“How do they look so together and peaceful?” asked the boy (watching two swans, side-by-side, gliding in the lake). “There’s a lot of frantic paddling going on beneath,” said the horse. (Charles Mackesy, ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse’ (Penguin 2019).

Described in review as ‘a book of hope for uncertain times’ – ‘a reminder of what truly matters, as told through the adventures of four beloved friends…’, cartoonist and illustrator Charlie Mackesy provides poignant messages for the start of a new year.

It is important to acknowledge the behind-the-scenes collective effort of colleagues to prepare all that needs to be in place for ‘Day 1’ – and to celebrate the outcomes achieved over the break – in studies, professional learning and facilities, and in strategic planning. 

For students and parents, we are also crucially aware that starting a new school year – or joining our school – requires team effort from families. 

To parents, and to the youngest Preschoolers at Gib Gate, through to Frensham’s Year 12 and the adult students at Sturt…thank you for your efforts to look ‘so together’; we know what it takes…!

Innovation and Adaptation – Looking Ahead

When we meet with Teaching and House staff in January we challenge ourselves to describe what success will look like at the end of the year, within faculties, across year groups and in all major areas of our operation. Aligned to our strategic priorities, we then articulate in as much detail as is useful, the immediate and longer term actions to be taken. There is always a high level of excitement generated when we look ahead – a sense that anything is possible, when we share our personal commitment to the ‘next steps’.

This year, internally developed courses at Gib Gate (in Music, Visual Arts and HSIE) and at Frensham (in Science, English, HSIE and French) will be complemented by expansion of our offering through Cambridge International Examinations, UK. Also, for Year 10 we are piloting a Dialogue Series based on Kurt Hahn theory about the teaching of essential leadership skills – how to influence and negotiate, how to apply active listening to the debate of ideas, and Year 12 will be guided to prepare a personal profile on film, in support of applications and interviews, beyond high school.

Effective Teams – Parents and Teachers

With new staff and new parents joining Frensham Schools, it is timely to consider how we will work as a team to achieve the best outcomes for students. Prior to the start of this term, I shared with senior staff the ‘five findings’ of Project Aristotle (Google Analytics Research, 2012-2014) on what makes teams most effective, and I ask parents to consider what we see as relevant to the achievement of a successful parent-teacher partnership: 

1. Psychological safety:  respectful and open communication
2. Dependability: acceptance of responsibility to bring our best effort to all we do, and confidence that we can count on one another to do what is agreed
3. Structure and clarity: clear direction and understanding of our different roles in the partnership
4. Meaning of work: individual personal satisfaction from knowing we are important to the partnership
5. Impact of work: clarity about the value of our respective efforts, including agreement about what success looks like

Acknowledgement to:

• Award Recipients announced at the end of 2019: Girdles – Caitlin Hargraves (Service to the School), Gianni Meyers (Mathematics), Annabella Damiani (Singing), Olivia Hamilton, Cate Watson (Drama), Charlotte Menzies (Sport);
• Mia Horsfall (Year 12) successfully completing the National Computer Science School at the University of Sydney during the vacation;
• 2019 Annual Equestrian Awards recipients at the NSW Interschools: Champion Secondary School - Frensham (award accepted by Heads of Equestrian, Emily Baldwin, MacKenzie Johnson, Rebecca Muller); Elizabeth Taylor (Year 8), NSW Junior Athlete of the Year and her horse, Paris, NSW Show Hunter Horse of the Year (pictured below);
• As Year 11 students, 2019 Frances Alldis, Charlotte Dulhunty, Miriam Hopkins, Sophie Lyne, Mairi Menzies for their Distinction results in the National Art School’s HSC Intensive Studio Practice course;
• Eleanor Swan (Year 11) for her involvement as one of three ambassadors at the National Questacon Invention Convention, held during the vacation;
• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients – Bronze: Stella Hanan, Mia Shakeshaft (Year 10); Silver: Adelaide Alker, Jessica Billet, Sarah Brown, Amelia Byrne, Eliza Friend, Ella Hopperton, Willa Mitchell, Annika Rickwood, Amy Thompson, Brigitte Watkin  (Year 11), Molly Staniforth (Year 12);
• Gretel Graham-Wansey (Year 6) for her selection to the Southern Highlands U12 Representative Netball team;
• Mairi Menzies (Year 12) and Grace Amos (Year 11) for their dedicated contribution to local and regional music festivals as singers;
• Year 9, 2019 for their excellent results in the Cambridge International Global Perspectives course:
  14% of students gained the highest result (A*) and another 32% gained an A result (compared to 10% A* results internationally and 19.6% A results internationally)

Frensham Student Leadership

Prefects for Year Groups – announced at Final Prayers:

• Year 7: Caitlin Hargraves, Mabel Gowland, Pip Ireson
• Year 8: Charlotte Dulhunty, Mairi Menzies
• Year 9:  Eliza Duck, Amber Martin-Smith, Lillie Morrison
• Year 10: Claudia Logan, Molly Staniforth, Brodie Van Egmond
• Year 11: Millicent Bolger and Hannah Hartnell
• Vice Head Girl: Mia Horsfall
• Head Girl: Charlotte Menzies  

