Welcoming family and friends back to campus

It was delightful to be able to welcome family and friends back to campus for our Year Ten Parent Weekend, with Parent-Teacher interviews occurring on Saturday and a Service and Concert open to our whole community on Sunday morning. Thank you to staff and students for your efforts across the weekend, and to parents and carers for your warm support. Acknowledgement to student performances from Year Ten String quartet, Frensham Madrigals, Maggie Ryan on piano and the toe-tapping “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from the entire year group. We enjoyed student illustrations for The Day the Crayons Quit, and the Senior Choir anthem Sing Gently.

Parent Weekends are some of the most significant times in our school calendar, and after two years of not being able to gather as an entire school community, we recognise how special these times are. As so many families travel long distances to meet their daughter’s teachers and other families, to watch Sport and to gather socially, we remind families that all students are required to attend Sunday Service and Concert – not just students in the nominated year level. Please refer to the School’s glossy calendar, and the published list of Important Dates, to ensure these important weekends are prioritised.

Parent Zoom Meetings

We are pleased to invite parents of students in Years 8, 9, 11 and 12 to Zoom meetings next Monday 28 March and Tuesday 29 March. Head Ms Sarah McGarry and other staff relevant to your daughter’s year group will be presenting, providing parents and carers with an update about what their daughters are working on in their learning and pastoral programmes, introducing staff who are working with each year group and providing guidance about how parents can best support their daughter at this stage of their development. Full details can be found on your daughter’s year level page on Schoolbox.

Student Accommodation Project

As our community may be aware, the Land and Environment Court has this week been hearing our case, seeking a decision on our development application for our Student Accommodation Project located in the Lower Holt. At the time of the publication of this newsletter, the hearing is ongoing. We look forward to being able to share updated information with our community following the conclusion of the hearing and the subsequent decision from the Court, the timing of which is uncertain at this point.

Staffing News

We are looking forward to welcoming our new Deputy Head, Ms Sarah Tynan, to Frensham Schools in Term Two. Ms Tynan will be visiting campus prior to the end of this term to meet students and staff. Ms van Gogh will continue in the role of Acting Deputy Head until Mrs Tynan commences in May.

We welcome Mrs Penelope Ellice-Flint, who commenced last week as Frensham Fellowship Liaison and Community Relations Coordinator, and Mrs Leanne Stone, who commences on Monday 28 March, as Communications and Publications Associate.

We farewell the following members of staff, and thank them sincerely for their service to Frensham Schools.

• Ms Jeannette Gibson joined the Boarding Staff in 2010 and over that time led Hartfield House and latterly was with Kennedy House. Mrs Gibson retires having given notable service to the Boarding programme in particular and we thank her for her contribution.
• Mrs Machelle Webb, who leaves the HSIE faculty after nearly 18 years of service. During this time Machelle lead the Young Achievers and MUNA teams to great success.
• Mr Andrew Lundy, joined the Frensham HSIE Faculty last year 
• Mrs Renae Pinazza from our Music Department will be heading off at the end of term to The King’s School, Tudor House, leading their Primary Music programme.
• Miss Nicky Fenaughty, our Gib Gate PE and Sport teacher, is moving to Sydney at the end of term, to Redlands School, overseeing their K-12 Snowsports and Cross Country programmes as well as teaching.

Pastoral Care

Confirmation programme and Baptism – Year 10, 11 and 12 2022 – with update to dates

As part of our Confirmation Programme, Frensham provides the opportunity for girls in Years 10-12 to be Confirmed by the Anglican Church. Girls will be prepared for Confirmation by Youth Minister Matt Jacobs. This involves six 50-minute sessions on Thursday mornings from 10.45am-11.35am on 9, 16, 23 June, 21 and 28 July and 4 August.

The Confirmation Service will be held on Sunday 7 August at St Jude’s, Bowral at 3.30pm and will be conducted by the Right Reverend Hayward, Bishop of Wollongong.

If you would like your daughter to be part of the Anglican Confirmation Programme, could you please complete the following form regarding Baptism information by Friday 1 April. Confirmation 2022

Youth Minister Matt Jacobs has also offered to support any girl wishing to be baptised in the Anglican faith. Please email Mrs Fawbert directly for further details.

Mrs Wendy Fawbert, Director of Character Education and Pastoral Care

Sport

Swimming Clinic with James Magnussen

On Saturday 12 March, James Magnussen ran a Swimming Development Programme. He discussed motivation, nutrition, mobility and injury prevention, and encouraged the girls to focus on developing all the areas. James commented “I hope everyone enjoyed the morning and I look forward to doing it again. Thank you for investing in yourself and I look forward to seeing more great swimming to come”. The girls that attended the programme were: Millie Moar, Phoebe Clifton, Sophie Hanrahan, Tia Thomas, Amber Thomas, Holly Fagan, Camilla Johnston and Lucy Arnott.

Mr Shane Green, Head of Sport (2022)

Tildesley Tennis Shield

The girls played exceptionally well and worked hard for every point. Our lines girls, who led each court, did an excellent job at representing Frensham.

Singles: progressing to the second round - Camilla Ranken (Year 9), Lucinda Colgan (Year 10), Elyse Caristo (Year 12), Ze McGrath (Year 12). Doubles: Olivia Laverty (Year 12) & Bridie Turner (Year 11); progressing to the third round - Emily Lenehan (Year 12) & Mia Greig (Year 12). Reserve player: Sophie Goodisson (Year 9).

The Lines Girls: Annabelle Studdy (Year 12), Charlotte Hopperton (Year 11), Matilda Chadwick (Year 11), Emilie McMurtrie (Year 11), Isabella Bernecker (Year 10), Elizabeth Shadbolt (Year 9), Claire Mitchell (Year 9).

Ms Molly Macqueen, Tildesley Tennis Coordinator and Year 8 Coordinator

Acknowledgement to

• Frensham Tildesley Tennis participants, players and lines girls for their commitment and success at the recent competition.
• NSW Parliament Art Competition - Regional category winner Years 3-6: Sammy Robb (Year 3)
• Gib Gate Swimming Team for its success at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival: Iliana Hercus, Camille Muir (Year 3); Archie Driver, Tara Gemell, Madeleine Hannah; Valentina Hercus, Zahra Nash, Sofia Wilson (Year 4); Madeline Conway, Emma Stedman (Year 5); Darcey Burrows, Sophie Chin, Mae Gilkeson, Gemma McInnes, Matilda Spong (Year 6).  (Details of individual results can be found in the Gib Gate section.)
• Gib Gate staff member, Mrs Lisa Gemell: presenting at the recent NSW Japanese Teachers’ Conference.

 

Ms Sarah McGarry
Head of Frensham
Head of Frensham Schools