 has started the prose text, Cicero’s In Catilinam, a speech prosecuting the senator Catiline who was leading a plot to overthrow the Roman Senate. Year 11 is studying Marcus Tullius Cicero – Vita extraordinaria, which contains extracts from some of his well-known speeches as well as letters to his family. It is amazing to think that these letters, written over 2000 years ago, are still accessible to us and enable us to read about family and political matters which concerned Cicero at the time.

The National Latin Examinations

The Languages Department at Frensham has been associated with the prestigious National Latin Examinations for over 20 years. Organised by the American Classical League, Latin students in Years 9-12 along with students from 50 states in the USA, plus 20 other countries as diverse as Jordan, the Solomon Islands, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe sat the paper in early March.

Year 9 - Introduction to Latin Exam - Magna Cum Laude Certificate: Juliet Henry; Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Emily Crawford, Luca de Manincor, Lucy Molineux; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson, Zara Maple-Brown, Miliana Thompson.

Year 10 - Latin I Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Bella Cay, Pia D’Rozario, Hannah Perkins, Edie Staniforth.

Year 11 - Latin II Exam - Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Lucy Booth; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Matilda Arnott, Zoe Gallagher, Phoebe Rowntree.

Year 12 - Latin III Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Emilie Hassall, Madeleine Mulligan.

Of the Year 9 cohort, four perfect Examination scores were achieved by Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson.

Mrs Kerry Lennon, Director of Languages

Character Education and Pastoral Care

On Thursday 6 May, Brainstorm Productions presented their student wellbeing performance Cyberia to Years 9 and 10. Cyberia was a live theatre experience that addressed mental health, (cyber)bullying, impulse control and the responsible use of technology.

Cyberia was presented as part of our student wellbeing curriculum and developed by education and mental health professionals. Real student experiences were woven together to create a compelling narrative and theatrical experience. The performance posed questions about how we treat ourselves and others, both online and offline, and encourages resilience and positive relationships.

On Tuesday 4 May, Year 12 participated in the Elevate Education - Ace Your Exams seminar. This seminar aligned with our Character Education Goals and covered the following areas:

• Highest value exam preparation tasks
• Fixing mistakes to ensure constant improvement
• Time allocation during exam preparation
• Techniques for managing stress and time pressure in exams.

The seminar was designed to achieve behavioural change amongst students. It isn’t enough that students simply understand what they need to do to prepare for exams, the challenge is getting students to use and apply the skills they learn. The Ace Your Exams seminar provided practical tips on exam technique and preparation and all students found it highly engaging and insightful.

Elevate will be presenting seminars in Term 3 to Year 11 and Year 10.

Mrs Wendy Fawbert, Director of Character Education and Planning

NSW State da Vinci Decathlon Competition 2021 – Thursday 13 May 2021

The Year 11 da Vinci Decathlon Team 2021, Ankitha Avvari, Maya Basson, Sophia Brooks, Yusra Chalak, Zoe Gallagher, Sarah Hunter, Charlotte Senior, Emily Senior and Mia Shakeshaft, competed in the recent NSW State Finals of this international competition in the ‘virtual environment’. They were competing against 170 other schools from across the State. ‘Locked in’ a classroom at Frensham for the day with a ZOOM camera trained on them at every minute, each challenge was delivered electronically and then uploaded either in text format or video file within five minutes of each deadline.

We congratulate the team on its outstanding achievements in every discipline which included: English, Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Code-Breaking, Art & Poetry, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography and ‘Legacy’ (of da Vinci’s life and times).

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching & Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes.

IGSA Cross Country – Friday 14 May

A total of 869 runners from 23 different schools took part in the annual IGSA Cross Country hosted by Frensham. The Frensham team consisted of 45 students who competed in their respective seven age groups. Over half of the Frensham runners finished in the top half of their age group. Frensham finished 9th overall - a terrific team effort. With thanks to coach, Eligh Morris for training the team and the Grounds Staff for preparing the course.

Placing in the top 30 in their races were: 11-12 Years, Milly Debelle-Hancock (Year 7); 13 Years, Tia Thomas (Year 8); 15 Years, Phoebe Gilder (Year 9); 16 Years, Bella Cay (Year 10), Julia Burge (Year 10); 17 Years, Lucy Gale (Year 11); 18 Years, Harriet Collins (Year 12), Annabelle Ranken (Year 12), Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), Amy Thompson (Year 12), India Hicks (Year 12).

Harriet Collins, Annabelle Ranken and Sophie Rodwell received a Silver Medal for finishing 2nd in the 18 Years team event.

The following girls have qualified to compete in the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Cross Country Championships, Eastern Creek, on Thursday 10 June: Tia Thomas (Year 8), Lucy Gale (Year 11), Harriet Collins (Year 12), Annabelle Ranken (Year 12), Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), Amy Thompson (Year 12).

Ms Erin Gray, Head of Sport

Acknowledgement to:

• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients – Gold: Jessica Billet, Sarah Brown, Ella Clark (Year 12); Silver: Yusra Chalak, Lillian McCarten, Phoebe Rowntree, Camilla Warner (Year 11); Bronze: Charlotte Hindmarsh (Year 11), Scarlett Alldis, Lucy Arnott, Hannah Bendror, Julia Burge, Bella Cay, Matilda Chadwick, Alexandra Corbett, Pia D'Rozario, Sophie Hassall, Olivia Huggins, Augusta Muir, Eliza Mulligan, Freyjika Parker, Edie Staniforth, (Year 10)
• Frensham Cross Country team members for their achievements at the recent IGSA Cross Country Carnival and to NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Cross Country qualifiers – Tia Thomas (Year 8), Lucy Gale (Year 11), Harriet Collins (Year 12), Annabelle Ranken (Year 12), Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), Amy Thompson (Year 12).
• AMEB Musicianship recipients with High Distinction: Summer Oxley and Hilary Swan (Year 10) Grade 2, Sophie Chen (Year 8) Grade 1.
• Lucy Pernice (Year 11), for her selection to Snow Australia’s Emerging Talent Programme 2021 and for gaining a scholarship for this year’s full-time training programme at Perisher Winter Sports Club for Best Role Model in every discipline ski and snowboard, male and female. 
• International Latin Examinations award recipients: Year 9 - Introduction to Latin Exam: Magna Cum Laude Certificate: Juliet Henry; Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Emily Crawford, Luca de Manincor, Lucy Molineux; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson, Zara Maple-Brown, Miliana Thompson; Year 10 - Latin I Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Bella Cay, Pia D’Rozario, Hannah Perkins, Edie Staniforth; Year 11 - Latin II Exam - Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Lucy Booth; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Matilda Arnott, Zoe Gallagher, Phoebe Rowntree. Year 12 - Latin III Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Emilie Hassall, Madeleine Mulligan; Perfect scores: Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson
• Year 11 da Vinci Decathlon Team 2021, Ankitha Avvari, Maya Basson, Sophia Brooks, Yusra Chalak, Zoe Gallagher, Sarah Hunter, Charlotte Senior, Emily Senior and Mia Shakeshaft, for its achievements at the recent State Competition.
• Gib Gate parents for their support at recent Hockey matches held at Welby Hockey Turf.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Term 2 Events

We are excitedly making arrangements for one of the most important events in the School calendar, the Birthday Weekend. This celebration, typically around the first weekend in June, involves our entire community – students, staff, and parents from Gib Gate, Frensham and Sturt, along with Frensham Old Girls. Whilst we are limited with visitor numbers at individual events, we have adjusted our programme to accommodate as many visitors as possible across the course of the weekend’s celebrations. The schedule for the weekend will be published on Schoolbox by the end of this week.

End of Term Arrangements

As previously advised in the Term 1 Newsletter, we will be giving all families at Gib Gate and Frensham the option for children to undertake remote learning at home, or to attend school on campus in our last week of this term, 15-17 June. Students will be expected students to complete set learning activities whether at home or on campus.

We ask all families to respond by clicking here, providing an indication of whether your child/ren will be undertaking remote learning or learning on campus. This will assist us greatly with our planning for this week.

Teaching and Learning

Reach Assessments - Term 2, 2021
In Teaching and Learning at Frensham and Gib Gate, as part of Frensham Schools Strategic Priorities 2018-2022, we are continuously seeking to improve and extend our assessment and benchmarking using a research based, robust set of tools to provide data across multiple subjects and years. This enables us to study individual, class and cohort levels of achievement and growth. This approach to data analysis ensures excellence in teaching practice and enhances creative pathways for learning that increase personalisation and flexibility for all students so they can achieve their personal best.

In 2019 we introduced the REACH assessment tool (previously UNSW Global) - a comprehensive set of assessments, for primary and secondary students in English, Mathematics, Science and Writing. The assessments are based on the Australian curriculum for students in Years 2 to 10 and are suitable for use across all ability levels. Items range from recall and routine application, through to more demanding questions. They were not available for implementation in 2020 but we are now able to utilise the REACH Assessment programme in Term 2 this year. They will be administered in comfortable timed conditions for the students in their classrooms by their class teachers. 

The data will provide us with an independent and objective benchmark of student progress to support our teachers’ professional judgement, class-based tasks and formal school-based assessment programmes, and inform future curriculum planning and programming.

In addition, we have always provided our students with the opportunity to challenge themselves using ICAS Competition papers and we will continue to use this tool in addition to REACH in Term 3 this year. ICAS is aimed at recognising academic excellence for high potential students, emphasising challenge and extension in tight timed conditions. The ICAS Competition online papers in 2021 may be undertaken by students who have a high level of success in REACH in Years 2-10 allowing them to apply their learning and challenge themselves at ‘competition level’ in each of the disciplines above. The ICAS Competitions require students to think beyond the classroom and provide us with data that acknowledges their performance achievement at the highest level.

Parents can find relevant information about both the REACH and ICAS assessments at: https://www.icasassessments.com/about-us/

Professional Learning at Frensham Schools Terms 2 and 3 2021

Professional Learning Goals 2021-2022: to meet the individual learning needs of all students by personalising programmes, experiences and outcomes; and to create a learning community, which is world class and embraces innovation, inspired by evidence-based research and external critique.

In pursuit of our staff Professional Learning Goals, on Monday 19 April all teachers P-12 commenced their professional learning through the UNSW Faculty of Education to obtain up-to-date qualifications in teaching our high potential and gifted  students in every classroom. UNSW lecturers Di Bond and Marie McGregor delivered a bespoke Certificate of Gifted Education programme on campus at Frensham, which was the first of three days of learning designed in consultation with Ms Kate Chauncy and Dr Ruth Phillips to suit teachers and students at Frensham Schools. For those teachers who hold postgraduate qualifications in gifted education already, and those who have previously completed this particular course through the UNSW, Dr Ruth Phillips designed an Advanced course in Gifted Education which she delivered simultaneously.

The course continues on Friday 18 June (end Term 2) and Monday 12 July (start Term 3) by which time all teachers at Frensham Schools will have achieved post graduate accreditation in this vital area of education and developed their skills, knowledge and understanding of contemporary research and best practice in engaging and supporting all our students to reach their potential.

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Programmes P-12

Boarding and Travel Information

Long Weekend Travel – SSTS Travel bookings

• Bookings for the June long weekend are due to House staff by Monday 10 May.
• Please note that SSTS coach services have advised that late bookings are not able to be accommodated.
• SSTS Coach/Train services give preference to students travelling home so travel with friends cannot be guaranteed – families are asked to have a second plan in place.

Term 2 Parent Weekends
Following updated COVID-19 guidelines for Schools, we are now able to accommodate all Frensham students and Year Group parents at the Year Weekend School Services.

• Year 8 Weekend - Sunday 16 May (Service and Concert: 9.30am for 10.00am start, finish approximately 11.30am
  Student attendance at the Services and Concerts is compulsory, and girls are required to wear full winter school uniform including hats, blazers and stockings.
• Year 12 and Birthday Weekend - Friday 4 June-Sunday 6 June – Full details for Years 7-12 regarding this weekend will be emailed to parents this week and, for reference, will be available on Schoolbox.

Weekend Exeats
All families are reminded that all Exeats are to be submitted online via the relevant Schoolbox form by 12.00pm the Thursday prior. On the Birthday Weekend, Exeat Leave and Day Leave is only to be taken with students’ own parents/carers.

IGSSA SPORT

The Term 2 IGSA Sport season is well underway. This term Frensham is represented by 12 Football and 14 Basketball teams in the IGSA competitions. There is a rousing atmosphere on the Games Field and at the Basketball Courts with girls cheering on their teams and friends and the Pavilion is open, serving bacon and egg sandwiches and coffee.

The 2021 Cross Country team, consisting of 44 girls across seven age groups, has been training hard and the girls are ready to race their best this Friday at the annual IGSA Cross Country Carnival, hosted by Frensham. All families are welcome to attend in support of the girls who are running.

Last Friday, we welcomed runners from Oxley College. This was an opportunity for students to fine tune their skills against quality opposition and we thank the students and staff from Oxley College for making this possible. We are looking forward to seeing our runners compete this Friday and wish them well.

Ms Erin Gray, Head of Sport

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Silver Qualifying Expedition

The Royal National Park, Heathcote, 26-28 April
The three-day expedition, undertaken by Year 10 students, is based on a programme of developing navigational, teamwork, leadership, orienteering and camping skills. The following students were supported by Mr McMillan and Ms Farmer,  Scarlett Alldis, Monique Andersson, Lucy Arnott, Hannah Bendror, Ava Berkelouw, Julia Burge, Bella Cay, Matilda Chadwick, Alexandra Corbett, Matilda Damiani, Sarah-Joy Day, Evelyn Doan, Pia D'Rozario, Olivia Faulkner, Sophie Hassall, Saskia Hilkemeijer, Gracie Hindmarsh, Charlotte Hopperton, Olivia Huggins, Meg Jones, Phoebe Kingsley, Savannah Linde, Zoe Logan, James McBride, Emilie McMurtrie, Cintra Maldonado, Darcy Maple-Brown, Alice Mitchell, Augusta Muir, Eliza Mulligan, Elizabeth Nesci, Summer Oxley, Poppy Paradice, Freyjika Parker, Sarah Partland, Hannah Perkins, Phoebe Rouse, Jessica Savage, Annabelle Scott, Edie Staniforth, Inka Wilson.

Mr Shane Green, Coordinator Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

ANZAC Service Address

Delivered by Jessica Billett and Sophie Perkins Year 12 at the Mittagong ANZAC Day Ceremony 25 April 2021 on Behalf of the Youth of the Community.

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world.

In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders.

What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight long months.

At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated from the Peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,700 Australian soldiers had died in the campaign.

Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and April 25 soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of Australian and New Zealand forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy.

What became known as the ‘Anzac Legend’ was to become an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future.

In his poem ‘For the Fallen’, Laurence Binyon offers this reflection on the enduring legacy of our soldiers:

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
As the stars that shall be bright when they are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are stormy in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

As the youth of the community, we owe our ANZAC soldiers more than a debt of gratitude – we owe them our determination and courage to protect their legacy and continue to build the Australia they sought to protect.

Their resilience, courage and strength of spirit has ingrained itself into the Australian psyche. From the devastation of war arose moments of mateship, and from loss came the unity of a nation.

It was out of love for their country that they faced death, and although they may be gone, they will not be forgotten.  

2021 also marks a significant milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force, as it marks 100 years of service.

This is an important time to reflect on their enduring contribution to the security of Australia. From modest beginnings in 1921, the Air Force has grown into a potent, world class military entity which Australia relies upon in both conflict and peace.

We aspire to mirror those who served and who are currently serving, highlighting humanity’s most admirable attributes: service, selflessness and courage in the face of adversity. It is our responsibility to prolong the memory of those who served, and those who continue to serve today and into the future.

We are very honoured to be standing here today, representing the youth of the Southern Highlands, paying our respects to all men and women who have served and honouring your sacrifice to our country.

Lest We Forget.

Acknowledgment to:

• Frensham students trialing for Open IGSA Teams, Georgia Shakeshaft (Year 12) and Mia Shakeshaft (Year 11) Basketball; Amelia Guilfoyle (Year 12) Hockey; Heidi Jervis (Year 10) Football.
• Sarah-Joy Day and Bella Cay (Year 10) who represented Frensham at the recent Plain English Public Speaking Competition.
• Frensham Schools Equestrians competing at national and regional events: Sophie Baldwin (Year 8) - Hawkesbury Show: 1^st 1.05m Show Jumping; Victorian State Trials: 5^th overall on two different mounts; Cassia Berry (Year 8) - Sugarloaf Cobbity Equestrian Australia: 2^nd overall Pony Dressage; 1^st Youth rider. Oxley Equestrian Day: Frensham and Gib Gate were well represented with numerous riders placing in all disciplines. Cassia Berry (Year 9): 1^st Novice 2B Senior Dressage; Lilly Treweeke (Year 9) 1^st 75cm Senior Show Jumping. The Gib Gate Team of Annika Basson, Olivia Cowley and Georgia Suttie (Year 6), competed at a high standard in dressage, show jumping and show riding, resulting in being placed 2^nd Overall Primary School Division.
• Gib Gate Cross Country Team for its success at the recent IPSHA Cross Country event held at The King’s School: Valentina Hercus and Zahra Nash (Year 3) qualified to represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships to be held later this term.
• Year 6 students for their leadership in the Gib Gate Peer Support Programme (K-5).

Staffing update

Last week, we farewelled Miss Jane Crichton, who had been part of the Boarding Programme since 2019 and was most recently in Linden Turner House. We welcome back Mrs Jacky McCarroll, a well-known member of the Frensham staff, who will be working in Boarding this term.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Welcome Back

It has been wonderful to welcome back all students and staff for Term 2. We had a very productive day of professional learning with staff from both Frensham and Gib Gate on Monday 19 April, followed by the return of Boarders on Monday evening and the commencement of classes on Tuesday 20 April. Schools feel incomplete without the spirited humans who really enliven them as places and as communities.

In our first Prayers to start the term, I shared some of my thoughts and reflections about fresh starts, as the beginning of a new term seems the perfect time to do so. We are all familiar with the feeling of a fresh start – the first day in a new school, a new class, the first day of term or even just a Monday morning. These have a way of decoupling or separating what’s happened in the past from what is to come next. Professor Katy Milkman, from the Wharton School, along with her research team, has explored this topic in great detail. She defines the “Fresh Start Effect” as the energy and determination we feel when we have the opportunity to be able to wipe the slate clean.  According to Milkman’s research, the same momentum that drives us when making new year’s resolutions in January can be harnessed to help us focus on the pursuit of goals at other times throughout the year.

The beginning of a new term is a brilliant time for us all to encourage each other and to take a determined approach ourselves toward our goals, for these “fresh start” moments tend to be when we have a natural inclination to put in the extra effort and set ourselves up well for the term ahead. After all, in the words of Mark Twain: the secret to getting ahead is getting started. I wish all students, staff and families a productive, creative and happy term ahead.

COVID-19

Further to my note to parents last week, I remind all members of the Frensham Schools community of the need to monitor your health during the coming term. Visitors must not attend any School functions if unwell, or awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, and students must not attend school if they are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms. The safety and wellbeing of our community remains our first priority.

We are looking forward to welcoming our community to more events back on campus this term. We are currently finalising plans, in light of the updated regulations, for the Frensham Schools Birthday Weekend in June, and will be communicating these details separately to our community early next week.

Frensham Pavilion

For the first time in over a year the Frensham Pavilion will be fully open for business on Saturday morning for Round 1 of the Term 2 IGSA Competition.

A special thanks must go to Mrs Edwina Savage (Year 10 Parent) who is handing over the reins to Mrs Alison Vilo and Mrs Edwina Carter (Year 9 Parents) for 2021.

Along with the Frensham Baristas (Year 12 students) the team of Alison, Edwina, Edward and Charlie will be preparing and serving the best coffee and bacon and egg sandwiches in the Southern Highlands!

ANZAC Day Service

Over a number of years, Frensham Schools has worked with the Mittagong RSL Sub-branch, to share in the planning and delivery of the best possible outcomes for the community for the Mittagong ANZAC Day Service. This year, COVID-19 restrictions have impacted on the delivery of the traditional services, there will be no Dawn Service, the morning Service will be a ticketed event and there will be no schools marching.

In support of the Mittagong RSL Sub-branch, Frensham’s involvement will include:

• the ANZAC Message on behalf of the Youth of the Community, offered by Jessica Billett and Sophie Perkins (Year 12).
• Wreath Bearers and representing Frensham Schools (P-12), Annabelle Ranken (Head Girl) and Taylah Stoney (Vice Head Girl) with Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12.
• Head of Music, Mr Michael Spencer will lead musical elements of the Service with student participation from singers Grace Amos, Elke Arnott, Lily Hunt, Madeleine Mulligan, Isabelle Promnitz, Georgia Shakeshaft (Year 12) and flautists Maya Basson (Year 11) and Aoibh Costello (Year 12).

All Frensham Boarders will be attending a Service at 10am on campus. All Day Boarders are welcome to join for this Service, in full School Uniform.

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2021 Information for Parents and Carers

In May 2021 the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be completed by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN has the support of all State and Territory Education Ministers and will assess the literacy and numeracy skills of students across Australian schools. NAPLAN and all associated testing events did not proceed for 2020 due to COVID-19.

NAPLAN is an annual assessment and tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The results of the tests will provide important information to schools about what each student can do and will be used to support teaching and learning programs. Parents will receive a report indicating their child’s level of achievement. Each student’s level of achievement will be reported against the national minimum standard.

Student background information (student name, gender, date of birth, language background and Aboriginality) will be collected as part of the National Assessment Program. This information is treated confidentially and held securely to ensure that every student’s right to privacy is maintained.

The NAPLAN tests will be conducted in Week 4 of Term 2 from 11-14 May 2021. Please note that all NAPLAN Tests conducted at Frensham and Gib Gate this year will be pen and paper. 

Where possible, schools are permitted to arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the relevant testing window.  Individual students are not permitted to sit the paper tests after Friday 14 May 2021.

TUESDAY 11 MAY

• Year 3: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes
• Year 5: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes
• Year 7: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes
• Year 9: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes

WEDNESDAY 12 MAY

• Year 3: Reading test - 45 minutes
• Year 5: Reading test - 50 minutes
• Year 7: Reading test - 65 minutes
• Year 9: Reading test - 65 minutes

THURSDAY 13 MAY

• Year 3: Numeracy test - 45 minutes
• Year 5: Numeracy test - 50 minutes
• Year 7: Numeracy test - 65 minutes
• Year 9: Numeracy test - 65 minutes

The Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 Numeracy tests are conducted in one test session. The Years 7 and 9 numeracy tests have two sections. There is a short non-calculator section, in which students are required to demonstrate arithmetical calculation skills. For the remainder of the test, calculators are permitted, even if they are not necessary to answer the question. Students will use the calculator that they currently use at school.

In NAPLAN writing tests, students are provided with a ‘writing stimulus’ (sometimes called a ‘prompt’ – an idea or topic) and asked to write a response in a particular genre (narrative or persuasive writing).

Friday 14 May is the scheduled ‘catch-up’ day for students who missed a test or were absent on a test day. Students may be considered for exemption from the tests if they:

• are newly arrived in Australia (less than one year before the test) and with a language background other than English, or
• have significant intellectual disability and/or significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests.

All other students are expected to participate in the tests. Disability adjustments which reflect the student’s normal level of support in the classroom may be provided. Access to disability adjustments or exemption from the tests must be discussed with the Head and a parent or carer consent form must be signed.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents in consultation with the Head. If you wish to withdraw your child from the tests, a parent or carer consent form must be signed.

Additional information about NAPLAN can be found at: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

We stress that we do not believe in the value of excessive preparation for NAPLAN beyond teaching the NESA Curriculum and familiarising students with the NAPLAN process. Parents and carers are welcome to discuss any questions they may have with Ms Sally Robson or Ms Kate Chauncy at Gib Gate or with Mr Geoff Marsh, Ms Kate Chauncy or Ms Janene van Gogh at Frensham.

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12; Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Boarding Information

Weekend Exeat Links

• All Exeats are to be submitted online via the Schoolbox form and must be completed by 12.00pm the Thursday prior.
• The School will be running South Coast (Kiama / Wollongong) and South West (Cootamundra / Harden / Yass) buses on Sunday 23 May.
• All bus bookings, including Sydney buses, are made via the online Exeat form.

Weekend 2: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 2 (Friday 30 April - Monday 3 May)

Weekend 3: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 3 (Friday 7 May - Monday 10 May)

Weekend 4: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 4 (Friday 14 May - Monday 17 May)

Weekend 5: Open Weekend Leave/Exeat - T2 Week 5 (Friday 21 May - Monday 24 May) Sth West Bus & Sth Coast Bus

Weekend 6: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 6 (Friday 28 May - Monday 31 May)

Available on Schoolbox:

• Weekend programme, posted each Wednesday
• Weekend activity term overview
• House Duty Room phone numbers

Acknowledgement to:

• Senior musicians and their professional tutors: Frensham has been awarded by the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) NSW for the fifth year – a Certificate of Distinction for a Top 10 result in the Category of Most Outstanding Accredited School 2020. Congratulations to Ms Sabine Madden Coordinator of Music Tuition and Gifted and Talented Music students, and the entire Music Staff and Tuition Staff on this extraordinary achievement.
• Equestrian competing successfully at recent national and regional events: Willa Mitchell (Year 12) – Wallaby Hill International – 2^nd placed Junior CCI3* (Eventing); Kate Clifton (Year 9), Young Dressage Championships – 1^st Prelim 1A; Elizabeth Taylor (Year 8) - Southern Cross Hack Championships - Champion Rider (U 15 years), Champion Large Show Hunter Galloway and Champion Owner/Rider Large Show Hunter Galloway; Hufglocken Grand Nationals – Champion Child’s Hack; Sydney Royal Easter Show – Champion Senior Girl Rider (U 17 years), Champion Child’s Galloway; Tia Thomas (Year 8) (Eventing).
• Members of the Show Cattle Team, led by Ms Leonie Mutch, for their excellent results at the Royal Sydney Easter Show: Champion School in the Herdsman (Best Maintained Team) Competition which included their Easter Show Display focusing on Frensham Farming Families and the School’s Agriculture programme and Champion School Carcase.
• Gib Gate U12 Water Polo team, winners of the Grand Final; Amelia Blackshaw for being awarded Best and Fairest Player and Olivia Cowley the Most Improved Player.
• Gib Gate U12 Purple Basketball team, runners-up of the Grand Final.

da Vinci Decathlon Competition

Teams from Years 5 to 10 competed in the da Vinci Decathlon Competition at the end of Term 1. Gib Gate competed at The Illawarra Christian School, Wollongong on Monday 29 March and Frensham competed at The Illawarra Grammar School Wollongong on Tuesday 30 March and Wednesday 31 March. Both Gib Gate and Frensham teams were competing against over 15 other schools from across the Illawarra region. Ms Kate Chauncy (Frensham) and Mrs Lee Ann Marsh (Gib Gate) coordinated participation in the competition and the students are commended for the success achieved.

• Year 5: Darcey Burrows, Lachlan Dormer, Mae Gilkeson, Gemma McInnes, Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo, Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver, Oliver Wilson - 3^rd in Art & Poetry, Engineering and Creative Producers.
• Year 6: Annika Basson, Amelia Blackshaw, Iman Byrne, Isla McVinish, Sofia Nesci, Anthony Neilson, Ruby Rodgers, Adele Trudeau - 2^nd Creative Producers and Legacy, 3^rd Art & Poetry.
• Year 7: Anouk Davies, Mollie Fitzpatrick, Alexandra Frith, Alice Gilder, Indigo Ling, Jade Neilson, Cara Sims, Isabel Syme - 1^st Art & Poetry; 2^nd Cartography and 3^rd English.
• Year 8: Sophie Chen, Jade Cox, Sophie Goodisson, Sophie Hanrahan, Amelia Hartnell, Camilla Johnston, Georgina Lewis, Elizabeth Shadbolt - 2^nd Mathematics.
• Year 9: Adelaide Ayling, Poppy Carter, Alice Fergusson, Claudia Hampson, Sophie Simpson, Imogen Smith, Eva Telford, Sidney Wheeler – 2^nd place overall in Year 9, 1^st Legacy, 3^rd English and Mathematics.
• Year 10: Sarah-Joy Day, Sissy Fairrie, Heidi Jervis, Abigail Jorgensen, Summer Oxley, Freyjika Parker, Phoebe Rouse, Hilary Swan - 3^rd Science.

Frensham Student Leadership (Term 2)

• Hartfield: (Year 10) Sarah-Joy Day, Darcy Maple-Brown, Bridie Turner
• Kennedy: (Year 10) Matilda Damiani, Saskia Hilkemeijer, Cintra Maldonado
• Linden Turner: (Year 10) Hannah Bendror, Meg Jones, Millie Moar   
• Linden Turner: (Year 11) Abigail Hicks, Mia Shakeshaft, Olivia Vertzayias
• Bryant McCarthy: (Year 11) Anna Collins, Mia Greig, Polly Whitwell

Staffing update

We welcome to Boarding:

• Mrs Marion Van Kooten to the role of Head of Hartfield House. Mrs Van Kooten has been working in our Boarding Programme since 2020 and is enthusiastic about leading Hartfield House and contributing her expertise to the Boarding leadership team.
• Mrs Chelsea Carroll who will be joining us as a casual member of staff in Boarding, to provide during Ms Jeannette Gibson’s Long Service Leave, from Week 3 of the term.

We welcome back Mr Michael Spencer (Head of Music) and Mrs Trudi Spencer (Visual Arts) from Long Service Leave taken during Term 1.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

First Term

Thank you to all members of the Frensham Schools community for such a warm welcome to the role. The first term of the year is always a busy one, and I have been so appreciative of the support and advice provided to help me settle into the role of Head and into life in the Highlands.

It has been wonderful to see the enjoyment and enthusiasm of students across all three campuses of Frensham Schools, engaged in their learning, greeting old friends warmly and making new ones, and getting to know their teachers. I have been so impressed by our creative and vibrant learning community of students and staff, and the commitment and dedication shown to the mission and values of the organisation. Part of our founder Winifred West’s vision was that, above all, a school should be a place where individuals, staff and students, willingly gave of their best to foster a sense of love, community and service – and that spirit is very much alive within the community today.

Whilst school life has been, fortunately, less disrupted by COVID than it was throughout 2020, as we have seen this week, vigilance is still required. We anticipate being able to welcome more families on campus for school events next term, and will communicate further towards the end of vacation period to confirm school-specific arrangements.

We wish all families safe travel, a restful and restorative vacation and I look forward to another positive and productive term ahead.

Head of Sturt

Our new Head of Sturt, Kristie Phelan, commenced in March, and has made a strong start in the role. As I mentioned in the announcement of her appointment earlier in March, Kristie brings to the role a valuable combination of skills and experiences, along with energetic drive and enthusiasm, to inform her leadership of the oldest and most dynamic design centre in Australia. I encourage all families to consider making a visit to Sturt across the holiday period or early next term if you haven’t visited for a while.

Boarding Leadership

At the end of this term, Ms Jeannette Gibson is stepping down from her role as Head of Hartfield House, a position she has held since 2011. We recognise her contribution to the Boarding programme at Frensham, and look forward to her continuing to work at Frensham following a short period of well-deserved Long Service Leave at the commencement of Term 2.

We also welcome Ms Sally Arnold to the role of Deputy Head of Boarding (Acting 2021) to join Ms Sally Fennell (Deputy Head of Boarding, Acting 2021), providing valuable leadership support across our Boarding Programme. Ms Arnold will remain Head of Linden Turner House and Year 11 Coordinator whilst taking on this additional responsibility and we look forward to her contribution to the team across 2021.

Term 2 Dates

At the end of Term 2 this year, our calendar has just three school days between the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend and the end of term. In order to provide flexibility for our families, particularly for those with boarders who live a significant distance from Frensham, we will be giving all families at Gib Gate and Frensham the option for children to undertake remote learning at home, or to attend school on campus as scheduled. We will still expect students to complete set learning activities whether at home or on campus. Further logistical details, particularly relating to arrangements for boarders, will be forthcoming early next term

Beginning of Term 2 Dropoff – Boarding

We look forward to welcoming all boarders back on Monday 19 April, before classes commence on Tuesday 20 April. Boarding Houses open from 5.00pm on Monday 19 April, however arrangements are able to be made on an individual family basis if earlier drop off is required. Please email boarding@frensham.nsw.edu.au to make these arrangements.

Return to school Term 2 - Information regarding luggage restrictions for booked transport.

1. Stored Luggage - no more than two items for stowage in luggage bins on coach services. Not to exceed 60cm (height) x 70cm (length) and 50 cm wide (ie: length, depth and width not exceeding total of 180cm) and 20kg in weight.
2. Hand Luggage - the total weight of hand luggage is not to exceed 5kg and must be able to be stored under the seat. Hand luggage that does not fit under the seat must be stored in the luggage compartment beneath the coach.
3. If transport arrangements change and booked transport is no longer required, please call the number on your daughter’s ticket, NSW TrainLink Call Centre on 132 232 and email boarding@frensham.nsw.edu.  
4. Thank you for understanding that last minute bookings are unable to be accommodated.

Communication

We are pleased to confirm that, following this edition of our newsletter, we will return to fortnightly editions next term, with an updated format. Each edition will feature a particular area of Frensham Schools as a focus. We will be continuing to refine our communication channels across the coming terms, and look forward to your feedback as these changes are made.

Our Learning Management System, Schoolbox, will increasingly be used as the location for permission slips, information and notices for parents to access, and you will see the format of Schoolbox refreshed over the coming term. If you are having any difficulty accessing Schoolbox please do contact your child’s teacher (Gib Gate) or form tutor (Frensham) so this can be resolved. It is exciting to be very close to the launch of the Frensham Schools App which we anticipate being able to release during Term 2.

All parents will be invited to participate in a community survey about our communication systems at the beginning of next term and your feedback is welcomed.

Acknowledgement to:

• Award Recipients: Girdles – Willa Mitchell (Equestrian), Jessica Billet (Academic Excellence), Harriet Mackie (Science), Ella Clark (Public Speaking) and Madeleine Mulligan (Academic Excellence).
• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients – Gold: Tamara Unsworth (2020); Silver: Year 11: Isobel Burge, Stella Hanan, Zé McGrath, Mia Shakeshaft (Year 11); Alexandra Bolger, Jessica Greig; Sophia Pernice (Year 12); Bronze: Ava Berkelouw, Sarah-Joy Day, Savannah Linde, Emilie McMurtrie, Darcy Maple-Brown, Elizabeth Nesci, Phoebe Rouse, Mia Greig (Year 10); Zé McGrath, Lucy Pernice, Phoebe Rowntree, Polly Whitwell (Year 11); Harriet Mackie (Year 12).
• Phoebe Rowntree (Year 11) for her selection to the IGSA 17U Softball Team.
• Tildesley Tennis Team members,Coach Justin Taylor, assistance from Ms Macqueen, and with leadership from Annabelle Ranken (C) and Ella Clark (VC) for their success at this year’s event; progressing to Round 4 were Annabelle Ranken and doubles team, Willa Mitchell and India Hicks (Year 12)
• Willa Mitchell (Year 12) for her achievement in being ranked as the Top Junior Eventing, FEI (International Equestrian Federation).
• Frensham Swimming team members for their achievements at recent Carnivals: IGSA Swimming Carnival: Claudia Maple-Brown (Year 7), Millie Moar (Year 10), Phoebe Clifton (Year 11) for progressing to the 50m B Freestyle finals in their age group; the Southern Highlands Schools Swimming Carnival: U15 Age Champion - Lydia Martin (Year 9); Runner Up Age Champions - U13 Tia Thomas (Year 8), U16 Millie Moar (Year 10), U17 Phoebe Clifton (Year 11).
• Frensham Show Cattle and Sheep Teams for recent successes: Nowra Show – Frensham as a team won Most Successful Exhibitor; Judith Hopkins (Year 11) Champion Young Judge, Champion Steer and Champion Parader with her steer Quincey; Goulburn Show: Cattle Team – Judith Hopkins 1^st Place Heavyweight Steer Competition and Champion Steer (‘Quincey’), Phoebe Gilder (Year 9) Reserve Champion Steer (‘Guzman’). Sheep Teams – placed second and third in the Young Farmers Competition. Moss Vale Show – Judith Hopkins 1^st place Junior Steer and Heavyweight Steer Competitions (‘Quincey’); Tia Thomas (Year 8) 1^st place 13-years Paraders Competition (‘Wesley’).
• Gib Gate Water Polo and Basketball Teams for their successes in the local competitions. Competing in Finals competitions are the U12 Water Polo Team and the U12 Girls Purple Basketball Team.
• Gib Gate Swimming team for its preparation and success at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival.
• Gib Gate IPSHA Cross Country Team for their preparation for the IPSHA Cross Country Carnival, postponed due to flooding, now taking place on Wednesday 21 April.
• Gib Gate Year 6 for their leadership and support of students P-5 in Term 1 and for their dedicated preparation for the commencement of the Term 2 Year 6 lead K-5 Peer Support Programme.
• da Vinci Decathlon Teams in Years 5-11 for their preparation and highly successful results for this year’s competition. Year 5 placed 3^rd in Art & Poetry, Engineering and Creative Producers; Year 6, 2^nd in Creative Producers and Legacy and 3^rd in Art & Poetry; Years 7-10 represented Frensham in the Regional Finals and achieved 1^st Art & Poetry; 2^nd Cartography, 3^rd English (Year 7); 2^nd Place in Mathematics (Year 8); 2^nd Place Overall, 1^st Legacy, 3^rd English and Mathematics (Year 9) and 3^rd Place (Science). Year 11 compete in the State competition, held in the ‘virtual environment’ on Wednesday 5 May.
• Frensham Head Girl, Annabelle Ranken, and Vice Head Girl, Taylah Stoney, who represented Frensham at the 2021 International Women’s Day Breakfast held in Mittagong, featuring guest speakers including Frensham Old Girl Zoe Young (1995) on the topic of Women in Leadership.
• Year 9, 2020 for their excellent results in the Cambridge International Global Perspectives course: 22% of students gained the highest result (A*) and another 39% gained an A result. 

Frensham Student Leadership

Prefects for Year Groups

• Year 7: Sarah Brown, Jessica Greig, Ivy McGufficke
• Year 8: Harriet Collins, Ella Hopperton
• Year 9: Adelaide Alker, Emily Hassall, Madeleine Mulligan                 
• Year 10: Erin Alcorn, Georgia Hill, Willa Mitchell
• Year 11: Ella Clark, Eliza Friend
• Year 12 & Vice Head Girl: Taylah Stoney
• Year 12 & Head Girl: Annabelle Ranken       

Year 12 Leaders of Hartfield and Kennedy Houses

• Hartfield: Tess, Armstrong, Alexandra Bolger, Sarah Brown, Sachi Darling, Ruby Halloran, Skye Vander Straaten.
• Kennedy: Emilie Hassall, Ella Hopperton, Madeleine Scott, Jemima Storch, Lara Tait, Amy Thompson.

Heads of House appointed for Term 1

• Hartfield (Year 10): Sissy Fairrie, Lara McConnochie, Poppy Paradice
• Kennedy (Year 10): Bella Cay, Pia D'Rozario, Sarah Partland
• Linden Turner (Year 10): Ava Berkelouw, Olivia Huggins, Eliza Mulligan
• Linden Turner (Year 11): Sophie Domazet, Stella Hanan, Charlotte Hindmarsh
• Bryant McCarthy (Year 11): Sarah Hunter, Ava Kingsley, Emily Lenehan
• Bryant McCarthy (Year 12): appointed for the year

Gib Gate Monitors

It was a delight to be able to attend the Gib Gate Monitors Assembly earlier in the term, and to present our Year 6 students with their monitor badges. All students carry responsibility for particular areas of interest or passion in the school, and it has been heartening to see the enthusiasm with which Year 6 have approached their responsibilities this term.

Adeline Ahern, Library; Chloe Barrowman, Equestrian, Jamieson Sport; Annika Basson, Equestrian; Amelia Blackshaw, Library, Wilson Sport; Iman Byrne, Japanese, Visual Arts; Olivia Cowley, Music, Wilson Sport; Zali de Manincor, Jamieson, Visual Arts; Imogen Diver, Preschool, Visual Arts; Sienna Donat, Dance, McCutcheon Sport; Sophie McAndrew, McCutcheon Sport, Preschool; Ana McInnes, Wilson Sport; Frankie McKeon, McCutcheon Sport, Preschool; Isla McVinish, Preschool, Library; Anthony Neilson, Jamieson Sport; Sofia Nesci, Jamieson Sport; Ruby Rodgers, Jamieson Sport; Georgia Suttie, Environmental; Victoria Trotter, Jamieson Sport; Adele Trudeau, Library, Wilson Sport; Zali Walters, McCutcheon, Environmental.

Parent Advisory Committees 2021

We warmly welcome new Members and offer our thanks and appreciation to those retiring.

Frensham

• Welcome to Mrs Karen Shadbolt, Mrs Jane Vickery, Mr Michael Wheeler
• Mr John Hopkins is appointed as Chair for 2021 and Mrs Charlotte Warner is the newly appointed Secretary.
• Retiring: Mr David Cullen, Mr Simon Logan.

Gib Gate

• Welcome to Mrs Crista Beckhaus, Mrs Georgina Spong.
• Dr Jerry Basson is appointed as Chair for 2021 and Mrs Crista Beckhaus is the newly appointed Secretary.
• Retiring: Mrs Denise Telford and Mrs Lucinda Wilson.

Staffing Updates

This term, we have been pleased to welcome the following new staff members to Frensham Schools.

Sturt

• Mrs Kristie Phelan – Head of Sturt

Gib Gate

• Ms Nikki Coumbiadis, B Ed (Primary) (UNE) – Year 5 classroom teacher
• Ms Nicola Fenaughty, B Health Science (USYD) – PDHPE and Sport classroom teacher
• Mrs Marnie Rea, B Ed (Primary) (USYD) – Year 2 classroom teacher, Terms 1-3 (Maternity Leave cover)

Frensham

• Mrs Julia Abbey, PG Cert Ed, (Bath College of Higher Education, UK); B Sc (Psychology/Sociology), (Portsmouth University, UK) – Boarding House Staff
• Mrs Anne Barnes, MA Teaching (Secondary) (UNE); BA (French and Spanish) (UQLD) –Languages and Library
• Miss Jemma Barrett, B Health and Physical Education (UOW), in process – Boarding House Staff
• Ms Jacqui Bolt, B Visual Arts, USYD, Dip High School Education (VA) (CSU); Dip Fine Art (NAS) – VA (Term 1) and Boarding House Staff (casual)
• Mrs Lucy Dalleywater, MA Educational Leadership (current) (Macquarie); BA English; BEd English/Humanities and Social Science (USYD) – Head of Special Projects
• Miss Holly Jefford, currently studying B Exercise Science, UOW – Boarding House Staff
• Miss Melissa Lourenco, B Ed (General Education) (Stellenbosch Uni South Africa) – Boarding House Staff
• Mrs Susie McGlinn, BA (English Literature/Communication) (UNE), B Teaching (Secondary) (CSU), Grad Certificate Information Services (current) (CSU) – Library Teacher
• Ms Jane McLellan, B Sc, John Brown University, USA; PG TESOL, Macquarie – Boarding House Staff
• Mrs Renae Pinazza, PhD (UOW), 2021 completion; B Music (Music Education) (USYD) (Sydney Conservatorium of Music), Music
• Miss Abby Regan, MA Teaching (Secondary French and Spanish), B Sc (Chemistry), BA (Spanish and Latin American Studies) (USYD)– Boarding Staff and Teaching (Languages and Science)
• Mr Matthew Selby, BA, B Teaching (Secondary – Mathematics), (Australian Catholic University) –Senior Teacher in Mathematics
• Mrs Donna Wedesweiler, BA (USYD); M Ed (USYD) – Boarding House Staff (returning staff member)

Departing staff

We thank Mrs Sally Hannah for her contribution as Year 8 Coordinator during this term, and look forward to welcoming back Mrs Trudi Spencer from Long Service Leave in Term Two.

We bid farewell to Ms Emily Sinden who will be taking up a position at Nowra Anglican College next term, after joining the Frensham Staff in 2018 and contributing significantly in her roles, including Music teacher, Year Coordinator and, this term, Acting Head of the Music Faculty. We wish Ms Sinden continued success at her new school, and look forward to welcoming Mr Michael Spencer back from Long Service Leave in Term Two.

Year Coordinators for 2021:
Mrs Amanda Metua – Year 7
Mrs Sally Hannah – Year 8, Term 1
Mrs Trudi Spencer – Year 8, from Term 2
Ms Olivia Scottin – Year 9
Mrs Kate Gallagher – Year 10
Ms Sally Arnold – Year 11; Ms Lucy Thorne, Assistant Coordinator
Ms Sally Fennell – Year 12; Ms Molly Macqueen, Assistant Coordinator

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Reflecting upon the character of strengths

As we reach the end of Term 3, we reflect with gratitude and appreciation amidst the challenges brought about by COVID-19 restrictions, and the need for sacrifice and compromise in order to keep our state safe during this current outbreak. We have this term reflected upon the character strengths of persistence, resilience, patience, humility and gratitude, and explored their relevance for our current circumstances. 

Earlier this week, the US Open saw both Australian tennis superstar Dylan Alcott and Deide De Groot of the Netherlands achieve the “Golden Slam” – winning titles at the Australian and French Open, Wimbledon, an Olympic Gold for each player in their respective events, then topping it all off with a US Open win. What persistence, perseverance and resolve must these sportspeople have had to cultivate and demonstrate in order to reach the very top of their game in the world? How many times must they have thought that the journey ahead of them was too difficult, too long, or too arduous? How many times in their sport must they have had to re-commit to their goals, re-focus on the future after a disappointment or loss, strive and persist through difficult conditions or injury? It is inspiring to see such positive role models of the human spirit, 

We also very much enjoyed the video message shared by School for Life this week, a school we are closely connected with through Old Girl founder Annabelle Chauncy OAM. Girls in Uganda sharing their experiences of learning from home during COVID highlighted the significant work of School for Life in supporting girls’ education and was a powerful exercise in perspective for students and staff alike. 

Frensham students have persisted and persevered – particularly Year 12 in their final week of classes - and are finishing the term strongly and positively after a couple of challenging months. We recognise our student and staff determination to finish well, to reflect upon and recognise the lessons we have all learned over the course of this term. Year 12 are often told that their final year is a marathon, not a sprint - and this year there seem to be a few laps added by stealth at the end. We know Year 12 can do it, and they will strengthen and grow through the process. We look forward to being able to farewell and celebrate you in person next term. For now, we say thank you – and keep going – and we will be here with you, as your team, cheering you on.

We reflect with gratitude on the term that has been – for everyone’s efforts under trying circumstances, for our health, safety and access to education when so many in the world do not have the same. For the technology that lets us keep connected with friends, classmates, teachers and family members around Australia and around the world. For the sustained efforts of our teachers and staff, who have continued to pivot and flex at very short notice and have toiled in a most extraordinarily committed manner. 

Our term concludes this afternoon with the induction of our Student Leaders for 2022, where we will gather in a virtual space via Zoom instead of the usual Service format in our beloved Clubbe Hall. We invite all families to join us for the Leadership Induction Service which commences at 2.00pm on Zoom and requires attendance from all students. It is a formal recognition of Year 12, 2022 student leaders and is an important occasion, recognising and celebrating the role that these girls play in the leadership of the School in the year ahead. All students are required to wear their full Winter Uniform for this service and we ask for those attending to be online at 1.55pm to enable us to commence promptly. 

It is with great anticipation that we look forward to the return of students to campus during Term 4. Whilst it is not possible to confirm exact arrangements at this time, given the ever-changing status of LGA restrictions, we will be continuing to plan across the upcoming holiday period for the term ahead, in light of anticipated updated information and guidelines being provided. A draft schedule will be posted on Schoolbox today, along with a survey designed to provide the opportunity for feedback and suggestions for our planning. As the government announced earlier in August, school staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by 8 November and we encourage all families to pursue vaccinations for students aged 12 and above to assist us in keeping safe as a community and being able to return to full campus operations as soon as possible. 

We wish all students, staff and families a safe and restful vacation ahead.

FACULTY FOCUS

Music

Term 3 2021, with most of our community isolated at home, will be remembered as the term where we were unable to enjoy those powerful elements of the Frensham culture that are so reliant on us all being together on campus. One of the most memorable and most affected of those elements is our coming together for singing and music making, and yet, despite these challenging times, students and staff continue to make and enjoy music together.

While Morning Prayers on ZOOM regularly features Mr Spencer playing the keyboard and singing the daily hymn, musicians from Years 7-12 have also sent in videos of themselves playing their instruments for the “Processional” and singing the hymns. Similarly, the School Services for Years 9 and 11 featured video compilations of singers from those year groups delivering the hymns for us to enjoy, and currently, singers across the school are sending in videos of themselves singing the School Hymn for the Leadership Induction Service on Thursday.

Choir rehearsals and performances are always the first to be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but, this term, the Madrigals achieved something they have not done since 2012; filmed at the close of Term 2, they submitted their videos and won both their sections in the Sydney Eisteddfod and then went on to be named Australasian Choral Champion for U/19 Choirs.

It was a sad moment for Frensham’s HSC Music students when they were told that they no longer needed to practise for their final performance examinations, as these were unable to be held this year. Despite this, our community was still able to enjoy their performances, filmed at their Trial Examinations at the beginning of the term, via Vimeo: 2021 HSC Music Performances.

While ZOOM is not ideal for musical sound, individual Music tuition has continued online again this term, reflecting the great goodwill and commitment of Frensham musicians and staff alike. We all look forward to coming out of lockdown and being able to enjoy the fruits of our musicians’ labours in person once more.

Mr Michael Spencer, Head of Music

Visual Arts and Design & Technology

A major focus for both Visual Arts and Design & Technology during Term 3 has been to reach the best possible outcomes for Year 12 students completing major projects in these subjects. During the term, both students and teachers had to navigate their way through changes made by NESA to the parameters of submission of both Visual Arts Bodies of Work and Design & Technology Major Design Projects. In normal circumstances, these projects are submitted by approximately mid Term 3; this year, the submission dates moved closer to the end of term.

While there have been some significant challenges for all in terms of resolving major projects, I would like to focus on things we must celebrate. Firstly, beyond the actual work, it is imperative that we acknowledge the resilience and determination of all students during this process. When faced with limited access to specialist materials and equipment, actual physical separation from their work, delays in sending or receiving packages of work, and of course, live one-to-one discussions with their teachers, our students stood tall. With the support of staff, every student took some personal responsibility for solving whatever issue they faced in terms of resolving their work, and in doing so, demonstrated great strength of character. One element that put our students in a good position to deal with the challenges of Term 3 was the sustained work undertaken throughout Semester 1 which meant that broadly, the essential frameworks of projects were in place. 

Taking into account many unavoidable barriers which negated full resolution of projects for some, I would like to commend the students for the outstanding collective standard of work produced in Year 12 Visual Arts and/or Design & Technology. Present in the major works of 38 students are exquisite skill, diversity, cleverness, sensitivity and refinement. 

Presently, the faculty is exploring ways to be able to share these projects with our wider community. Clearly, any physical exhibition under current restrictions appears to be problematic and therefore unlikely. Discussions at this point revolve around exploring effective ways to potentially share the work in a virtual format. 

Pivoting has become a familiar term during 2021, and subjects with a significant practical component have needed to pivot substantially. Many planned making tasks have needed to be adjusted or postponed to suit an online environment. In Visual Arts, Design & Technology and STEM classes throughout Years 7-11, we have adapted tasks where necessary to embrace or extend digital processes. Practical work in both Design & Technology and STEM is often underpinned by computer-based technologies, so much of planned Term 3 work has been possible. In Visual Arts, we have consistently used parts of the Adobe suite (particularly Photoshop) extensively as a tool to develop compositions for painting, printmaking and drawing. While many students possessed a good skills base with this software, moving to a making environment where programmes like Photoshop have been used not just as a tool, but as a way to make a resolved artwork, has been an opportunity, not a hinderance. It will be interesting to see whether we see an uptake in the exploration of Photomedia and Graphic Design as Expressive Forms in the HSC in 2022 and beyond. For some students, employing this software more extensively may well have opened a creative pathway for them moving forward.

Mr Phil Alldis, Head of VA & DAT

Drama

How will people remember the dramatic chaos of the Class of 2021? Through the poofy moustache of the Lorax bouncing onto the stage? Through the frustrated blehs, ahhs and stutterings made during truly intense scenes as the lines slipped our minds? In the dent made by Ms Shannon in the cupboard from a very believable session of method acting, or in the small dent in the drama studio floor made by a girl performing a very passionate monologue with a cricket bat? Or will it be through the notably attractive faces of characters in top hats, leather jackets and fake-male jawlines? Though the pandemic may have cast a shadow over the light of performers around the world, it certainly has not dimmed the legacy of our time here at Frensham. Now, at the conclusion of our final Act, the drama students from the Class of 2021 can take our bows and reflect on the rollercoaster of our experiences:

Scene One - Year 7: Zip, Zap, Zop!
Where it all began. As we stepped into the Drama Studio for the first time, there it was. The stage, clear. The lights, bright, and a room full of possibility. What we did not know was that we were now stepping into the place we would see as a second home for the next six years, a place where we felt most comfortable and a place, we have made some of our best memories. From our class games and story book staging in Year 7, this was the perfect introduction to a world of drama. Collaborative and creative games was the ultimate way to immediately get our interest and gave the best opportunity for all of us to get to know each other in a fun and exciting environment.

Scene Two - Year 8: Footstools and Foliage
Our starring roles in our first Junior Production: Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, were as large as footstools and the letter L in the word ‘love’, learning the importance of the ensemble in creating theatre. We longed to escape our roles as props in the End of Year Musical, only to play the forks, napkins and pepper shakers in Beauty and the Beast, a rather interesting experience playing a singing spoon, but one of our favourites so far.

Scene Three - Year 9: Green Eggs and Ham
This was even bigger and better as we were now the older ones in the junior productions, and suddenly had gone from looking up at the main parts to being luckily enough to take them on. As we tackled the masterpiece and all engaging works of Dr Seuss, we all worked together to our strengths to put on a funny, warm, and great show, and I think was perhaps a valuable time when we saw how worth it long practices and regular rehearsals truly are. 

Scene Four - Year 10: To Life!
We formed unbreakable bonds as we sang Amazing Grace and acted out our worst nightmares using Brecht, making Mrs Hannah cry, and having us all reaching for the tissues. We performed our first monologues to Jasper Jones. We nervously auditioned for our first lead roles and danced as Russians in the unexpected joy of Fiddler on the Roof, forever yelling out ‘Tradition!’ as we counted the steps; one, two, three, stop!

Scene Five - Year 11: Did Someone Say M@cb3th?
Now in our senior years, we started to find ourselves fully absorbed by the genius works of playwrights Chekhov and Brecht in class as we took on more challenging, and more absurdist pieces. As well as this we found ourselves absorbed by none other than Shakespeare himself, learning lines and doing table reads of his famous Macbeth. However, with a modern twist. This was our first time entering the world of a senior birthday play, where we would get to perform to staff, parents and girls for a once-a-year special event and the birthday of our school. And yet, the curse of the Scottish play meant that our access to the stage was limited, surrendering out first roles to the radio play and looking instead to our End of Year Production. Grease was an experience we will never forget, from fighting over who would be the five singers in each song, to flipping off cars to a screaming chorus, we will forever be grateful for the way this musical brought us closer and sparked joy in our peers during a time of COVID.

Scene Six - Year 12: ...and yet.
Hope. A year spent hoping. We hoped for opportunities as we organised musical theatre concerts and theatre sports competitions. We hoped until it hurt that I Have Five Daughters could go ahead without any pandemic hiccups. We hoped we would remember all our wordy lines about it being “prodigious hot”. We hoped our families would be able to see our Major Works. In vain we struggled against forces we could not change. A struggle which, at times, made it hard to keep a polished twinkle in our eyes. And yet we conjured lots of “oohs and ahhs” as we told stories to our friends, we fostered smiles which for a moment lost sight of the rising cases, we made hope in places where hope was hard to find. In a time of theatrics, we created hope through theatre, we made our own opportunities, forged our own paths; we organised film festivals and laughed as we tried to remember what happened to Scar in The Lion King, attempting to tell the story to our peers. 

We became living proof that no matter how dismal life becomes, art will always create an ‘and yet’. 

To conclude what has been a rollercoaster of six years, for us, there are perhaps very few words to describe drama at Frensham that could truly capture the infinite fun we have had, memories we will cherish forever, and lessons we have learnt as our passion for performance has only grown each year. 

It has certainly been one of a kind and we have loved every minute.  

So, to all the young stars, keen musical theatre singers and stage dancers, as your high school years continue, we hope that drama at Frensham can bring you just as much joy and fun as it has for us. 

Georgie Hill and Eleanor Swan, Heads of Drama 2021

Mrs Sally Hannah, Head of Drama 

Acknowledgement to: 

• Recent award recipients: Iris – Grace Lewis, Eleanor Swan, Jessica Billet, Madeleine Mulligan (All Round Excellence); Girdle – Alexandra Crawford (Academic Excellence), Sophie Rodwell (Sport), Georgia Hill (Academic Excellence and Service to Drama), Sophie Perkins (Service to Music).
• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients: Silver – Lara Kyriazis (Year 11), Darcy Maple-Brown, Edie Staniforth (Year 10); Bronze – Gracie Hindmarsh, Monique Andersson (Year 10).
• Gib Gate Tournament of Minds (TOMs) Team was awarded Primary School Honours at the recent online Ceremony.
• Gib Gate students as they said farewell to Year 12, 2021 Gib Gaters. This year, the annual celebration was held via Zoom.

Staffing update:

• Ms Janene van Gogh, Director of Studies, will be taking Long Service Leave during Term 4.
• We welcome: Mrs Katelyn Williamson returns to Gib Gate in 2022, as Maternity Leave cover for Miss Stefanie Klauer. 

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Embracing the sense of optimism and enthusiasm – a spring clean!

We wish all members of the Frensham Schools community a very happy Spring, and hope and trust that wherever you are at this time, there are signs of new growth, Spring warmth and blossom scent in the air. Spring is typically known as the season when new growth begins and changes happen all around us. Snowdrops, daffodils, and of course irises are starting to bloom. The magnolias at Sturt, the daffodils at Gib Gate and the blossoms are out on Range Road, lifting our emotions and signalling a new season ahead. It’s a reminder that the cycle of life is starting over again, trees are in bud, and blossom is starting to appear, so it’s not surprising that Spring is also seen as the start of better times. It’s an opportunity to be less lethargic and inclined to hibernate at home, becoming more open to changes, big and small, in our lives. Approaching September with a sense of possibility, renewal, and regrowth is an optimistic outlook to take, even if a positive outlook is something we must deliberately cultivate in these challenging circumstances.

Springtime has always been thought of as a time for change, as we can embrace that sense of optimism and enthusiasm by having a good clear out – a spring clean. Spring cleaning is valuable to us as a way of clearing out any clutter from our homes and lives and bringing in the new, symbolising new beginnings. These new beginnings can be tiny – little daily steps that help us build a new habit or reframe our mindset. It’s a great time for students to start being more active – even whilst spending more time in front of a computer than whilst on campus, to use their break times well and to get moving whenever possible. I’ve seen lots of photos shared and girls on Zoom who are obviously helping in their local community and at home, demonstrating their community spirit, their generosity, and their service mindset.

This is also an opportunity for us all to pause when we see the sunrise, or perhaps the sunset, to really name and notice the changes around us and within us as the light and smells change. To set our intention for the day or days ahead, to welcome the opportunity for the new beginning inherent in each day, to make a positive contribution in the small, individual ways each of us is able to during this time. These changes can be seen in the way that we work, how we organise ourselves, how we connect with other people and how we go about our day.

We appreciate all submissions to the various school surveys that have been undertaken over this past term to help inform our future planning. These surveys have included communications, catering, Stage 4 and 5 curriculum and online learning. In the coming days all parents will receive a further link to assist with some work we are currently undertaking with a consultancy firm around our school marketing and communications. This brief survey (10 minutes) will invite your views on the perceptions and value of a Frensham Schools education. All responses will remain anonymous and confidential. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Boarding

“When it comes to health and well-being, regular exercise is about as close to a magic potion as you can get.”
Thich Nhat Hanh

Before Breakfast, early morning signouts for swimming, running, team training, gym use, and a variety of other fitness activities are a regular feature and an important part of Boarding life. 

After a busy day of classes, the Boarders often race back to the Houses to quickly change in readiness for afternoon activities, either as part of team sports or for personal fitness. Saturday mornings are always a hive of activity, as all Boarders make their way to the Games Field and courts for the range of Saturday sport activities. The weekend programme often features swimming, bushwalking, physical fitness and outdoor games, so that exercise is also incorporated into the programme in a fun way. 

Although most Boarders are not on campus at the moment, we are enjoying hearing about how they are continuing to stay active - whether that be through the IGSA online Saturday competition, the Strava challenges set up by the PDHPE Faculty or the small group and individual initiatives such as bike riding, bush walking and horse riding. The activities built into our Boarding programme are an acknowledgment of the important role that exercise plays in our wellbeing, and we are delighted to know that girls are continuing to carry on the exercise habits, developed at school, into their learning from home routines. 

Ms Amanda Graham, Director of Boarding and Ms Sally Arnold & Ms Sally Fennell, Deputy Heads of Boarding

FACULTY FOCUS

Science

According to UNESCO “To face sustainable development challenges, governments and citizens alike must understand the language of science and must become scientifically literate.” This has never been more important than in the world today when we are bombarded with messages about Covid-19 and climate change. Through questioning and seeking solutions to problems, students develop an understanding of the relationship between science and technology and its importance in the current and future practice of science. By sifting through information from primary and secondary sources and evaluating its validity and reliability, students learn how to make informed decisions about issues affecting all of us, both locally and globally.   

Student Research Projects (SRPs) are an important part of Stages 4 and 5 Science. These involve investigating an area of interest, writing a hypothesis, designing and carrying out an experiment and writing a detailed report. Year 10 students have carried out their SRP as this term’s assessment task. It was more challenging than usual as most students were at home and so had to use whatever equipment was available. Despite this difficulty some excellent projects were carried out including 

• Has the use of PFAS during bushfire fighting had an impact on the water and soil quality in Shoalhaven? - Heidi Jervis
• Behavioural impacts of environmental enrichment on individual caged rabbits – Charlotte Hopperton
• Does altering surfboard volume have a measurable effect on paddle speed? – Clara McDonald
• Which natural antimicrobials inhibit bacterial growth? – Sarah-Joy Day
• How do different exercises affect heart rate? – Darcy Maple-Brown

Communicating scientific ideas and discoveries to the world is a complicated task, scientists and science enthusiasts like Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Bill Nye and David Attenborough make every effort to share their passion for science to audiences worldwide. For the Year 9 assessment task for this term, students were required to make a short video (between 1 and 3 minutes) to communicate a scientific concept, finding or problem to the general public. They were assessed not only on their video but also on how they worked together as a team. Some of the topics included   

• Why is Covid-19 so contagious? 
• Wormholes in the Space/Time Continuum 
• How much water do you need to drink in a day? 
• What is one thing that you can do today to save the Great Barrier Reef? 
• What makes nuclear bombs so dangerous? 

Another way scientists communicate is through the use of models. Models can help us to understand concepts that are too small or too large to see. The process of building a model also helps students to remember concepts more easily. Year 9 students recently made models of isotopes using whatever materials they could find at home, from Scarlett Francis (left) and Susannah Gooden (right).

Mrs Alison Andrew, Head of Science

Agriculture

While learning@home has been challenging for many, any challenges that may have faced the Agriculture Faculty have been tempered by willing workers. There have been plenty of reports in the media recently, about a lack of farm workers who are critically needed during harvest times and to complete general farm work. COVID-19 related National and State border restrictions and restricted movement between LGAs has caused many problems in the Australian agriculture industry. Many producers have had to plough crops back into the soil or leave produce to rot on the trees due to a lack of staff to help with the harvest. This obviously has flow on effects due to the subsequent lack of income from sales of their produce. This situation is being replicated at Holt Farm and the Ag plot with all Agriculture students having returned home for the current lockdown. In a ‘normal’ year, the Year 10 Agriculture class are usually responsible for the care and welfare of the school sheep flock which includes feeding and lamb marking. Lamb marking includes vaccination, ear tagging, tail docking and castration and the students are involved with undertaking of or assistance in these animal husbandry practices. However, as the whole Year 10 Agriculture class is learning@home, I was in need of assistance recently to complete these tasks. Ms McGarry generously offered her time to not only assist in the feeding and checking of livestock on a weekend but also to catch and hold lambs and to vaccinate the lambs during lamb marking. Although a first-time experience for Ms McGarry, she quickly picked up the skills required and enthusiastically threw herself into the tasks. I would like to offer my thanks on behalf of myself and the Year 10 Ag class for her willing and generous efforts in helping out with the sheep flock.

Another group of keen workers who stepped up to fill a gap were Ruby Young and Chloe White (Year 8) and Emily Webb (Year 12) who, during Science Week, buried some underpants as part of the University of New England’s ‘Soil Your Undies’ challenge. In eight weeks’ time, the underpants will be dug up on National Cotton Day (hopefully by some returning Ag students) to investigate the decomposition rates of the school’s soils.

A small but eager group of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 students, who are currently learning on campus, are collecting eggs daily and caring for the welfare of the laying hens and pullets at the AG plot. Again, these students do not study Agriculture but have generously offered their service each day to assist me and to ensure the animals are being well looked after.

My thanks and appreciation go to all who are ensuring the farm and AG plot are still productive at this time.

Ms Leonie Mutch, Coordinator of Agriculture

Careers

As Year 12 students move into their final weeks of School, they have been reminded of the following tertiary deadlines and notices (detailed information is also available in the Year 12 section of Schoolbox, Schoolbox Careers):

• Complete Early Entry applications as any remaining schemes are due in the next few weeks.  (See Schoolbox Careers or visit each institution's website for more information).
• Schools Recommendation Scheme - Closes Sunday 19 September.
• USYD E12 (early entry) application - see the webinar notes on how to best answer the three questions. Closes Sunday 19 September.
• If students are applying for the Education Access Scheme (via UAC) – they are reminded to start preparing supporting documents e.g. medical certificates/reports etc. This may take practitioners longer than usual given the current circumstances.
• Pay for their UAC application by Tuesday 28 September. After this date the fee increases.
• If students are applying interstate, please visit each state’s university admission centre to make their application and be aware of closing dates.
• Apply for a college if they intend to attend in 2022.
• Research and apply for scholarships (See Schoolbox Careers or visit each institution’s website).

Open Days are happening in every institution over the next few weeks. (See Schoolbox Careers or visit each institution’s website).

Jamieson Programme

Year 9 students are to be congratulated on their effort in submitting their Cambridge IGCSE Individual Research projects under the current conditions. The topics chosen explored some of the most challenging global issues, and it is notable the way in which students embraced learning about the different perspectives, whilst firmly articulating their own personal responses. The girls will now be embarking on preparation for the examination in Term 4, which will entail lessons to develop their critical-thinking skills - identifying bias, facts and opinion through a range of sources on important global issues and learning to reason with evidence. Students will also practice using past examination papers along with utilising a response scaffold that prepares them for the different types of questions asked.

Year 9 students enjoyed a presentation in Week 7 from Tom Carter who was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Women’s Rugby Sevens Team who played in the recent Tokyo Olympics. Girls were intrigued to hear about Mr Carter’s Olympic journey and experiences and the way in which he inspired the team to perform at the highest level. He also gave some candid advice on subject selection and university choices and how students should not be put off doing something just because they find an area challenging. 

Girls continue their community service efforts through knitting scarves and hand-warmers for local nursing home residents. Mrs Alison Andrew and Ms Jackie Dalton, Fellowship Liaison, have also arranged for Year 9 students to hand-write personal letters to the elderly Frensham alumni to cheer them up now that lockdown has been extended. 

Mrs Kate Gallagher is planning an exciting Term 4 for Year 9 with a focus on ethical consumerism and financial literacy workshops, and we look forward to catching up on some of the activities postponed because of Covid-19.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme & Activities and Careers

IGSA Lockdown Tournament 

Over the past 5 weeks, Frensham students have been participating in an online fitness competition. IGSA schools were invited to participate in this event in an effort to break down the physical and social barriers created by the current lockdown environment and provide some healthy competition amongst schools. Sessions consisted of physical workouts as well as inspirational talks from current and past elite athletes. Students received individual points every week based on their participation, interaction and demonstration of school spirit.

The final results are in and it is exciting to note that we finished in first place! Congratulations to all girls who took up this challenge!

Ms Erin Gray, Head of Sport

Acknowledgement to: 

• Recent Iris award recipients Isabelle Promnitz (All Round Excellence) and Grace Amos (Service to Singing).
• Frensham Madrigals for their success at the Sydney Eisteddod by winning both their sections: Youth Choir for Females (U19) and Youth Vocal Ensemble (U19). The Madrigals then competed in the John Lamble Foundation Australasian Championships for Youth Choirs (U19), for which, with great excitement, they were placed first. The two winning performances included 'Tulit Ergo' by Michael Spencer and 'Since You've Been Gone' by Aretha Franklin.
• Shortlisted in the Whitlam Institute What Matters? Writing Competition 2021, from over 5,500 entries: Scarlett Alldis (The Endless Platter) and Phoebe Rouse (Fire) (Year 10). 
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award participants: Gold: Madeleine Mulligan, Annabelle Ranken, Georgia Shakeshaft (Year 12); Silver: Zoe Gallagher, Mia Greig, Sarah Hunter (Year 11), Emilie McMurtrie (Year 10); Bronze: Poppy Jensen (Year 11); Olivia Faulkner, Meg Jones, Zoe Logan, Alice Mitchell, Jemima Mutton, Sarah Partland, Hannah Perkins, Jessica Savage, Inka Wilson (Year 10).
• Australian History Competition - High Distinction: Sophie Hassall, Millie Moar, Eliza Mulligan (Year 10); Elizabeth Laverty, Bliss Ow-Yang, Sophia Windsor (Year 8). Distinction: Matilda Damiani, Sarah-Joy Day, Bearte McDonald, Clara McDonald, Summer Oxley, Hannah Perkins, Amalia Scales (Year 10); Anna Fagan, Georgia Rapp, Ella Scott, Ruby Young (Year 8).
• Maya Basson (Year 11) competing at official Equestrian Australia/Eventing NSW events this year was placed third overall in the 1* class in the NSW Equestrian Interschools Eventing leaderboard and qualified for selection to National Interschools event 2021.
• Frensham achieved first place the IGSA Sport Lockdown Tournament.
• Gib Gate Tournament of Minds team members of Amelia Blackshaw, Ana McInnes, Isla McVinish, Sofia Nesci (Year 6), Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo and Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver (Year 5), who successfully completed and submitted their online team solution after creatively reworking their performance into digital format.
• Gib Gate students who are continuing to work on the whole school musical, The Aristocats, while Online Learning – singing, acting and dancing on Zoom.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Flexibility, adaptability, creativity, persistence, resilience, grit and good humour

Gratitude must go to all members of our school community who have demonstrated such remarkable flexibility, adaptability, creativity, persistence, resilience, grit and good humour in the face of such challenging circumstances so far this term. We know that everyone is living, working and learning in ‘unusual’ contexts at the moment and that some level of disruption is, for the time being, a new normal. We also know the importance of remaining connected despite disruption and distance, with family and friends, neighbours and colleagues – and a number of our students and staff have initiated activities to help our community engage online. Whether it’s the Frensham Move Club on Strava, the Wrap with Love knitters, Year Seven girls handwriting letters to pen pals, girls writing letters to nursing home residents or thank-you notes to frontline workers, taking sunset selfies to share, sharing their book recommendations, making short films or sharing their inspirational quotes, we encourage all members of the Frensham community to continue getting involved in these kinds of activities from wherever you are. These small acts of kindness, generous actions and moments of levity help to boost oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine levels in our brains – reducing stress and blood pressure, increasing feelings of wellbeing and connection, lifting and stabilising our mood and improving wellbeing. When acts of kindness and service towards others are repeated, the oxytocin ‘boost’ that comes from a single act is prolonged, contributing to a happier self and a stronger community. 

Whilst some of our usual school celebrations and rituals can’t occur in person as they usually would, we hope that Frensham families are able to join in with some of the online versions of these events in the coming weeks. The Year 9 Service scheduled for next weekend will be proceeding in virtual format, with girls and staff filming their contributions remotely. We look forward to sharing this with you at the end of next week. Please check Schoolbox for further event details.

We are also inviting all Parents and Carers to join us for Friday Prayers, commencing this Friday 20th August. It will not be the same as being in Clubbe Hall together but it is a time where we gather together to reflect on the week and to celebrate accomplishment and contribution – and an important part of the Frensham daily experience. 

Ranier Uniform Shop – Limited Trading Hours

The Ranier Uniform Shop will open every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month for processing of online orders only. These limited hours will remain in place until COVID-19 restrictions ease. As parents will not be able to access the uniform shop during this time, we encourage the placement of online orders. 

Online Orders: Please place orders by 9.00am of each 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. https://shop.ranier.com.au/login 

Any online orders placed during this period will be taken to Company Office for distribution or posted, depending on the selection chosen at check out. 

For urgent matters, please contact Ranier head office:
E: custservice@ranier.com.au | P: 02 8337 7201

Boarding

Last Saturday was a whirlwind of activity as we were all thrown into disarray with the government lockdown announcement. This was disappointing news for all boarding staff who have have been committed to providing all girls able to be here at school with a wonderful boarding experience despite the circumstances. We focused on providing much fun and laughter whilst waiting to learn from the Government what it meant for us. Saturday night was pizza and ice cream in the Dining Room which proved to be (unsurprisingly) hugely popular. On Sunday, girls made garlands for their rooms, walked to visit and provide treats to Phillip, Frensham’s resident Donkey, and made crepes in the Bryant McCarthy kitchen. Girls also packed for their return home and the beginning of online learning. 

Boarding staff take pride in providing care and a great sense of community to all our students - it is certainly a challenging time. We are now focused on supporting those girls who need to stay at school and girls are happily ensconced in Bryant McCarthy House in the hope that life will return to normal soon. 

Frensham is a special place and in reflections girls always comment on the cold, winter mornings playing sport on the Games Field, the sound of music emanating from the Glenn Music Centre, Monday night’s Chicken Schnitzel and the fun and frivolity of Friday Night activities. We cannot wait until we have all our girls returned and Frensham is brimming with girls’ laughter, chat and endeavour. In the meantime, we continue to keep the spirit of Frensham alive, albeit via ZOOM. 

Ms Sally Arnold and Ms Sally Fennell, Deputy Heads of Boarding

Character Education/ Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Whilst we are all working from home, unable to connect with extended family and friends in the usual ways, it is important to look after our mental health and wellbeing. We may have feelings of loneliness, frustration and anxiety – all these feelings are very normal. If you or your daughter require extra support, please reach out, we are here to assist.

Year Co-ordinators and members of the Pastoral Care team are always available as an initial point of contact should you have any concerns. Contact details are on Schoolbox, on each Year group page. There is also a link to the Character Education and Pastoral Care page, where you can find details for external services and wellbeing apps to support your daughter’s mental and physical health.

Services such as Headspace and Kids Helpline provide free online and telephone counselling support for young people ages 12-25 and families. Reach Out is the most accessed online mental service for young people and their parents in Australia, providing interactive activities and wellbeing advice.

Stay Healthy HSC site to help year 12 students stay healthy, stay active and keep connected.

Please contact Mrs Fawbert if you have any further questions or concerns.

Mrs Wendy Fawbert, Director of Character Education and Planning

FACULTY FOCUS

HSIE

In an era dominated by rapid change, technological advancements, and innovation, predicting our future needs might appear to be the task of our mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Some may wonder about the place of history within a future-focused curriculum. At Frensham, its place is clear - the study of history is indispensable. 

Fundamentally, history is about change. Professor Peter Stearns, of Carnegie Mellon University, refers to history as the ‘laboratory of human experience’. Unlike science, we cannot test hypotheses for wide-scale social change through randomised controlled trials. Questions around privacy and security, expanding human rights, and developing a more equal and inclusive society are all challenges humanity is facing. It will be our students who will lead us through these challenges, and in doing so it will be helpful to look at this ‘laboratory of human experience’. Studying Ancient Rome in Year 7 and Year 12 is excellent field for evidence for expanding citizenship rights. Year 10 students have a firm understanding of the dangers of the state having unobstructed access to our private lives through their study of totalitarian regimes. While, Year 8 students, through their study of the Industrial Revolution, can make informed contributions to debates on how societies will be transformed when the relationship between labour and capital changes. 

History, at its best, provides a deeper understanding of where our societies have been, how we behave as communities, and how we perceive the world. It is the study of how we have grappled with our own humanity. And the question of what it means to be human has not been answered. No more is this true than in Year 9 students' study of Australia’s experience of war in the twentieth century. By exploring sources and histories of the First and Second World Wars, students are faced with questions about the value of life, the folly of man, and the complexity of honouring sacrifice while condemning conflict. As students step into their senior studies, they begin to recognise that conflict is a consistent and widespread aspect of the human experience, as demonstrated by Modern History students' study of the origins and progression of the Arab-Israeli conflict. By studying these conflicts, students may be able to contribute to solutions that reduce human conflict in the future. 

The study of history is essential. It provides greater scope for contemplation, provides us with our greatest role models and challenges our preconceived notions of truth. History is the greatest antidote to a binary world of good and evil, black and white, right and wrong. Our girls understand that to genuinely lead our communities into the next chapter, they must understand where we have been. And this is only possible through the study of history. 

Mr Nathan Bessant, Head of HSIE

LANGUAGES

French

Year 12 French students have returned from their Trials and are now into the final weeks of preparation for their HSC examination. I expected to be sharing anecdotes about the HSC French speaking examinations with you, which were planned for 31 July, but the girls have had to dig into their reserves of grit and resilience due to the rescheduling of this examination to 11 September. The silver lining of the Covid-related change in timing is that the girls have another month and a half to finesse their conversational skills while authentically manipulating language features. The French Extension speaking examination will be held as planned on 4 September and our focus is responding to feedback from the Trials to strengthen analytical and argumentative skills.

Year 11 students are currently studying Le plaisir des loisirs, the theme of free-time and leisure activities. Last week students researched and presented an exposé on their favourite extreme sport, introducing the class to such adventure sports as heli-skiing, skateboarding and white-water rafting. This is the last thematic focus for the year as we move into revision and examination technique later in the term.

Junior classes have been developing their communication skills through the use of process writing documents. The functionality of Google docs allows the student to share her writing with her teacher in real time, promoting and exchange of ideas and the opportunity for ongoing learning conversations to occur. Year 7 students are building on their ability to talk about themselves and their families, their pets and their likes and dislikes. In Year 8, the students are learning how to talk about their town and give directions. The Year 9 girls have moved on from daily routines to expressing past events using the passé composé. In Year 10, students are learning how to describe someone’s character and give advice. 

Mrs Kerry Lennon, Director of Languages

Latin

Senior Latin students also had to demonstrate resilience after the event of the year, the Latin Classics dinner at Newington, was cancelled. Students usually have a great time at this annual celebration dressing in togas or as centurions and vying for the coveted prize of costume of the evening.

As Year 12 return to normal classes after their Trial Examinations, students are considering and implementing feedback about their performance in the Trial Examinations. They have moved into pre-HSC mode, completing practice Examination style questions. In the Continuers class, students are studying the final sections of the prescribed text of Cicero In Catilinam. While in the Extension class, students are studying the final prescribed poems of Horace. 

Year 11 students are well underway in their study of Virgil's Aeneid Book 2 which will be the text assessed in their examinations later this term. Year 10 are nearing the end of the Part 3 Workbook, learning about complex grammatical constructions including the passive voice and the subjunctive mood.

The grammatical concepts encountered by Year 9 students this term are the future tense, irregular verbs, and possessive adjectives. As they build their skills in analysis and translation, they are also exploring the culture of ancient Rome through their readings about a visit to the seaside and life in the Roman army. 

After meeting the family of Marcus Cicero in Chapters 1 and 2, students in Year 8 focus on his daughter Tullia and her visit to Arpinum. Their grammatical skills are growing as they master verbs from the 3rd and 4th groups as well as adjectives and the irregular verb sum esse. The mythology of Gods and Goddesses is the civilisation focus for this term. 

Agriculture

While the AG classroom has been quiet over the last few weeks with many students learning@home, much has still been happening in the Agriculture Faculty. During the winter holiday, ten lambs were born including four sets of twins. A few of the Year 10 Agriculture students, who were still learning on campus have assisted in the care and general husbandry of these lambs as well as the other livestock at the farm.

Week 6 is National Science Week and this year’s theme is Food by Design with a focus on Agriculture and food production. The Agriculture classes have been joining in webinars presented by the NSW Department of Primary Industries on Innovation in Agriculture with topics such as precision agronomy, biosecurity, drones and ag-sensing technologies. A webinar from the University of Sydney on Future Plants and Food Security covered topics such as CRISPR technology, cotton production, plants as a source of protein, genetic research into controlling plant disease and urban agriculture.

Also, during National Science Week, the AG classes were involved in a programme conducted by the University of New England called ‘Soil your Undies’. The programme entails schools burying a pair of cotton underpants (supplied by UNE) for eight weeks and then digging them up on National Cotton Day to examine how much of the underpants are left. Data is collated from across the schools involved, to develop a database on decomposition rates of the soils.

While most of the Agriculture students have been working from home this term, they still have been able to be involved in some of the practical experiences covered in the courses. Year 10 AG has been studying crop production and recently was required to conduct soil tests to determine the texture of the soil, at home or at school. Year 9 students have been researching an integrated weed control strategy for a weed that they have found at school or around home.

Students in Year 11 unfortunately were unable to attend the AG on Tour excursion to complete their Farm Case Study. In its place, some of the students from farming backgrounds have been doing their own research at home and presenting their findings to the rest of the class. They were also fortunate to have Mr Ross Thompson (father of Millie, Year 9 and Ollie, year 8), from Millah Murrah Angus Stud, Bathurst, join a Zoom lesson to discuss with the class what happens on his farm as well as the impact of consumer trends on his production systems. Thank you to Ross for his time and considerable knowledge and in assisting the class to gain a different perspective of farm production.

Year 12 students have completed their Trial examination and are now finishing the HSC course and working on fine-tuning their examination technique in preparation for their HSC examination.

Ms Leonie Mutch, Head of Farm Management and Agriculture

Schoolbox

How do you currently use SchoolBox?

In the last 20 years educational institutions have subscribed to Learning Management Systems (LMS) as a platform for innovative practice: these include Google classroom, Canvas, Moodle, Sentral.  It is a competitive market. The Frensham Schools LMS, SchoolBox, is a superior product favoured by many independent schools as, not only does it support advanced methods of delivery and differentiation of P-12 education, but its primary goal is to ensure that learners thrive in a connected community, enhanced by their integrated communications system. This year has seen the initial stages of a plan to develop the use of SchoolBox at Frensham Schools to unite parents, students and staff in learning journeys. 

The first phase involved an aesthetic overhaul of the dashboard which occurred over the winter vacation. You will now find a dashboard with intuitive navigation and information customised to your role in the School community.  

The next phase involves the rollout of the communications system, which you may have noticed already in the form of instant messaging whenever priority News Headlines are posted. Soon this will include automated, customised News Digests which further streamline Frensham Schools’ communications. 

Following this you will see increased innovation and creativity of coursework across Frensham and Gib Gate campuses, as the students’ spirit of inquiry develops. Gib Gate staff have already begun building their online classrooms which are now being used by SchoolBox as exemplars of best practice in Primary Schools.

As we continue to rollout innovation and unify communication across Frensham Schools, please take the time to log in to SchoolBox and engage in a conversation with your children around how they currently use the LMS for learning and communicating. We look forward to bringing you more SchoolBox updates in the coming months. In the meantime, please peruse the SchoolBox focus pages.

SchoolBox Focus: A-Z of Frensham, A-Z of Gib Gate (Formerly the Frensham and Gib Gate Information books respectively)

Mrs Lucy Dalleywater, Head of Special Projects

Acknowledgement to: 

• Year 11 Mock Trial Team (NSW Law Society competition) and Frensham’s Debating Team (AISNSW NGS National Virtual Debating) for their continued success in their respective competitions. 

• Amelia Blackshaw, Iman Byrne, Imogen Diver, Sienna Donat, Isla McVinish, Ana McInnes, Sofia Nesci, Ruby Rodgers (Year 6) for their selection to the Southern Highlands Water Polo U14 Girls team.

Acknowledgement to:

• Frensham’s Year 8 Debating Team of Penelope Cay, Lauren Fox, Skye McLelland, Lucy Rouse and Sophia Windsor, competing in the AISNSW/NGS National Virtual Debating competition, for their recent top division achievement and progressing to the quarter finals, to be held in September. 
• Australian Mathematics Trust Maths Challenge participants - High Distinction: Sarah-Joy Day (Year 10), Sophie Goodisson, Georgina Lewis (Year 8); Distinction: Bella Cay (Year 10), Anna Fagan, Sophie Hanrahan (Year 8); Credit: Sidney Wheeler (Year 9), Isabella Barber, Hannah Day, Amelia Hartnell, Camilla Ranken (Year 8).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

As we head towards the halfway point of Term Three, we thank all families for their patience, encouragement and support over this difficult period. A student remarked to me last week that she thinks that times of challenge are when the Frensham community ‘shines’ – and we are seeing many examples of this spirit from staff, students and families alike as we work to remain connected despite circumstance and distance. We are thinking of students and teachers in Greater Sydney and we are currently working through our plans for a return to face-to-face teaching on campus in the coming weeks. We continue to encourage girls to return to campus if they are able to do so. Overwhelmingly students report that even though they are still learning online, being on campus helps to keep them feeling connected to their peers and teachers and the routine of the school day helps with their focus.

Students have been engaging very well in online learning overall, and staff have been working tirelessly to design and deliver engaging learning experiences. Mrs Fawbert has included information for parents in this newsletter – also on Schoolbox for students – to assist you in supporting your girls to participate meaningfully in their learning whilst online. It is a very common challenge, during periods of uncertainty and during COVID-19, to remain in the present, to focus our minds and to avoid our ‘monkey minds’ running away from us – catastrophising, getting stuck in negative thinking and the “what if” trap. This uncertainty can be difficult for most adults, and can lead to anxiety and a sense of hopelessness in young people. We need to remain sensitive to our young people’s emotional wellbeing and to try to shift the focus from what we cannot control to what we can. Routine and structure – whether at home or at school – bring comfort, stability and reassurance. Getting adequate sleep, maintaining regular sleep patterns, eating well and being physically active each day are simple but very effective foundational pillars of health and wellbeing.

Of course, the Olympics are proving to be a wonderful digression from the COVID news and are providing us as a community with some fine examples of character in action. The Australian team have achieved some wonderful successes, wins, personal bests and record-beating performances. Alongside these are numerous instances of resilience, tenacity, compassion and generosity which have been quite moving to watch.

One example is Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar. They were locked in first place after a tough few hours of competing in the High Jump on Sunday. The two athletes, who are also good friends, were then given the option to settle matters with a jump-off – but decided instead to share the gold medal, the first time this has occurred in 109 years. This really is the Frensham value - of the unselfish pursuit of excellence - writ large.

The efforts of our girls playing Table Tennis in the Gym at last week’s Friday night activities were admirable, and their enthusiasm commendable, but their form was nothing like Jian Fang Lay representing Australia in table tennis. The 48-year-old player is competing in her sixth consecutive Olympic Games — one of only two Australian women to do so. Her grit and determination, not to mention her speed, coordination and instinct, are quite joyful to witness.

What a memorable Olympic Games Tokyo 2020/1 will be for us all and no doubt each of you will have your favourite moments of the Games, an example of an athlete exhibiting strength of character and living the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. I found the words of swimmer Cate Campbell, interviewed after her incredible performance in the final leg of the Women’s 4X100m relay, very uplifting as she spoke of the mindset and attitude she took towards what may be her last swim in an Olympic Games:

“That is an incredible effort by everyone. I think that obviously I was a little bit disappointed with my 50 freestyle earlier, but I just kind of told myself that you find out what you’re made of in the times when things don’t go your way, not when things go your way, not when things are working well for you. And I took that mindset into this race and I just thought, ‘You have to be brave and get back out there.’”

Parent Information Sessions

Over the coming weeks, we will be conducting Zoom meetings with parents of each year level. Please note the dates and times below as we hope to see as many parents on the screen as possible.

• Year 11 – Parent Plenary (usually part of Year 11 Weekend) – Thursday 5 August 6:30pm
• Year 10 – Planning for Senior Studies (usually held on Year 11 Weekend) – Wednesday 11 August 6.30pm
• Year 7 – Academic and Pastoral Focus – Tuesday 17 August 6.30pm
• Year 8 – Academic and Pastoral Focus – Thursday 19 August 6.30pm
• Year 9 – the time of this session is to be advised  

Boarding

Although the number of girls in Boarding over the last week has been smaller than usual, the sense of community has been very strong.

While Year 12 students have been highly focused on their studies over the course of the HSC trial examination period, their support of each other in Bryant McCarthy House has been in evidence daily. Year 11 boarders demonstrated their thoughtfulness by baking brownies for Year 12 and junior girls supported with smartie cookies and cupcakes to sustain the older girls over the examination period.

With Year 12 students studying, Year 11 has stepped up and taken on the responsibility of maintaining connections with junior girls. They have been achieving this through visits to Hartfield House, organising afternoon activities for junior girls and supervising the Friday night activity, including last week's Olympic-themed table tennis tournament. In addition to their regular afternoon sport activities, junior girls have also had the opportunity to enjoy the additional afternoon activities of modern dance and tennis fun.

The spirit of friendship is one that is certainly thriving amongst our girls on campus, as they find creative and collaborative ways to make the most of all our school has to offer in COVID-19 times. It is clear to see through their interactions that: 

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be. – Winnie The Pooh, A A Milne

Character Education/ Pastoral Care

A Character Education/ Pastoral Care page has been added to Schoolbox. The link can be found on any year group page.

The page is updated regularly and has information about useful websites and apps to support student character, growth and wellbeing. We hope you find this tool useful.

Online Learning Guidelines for Parents

Schoolbox is the base for all student learning and everything students will need is linked through Schoolbox.

The day at home will follow the same timetable as the day at school, please note times have been adjusted to incorporate exercise throughout the day.

Online lessons in real-time will be via Zoom and links to each lesson will be posted on Schoolbox.

Establishing Routines and expectations
Establishing routines and expectations are critically important for students during online learning. Routine allows focus on the correct mindset - learning will occur just as it did in face-to-face teaching.

Establishing clear expectations also helps understanding the need to be organised, respectful, productive and considerate.

Start of the Day
Students begin the day at 8.25am joining the Prayers ‘Zoom’ link, which is emailed every morning. They are then expected to participate in the form programme. This involves a year meeting on Mondays with the year Co-ordinator and Character, Wellbeing and Pastoral care programmes with the Form tutor for the rest of the week.

Being ready and organised
Students should set up a place to work from, desk or table, not on a couch or bed, ‘Zoom in’ to each lesson, take notes and complete all classwork.Sports Uniform is to be worn every day - the wearing of uniform helps create the right frame of mind for learning. Mufti days have been scheduled to allow for casual clothes of a specific colour or theme to be worn.

Being considerate, productive and respectful
Students have been asked to contact their teachers directly if they cannot attend a class. Subject teachers are checking in with girls every lesson and considerate notification of absence is appreciated.

The aim is to be productive, getting the most out of each online session. Girls have been asked to remove any distractions that could impact on their learning - movie streaming, emails, music, games and chat apps.

Respectful online communication is of the utmost importance. Girls have been asked to have their cameras on and are muted, when beginning a lesson. Questions can be asked through the chat bar or directly, the raise your hand function can also be used. Students are asked to speak online in the same way they would in a classroom, respecting the point of view of others and contributing positively to class discussion.

Being active
All girls are encouraged to get up and move when they can. There has been extra time given for movement between each lesson and fitness lessons have been incorporated into the timetable for Years 7-10. Exercise time should be spent away from the screen and outside if possible. A few minutes walking outside can have a positive impact on learning outcomes. Stretching the back, neck, arms, and doing squats or lunges will also help with screen fatigue.

End of the Day
The school day will end at 3.35pm. Years 7-10 will only be required to complete prep for English and Mathematics. Years 11-12 will have prep from all subjects as normal.

IGSA Sport Lockdown Tournament – Years 7-12
Provided by NetFit, this is a five-week programme, with a 35-minute workout followed by 15 minutes of Inspire time. The fitness session will be Olympics-themed, with Inspire time composed of chats around mindset, wellbeing and leadership. Sessions will run from 9.30am-10.20am, with a Zoom link being distributed to schools each week.

After the first round of the tournament, Frensham was in first place. We are looking forward to seeing even more girls participating online this Saturday.

Mrs Wendy Fawbert, Director of Character Education and Planning

FACULTY FOCUS

Mathematics

“Do you know the difference between a mentor, coach, and a teacher?”

A mentor is the person who can show you the way because they have been there. For instance, if you want to be the greatest talk show host of all time, Oprah could be your mentor. Oprah would be able to give you a clear outline of the steps that she took, let you know what her motivations were, and also give you an idea about obstacles you may face along the way. The interactions could be informal or formal depending upon how well you know your mentor. I would also like to add that people can be mentors from a distance…you have never met them in person, or even spoken to them BUT you study their work. 

Teachers help you build a skill set. An excellent example of a teacher is one who gets you to a certain destination or to achieve a skill. That’s what teachers do – they help you build skills. The goal of coaching is to boost confidence and/or manage anxiety to improve performance. The coach is there to help you change your mindset around your goals.

Coaches can sometimes help with a very specific skill, but really they are there to answer questions and anticipate mental setbacks before they occur. Tony Robbins is one of the most well-known, transformational coaches. And, in some cases, this person doesn’t necessarily have to already be equally or more successful than the client. However, this does not mean that you need one coach, one mentor, and one teacher. But sometimes you might need the help from a mentor, teacher, or a coach.

This semester, the Mathematics Coaching Programme continues whilst online learning. The coaches are available during the school day for Seniors (scheduled during study lessons) and during some lessons or after school for Juniors (scheduled session times) and during Prep for all year groups (booked weekly on a rotating schedule). Students may like to have a permanent booking or an occasional help session. The programme is managed by the Mathematics Faculty (Ms Allison and Mr Selby) and the coaches include Mr Tarik Jeffcoat and Miss Mahime Watanabe, new to us from University of Wollongong. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information or to request a coaching session for your daughter.

Ms Joanne Alison, Head of Mathematics

Careers - Important Notices & Key Dates

Students are aware of the following information via ‘Tertiary Thursday’ meetings and the Careers Page on Schoolbox  (Click on ACTIVITIES tab and then the CAREERS tab).

Early Entry CLOSING dates:

• University of Wollongong: Friday 13 August
• Charles Sturt University: Tuesday 31 August
• University of New England: Friday 17 September
• University of Sydney: E12 application via UAC: Sunday 19 September (online session: Tuesday 17 August)
• Schools Recommendation Scheme (Early Entry for a number of institutions): Sunday 19 September
• UAC: Early bird admissions, Tuesday 28 September

General reminders and information:

EXCITING NEWS: University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – just announced a new Early Entry Scheme: OPENS Tuesday 10 August; CLOSES Sunday 12 September. Please follow this Link to the UTS Early Entry information page.

Open Days: Many institutions have virtual tours and some are still going ahead with physical Open Days. Please see the Schoolbox Careers page for dates.

College: If not undertaking a Gap Year, it is time to start applying to university colleges online.

Scholarships: Are now open. Please go to the Careers Schoolbox page and click on the individual university, then click on Scholarships. Please note, there are many industry-based scholarships and college scholarships for consideration. Please encourage your daughter to make an appointment with Mrs Harris, if she requires assistance in completing early entry, UAC application, scholarship or college application.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme, Activities and Careers

Jamieson Programme

Usually, I would be reporting on the highlights of Year 9 Global Forum. We were disappointed to have to postpone the event, Mrs Gallagher had organised a wonderful three-day residential programme with a special array of inspiring speakers and a trip to Sydney for a cultural tour. We do intend to reschedule this important event.

However, we were able to hold one of the Global Forum activities. We secured a private viewing of the documentary, Rosemary’s Way. The documentary celebrates the remarkable Rosemary Kariuki (Australian of the Year – Local Hero 2021) and the group of vulnerable migrant women of suburban Sydney whose lives she helped transform from isolation to connection, so they can better participate in Australian life. Over the course of the year, we witnessed Rosemary reaching out to isolated migrant women from cultures as diverse as Iraq, the Congo and Peru. Referred to by these women as a ‘charismatic change-maker’, our students and teachers were moved and inspired by all that Rosemary has achieved through her individual initiatives. We witnessed intimate revelations as women shared their experiences with other women.

After the film, students were able to engage in an interactive Q & A session with Rosemary. We, and Rosemary, were impressed by the quality of questions posed by the girls. Our hope is that the documentary will help to create empathy and understanding of migrants and that it might stimulate our students to think about what they themselves can do to make migrants feel welcome. It certainly promoted a deeper understanding of the nature of ‘multiculturalism’ in Australia and the various layers of which it is comprised.

Year 9 students are completing their Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives Independent Research Projects. They have been participating in Fitness programmes with Mr Green, remotely and on campus, and have been pursuing their Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Community Service activities in a variety of ways. Individualised knitting kits have been sent home to willing students and I know the Nursing Home residents will enjoy a lovely surprise at Christmas with their beautifully knitted hand-warmers and scarves – never mind that it will be Summer!

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme, Activities and Careers

Teaching and Learning at Frensham: Professional Learning

Peer-to-Peer Learning and Sharing

Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people. – Steve Jobs
And schools are no different.

In the modern world you might think that Google, YouTube, or formal training programmes would be the place where most people start. But no, peers are our first port of call for most adults. When people want to learn a new skill, more people turn to their peers first (55%) than any other group and this is second only to asking their boss (Palmer & Blake, 2018). Using your peers to learn new skills is called Peer-to-Peer Learning.

Peer-to-peer learning is powerful because it builds skills, improves connection and community, and taps into the expertise that already exists in the organisation. It is also uniquely well suited to the way we learn because it allows us to gain knowledge; practice by application; obtain psychologically safe feedback; and reflect - all within context in which the learning will be used. 

And so, this week at Frensham our amazing team of teachers who always work together to develop new skills constantly, are focussing on online learning.

We have turned to our own experts to make online learning more effective and to give our staff the opportunity to add skills to their teaching. We have used the challenge that is COVID-19 to create unique learning opportunities for staff and students. So, thank you to the staff who have offered their time to share their skills with others and a thank you to those wanting to learn new skills to make the learning for our students even better.

We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn. – Peter Drucker

Dr Ruth Phillips, Acting Director of Teaching and Learning and Coordinator of Professional Learning

Acknowledgement to:

• Frensham’s Year 8 Debating Team of Penelope Cay, Lauren Fox, Skye McLelland, Lucy Rouse and Sophia Windsor, competing in the AISNSW/NGS National Virtual Debating competition, for their recent top division achievement and progressing to the quarter finals, to be held in September. 
• Australian Mathematics Trust Maths Challenge participants - High Distinction: Sarah-Joy Day (Year 10), Sophie Goodisson, Georgina Lewis (Year 8); Distinction: Bella Cay (Year 10), Anna Fagan, Sophie Hanrahan (Year 8); Credit: Sidney Wheeler (Year 9), Isabella Barber, Hannah Day, Amelia Hartnell, Camilla Ranken (Year 8).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Term 3 Information

Term 3 has commenced in a most unusual way. We send our best wishes to all students and families currently in lockdown, either in Greater Sydney, the Central West or interstate. This is an extraordinary time in the life of our nation and our school community. We can take heart in the knowledge that we have managed challenging situations like this previously and we will be able to manage this current circumstance as well. For many of us, life is different from usual – movements are curtailed, we are unable to visit family and friends, we are missing out on special events, having to wear masks, undertaking testing, working from home as a family, all meetings on Zoom – as we work together to contain the spread of the virus. With approximately 1/3 of our students here on campus, we are working hard to remain connected as a community, through virtual and ‘IRL’ activities. We are reminded that from the moment when COVID-19 first burst into our lives, we've had to learn to deal with change, as each stage of the pandemic has changed the way we live, work and socialise.

Our school’s unique location and diverse community, distinguishing features of Frensham, set us apart from other schools. This means that we have some distinctive operational considerations to work through when lockdowns and restrictions apply to some Local Government Areas and not others. We do thank all members of our community for their patience and understanding.

It can sometimes feel stressful and overwhelming for young people and adults alike during an event like this current outbreak of COVID-19 and individuals are affected differently. You might feel overwhelmed by the information, conversations and the increased levels of stress in your community. It can be hard to know what information to trust, especially in a situation where things are changing so quickly. It can be helpful to keep up-to-date but it is also important to switch off from the 24-hour media cycle if this gets too much at times. Please do refer to our COVID-19 Information Page for useful support resources, fact sheets and relevant links, and do not hesitate to contact a member of staff should you wish to discuss support for your daughter during this time.

We have had to make the difficult but necessary decision to postpone, adjust or cancel many of our planned school events for the coming month. This is because of the current restrictions in place for schools and the proportion of our community who are not able to travel due to various restrictions in different parts of NSW. The full list can be found on the front page of Schoolbox and will be updated as decisions are made about further future events.

Families of girls in Year 10 and 11 are asked to note that the Year 11 Weekend and Year 10 Planning for Senior Studies sessions will be proceeding on the weekend of 7/8 August. At this stage we do not have clarity about whether we will be able to hold these on campus. If they are not able to occur in person we will conduct these in an online format to ensure all families have access to individual meetings with teachers and information about Senior Studies.

To assist further with your planning, please note the Term Dates for 2022

• Term 1 - Gib Gate & Frensham
  Monday 31 January - Thursday 7 April
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)
   
• Term 2 - Gib Gate & Frensham
  Wednesday 27 April - Thursday 23 June
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)
  *Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend* – Departure: Thursday 9 June, 3.00pm – Gib Gate and Frensham

• Term 3 - Gib Gate & Frensham
  Monday 18 July - Thursday 22 September
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)

• Term 4 - Gib Gate: Tuesday 11 October-Friday 9 December
  Term 4 - Frensham: Tuesday 11 October-Sunday 11 December 12.00pm (after 11.00am Carol Service)
  (Boarders always return the evening before classes start)

Boarding

Exciting news! This week we have launched our Boarding Page on Schoolbox, where you will find important boarding information. It is also a place where you are able to see photos that capture the many aspects of life at Frensham. Please take a moment to look at the page and see some images from our recent bonfire. This is updated each Wednesday and we hope that you enjoy the photos of girls having fun on the weekends here at Frensham.

What you will find:

Weekend Programme: This is a varied programme, changed weekly, with a range of activities organised over the school term. Some of these activities involve outside organisations coming to school to run sessions, such as yoga, whilst others are off-campus trips, like bowling or ice-skating. We also ensure that girls have a little quiet time as they would at home with ‘feet off the floor’.

Friday Night Activities: Each term senior girls organise the Friday night activities. Pop Concerts, Harry Potter nights and Valentine’s Day dinner are perennial favourites. We began this term with an exciting spotlight game with torches across the main campus. Lots of laughter could be heard when girls spotted each other with their torches in the dark!

Weekend Activities and Excursions: This details specific information about the upcoming weekend activities or excursions. Each year we aim to visit Jamberoo (Term 1), go ice skating, rock climbing and attend the theatre.

Exeat Forms and bus sign up: This contains links for weekend leave and transport arrangements.

Ms Amanda Graham, Director of Boarding

FACULTY FOCUS

Studies

The Trial HSC Examinations for Year 12 students commenced on Monday 19 July. These examinations are an important part of the learning programme and are excellent practice for what students can expect in the final HSC Examinations in Term 4. School-based assessment measures performance in a wide range of course outcomes and Trial Examinations are the final component of this HSC assessment programme. Student’s results will be posted on Schoolbox when marking has been completed.

The conditions for the Trial Examinations closely resemble those of the final HSC Examinations, with supervision carried out by the School’s current appointed Presiding Officer and her team of supervisors. Year 12 students have been provided with information highlighting the rules relating to the examination period and their responsibilities during this time. A reminder that all students should present for their HSC examinations where possible. If illness or accident prevents a student from attending, the appropriate Illness/Misadventure forms will need to be completed, accompanied by a medical certificate or other required documentation. This will be facilitated by the School and students should contact me as soon as possible in the event of any issues.

Year 11 students are in their third and final term of Preliminary studies, with their examinations commencing Friday 3 September and their HSC studies to commence at the beginning of Term 4. During Term 3, evaluating course progress and making initial decisions about modifications to their overall programme for the HSC are important. This may involve taking up an extension course or reducing their total units.

The end of the Preliminary Course should consolidate the skills and behaviours for success in studies into Year 12. Year 11 Parent Teacher interviews will provide parents with an up-to-date assessment of their daughter’s progress to assist in this decision-making process.

In Week 8, students in Years 7 and 8 will also undertake examinations as part of their Stage 4 skills development programme and will be guided by their teachers as to how to prepare for these examinations. Examinations for Years 9 and 10 will be held in Term 4.

Ms Janene van Gogh, Director of Studies

English

White Sheep, white sheep
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops
You all stand still.
When the wind blows
You walk away slow.
White sheep, white sheep
Where do you go?

Clouds by Christine Rossetti

The power of a vivid metaphor capturing the image succinctly in our mind is creativity at its finest. We have all gazed at clouds and wondered at their beauty. It is a challenge for many of us to find the words to represent the precise moment of what we see, (real or imaginary) and how we feel. Poetry can express the inexpressible.

For a student to gain a deeper understanding of a poem, in this case the beauty and mystery of the natural world, they need to be familiar with figurative language. They need to explore how its use can add to the meaning of the text. Explicit teaching of figurative language and studying authentic texts, are key.

For Year 12 students, their final HSC module is the study of the masterful works of TS Eliot. They are learning that a life “measured out in coffee spoons” is not the way “to disturb the universe” and as humans we should always be moved by the “infinitely gentle” and the “infinitely suffering”.

Year 8 students will embark on a unit this term which examines the Truth of War. They will explore a selection of texts which will include war poems. They will be moved by Owen's tragic Dulce et decorum and recognise that tales of the glory of war are indeed lies.

Year 10 girls, in their most recent unit of work, had a glimpse of Poetry Through the Ages from Shakespeare, to John Keats, Alfred Tennyson, Christine Rossetti, WH Auden and Maya Angelou. They composed their own poems, submitting accompanying annotations which informed us of their creative process and how they were inspired by the experts.

Some student samples which highlight just how skilled they are in the poetic form. 

A monochrome forest,
Identical leaves,
Geometric, greyscale canopies.

The Wise Old Owl stood tall and strong,
Narrating the phrases that emerge over the courses of our lives.

I love the story that doesn’t quite end,
Leaving you gasping and breathless.
You’ll never know what happens next as the narrator drops the pen,
Right in the middle of a-

Let me speak                                
And say my own words,         
The things I know                   
And the things I’ve heard.    

As quick as a dart,                     
As loud as a silent room,    
A voice is cut off                       
Another quiet doom.  

One day, we will all grow old,
And forget where we left our socks,
Confusion will warm when our feet are cold,

As we sit and stare at the clocks: 

Ticking, ticking, ticking, ticking 

Frozen in motion.

Ms Lee McGuinness, Head of English

Drama

The final few weeks of Term 2 were filled with Drama…in a good way.

On Thursday 27 May, Zeal Theatre worked with Year 12 Drama students on their Group Performances in preparation for the HSC Drama External Examination to be held later in Term 3. 

On Tuesday 8 June, Drama students, accompanied by Ms Allison and Mrs Hannah attended a production of Anton Chekhov’s classic The Cherry Orchard at Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills, starring Pamela Rabe. Students were mesmerized by Rabe’s brilliant performance and the way the ensemble brought Chekhov’s characters to life on stage. To be able to watch a production live (especially now) was a wonderful opportunity for students to see professional theatre at its finest.

On Wednesday 9 June, Years 9-11 Drama students attended a production of The 7 Stages of Grieving, directed by Shari Sebens and performed by Elaine Crombie at the Wharf Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company. The 7 Stages of Grieving is studied as a Preliminary HSC Drama text in a unit of work on the Elements of Production in Performance. Co-written by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman, this is a contemporary Indigenous play which appropriates western form whilst using traditional storytelling, The 7 Stages of Grieving. This one-woman show gives an emotional insight into Murri life, following the journey of an Aboriginal 'everywoman' as she tells poignant and humorous stories of grief and reconciliation.

Mrs Sally Hannah, Head of Drama

 

Acknowledgement to:

• Year 12 – as they commence their Higher School Certificate Trial Examinations this week.
• Eliza Mulligan AMEB Flute Video Repertoire Grade 8 examination – Honours (A).
• To all involved with the publishing of the Frensham 2020 Chronicle.
• Frensham Madrigals for their performance of Share Your Truth, published on Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/Frensham Madrigals, Share Your Truth 2021. Share Your Truth lyrics are taken from the speech from the 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame at the National Press Club in March, and set to music by Michael Spencer, Head of Music.

 

Staffing update

During the vacation we farewelled three members of staff. We thank all these staff for their contribution to Frensham Schools and wish them all the very best in their future.

After eight years of dedicated service to Frensham Schools, Mrs Colleen Relf has retired from her position as Registrar; from the Health Centre, Ms Millie Ellice-Flint and her fiancé have relocated to country NSW; and, Mrs Camille Macpherson, Enrolments and Marketing, has been recalled to recommence her responsibilities with Qantas. Camille will remain as a member of the Frensham community as a Gib Gate parent.

We welcome:

• Mr Andrew Lundy will be working in our HSIE department this semester, currently teaching Year 9 History.
• Ms Carole McCormick returns to Frensham Schools in the role of Registrar.
• Miss Theresa Healey joins Gib Gate as a Preschool Assistant.
• Health Centre team, Mrs Abigail Gordon (Registered Nurse) and Ms Britt Martin (Registered Nurse)

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director Teaching and Learning, is taking Long Service Leave during Term 3, with the following staff taking on additional responsibilities during her absence:

• Dr Ruth Phillips
• Ms Emma Lake
• Mrs Alison Andrew
• Ms Lee McGuinness

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

End of Term 2

It has been another eventful term, and I recognise the efforts and achievements of many students in the Frensham community across these past nine weeks. The School’s Birthday Celebrations were truly joyous, celebrating the history, ethos, values and the future of Frensham Schools and also celebrating the opportunity for us to gather as a community in a somewhat more ‘normal’ way than was possible in 2020. Of course, we are not back to our full complement just yet and are not able to accommodate our pre-2020 Service numbers in school venues, but to be able to raise our voices together in song without restriction, participate in friendly sporting matches with Year 12, join with all students and staff in the Birthday Lunch in the Dining Room for the first time in over a year was very special indeed.

It has also been a pleasure to have read all Student Reports of their progress over this first semester, and to see the growth and development in maturity, skills and confidence that so many of them have experienced. Our feedback and advice to students is very focused on supporting future growth, and we encourage families across this vacation period to engage with their daughters in conversation about their learning their goals and aspirations for next term. This learning conversation, discussing academic strengths, weaknesses, areas for future focus, helps to keep students focused on their growth rather than their results or marks. Whilst important, too much of a focus on “scores” are somewhat secondary to students’ feelings of self-efficacy, independence and their mindset for future development.

We wish all families a safe and restful vacation period ahead and look forward to welcoming students back to Boarding Houses on Monday 12 July ready for classes to commence on Tuesday 13 July.

Parent Feedback
The Frensham Advisory Committee is an advisory body to the Head set up under rules approved by the Board of Governors. It meets at least three times each year to discuss matters raised by the Head or the committee members as pertaining to Frensham policy and procedures. There are often matters discussed in this forum that help to inform the School’s future plans and to give the Executive, through the Head, greater insight into a particular topic from a parent perspective.

