Head's Message

For those students leaving us at the end of the year – particularly those in their last year at Frensham, their last year at Frensham Junior School or those that have completed 12 months in the Wood School, we wish you well and trust that you stay true to the key values that have been instilled in you by our schools. These will hold you in good stead as you navigate the many challenges of life.

With a full programme of special events marking the end of the 2023 school year, this newsletter includes details to assist with planning and also offers insight into what is already in place for 2024. Through events such as the Frensham Junior School Year 6 Dinner and the Carols Concert, the Sturt School for Wood Graduate Exhibition, Frensham’s Jamieson Week, The Addams Family production, Final Prayers and the Carol Service, we will share in the celebration and culmination of student and staff effort.  

For all students in Preschool to Year 11, we have finalised the Second Semester Report. These will be made available for parents.

Sturt School for Wood Graduating Exhibition Opening on Sunday 19 November was an outstanding success. (Please see the information in the Sturt section of the Newsletter.)

Next Thursday evening, we welcome back for their final weekend of high school, Year 12, 2023 and on Friday afternoon Frensham Junior School farewells Year 6, 2023. The sentiments expressed by many at this time of year draw on the strong connections students and their families feel about their time at Frensham Schools. 

Our hope is that by being part of our end of year celebrations, you will catch a glimpse of the spirit of Frensham Schools and further insight into the enduring qualities and values that shape the education of our students and the values of our community.

Frensham Junior School: Friday 1 December – Year 6 Dinner, 6pm, Frensham Dining Room

Frensham:

• Monday 4-Friday 8 December – Jamieson Week: A detailed, carefully-crafted five days of intense activity and year-specific programmes. The Jamieson Programme 2023 link will take you to the timetable, dress requirements and other detailed information.
• Saturday 9 December – Games and Picnic Lunch, Final Prayers at 2.30pm and in the evening the School production of The Addams Family. (For the Saturday picnic, year group areas will be signposted for ease of location – all are on the Games Field, near the Pavilion.)
• Sunday 10 December – Carol Service commencing at 11.00am, Clubbe Hall.

Please note:  

• Clubbe Hall doors open at 1.30pm for Final Prayers - commencing at 2.30pm - Saturday 9 December.
• Clubbe Hall doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start of the School Performance of The Addams Family (students and immediate family only) - Saturday evening 9 December.
• Clubbe Hall doors open at 10.00am for the 11.00am Carol Service – Sunday 10 December.

The Addams Family Public Performance: Friday 8 December – TICKETS
School Perfomance: Saturday 9 December – TICKETS

2024 Calendars
Frensham and Frensham Junior School Calendars will be distributed to families in the final week of term.  

Frensham students should please collect calendars after Final Prayers from Year Prefects (calendars are in a named, addressed envelope).

Vacation Contact
Please note the Frensham Schools will be closed from the end of Friday 15 December and will re-open on Tuesday 2 January, 2024. Frensham and Sturt campuses are also fully utilised for the Sturt Summer School, which operates in the first week of January 2024.

Higher School Certificate Results
With HSC results and ATARs (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) accessible to Year 12 on Thursday 14 December we will write to the community prior to Christmas with news of the 2023 cohort’s academic achievements.

Acknowledgements

• National Art School, HSC Intensive Studio Practice Course, Year 11 students completing the programme were:
  • Ashley Brewer, Life Drawing
  • Claudia Hampson, Printmaking
  • Kate, Nicholl, Printmaking
• Girdle Award recipients:
  • Sophie Simpson (Academic Excellence)
  • Julia Lewis (Mathematics)
• Frensham Junior School achievements:
  • National History Challenge run by the History Association of Australia: Year 5 students, Poppy Chin - Young Historian Silver in the category of Australian Women; Elizabeth Beckhaus - Young Historian Silver in the category of Young Historian of the Year;
  • Berrima District Art Gallery’s annual Kids on Show exhibition: Highly Commended Sibella Baggott (Year 1), Tilly Muir (Year 6) and Madeliene Hannah (Year 5) who was also Best in Show;
  • Shoalhaven Regional Athletics Carnival: Aliyah Mhanna (Year 6), place winner in all events entered including 1st in the U13 200m, the feature event of the carnival. Aliyah is training for the NSW Regional, Country and Zone Championships.

Mr Geoff Marsh
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools

Drama

On Wednesday 15 November, Drama and Tech students in Years 9-12 attended the awe-inspiring musical production, of Wicked at Sydney Lyric Theatre.

The Broadway sensation looked at what happened in the Land of Oz (Wizard of Oz) but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships… until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked”.  

This was just as much a Tech Crew excursion as it was a Drama Excursion. Students marvelled at all aspects of design, puppetry and the energy of the ensemble and of course, acting, and vocal talents of the two female leads.

Winner of over 100 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, Frensham students were grateful for this theatrical experience.

Mrs Sally Hannah, Head of Drama

Jamieson Programme

Term 4 is an exciting time for students across all year groups. Last week, Ms Molly Macqueen and Ms Fiona Shannon organised a Year 7 Frensham Studies Immersive Day where students considered what a ‘Respectful & Active’ citizen looks like at Frensham and in the wider world. Students endeavoured on a real-life word search, finding hidden words in a relay style activity around Clubbe Hall. Students then thoughtfully considered the meaning of these words and how they were associated with being a respectful and active citizen. Teams were challenged to create ‘Frensham Superheros’ and designed armour fit for a Frensham girl. They were equipped with materials and asked to identify the characteristics they designed. 

We designed our superhero to wear glasses so they can always consider others’ perspectives.

We designed wings so you can carry others with you.

Frensham Old Girls Rebecca Farquhar (2012), Elizabeth Bruce (2013) and Annabelle Ranken (2021) spoke to Year 7 and reflected on their time at Frensham. They spoke about how their experiences at school have made a significant impact on their careers as an interior designer, safari guide in South Africa and as a university student, respectively. Girls asked meaningful questions in a Q&A style panel and found connection between their combined experience at Frensham. Year 7 had the opportunity to continue working on their Shadow Books in the afternoon and finished by considering what they could do to foster the qualities of a Respectful and Active citizen next year in Year 8.

Year 8 have been looking at Healthy Relationships over the course of this term. As part of this study, they have looked at effective communication, support networks, building trust and what a good friend looks like. In this way they are considering what a Grounded Future Builder looks like at Frensham and in the wider community.

Students were recently asked to create an advertisement for their ideal friend.

Finding a new friend who loves to take time to talk, is always happy to support me and celebrate my achievements and have fun. Ideally this person will give me advice when I need it and will make me laugh and cheer me up when I am down. You will also understand that that it is good to have multiple different types of friends.

Seeking a friend with the following qualities:

• Adventurous
• Motivated
• Supportive
• Can make decisions for themselves
• Inclusive
• Kind

A new friend is wanted! If you love food, going to the beach, or going travelling, then you are in luck! To fill this position, you have to be someone who is kind, supportive and a friend who is good at making people laugh.

The Year 9 Jamieson Programme students have had an exciting term filled with significant achievements. To begin the term, they successfully completed the final component of their Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives course, including a rigorous final exam. Prior to the exam, the girls devoted weeks to intensive study and preparation, and there was a noticeable sense of accomplishment once the test concluded. We applaud the girls for their dedication to learning, persistence, and over-coming challenges throughout this demanding course.

Post-exam, the Year 9 students enthusiastically engaged in valuable workshops. One such workshop, ‘Money Confidence’, built upon their Year 8 course knowledge, addressing the financial challenges specific to their age group. The girls' questions, active participation, and feedback highlighted the workshop's relevance and value.

The remainder of the term took a strong environmental focus. The students delved into topics such as ethical consumerism and the consequences of fast fashion on society and the environment. To finish this theme, the girls engaged in an enlightening session with guest speaker Suzannah Cowley from Nviro Media. Mrs Cowley shared insights on the importance of soil health and its impact on the environment. During this session, the girls also had the unique opportunity to engage in a mock interview, gaining valuable insights into journalism from Mrs Cowley's wealth of knowledge and experience.

Year 9 will complete the term by learning about the ‘Walk in Her Shoes’ initiative. During Jamieson Week, the girls will walk the distance (at least 7 kilometres) to emulate how far the average female in a developing country travels each day to collect water, firewood or travel to school, often carrying 10-15 kilograms. Upon their return, the girls will reflect on the toll that a walk like that every day would have on their schooling, leisure time and physical wellbeing.

Congratulations to Year 9 for the new skills they have developed and their engagement with various aspects of the course. 

Finally, everyone is excited for the full Jamieson Week Programme in Week 9.  Students across all year groups will engage in a variety of community service activities including shopping for Anglicare Hampers, local Giving Trees and looking after our environment through Holting. In addition, the girls will acquire valuable life skills through financial literacy and CyberSafety workshops, wellbeing sessions and self-defence. We are particularly excited to be returning to Nursing Homes to sing to the residents and deliver hand-made Christmas cards. It is a special time of the year, a week that is inspired by our School’s motto of ‘In Love Serve One Another’.

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Director of Jamieson Programme

Equestrian Report

The last report for the year is a mixed bag of equestrian disciplines. The Frensham riders have been busy competing in their chosen events but there were a few who represented the Team in the Hobby Horse Races at the Iris Country Fair as well.

At the Iris Country Fair, there was a large Equestrian Stall full of new and pre-loved clothing and tack as well as some horse-themed photo prints, jewellery and yummy treats. There was also a ‘guess the weight of Teddy’ competition, with Isla McVinish winning, with her guess of 128kg, only 5kg over his weight. However, the highlight of the Equestrian Stall and, undoubtably of the whole Fair, was the Hobby Horse Races. There was a race for Years 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12 and a Staff / Old Girls / Parents Derby, with the last race of the day a hotly contested event showcasing the riding skills of the first three placegetters from earlier races. Of course, this report will acknowledge the achievements of the riders, with the results as follows –

Race 1: Years 7 and 8 Frensham students sponsored by Stenhouse Equine Dentistry –

