Winifred West Schools Limited . ABN 14 000 025 0267 PO Box 34 Mittagong NSW 2575 . Phone: +61 2 4860 2000 . frensham@frensham.nsw.edu.auPO Box 34 Mittagong NSW 2575 . Phone: +61 2 4860 2000 . frensham@frensham.nsw.edu.au

TERM 4 NO 1 Friday 13 October 2017

2

What does it take to make us ‘reflect – to think, in order to continue to grow?’ In the foreword to neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi’s ‘life account’ When Breath Becomes Air, Dr Abraham Verghese speaks to readers in way that made me stop to consider – what does it take to make us ‘reflect – to think, in order to continue to grow?’ He writes: In a world of asynchronous communication, where we are so often buried in our screens, our gaze rooted to the rectangular objects buzzing in our hands, our attention consumed by ephemera, stop and experience this dialogue. In the silences between his (the author’s) words, listen to what you have to say back... Kalanithi’s life story is about how one person finds every challenge a new opportunity to refocus and rethink options, to learn and to seek new pathways. At the Year 12 Dinner I considered this question, asking Year 12: ‘What will be your catalyst for taking the time often enough to reflect, to improve, and to encourage or allow your friends to do the same? In 1930, TS Eliot wrote, ‘We are distracted from distraction by distraction’. In that context, will you drive change or will you just let life change you?’ Making the time to stop, review, reflect and reconsider goals and progress is core to School life – for students and teachers and for all we do in terms of our overall WWS operations. Term breaks provide a valuable opportunity for deep thinking about and formal evaluation of particular programmes and strategies. Over this recent break, the WWS Executive focused on development of our Strategic Plan for 2018-2022. In the area of Teaching and Learning, where possibilities are unlimited, our priorities for action reflect a commitment to continual evaluation and development, using a research-based approach. It is an exciting time in education and we look forward to updating parents as we enhance personalisation and flexibility curriculum-wise, and embed advanced use of data to inform our teaching and our reporting to parents. Learning and Teaching update: At the Professional Learning day for teachers on Monday, international consultant Mark Church posed challenging

questions about the quality of student ‘thinking’ that we would like to see here five years from now, and how we propose to meet the goals we described.

Much has been written in the past few weeks about the appropriate messages we should be giving to our Higher School Certificate students. I am pleased to note that our 2017 cohort have been back on campus, by choice, working independently in their final week of preparation and their conduct and goodwill have been exemplary.

Year 8 Mathematics teachers are team-teaching in Term 4, adding a teacher to all three classes, for increased opportunity to work with students ‘at point of need’; [See Director of Studies Report].

Year 7 move in Term 4 to share dorms with Years 8 and 9 after three terms of being on a different schedule in support of their start as boarders. The end of evening for Year 7 extends to 45 minutes for reading time in bed, prior to lights out.

We are currently finalising a reviewed Elective structure for Year 9, 2018, to add individualised personalised programmes, new options and combinations of option, for discussion with parents and students well before the end of term.

Year 12 Biology (Year 11, 2017) had their first meeting with Emeritus Professor (School of Medical Sciences, UNSW) Dr Rakesh Kumar MB BS All-India IMS, PhD, MD UNSW, FRCPA (Hon), FFSc (FRCPA). Importantly for Frensham students, Professor Kumar, now consulting to Frensham, is highly recognised as an outstanding teacher: recipient of a Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence, a Carrick Citation for an Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, and a Vice-Chancellor's Award for Initiatives that Enhance Learning.

Acknowledgement to: Recent Year 12 award recipients: Georgina Fuller (Year 12) (Girdle for Art and Design) and Susannah Watson (Iris

Service to the Life of the School); Paige Wilson (Year 12) successful Combined Independent Schools (CIS) competitor, placed 1st in U18 Long Jump in a

new record of 5.08m; 1st in 18yrs 100m - 12.52 sec; equal record in 18yrs High Jump @1.75m, 2nd on a count back; Charlotte Bernays (Year 12) 2018 Encore Concert nominee (Voice), for outstanding HSC performance (Teacher Gail