Following the two meetings in Semester One, we invite parent feedback on two areas of the School’s operations. The first is the student catering provided and this brief survey will be conducted alongside a student survey and an evaluation of the overall catering offering. We also invite feedback through our Communications Survey, which seeks to understand the ways in which parents currently access required information, what is working well and suggestions for future improvements to be incorporated into our future planning in this area. Both surveys will be open until the end of the vacation period (Monday 12 July 2021).

Boarding

As the term draws to a close, girls are packing and readying themselves for a holiday break with family. The Boarding Houses will then prepare for a new group of girls in Term 3.

Winifred West wrote on 1 June 1920, One reason why school is good is because at school we meet people with different ideas, different temperaments, different outlooks, and so arises a greater demand for tolerance and imagination than is made at home. There is more need for ‘give and take’ and the experience of school should prove of value in life.

This same message applies today and is one of the primary outcomes of the boarding experience. Girls from country, city and even from overseas with different ideas and experiences learn to live together and become a cohesive and collaborative community. Girls are supported in the development of key qualities and dispositions as outlined in our Character Education framework. 

Next term, Year 7 and Year 8 students stay in their House of Origin, Year 12 are all located in Bryant McCarthy and all boarders from Years 9 to 11 move between Houses. 

Once House allocations are determined, careful planning occurs to decide on room allocations. Each House has a combination of different sized rooms, from single rooms through to rooms with eight beds. The aim is for all students to have an opportunity to experience a range of dorm sizes throughout their time at Frensham, finishing with Year 12 in single rooms. 

When determining the room allocations, significant discussion occurs between Heads of House and House staff, Year Coordinators and Executive staff. Decisions about rooms are never made lightly as girls will be sharing dorms and learning to live with girls of different personalities and needs. This approach is purposeful and made with each individual student in mind. We are currently working towards our new House and dorm allocations for next term.

We wish all girls a happy holiday and look forward to welcoming them back to new experiences and the strong friendships that will continue to develop in the coming term. 

Ms Amanda Graham, Director of Boarding

FACULTY FOCUS

English

While the study of English continues to evolve as all great learning should, at its heart, it is the study of literature. As the Year 12 Extension 1 English rubric notes:

Literary texts can invite responders to engage with the interior worlds of individuals and how they perceive, think and feel about themselves and the societies in which they live...how texts communicate notions of identity and alternative ways of being and thinking...how diverse textual representations enable the responder to experience insight into the lives of other groups and individuals, and other times and places.

From Years 7-12, students study the vast and different literary worlds, learning how stories transcend time and place. Engaging with these texts invites a reflection on their own world and their place in society. Here are some samples of what the girls have been studying over the course of the year.

A Word dropped careless on a Page
May stimulate an eye
When folded in perpetual seam
The Wrinkled Maker lie
Stanza 1, Emily Dickinson

We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep. …
Prospero, The Tempest, William Shakespeare

I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils.
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favour. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself.
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald

This is the hottest summer I can remember, and the thick heat seems to seep in and keep in my sleepout. It's like the earth's core in here. The only relief comes from the cooler air that creeps in between the slim slats of my single window. It's near impossible to sleep, so I've spent most of my nights reading by the light of my kerosene lamp.

Tonight was no different. And when Jasper Jones rapped my louvres abruptly with his knuckle and hissed my name, I leapt from my bed, spilling my copy of Pudd'nhead Wilson.
Jasper Jones, Craig Silvey

Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
No animal shall wear clothes.
No animal shall sleep in a bed.
No animal shall drink alcohol.
No animal shall kill any other animal.
All animals are equal.
Animal Farm, George Orwell

The course of true love never did run smooth
Lysander, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare

Sometimes rain made me want to cry, like there was something deep inside me - the sadness flower that opened up when rainy days came, and blossomed inside me until I couldn’t breathe.
Lenny’s Book of Everything, Karen Foxlee

What Matters Competition
Inspired by Gough Whitlam's commitment to involving young people in the shaping of Australia's future, the What Matters? writing competition is currently open to school students in Years 5 to 12, from Australia. Responding to the simple question 'what matters?', entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about.

Girls from Years 7-11 were encouraged to put their passions and deeply held beliefs into words. It is clear at Frensham that there are many things that matter and teachers were impressed and inspired by the diverse range of entries. While it will be a couple of months before the shortlist is announced, it is undeniable that there is a strong link between writing and thinking deeply when students are given the opportunity to choose what they want to write about, then plan, craft and refine their work.

Bell Shakespeare - live action, Finally!
Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 were fortunate to have a live experience and a taste of two of Shakespeare’s most famous plays Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. Each performance explored key scenes and offered an analysis of Shakespeare’s language, choices and themes, all with a modern twist.

Ms Lee McGuinness, Head of English

HSIE

Our world is becoming increasingly complex, and the issues that our young people need to address are becoming more significant and overwhelming. Ecosystems are dying as unprecedented weather events decimate environments and the seemingly unstoppable march of climate change reshapes our landscapes. New technologies make the world a smaller place, but keep people further apart as we swap community for individuality. And a smaller world brings different cultures closer together, a process that can enrich us, but also makes our differences starker and more challenging. Our lives are being transformed by change. Geography’s focus on understanding the confluence of these changing forces makes it a vital discipline for all our students.

Change is a core theme throughout our Geography curriculum. We want students to recognise that there is both short term and long-term change, that it occurs at different and unexpected scales and that not all people are impacted by change at the same rate or in the same way. Most importantly, we want students to be skilled in identifying current trends and their implications for future change.

These trends are best explored when students are in the field, gathering data and learning about our world within the environments they are studying. Excitingly, Frensham’s new Year 10 IGCSE Geography programme provides students with significant opportunities to conduct field studies. Students have spent time exploring land use at Mittagong Marketplace, collected data on change in the vegetation and profile of Warilla Beach and conducted investigations into the Nattai River around the Lower Holt. As an essential element of their examinations at the end of the year, Year 10 are committed to improving their fieldwork skills and experience.

Year 9 Geography students have also been in the field, travelling to Sydney to conduct an investigation into urban change in Pyrmont and Barangaroo. Starting in Pyrmont, the girls were given a guided tour of the area going back to the land use of indigenous cultures prior to white settlement, the transformation the bay went through with the establishment of the Colonial Sugar Refinery site in the 19th century and the recent gentrification of significant sites throughout the suburb. Catching a ferry to Circular Quay, students compared the changing place of Pyrmont with that of Barangaroo. At both sites, students measured the soundscape and the height of buildings in the area (the new Crown Casino is 271.3m tall) while also making observations of salient features of the environment. Students concluded that the changing land use in the area was connected to the changing demands of the population in Sydney, making the link between place and communities stronger.

Change is also a constant theme in our classrooms. Year 7 students have conducted inquiries into the processes that change landscapes and landforms, creating features such as waterfalls, meandering rivers and cave systems. Students gathered sources of information, identified key processes and mapped these processes into a flow chart. Year 11 students conduct their Senior Geography Project on an area of individual interest, tracking change and communicating their findings to their chosen audience. Year 12 Senior Geography students have studied change in regard to our local viticulture industry and the urban dynamics in world cities, including Sydney.

Change is often referred to as the only constant in life. Thanks to their studies in Geography, our students will be well equipped to flourish in our continually changing world.

Australian Geography Competition
The Australian Geography Competition is a contest for Australian secondary school students, assessing their geographical knowledge and skills. The Competition aims to encourage student interest in Geography and to reward student excellence. Over 70,000 students sat the Australian Geography Competition in 2021.

Students in the top 1% of results in Australia: Bella Cay, Darcy Maple-Brown (Year 10); High Distinction (top 15% of results in Australia): Lucy Arnott, Augusta Muir (Year 10), Adelaide Ayling, Sophie Simpson, Imogen Smith, Sidney Wheeler (Year 9); Distinction (top 25% of results in Australia): Olivia Huggins, Millie McMurtrie, Janna Martin-Cooley, Phoebe Rouse (Year 10), Poppy Carter, Chloe Cowley, Claudia Hampson, Cate Horsfall, Abbey Kuiper, Holly Regan (Year 9).

Mr Nathan Bessant, Head of HSIE

Jamieson Programme

The Jamieson Programme is built on the belief that Teenagers are risk takers growing up in a complex and rapidly changing world. Traditional education was focused on the known whereas today’s world asks us to educate for the unknown.

Key elements of the programme are embedded throughout Years 7-10 including global citizenship, responsibility / service and leadership, health, fitness and physical challenge, critical, ethical and flexible thinking.

There is a particular focus in Year 9 where an extended day programme is undertaken once a fortnight. This semester, students have almost completed two elements of the Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives course. They enjoyed the challenge of working in teams to achieve an outcome that brought greater attention to their chosen global issue. Girls are now finalising their research on an independent topic of their choosing, considering a range of perspectives on the issue and working to establish courses of action to improve the negative effects of their global problem.

Other highlights for Year 9 have been learning about different religions, visits to the Nan Tien Temple and the Sydney Jewish Museum, current affairs and working on their fitness goals. Next term the girls will enjoy a three-day residential programme - Global Forum. The Forum is one of the central components of the Jamieson Programme and the 2021 theme is: Making a Difference - Understanding My Place in the World. Thought-provoking guest speakers – including Old-Girl Ms Annabelle Chauncy OAM, Dr Peter Anderson (UOW), Frensham parent, author and ‘Rurals for Refugees’ advocate Sarah Clutton and Rural Woman’s Award winner and Old Girl, Cressida Cains will inspire the girls this year. 

Teachers enjoy working with Year 9, exposing them to physical challenges and critical thinking about important issues that affect our world and we are very much looking forward to next semester.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme

Music

Term 2 provided Frensham musicians and ensembles with many rich performance opportunities. The first major event was the Year 8 Weekend where, in the School Service, the Senior Choir sang an anthem to a live audience for the first time in 12 months. The anthem was composed for the Senior Choir back in 2020, as a response to the shock we all felt during the catastrophic drought and bushfires. It is titled Tulit Ergo which is the beginning of a passage from Genesis:

The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. . . God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

The piece is a reflection upon the increasingly critical issues that we all face, concerning our care for, and custodianship of our beautiful planet. Lily Hunt was the soprano soloist.

Traditionally, the Year 8 Service and Concert features all instrumental and vocal ensembles in the school and this year was no exception. The Junior Choir sang Ho Hey by the Lumineers (accompanied by Year 12 musicians), the Concert Band performed Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl, the Kennedy Strings performed Enya’s May It Be and the Jazz Band played You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story. The final item featured all of Year 8 performing a traditional African song called Aya Ngena with three-part harmony, xylophones and drums.

In May, the Madrigals were asked to sing for guests at the launch of the Winifred West Legacy at Bendooley Estate. They sang Aretha Franklin song Since You’ve Been Gone featuring Grace Amos as soloist, and Frensham’s traditional grace, Non Nobis. 

Since 2020, there has been a programme in place for Gib Gate students in Years 2 and 3 to learn a string instrument under the guidance of music staff and extra-curricular tutors. On 2 June, the whole of Gib Gate visited Frensham to be given an introduction to a broader range of orchestral instruments. The Frensham Kennedy Strings and Concert Band combined to create a 70-piece orchestra, presenting a range of musical experiences including an introduction to the different orchestral families as well as a performance of Pirates of the Caribbean. The most memorable part of the afternoon was when students in the Gib Gate Junior Orchestra as well as the Stage 2/3 String Programme joined the Frensham students to play some pieces together. There were over 100 students performing together from Year 2 to Year 12! The aim of the experience was to build strong musical ties between junior and senior students and to inspire all involved to take full advantage of the musical opportunities on offer at Frensham Schools.

The Frensham Schools Birthday Service on Friday began with the violinists Hilary Swan and Chloe Litchfield playing the Processional with Mrs Pinazza. Grace Amos, Isabelle Promnitz and Amelia Byrne sang the solos in the much-loved One Voice. Grace Lewis was the cantor for the Lord's Prayer. In the Frensham Birthday and Year 12 Service on Sunday, Sophie Perkins accompanied Venite on the piano and Sachi Darling sang as cantor in The Lord's Prayer. 

In the concert that followed, Mrs Pinazza conducted the combined Kennedy Strings and Concert Band in a dramatic performance of theme music from Pirates of the Carribean. Madeleine Mulligan (Mus.1) and Sophie Perkins (Mus.2) then performed their own, original arrangement of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Following this, the Madrigals presented a piece specially composed for their concert appearance. The lyrics of the piece, Share Your Truth, were taken from the text of, Australian of the Year, Grace Tame’s speech to the National Press Club in March of this year. As always, the final item in the concert featured a medley of songs selected and performed by all of Year 12.

The Madrigals have been rehearsing for the last few weeks in order to have four pieces ready for their annual entry in two choral sections of the City of Sydney Eisteddfod. Rather than relax after Birthday celebrations, the choristers continued to work hard and, on the Wednesday night, filmed their four items for video submission. The results will be published in early August.

Mr Michael Spencer, Head of Music

Agriculture at Frensham

Year 9 Agriculture students have been studying egg and chicken meat production this term. They have been responsible for the care of 20 day-old chicks that arrived earlier in the term, and the class enjoying handling them and observing their growth, each lesson. They harvested the last of their summer vegetables and have now planted some winter varieties. The class has also been working on the Map My School Competition which involves them using the Scribble Maps programme to map the school boundary and determine the area of the school covered by trees.

The Year 10 Agriculture class has been studying milk production in the Dairy Production unit. Students travelled to Pyree, near Nowra, to visit a conventional 20-a-side herringbone dairy as well as a robotic dairy. The class was able to compare the two systems in regard to milk production, cow welfare and labour units required. At the robotic dairy, the cows come into the dairy on a voluntary basis. The computer reads the cow’s electronic collar, then portions out feed relevant to the cow’s weight, milk production and stage of lactation. While the cow is eating, lasers determine the location of the teats and then robotic arms place the teat cups on for milking. Once milking is complete, the cows then leave the robotic crate and electronic drafting gates direct them to either a pasture, silage feedlot or cattle crush for any treatment required. Of course, the highlight of the tour was the opportunity to hand feed the calves. The class is thrilled that lambing has just begun at Holt Farm.

Year 11 students have been studying the Animal Production unit and have conducted a trial on the growth rates of the Year 9 chicks. They are also excitedly preparing for their Ag on Tour trip early next term to ‘Allawah’, in Illabo, the property of Frensham parents, Nicole and John Hopkins.

Year 12 girls are working through the Plant / Animal Production unit as well as completing past HSC exam questions to fine-tune their answering technique in preparation for their Trial Examination next term. Earlier in the term, the class had a visit from Mr David Kent, past Chevalier College Agriculture teacher who purchased ‘Wesley’ (one of the Angus steers from the Livestock Team) at the Sydney Royal Easter Show steer auction. He brought with him some cuts of beef and the class analysed the quality of the cuts as well as photos of the carcass. At the end of the lesson, the students cooked up different cuts of meat to taste and compare as well as some valued added products such as home-made sausages, rissoles and a casserole. The class would like to thank Mr Kent, for not only purchasing our steer, but for providing a practical insight into ‘paddock to plate’ in the beef industry.

Holt Farm has been little quieter this term without the steers, but just in the last 3 days the sound of newborn lambs have been echoing across the paddocks. Over the term, the livestock have been cared for by a group of students who are completing Farm Management as the Service component of their Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Ms Leonie Mutch, Coordinator of Agriculture

Careers at Frensham – Key Dates for University application submission

The vacation period is a suitable time for Year 12 students to organise their application documentation for University Admissions Centres (UAC, VTAC, QTAC, TISC etc), Early Entry courses and College. Please note the closing date for application submissions and refer to the Careers Page on Schoolbox as this information is updated regularly.

UAC (NSW Universities Admission Centre)
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: 30 September 2021 (Early bird applications close) or 4 February 2022 

VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre)
OPEN AUGUST
CLOSE DATE: 30 September 2021

QTAC (QLD Tertiary Admission Centre) -TBA

TISC (WA Tertiary Admission Centre)
OPEN NOW (See website for closing dates – differs for institutions.)

Early entry deadlines coming up:

UOW – use their online portal to apply
OPEN DATE: 19 July 2021
CLOSE DATE: 13 August 2021

Charles Sturt - use their online portal to apply
OPEN DATE: 26 July 2021
CLOSE DATE: Midnight 31 August 2021

Macquarie University – Leaders & Achievers Early Entry Scheme
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: Friday 20 August 2021
*Otherwise students can apply for Early Entry via UAC ‘Schools Recommendation Scheme’ – due date 19 September 2021.

Notre Dame - use their online portal to apply
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: Wednesday 1 September 2021

UC – use their online portal to apply

Students can apply for the August Early Offer Round at UC in three easy steps (NOTE closing date 25/06/21): Go to: https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/apply-to-uc/early-offer-round

*Otherwise students can apply for Early Entry via UAC ‘Schools Recommendation Scheme’ – due date 19 September.

UNE - use their online portal to apply
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: 17 September 2021

Schools Recommendation Scheme (Early Entry) via UAC for participating universities and courses.
OPEN NOW
CLOSE DATE: 19 September 2021

13 institutions are participating in SRS: Australian Catholic University − University of Canberra − Charles Sturt University − International College of Management, Sydney − Macquarie University − National Art School − SAE Creative Media Institute − University of New England − University of Newcastle − University of Sydney − University of Technology Sydney − UNSW − Western Sydney University.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme, Activities and Careers

ICAS Academic Competitions at Frensham Schools Term 3 for Years 2-11

In 2021, we will be offering the opportunity for all students from Years 2-11 to enter the ICAS competitions.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is designed to provide a measure of student achievement in an external assessment situation against other students who demonstrate a high level of ability in a variety of disciplines. It allows students an additional opportunity to apply their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies and gain recognition for their efforts. For all tests, a high level of literacy is assumed, including highly developed comprehension skills in a ‘limited time’ situation, including in the Mathematics and Science papers.

The ICAS papers are not designed to test the NESA syllabus in any discipline and are set at ‘above level’ knowledge of discipline content and skills. Students will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed multiple-choice style questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision. For Writing they will be provided with an age-appropriate stimulus and will write either a narrative or persuasive style response. 

All ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to online assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results. The assessment programme, supervised by teachers, will be run at School at Gib Gate for Years 2-6 and at Frensham for Years 7-11.

Final reminder: Parents can enrol their son or daughter in any, or all of the disciplines we offer by completing the Google form before the cut-off date of Thursday 17 June.

Entry link: ICAS 2021 Competition Selection form

Parents can learn more about ICAS by visiting : https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Acknowledgement to:

• Students and Staff from the three campuses of Frensham Schools who joined the Birthday celebrations and Services and the Birthday play:
  • We were grateful for the Hooke family’s kindness in bringing Frensham Schools’ mascot Tiny Tonaya from Daffodil Downs to visit after the combined Service on Friday
  • Gib Gate Year 6 speakers at the Frensham Schools Service on Friday
  • Mr John Day (Senior Teacher - Mathematics and Boarding) and Anna Rickwood and Lara Tait (Year 12) offering their respective Birthday Addresses on behalf of teachers and students at the Birthday Lunch
  • Musicians appearing in Services and Concerts
  • I Have Five Daughters cast and crew
  • And, the Gib Gate and Frensham cake cutters
• Sturt Gallery for being nominated as a Finalist in the Local Business Awards.
• Frensham Cross Country Team for their success at the recent NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Cross Country Championships, Harriet Collins, India Hicks, Annabelle Ranken, Sophie Rodwell, Amy Thompson (Year 12), Lucy Gale (Year 11), Tia Thomas (Year 8); Harriet Collins, Annabelle Ranken, Sophie Rodwell, Amy Thompson who won Gold Medal in the 18 Years Team event.
• Harriet Collins and Lucy Gale for qualifying to represent the CIS team at the All Schools Cross Country Championships, in July.
• Recent award recipients: Iris, Annabelle Ranken (All Round Excellence); Girdle, Harriet Collins (Cross Country), Taylah Stoney (Academic Excellence – Visual Arts), Emilie Hassall (Academic Excellence – Languages).
• National Geography Competition award recipients: Students in the top 1% of results in Australia: Bella Cay, Darcy Maple-Brown (Year 10); High Distinction: Lucy Arnott, Augusta Muir (Year 10), Adelaide Ayling, Sophie Simpson, Imogen Smith, Sidney Wheeler (Year 9); Distinction: Olivia Huggins, Millie McMurtrie, Janna Martin Cooley, Phoebe Rouse (Year 10), Poppy Carter, Chloe Cowley, Claudia Hampson, Cate Horsfall, Abbey Kuiper, Holly Regan (Year 9).
• Gib Gate’s Year 6 Science and Engineering team for achieving 1^st place at the recent Southern Highlands Science and Engineering Challenge.
• Frensham’s Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge team for its selection to compete at the NSW State Finals held in Newcastle, during August.
• Jemima Graham-Wansey (Year 11) a member of the Southern Highlands Netball (U17) team who were the winners of Division 3 at the Netball NSW Hart Senior State Titles.
• Big Science Competition award recipients: High Distinction - Bella Cay, Sarah-Joy Day, Heidi Jervis (Year 10), Adelaide Ayling, Sophie Simpson, Sidney Wheeler (Year 9); Distinction - Matilda Damiani, Summer Oxley, (Year 10), Poppy Carter, Alice Fergusson  (Year 9), Georgina Lewis, Georgina McBride (Year 8), Penelope Hampson, Cara Sims (Year 7); Credit - Lucy Arnott, Abigail Jorgensen, Rose Mahony (Year 10), Imogen Smith  (Year 9), York Doyle, Margaret Maynard, Scarlett Shadbolt, Scarlett Wheeler (Year 7).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Birthday Celebrations

Birthdays are special times here at Frensham Schools, with rituals and celebrations all part of marking these occasions. These not only celebrate life, longevity, and reaching another milestone, but possibly more importantly, celebrating the growth that we experience, as individuals and as a community, from one year to the next. When we celebrate, we reflect, give thanks and connect with others around us, and feel encircled in the good wishes, appreciation, happy memories and positivity that characterise our students, staff and broader community. It is also an opportunity for us take a growth mindset and refresh our outlook – to look back on the past year, and ask ourselves:

• What was the best thing that happened in the past year?
• What did you learn last year?
• What are your hopes for what will happen this year?
• What do you want to learn this year?

Particularly given such an unusual and challenging year around the globe in 2020, there is a tangible “buzz” around the School in anticipation of this weekend’s Birthday celebrations. We are thinking of our friends, family and other members of our community who are unable to join us, particularly those who are in lockdown situations at this very time.

We are looking forward to gathering all students and staff together, along with invited guests and representatives of our community, to mark this milestone for Frensham Schools.

We do also remind our community of the importance of following the COVID-19 Rules in NSW, and for our upcoming events, this means:

• Adhering to social distancing and venue capacity requirements
• Refraining from attending if you are unwell
• Following appropriate hand hygiene and cough etiquette
• Checking in at events using the Service NSW QR Code

Friday 4 June: The Frensham Schools Service is a celebration of the foundation of our three Schools, recognising Frensham’s 108^th Birthday, Sturt’s 80^th Birthday and Gib Gate’s 67^th Birthday. This Service is attended by all staff of our three schools and by all students – from our youngest in Preschool to the adult students of the Sturt School for Wood.

Sunday 6 June: For Frensham’s 108^th Birthday Service, attended by all students and staff of the School, Year 12 families and invited guests.

Board of Governors
We are delighted to welcome new Governors to the Board of Frensham Schools: Mrs Clementine Allan (Davidson, 2001), Mr Richard Melki and Mr David Wright.

Ranier Uniform Information – Frensham orders
Students and parents are still welcome to visit the Uniform Shop during usual opening hours, but for convenience, items pre-ordered from the Ranier Uniform Shop can now be collected from White Cottage at Morning Tea.

Birthday Play – I Have Five Daughters by Margaret MacNamara
The Birthday Play will be performed on Thursday 3 June for the School and Saturday 5 June for parents and the local community

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Thankfully, a mantra no longer followed by modern society. And yet, the bumbling, matchmaking chaos of Jane Austen’s seminal romance Pride and Prejudice remains ‘universally acknowledged’ by readers today. Over the past couple of months, students in Years 11 and 12 have been working to recreate the magic of Austen’s most famous novel in their production of Pride and Prejudice’s stage adaptation: I Have Five Daughters, by Margaret MacNamara.

A hilarious recount of the lives of the five Bennet sisters, the Bingleys, Mr Collins and, of course, the elusive Mr Darcy. The characters dart about each other with as much panic as formality can allow; proposing and rejecting, laughing and crying, loving and hating.

Tickets for the Saturday performance can be purchased at the following link: Birthday Play tickets

Congratulations to the cast and crew for preparation in staging the play, directed by Mrs Sally Hannah (Head of Drama), assisted by Ms Fiona Shannon. A special thanks to Ms Sam Taylor (OG 1991) for the costumes which have been custom-made to bring the characters on stage to life.

Georgia Hill and Eleanor Swan, Heads of Drama

Frensham Faculty Focus

PDHPE

What is it about moving our bodies to a song we love that is so joyful? We dance for physical fitness. We dance for mental clarity. We dance for emotional stability. We dance because it feels good! Why do we dance? Perhaps the better question is, why would we not?

Year 10 PDHPE have had the opportunity to work with a professional dance instructor as part of the practical component of the course. They have been engaged in learning both a Hip Hop and Contemporary dance routine. Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learning new skills in a fun, collaborative and challenging environment. 

Do-si-do and swing your partner! Year 7 have learnt several Bush Dance routines to assist them with their assessment task. Working in small groups, students have composed, choreographed, and performed a routine that features the elements of Dance. Students have had opportunities to perform and refine movement skills in a variety of sequences, apply strategies to solve movement challenges, demonstrate a range of interpersonal skills that build and enhance relationships and promote inclusion in various situations, and combined movement skills to effectively create and perform movement sequences.

Students in Year 8 have planned their own fitness circuit to develop their understanding of the importance of meeting the recommended Australian Physical Activity guidelines. The current unit of work encourages girls to develop a willingness and capacity to engage in lifelong physical activity through the medium of exercise. They demonstrate a knowledge of the components of fitness and an understanding of the physiological responses to exercise. 

Additionally, students from Years 10 to 12 have been attending early morning training sessions at 6.00am every Wednesday. They follow a guided programme instructed by Mr Green designed to improve mobility, strength and cardiovascular health. 

Ms Janene van Gogh, Head of PDHPE, Director of Studies In-Residence

Languages

Science

According to NESA, ‘A depth study is any type of investigation/activity that a student completes individually or collaboratively that allows the further development of one or more concepts found within or inspired by the syllabus.’ It may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth studies provide opportunities for students to pursue their interests in science, acquire a depth of understanding, and take responsibility for their own learning. Year 11 Physics students have been undertaking a depth study in their choice of Physics concepts. Yusra Chalak investigated the urban myth that if you drop a coin out of a tall building it could kill someone below. By investigating terminal velocity and forces acting on the coin such as friction and gravity she reached the conclusion that No, a coin dropped from a height would not fatally injure a person. However, she did discover that a pen of the same weight as a coin, dropped from a tall building could indeed have fatal consequences. Emily Senior investigated how our brains react to music. She found out that there are four types of brain waves ranging from relaxed to more alert. Alert is when you are at your optimal learning capacity. The music of Mozart enhances alertness. Conclusion: we all should be studying Mozart!

The Science Extension course focuses on the authentic application of scientific research skills to produce a Scientific Research Report. Students propose and develop a research question, formulate a hypothesis and develop evidence-based responses to create their Scientific Research Report which is supported by a Scientific Research Portfolio. This year, two students are undertaking the Science Extension course at Frensham. Harriet Mackie (pictured right) is carrying out an exploratory investigation to answer the research question - How do glyphosate levels in Australian non-organic commercial cereal brands compare to glyphosate levels in Australian organic commercial cereal brands? This has involved a very detailed process to grind and extract chemicals from each cereal sample, and use a test strip to test for the presence of glyphosate. 

Sophia Pernice’s research question is How would the height, leaf surface area and bulb weight of Raphanus Sativus plants differ if they were exposed to natural daylight, 24 hours LED artificial light, or daylight plus night-time exposure to LED artificial light? This has involved growing radishes in identical trays, allowing some to experience 24 hours LED lighting and moving others in and out each day. The results were then analysed using a two-way ANOVA statistical test. 

Left: Sophia Pernice

Scientists build models to allow them to visualise objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye or to make predictions. Epidemiological models making predictions about COVID-19 outbreaks have been in the news constantly in the last year. Frensham Biology students have been building models of mitosis, meiosis, DNA replication and protein synthesis.

Year 11 Chemistry have been developing their practical skills by completing a range of different experiments including dilutions, precipitation reactions and reactivity of metals. Pictured right: Jemima Melki diluting potassium permanganate

As their Science assessment this term, students in Years 7-10 have been participating in REACH testing. REACH testing provides insight into higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. The assessments are suitable for students across a wide range of ability levels. Students are provided with high-quality questions allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study. The school receives information on student performance, which enables teachers to pinpoint areas of strength and target specific student needs. This information is provided on an annual basis, allowing us to consistently track and monitor student progress year-on-year. As results become available, they will be shared with parents via Schoolbox.

On Monday 31 May, a team of 24 Year 10 students represented Frensham at the Southern Highlands Science and Engineering Challenge at the Mittagong RSL club. In teams of three, students completed a range of different half-day or full-day challenges. Training was held during Science lessons to develop STEM skills and improve communication in their teams.  Challenges included 

• Grasping at Straws – designing fingers for a bionic hand that will give independence back to patients who have lost a hand through injury or illness
• Hover Frenzy – designing, building and flying a model hovercraft that is fast, maneuverable and has a good hover height.
• Turbine – designing and building a model water turbine that will generate the greatest amount of power as water flows over it
• Helter Skelter Shelter – designing and building an earthquake-proof apartment block using masking tape, paper and straws

Representing Frensham were – Purple team: Scarlett Alldis, Savannah Linde, Hilary Swan; Blue team: Bella Cay, Charlotte Hopperton, Hannah Perkins; Green team: Abby Jorgensen, Rosie Laird, Sarah Partland; Yellow team: Sissy Fairrie, Clara McDonald, Summer Oxley; Orange team: Heidi Jervis, Augusta Muir, Megan Syme; Red team: Monique Andersson, Matilda Damiani, Janna Martin-Cooley; Pink team: Evelyn Doan, Pia D’Rozario, Cintra Maldonado; Silver team: Lucy Arnott, Sarah-Joy Day, Rosie Mahony.

The team is congratulated on being placed first in the local competition. Team members have won a one-hour workshop with Atlassian and based on points may be representing Frensham at the State Finals in Newcastle.

Mrs Alison Andrew, Head of Science

Visual Arts & Design and Technology

As we move towards the close of Term 2, the art studios are a hive of activity, with students in all years working on artworks of varied shapes and sizes, in a range of media, and in various stages of completion.

Presently, students of Year 12 Visual Arts are in a critical phase of the production of their Bodies of Work. Due to be completed by the beginning of Week 6, Term 3, the students have just submitted their work in progress for assessment. This is the final time that the students’ development of their Bodies of Work will be assessed, and doing so at a date well in advance of Term 3 is deliberate. With three weeks of this term left, we can provide students with written and verbal feedback, advising how they may best progress to the full resolution of their Bodies of Work. Students will need to use time in the vacation to drive their work forward, so that refinement and presentation of pieces can occur in early Term 3.

We are impressed by the scope and quality of works in production by Year 12. Broadly speaking, there is a focus on conventional skills, with many works being finely crafted and requiring patience and perseverance. Painting dominates as the preferred choice of media this year; also popular are works based in printmaking and drawing. The girls are beginning to think about our exhibition in Term 3. With 33 Bodies of Work (some very large), questions like how will we all fit into Cooper Hall? are being asked by the girls. Rest assured, they will fit; we have managed to fit up to 41 Bodies of Work in there previously. Both students and teachers are looking forward to presenting a vibrant, diverse and dynamic exhibition to our community.

Students of Year 11 Visual Arts are currently undertaking a unit titled These are Desperate Times. This is a unit focusing on art as a vehicle to express social and political themes and the girls are required to resolve artworks by the end of Week 8. The artmaking component of this unit is based in printmaking; students have chosen to produce pieces in etching, lino-printing, monoprinting and collagraphy. The students have been advised to explore and test the boundaries of conventional printmaking practices and as a result, many are combining media, introducing elements like laser-cut perspex, adding three-dimensional elements or presenting pieces in more contemporary, postmodern ways.

In Stage 5, Years 9 and 10 girls populate four integrated Visual Arts classes. A total of 78 students are currently studying this subject (and undertaking the same units) in Stage 5, meaning that we have an enormous number of artworks produced in one medium at any one time. Due this week are charcoal animal portraits produced by the students. The girls were required to select a photographic image of an animal to be used as visual reference for the portrait. Many chose images of their pets, but we have a wide range of more exotic animals being drawn as well. The girls used the grid-enlargement process to scale up and transfer proportions to a 60 x 48cm piece of drawing paper. The task has required students to aim for a sense of realism, and students have learnt about observing very carefully, and applying charcoal in varied ways to render parts of their image. Employing willow, block and charcoal pencil, they have learnt to apply these materials both softly and more precisely, and additionally, that an eraser is an important ‘maker’ of drawing marks. To execute these drawings, the students have needed patience, concentration and perseverance.

Year 8 students finished their study of Mandatory Stage 4 Visual Arts in Term 1. To provide an opportunity for artmaking for interested students, we offered the first of Art Enrichment workshops, running on Wednesday afternoons during Weeks 1-5. 31 students elected to participate in this first workshop, enthusiastically producing prints using a range of procedures and techniques under the guidance of Mrs Spencer and Mr Alldis. Many students are still finishing a lino-print which we will find time to print towards the end of the term.

In a most enthusiastic manner, students in Year 7 began Visual Arts this term. We started with a foundational unit, exploring a range of visual elements and their applications to artmaking. For the first part of this unit, the students undertake a number of one or two lesson tasks related to elements like colour, tone and shape. These activities also allow students to use and test a variety of materials. In the last weeks of Term 2, the girls will begin a painting in which they will apply some of their understanding of these elements, such as the consideration of harmonious and complementary colour, organic and geometric shape, and use of space to form an effective composition.

Design & Technology

The STEM students are preparing their entries for the F1 in Schools Competition in August. This includes marketing of their team and manufacturing of their car designs.

The Stage 5 DAT students have been exploring different aspects of architectural design, with a focus on more organic shapes. Design ideas have been realised using sketching, 3D printing and the laser cutter.

The Year 11 DAT class is putting the finishing touches on the Aeropress Coffee Maker designs using Onshape CAD software and the 3D printers. In addition to this, students have been identifying areas of need in design specifically investigating situations where there is a gender bias against women users.

Year 12 DAT students are working to develop their Major Design Projects. 

Mr Phil Alldis, Head of Visual Arts and Design & Technology

Acknowledgement to:

• KIDSLIT teams from Years 6, 7 and 8 on their highly successful results at the recent State Heat of the Australian Competition.
• Frensham’s Year 10 Science and Engineering Challenge team placed first in the recent Southern Highlands regional competition.
• Girdle recipient Sophia Pernice, Academic Excellence (Mathematics).
•  Frensham students trialing for Open IGSA Teams: Netball, Jemima Graham-Wansey, Olivia Laverty (Year 11) and Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), with Sophie selected in the top 16 players. Touch, Heidi Rowntree (Year 9), Annabelle Ranken, Sophie Rodwell (Year 12).
• Madeleine Mulligan (Year 12) who has been accepted into the Young Diplomats Tour of Australia. The UN Youth Tour welcomes 25 young leaders from across Australia on a three-weekend online international activity to explore the complex realities of diplomacy in the 21^st century. 
• Summer Oxley (Year 10) for her selection through application and interview into the Girl Power in Engineering and IT programme at Melbourne University. The course commences during the vacation and through a mentoring programme continues into Years 11 and 12.
• Frensham’s Year 11 Mock Trial team for its success in recent competition; barristers for Frensham were Yusra Chalak and Lulu Duck, solicitor Isobel Harrington, witnesses Eliza Hewson and Lily Huggins, Magistrates Clerk Jemima Melki, in support Isolde Cochet, Ella van Egmond and Polly Whitwell.
• The cast and crew of the Birthday play, Mrs Sally Hannah (Director) and Ms Fiona Shannon (assistant) for their preparation of staging the play.
• Gib Gate students in the Young Archie competition at the Art Gallery of NSW: Finalists, Mia Vasales (age 5), Oliver Whitfield (age 10). Honourable Mention, Darcey Burrows (age 10), James Macpherson (age 8), Heston Ryan (age 7), Matilda Spong (age 10).

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Autumn Reflection

As this week we mark the exact middle of Term 2, and the weather starts to properly cool, we have been reflecting with gratitude on the opportunities we have enjoyed with our community this term. Grandparents and Mother’s Day celebrations at Gib Gate, our recent Year 8 Parent Weekend at Frensham, Saturday Sport almost back to pre-COVID arrangements, and our next exhibition opening next weekend at Sturt. We are so fortunate to be able to gather as a community for our upcoming Birthday and Year 12 Weekend in June and are very much looking forward to celebrating this major event in the School’s calendar with students, staff and families. Please do check Schoolbox for the arrangements for this weekend.

I spoke with both Gib Gate and Frensham students earlier in the term about some of the symbolism of Autumn, reflecting on the beauty of the changing seasons and that, like most things in life, how we experience the change of season and weather, is down to our personal perspective. I encouraged students and staff to purposely choose a positive perspective as we transition into a new season. Some of you might be dreading the onset of cooler months and some of you will be looking forward to them, getting rugged up and feeling that cold air on your face, the comfort of a warm fire. The season change is inevitable; instead of dreading or lamenting the change in weather, let us embrace the change in season and remind ourselves that change can actually bring new beauty for us to see. The Autumn trees have shown us over the past months how beautiful changes can be, and all around us the trees are the living example of letting things go, in preparedness for new growth.

As we approach the end of this beautiful season in the highlands, the words of the American writer and poet Angie Weiland-Crosby seem entirely fitting – “Autumn whispered to the wind: I fall; but always rise again.”

Boarding and Travel Information

Long Weekend Travel and End of Term 2, Start of Term 3 Travel bookings have now closed

Please note that late bookings may not be able to be accommodated by the State Rail Authority.

SSTS (School Student Transport Scheme) Preference is given to places for boarding students travelling home.

Information regarding luggage restrictions for booked transport

1. Stored Luggage - no more than two items for stowage in luggage bins on coach services. Not to exceed 60cm (height) x 70cm (length) and 50 cm wide (ie: length, depth and width not exceeding total of 180cm) and 20kg in weight.
2. Hand Luggage - the total weight of hand luggage is not to exceed 5kg and must be able to be stored under the seat. Hand luggage that does not fit under the seat must be stored in the luggage compartment beneath the coach.

Parent reminder: Friday night dinner leave is with students’ own parents/carers. All parents/carers are asked to sign students out of the house and back into the house when going on Day Leave or Overnight Leave.

Frensham Faculty Focus

Mathematics

Are humans born mathematicians?

Do children think and work mathematically on their own or is this a learned behaviour? 

One of the reasons this question is always on our minds is because it links closely to an idea that many people hold, which is that some people are born with mathematical ability while others are not. It is fairly common for people to think of mathematics as a special talent that only some people possess, but does it have any basis in reality? 

When we ask, ‘Are humans born mathematicians?’, what we are really asking is: ‘Are humans born to seek out and try to understand the patterns around us?’ Stating the question this way makes things clear: the answer is emphatically yes.

A pair of odd numbers always add to an even number. The exterior angle of any polygon, no matter how big or small or irregular, always add up to a full revolution. The rows of Pascal’s Triangle always add up to a power of two.

….This is why it’s impossible to put a fence around what mathematicians are interested in: they are interested in any kind of pattern, and patterns exist everywhere. (Excerpts from Woo’s Wonderful World of Maths)

This term, many of our students have been putting into practice their skills in recognising patterns: from the Year 7s, who have completed their first unit on Algebraic Techniques, to the Year 10s who completed another unit on Algebraic Techniques. Years 11 and 12 continue to challenge themselves applying Algebraic Techniques across a number of topics from Non-Linear Relationships to Calculus. All of this learning is based on recognising patterns. 

Some of our students have started the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians (MCYA). Open to all students in Years 7-10, it is a competition run by the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT) over four consecutive weeks with students working individually and or in pairs on a set of six problems. It is a competition that requires dedication and persistence, but the questions are based on mathematics which should be known at that level and separate solutions must be submitted by each student. Students have allocated class time to work on the problems, with some guidance allowed from the teacher and from any resources other than human ones - textbooks, encyclopaedias, calculators and computers. The supervising teachers will check on each student’s progress on a regular basis and offer clarification where needed. We hope the MCYA Challenge is an enjoyable and valuable learning experience for your daughter. 

Students participated in NAPLAN Tests for Years 7 and 9 in Week 4. The Mathematics REACH tests were completed by Years 8 and 10 in Week 4 and are scheduled for Years 7 and 9 later this term. Results for these tests will be sent to the school and made available to parents.

A few more thoughts and ideas for your consideration:

• Many students ask how long they should spend studying mathematics each week. The answer is: as long as they need to. Every student is different, and some students will need to study more than others. However, even the best student will not do well without studying for a few hours each week (musicians practice for many hours).
• Do you work best with silence or noise? It is better if you can study with as few distractions as you can manage. Studying is different to doing your Prep because you are trying to remember facts and procedures. Some students study better at a library and all students should complete their Prep in a silent environment, to increase their concentration, accuracy, and retention.
• Students have different learning preferences. Visual learners (who learn by seeing), could write their notes on colourful cards, a poster or in a notebook. Draw a mind map (snapshot) and use diagrams or pictures to help jog your memory.  Audio learners (who learn by listening), record notes and play them back. Study with another person and discuss your work together. Set rules and formulae to music or make a poem.  For the physical learner (who learns by doing), do lots of exercises (questions) or teach the work to someone else.

Encourage your daughter to take advantage of the many opportunities to learn and improve in mathematics and to seek help from her teacher and/or attend the ‘drop-in’ coaching sessions with a faculty teacher on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, or have private/small group coaching, by arrangement, on Wednesday or Thursday during the day or evening. Please do not hesitate to contact your daughter’s teacher by phone/email or contact me directly with any concerns about their learning and/or progress. 

Ms Joanne Allison, Head of Mathematics

Languages

French

Students of French have made an enthusiastic start to the year, with eager greetings of “Bonjour! Comment ça va?” resounding through the hallways of the North West building. While dancing and singing l’alphabet français, Year 7 students have been immersed in French culture through film and song, following the adventures of Belle and Sébastien, a story set in 1943 about a young shepherd boy and his dog, and Miraculous, a modern series about a young French girl with super powers.

All junior classes have presented colourful and well-researched demonstrations of their cultural knowledge of France and the French-speaking world. Year 7 classes focused on le Monde Francophone sharing their findings of exotic and far-flung territories such as Le Maroc, la Polynésie française, la Nouvelle Calédonie et la Belgique. Year 8 students designed a three-day itinerary for Paris where they took le métro, le RER ou le bus to visit iconic destinations such as la Tour Eiffel, le Musée d’Orsay et le Louvre. Year 9 students explored reginal housing styles and accommodation such la longère normane et la bastide provençale. Each group tested the attentiveness of its classmates with a quiz, often taking the form of an energetic and competitive Kahoot! to finish off their presentation.

Year 10 students started a new text this year called Ça y est! The colourful, magazine-style format gives the students an insight into the life of young French adults as they go to school and out with friends and plan their future after le bac.

Senior students are challenging their communication abilities with bi-weekly speaking classes as we seek to add sophistication to our mastery of the language in spoken and written form. On the first Closed Weekend in Term 1 the girls in the French Extension class met for several hours to workshop the Prescribed Themes for the HSC and to discuss the Prescribed film - Intouchables. The second Closed Weekend of Term 1 saw the Years 11 and 12 French students head off campus to immerse themselves in a slice of France here in the Southern Highlands. The girls relished the opportunity to savour la cuisine française at the Café la Palette at Mount Ashby Estate, where they were served by native French staff, and were delighted to use their language skills in an authentic linguistic setting.

Next week, from 20-27 May, all French students will compete in the ImmerseMe Games 2021, a virtual, online language immersion competition for students around the world.

Latin

Year 8 students have commenced their study of Latin this term, learning about the language, its origins and the European languages that have evolved from it. With over 70 percent of English words having their origins in Latin, learning this ancient language means that girls are constantly acquiring new and more sophisticated vocabulary as well as gaining an insight into the own English grammar. The history and writings of the Romans are interesting in themselves and still important to us. Our civilisation has evolved from Roman culture and we can see their influence in many places such as Literature, the Law, and the Sciences.

The start of Term 2 within the Years 9 and 10 Latin classrooms evoked a sense of familiarity, through rediscovering grammatical concepts and linguistic structures encountered last term, alongside the excitement of learning new language and discovering different aspects of Roman civilisation and culture. The addition of the online text Suburani, offers greater depth of research, more opportunities for reading authentic Latin and amazing visual representations of the ancient world.

Both Years 11 and 12 Latin classes have started new texts this term. Year 12 has started the prose text, Cicero’s In Catilinam, a speech prosecuting the senator Catiline who was leading a plot to overthrow the Roman Senate. Year 11 is studying Marcus Tullius Cicero – Vita extraordinaria, which contains extracts from some of his well-known speeches as well as letters to his family. It is amazing to think that these letters, written over 2000 years ago, are still accessible to us and enable us to read about family and political matters which concerned Cicero at the time.

The National Latin Examinations

The Languages Department at Frensham has been associated with the prestigious National Latin Examinations for over 20 years. Organised by the American Classical League, Latin students in Years 9-12 along with students from 50 states in the USA, plus 20 other countries as diverse as Jordan, the Solomon Islands, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe sat the paper in early March.

Year 9 - Introduction to Latin Exam - Magna Cum Laude Certificate: Juliet Henry; Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Emily Crawford, Luca de Manincor, Lucy Molineux; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson, Zara Maple-Brown, Miliana Thompson.

Year 10 - Latin I Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Bella Cay, Pia D’Rozario, Hannah Perkins, Edie Staniforth.

Year 11 - Latin II Exam - Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Lucy Booth; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Matilda Arnott, Zoe Gallagher, Phoebe Rowntree.

Year 12 - Latin III Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Emilie Hassall, Madeleine Mulligan.

Of the Year 9 cohort, four perfect Examination scores were achieved by Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson.

Mrs Kerry Lennon, Director of Languages

Character Education and Pastoral Care

On Thursday 6 May, Brainstorm Productions presented their student wellbeing performance Cyberia to Years 9 and 10. Cyberia was a live theatre experience that addressed mental health, (cyber)bullying, impulse control and the responsible use of technology.

Cyberia was presented as part of our student wellbeing curriculum and developed by education and mental health professionals. Real student experiences were woven together to create a compelling narrative and theatrical experience. The performance posed questions about how we treat ourselves and others, both online and offline, and encourages resilience and positive relationships.

On Tuesday 4 May, Year 12 participated in the Elevate Education - Ace Your Exams seminar. This seminar aligned with our Character Education Goals and covered the following areas:

• Highest value exam preparation tasks
• Fixing mistakes to ensure constant improvement
• Time allocation during exam preparation
• Techniques for managing stress and time pressure in exams.

The seminar was designed to achieve behavioural change amongst students. It isn’t enough that students simply understand what they need to do to prepare for exams, the challenge is getting students to use and apply the skills they learn. The Ace Your Exams seminar provided practical tips on exam technique and preparation and all students found it highly engaging and insightful.

Elevate will be presenting seminars in Term 3 to Year 11 and Year 10.

Mrs Wendy Fawbert, Director of Character Education and Planning

NSW State da Vinci Decathlon Competition 2021 – Thursday 13 May 2021

The Year 11 da Vinci Decathlon Team 2021, Ankitha Avvari, Maya Basson, Sophia Brooks, Yusra Chalak, Zoe Gallagher, Sarah Hunter, Charlotte Senior, Emily Senior and Mia Shakeshaft, competed in the recent NSW State Finals of this international competition in the ‘virtual environment’. They were competing against 170 other schools from across the State. ‘Locked in’ a classroom at Frensham for the day with a ZOOM camera trained on them at every minute, each challenge was delivered electronically and then uploaded either in text format or video file within five minutes of each deadline.

We congratulate the team on its outstanding achievements in every discipline which included: English, Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Code-Breaking, Art & Poetry, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography and ‘Legacy’ (of da Vinci’s life and times).

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching & Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes.

IGSA Cross Country – Friday 14 May

A total of 869 runners from 23 different schools took part in the annual IGSA Cross Country hosted by Frensham. The Frensham team consisted of 45 students who competed in their respective seven age groups. Over half of the Frensham runners finished in the top half of their age group. Frensham finished 9th overall - a terrific team effort. With thanks to coach, Eligh Morris for training the team and the Grounds Staff for preparing the course.

Placing in the top 30 in their races were: 11-12 Years, Milly Debelle-Hancock (Year 7); 13 Years, Tia Thomas (Year 8); 15 Years, Phoebe Gilder (Year 9); 16 Years, Bella Cay (Year 10), Julia Burge (Year 10); 17 Years, Lucy Gale (Year 11); 18 Years, Harriet Collins (Year 12), Annabelle Ranken (Year 12), Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), Amy Thompson (Year 12), India Hicks (Year 12).

Harriet Collins, Annabelle Ranken and Sophie Rodwell received a Silver Medal for finishing 2nd in the 18 Years team event.

The following girls have qualified to compete in the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Cross Country Championships, Eastern Creek, on Thursday 10 June: Tia Thomas (Year 8), Lucy Gale (Year 11), Harriet Collins (Year 12), Annabelle Ranken (Year 12), Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), Amy Thompson (Year 12).

Ms Erin Gray, Head of Sport

Acknowledgement to:

• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients – Gold: Jessica Billet, Sarah Brown, Ella Clark (Year 12); Silver: Yusra Chalak, Lillian McCarten, Phoebe Rowntree, Camilla Warner (Year 11); Bronze: Charlotte Hindmarsh (Year 11), Scarlett Alldis, Lucy Arnott, Hannah Bendror, Julia Burge, Bella Cay, Matilda Chadwick, Alexandra Corbett, Pia D'Rozario, Sophie Hassall, Olivia Huggins, Augusta Muir, Eliza Mulligan, Freyjika Parker, Edie Staniforth, (Year 10)
• Frensham Cross Country team members for their achievements at the recent IGSA Cross Country Carnival and to NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Cross Country qualifiers – Tia Thomas (Year 8), Lucy Gale (Year 11), Harriet Collins (Year 12), Annabelle Ranken (Year 12), Sophie Rodwell (Year 12), Amy Thompson (Year 12).
• AMEB Musicianship recipients with High Distinction: Summer Oxley and Hilary Swan (Year 10) Grade 2, Sophie Chen (Year 8) Grade 1.
• Lucy Pernice (Year 11), for her selection to Snow Australia’s Emerging Talent Programme 2021 and for gaining a scholarship for this year’s full-time training programme at Perisher Winter Sports Club for Best Role Model in every discipline ski and snowboard, male and female. 
• International Latin Examinations award recipients: Year 9 - Introduction to Latin Exam: Magna Cum Laude Certificate: Juliet Henry; Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Emily Crawford, Luca de Manincor, Lucy Molineux; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson, Zara Maple-Brown, Miliana Thompson; Year 10 - Latin I Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Bella Cay, Pia D’Rozario, Hannah Perkins, Edie Staniforth; Year 11 - Latin II Exam - Silver Maxima Cum Laude Certificate: Lucy Booth; Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Matilda Arnott, Zoe Gallagher, Phoebe Rowntree. Year 12 - Latin III Exam - Gold Summa Cum Laude Certificate: Emilie Hassall, Madeleine Mulligan; Perfect scores: Poppy Carter, Lucinda Colgan, Phoebe Gilder, Claudia Hampson
• Year 11 da Vinci Decathlon Team 2021, Ankitha Avvari, Maya Basson, Sophia Brooks, Yusra Chalak, Zoe Gallagher, Sarah Hunter, Charlotte Senior, Emily Senior and Mia Shakeshaft, for its achievements at the recent State Competition.
• Gib Gate parents for their support at recent Hockey matches held at Welby Hockey Turf.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Term 2 Events

We are excitedly making arrangements for one of the most important events in the School calendar, the Birthday Weekend. This celebration, typically around the first weekend in June, involves our entire community – students, staff, and parents from Gib Gate, Frensham and Sturt, along with Frensham Old Girls. Whilst we are limited with visitor numbers at individual events, we have adjusted our programme to accommodate as many visitors as possible across the course of the weekend’s celebrations. The schedule for the weekend will be published on Schoolbox by the end of this week.

End of Term Arrangements

As previously advised in the Term 1 Newsletter, we will be giving all families at Gib Gate and Frensham the option for children to undertake remote learning at home, or to attend school on campus in our last week of this term, 15-17 June. Students will be expected students to complete set learning activities whether at home or on campus.

We ask all families to respond by clicking here, providing an indication of whether your child/ren will be undertaking remote learning or learning on campus. This will assist us greatly with our planning for this week.

Teaching and Learning

Reach Assessments - Term 2, 2021
In Teaching and Learning at Frensham and Gib Gate, as part of Frensham Schools Strategic Priorities 2018-2022, we are continuously seeking to improve and extend our assessment and benchmarking using a research based, robust set of tools to provide data across multiple subjects and years. This enables us to study individual, class and cohort levels of achievement and growth. This approach to data analysis ensures excellence in teaching practice and enhances creative pathways for learning that increase personalisation and flexibility for all students so they can achieve their personal best.

In 2019 we introduced the REACH assessment tool (previously UNSW Global) - a comprehensive set of assessments, for primary and secondary students in English, Mathematics, Science and Writing. The assessments are based on the Australian curriculum for students in Years 2 to 10 and are suitable for use across all ability levels. Items range from recall and routine application, through to more demanding questions. They were not available for implementation in 2020 but we are now able to utilise the REACH Assessment programme in Term 2 this year. They will be administered in comfortable timed conditions for the students in their classrooms by their class teachers. 

The data will provide us with an independent and objective benchmark of student progress to support our teachers’ professional judgement, class-based tasks and formal school-based assessment programmes, and inform future curriculum planning and programming.

In addition, we have always provided our students with the opportunity to challenge themselves using ICAS Competition papers and we will continue to use this tool in addition to REACH in Term 3 this year. ICAS is aimed at recognising academic excellence for high potential students, emphasising challenge and extension in tight timed conditions. The ICAS Competition online papers in 2021 may be undertaken by students who have a high level of success in REACH in Years 2-10 allowing them to apply their learning and challenge themselves at ‘competition level’ in each of the disciplines above. The ICAS Competitions require students to think beyond the classroom and provide us with data that acknowledges their performance achievement at the highest level.

Parents can find relevant information about both the REACH and ICAS assessments at: https://www.icasassessments.com/about-us/

Professional Learning at Frensham Schools Terms 2 and 3 2021

Professional Learning Goals 2021-2022: to meet the individual learning needs of all students by personalising programmes, experiences and outcomes; and to create a learning community, which is world class and embraces innovation, inspired by evidence-based research and external critique.

In pursuit of our staff Professional Learning Goals, on Monday 19 April all teachers P-12 commenced their professional learning through the UNSW Faculty of Education to obtain up-to-date qualifications in teaching our high potential and gifted  students in every classroom. UNSW lecturers Di Bond and Marie McGregor delivered a bespoke Certificate of Gifted Education programme on campus at Frensham, which was the first of three days of learning designed in consultation with Ms Kate Chauncy and Dr Ruth Phillips to suit teachers and students at Frensham Schools. For those teachers who hold postgraduate qualifications in gifted education already, and those who have previously completed this particular course through the UNSW, Dr Ruth Phillips designed an Advanced course in Gifted Education which she delivered simultaneously.

The course continues on Friday 18 June (end Term 2) and Monday 12 July (start Term 3) by which time all teachers at Frensham Schools will have achieved post graduate accreditation in this vital area of education and developed their skills, knowledge and understanding of contemporary research and best practice in engaging and supporting all our students to reach their potential.

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Programmes P-12

Boarding and Travel Information

Long Weekend Travel – SSTS Travel bookings

• Bookings for the June long weekend are due to House staff by Monday 10 May.
• Please note that SSTS coach services have advised that late bookings are not able to be accommodated.
• SSTS Coach/Train services give preference to students travelling home so travel with friends cannot be guaranteed – families are asked to have a second plan in place.

Term 2 Parent Weekends
Following updated COVID-19 guidelines for Schools, we are now able to accommodate all Frensham students and Year Group parents at the Year Weekend School Services.

• Year 8 Weekend - Sunday 16 May (Service and Concert: 9.30am for 10.00am start, finish approximately 11.30am
  Student attendance at the Services and Concerts is compulsory, and girls are required to wear full winter school uniform including hats, blazers and stockings.
• Year 12 and Birthday Weekend - Friday 4 June-Sunday 6 June – Full details for Years 7-12 regarding this weekend will be emailed to parents this week and, for reference, will be available on Schoolbox.

Weekend Exeats
All families are reminded that all Exeats are to be submitted online via the relevant Schoolbox form by 12.00pm the Thursday prior. On the Birthday Weekend, Exeat Leave and Day Leave is only to be taken with students’ own parents/carers.

IGSSA SPORT

The Term 2 IGSA Sport season is well underway. This term Frensham is represented by 12 Football and 14 Basketball teams in the IGSA competitions. There is a rousing atmosphere on the Games Field and at the Basketball Courts with girls cheering on their teams and friends and the Pavilion is open, serving bacon and egg sandwiches and coffee.

The 2021 Cross Country team, consisting of 44 girls across seven age groups, has been training hard and the girls are ready to race their best this Friday at the annual IGSA Cross Country Carnival, hosted by Frensham. All families are welcome to attend in support of the girls who are running.

Last Friday, we welcomed runners from Oxley College. This was an opportunity for students to fine tune their skills against quality opposition and we thank the students and staff from Oxley College for making this possible. We are looking forward to seeing our runners compete this Friday and wish them well.

Ms Erin Gray, Head of Sport

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Silver Qualifying Expedition

The Royal National Park, Heathcote, 26-28 April
The three-day expedition, undertaken by Year 10 students, is based on a programme of developing navigational, teamwork, leadership, orienteering and camping skills. The following students were supported by Mr McMillan and Ms Farmer,  Scarlett Alldis, Monique Andersson, Lucy Arnott, Hannah Bendror, Ava Berkelouw, Julia Burge, Bella Cay, Matilda Chadwick, Alexandra Corbett, Matilda Damiani, Sarah-Joy Day, Evelyn Doan, Pia D'Rozario, Olivia Faulkner, Sophie Hassall, Saskia Hilkemeijer, Gracie Hindmarsh, Charlotte Hopperton, Olivia Huggins, Meg Jones, Phoebe Kingsley, Savannah Linde, Zoe Logan, James McBride, Emilie McMurtrie, Cintra Maldonado, Darcy Maple-Brown, Alice Mitchell, Augusta Muir, Eliza Mulligan, Elizabeth Nesci, Summer Oxley, Poppy Paradice, Freyjika Parker, Sarah Partland, Hannah Perkins, Phoebe Rouse, Jessica Savage, Annabelle Scott, Edie Staniforth, Inka Wilson.

Mr Shane Green, Coordinator Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

ANZAC Service Address

Delivered by Jessica Billett and Sophie Perkins Year 12 at the Mittagong ANZAC Day Ceremony 25 April 2021 on Behalf of the Youth of the Community.

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world.

In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders.

What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight long months.

At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated from the Peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,700 Australian soldiers had died in the campaign.

Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and April 25 soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of Australian and New Zealand forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy.

What became known as the ‘Anzac Legend’ was to become an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future.

In his poem ‘For the Fallen’, Laurence Binyon offers this reflection on the enduring legacy of our soldiers:

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
As the stars that shall be bright when they are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are stormy in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

As the youth of the community, we owe our ANZAC soldiers more than a debt of gratitude – we owe them our determination and courage to protect their legacy and continue to build the Australia they sought to protect.

Their resilience, courage and strength of spirit has ingrained itself into the Australian psyche. From the devastation of war arose moments of mateship, and from loss came the unity of a nation.

It was out of love for their country that they faced death, and although they may be gone, they will not be forgotten.  

2021 also marks a significant milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force, as it marks 100 years of service.

This is an important time to reflect on their enduring contribution to the security of Australia. From modest beginnings in 1921, the Air Force has grown into a potent, world class military entity which Australia relies upon in both conflict and peace.

We aspire to mirror those who served and who are currently serving, highlighting humanity’s most admirable attributes: service, selflessness and courage in the face of adversity. It is our responsibility to prolong the memory of those who served, and those who continue to serve today and into the future.

We are very honoured to be standing here today, representing the youth of the Southern Highlands, paying our respects to all men and women who have served and honouring your sacrifice to our country.

Lest We Forget.

Acknowledgment to:

• Frensham students trialing for Open IGSA Teams, Georgia Shakeshaft (Year 12) and Mia Shakeshaft (Year 11) Basketball; Amelia Guilfoyle (Year 12) Hockey; Heidi Jervis (Year 10) Football.
• Sarah-Joy Day and Bella Cay (Year 10) who represented Frensham at the recent Plain English Public Speaking Competition.
• Frensham Schools Equestrians competing at national and regional events: Sophie Baldwin (Year 8) - Hawkesbury Show: 1^st 1.05m Show Jumping; Victorian State Trials: 5^th overall on two different mounts; Cassia Berry (Year 8) - Sugarloaf Cobbity Equestrian Australia: 2^nd overall Pony Dressage; 1^st Youth rider. Oxley Equestrian Day: Frensham and Gib Gate were well represented with numerous riders placing in all disciplines. Cassia Berry (Year 9): 1^st Novice 2B Senior Dressage; Lilly Treweeke (Year 9) 1^st 75cm Senior Show Jumping. The Gib Gate Team of Annika Basson, Olivia Cowley and Georgia Suttie (Year 6), competed at a high standard in dressage, show jumping and show riding, resulting in being placed 2^nd Overall Primary School Division.
• Gib Gate Cross Country Team for its success at the recent IPSHA Cross Country event held at The King’s School: Valentina Hercus and Zahra Nash (Year 3) qualified to represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships to be held later this term.
• Year 6 students for their leadership in the Gib Gate Peer Support Programme (K-5).

Staffing update

Last week, we farewelled Miss Jane Crichton, who had been part of the Boarding Programme since 2019 and was most recently in Linden Turner House. We welcome back Mrs Jacky McCarroll, a well-known member of the Frensham staff, who will be working in Boarding this term.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Welcome Back

It has been wonderful to welcome back all students and staff for Term 2. We had a very productive day of professional learning with staff from both Frensham and Gib Gate on Monday 19 April, followed by the return of Boarders on Monday evening and the commencement of classes on Tuesday 20 April. Schools feel incomplete without the spirited humans who really enliven them as places and as communities.

In our first Prayers to start the term, I shared some of my thoughts and reflections about fresh starts, as the beginning of a new term seems the perfect time to do so. We are all familiar with the feeling of a fresh start – the first day in a new school, a new class, the first day of term or even just a Monday morning. These have a way of decoupling or separating what’s happened in the past from what is to come next. Professor Katy Milkman, from the Wharton School, along with her research team, has explored this topic in great detail. She defines the “Fresh Start Effect” as the energy and determination we feel when we have the opportunity to be able to wipe the slate clean.  According to Milkman’s research, the same momentum that drives us when making new year’s resolutions in January can be harnessed to help us focus on the pursuit of goals at other times throughout the year.

The beginning of a new term is a brilliant time for us all to encourage each other and to take a determined approach ourselves toward our goals, for these “fresh start” moments tend to be when we have a natural inclination to put in the extra effort and set ourselves up well for the term ahead. After all, in the words of Mark Twain: the secret to getting ahead is getting started. I wish all students, staff and families a productive, creative and happy term ahead.

COVID-19

Further to my note to parents last week, I remind all members of the Frensham Schools community of the need to monitor your health during the coming term. Visitors must not attend any School functions if unwell, or awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, and students must not attend school if they are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms. The safety and wellbeing of our community remains our first priority.

We are looking forward to welcoming our community to more events back on campus this term. We are currently finalising plans, in light of the updated regulations, for the Frensham Schools Birthday Weekend in June, and will be communicating these details separately to our community early next week.

Frensham Pavilion

For the first time in over a year the Frensham Pavilion will be fully open for business on Saturday morning for Round 1 of the Term 2 IGSA Competition.

A special thanks must go to Mrs Edwina Savage (Year 10 Parent) who is handing over the reins to Mrs Alison Vilo and Mrs Edwina Carter (Year 9 Parents) for 2021.

Along with the Frensham Baristas (Year 12 students) the team of Alison, Edwina, Edward and Charlie will be preparing and serving the best coffee and bacon and egg sandwiches in the Southern Highlands!

ANZAC Day Service

Over a number of years, Frensham Schools has worked with the Mittagong RSL Sub-branch, to share in the planning and delivery of the best possible outcomes for the community for the Mittagong ANZAC Day Service. This year, COVID-19 restrictions have impacted on the delivery of the traditional services, there will be no Dawn Service, the morning Service will be a ticketed event and there will be no schools marching.

In support of the Mittagong RSL Sub-branch, Frensham’s involvement will include:

• the ANZAC Message on behalf of the Youth of the Community, offered by Jessica Billett and Sophie Perkins (Year 12).
• Wreath Bearers and representing Frensham Schools (P-12), Annabelle Ranken (Head Girl) and Taylah Stoney (Vice Head Girl) with Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12.
• Head of Music, Mr Michael Spencer will lead musical elements of the Service with student participation from singers Grace Amos, Elke Arnott, Lily Hunt, Madeleine Mulligan, Isabelle Promnitz, Georgia Shakeshaft (Year 12) and flautists Maya Basson (Year 11) and Aoibh Costello (Year 12).

All Frensham Boarders will be attending a Service at 10am on campus. All Day Boarders are welcome to join for this Service, in full School Uniform.

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2021 Information for Parents and Carers

In May 2021 the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be completed by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN has the support of all State and Territory Education Ministers and will assess the literacy and numeracy skills of students across Australian schools. NAPLAN and all associated testing events did not proceed for 2020 due to COVID-19.

NAPLAN is an annual assessment and tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The results of the tests will provide important information to schools about what each student can do and will be used to support teaching and learning programs. Parents will receive a report indicating their child’s level of achievement. Each student’s level of achievement will be reported against the national minimum standard.

Student background information (student name, gender, date of birth, language background and Aboriginality) will be collected as part of the National Assessment Program. This information is treated confidentially and held securely to ensure that every student’s right to privacy is maintained.

The NAPLAN tests will be conducted in Week 4 of Term 2 from 11-14 May 2021. Please note that all NAPLAN Tests conducted at Frensham and Gib Gate this year will be pen and paper. 

Where possible, schools are permitted to arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the relevant testing window.  Individual students are not permitted to sit the paper tests after Friday 14 May 2021.

TUESDAY 11 MAY

• Year 3: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes
• Year 5: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes
• Year 7: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes
• Year 9: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes

WEDNESDAY 12 MAY

• Year 3: Reading test - 45 minutes
• Year 5: Reading test - 50 minutes
• Year 7: Reading test - 65 minutes
• Year 9: Reading test - 65 minutes

THURSDAY 13 MAY

• Year 3: Numeracy test - 45 minutes
• Year 5: Numeracy test - 50 minutes
• Year 7: Numeracy test - 65 minutes
• Year 9: Numeracy test - 65 minutes

The Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 Numeracy tests are conducted in one test session. The Years 7 and 9 numeracy tests have two sections. There is a short non-calculator section, in which students are required to demonstrate arithmetical calculation skills. For the remainder of the test, calculators are permitted, even if they are not necessary to answer the question. Students will use the calculator that they currently use at school.

In NAPLAN writing tests, students are provided with a ‘writing stimulus’ (sometimes called a ‘prompt’ – an idea or topic) and asked to write a response in a particular genre (narrative or persuasive writing).

Friday 14 May is the scheduled ‘catch-up’ day for students who missed a test or were absent on a test day. Students may be considered for exemption from the tests if they:

• are newly arrived in Australia (less than one year before the test) and with a language background other than English, or
• have significant intellectual disability and/or significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests.

All other students are expected to participate in the tests. Disability adjustments which reflect the student’s normal level of support in the classroom may be provided. Access to disability adjustments or exemption from the tests must be discussed with the Head and a parent or carer consent form must be signed.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents in consultation with the Head. If you wish to withdraw your child from the tests, a parent or carer consent form must be signed.

Additional information about NAPLAN can be found at: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

We stress that we do not believe in the value of excessive preparation for NAPLAN beyond teaching the NESA Curriculum and familiarising students with the NAPLAN process. Parents and carers are welcome to discuss any questions they may have with Ms Sally Robson or Ms Kate Chauncy at Gib Gate or with Mr Geoff Marsh, Ms Kate Chauncy or Ms Janene van Gogh at Frensham.

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12; Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Boarding Information

Weekend Exeat Links

• All Exeats are to be submitted online via the Schoolbox form and must be completed by 12.00pm the Thursday prior.
• The School will be running South Coast (Kiama / Wollongong) and South West (Cootamundra / Harden / Yass) buses on Sunday 23 May.
• All bus bookings, including Sydney buses, are made via the online Exeat form.

Weekend 2: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 2 (Friday 30 April - Monday 3 May)

Weekend 3: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 3 (Friday 7 May - Monday 10 May)

Weekend 4: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 4 (Friday 14 May - Monday 17 May)

Weekend 5: Open Weekend Leave/Exeat - T2 Week 5 (Friday 21 May - Monday 24 May) Sth West Bus & Sth Coast Bus

Weekend 6: Open Weekend Leave Exeat - T2 Week 6 (Friday 28 May - Monday 31 May)

Available on Schoolbox:

• Weekend programme, posted each Wednesday
• Weekend activity term overview
• House Duty Room phone numbers

Acknowledgement to:

• Senior musicians and their professional tutors: Frensham has been awarded by the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) NSW for the fifth year – a Certificate of Distinction for a Top 10 result in the Category of Most Outstanding Accredited School 2020. Congratulations to Ms Sabine Madden Coordinator of Music Tuition and Gifted and Talented Music students, and the entire Music Staff and Tuition Staff on this extraordinary achievement.
• Equestrian competing successfully at recent national and regional events: Willa Mitchell (Year 12) – Wallaby Hill International – 2^nd placed Junior CCI3* (Eventing); Kate Clifton (Year 9), Young Dressage Championships – 1^st Prelim 1A; Elizabeth Taylor (Year 8) - Southern Cross Hack Championships - Champion Rider (U 15 years), Champion Large Show Hunter Galloway and Champion Owner/Rider Large Show Hunter Galloway; Hufglocken Grand Nationals – Champion Child’s Hack; Sydney Royal Easter Show – Champion Senior Girl Rider (U 17 years), Champion Child’s Galloway; Tia Thomas (Year 8) (Eventing).
• Members of the Show Cattle Team, led by Ms Leonie Mutch, for their excellent results at the Royal Sydney Easter Show: Champion School in the Herdsman (Best Maintained Team) Competition which included their Easter Show Display focusing on Frensham Farming Families and the School’s Agriculture programme and Champion School Carcase.
• Gib Gate U12 Water Polo team, winners of the Grand Final; Amelia Blackshaw for being awarded Best and Fairest Player and Olivia Cowley the Most Improved Player.
• Gib Gate U12 Purple Basketball team, runners-up of the Grand Final.

da Vinci Decathlon Competition

Teams from Years 5 to 10 competed in the da Vinci Decathlon Competition at the end of Term 1. Gib Gate competed at The Illawarra Christian School, Wollongong on Monday 29 March and Frensham competed at The Illawarra Grammar School Wollongong on Tuesday 30 March and Wednesday 31 March. Both Gib Gate and Frensham teams were competing against over 15 other schools from across the Illawarra region. Ms Kate Chauncy (Frensham) and Mrs Lee Ann Marsh (Gib Gate) coordinated participation in the competition and the students are commended for the success achieved.

• Year 5: Darcey Burrows, Lachlan Dormer, Mae Gilkeson, Gemma McInnes, Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo, Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver, Oliver Wilson - 3^rd in Art & Poetry, Engineering and Creative Producers.
• Year 6: Annika Basson, Amelia Blackshaw, Iman Byrne, Isla McVinish, Sofia Nesci, Anthony Neilson, Ruby Rodgers, Adele Trudeau - 2^nd Creative Producers and Legacy, 3^rd Art & Poetry.
• Year 7: Anouk Davies, Mollie Fitzpatrick, Alexandra Frith, Alice Gilder, Indigo Ling, Jade Neilson, Cara Sims, Isabel Syme - 1^st Art & Poetry; 2^nd Cartography and 3^rd English.
• Year 8: Sophie Chen, Jade Cox, Sophie Goodisson, Sophie Hanrahan, Amelia Hartnell, Camilla Johnston, Georgina Lewis, Elizabeth Shadbolt - 2^nd Mathematics.
• Year 9: Adelaide Ayling, Poppy Carter, Alice Fergusson, Claudia Hampson, Sophie Simpson, Imogen Smith, Eva Telford, Sidney Wheeler – 2^nd place overall in Year 9, 1^st Legacy, 3^rd English and Mathematics.
• Year 10: Sarah-Joy Day, Sissy Fairrie, Heidi Jervis, Abigail Jorgensen, Summer Oxley, Freyjika Parker, Phoebe Rouse, Hilary Swan - 3^rd Science.

Frensham Student Leadership (Term 2)

• Hartfield: (Year 10) Sarah-Joy Day, Darcy Maple-Brown, Bridie Turner
• Kennedy: (Year 10) Matilda Damiani, Saskia Hilkemeijer, Cintra Maldonado
• Linden Turner: (Year 10) Hannah Bendror, Meg Jones, Millie Moar   
• Linden Turner: (Year 11) Abigail Hicks, Mia Shakeshaft, Olivia Vertzayias
• Bryant McCarthy: (Year 11) Anna Collins, Mia Greig, Polly Whitwell

Staffing update

We welcome to Boarding:

• Mrs Marion Van Kooten to the role of Head of Hartfield House. Mrs Van Kooten has been working in our Boarding Programme since 2020 and is enthusiastic about leading Hartfield House and contributing her expertise to the Boarding leadership team.
• Mrs Chelsea Carroll who will be joining us as a casual member of staff in Boarding, to provide during Ms Jeannette Gibson’s Long Service Leave, from Week 3 of the term.

We welcome back Mr Michael Spencer (Head of Music) and Mrs Trudi Spencer (Visual Arts) from Long Service Leave taken during Term 1.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

First Term

Thank you to all members of the Frensham Schools community for such a warm welcome to the role. The first term of the year is always a busy one, and I have been so appreciative of the support and advice provided to help me settle into the role of Head and into life in the Highlands.

It has been wonderful to see the enjoyment and enthusiasm of students across all three campuses of Frensham Schools, engaged in their learning, greeting old friends warmly and making new ones, and getting to know their teachers. I have been so impressed by our creative and vibrant learning community of students and staff, and the commitment and dedication shown to the mission and values of the organisation. Part of our founder Winifred West’s vision was that, above all, a school should be a place where individuals, staff and students, willingly gave of their best to foster a sense of love, community and service – and that spirit is very much alive within the community today.

Whilst school life has been, fortunately, less disrupted by COVID than it was throughout 2020, as we have seen this week, vigilance is still required. We anticipate being able to welcome more families on campus for school events next term, and will communicate further towards the end of vacation period to confirm school-specific arrangements.

We wish all families safe travel, a restful and restorative vacation and I look forward to another positive and productive term ahead.

Head of Sturt

Our new Head of Sturt, Kristie Phelan, commenced in March, and has made a strong start in the role. As I mentioned in the announcement of her appointment earlier in March, Kristie brings to the role a valuable combination of skills and experiences, along with energetic drive and enthusiasm, to inform her leadership of the oldest and most dynamic design centre in Australia. I encourage all families to consider making a visit to Sturt across the holiday period or early next term if you haven’t visited for a while.

Boarding Leadership

At the end of this term, Ms Jeannette Gibson is stepping down from her role as Head of Hartfield House, a position she has held since 2011. We recognise her contribution to the Boarding programme at Frensham, and look forward to her continuing to work at Frensham following a short period of well-deserved Long Service Leave at the commencement of Term 2.

We also welcome Ms Sally Arnold to the role of Deputy Head of Boarding (Acting 2021) to join Ms Sally Fennell (Deputy Head of Boarding, Acting 2021), providing valuable leadership support across our Boarding Programme. Ms Arnold will remain Head of Linden Turner House and Year 11 Coordinator whilst taking on this additional responsibility and we look forward to her contribution to the team across 2021.

Term 2 Dates

At the end of Term 2 this year, our calendar has just three school days between the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend and the end of term. In order to provide flexibility for our families, particularly for those with boarders who live a significant distance from Frensham, we will be giving all families at Gib Gate and Frensham the option for children to undertake remote learning at home, or to attend school on campus as scheduled. We will still expect students to complete set learning activities whether at home or on campus. Further logistical details, particularly relating to arrangements for boarders, will be forthcoming early next term

Beginning of Term 2 Dropoff – Boarding

We look forward to welcoming all boarders back on Monday 19 April, before classes commence on Tuesday 20 April. Boarding Houses open from 5.00pm on Monday 19 April, however arrangements are able to be made on an individual family basis if earlier drop off is required. Please email boarding@frensham.nsw.edu.au to make these arrangements.

Return to school Term 2 - Information regarding luggage restrictions for booked transport.

1. Stored Luggage - no more than two items for stowage in luggage bins on coach services. Not to exceed 60cm (height) x 70cm (length) and 50 cm wide (ie: length, depth and width not exceeding total of 180cm) and 20kg in weight.
2. Hand Luggage - the total weight of hand luggage is not to exceed 5kg and must be able to be stored under the seat. Hand luggage that does not fit under the seat must be stored in the luggage compartment beneath the coach.
3. If transport arrangements change and booked transport is no longer required, please call the number on your daughter’s ticket, NSW TrainLink Call Centre on 132 232 and email boarding@frensham.nsw.edu.  
4. Thank you for understanding that last minute bookings are unable to be accommodated.

Communication

We are pleased to confirm that, following this edition of our newsletter, we will return to fortnightly editions next term, with an updated format. Each edition will feature a particular area of Frensham Schools as a focus. We will be continuing to refine our communication channels across the coming terms, and look forward to your feedback as these changes are made.

Our Learning Management System, Schoolbox, will increasingly be used as the location for permission slips, information and notices for parents to access, and you will see the format of Schoolbox refreshed over the coming term. If you are having any difficulty accessing Schoolbox please do contact your child’s teacher (Gib Gate) or form tutor (Frensham) so this can be resolved. It is exciting to be very close to the launch of the Frensham Schools App which we anticipate being able to release during Term 2.

All parents will be invited to participate in a community survey about our communication systems at the beginning of next term and your feedback is welcomed.

Acknowledgement to:

• Award Recipients: Girdles – Willa Mitchell (Equestrian), Jessica Billet (Academic Excellence), Harriet Mackie (Science), Ella Clark (Public Speaking) and Madeleine Mulligan (Academic Excellence).
• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients – Gold: Tamara Unsworth (2020); Silver: Year 11: Isobel Burge, Stella Hanan, Zé McGrath, Mia Shakeshaft (Year 11); Alexandra Bolger, Jessica Greig; Sophia Pernice (Year 12); Bronze: Ava Berkelouw, Sarah-Joy Day, Savannah Linde, Emilie McMurtrie, Darcy Maple-Brown, Elizabeth Nesci, Phoebe Rouse, Mia Greig (Year 10); Zé McGrath, Lucy Pernice, Phoebe Rowntree, Polly Whitwell (Year 11); Harriet Mackie (Year 12).
• Phoebe Rowntree (Year 11) for her selection to the IGSA 17U Softball Team.
• Tildesley Tennis Team members,Coach Justin Taylor, assistance from Ms Macqueen, and with leadership from Annabelle Ranken (C) and Ella Clark (VC) for their success at this year’s event; progressing to Round 4 were Annabelle Ranken and doubles team, Willa Mitchell and India Hicks (Year 12)
• Willa Mitchell (Year 12) for her achievement in being ranked as the Top Junior Eventing, FEI (International Equestrian Federation).
• Frensham Swimming team members for their achievements at recent Carnivals: IGSA Swimming Carnival: Claudia Maple-Brown (Year 7), Millie Moar (Year 10), Phoebe Clifton (Year 11) for progressing to the 50m B Freestyle finals in their age group; the Southern Highlands Schools Swimming Carnival: U15 Age Champion - Lydia Martin (Year 9); Runner Up Age Champions - U13 Tia Thomas (Year 8), U16 Millie Moar (Year 10), U17 Phoebe Clifton (Year 11).
• Frensham Show Cattle and Sheep Teams for recent successes: Nowra Show – Frensham as a team won Most Successful Exhibitor; Judith Hopkins (Year 11) Champion Young Judge, Champion Steer and Champion Parader with her steer Quincey; Goulburn Show: Cattle Team – Judith Hopkins 1^st Place Heavyweight Steer Competition and Champion Steer (‘Quincey’), Phoebe Gilder (Year 9) Reserve Champion Steer (‘Guzman’). Sheep Teams – placed second and third in the Young Farmers Competition. Moss Vale Show – Judith Hopkins 1^st place Junior Steer and Heavyweight Steer Competitions (‘Quincey’); Tia Thomas (Year 8) 1^st place 13-years Paraders Competition (‘Wesley’).
• Gib Gate Water Polo and Basketball Teams for their successes in the local competitions. Competing in Finals competitions are the U12 Water Polo Team and the U12 Girls Purple Basketball Team.
• Gib Gate Swimming team for its preparation and success at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival.
• Gib Gate IPSHA Cross Country Team for their preparation for the IPSHA Cross Country Carnival, postponed due to flooding, now taking place on Wednesday 21 April.
• Gib Gate Year 6 for their leadership and support of students P-5 in Term 1 and for their dedicated preparation for the commencement of the Term 2 Year 6 lead K-5 Peer Support Programme.
• da Vinci Decathlon Teams in Years 5-11 for their preparation and highly successful results for this year’s competition. Year 5 placed 3^rd in Art & Poetry, Engineering and Creative Producers; Year 6, 2^nd in Creative Producers and Legacy and 3^rd in Art & Poetry; Years 7-10 represented Frensham in the Regional Finals and achieved 1^st Art & Poetry; 2^nd Cartography, 3^rd English (Year 7); 2^nd Place in Mathematics (Year 8); 2^nd Place Overall, 1^st Legacy, 3^rd English and Mathematics (Year 9) and 3^rd Place (Science). Year 11 compete in the State competition, held in the ‘virtual environment’ on Wednesday 5 May.
• Frensham Head Girl, Annabelle Ranken, and Vice Head Girl, Taylah Stoney, who represented Frensham at the 2021 International Women’s Day Breakfast held in Mittagong, featuring guest speakers including Frensham Old Girl Zoe Young (1995) on the topic of Women in Leadership.
• Year 9, 2020 for their excellent results in the Cambridge International Global Perspectives course: 22% of students gained the highest result (A*) and another 39% gained an A result. 

Frensham Student Leadership

Prefects for Year Groups

• Year 7: Sarah Brown, Jessica Greig, Ivy McGufficke
• Year 8: Harriet Collins, Ella Hopperton
• Year 9: Adelaide Alker, Emily Hassall, Madeleine Mulligan                 
• Year 10: Erin Alcorn, Georgia Hill, Willa Mitchell
• Year 11: Ella Clark, Eliza Friend
• Year 12 & Vice Head Girl: Taylah Stoney
• Year 12 & Head Girl: Annabelle Ranken       

Year 12 Leaders of Hartfield and Kennedy Houses

• Hartfield: Tess, Armstrong, Alexandra Bolger, Sarah Brown, Sachi Darling, Ruby Halloran, Skye Vander Straaten.
• Kennedy: Emilie Hassall, Ella Hopperton, Madeleine Scott, Jemima Storch, Lara Tait, Amy Thompson.

Heads of House appointed for Term 1

• Hartfield (Year 10): Sissy Fairrie, Lara McConnochie, Poppy Paradice
• Kennedy (Year 10): Bella Cay, Pia D'Rozario, Sarah Partland
• Linden Turner (Year 10): Ava Berkelouw, Olivia Huggins, Eliza Mulligan
• Linden Turner (Year 11): Sophie Domazet, Stella Hanan, Charlotte Hindmarsh
• Bryant McCarthy (Year 11): Sarah Hunter, Ava Kingsley, Emily Lenehan
• Bryant McCarthy (Year 12): appointed for the year

Gib Gate Monitors

It was a delight to be able to attend the Gib Gate Monitors Assembly earlier in the term, and to present our Year 6 students with their monitor badges. All students carry responsibility for particular areas of interest or passion in the school, and it has been heartening to see the enthusiasm with which Year 6 have approached their responsibilities this term.

Adeline Ahern, Library; Chloe Barrowman, Equestrian, Jamieson Sport; Annika Basson, Equestrian; Amelia Blackshaw, Library, Wilson Sport; Iman Byrne, Japanese, Visual Arts; Olivia Cowley, Music, Wilson Sport; Zali de Manincor, Jamieson, Visual Arts; Imogen Diver, Preschool, Visual Arts; Sienna Donat, Dance, McCutcheon Sport; Sophie McAndrew, McCutcheon Sport, Preschool; Ana McInnes, Wilson Sport; Frankie McKeon, McCutcheon Sport, Preschool; Isla McVinish, Preschool, Library; Anthony Neilson, Jamieson Sport; Sofia Nesci, Jamieson Sport; Ruby Rodgers, Jamieson Sport; Georgia Suttie, Environmental; Victoria Trotter, Jamieson Sport; Adele Trudeau, Library, Wilson Sport; Zali Walters, McCutcheon, Environmental.

Parent Advisory Committees 2021

We warmly welcome new Members and offer our thanks and appreciation to those retiring.

Frensham

• Welcome to Mrs Karen Shadbolt, Mrs Jane Vickery, Mr Michael Wheeler
• Mr John Hopkins is appointed as Chair for 2021 and Mrs Charlotte Warner is the newly appointed Secretary.
• Retiring: Mr David Cullen, Mr Simon Logan.

Gib Gate

• Welcome to Mrs Crista Beckhaus, Mrs Georgina Spong.
• Dr Jerry Basson is appointed as Chair for 2021 and Mrs Crista Beckhaus is the newly appointed Secretary.
• Retiring: Mrs Denise Telford and Mrs Lucinda Wilson.

Staffing Updates

This term, we have been pleased to welcome the following new staff members to Frensham Schools.

Sturt

• Mrs Kristie Phelan – Head of Sturt

Gib Gate

• Ms Nikki Coumbiadis, B Ed (Primary) (UNE) – Year 5 classroom teacher
• Ms Nicola Fenaughty, B Health Science (USYD) – PDHPE and Sport classroom teacher
• Mrs Marnie Rea, B Ed (Primary) (USYD) – Year 2 classroom teacher, Terms 1-3 (Maternity Leave cover)

Frensham

• Mrs Julia Abbey, PG Cert Ed, (Bath College of Higher Education, UK); B Sc (Psychology/Sociology), (Portsmouth University, UK) – Boarding House Staff
• Mrs Anne Barnes, MA Teaching (Secondary) (UNE); BA (French and Spanish) (UQLD) –Languages and Library
• Miss Jemma Barrett, B Health and Physical Education (UOW), in process – Boarding House Staff
• Ms Jacqui Bolt, B Visual Arts, USYD, Dip High School Education (VA) (CSU); Dip Fine Art (NAS) – VA (Term 1) and Boarding House Staff (casual)
• Mrs Lucy Dalleywater, MA Educational Leadership (current) (Macquarie); BA English; BEd English/Humanities and Social Science (USYD) – Head of Special Projects
• Miss Holly Jefford, currently studying B Exercise Science, UOW – Boarding House Staff
• Miss Melissa Lourenco, B Ed (General Education) (Stellenbosch Uni South Africa) – Boarding House Staff
• Mrs Susie McGlinn, BA (English Literature/Communication) (UNE), B Teaching (Secondary) (CSU), Grad Certificate Information Services (current) (CSU) – Library Teacher
• Ms Jane McLellan, B Sc, John Brown University, USA; PG TESOL, Macquarie – Boarding House Staff
• Mrs Renae Pinazza, PhD (UOW), 2021 completion; B Music (Music Education) (USYD) (Sydney Conservatorium of Music), Music
• Miss Abby Regan, MA Teaching (Secondary French and Spanish), B Sc (Chemistry), BA (Spanish and Latin American Studies) (USYD)– Boarding Staff and Teaching (Languages and Science)
• Mr Matthew Selby, BA, B Teaching (Secondary – Mathematics), (Australian Catholic University) –Senior Teacher in Mathematics
• Mrs Donna Wedesweiler, BA (USYD); M Ed (USYD) – Boarding House Staff (returning staff member)

Departing staff

We thank Mrs Sally Hannah for her contribution as Year 8 Coordinator during this term, and look forward to welcoming back Mrs Trudi Spencer from Long Service Leave in Term Two.

We bid farewell to Ms Emily Sinden who will be taking up a position at Nowra Anglican College next term, after joining the Frensham Staff in 2018 and contributing significantly in her roles, including Music teacher, Year Coordinator and, this term, Acting Head of the Music Faculty. We wish Ms Sinden continued success at her new school, and look forward to welcoming Mr Michael Spencer back from Long Service Leave in Term Two.

Year Coordinators for 2021:
Mrs Amanda Metua – Year 7
Mrs Sally Hannah – Year 8, Term 1
Mrs Trudi Spencer – Year 8, from Term 2
Ms Olivia Scottin – Year 9
Mrs Kate Gallagher – Year 10
Ms Sally Arnold – Year 11; Ms Lucy Thorne, Assistant Coordinator
Ms Sally Fennell – Year 12; Ms Molly Macqueen, Assistant Coordinator

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Farewell and Goodluck to Year 12 Gib Gaters

Wellbeing Wednesday this week was a special occasion for Gib Gate students as we enjoyed the opportunity to say Farewell and Goodluck to our ‘Gib Gaters’ in Year 12 2021 at Frensham. A much-anticipated annual event, the Year 12 Frensham Gib Gaters’ Farewell would normally, in non-lockdown times, involve the Year 12 students spending the morning with us on the Gib Gate campus, playing with the children and re-living memories of favourite places and events from their Preschool to Year 6 years. It is always delightful to see how quickly these very grown-up young women transform back to carefree little Gib Gaters as they run around the campus - playing on the playground equipment, having a soccer game, revisiting classrooms and catching up with teachers - before quickly transforming back into composed Year 12 students as we conclude the morning with a memorable whole-school assembly in the Gib Gate Hall. 

With a visit to our beautiful campus currently not possible and with students home learning, plans for the 2021 farewell were revised knowing how even more important this time to reflect and connect is, given the extraordinary times our Year 12 students find themselves experiencing. 

‘Putting our feet in their shoes’ we asked Gib Gate students what they thought the Frensham girls would want to do? “See us of course!” was the unanimous response! So Preschool, Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 students and staff organised a Zoom Farewell session for 11.00am. Year 6 2021 students, Gib Gate Kindergarten 2015, were particularly excited to see their Year 6 2015 leaders and buddies, even if in an online format, and Year 12 were amazed to see how their little buddies had grown. 

Knowing how much the Year 12 students enjoy re-living memories of their primary years, we then invited Year 12 to watch a video composed of images taken from their Preschool to Year 6 years at Gib Gate. It was so emotional to see these fine young women as they were all those years ago – although to the Gib Gate staff it only seems like a minute ago! The Gib Gate students loved seeing the photos of the Year 12s as tiny Preschoolers, or dressed up for all the special events we still enjoy at Gib Gate such as Book Week, Christmas Dress-up Day, the Year 5 & 6 Social, or taking part in Athletics Carnivals and Sport. A particularly poignant moment for Year 6 was seeing photos of Year 12 dressed in character for their Legacy of Leaders Project, a project Year 6 are currently finalising in preparation for their Legacy of Leaders presentation in Term 4. 

At the conclusion of the memories video, Year 12 were invited to open their card and farewell gifts, a smiley face cupcake to remind them of all the birthdays they celebrated at Gib Gate and a copy of the wonderful Dr Seuss book, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Our Farewell Zoom concluded with a special message read by Georgia Suttie Year 6 2021 (Kindergarten 2015 Buddy of Grace Mackenzie) which concluded with the quote 

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

 

This week's The Great Gib Gate Bake-off

We would like to congratulate the Gib Gate students and thank families for their support of online learning over the past three weeks. The Gib Gate staff are a wonderful team and we really appreciate all the kind messages we receive from parents about the quality of the online programme. Staff are working hard to ensure they spend as much time as possible online engaged in face-to-face teaching with their classes. We know that seeing and hearing their class teacher throughout the day keeps students engaged and maintains a regular routine, which is so important in these times. 

Teachers are making the online learning as interactive as possible, and the inclusion of regular brain breaks and movement sessions and all specialist lessons are important in providing balance. Wellbeing Wednesdays, with offline learning from 11.00am, are also designed to provide the students with a fun activity mid-week and a break from screen time. The Gib Gate Pet Show and Crazy Hair/Hat Day and Kahoot quiz were great successes. Held this week, The Great Gib Gate Bake-off was taken up with great enthusiasm, as seen by this selection of creations!

The Week 8 and Week 9 online programme also includes creative, hands-on tasks such as the Year 6 Legacy of Leaders display construction, Year 5 poster project, Years 4 and 3 display project, Year 2 First Lego League Explore kits, Year 1 Lego & Diorama construction, Kindergarten First Lego League Discover kits and P-6 Father's Day/Special Person craft activities. K-6 classes have also enjoyed starting Smiling Mind meditation sessions this week and I would like to encourage parents in supporting their child to use their Smiling Mind Journals for follow-up sessions.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Tournament of Minds

Congratulations to the Tournament of Minds team in the successful submission of their presentation on Friday 24 August.  The Tournament of Minds programme aims to foster divergent and creative thinking through collaboration and enterprise while solving complex, open ended challenges. The team consisting of Amelia Blackshaw, Ana McInnes, Isla McVinish, Sofia Nesci (Year 6), Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo and Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver (Year 5) chose the problem titled “Reboot My Classic”. They were required to rewrite a classic story into a new context and using a range of promotional techniques including, theme song, posters and short clips, needed to build hype for the release of this “new classic”, while at the same time gradually reveal key features of the plot without naming the original classic until the end.

The team has been working throughout Term 3 preparing to perform their solution at the South Coast Division of the Tournament of Minds competition at the University of Wollongong. With the onset of restrictions, they were required to use their creativity, problem solving and teamwork skills to quickly turn their performance into a video presentation using a variety of digital communication modes including Zoom and iMovie. The team is commended for its dedication and commitment in creating a clever performance.

Mrs Lee Ann Marsh, Coordinator 

Gib Gate Book Fair and Author's Visit 

We feel extremely lucky to have been able to enjoy a full week of Book Week celebrations last week, before moving to online learning in Week 6. Book Week is core to the Gib Gate literacy experience as students and staff together celebrate our love of literature and dress up as favourite characters. The Gib Gate Book Fair, with virtual tour and online book list from parents, was a great success and it was pleasing to see all children choosing books to purchase and see their excitement as they were able to simply browse, consider and select a book of their choice. The Zoom visiting Author and Illustrator session was inspiring, and the children learnt many ‘tips and tricks’ from Aura Parker, author of one of our favourite picture books Twig, about how to begin writing and illustrating their own books. The children enjoyed the delightful spring weather and also appreciated a special Book Week cake!

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Learning to work and play with others positively 

The power of working and learning collaboratively is greatly valued at Gib Gate, and the expertise of the entire staff across classroom, specialist, sport and co-curricular activities in creating opportunities for students to learn from and with others is a strength of the School. Scaffolding learning experiences expertly, staff enable students to contribute their thinking or demonstrate their skill whilst learning from the thinking and skills of others.

Collaborative learning is extremely powerful in developing the ability of individuals through collective experience, and learning to work and play with others positively, and is a vital skill students practise every day. Making mistakes is very much part of this experience and re-framing disappointments and setbacks as opportunities to learn is important in developing resilience and grit.

Celebrating the Gib Gate Festival of Sport last week, followed by participation in community sport on Saturday, along with the avid watching of the Olympic events over the weekend by the students and staff, gave us the ideal opportunity at this week’s Monday assembly to talk about how athletes across all sports have learnt how to manage disappointments and set-backs, re-framing these experiences positively to enable them to achieve their goals.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Enrichment and Activities: Performance Opportunities

Throughout the year there are many occasions for performance opportunities for individuals and groups at Gib Gate including Performance Assemblies, Grandparents’ Day, Soirée, Cultural Performances and Concerts. All students from Preschool to Year 6 participate in the annual Musical Production. Alongside these opportunities, students have chances to perform in a more informal setting, for example for their class in Music, for Preschool, tutor’s lunchtime recitals, examination preparation performances.

The Soirée is an evening recital for students from Years 5 and 6 to perform solos or in small groups. Unfortunately, the scheduled Soirée for Term 3 has been postponed until we can have an audience on campus. 

Year 6 students have commenced preparing for the P-6 Musical, The Aristocats. Every student in Year 6 has a speaking role and they are working on their acting and stage craft skills. All the other classes will commence learning their songs and dances in the coming weeks.

Preschool Music lessons have been adjusted to include more listening and responding as we cannot sing indoors with the current restrictions for schools. Preschool enjoyed responding to the glockenspiel and cello in recent lessons.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

The Young Archies Online

On Saturday 31 July, it was exciting to see the work of Gib Gate finalists Mia Vasales (Kindergarten) and Oliver Whitfield (Year 5), shown through a live-stream broadcast from the NSW Art Gallery. All Gib Gate entrants’ artworks have been returned along with a certificate for their submissions, these will be presented to students this week.

The NSW Gallery's guest judge artist, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, who chose the finalists this year, is the perfect choice for Gib Gate’s Visual Arts programme.

At Gib Gate, we encourage students to tap into their 'own' expression rather than what they feel society perceives to be a 'good' drawing or artwork. To be courageous when not only making their own and collaborative works, but also to view works from many vantage points and not purely for perceived aesthetics. Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, a Sri Lankan-born Australian, is a contemporary artist who explores global histories and the languages of figurative representation. We will be viewing his work this term as students continue their Art Appreciation studies.

Ms Jacqui Bolt, Visual Arts Teacher 

Sport

Gib Gate Athletics Carnival

Last week was an exciting time for Gib Gate Sport with Years 2-6 taking part in the Festival of Sport Athletics Carnival on Thursday and Friday. All students participated in a range of athletic events. The programme for Thursday included the 100-metre, discus and long jump. It was pleasing to see many students discovering new talents and recording personal bests. Friday provided further opportunity for the students to showcase their athletic skills with shot put, high jump, relays and the 200-metre sprint. Kindergarten and Year 1 were dressed in green and gold to support the senior students during the sprints. It was wonderful to see many students dressed in their house colours and cheering on their peers.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Preschool

Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips spoken without sound.
Edwin Curran

The Preschoolers have been observing the changes in our environment as flowers and trees are blooming. The bright petals and buds have captured our attention in the outdoor learning spaces. Keenly, students noted and investigated the insects that are on or near the petals. Recalling their knowledge of insects, they predicted what the ladybeetles, bees and ants were doing. 

A sprig of wattle was used as a stimulus on the art table. The wattle was examined in detail with magnifying glasses and it was decided to draw pictures of the wattle flowers. We then talked about the shapes the flower heads were made of and the children then created their own masterpieces using simple black outlines. Students worked hard, discussing their observations with each other.

Technology is a great ‘tool’ to share more information with the children and we used the laptop to delve deeper into botanical images of wattles that are common to the Southern Highlands. When children are fully involved and immersed in a topic their questions and ponderings become more involved thus their minds work harder. Looking at the botanical drawings of wattle inspired the children to think about how they might start to represent wattle in a combined art work.

A collabarative wattle work was set up on a table with materials aimed at igniting creativity. The children were introduced to the materials and new techniques were suggested. They were shown how to use oil pastles of yellows, greens and blues and to feel the pressure of these on the page. They smudged and rubbed the pastles creating varied markings with watttle images in the forefront of their mind. Watercolours were used and the children were invited to tickle their brush in the water feeling the bristles on the paper. As they worked they discussed techniques and provided feedback for each other. We are proud of the care and support they shared with each other and how they motivated and encouraged work. The children remained focused adding petals, stems and leaves with fine small hand movements. 

Once the children had worked on the collaborative paper they were invited to create their own artwork. Giving them the opportunity to use some of the new skills in their own way, using trial and error with the freedom required to create unique work. It was interesting to see varied techniques used or how some repeated what they had created on the collaborative piece. 

Through inspiring creativity we are reminded that ‘stencil’ work doesn’t have a place at Gib Gate Preschool. The opportunity to create and be creative is nourished so that the children rise beyond set lines and limited expectations. We are pleased to promote free expression knowing it will take the children’s imaginations and creativity to greater places. 

Ms Tinna Loker, Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

Welcome to Term 3 

Gib Gate staff and I would like to thank our school community for its support and care as we commenced Term 3 under Level 2 COVID-19 restrictions. We feel extremely fortunate to be on campus, teaching face to face. It is a joy to see the students arriving happily at school each day, engaged in their learning and being able to play with their friends in the outdoor environment. We know our colleagues, friends and families, and schools in Greater Sydney are experiencing a very different start to the term and we have them very much in our thoughts.

Over the holiday, Gib Gate Teachers and Mrs Lucinda Dalleywater, Frensham Schools Schoolbox Project Leader, have been working on the development of the Gib Gate Schoolbox pages and the new look platform was launched at the start of term. We hope parents have been able to take a look at the P-6 Class and Specialist Teacher pages as we continue to develop these, adding curriculum links, blogs and photographs of the students in action at school, especially given we are unable to welcome parents back on campus at this time. We hope the information, messages and images give an insight into just how wonderful each child’s experience is at school each day.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Enrichment and Activities

Music workshops and performance

Performance
The Musica Viva ensemble, Rhythm Works, are performing for all P-6 Gib Gate students this Friday. This performance has pivoted from a face to face live concert to an online live event. Rhythm Works are a percussion duo who will show students how to create visual images through music – with lizards, waterfalls, road trains, and carnivals. In this high energy show, students are introduced to a range of instruments from African djembes, marimbas, electronic loop machines, Boomwhackers, and wearable instruments made out of PVC pipe. Students enjoy playing the classroom percussion instruments, including Boomwhackers, and it will be interesting to see a professional group performing on these.

Gib Gate Orchestra
The Orchestra has moved its Friday rehearsals back to Gib Gate Hall, in order to physically distance. Students enjoyed starting two new pieces in Week 1; Stadium Rock is a catchy piece, getting all in the mood for the Olympics and Regent Square.

Activities
Term 3 activities started at school this week with full classes. Activities include Cooking, Lucy’s Craft workshops, Junior Tennis, Robotics, and Yoga.

The Robocup Team, Debating Team and Tournament of Minds Team are all preparing for competitions later in the term.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

Sport

Local sporting competition has returned. Last week saw all Gib Gate’s soccer teams ready to play at home, but unfortunately wet ground conditions and sleeting rain meant soccer at various grounds around the Southern Highlands was called off early on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the hockey teams are back at Welby on the artificial turf pitches as their competition continues. Last week, Thursday morning athletics training started again, with students practicing their long jump skills. All students are developing their athletics skills during their Stage Sport sessions on a Thursday afternoon in preparation for the Gib Gate Athletics Carnival.

Over the holiday, many students continued to train for Interschools skiing and horse-riding events. Unfortunately, many of these have been cancelled or postponed. We congratulate students for their efforts in preparation and look forward to seeing them compete in the future.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Preschool

It’s like a treasure hunt, in a way, and you’re a detective. Jeff Warwick

Children have been eager to share holiday treasure boxes they took home at the end of Term 2. These boxes were upcycled with much love, glitter, paint, craft and anticipation. The contents of the boxes were shared with peers in the first couple of weeks of Term 3. Items varied from shells and stones found on the beach, baby clothes from new siblings, birthday cards, horseshoes, feathers, pamphlets from holiday places, photographs, books, postcards, homemade toys, monster truck brochures, ticket stubs, leaves, bones and moss. The children shared their treasures with their classmates and teachers, using descriptive words combined with pure excitement. The boxes not only provided an insight into the places the children had been but also an understanding into their thinking. There could be no more motivational tool than to be asked why the items were chosen. As a class, students listened with eagerness and used questions to gather more information about the items. Finding the descriptive words to provide a full picture of the treasures was at times challenging as the audience was not aware of where students had been, who they had visited or why the item was so special to the speaker. We were reminded of what a special gift listening, questioning, and using kind words are as friends made inquiries or supported each other as they talked.

Audrey: I chose golden rocks because they had patterns on them. They were pretty. 

Darby: I was keen it be in a competition to see who had the best treasure.

Tinna: Who would be the judge?

Darby: Well, me.  But hang on that might not be fair.

Ava: I wanted to bring in the flower press because I thought everyone would like it.

Mimi: I brought some shells I got them from the beach. I chose them because I like them.

Thomas: I brought in the monster truck things because I thought you’d like it because we are learning about monster trucks! I liked seeing Buddy win. 

Ms Tinna Loker Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

Cambridge Global Perspectives – Learning Walk

Celebrating the end of our School Birthday on Friday 4 June with an afternoon Learning Walk through all classrooms P-6 was a perfect way to conclude a wonderful day. Grouped in Peer Support groups K-6, and visiting all classrooms and Preschool, students took responsibility (with the support of their classroom teacher) for introducing visitors to the learning display in their classroom. It was pleasing to see students confidently talking on behalf of their class, to their peer support buddies and parents, explaining the work on Cambridge Global Perspectives on display in the classroom. The real-world content of each area of investigation motivated and engaged students and the thinking and questions this generated, and that was shared with the audience, was clearly evident on the day and in the photographs below.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

ICAS Academic Competitions at Frensham Schools Term 3 for Years 2-11

In 2021, we will be offering the opportunity for all students from Years 2-11 to enter the ICAS competitions.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is designed to provide a measure of student achievement in an external assessment situation against other students who demonstrate a high level of ability in a variety of disciplines. It allows students an additional opportunity to apply their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies and gain recognition for their efforts. For all tests, a high level of literacy is assumed, including highly developed comprehension skills in a ‘limited time’ situation, including in the Mathematics and Science papers.

The ICAS papers are not designed to test the NESA syllabus in any discipline and are set at ‘above level’ knowledge of discipline content and skills. Students will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed multiple-choice style questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision. For Writing they will be provided with an age-appropriate stimulus and will write either a narrative or persuasive style response. 

All ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to online assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results. The assessment programme, supervised by teachers, will be run at School at Gib Gate for Years 2-6 and at Frensham for Years 7-11.

Final reminder: Parents can enrol their son or daughter in any, or all of the disciplines we offer by completing the Google form before the cut-off date of Thursday 17 June.

Entry link: ICAS 2021 Competition Selection form

Parents can learn more about ICAS by visiting : https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Enrichment and Activities

Music workshops and performance
Gib Gate students enjoyed a visit to Frensham recently. Initially, they were an audience for the Frensham Combined Ensemble who performed Pirates of the Caribbean. Students were excited to hear and see such a great range of instruments, particularly enjoying the bass clarinet, bassoon and French horn. A few students thought they might even take up the double bass.

Then the Gib Gate String players, including all Year 2 and Year 3 students who participate in Gib Gate’s Strings Programme as part of their Music lessons, played two of their pieces with the Frensham students. Gib Gate students enjoyed the opportunity to produce such a full sound with the group.

The Gib Gate Orchestra joined the Frensham musicians to play two of their best-loved pieces, Power Rock and Moody Blues. There were over 100 students performing together from Year 2 to Year 12! The Gib Gate Orchestra enjoyed playing with so many more musicians and the full range of instruments.

All student enjoyed the afternoon of music-making and listening!

Friends of Gib Gate (FOGG)
More than 30 parents went on a bus trip to see the Archibald Exhibition at NSW Art Gallery. At the Gallery, Ben Quilty, past Gib Gate parent and Archibald prize-winner, led the group on a tour. Gib Gate’s recent success in the Young Archie competition made this visit even more poignant. FOGG has an important friend-raising role at Gib Gate and operates the canteen at sports home games on Saturdays. FOGG supports the School in a variety of ways including Book Week, Musicals and Family functions.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

Sport

The end of Term 2 marks the halfway point of our winter sports competition. Students play at a variety of venues around the Southern Highlands each weekend, and it is encouraging to see so many Gib Gate students participating in sport. With many playing a sport for the first time and coming up against some very skilled competition, it is pleasing to note the development of players and teams over the term.

On Thursday 10 June, Zahra Nash and Valentina Hercus competed in the NSWCIS Cross Country. Competing at this level is a high achievement; Zahra placed 29^th and Valentina 54^th

Vacation Sport

• Students will be competing in the Northern NSW Interschools Snowsports Championship in the last week of June.
• There are various Equestrian competitions throughout the holiday.  

We wish all participating students an enjoyable and rewarding experience at each of these competitions.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Visual Arts

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 have been working with recycled materials to make dream houses. The impetus for their art making was a story called The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater.

This is a book about individuality and being true to your creative expression. The main character, Mr Plumbean had his home painted/created in a way that made him feel at ease and happy. Inspired by the story some students constructed dream houses made to look like favourite animals, whilst other students focused on comfort, including movie screens, or swimming pools on their roofs.

Kindergarten used natural recycled materials sparked by images of eco houses. Year 1 and Year 2 focused on sustainability with, ‘Reduce, Recycle, Reuse’ evident in the materials they created with and the sustainability features they crafted, such as water tanks and solar panels.

Discussions around environmental concerns and accepting individuality in others were had, and we engaged in communal problem solving skills during construction stages.

Students in Years 3-6 have been focusing on abstraction through the lens of the Basic Elements of Design. Portraits from the Young Archie competition were looked at and personal art works were created through the use of abstraction. Jean Miro’s works were viewed and critiqued to begin our ‘Art Appreciation’ journey.

After abstract portraits were made we researched artist Alexander Calder. Students re-visited their portraits and abstracted their making further, by picking out the shapes and colours from their pieces to create a moving work - a mobile.

Once comfortable with abstraction, students shake away preconceived ideas of ‘good art’ being representational art. The final shift in process involves large scale shapes being painted to create a collaborative mobile. Here colour mixing and lessons on tone are absorbed.

Preschool

If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it. Perhaps this is what Thoreau had in mind when he said, “The more slowly trees grow at first, the sounder they are at the core, and I think the same is true of human beings.”
David Sobel

The Preschool problem-solving minds were on high alert whilst investigating bees during their Cambridge Global Perspectives work. Having learnt that bees collect nectar and cross-pollinate, which is essential for a positive future, the children suggested we make a house for the bees. Students researched bee and insect hotels on the computer and through books before making a wishlist of items required. The request for recycled materials to build the insect hotel was answered by families.

Much to our delight, bricks, sticks, besser bricks, boxes, logs, pallets and tins came into Preschool. We ventured into the paddock to create a hotel with some of our families. Over a few weeks we used various tools to help create the hotel. Under close supervison, the children took turns in making holes in a log with a drill. These holes will create little nests for various insects to reside in. Eventually the logs were placed on top of the pallets and secured in place.

We know insects like little warm places to live so we used leaves, grass and bark to create warm areas in the base of tins before adding sticks we snapped with our foot. We learnt that if you lean on a stick with a foot and pull with your hand the weight of your body helps a stick to break.  The delight in stick snapping was great! 

Being thoughtful and empathetic souls, the children gathered little sticks for the ants to use as ladders to climb up, berries were picked and little wildflowers as bedding and a cosy sleeping bag was created with a bit of found plastic. The children quickly took control of the area and extended amounts of time were spent here exploring, examining the hotel and pondering.

As we have been learning Japanese we wrote ‘Insect Hotel’ in English and then in Japanese 虫のホテル with a wood burner onto wood boards to create signs to hang above the hole. We have been learning about the Gundungurra culture so we added the Aboriginal flag onto wood boards.

The signs were then installed and the children admired their work with great satisfaction. Many children have taken family members to see the insect hotel before school. 

Ms Tinna Loker Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

Collaboration and Creativity

The ability to work with others, to appreciate different perspectives and be empathetic are vital skills for the future, according to biomedical engineer, inventor and futurist, Dr Jordan Nguyen. Add to this the ability to think divergently and creatively, and we are equipping the students of today with the ability to work into a future we cannot predict.

Skilled educators create learning communities in schools, where individuals are valued for their unique abilities and challenged to contribute in a collaborative setting, learning how to listen to and value the ideas of others.

Experiencing a sense of flow, the feeling of being totally immersed without regard for the passing of time, allows students to think and act creatively, giving them the space to explore divergent thinking and to push their own boundaries.

Examples of these concepts in action have been in abundance across Gib Gate in recent weeks; daily in classrooms as students fully engage in collaborative learning tasks, and across all specialist subject areas, extra-curricular classes and sporting commitments. Student Learning Highlights clearly articulate how students feel about their learning, including how much they value opportunities to stretch their thinking, work on areas of interest and enjoy the broad and rich experiences on offer.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

 

KIDS’ LIT Australia Competition 2021

The Kids’ Lit Quiz is an annual literature quiz for students aged 10 to 13 in Years 6, 7 and 8. Quizzes are held in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and the USA.

We congratulate Year 6 Kids’ Lit Team – Adeline Ahern, Olivia Cowley, Ruby Rodgers and Adele Trudeau – who represented Frensham Schools – Gib Gate at the Regional Finals in an online (virtual) event on Friday 22 May.

The students travelled to Frensham where they worked collaboratively to answer 100 questions using ZOOM and Socrative online software in 10 categories across the day. With 35 teams competing across NSW in this heat the competition was fierce! With a perfect score of 10 in the final round of ‘All Australian’, the team gained a total point score of 62 - only 3 points behind the Frensham Year 8 team.

Students enjoyed the full day of competition after having trained weekly in the Library with Mrs Lee Ann Marsh throughout Term 2.

A team of eight Year 5 and Year 6 students are now in training to represent Gib Gate in the annual Tournament of Minds Competition 2021. Amelia Blackshaw, Ana McInnes, Isla McVinish, Sofia Nesci (Year 6), Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo and Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver (Year 5) will compete in the Regional Final to be held on Sunday 29 August (Week 7 Term 3) at the University of Wollongong. They are meeting weekly with Mrs Marsh to develop the skills required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges across a number of disciplines. At the commencement of Week 1 Term 3 they will be given access to the selected ‘Long Term Challenge’ and will work collaboratively for six weeks, without assistance from teachers, parents or peers. They are encouraged to explore possibilities and experiment with ideas as they endeavour to produce their best possible solution. They must develop a creative and original way to communicate this solution to others, working within predefined parameters such as limited materials, complex challenge criteria and the deadline of Tournament Day.

Students present the product of their ideas - their challenge solution - to a panel of judges and an audience on Tournament Day. They have ten minutes in which to present and must do so within a 3 metre by 3 metre performance area. The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Tournament Day. This challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think creatively and well-developed group cooperation skills. Judges for both the Long Term and the Spontaneous Challenges are professionals chosen from all areas of education, the arts and industry.

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Enrichment and Activities

Outdoor Education: Years 5 and 6 Camp
Years 5 and 6 students and teachers went to OEG’s Camp Wombaroo for a three day, two night camp last week.

STEP OUTSIDE TO THINK OUTSIDE

Taking students out into nature forms an important part of Gib Gate academic curriculum. Some of the most rewarding and illuminating experiences in life are those that take us out of our comfort zone. Throughout the Gib Gate Outdoor Education programme, students are immersed in an environment that promotes physical health, overall wellbeing and full engagement. Away from the classroom, education in the outdoors is designed to open up the wonder of the natural world to students. Through adventure and exploration, they learn to rise to physical and emotional challenges, and are supported to develop personally and as part of a collaborative community. Nothing prepares students for the real world like real life experience.

Students experienced a broad range of challenging, hands-on experiences including bush walking, camp cooking, abseiling, high rope, archery, canoeing, archery, and camp craft. They developed their social and self-management skills, built teamwork, and further developed their friendships, all the while having fun and embedding memories for a lifetime.

Life Education
Life Education New South Wales is a community-based, independent organisation at the front line of positive and preventative childhood health education. Empowering young people to make informed decisions about their health and safety is at the heart of the programme, which is delivered by visiting educators and for the younger students, the popular Life Education mascot, Healthy Harold.

All Gib Gate students, Preschool to Year 6, participated in Life Education sessions last week.

• Kindergarten and Year 1: Harold’s Friendships – focused on how to build friendships and care for others; feelings and emotions; safe and unsafe situations and early warning signs; safe places and people to turn to for help.
• Year 2: Safety Rules – helped children to problem solve and focused on recognising safe and unsafe environments; how to care for others; behaviours that maintain friendships; places and people who they can go to for help.
• Year 3 and 4: Cyberwise – focused on cybersafety, cyber ethics and building positive relationships with friends online and offline. Students explored a range of issues such as password security, risks of sharing personal information, how to communicate respectfully both online and offline as well as: responsible and respectful behaviour when using communication technology; skills for building positive relationships with friends; keeping personal information safe online; strategies to deal with bullying and cyberbullying; exploring the role of bystanders.
• Year 5: On the Case – explored what is in a cigarette; the effects of smoking; history and laws; myths and facts surrounding smoking; influences and pressures; strategies to reduce harm.
• Year 6: Think Twice - Students explored concepts such as the effect that alcohol has on body systems, laws relating to its sale and reasons why people choose not to consume alcohol. This module focuses on myths and facts surrounding the use of alcohol; strategies for responding to pressure to drink; physical, social & legal consequences of alcohol use; strategies to reduce harmful effects of alcohol on self and others.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

Sport

The last couple of weeks have been exciting time for Gib Gate Soccer, with many teams competing in Gala Days. These days involve several different activities and games throughout the morning. All students are congratulated on their efforts.

Gib Gate hockey players have been developing their skills throughout the season and the improvements have been fantastic to watch.

This week sees the end of the tennis programme. It has been encouraging to see students engage in the sport and develop their skills each week with Coach Michael. As this has become an annual programme it has been pleasing to see the skills begin to develop in Kindergarten and progress so well through the Year groups.

This week, Valentina Hercus and Zahra Nash (Year 3) and will be competing in the NSWCIS Cross Country. The girls have been following a training programme and we wish them all the best for this event.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Preschool

Don’t just tell them about their world. Show them.
Penny Whitehouse

There was lots of excitement as Preschool boarded a bus for an excursion to Sturt Gallery, taking clipboards, morning tea and a sense of keen interest with us. On our bus ride the children looked out the windows, pointing out familiar places on the way and talked about how they could not wait to get to our excursion venue. Many children had never been on a bus before. The first stop on our agenda was to have a warm hot chocolate before our adventure began.

We visited Sturt Gallery to learn about the Biogenesis exhibition and to listen to artist Libby Hobbs who created some of the pieces that are in the exhibition. The works were intricate and detailed, made with elaborate needlework, coloured wool, dipped clay and lots of other artistic techniques. The preschoolers were focused and engaged throughout the gallery visit and had many questions to ask the gallery curator. The children were also given time to observe the art pieces and draw them on their clipboards. They looked at the pieces carefully and took their time to draw them with detail and accuracy. This work would act as a reminder and tool for a future project.

After a bushwalk hoping to see platypus at Frensham’s Lower Holt the children explored the grounds, looking at tracks made by tractors, hearing animal noises and looking at insects and plants.

Back at Gib Gate, the children were asked about their favourite part of the excursion and showed their thinking on paper.   Sharing our thoughts and observations as a group sparked our imaginations further, with several children deciding they too would like to make dolls like the ones we had seen at Sturt. We are keen to instil in the students that they are capable of all tasks and so the prospect of creating their own person provided a wonderful challenge. A plethora of materials were gathered. Photos of Libby Hobbs sculptures were used as stimulus and these were on hand to remind us of what we had seen and inspire us. Quick as a flash, minds were ignited, and the children got to work creating their own masterpieces. Plasticine was used to create the head which gave little fingers a good workout as we poked, pulled, rolled, and pummelled it into faces. Recycled boxes were collaged with textured bits of fabric and wallpaper to make the clothes. As the children worked they were inspired by each other’s sculptures and happily borrowed and shared ideas. 

Ms Tinna Loker Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

Celebrations – Local and Global

Gib Gate’s connection with our Japanese sister school, Hokuriku Gakuin, was a focus of the P-6 Mother’s Day Breakfast event this year where we celebrated Japanese Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) together, decorating beautiful paper Koi wind streamers and making origami.

Kodomo no Hi is a national holiday in Japan, set aside to respect and honour children’s personalities and strengths and to celebrate their happiness. On Children’s Day, Koinobori, or cloth/paper Koi streamers, are flown on poles outside public buildings and homes to bring luck and good fortune to the children inside. Koi are believed to be strong, spirited fish and are celebrated for their determination and perseverance as they fight their way upstream, symbolising the hope that children will grow to become strong and resilient individuals.

Enjoying 31 years of global exchange, K-6 students at Hokuriku Gakuin and Gib Gate connect via Skype each week, practising Japanese and English language skills through communicating directly with one another, face-to-face. Hokuriku Gakuin School, located in the countryside just outside of Kanazawa, is a beautiful school and the cultural and language connection is greatly valued by the students, families and staff across the schools.

We are fortunate that the virtual connection allows us to remain connected and engaged whilst Years 5 and 6 tours of Japan and Australia remain on hold. Thinking of our friends in Japan and looking to strengthen our connection, the Gib Gate Preschool children are learning Japanese through the ELLA (Early Learning Languages Australia) programme and Mrs Loker is looking forward to virtually connecting with the Hokuriku Gakuin Preschool students in the near future. To learn more about the Preschool ELLA programme please see Mrs Loker’s report.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Gib Gate: A Cambridge University Global Perspectives School

Cambridge Primary Global Perspectives® is a unique, transformational programme that helps students at every stage of school education develop outstanding transferable skills, including critical thinking, research and collaboration. This innovative and stimulating skills-based programme places academic study in a practical, real-world context. It will allow our students, from Kindergarten to Year 6, the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, research, communication and collaboration that they need to be successful in primary school, into high school, and beyond. The programme develops the skills of research, analysis, evaluation, reflection, collaboration and communication and offers valuable opportunities to reinforce links with and skills learnt in English, Mathematics, Science and ICT.

Cambridge Global Perspectives taps into the way today’s students enjoy learning, including group work and projects. The emphasis is on developing students’ ability to think critically about a range of global issues where there is always more than one point of view. For Term 2, Gib Gate students will study global topics that are relevant to them including the environment, education and keeping healthy. The programme we are implementing is flexible so we have chosen to dedicate three full days, Thursday 20, Friday 23 and Monday 31 May to focus on each chosen ‘Challenge’ from start to finish, which will allow students to deeply engage in learning new knowledge and skills. The following ‘Challenges’ have been carefully selected by class teachers to develop their global awareness across a range of topics:

• Kindergarten will investigate the topic:  People young and old – Growing and growing up
• Year 1:  Water, food and farming – Why is soil important?
• Year 2: People old and young – When I’m sixty-four
• Year 3: Keeping safe – How do homes provide shelter? 
• Year 4: Rich and poor – My chocolate bar
• Year 5: Keeping healthy – How can we stay healthy 
• Year 6: Respecting myself and others

A feature of this in-depth study will be the additional day we spend together on Friday 4 June when we will be sharing our learning with each other in our ‘Learning Walks’. All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 (and their teachers) visit each other’s classrooms to view the displays of their work. As this is our Frensham Schools Birthday day we are cordially inviting parents to come and share in our learning at Gib Gate from 2:30pm-3:15pm.

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Enrichment and Activities

URStrong
Last week, students in Kindergarten to Year 4 participated in URStrong workshops. This programme enhances the social-emotional wellbeing of children and provides child-friendly concepts that help students establish and maintain healthy relationships, manage conflict with kindness, and increase their overall resilience. A common language is used by students and teachers to open lines of communication, helping to build trust and empower students to make healthier decisions in their friendships and put out Friendship Fires® (resolve conflict) in a respectful way.

Peer support
The Year 6 Term 2 Leadership Programme, Peer Support K-5, takes place weekly. Their leadership has been outstanding with groups using the following model to assist students in developing the skills of optimism.

Mother’s Day Breakfast
Gib Gate welcomed mothers and special friends on a wet morning for our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast. Visitors joined children in their classrooms for a Japanese Children’s Day activity before students performed some Japanese songs together for their audience. 

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

Sport

Gib Gate has started the winter sports season well, with many Soccer teams participating in Gala Days and Hockey players showing some improvements as the season progresses. In PE and Sports Lessons, and during break time, students have been developing their skipping skills in preparation for Jump Rope for Heart later this term. For many of our students skipping is a new skill and in just a few short weeks there have been some great improvements. Students can access skipping videos and resources via the Jump Rope for Heart website (for details please see my Schoolbox page). Athletics Training is held on Thursday mornings before school and the Tennis Development programme is in full swing during PE Lessons. Students are also able to participate in Swim Race clinics for Gib Gate students at 4.00pm on Friday afternoons at The Centenary Pool.

May is an important month as it is SHOOSH for Junior Sport month. This is a NSW Government Office of Sport initiative to promote a fun, encouraging and inclusive environment for all junior players, umpires and coaches. The goal is to combat negative spectator behaviour and to help children concentrate on playing the game. For our youngest students who are playing sport for the first time, even cheers of encouragement can be distracting as they try their best to learn new skills and concentrate on the game. We encourage all to actively participate in SHOOSH for Kids this month and every month. I have included an insightful SHOOSH campaign video on my Schoolbox page, which focuses on the perspective of junior players, coaches and umpires.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Preschool

Gengo o shiru koto wa, kenja e no michi.

言語を知ることは、賢者への道。

Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom

We are enjoying immersing ourselves in Japanese culture and language through the ELLA (Early Learning Languages Australia) Programme. ELLA is a digital, play-based language learning programme for preschool children. This Australian Government initiative inspires children by driving a genuine interest in learning a new language and culture.

The ELLA journey progresses through seven Apps called ‘The Polyglots’ (a polyglot is someone who speaks multiple languages), which each focus on a different topic. The Apps were developed by language and early childhood professionals. This means they are fun to use and they also deliver on learning outcomes.

At Gib Gate, students in Years K-6 learn Japanese and interact with our sister school, Hokuriku Gakuin, via Skype each week. The two schools have an exchange programme where students in Years 5 and 6 (in normal times) can visit Hokuriku Gakuin and the students in Japan visit Gib Gate. We are hoping that through starting the ELLA Japanese programme in Preschool, we too can connect with Hokuriku Gakuin’s preschool via Skype - but first, we would like to learn some Japanese words!

The Preschool children play with the Polyglot Apps on the Preschool iPad for short periods of time on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in groups of six children. A teacher supports the children as they repeat what the characters say in Japanese. As the children play with the Apps, they can discover fun and intriguing Japanese cultural references such as sushi rolls, ninja, Kokeshi dolls and cherry blossom. They manipulate the Polyglot characters to play in the sand, explore a playground and talk to each other.

We are mindful that the children are growing up in a world of technology. As such, use of the iPad, smartboard and computer are tools we use to extend our programme. However, we are also very aware of not overusing these in Preschool as we focus on interactions and social connections.  

We have added a Japanese table to the Preschool with examples of writing, the globe, books and photographs, which the children are keen to explore. Some children have collected a word/picture card we placed in the room and practiced writing bee (hachi) in Japanese script. Self-motivated learning occurs when the educational environment becomes the ‘third teacher’, inspiring and motivating the children. Imbedding various cultures into our programme makes learning a lot more powerful and not ‘tokenistic’ – thus we are thrilled that the children are starting to become aware and curious about Japanese culture. 

Ms Tinna Loker Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

Winter Sport commenced at the start of Term 2 and it is delightful to witness the support of students’ families at Soccer and Hockey games across the district. 96% of Gib Gate K-6 students are playing Soccer and Hockey this season. Additionally, many students are also involved in Equestrian, Rugby, Athletics, Tennis, Cycling and Swimming. On Sunday 2 May, Gib Gate Equestrian students competed in the Oxley Equestrian Day at Bong Bong Equestrian Centre. The Gib Gate team, consisting of Annika Basson, Olivia Cowley and Georgia Suttie (Year 6), competed in Dressage, Show Jumping and Show Riding. All rode to a high standard, with personal achievements combining to gain the Gib Gate Equestrian Team 2^nd place in the Primary School Division. We extend our congratulations to Annika, Olivia and Georgia for this outstanding achievement.

We are proud of all our Gib Gate students, some of whom have taken up a new sport and/or joined a team for the first time. Playing sport helps students develop resilience, fitness, cooperation, and collaboration skills, set personal goals, and develop a positive sense of wellbeing. Encouraging students to have a go, get involved and be active – and most importantly to have fun – is the goal of primary-level sport. Gib Gate actively promotes the Southern Highlands Sporting Associations’ and IPSHA’s codes of sporting conduct where players, teams, coaches and spectators are requested to practice courtesy and respect in an inclusive and encouraging manner, working together to instil a lifelong love of playing sport in our young students.

On Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 April, Years 5-6 participated in two full days of Outdoor Learning on the Gib Gate Land for Wildlife site. Year 6 Environment Monitors led the commencement of Day 1, talking to the students about the importance of the Land for Wildlife area in supporting the reintroduction of native flora and fauna. Paying our respects to and recognising the Indigenous Gundungurra people as the traditional owners of this land, students discussed the planting of the Bush Tucker Garden and establishment of formal signage recognising important aspects of Indigenous culture and heritage. Students pitched tent shelters around the Land for Wildlife site to establishing their ‘base camp’ outdoor classroom for the two days. Scientific inquiry became the focus as teams of students made quadrats to closely examine different areas of the site, identifying and quantifying different species of insects, fungi and plants. On the afternoon of Day 1, students were set the task of planning a scavenger hunt for Day 2. This immersed them in their environment, closely examining, and becoming more familiar with the wider area as they developed team clues.

The morning of Day 2 was spent constructing wooden micro bat boxes to provide much-needed safe nesting places for endangered micro bats species. Preschool and Kindergarten then joined their Years 5 and 6 Buddies for a nature walk and site inspection. Years 5-6 supported the younger children to become involved with site maintenance, planting natives grasses, raking mulch to form paths and weed and watering our growing native trees and plants. The grand finale of Day 2 was the well-planned scavenger hunt, with an unexpected level of complexity and hilarity added when some eagle-eyed Preschoolers managed to capture some clues from their hiding spots. Years 5-6 put their best negotiation skills to use, while Preschool enjoyed their new-found authority over their older peers.

We look forward to involving the whole school, including our parent community, in the ongoing development of the Gib Gate Land for Wildlife site. More information to come soon…

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

Reach Assessments - Term 2, 2021

In Teaching and Learning at Frensham and Gib Gate, as part of Frensham Schools Strategic Priorities 2018-2022, we are continuously seeking to improve and extend our assessment and benchmarking using a research based, robust set of tools to provide data across multiple subjects and years. This enables us to study individual, class and cohort levels of achievement and growth. This approach to data analysis ensures excellence in teaching practice and enhances creative pathways for learning that increase personalisation and flexibility for all students so they can achieve their personal best.

In 2019 we introduced the REACH assessment tool (previously UNSW Global) - a comprehensive set of assessments, for primary and secondary students in English, Mathematics, Science and Writing. The assessments are based on the Australian curriculum for students in Years 2 to 10 and are suitable for use across all ability levels. Items range from recall and routine application, through to more demanding questions. They were not available for implementation in 2020 but we are now able to utilise the REACH Assessment programme in Term 2 this year. They will be administered in comfortable timed conditions for the students in their classrooms by their class teachers. 

The data will provide us with an independent and objective benchmark of student progress to support our teachers’ professional judgement, class-based tasks and formal school-based assessment programmes, and inform future curriculum planning and programming.

In addition, we have always provided our students with the opportunity to challenge themselves using ICAS Competition papers and we will continue to use this tool in addition to REACH in Term 3 this year. ICAS is aimed at recognising academic excellence for high potential students, emphasising challenge and extension in tight timed conditions. The ICAS Competition online papers in 2021 may be undertaken by students who have a high level of success in REACH in Years 2-10 allowing them to apply their learning and challenge themselves at ‘competition level’ in each of the disciplines above. The ICAS Competitions require students to think beyond the classroom and provide us with data that acknowledges their performance achievement at the highest level.

For relevant information about REACH and ICAS assessments visit: https://www.icasassessments.com/about-us/

Professional Learning at Frensham Schools Terms 2 and 3 2021

Professional Learning Goals 2021-2022: to meet the individual learning needs of all students by personalising programmes, experiences and outcomes; and to create a learning community which is world class and embraces innovation, inspired by evidence-based research and external critique.

In order to ensure we are continuously working towards our Professional Learning Goals, on Monday 19 April all teachers P-12 commenced their professional learning through the UNSW Faculty of Education to obtain up-to-date qualifications in teaching our high potential and gifted  students in every classroom. UNSW lecturers Di Bond and Marie McGregor delivered a bespoke Certificate of Gifted Education programme on campus at Frensham, which was the first of three days of learning designed in consultation with Ms Kate Chauncy and Dr Ruth Phillips to suit teachers and students at Frensham Schools. For those teachers who hold post graduate qualifications in gifted education, and those who have previously completed this particular course through the UNSW, Dr Ruth Phillips designed and delivered an Advanced course in Gifted Education which she delivered simultaneously.

The course continues on Friday 18 June (end Term 2) and Monday 12 July (start Term 3) by which time all teachers at Frensham Schools will have achieved post graduate accreditation in this vital area of education and developed their skills, knowledge and understanding of contemporary research and best practices on how to engage and support all our students to reach their potential.

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Enrichment and Activities

Gib Gate Peer Support Programme, Kindergarten – Year 6
The Peer Support Programme provides a fun and engaging environment for young people to address issues such as bullying, relationships, and self-image. Modules are designed to equip young people with skills to deal proactively with life experiences, develop a sense of self-worth and belonging, and to encourage taking responsibility for decisions and actions. All Gib Gate Year 6 students are trained in Peer Support Leadership and facilitate activities with small groups of K-5 students with a teacher supervising each group.

In 2021, Gib Gate Peer Support programme focuses on, Living Positively – Optimism. This module supports students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to identify their individual strengths and maintain a positive outlook on life. Living Positively is based on the belief students can become more optimistic by monitoring their internal messages and living in harmony with their particular strengths. Living Positively seeks to provide opportunities for students to identify which areas of life represent personal strengths and how they can feel happier and more fulfilled by taking advantage of these strengths.

Parents can assist their children by encouraging them to tell themselves positive, encouraging messages and displaying a positive attitude themselves. Parents can also play a key role in assisting their children to identify and use their personal strengths such as curiosity, kindness and teamwork.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

Sport

It has been an exciting start to Term 2 Sport for Gib Gate. The first week of term saw the Gib Gate Cross Country Team travel to The King’s School for the IPSHA Cross Country. The team had been training before school during Term 1 and are congratulated on their efforts. Zahra Nash and Valentina Hercus are commended for placing 3^rd and 13^th respectively and qualifying to represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championship later this term.

Gib Gate Cross Country Team: 

• 8/9 Years Girls: Madeleine Hannah, Valentina Hercus, Iliana Hercus, Zahra Nash and Violet Palise
• 10 Years Girls: Gemma McInnes and Hannah Wright
• 11 Years Girls: Darcey Burrows, Mae Gilkeson, Sophie McAndrew, Sofia Nesci and Matilda Spong
• 12 Year Girls: Ana McInnes, Isla McVinish, Victoria Trotter and Adele Trudeau 
• 8/9 Years Boys: Xavier Burrows, Zachariah Chalak and Alexander Moore,
• 10 Years Boys: Aaron Gemell, Augustus Moore and John Shadbolt 
• 11 Years Boys: Lachlan Dormer, Edward Vilo​​​ and Oliver Wilson

Last weekend marked the official beginning of the winter sports season with many Gib Gate students playing Hockey and Soccer in the local competition. This is a particularly exciting time for our Kindergarten students and parents, as for many it is the start of their team sporting experience. For the older students, the opportunity to begin training for Athletics has begun in the mornings. The Tennis Development Programme has commenced in PE lessons and Jump Rope for Heart on Sports Day.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Preschool

Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.
~ Steve Maraboli

On Tuesday 27 April, Preschool joined Years 5 and 6 in the School Land for Wildlife programme and helped them plant some native grasses. We were eager to share our skills, carefully taking a plant from the tube by tapping the sides to loosen the soil and roots before carefully placing it in the hole we had dug. We watered in the plants after backfilling the soil. We helped remove weeds and rake the bark mulch as well. We learnt that signage will be placed around the bush tucker plants in the local Indigenous language of the Gundungurra people. The Preschool students already know a few words in Gundungurra and proudly shared their knowledge with the Years 5-6 students. 

By acknowledging the land we are on, learning about the native animals that share Gib Gate with us and working on a whole school project of preparing for the future, we are demonstrating to the children the importance of collaborative work and that even at ages 3-4, your ideas are not only worthy but helpful. We were fascinated to learn about the micro bats that visit Gib Gate and how homes had been built for them by the older students. We had many more questions about the bats and decided we would need to do some research when we got back to Preschool. 

In the afternoon we returned for a walk with Kindergarten in the forest and paddock space. We noticed Kindergarten remarking upon the wombat holes, the unicorn fairy tear drop trees and the magic forest. We also noted the gorgeous red and yellow leaves on the trees. Spectacular colours that Mother Nature made for us! We were so inspired we collected clipboards and crayons when we went back to Preschool and drew the autumn leaves that are on the tree in the Preschool playground. It is nice to work as a whole group at times – this helps us maintain focus and we are inspired by our peers’ work. We experimented with colours of pastels, chalks and crayons blending, rubbing, drawing and smudging.

Ms Tinna Loker Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

On Monday 29 March, Years 5 and 6 Teams represented Gib Gate at the regional level of the international da Vinci Decathlon competition held at The Illawarra Grammar School. 40 teams from schools in the Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast competed throughout the day in each of nine disciplines, which included English, Art and Poetry, Ideation, Mathematics, Science, Code Breaking, Engineering, Cartography and Creative Producers. Mrs Marsh, Gib Gate da Vinci Decathlon Team Coordinator, noted that students were excited to work together, using their knowledge and creative thinking skills to solve challenging problems.

We offer congratulations to the Gib Gate Teams of Annika Basson, Amelia Blackshaw, Iman Byrne, Isla McVinish, Sofia Nesci, Anthony Neilson, Ruby Rodgers, Adele Trudeau (Year 6) and Darcey Burrows, Lachlan Dormer, Mae Gilkeson, Gemma McInnes, Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo, Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver, Oliver Wilson (Year 5) who worked hard during Term 1 to develop their problem-solving skills, their knowledge about the life, works and legacy of Leonardo da Vinci and their skills in collaboration and team work. The Gib Gate Years 5 and 6 Teams are commended on their outstanding performances: Year 6 – 2^nd place Creative Producers, 2^nd place Legacy, 3^rd place Art and Poetry. Year 5 – 3^rd place Creative Producers, 3^rd place Engineering, 3^rd place Art and Poetry.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

NAPLAN

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2021 Information for Parents and Carers – Tuesday 11 May - Thursday 13 May

For detailed information regarding NAPLAN, please see the Head’s Message.

TUESDAY 11 MAY

• Year 3: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes
• Year 5: Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) - 45 minutes; Writing test - 40 minutes

WEDNESDAY 12 MAY

• Year 3: Reading test - 45 minutes
• Year 5: Reading test - 50 minutes

THURSDAY 13 MAY

• Year 3: Numeracy test - 45 minutes
• Year 5: Numeracy test - 50 minutes

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Enrichment and Activities

Grandparents’ Day
Gib Gate Preschool to Year 6 Grandparents’ Day is being held on Friday 30 April. Grandparents, or special friends, can join children in their classrooms at 9:30am to share an activity and morning tea.

Extra-Curricular Activities
Term 2 activities commenced on the first day of term. Students have enrolled in a full range of activities with several classes filled already. If your child is interested in starting an Extra-Curricular class, please contact Mrs Graham.

Interrelate Education Programme for Families for Years 3-6
Interrelate will be presenting family sessions on Monday 26 April in the Gib Gate Library. These are aimed for families with students from Years 3-6. The programmes presented are, ‘Where Did I Come From?’ at 6:00pm and, ‘Preparing for Puberty’, at 7:15pm. The programmes are informative and sensitive, child-focused and designed to encourage discussion. Questions are encouraged and appropriately answered. These programmes are a useful way to support you starting these important conversations with your child.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

Sport

Summer Sports concluded at the end of Term 1 with several teams playing in the finals of their respective sports. Gib Gate U12 Water Polo team won their competition in a tightly fought Grand Final at the end of Term 1. Congratulations to Amelia Blackshaw, Iman Byrne, Olivia Cowley, Imogen Diver, Sienna Donat, Ana McInnes, Isla McVinish, Anthony Neilson, Sofia Nesci and Ruby Rodgers.

Amelia Blackshaw was awarded Best and Fairest Player and Olivia Cowley Most Improved Player, at the end of season presentation.

Gib Gate U12 Purple Basketball team is congratulated on progressing to the Grand Final of the competition and were runners-up.

Winter Sports
Hockey games commenced at the end of Term 1 and Soccer starts this week. We wish participants an enjoyable and successful season in their chosen sport. This winter, we have over 95% of students from Kindergarten to Year 6 involved in a team sport for Gib Gate.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Preschool

In Term 1, the Preschoolers’ interest in stick insects continued from last year where several children talked about these curious creatures and asked if we could get one for a Preschool pet. In the summer vacation we purchased an insect house and filled it with leaves and some stick insect eggs. The children were excited to see the enclosure when they returned to Preschool at the start of the year and shared information about stick insects with our new Preschool friends. 

During Term 1, the hatching of our stick insects ignited our minds and many questions were raised. We brainstormed techniques to gain more understanding and visited the library, used Google, asked families and friends and asked the other Gib Gate year groups for their input. We were fascinated to discover how stick insects live, their size and how their habitats varied around the world.

After conducting a class vote, our stick insects were named Shelly, Rose, Sparkles, Diamond, Cutie and Love Heart. Over a few weeks we experimented with creating our own representations of stick insects using pipe cleaners, charcoal, plastacine and sticks, pens and clay. We were inspired through looking at Indigenious artwork of stick insects to create our own unique work.

Wanting to take the children’s thinking to a deeper level, they were invited to participate in stick insect thinking routines. Thinking routines are a series of questions that Gib Gate teachers P-6 use in small groups to guide students in the process of critical thinking. In small groups we took an insect out of its enclosure and looked at its body, noticing the toes and then its eyes watching us. 

It is encouraging to note the marked increase in sustainability initiatives within the early childhood profession on a local, national and global scale. Long-time advocate for early childhood education for sustainability, Sue Elliott, appeals for early childhood practitioners to incorporate children’s learning towards sustainable living as an ‘essential element of early childhood teaching’. With this environmental focus in mind, at the start of Term 2 we were keen to challenge the children further. We openly pondered if the enclosure the stick insects were housed in was ‘fair’ – was it enough room for an insect to live in? How much room should they have? How do the stick insects respond to each other, what would they do if we let them go?  Would they be in danger from birds or be happy to have more room to roam and explore in? The children decided we needed a larger enclosure for the stick insects to live in. Darby stated: They need more room. I got a new house and they should too! Where will our Preschoolers’ thinking take us next?

Ms Tinna Loker Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

The easing of COVID-19 restrictions for schools over Term 1 has gradually enabled us to reconnect in person over the past few weeks. While many may fondly recall weekly 2020 Gib Gate ‘Zoom into Rooms’ - and I don’t think anyone will ever forget the fabulous P-6 Grandparents’ Day Zoom! - it has been such a relief and pleasure to have our community back on campus with us, albeit still 1.5m apart. 

Letting all P-6 parents and carers know that they were finally able to walk into the campus to drop off and collect their children felt quite surreal, and I think all of us - children, families and teachers - are only just getting used to this important routine.

In support of this, and in recognition of this precious primary school daily ritual, in Term 2 we will be hosting a series of Monday Morning Mingles for P-6 parents and carers in the Gib Gate Library. Hosted by myself, and with a variety of Gib Gate staff taking turns to join us, I hope all families will feel welcome to come along.

Younger siblings and Preschoolers, who may not attend Preschool on Mondays, are welcome, and we will have some of our Year 6 monitors on hand to play with them and read stories. Families can enjoy refreshments and a catch-up after spending time taking their children to the teacher on playground duty or to their classroom.

Monday Morning Mingles will run from 8:30am-9:00am with our first session scheduled for the first Monday of Term 2, Monday 26 April then Monday 17 May and Monday 7 June. This will be a great time to meet new families, to connect across grade levels and to simply catch up. I also encourage everyone to see the time as an opportunity to ask me questions about education and related school matters.

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

The Importance of Reading…Time…

From children’s author Katherine Patterson:  It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations—something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.

At Gib Gate a major goal is to develop in children a love of literature in all its forms and to continually encourage them to be lifelong readers. We do this through carefully considering the types of texts we choose to read with the students from Preschool to Year 6 ensuring that, by the end of their time with us, they have enjoyed a plethora of books we believe they should not leave childhood without having read. In each classroom, every day and in each weekly literature session in our library students learn to express themselves and respond to a variety of texts through discussion and formal and informal written response.

Parents, carers, grandparents, brothers, sisters – all family members – play a significant and vitally important role in shaping our children into being lifelong readers. Through modelling a love of reading as a worthwhile and enjoyable activity and by ensuring time is spent reading daily, families have the opportunity to be the best reading teachers in the world. Family involvement is key to a child learning to read, to use language and to enrich children’s lives through learning to love reading.

Reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for building the skills and knowledge necessary for children to successfully learn to read when they begin school and to continue reading as they progress through their years in primary and secondary school. Children who are good readers are usually successful learners. By setting time aside each day to turn off the television, phones and electronic devices and to read aloud to children, we share the words and pictures, the ideas and viewpoints, the rhythms and rhymes, the pain and comfort, and the hopes and fears and big issues of life that we encounter together in the pages of a book. Literacy is more important than ever it was, in this world of text and email, a world of written information. We need to read and write, we need global citizens who can read comfortably, comprehend what they are reading, understand nuance, and make themselves understood.

Albert Einstein was asked once how we could make our children intelligent. His reply was both simple and wise. If you want your children to be intelligent, he said, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.

We look forward to sharing the quality literature – the books - your child will listen to, share together and read daily in the classroom and as part of their homework programme throughout 2021. Our classrooms and our highly specialised children’s Library are treasure troves of books to enjoy!

Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning P-12, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes P-12

Enrichment and Activities

Music

Students have engaged positively in their Music lessons this term with many new and returning students learning music at Gib Gate each week. We currently have 70 lessons per week in our Music Centre. Places are available in all instruments if your child is interested in starting at any time during the year. Please contact Mrs Graham agraham@gibgate.nsw.edu.au

All K-6 students are enjoying singing together again each week in Junior Singing and Senior Choir, and the 20-piece Gib Gate Orchestra delight in rehearsing each Friday.

Music Viva Incursion – TaikOz performance

Students from Preschool to Year 6 participated in a webinar performance by Musica Viva in Schools, Taikoz recently. Taikoz is an Australian, Sydney-based performance group that specialises in the art of taiko – the Japanese drums. Taikoz introduced students to the instruments and music and also gave historical and cultural background, including the place of taiko in a contemporary, Australian context. The programme was drawn from Taikoz’s large repertoire, which includes traditional Japanese music and drumming styles, compositions written by contemporary Japanese composers, as well as original works by members of the ensemble. It was exciting to have an ensemble of this calibre performing for Gib Gate.

Frensham Kennedy Strings Performance and Workshop

Students from the Frensham Kennedy Strings Ensemble visited Gib Gate this week to perform for Gib Gate Years 2 and 3 string players. Gib Gate students joined Frensham students to play in a workshop as a culminating activity for the Term 1 Year 2 and Year 3 Strings programme.

Outdoor Education

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 are participating in a Bike Education Day in the last week of term with students participating in some intensive bike skills and safety activities at school.

Years 3 and 4 participated in Outdoor Adventure Days earlier in the term and enjoyed working with OEG in their Challenge by Choice activities of abseiling and mountain biking as well as making their own lunch on the day.

The Years 5 and 6 Camp are participating in their Leadership/Land for Wildlife Outdoor Education days in Week 10. They are looking forward to their Camp Wombaroo experience in Term 2.

Hokuriku Gakuin Elementary School

Gib Gate students continued their Zoom communication sessions with our sister school, Hokuriku Gakuin in Kanazawa, Japan. Mrs Gemell had been preparing the students to say hello and introduce themselves in Japanese. Years 2, 3 and 4 have all had sessions of communicating with our sister school recently and other classes will be scheduled next term.

Extra-curricular

Extra-curricular enrolment forms are published on SchoolBox. Please return enrolment forms before the end of term to ensure your child’s place in Term 2 activities.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration)

Sport

Gib Gate sport has had a great start to the year. We have had teams competing in the local Basketball and Water Polo competitions each week. A special mention must go to the Under 12s Water Polo team who have developed well throughout the season. With many of the players new to the sport, the students have trained hard and jumped at many opportunities to learn and develop. As a result, the team is currently sitting at the top of the table and will compete in the finals in the coming weeks. In Basketball, U12 Boys Black team and U12 Girls Purple team have both progressed to the Semi-Finals, with the U12 Girls Purple team playing in the Grand Final in the two weeks.

We are looking forward to the winter sports season with more than 90% of Gib Gate students registered to play for a Gib Gate team.

In addition to extra-curricular sport, Term 1 has hosted numerous school carnivals. The Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival, the first one for the year, was a great success. Students had the opportunity to develop their swimming skills as part of school sport during Term 4 last year and the beginning of Term 1. In addition to this, students could participate in extra-curricular race training at The Centenary Pool. This saw many students improve their times and confidence in the water, with all students present on the day participating in multiple events and showcasing their hard work.

The following students were invited to continue training and compete at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival in Sydney on 2 March: Amelia Blackshaw, Sienna Donat, Anthony Neilson, Sofia Nesci, Ruby Rodgers, Gemma McInnes, John Shadbolt, Matilda Spong, Edward Vilo, Oliver Wilson, Madeleine Hannah, Valentina Hercus, Zahra Nash and Sofia Wilson. The students all performed well, many achieving personal best times. Congratulations to following student who placed in their heats: Edward Vilo 1^st in the 11yrs 50m Freestyle, Anthony Neilson 3^rd in the 11yrs 50m Freestyle and Ruby Rodgers 3^rd in the 12yrs 50m Backstroke. 

In Week 7, the K-Year 2 Fun Swimming Carnival took place at The Centenary Pool. After participating in swimming lessons each week on sports day, many students took part in a number of events. The energy level was high, and enthusiasm and confidence in the water to be admired. We are thankful to the AquaBliss staff for their assistance in the water on the day and for the opportunity to have parents “rejoin” us at school sporting events.

In Week 8, after much anticipation and training the planned K-6 Cross Country at Frensham was cancelled, due to the wet weather. However, students had plenty of opportunities to take part in training and practice races during sports lessons and morning training sessions. As such, the following students were selected to represent Gib Gate at the IPSHA Cross Country: 12/13Yrs Girls: Ana McInnes, Isla McVinish, Victoria Trotter, Adele Trudeau, 11Yrs Girls: Darcey Burrows, Mae Gilkeson, Sophie McAndrew, Sofia Nesci, Matilda Spong, 10Yrs Girls: Gemma McInnes, Hannah Wright, 8/9Yrs Girls: Madeleine Hannah, Illiana Hercus, Valentina Hercus, Zahra Nash, Violet Palise, 11Yrs Boys: Lachlan Dormer, Aaron Gemell, Edward Vilo, Oliver Wilson, 10Yrs Boys: Augustus Moore, John Shadbolt, 8/9 Yrs Boys: Xavier Burrows, Alexander Moore and Zachariah Chalak.

Ms Nicky Fenaughty, Gib Gate PDHPE and Sport Teacher

Preschool

Individually, we are one drop.
Together, we are an ocean.

Tyunosuke Satoro

We are keen to encourage and support Gib Gate Preschool children to be mindful in their interactions with each other. We read The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister to initiate dialogue around kind words and interactions. We liked how Rainbow Fish shared his scales with the other fish and how he discovered he was happier after sharing.  Discussions around our own appearance and the appearance of others evolved after reading the book, and we encouraged the children to develop a respectful admiration for our own uniqueness and that of others. The interest in Rainbow Fish continued as we decided to make our own unique fish. The children were encouraged to think about the characteristics of a fish and then to add in their own variety of style. Carefully we cut around the fish and added them to a shared ‘ocean space’ in Preschool. 

As preschool students reflected on the sewing machine experience enjoyed in 2020, they asked if we could do some more sewing as it was fun. We love that our children are able to make suggestions that can guide our programme.

After some deliberation it was decided we would embark on making a collective Rainbow Fish. Each child selected fabric to measure and pin before we got to use the machine. It was interesting to note how many children talked about sewing with their gran or even that their sister has a machine and sews for them.

Carefully a ruler was used to measure the 6cm square fabric. The children cut on the lines before we used pins to hold the fabric in place. One child said that the pins looked like giant freckles. A few children were at first concerned about using the pins but we talked about how to use them safely and managed this well.

We talked about the different parts of the machine from the pedal, bobbin, needle etc. We learnt how electricity powers the machine. We believe children are infinitely capable and if shown how to use the machine carefully with our support they learn a new skill as well as having fun! 

We lined up the fabric on the machine and the children directed the fabric under the ‘foot’ of the machine using the pedal to activate it. The children examined their fabric square carefully noticing how the thread could be seen on either side of the fabric. Once each child had made their square, they added their name to our list so we knew who had completed the task. Encouraging children to have meaning for writing motivates and inspires them.  Once all the squares were complete, they were pinned together and then sewn to make a patchwork fish. Team work is an essential part of being a community.

Ms Tinna Loker Gib Gate Preschool Coodinator

UNCOVERING STURT'S TREASURES

80 YEARS IN THE MAKING – In the lead up to Sturt’s 80^th birthday in October we have been uncovering more incredible images and treasures of the talented makers who have come to live, work and teach at Sturt over the decades. The gallery is still closed but we are optimistically forging ahead planning our homage to Sturt and hoping that visitors can celebrate with us at some point while it is on. Local photographer Ashley Mackevicius captured these beautiful images of our permanent collection for upcoming 80^th birthday feature stories in The Australian Journal of Ceramics and Highlife magazines. Ashley also helped staff enhance and enlarge some of our fantastic archival hero images for the exhibition walls. These images will bring to life the stories of these legendary makers who generously shared their gifts with the people of the Highlands.

GO WITH THE FLOW

The Sturt School for Wood students have been busy in their bubble gearing up for their much-anticipated graduate exhibition in November titled, Flow.  To raise much-needed funds for their exhibition they have gathered some fantastic prizes for their graduate raffle. Prizes include a $400 voucher for lunch for four at Centennial Vineyards Restaurant, $200 voucher for the renowned Thai Restaurant, Paste, $150 for Café Rosso in Bowral, boutique wine and beer tastings and more. Tickets are $5 each or $45 for a book of 10. To find out more DM @sturtschoolforwood_students or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

It has been a challenging year for these students, so your support is very much appreciated.  

LAST WEEKS OF LANDSCAPE WITH ROCK

Tony Ameneiro’s beautiful exhibition is in its last week before it bumps out. It has been very disappointing for Tony who had his exhibition only open for two weeks before lockdown. If you haven’t had a chance to see Tony’s work we encourage you to jump online and experience Tony’s captivating work here – see Tony Ameneiro’s catalogue 

SPRING TIDINGS

Unfortunately, our term classes remain paused and most of our Short Course Weekends are being rescheduled to next year.  We had hoped lockdown would lift so we could deliver our wonderful and ever-popular springtime weekend workshops but that is sadly not possible. We are remaining positive and working on our exciting Summer School Programme which will be online by 1 October, along with our fabulous 2022 Short Course Weekends which will also be online soon. You can find out more about our classes and workshops on www.sturt.nsw.edu.au

Outside our office Miss West’s peony is blooming and reminding us that brighter times are ahead. We’re looking forward to lockdown lifting so we can enjoy those times together soon.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF STURT (1941-2021) 

It is important to note that this October Sturt will have been championing creativity and representing makers for 80 years. In the lead up to Sturt’s 80^th birthday we have been looking back at the legacy of talented makers who are part of Sturt’s DNA and helped make it the special place it is today. The Sturt Archives is home to a fascinating ever-growing permanent collection that tells the important story of the post-war craft movement in this country. Sturt’s collection along with the archival images of those talented makers help remind us of the legacy of this creative enclave that is still such a vibrant part of Frensham Schools.

We have been uncovering these wonderful images of makers to tell their stories for our upcoming exhibition Sturt – 80 Years in the Making running 3 October–14 November. The exhibition will showcase ceramic, wood and textile treasures from the Permanent Collection and will open the very day that Winifred West founded Sturt in 1941. Miss West said in 1945 she had founded “…A happy meeting place for people young and old who love beauty and good craftsmanship.” Her words ring true as always and we look forward to our doors opening again in Spring so that we can be a happy meeting place once more!

LAST WEEKS OF LANDSCAPE WITH ROCK

Tony Ameneiro’s beautiful exhibition is quietly waiting for the doors to reopen – frustratingly this beautiful show is closed to visitors at least until 10 September. We encourage you to go online and experience Tony’s captivating work Tony Ameneiro’s catalogue. Perhaps a beautiful etching of the Nattai River for Father’s Day!   

FATHER’S DAY IDEAS

For a more unique and beautiful gift for Father’s Day look no further than Sturt Gallery and Shop. We may be physically closed but we have a gorgeous range of hand-crafted gifts from around 300 of the country’s best makers in the shop, which we can wrap up and send for you. You will find unique wooden boxes, pens, card cases, or a fine piece hand-made furniture that will last a lifetime. If you are not sure what dad would like you can always arrange a gift voucher. A gift voucher would brighten the spirits of anyone in lockdown. Call us on +61 2 4860 2083 or email us at shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au and we can help you spoil dad this weekend.

We are very much looking forward to lockdown lifting so we can all gather together again soon. 

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

STURT GALLERY, STUDIOS & CAFÉ CLOSED FOR NOW BUT PLANNING SPRING 

Sturt was fortunate to be to stay open as long as possible but finally it closed its doors for the week on Saturday afternoon and joined the state-wide lockdown. It has been a quiet month on campus but on 1 August we had the opportunity to celebrate printmaker Tony Ameneiro’s new exhibition Landscape with Rock, opened by renowned art dealer Rex Irwin. Tony’s followers living further afield have made the most of seeing his much-anticipated work online. For those who missed attending the exhibition, the catalogue and a video of Tony talking about his work is available on the Sturt website Tony Amenerio Catalogue and Talk. We hope that Landscape with Rock can reopen soon to continue its run until 20 September.

Sturt’s next exhibition Paul Davis’ Under the Influence will be rescheduled for next year in hope that visitors, collectors, and participating artists can attend. This leaves us with more opportunity to celebrate Sturt’s 80^th birthday on the October long weekend – a magnificent milestone for Australia’s oldest design centre.  

On Sunday 3 October, 80 years to the day that Winifred West founded Sturt, we are planning launch an exhibition of Sturt’s remarkable permanent collection showcasing the legendary makers who made the pilgrimage to live, work and teach at Sturt. Sturt – 80 Years in the Making will highlight the importance of Sturt as a cherished cultural destination along with its significance as an enduring model of the post war studio crafts movement in Australia. 80 Years in the Making will draw upon the legacy of Sturt’s permanent collection – a gift from hundreds of the world’s master makers who came to share their skills at Sturt along with the pioneering Australian artisans who went on to contribute a lifetime of wisdom in their chosen craft.

One such master maker who contributed a lifetime to his craft is living treasure, Les Blakebrough AO who will launch his new book about his life of ceramics at Sturt the same weekend. Blakebrough trained as an apprentice under Ivan McMeekin at Sturt Pottery in the 50s and went on to become head of Sturt Pottery and Director of Sturt in the 70s. Widely considered one of Australia’s most renowned pioneering ceramicists, Les was a founding member of the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, Head of Ceramics at Tasmanian School of Art and awarded numerous awards and commissions with work held in all major public collections in Australia and around the world. COVID-willing, we hope to host an outdoor book launch and book signing following a conversation with Blakebrough and Jennifer Bott AO, Chair of Bundanon Trust including an exclusive preview of the 80 Year exhibition in the Sturt Gallery.

At present the Sturt team are working from home rescheduling many of the September Short Course Weekend Workshops to October and November and working on the Summer School 2022 programme. We hope to go live with the programme online on 1 October.  

Anagama Kiln: Simon Bowley and Roger Jackson are making steady progress renovating the anagama kiln which we hope to have ready for a spring firing.

Follow us on Instagram, find out all the latest news on what is happening at Sturt on @sturt_craft_centre or on facebook at Sturt Gallery & Studios. Plans are changing so rapidly that social media is the best way to keep connected and up to date with our resilient and enduring creative community.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

Pottery's Artist-in-Resident 

Sturt Pottery has been abuzz with the fascinating work of Dr Julie Bartholomew, who is undertaking a three-month professional residency at Sturt, working on a project aiming to increase awareness of our declining bee population. Julie is building a series of small-scale sculptural clay hives which will eventually become large scale hives inhabited by bees. Former head of ceramics at the University of South Australia and ANU, Julie’s ceramic practice explores challenging contemporary issues such as consumerism, climate change and its impact on the environment. Her work is held in significant public collections around the world including the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, and Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taiwan. We are pleased that Julie will be teaching a two-day workshop about Clay and the Environment on 18 and 19 September at Sturt. To book or find out more please follow this link Julie Bartholomew, 18-19 September  (September Short Course Weekend).

Anagama Kiln

Outside at Sturt Pottery, restoration is quietly taking shape on the anagama kiln. Originally built in the 1990s by Sturt students, the kiln has warmed the hearts and gatherings of many legendary makers over the years. Recently the kiln roof started crumbling away damaging the work during firings, with some hard work from Sturt Potter, Simon Bowley, Roger Jackson and families, the five-metre climbing kiln is carefully being rebuilt. We look forward to more anagama firings and vibrant community gatherings later in the year.

Landscape with Rock Exhibition Opening

On the weekend, Sturt Gallery hosted an intimate open-air gathering to celebrate the exhibition opening of Tony Ameneiro’s Landscape with Rock exhibition, with renowned art dealer Rex Irwin officially declaring the exhibition open. Tony’s exquisite drawings and prints explore the incredible rugged beauty of ‘The Crags’ – an inspiring bushland valley on the Nattai River not far from Sturt. The exhibition also features some fascinating ceramics which were a collaboration with Meg Patey, previous Head of Sturt and renowned local potter.

Sturt Shop and Café

The Sturt Shop, representing 300 makers, and Sturt Café are open, catching the winter sun with magnolia and daphne blooming, it is a magical place for a quiet coffee, if you are able to join us. For those who are not able to join us, we look forward to the days when we can welcome you back.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

It has been a challenging month with cancellation of Sturt’s Winter School, rescheduling of the July Short Course Weekend to September and next week’s new exhibition moving partially online. Many of Sturt’s visitors and students are affected by COVID-19 restrictions even though we in the Highlands are currently outside of any lockdown. While we miss many of our visitors, our small team is planning upcoming exhibitions and short courses, and at the time of writing this, Sturt Gallery, Shop, Café and term classes remain open to Highlanders with strict COVID-19 protocols in place. Now in our 80^th year, we are a resilient creative community and the opportunity to look inward and create quietly in tune with nature is something we do not take for granted.

Landscape with Rock – opening Sunday 1 August, artist talk Sunday 29 August, 11.00am

Inspired by one of Australia’s most important landscape painters of the 20^th Century, acclaimed printmaker Tony Ameneiro pays homage to Fred Williams in his exhibition Landscape with Rock. Fred Williams was captivated by a special piece of bushland on the Nattai River known as ‘The Crags’, just behind Mittagong and not far from Frensham and Sturt. Fred’s visit to that patch of bush in 1957 was to change his career forever, renewing his sense of purpose and his love of the gum tree from there on in. The famous painter went back to The Crags for inspiration many times in his life – and nature lovers in the Highlands understand why. Now, some 64 years later, Highlands-based printmaker Tony Ameneiro has been inspired by that special river valley behind Mittagong – his monotype prints are a response to that same unique bush landscape. 

Tony’s exhibition Landscape with Rock opens in the Sturt Gallery Sunday 1 August, on a more intimate scale. For those unable to attend the exhibition, a selection of Tony’s work will be online and his artist talk and celebration will take place in the Gallery 11.00am, Sunday 29 August. For more details visit Sturt’s website, closer to the date.

Instagram and Facebook

The landscape is changing so rapidly that social media is the best way to keep connected and up to date with our nurturing creative community. Sturt’s latest news and what is happening can be found on Instagram, @sturt_craft_centre, or on Facebook at Sturt Gallery & Studios.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

BUDDING WOODWORKERS

Sturt’s resident tutor and Sturt School for Wood graduate Eliza Maunsell has inspired some enthusiastic Frensham woodworkers who have enjoyed spending their afternoons handcrafting beautiful bedside tables made from Tasmanian Blackwood with an inner drawer of Victorian Ash. The students challenged themselves with timber joinery, hand planing, drilling, sanding and finishing with gorgeous results. There is more demand than ever for girls to learn ceramics, jewellery and woodwork after school.

WINTER SHORT COURSE WEEKEND

Winter School 2021 is nearly here! 170 visitors will converge on Sturt for a week to learn from 15 of the country’s best contemporary craft tutors. Although Winter School is sold out, there are still some places left in the upcoming Winter Short Course weekend with award winning photographer Ashley Mackevicius and his still life photography workshop. Ashley was Australian Photographer of the Year and he will guide students (of all ages, parents most welcome) on how to capture imagery with a master’s touch. To find out more visit: https://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/short-courses

STURT ROCKS!

Save the date 11.00am Sunday 1 August 2021 for the launch of printmaker Tony Amoneiro’s Landscape with Rock exhibition. Tony’s new work will be inspired by Fred Williams’ visit to the Nattai River near Mittagong in 1957 and explores Tony’s response to the same unique Highlands bush landscape.

Drawn to the Garden has a few more weeks to run. Come and view Sharon Peoples’ beautiful Life-size embroidery. 

The Sturt Gallery continues to deliver remarkable exhibitions. In a final piece of news just in, Sturt Gallery and Studios has been named Finalist in the Local Business Awards. The winner will be announced on 15 September. Well done to a small, hard-working team who continue to celebrate the work of talented Australian makers 80 years on.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

GARDEN INSPIRATION

A frosty Highlands Sunday morning did not hamper the turnout to Sturt’s new exhibition, Drawn from the Garden, which features the stunning life-sized embroidery work of ACT textile artist, Sharon Peoples, the botanical-dyed textiles and pollen-infused artwork of Julie Ryder, and the Australian flora-inspired ceramics of Fiona Hiscock. Much of this beautiful work was produced during a year of lockdown where gardens became a haven of solace for these artists. Fittingly, award-winning broadcaster, Genevieve Jacobs AM delivered an insightful and moving opening address about the importance of connecting with nature. Sturt’s founder Winifred West loved gardening and believed strongly in the importance of creating in tune with nature. Miss West was vegetable-dying wool for Sturt weavers and textile artists in the 1940s. It is very special to see this exhibition honouring the ideals she held so dear amidst the gardens she spent so much time nurturing. Drawn from the Garden runs until 25 July.

BUZZING SHORT COURSE WEEKEND

Sturt had one of its busiest weekends in over a year with its Autumn Short Course Weekend and last days of Biogenesis. Visitors came from far and wide to develop their skills in woodworking with Sturt’s resident tutor Martin Jones, hand forging spoons with Jane Tadrist and ceramic surfaces with Tracey Mitchell. July’s Throwing Techniques with ceramicist Megan Patey is already fully booked but there are still places in hand carving animals with Carol Russell and exploring beautiful still life photography with Ashley Mackevicius. 

STURT SCHOOL for WOOD PRESENTATIONS

The full time Sturt School for Wood students had a high-pressure week presenting their work in front of an audience in Sturt Cottage with appraisals by master fine furniture makers Roy Schack and Leon Sadubin. The students did an inspiring job presenting an outstanding standard of work and it was a privilege to see how much they have flourished under Roy and David Upfill-Brown’s expert guidance. They said goodbye to world renowned master maker David Upfill-Brown last week and they welcomed master maker Darren Oates, who will teach them the art of steam bending.

Next year’s Sturt School for Wood course is in great demand with places filling fast. David Haig from New Zealand has joined the team of master tutors, which includes Roy Schack and David Upfill-Brown and we are already taking applications for 2023. For anyone who is passionate about a career in wood, Sturt School for Wood’s Cert IV in Fine Furniture Making is deserving of its reputation as one of the finest courses of its type, in the world.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

It was a privilege to be asked to help celebrate the incredible legacy of master ceramicist and Sturt living treasure, Les Blakebrough when he was awarded a fellowship at the National Art School last Thursday. Les joined Sturt pottery in 1957, became Pottery Manager in 1959 and was Director of Sturt from 1964-1972. Les was a pioneer of ceramics in Australia, developing techniques and materials that have been used to this day. It was inspiring to be part of the event with many of the powerhouses of contemporary ceramics especially while we are planning our next exciting chapter for Sturt pottery. We are now getting ready for another Sturt master ceramicist, Paul Davis’ upcoming show at Sturt in late September.

If you have not had a chance to see our current exhibition Biogenesis, this week is your last opportunity to visit before it wraps on Monday. A party of Gib Gate students made the most of the opportunity with a heartwarming visit to the exhibition this Wednesday morning.  They were treated to a talk with artist Libby Hobbs who shared her love of hand-sewing her dolls with her enchanted audience. 

Sturt’s next exhibition, Drawn from the Garden brings together Julie Ryder’s and Sharon Peoples’ unique textiles along with Fiona Hiscock’s finely detailed ceramics inspired by their observations and discoveries of their natural surroundings. Drawn from the Garden will be opened 11am Sunday 30 May by Genevieve Jacobs AM, Group Editor of Region Media Group, and you are all warmly invited to attend. To book your place at the exhibition head to: https://www.trybooking.com/BRLSA

If you are interested in becoming a Friends of Sturt member or would like to renew your membership, May is the time to put up your hand. We are on the look out for volunteers to join our art loving community and would love to hear from you. Sturt’s hard-working team are often in need of energetic helpers for upcoming exhibition bump ins, working bees with ceramics, general admin, and extra hands in the café. If you don’t have time to spare, your membership fees still help by going towards our fantastic Artists-in-Residence programme.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

 

Mrs Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

Autumn is an inspiring time at Sturt with all the colours, sunshine and crisp air a treat for the senses. The Biogenesis exhibition has been a great success with strong support for local artist Libby Hobbs and her daughter Dimity Kidston along with Nettie and Mercy Sumner’s beautiful work celebrating creativity of mothers and daughters. There have been wonderful curator talks, visits from a number of Frensham Visual Art classes and on the 19 May, Gib Gate students will enjoy a special morning tea and interactive talk with one of the artists. This joyous, heartfelt exhibition ends on 23 May.

Sturt’s next exhibition, Drawn From the Garden, brings together Julie Ryder’s and Sharon Peoples’ unique textiles along with Fiona Hiscock’s finely detailed ceramics inspired by their observations and discoveries of their natural surroundings.  Drawn from the Garden will be opened by Genevieve Jacobs AM, Group Editor of Region Media Group, on Sunday 30 May, 11.00am and you are all warmly invited to attend. The exhibition runs from 30 May to 25 July.

Sturt School for Wood students are absorbing all they can from renowned master furniture maker David Upfill-Brown. This term is all about dovetail joints and then curves when Darren Oates joins the class for steam bending.

There is already strong demand for places for 2022 in Sturt’s year-long Certificate IV in Fine Furniture Design which has the coveted reputation of being the best school for fine furniture design in Australia. To find out more please visit https://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/learning-at-sturt

Mrs Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

It has been a wonderful month at Sturt with many autumn visitors. There was a buzz of excitement at the Biogenesis opening on 11 April and the exhibition was a near sell out on the first day. Much loved local Libby Hobbs and her daughter Dimity Kidston teamed up with Netty and Mercy Sumner for this heart-felt and joyful exhibition. Their colourful textiles, weaving, ceramics and knitted copper wire explore the shared creativity of mothers and daughters and is the perfect exhibition to visit with your family on Mother’s Day. Biogenesis runs until 23 May.

Sturt’s next exhibition, Drawn From the Garden, brings together Julie Ryder’s and Sharon Peoples’ unique textiles along with Fiona Hiscock’s finely detailed ceramics inspired by their observations and discoveries of their natural surroundings.  Drawn from the Garden opens 11am Sunday 30 May and runs until 25 July.

Sturt Winter School (28 June - 2 July) is filling fast with many taking up the opportunity to learn from some of Australia’s most inspiring makers in a unique week-long creative experience in the Highlands. There are still some places left to learn Kumiko clock making with Christian Timbs. Exploring natural dyes with Sylvia Riley will also be an inspiring experience. For further information, please visit: https://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/winter-school

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

Sturt’s Current Exhibition – The Millennials – until 4 April

Three millennial furniture designer/makers – Rolf Barfoed, Elliot Bastianon and Andrew Carvolth come together in a celebration of ambitious design practices and innovation. This cutting-edge exhibition was opened by award-winning designer, Andrew Goodrum celebrated by Alessi, Veuve Clicquot and Cappellini. Budding Design & Technology students are encouraged to have a look at Andrew Carvolth’s ground-breaking AP Chair combining sandcast aluminium and wicker, recently acquired for the Victorian Gallery’s permanent collection.

Sturt’s Upcoming Exhibition – Biogenesis – 11 April-23 May

Mothers and daughters explore their shared and unique creativity through various mediums including ceramics, paintings and woven forms. Mercy Jo Sumner and Nettie Sumner, Libby Hobbs and Dimity Kidston bring to life their love of textiles, ceramics and found objects in this new show to be opened by Dr Pamela James, Adjunct Fellow, School of Creative Arts, Western Sydney University at 11.00am 11 April.

Autumn Short Course Weekend – Friday 21, Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 May

Sturt brings you three engaging new short courses this season. Learn in Sturt’s inspiring natural surroundings while you hand forge copper and brass spoons with Jane Tadrist; immerse yourself in pattern and colour exploring ceramic surfaces with Tracey Mitchell; or learn age old methods of coopering (the art of barrel and cask making) creating your own unique wooden desk lamp with Martin Jones.  Visit www.sturt.nsw.edu.au for details.

Sturt Winter School 2021 – Monday 28 June - Friday 2 July

Sturt is proud to present their Winter School Programme for 2021 up now at www.sturt.nsw.edu.au. This July there are 18 outstanding tutors sharing their expertise in everything from botanical dyeing to the ancient art of Japanese Kumiko. Bronwyn Berman will be sculpting in copper wire, Catriona Pollard will explore sculptural forms with basketry, while ceramic legend, Greg Daly will work wonders with ceramic glazes and much more in this fully immersive creative week. There are also five different one-day courses for children including bug sculpture and shadow puppetry.

Sturt Café Revamp

The Sturt Gallery Café has had a facelift and is open Wednesday to Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm with lunches, cakes and coffee in the gallery and garden from Saturday 20 March. The Sturt team look forward to seeing you at Sturt very soon.

Sturt 80^th Birthday Celebrations

Planning is underway for Sturt’s 80^th birthday celebrations later in the year. We will share plans with you when they take shape so that you can all help celebrate this very special milestone with Sturt.

Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on our website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au, or to make a booking or enrol, call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt

Thriving steers in Bellata

40^th Anniversary Gala Event

We had hoped to hold a gala event at Frensham on Saturday 4 September, to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Winifred West Schools Foundation. Most unfortunately, we will be unable to host this event. At present, the COVID-19 guidelines for schools prevent us from being able to host community events on campus and we do not anticipate that this will change in time for us to plan effectively for this event.

Despite the disappointing situation that we will not be able to go ahead in September, we trust that our community will understand the rationale. We have not yet looked at a possible rescheduled date for the event, given the uncertainty of the situation in NSW, but will be doing so in due course.

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

40^th Anniversary Gala Event

We had hoped to hold a gala event at Frensham on Saturday 4 September, to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Winifred West Schools Foundation. Most unfortunately, we will be unable to host this event. At present, the COVID-19 guidelines for schools prevent us from being able to host community events on campus and we do not anticipate that this will change in time for us to plan effectively for this event.

Despite the disappointing situation that we will not be able to go ahead in September, we trust that our community will understand the rationale. We have not yet looked at a possible rescheduled date for the event, given the uncertainty of the situation in NSW, but will be doing so in due course.

The Livestock Enterprise

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

40^th Anniversary Gala Event

We had hoped to hold a gala event at Frensham on Saturday 4 September, to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Winifred West Schools Foundation. Most unfortunately, we will be unable to host this event. At present, the COVID-19 guidelines for schools prevent us from being able to host community events on campus and we do not anticipate that this will change in time for us to plan effectively for this event.

Despite the disappointing situation that we will not be able to go ahead in September, we trust that our community will understand the rationale. We have not yet looked at a possible rescheduled date for the event, given the uncertainty of the situation in NSW, but will be doing so in due course.

The Livestock Enterprise

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

The Livestock Enterprise

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

The Livestock Enterprise

 

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

The Official Launch of the Winifred West Legacy

On Thursday 20 May, The Winifred West Schools Foundation, and Frensham Schools, hosted the official launch of Foundation’s newly-formed bequest group, The Winifred West Legacy.

The event was held at Bendooley Estate’s Stables, Berrima, and 160 guests attended—including all our ‘Custodians’ of The Winifred West Legacy, current and past Heads of School, current and past Governors, current and past Directors of Foundation, current and past Company Members, past Head Girls, past Presidents of Fellowship and long-term supporters of the School.

Guests were welcomed by Ms Elizabeth Stuart, Chair of the Board of Governors, before being delighted by a Madrigals performance. The item prepared was an arrangement of an Aretha Franklin song (Since You’ve Been Gone), featuring the Head of Madrigals, Grace Amos, as soloist.

The Madrigals then invited guests to stand as they sang Frensham’s traditional Grace – William Byrd’s Non Nobis.

Guests heard from Ms Sarah McGarry, who reflected on her first six months as Head of Frensham Schools and her vision for the future of the Schools. All agreed that it is an exciting time, as we embark on a new era for Frensham Schools.

Mr Alan Watson, the immediate past Chair of Foundation, then spoke about The Winifred West Legacy, thanked our current Custodians and invited our guests to find out more about what is involved.

Every year from now on, we will hold a luncheon for our Custodians of The Winifred West Legacy—primarily to say a sincere ‘thank you’ from the School, and for our guests to hear from Ms McGarry about what is happening at Frensham Schools today. 

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Custodian of The Winifred West Legacy, please contact our Director of Philanthropy, Ms Jackie Dalton on 02 4860 2000 or jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

40^th Anniversary Ball

Foundation’s 40^th Anniversary Ball was due to be held in 2020 but was cancelled due to COVID-19. We have re-scheduled, so please ‘Save the Date’ for Saturday 4 September. More information will follow in due course.

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

The Livestock Enterprise

Thank you again to those parents who have responded, as Donors and Hosts, to recent correspondence.

The Livestock Enterprise (LE) now comprises:

• 92 cattle in the paddock across 14 Hosts
• 85 cattle pledged by a further 13 Hosts
• 70 sheep pledged by two Hosts

Donations have been received from five families.

As a result, we are looking forward to the LE being able to continue contributing to Foundation’s Bursary Fund, in support of rural enrolments.

More Hosts are still needed!

If you would like information on how you can support the Livestock Enterprise, please contact Michele Scamps mscamps@frensham.nsw.edu.au

 

40^th Anniversary Ball

Foundation’s 40^th Anniversary Ball was due to be held in 2020 but was cancelled due to COVID-19. We have re-scheduled, so please ‘Save the Date’ for Saturday 4 September. More information will follow in due course.

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

The Livestock Enterprise

Thank you to those parents who have responded to our recent mailout regarding the Livestock Enterprise. As a result, we are looking forward to more livestock in the paddock in the near future; with this in mind, we are asking for additional Hosts to be involved in the programme.

If you would like information on how you can support the Livestock Enterprise, please contact Michele Scamps mscamps@frensham.nsw.edu.au

40^th Anniversary Ball

Foundation’s 40^th Anniversary Ball was due to be held in 2020 but was cancelled due to COVID-19. We have re-scheduled, so please ‘Save the Date’ for Saturday 4 September. More information will follow in due course.

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Thank you to those parents who have responded to our recent mailout regarding the Livestock Enterprise. As a result, we are looking forward to more livestock in the paddock in the near future; with this in mind, we are asking for additional Hosts to be involved in the programme.

If you would like information on how you can support the Livestock Enterprise, please contact Michele Scamps mscamps@frensham.nsw.edu.au

 

40^th Anniversary Ball

Foundation’s 40^th Anniversary Ball was due to be held in 2020 but was cancelled due to COVID-19. We have re-scheduled, so please ‘Save the Date’ for Saturday 4 September. More information will follow in due course.

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Special Appeal – thank you!

2020 began with many in our community enduring the ongoing drought, only to be followed by a bushfire season that was officially the worst in history. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which had an unprecedented impact on all our lives.

With some members of our community suffering, Foundation reached out for support of the Bursary Fund through a ‘Special Appeal’.

The response was incredible, with a massive $181,000 raised! Enormous thanks to all members of our community who responded to this Appeal.

Through all of this, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to have such a strong and supportive community. Even as we have been challenged by the most extreme circumstances, it has been gratifying to see such a generous response to the needs of others.

For all our donors, please be assured that your generosity has a real impact – you have helped to change lives by giving students access to a Frensham education. Thank you.

The Livestock Enterprise

The Livestock Enterprise is one of Foundation’s flagship fundraising programmes:

• urban dwellers and others contribute cash
• that is spent on stock—cattle or sheep
• that are then agisted by our farmers
• and then sent to market when ready, with the profits coming to Foundation’s Bursary Fund

Fortunately, 2020 saw seasonal conditions improving. Our farmers reported that they have feed in the paddocks and are busy re-establishing their grazing concerns. If you would like information on how you can support the Livestock Enterprise, please contact Michele Scamps mscamps@frensham.nsw.edu.au

40^th Anniversary Ball

Foundation’s 40^th Anniversary Ball was due to be held in 2020 but was cancelled due to COVID-19. We have re-scheduled, so please ‘Save the Date’ for Saturday 4 September. More information will follow in due course.

For more information on any aspect of the work of Foundation or Fellowship, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy
P: +61 2 4860 2009
M: 0408 671 466
E: jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Fellowship Facebook page and Instagram page 

Frensham Fellowship Members are encouraged to follow us on Facebook and you will be kept up to date with the latest Fellowship news.

In addition, Fellowship’s Instagram page will soon be launched—we will let you know as soon as the Instagram page is active. 

If you have suggestions about the type of content you’d like to see on either of these pages please get in touch to let us know. 

Memorabilia

Each fortnight, we highlight items of our extensive Memorabilia range available for purchase. This fortnight, we are featuring our beautiful 100% cotton tea towel, depicting Irises by Sir Sidney Nolan (reproduced with kind permission of the Sidney Nolan Trust/Bridgemen Images) a painting donated by a group of Old Girls from 1953, which now hangs in the Esther Tuckey Library. The tea towel costs $30 plus $10 postage. Also in this range are mugs and notecards.

If you would like to purchase the tea towel, please use this link to place your order.

News of Old Girls

We are always keen to hear of news of Old Girls and their achievements, particularly births and weddings. We understand that many weddings may have been postponed this year, but we have no news of births for 2021. Please spread the word and you can let us know via this link Old Girl News or by contacting us at fellowship@frensham.nsw.edu.au

For more information on any aspect of Fellowship’s work, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton
Fellowship Liaison
02 4860 2009
0408 671 466
jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Fellowship Facebook page and Instagram page 

Frensham Fellowship Members are encouraged to follow us on Facebook and you will be kept up to date with the latest Fellowship news.

In addition, Fellowship’s Instagram page will soon be launched—we will let you know as soon as the Instagram page is active. 

If you have suggestions about the type of content you’d like to see on either of these pages please get in touch to let us know. 

Memorabilia

Each fortnight, we highlight items of our extensive Memorabilia range available for purchase. This fortnight, we are featuring the Cotton Drill Apron with the Iris motif on the front, at a cost of $25 plus $10 postage.

If you would like to purchase the Frensham apron, please use this link to place your order.

News of Old Girls

We are always keen to hear of news of Old Girls and their achievements, particularly births and weddings. We understand that many weddings may have been postponed this year, but we have no news of births for 2021. Please spread the word and you can let us know via this link Old Girl News or by contacting us at fellowship@frensham.nsw.edu.au

For more information on any aspect of Fellowship’s work, please contact:

Ms Jackie Dalton
Fellowship Liaison
02 4860 2009
0408 671 466
jdalton@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Frensham Chronicle 2020

The Frensham Chronicle 2020 was recently dispatched to Fellowship Members. If you did not receive your copy, please contact Jackie Dalton, Fellowship Liaison (contact details below).

This year saw a new initiative, with a QR code on the mailing cover sheet that linked to the new ‘Frensham Life’ video, which we hope you enjoy.

Memorabilia

In each edition of the Frensham Schools’ newsletter we will be featuring two items from our selection of Fellowship Memorabilia. In this issue we are pleased to showcase Dog Leads and Dog Collars. 

If you would like to purchase either of these products, please use this link to place your order.

Golf Day: Cancelled

The Annual Fellowship Golf Day was to be held on Monday 15 November at Elanora Country Club has unfortunately been cancelled.

Reunions

Reunions planned for August are unfortunately not able to proceed due to the current restrictions in NSW but we are looking forward to being able to welcome Old Girls back on to campus in the future. In the meantime, we encourage you to follow the School’s Instagram account and the Frensham Fellowship Facebook page to keep in touch with the School.

News of Old Girls

We are always keen to hear of news of Old Girls, particularly births and weddings. We understand