Interview with Sofie Laguna (1985)

Interview with Sofie Laguna (1985)

News of Old Girls: Sofie Laguna (1985)

Sofie Laguna (1985)

As reported in last edition of Frensham Schools News, acclaimed author and Old Girl, Sofie Laguna (1985), visited Gib Gate and Frensham on Friday 2 September to speak with current students and run interactive Writers Workshops.

In what was already a busy day, Sophie kindly gave her time to share with Frensham Schools Community the influence a Frensham education had on her writing and her fond memories. Please see below excerpt of the interview.

Q: What impact did Frensham have on your passion for writing?

A: I was always that child interested in English. I was writing creatively in Primary School in Sydney and so it continued at Frensham. Mrs Wheeler was Deputy Head, so I loved studying Shakespeare…I also loved Latin. That is really about words and the puzzle of words and decoding words. I was working with words and language.

Q: What advice would you give to a current Frensham girl who may be interested in writing?

A: Write and read. It is that easy. If you can find a few buddies who share your love, that is great. Writers throughout the generations have worked in solitude, against all odds. Books you have at your fingertips. If you are bored by the book, follow your instincts about whether the book is right for you. Sometimes the book is worth persevering with because there is something to be gained from completing that book and sometimes it is just not right to have a punishing experience. Find something entertaining and wonderful that keeps you reading.

Q: What is your fondest memory of your time at Frensham?

A: Performing my HSC drama piece in Clubbe Hall - a drunk Russian, stumbling around the stage!

I loved my friends and am still in contact with many of them, Alison Wheeler, Fiona Parker, Brigid Arnott, Helen Williams. We all had a reunion years ago and it was great. My friends were all nice to me, easy going and adored me.

Frensham Fellowship UK Reception

Frensham Fellowship United Kingdom: Fellowship Reception

This Saturday, Frensham Fellowship United Kingdom will join with their friends and family at the home of Mrs Sarah-Jane (Hyles,1973) and Mr Richard Holden, London, to enjoy wine and canapes on Saturday 24 September 2022, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

For further information regarding the celebration, please email Annabel Thompson (Stirton,1957) at amt@matthewtrust.org

Frensham Fellowship News

We are excited to share that moving forward news regarding Frensham Fellowship’s work and that of its members can be found in:

We encourage all members to send through any news and photos they may wish to share with Fellowship to fellowship@frensham.nsw.edu.au.

For more information on any aspect of Fellowship’s work, please contact:

Mrs Penelope Ellice-Flint
Fellowship Liaison
02 4860 2119
pmelliceflint@frensham.nsw.edu.au