Heads of House appointed for Term 1

• Hartfield: Yusra Chalak, Phoebe Lyne, Annabelle Studdy (Year 10)
• Kennedy: Isobel Burge, Mia Shakeshaft, Matilda Walker (Year 10)
• Linden Turner: Makayla Butler, Sophie Hill, Georgia Klem (Year 10)
• Linden Turner: Harriet Mackie, Ivy McGufficke, Willa Mitchell (Year 11)
• Bryant McCarthy: Annie Burke, Grace Mackenzie, Olivia Turner (Year 11)
• Bryant McCarthy: Cordelia Bell, Lucinda Kelleher (Year 12), appointed for the year

Year 12, 2019 HSC students’ work selected for inclusion in ARTEXPRESS in 2020

• Elvira Berzins, Briviba (Freedom) (Virtual Exhibition VX, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery)
• Harriet Darvall, Ambiguity in Miniature (Goulburn Regional Art Gallery)
• Annabelle Hickson, Isolation (Goulburn Regional Art Gallery)
• Lillian Ives, Nature’s impact on people (Margaret Whitlam Galleries MWG)

WWS Foundation Staff Professional Learning Scholarship recipients:
Mrs Alison Andrew, Mrs Jenny O’Rourke, Dr Ruth Phillips, Mrs Wendy Fawbert – to attend the national Harvard Zero Education Matters Conference in May this year.

Parent Advisory Committees 2020 – New Members

Frensham:
Mr Terry McGrath – Zé (Year 10)
Ms Penny Strang – India Hicks (Year 11), Abigail Hicks (Year 10), Phoebe Hicks (Year 8)
Mrs Lil Wilson – Inka (Year 9)
Mr John Hopkins is the newly appointed Chair for 2020 and Mr Simon Logan is the newly appointed Secretary.

Gib Gate:
Mrs Kelly Iredale – Ruby (Year 6); Bonnie (Year 1)
Mrs Shannan McAndrew – Sophie (Year 5)
Mr Paddy Moylan – James (Year 3); Georgiana (Year 2)
Mrs Alison Vilo – Edward (Year 4)
Dr Jerry Basson is the newly appointed Chair for 2020 and Mrs Lucinda Wilson is the newly appointed Secretary.

We offer our thanks and appreciation to retiring Committee Members:
Frensham: Mrs Penny Hanan, Mrs Nicola Robertson (Secretary) and Ms Jo Thomson (Chair)
Gib Gate: Mrs Chelsea Doyle, Mr David Griffin (Chair), Mrs Kate Strang (Iori) and Mr Trent Johns.

Staffing Update

We welcome the following new teachers:

Gib Gate

• Ms Jacqui Bolt, BA (Hons) Visual Arts (Syd), Fine Art (NAS) – Visual Arts programme

Frensham

• Miss Tahlia Brodie, B Mathematics Ed (UOW) – Mathematics
• Mr Tarik Jeffcoat, B Mathematics Ed (UOW) – Mathematics
• Ms Molly Macqueen (OG, 2013), B Liberal Arts and Science, BEd (Secondary) Human Movement and Health (USYD) – part-time teacher of PDHPE, fulltime Sport Coach

Promotional positions from 2020

• Ms Phoebe Middleton – Sturt Education Officer
• Ms Sally Fennell – Coordinator in Boarding, in addition to existing Year 12 Coordinator
• Mr Andrew McMillan – Senior Teacher in STEM Innovation (including partnerships) and in Boarding
• Mrs Amanda Metua – Year 7 Coordinator           
• Mrs Kate Gallagher – Year 9 Coordinator

Frensham Year Coordinators

• Year 7: Mrs Amanda Metua
• Year 8: Mrs Trudi Spencer
• Year 9: Mrs Kate Gallagher
• Year 10: Ms Sally Arnold
• Year 11: Miss Emily Sinden
• Year 12: Ms Sally Fennell

Vacation Facilities Upgrades

With congratulations to Ms Michele Scamps and our contractors:

• Gib Gate Games Field: totally rebuilt and turfed
• Gib Gate IT Classroom: Stage one of preparation for creation of a new learning space
• Sturt Metalwork/Wood Studios: full renovation to create state-of-the-art facility
• Sturt Pottery: refurbishment commenced
• Bryant McCarthy House: connection of Year 11 Kitchen to adjacent room, to create a new Year 11 Common Room
• Hartfield House: total recarpeting, installation of new furniture in all common areas
• Frensham Languages: classroom spaces redesigned to create an additional classroom on the 3^rd floor of West Wing
• North Wing: entry to office area paved; all student bathrooms fully renovated

SEE PHOTO GALLERY

Old Girl News – Congratulations

Australia Day Honours: Ms Kate McClymont AM (1976) was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the print media and to investigative journalism. (for full details see Fellowship news)

Head of Sturt – 10 years’ outstanding service

With warmest appreciation for his commitment to Sturt and as a member of the Frensham Schools Executive, I note that Mark Viner will be completing his time as Head of Sturt at the end of Term 1 this year. Mark is a talented, professional colleague who has set extremely high operational standards and led significant change aligned to Strategic Priorities. He will be sorely missed by the Sturt community and by our senior staff team.

Julie Gillick
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools