and ‘thank you’ to parents...

In the context of a week in which we have worked with parents and students to manage the forecast of a ‘critical incident’, Frensham teachers have today completed Professional Learning workshops, focused on our next steps in Character Education. Whilst it is our responsibility to mitigate against catastrophe within a School environment, the opportunity to reflect on ‘real’ experience of character under stress, has added intensity and quality to the discussions – and highlighted what happens when teachers and / or students ‘work through challenge as a team’ – ‘enhancing capacity through shared challenge’.

Dr Phil Cummins (CEO, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in Education), our education consultant on the School-wide Character Education project, wrote the following message in his report on today’s Professional Learning Workshops – to share with parents:

‘From everything I have read it is clear that Frensham has educated for character since its inception in 1913.  Today, teachers continue to renew and strengthen an approach that is in keeping with its tradition of progressive, innovative, and relational teaching and learning. Led by Dr Ruth Phillips (Researcher in Residence) and Ms Wendy Rowan (Director – Special Projects) the School is embedding the fundamentals of what we have learned from our international research:

1. As educators, we are called to help others strive for excellence, and to develop their character and competency.
2. Character is why we do school - what educators think about character, matters.
3. Character is the whole work of a school - school leaders show the way forward.
4. Character development relies on relationship.
5. Character education works best when it is deliberate, targeted, and intentional.
6. A good school focuses on the education of the whole person; a great school assembles the ingredients of high-performance culture in delivering this education.

Reflection on our progress – for your reflection as a family
‘Grit, gratitude and good humour’ are words we started to use in our setting of expectations for our School as a community, just a few years ago – to encapsulate as simply as possible our core values and expectations. In 2018, we published Character Education at Frensham - a statement of intent and of principles, guiding action - and the CIRCLE research project we have undertaken is leading and guiding our progress.

Increasingly we need to stress the critical need for ‘kindness’, as in teaching students to consider ‘the triple filter test’ - ‘Is it true? - Is it kind? - Is it necessary?’ when they are deciding which information, if any, to share amongst peers. Closely aligned is the teaching for understanding about what is ‘clever’ vs ‘kind’ when children (from the earliest age) and teenagers are deciding on a course of action or interaction.

To this end I urge families to establish or build on your own family code of what is acceptable commentary amongst siblings – or within parent-adult conversation – and also to reflect on the positioning of a particular family member as ‘the clever one’ based on your judgement of his or her ‘quick and acerbic wit’. Why would we value sarcasm or stinging putdowns when we know ‘it is harder to be kind than clever?’ (See: Jeff Bezos’ Address: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/jeff-bezos-to-princetons-class-of-2010-its-harder-to-be-kind-than-clever)

Jamieson Programme Extension – Year 9
For Weeks 6 and 7, Year 9 is undertaking a pilot programme on campus that is an example of our whole-School strategy to move curriculum delivery beyond traditional structures and embed key learning into the rhythm of a residential school life. The programme includes: 

• an opportunity for all of Year 9 to be accommodated for all or part of the two weeks
• daily physical challenge, including preparation for ‘the Frensham Biathlon’
• leadership training and preparation for the Year 10 Growth Coaching Programme
• An evening of ‘spotlighting’ for native fauna in the Lower Holt
• Yoga / Relaxation
• ‘Mathematics - an intensive experience’ (daily workshops and tutorials)
• Science invertebrate investigation (Lower Holt)
• Prep focus on personal study routines
• Burn Bright Spark Programme: respect of ourselves and others

Acknowledgement to:

• Girdle recipient Mia Horsfall (Writing) (Year 11);
• Eleanor Swan (Year 10), one of 25 students nationally accepted for the 2020 National Questacon Invention Convention (13-17 January, 2020) as an Ambassador (places awarded on the basis of independent application);
• Sophie Hatch (Year 11) for her selection in the Australian Equestrian team (14-18 Years) to compete at the CSIJ-B Bangkok, Princess Cup, Thailand;
• Gabrielle Metua (Year 11) for her successful application to attend the Burn Bright National Leadership Camp, 2020 in a senior mentor role;
• Sybella Harris and Olivia Hamilton (Year 11), who offered the Address on behalf of the Youth of the Southern Highlands at the Mittagong RSL Remembrance Day Service;
• Year 12 Higher School Certificate Visual Arts students: Elvira Berzins, Harriet Darvall, Isabella Gale, Rebecca Glanville, Amelia Hickson, Annabelle Hickson, Lillian Ives, Harriet Taylor, Jacqueline Wilkins, Augusta Wyrzykowski - nominated for consideration for inclusion in ARTEXPRESS 2020;  
• Year 12 Higher School Certificate Design and Technology students: Katerina Aleksov, Isabella Gale, Sophie Sheehan, Eleanor Swan (Year 10 accelerant) - nominated for possible inclusion in the annual exhibition (SHAPE) of a selection of exemplary Major Projects developed by HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design students;
• Recent recipients of Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards: Gold - Phoebe O’Connell (Year 12);  Silver - Emily Baldwin, Isobel Huggins, Adelaide Poulos, Christina Richardson (Year 11); Coco Bradley, Natasha Long, Ivy McGufficke, Madeleine Mulligan, Annabelle Ranken (Year 10);
• Gib Gate Gymnastics team for its success at the recent IPSHA Gymnastics competition including first placed Level 3 team members: Eliza-Grace Bashford, Madeleine Bendror (Year 6), Summer Johns, Matilda Spong (Year 3).

Staffing update:

Retirement – 40+ years on...early advice...

Who am I? 

• Appointed as a fulltime graduate teacher in 1969, I taught History and English at Frensham and Sport at Gib Gate.
• After an absence of 10 years, I returned to Frensham in 1979.
• Leadership positions I have held include Head of HSIE, Head of Gib Gate (2000-2002), Head of House, Head of Languages, Director of Boarding, Director of Events and Planning 

This week we announced to staff and students, that Mrs Ros Buick (member of the Frensham Executive) will retire at the end of this year after more than 40 years’ service to Frensham Schools – ‘a lifetime of service to Frensham... to generations of students and their families...’

...and the entire School gasped...

‘Mrs Buick is far too young to retire...’ (Year 7 Frensham Studies student)

Thank you to all (950) who attended the 2019 Bush Dance and congratulations to the entire School team for your inspirational creativity and management of the BIG TOP!

Thank you also to those who added pledges – and those who provided or purchased Silent Auction prizes – raising $50,000+ for Foundation’s Bursary Fund to support Rural Enrolments.

* * *

On behalf of all who attended – we offer warmest thanks to Foundation – to Michele Scamps, with Barbara Shannon and the parent team of generous volunteers who made this major event possible...

See the Bush Dance photo gallery

Julie Gillick
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools