‘Choose subjects that truly inspire you...’

‘Choose subjects that truly inspire you...’
Nicole Scott, former US astronaut

 

Timely advice to Years 10 and 11 is that of former US astronaut, Nicole Scott, reflecting recently on the elements of her family and school life that influenced her career aspirations and outcomes: ‘...choose the subjects that truly inspire you...give yourself permission to shine...’ Scott’s studies and career pathway evolved in a positive context of support for her initially tentative ideas of what might be possible. I am sharing her message with the School this week, as a follow up to the Years 10 and 11 subject selection discussions that were central to our Year 11 Parent-Teacher Meetings and Year 10 Senior Studies presentation last weekend.

It is always exciting to discuss with students their next steps ‘studies-wise’, many girls initiating thoughtful conversations about their options or their preliminary decision-making. Future course selection is very clear for some and highly unresolved for many, for good reason.

It might help parents to stop and reflect on how you made your own decisions, when course options were in front of you – at high school or at tertiary level. I recall coming home prior to the start of Year 11 and announcing to my parents, with great enthusiasm, that I would re-start piano lessons (lapsed since Year 8) so that I could study HSC Music – and that I would continue my study of French – but by correspondence (because no one else at my school wanted to take the course). It was much later that I reflected on the significance of my parents’ response to this news: ‘Ok, is that what you want to do?’ (...end of conversation). It was ‘just the start’ of senior studies...but I was sure I had a good plan, and was ready to get started...

[Of course, we stay closely involved with students to ensure they are aspirational in their thinking – where courses are multi-level in nature, or where prerequisite learning is essential to meet a student’s goals – but above all, students need to be excited about the challenge they are driving...]

The reason Nicole Scott’s story has come to attention is that Frensham’s Science Faculty has celebrated the 2019 50th Anniversary of ‘the man on the moon’ by sharing inspirational stories and research – and my curiosity was sparked further by gaining insight into more recent achievements in ‘space exploration’, in the context of ‘what next?’

Published by the Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia, Nicole Scott shares a thought-provoking response to the question ‘what would I write to my “younger self”?  Excerpts from her letter:

  • I would encourage you to continue to strive to reach your personal goals, whether this be at school, in excelling and choosing the subjects that you truly love, or in sport, music or art. It is amazing how we can take ourselves out of the running from something by just doubting ourselves...
  • I grew up in Clearwater, Florida and am thankful for parents who shared with me what they loved... My dad liked to build and fly small planes so my childhood was spent hanging out with my family at the local airport. I found I had the same passion for flying and I wanted to know “how things flew”.
  • I studied and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from the University of Central Florida. I was very fortunate to get a job with NASA as an Engineer at Kennedy Space Centre (KSC), helping prepare Space Shuttles for their flights. After about ten years at KSC I was selected to be an astronaut and moved to Houston, to the Johnson Space Centre.
  • Throughout my entire career, I have come across some challenges but making the decision to apply to be an astronaut was not an easy one for me. From the time I watched the moon landing as a kid, I always thought that being an ‘astronaut’ was really cool, but it always seemed like a job that only other special people got to do, and it took me a long time before I considered applying. I always also second-guessed that I was not good enough to be an astronaut – “Why would they pick me?” I thought.
  • “I’m extremely thankful to my mentors who encouraged me to pick up the pen and fill out the application”
  • To the students of today...: It is sometimes difficult to know exactly what you want to do in life, and when you are at school you might feel the pressure to choose early and make that decision. I would encourage you to go with your gut and choose the subjects that truly inspire you, and I assure you it will be rewarding to learn things you never thought possible when you give yourself permission to shine.

Yours sincerely
Nicole

Nicole Stott’s experience as an astronaut includes two spaceflights and 104 days spent living and working in space on both the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. She performed one spacewalk, was the first person to fly the robotic arm to capture the free-flying HTV cargo vehicle, and was the last crew member to fly to and from their ISS mission on a Space Shuttle. Nicole is also a former NASA Aquanaut, who in preparation for spaceflight and along with her NEEM09 crew, lived and worked during an 18-day mission (the longest saturation mission to-date) on the Aquarius undersea habitat. Now Nicole combines her spaceflight experience and artwork to inspire creative thinking about solutions to our planetary challenges and to raise awareness of the surprising interplay between science and art.