• 1^st - Lexie Maple-Brown
• 2^nd - Olivia Cowley
• 3^rd - Maddie Doughty

Race 2: Years 9 and 10 Frensham students sponsored by The Gait Group

• 1^st - Tia Thomas
• 2^nd - Zara McMurtrie
• Equal 3^rd - Kat Peniazeva / Maggie Maynard

Race 3: Years 11 and 12 Frensham students sponsored by Inglis

• 1^st - Scarlett Francis – Prize $50 cash + Inglis Cap
• 2^nd - Millie Gale
• 3^rd - Ellery Martin

Race 4: Frensham Staff / Old Girls / Parents sponsored by Rosthwaite Farm

• 1^st – Mr Shane Green (Staff)
• 2^nd – Mr Nathan Bessant (Staff)
• 3^rd – Mr James Maple-Brown (Parent)

Race 5: Sponsored by The William Inglis Hotel

• 1^st - Lexie Maple-Brown
• 2^nd – Tia Thomas
• 3^rd – Maddy Doughty

I would like to thank Amelia Wilkinson, and her husband Shane Stenhouse (parents of Grace Stenhouse, Year 8), for the amazing organisation and planning of the Equestrian Stall and the Hobby Horse races. Amelia’s time, effort and meticulous event planning, made for a smooth running and successful day. I would also like to thank the many parents and students who assisted with supplying pre-loved clothing and gear, assisting in setting up the stall on the days prior to the Fair, and for their generous time and help running the stall and races on the day. Also, a big thank you to the Hobby Horse race sponsors for their generous contribution to race prizes.

Now for some serious equestrian results –

Polo playing siblings, Indigo and Scarlett Francis, competed in opposing Teams, at the NSW Junior State Polo Championships (U21), at Richmond, during the October holidays, and both riders performed very well at the State level. Indigo (Year 7) and her horses, ‘Kalua’, ‘Shakira’ and ‘Alice’ were members of the winning team, and State Champions, and Scarlett (Year 11), and her horses, ‘Gravity’, ‘Titch’ and ‘Blazer’ were in the Team which placed 3^rd. Scarlett’s horse ‘Gravity’ was awarded the Champion Pony of the tournament. Well done to Indigo and Scarlett for their outstanding results.

In Show Jumping, the Sydney Jumping Association held an event at Richmond on the 17-19 November.

• Abbey Kuiper (Year 11) and her horse, ‘Vakarra Champagne’ placed 2^nd in the 125cm Open speed event and 4^th in the 135cm Young Rider class.
• Matilda Telford (Year 9) rode ‘Bremer Park Poco Express’ in the 105cm class and was placed 5^th.
• Iliana Hercus (Year 4) placed 1^st on ‘Miss Moet’ and 2^nd on ‘Valentine’ in the 80cm class.
• Valentina Hercus (Year 5) placed 1^st in the 115cm Open class riding ‘RBH Chaccarla’ and 3^rd in the 115cm Open class riding ‘Gold Play’.

Congratulations to these Show Jumpers who are achieving great results at a high level.

Also competing in Show Jumping, was Aliyah Mhanna (Frensham Junior School Year 6) on her horse ‘Emma Peel GMZ’ at the Heights of the Highlands Show Jumping competition, Moss Vale on 11 November. The duo was placed 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th in their events. Excellent results in classes with over 30 competitors in each event.

During the October holiday, Millie Gale (Year 11), and her horse ‘Halls Tekno Rio’ (Tekno), competed in the Campdrafting at the Tibooburra Sports Club Gymkhana and Rodeo, performing well against adults. The combination also competed at the Noccundra Campdraft, Rodeo & Gymkhana, in Queensland, and was placed 3^rd in the Ladies Barrel race and 1^st in the Junior Barrel race.

Annika Basson (Year 8) competed at the Berrima Horse Trials Hunter Trials on 26 November on ‘Keeralee Bandit Bob’ and placed 10^th in the EvA 65cm Junior competition. A great effort from Annika.

Finally, and to round off the array of equestrian disciplines that Frensham students compete in, Eva Telford (Year 11), and her horse ‘Elmdale Park Sallyanna’ competed in the Queen Equestrian NSW Riding Pony Stud Book Society State Show on 26 November. Eva had a full day of competing and achieved some outstanding results – 1^st - Junior Handler 15-17 years; 2^nd - Show Pony/Hunter over 13.2hh - 14.2hh Ridden by a Child over 12 years to 17 years; 2^nd - Rider 15-17 years; 3^rd - Ridden Show Pony Mare of Gelding over 13.2hh - 14.2hh; 2^nd - Ridden Home Produced RPSBS Pony over 13.2hh - 14.2hh; Reserve Champion - Home Produced RPSBS <14.2hh; 1^st - Ridden Riding Pony & Aus. Saddle Pony over 12.2hh - 14.2hh; Reserve Champion - Ridden Double Registered Pony and Overall State Highest Scoring Points Senior Exhibitor. Congratulations to Eva for her amazing results.

Well done to all these riders, and to all the Frensham / Frensham Junior School equestrians who have competed, or are just enjoying their horse, over 2023. We look forward to hearing about your time with your horses over the Christmas vacation.

Ms Leonie Mutch, Acting Co-ordinator of Equestrian