A strong finish

A strong finish

The end of Term 1

When speaking with the School last week I encouraged students to finish well, to apply their best efforts to the final weeks of term – after all, musicians don’t just decide not to play to the double bar line at the end of a piece, distance runners don’t hear the final lap bell and slow down to take it easy, and actors don’t fade out on the last page of a script and back away off stage. Finishing well is as important in life as it is in Sport or the Arts, with the traits of persistence and commitment a determining factor in life satisfaction and success.

I wish to commend all students and staff for their fine efforts in what has been, at times, a challenging term. The grit and resilience shown by our community in the face of COVID-induced disruption and weather events has been admirable.

At Tuesday evening’s Sport Celebration we gathered as a community to celebrate and recognise individual and team achievements and efforts across the term, and those acknowledgements missed due to the cancellation of End of Term Prayers will be celebrated in our first Prayers back on Wednesday 27 April 2022. We celebrate the efforts of the team representing Frensham at the IGSA Swimming Carnival on Friday 25 March, for a very strong set of results and a fine culmination of the term’s training and preparation. Whilst we missed quite a bit of IGSA Sport fixtures as a result of inclement weather this term, when we did have the opportunity to welcome opponents to Frensham our teams played with skill and enthusiasm and it was so gratifying to welcome parents, families and their pet dogs to the Games Field. Our parent volunteers and student baristas have set a high bar with service at the Pavilion and we look forward with hope to some clearer weekends and a more consistent next season.

It has been thoroughly enjoyable this term to gather more frequently as a Frensham Schools community, and are looking ahead with enthusiasm to the events planned in Term Two. Last Friday’s Gib Gate Fair was a true delight (holding Caramello the Guinea Pig was my personal highlight) and a wonderful preview for the Gib Gate Open Day on Saturday 30 April. At Frensham I highlight in particular the Father-Daughter Ball on 14 May, our Fellowship Reunion Picnic on 21 May and our Year 12 and Birthday Weekend on 4 June.

Gib Gate Fair - Family Picnic and Traditional Games Afternoon

ANZAC DAY

Frensham Schools has a strong tradition of participation and contribution in our local commemoration of Anzac Day. Students of Frensham and Gib Gate are invited to represent Frensham Schools at the Mittagong RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day 2022 Memorial March and Ceremony.

Students, Parents and Carers are asked meet Ms McGarry and Ms Chauncy at the Carpark area behind Highlands Fresh (Albion St) at 10:15am. Students will need to wear their full winter uniform including blazers, stockings and hats (Frensham).

The March to the Cenotaph will commence at 10:35am and the Service will commence at 10:45am. Would you please advise if your child is able to participate in the ANZAC March via this link: ANZAC Day March (Mittagong) Attendance, response required by Thursday 21 April.

Gib Gate and Frensham students will march together for this event and we thank Parents and Carers in advance for your support for this significant annual community event.

Frensham will be holding an Anzac Day Prayer Reflection on Friday 29 April here at school, and students and staff with family connections to the Defence Forces who would like to participate have been asked to contact senior staff to express their interest. We welcome this involvement.

We wish all students, staff and families a restful vacation period and a joyful Easter. May this time together provide you with the opportunity for rest and reflection.

Staffing

  • Ms Sally Fennell will be remaining as Year 12 Coordinator whilst stepping back from the role of Deputy Head of Boarding from the beginning of Term 2.
  • Wishing Sophie Piper well for Long Service in Term 2

Acknowledgement to

  • Zoe Gallagher (Year 12), Eliza Mulligan (Year 11), Maggie Ryan (Year 10) for selection to the Under 18’s Southern Highlands Representative Field Hockey Team, competing at the NSW State Field Championships in May.
  • Zali Walters (Year 7) for selection to play representative Netball for the Southern Highlands Netball Association.
  • Heidi Rowntree (Year 10) for selection to the IGSA Touch Team.
  • Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients, Silver: Sarah Partland, Jessica Savage (Year 11); Bronze: Poppy Carter, Emily Crawford, Jemima Sealy, Imogen Smith, Georgia Squire-Wilson, Miliana Thompson (Year 10).
  • University of Sydney Year 10 (2021) Academic Achievement Award recipient: Bella Cay, Year 11 2022.
  • Phoebe Clifton (Year 12) for qualifying to be part of the NSW Equestrian Team and competing at the Australasian Show Horse and Rider Championships (Nationals) in Child's Large Open Hack Class. Qualifying for the NSW Team, Phoebe was Reserve Champion at the NSW Horse of the Year event, October 2020.
  • The Year 11 Mock Trial Team for their commitment to the programme and recent success in competition.

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham

Head of Frensham Schools