Acknowledgement to:

  • Year 9 students and all who contributed to the 2019 Global Forum – followed by Caving; we are indebted to the teachers and volunteer community members who contribute annually to these key elements of the Jamieson Programme;
  • Year 12 HSC Drama performers on the highly resolved monologue and group performances presented to the School last Friday evening;
  • Recent Year 12 Girdle recipients, Emily Gubbins (Sport) and Alexandra Hill (Service to Music);
  • Parents who supported our Young and Wagga Wagga information events; we felt hugely supported by your presence and contribution as co-hosts with the School team;
  • Samantha Argent and MacKenzie Johnson (Year 11) who delivered the address on behalf of the Youth of the Southern Highlands at the Victory in the Pacific Day commemorations;
  • Margaret (Meg) Fairrie, Laura Harper, Annabelle Ranken (Year 10), representing Frensham at the Vietnam Veterans Day Service;
  • Frensham’s MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly) team of Georgia Shakeshaft, Madeleine Mulligan and Caitlin Quinn (Year 10) representing Sweden – as the Frensham team in the National MUNA event in Canberra;
  • Parents and the agricultural community for hosting our students for the Year 11 Agriculture Farm Case Study Tour;
  • NESA WriteOn Competition Stage 3 Category Silver Medal winner Isabella Atra (Year 6) for her narrative piece, Lifetime of Hats;
  • Frensham and Gib Gate Snowsports teams competing this week at the Interschools Northern States Championships;
  • Frensham’s South Coast Public Speaking team, 5 of 9 team members placing in their section and Ella Clark placing 1st in her age group;
  • Gib Gate and Frensham Teachers – presenting Action Research outcomes to colleagues, highlighting best-practice teaching efforts across the School.

National Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)

 

Pictured left to right: Peter Ford, District Governor, Rotary District 9710, Georgia Shakeshaft, Madeleine Mulligan, Caitlin Quinn with Lain Dare, President, Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise. MUNA was held at the Museum of Australian Democracy, Canberra, 16-18 August. The Frensham team participated in debating rounds with 27 other teams from across the south-east of Australia.

Hangzhou, China – Teacher and Principal Delegations

Continuing our association with schools from Hangzhou, China, we have welcomed two delegations of teachers and principals in the past week.

Hangzhou Teacher and Principal Delegations

 

On Friday 16 August, 17 Primary and Secondary teachers attended workshops and presentations at Gib Gate and Frensham, as part of their investigation of best practice teaching of English. The schedule included visits to Preschool and to Senior Frensham English classes, as well as a Welcome Assembly at Gib Gate and a Q&A session led by the English Faculty, focusing on teaching strategies and use of technology for learning and for curriculum management. 

The second delegation, at Frensham from early morning on Tuesday 20 August, was a group of high school principals and teachers focusing on Career Education. A highlight for delegates was a Year 10 Panel discussing Work Experience, including generous sharing of our Tertiary Entry / Careers Profiling approach, led by Mrs Cherylynne Williams. 

Both groups of visiting teachers were in awe of the intense student engagement in classrooms (P-12) and their confidence and skill in articulating details of their learning.

Upcoming events – including Frensham Parent Information Sessions 2019

  • Sat 31 August-Sun 1 September: Year 9 Parent Weekend (all students to attend the Year 9 Service and Concert); HSC Visual Arts/Design & Technology Exhibition (Sat 31 August-Sun 1 September), Junior Production (Years 8-9) – Saturday afternoon in Clubbe Hall; 15-Year Reunion – Year 12, 2004;
  • Head’s Tour (Frensham) – Saturday 31 August (1.00pm-3.00pm), Information Session and Tour [Registration essential]
  • Singapore – Tuesday 3 September (6.00pm-8.00pm)

For further information about the Information Sessions, please contact: Ms Carole McCormick on +61 2 4860 2144 or Email cmccormick@frensham.nsw.edu.au or visit https://www.frensham.nsw.edu.au/admissions/sample-frensham/parent-info

Julie Gillick
Head of Frensham

Head of Frensham Schools