Robertson); Nina Jephcott (Year 11) achieving her A. Mus. A. in flute (Teacher Emma Knott); Ella Pernice (Year 10) completing the RAAF Girls Flight Camp at RAAF Base Pearce, over the recent vacation; Alexandra Inglis (Year 5) - Gold Award, and Isabella Atra (Year 4) – Silver Award recipients in the NESA WriteOn

Competition [Entries published in the Gib Gate Report]; Equestrian Sophie Baldwin (Year 4) winner of the national championship for Primary Show Jumping [See full results for our

eight competitors who represented NSW in the Australian Interschools championships in Toowoomba over the vacation.] Natasha Long (Year 8), National Coding Competition High Distinction recipient in the Intermediate level; Caitlin Quinn (Year 8) - Gold Award (top 2% of 80,000 competitors from around the world); Mia Horsfall and Eleanor Swan -

Silver Award (top 5%) in the Science Championship run by Education Perfect.

3

Year 10 and Year 11 Heads of House appointed to serve in leadership positions for Term 4: Year 10 HARTFIELD: Amelia Hickson, Annabelle Hickson, Charlotte Lalak KENNEDY: Noni Brittain, Sarah Jancewicz, Miranda McGufficke LINDEN TURNER: Francesca Milner, Georgie Tooth, Augusta Wyrzykowski Year 11 LINDEN TURNER: April Stokman, Kiara Stone, Monica Webster BRYANT MCCARTHY: Isabella Camilleri, Madeleine Penn, Philipa Steedman Staff – Acknowledgement - Mr Steven Clarke has been invited to become an honorary Research Affiliate of the University of Sydney in the

Department of Classics and Ancient History. Mr Clarke submitted his PhD thesis earlier this year in the area of Athenian political rhetoric and fifth to fourth century Athenian History.

- Ms Michele Scamps (WWS Property Manager) and Mr Callum Zachan (Alliance Chef/Manager) on the highly successful installation of Frensham’s temporary Dining Room in the refurbished Parker Gymnasium. [See Boarding Report for details]

Past Student news: Dominic O’Shannessy (Gib Gate Year 6, 2014) has been selected as a member of the Australian U17 Cricket Team. Julie A Gillick Head of Frensham Head of Winifred West Schools

Term 3 Sports Dinner – last formal occasion in the ‘Old’ Dining Room

4

Frensham Advisory Committee 2017 Gib Gate Advisory Committee 2017

Mrs Caroline Begg Ms Ruby Curtis Mrs Penny Hanan Mr John Hayes (Chair) Mrs Kiki Hill Mrs Erica Holcombe Mrs miChelle McGufficke Mrs Angela Macken (Sec) Mr Gavin Martin Mr Sam Paradice Mrs Nicola Robertson Mrs Tina Scales Ms Jo Thomson

r-cbegg@bigpond.net.au 44ruby@gmail.com pennyhanan@mac.com hayes.jt@bigpond.com kikihill64@gmail.com erica@dc-it.com.au milliefarming@activ8.net.au themackenfamily@gmail.comgavin.martin@ap.jll.com sam.paradice@morgans.com.au nicola@nicolarobertsonots.com.aut.scales@bigpond.com j.thomson@tpg.com.au

Dr Guy Bashford (Chair)

Mrs Rowena Bendror (FOGG Representative) Mrs Holly de Manincor Mrs Chelsea Doyle (Chair of FOGG) Mr David Griffin (Sec) Mrs Kate Iori Mr Trent Johns Mrs Sara Moylan

guy.bashford@ sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au sales@littlestepsonline.com.au

hollydemanincor@hotmail.com chelseakdoyle@gmail.com david.griffin291@gmail.com kateiori@hotmail.com trent@theimperial.com.au saralmoylan@gmail.com

TERM DATES 2017 – Gib Gate and Frensham Term 4 Gib Gate: Tuesday 10 October-Friday 8 December, 3.00pm

Term 4 Frensham: Tuesday 10 October-Sunday 10 December from 12noon (after 11.00am Carol Service)

TERM DATES 2018 - Gib Gate and Frensham

Term 1 Gib Gate & Frensham Wednesday 31 January-Thursday 12 April, 3.00pm (Boarders always return evening before classes start) Term 2 Gib Gate & Frensham Monday 30 April -Thursday 28 June, 3.00pm (Year 10 Work Experience ends Friday 29 June) (Boarders always return evening before classes start)

Term 3 Gib Gate & Frensham Tuesday 24 July-Thursday 27 September, 3.00pm (Boarders always return evening before classes start) Term 4 Gib Gate: Monday 15 October-Friday 7 December 3.00pm Frensham: ends Sunday 9 December 12.00pm (after 11.00am Carol Service) (Boarders always return evening before classes start)

2018 PARENT WEEKENDS – Confirmed dates for attendance of all students Years 7-12

Term 1: Year 7 Saturday 3 March-Sunday 4 March Frensham Open Day – Saturday 3 March Year 10 Saturday 17 March-Sunday 18 March Term 2: Year 8 Saturday 19 May-Sunday 20 May Year 12 Saturday 2 June-Sunday 3 June WWS Birthday – Friday 1 June Frensham’s 105th Birthday – Sunday 3 June

Term 3: Year 11 Saturday 11 August-Sunday 12 August [Year 10 Saturday 11 August – Year 10 planning for Senior Studies (with parents on Saturday)] Year 9 Saturday 1 September-Sunday 2 September [Date aligned to HSC Visual Arts/Design Tech Exhibition]

Reminder – all of Years 7-12

attend Open Day and attend all Parent Weekend Services

Ranier Uniform Shop

All fittings for uniforms are by appointment, during shop hours: Mondays and Thursdays 12.00pm-5.00pm Shop Manager: Mrs Michelle Wynn. To order items, please call the Shop: (02) 4860 2136 [BH], email: frensham@ranier.com.au

5

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS 2017-2018 Olivia Ablett Captain of Netball, Vice Head of Event Management Harriet Alker Captain of Softball, Vice Captain of Hockey Yasmin Barakat-Brown Head of Event Management, Head of Fitness Centre Lucy Barton Head of Hartfield House, Vice Captain of Swimming Alice Battcock Head of Art Studios, Head of Tours for Visitors Celia Battcock Head of Environment, School Photographer Lucy Brigstocke Head of Holt Café, Vice Captain of Basketball Isabella Camilleri Head of Community Service, Head of McCarthy House Desiree Chan Head of Hartfield House, Head of Prep Support, Vice Head of Community Service Ruby Cleary Head of Kennedy Strings, Vice Captain of Water Polo Georgia Gardner Head of Fitness Centre, Vice Captain of Tennis Caroline Gotterson Head of Drama, Vice Captain of Softball Darcey Gwynn-Jones Head of Art Studios, Head of Holt Café Grace Halliday Captain of Gymnastics, Head of Show Cattle Team Zoe Hamilton Head of Kennedy House, Vice Head of Event Management Isabella Harris Head of Library/Careers, Vice Head of Community Service Tiger Lily Herrington Head of Art Studios, Head of Day Boarders Chloe Hickson Captain of Touch, Head of Community Service Phoebe Hill Head of Art Studios, Head of Environment Elisabeth Holcombe Vice Head of Community Service, Vice Head of Event Management Antoinette Inglis Captain of Athletics, Captain of Cross-Country Nina Jephcott Head of Glenn Music Centre, Vice Captain of Touch Ruby Kennett Head of Hartfield House, Vice Captain of Equestrian Jessica Latimer Head of Hartfield House, Head of Mathematics Club India Lee-Warner Head of Kennedy House, Vice Head of Drama Isabella Letherbarrow-Verran Vice Head of Pen & Ink, Head of Choir Firsts Stella Lowden Head of Environment, Vice Chair of Forum Emily Mackie Head of Event Management, Head of Holt Café Skye Mahony Captain of Water Polo, Vice Captain of Hockey Molly Paradice Head of Design Studios, Vice Captain of Swimming Sophia Parker Head of Choir Seconds, Head of Public Speaking Madeleine Penn Vice Captain of Football, Vice Head of Community Service Tara Penton Captain of Basketball, Captain of Snow Sports, Head of Jazz Band Ella Pratt Head of Concert Band, Vice Head of Stage Management Georgia Richardson Head of Choir Thirds, Head of Concert Band Chipo Riva Vice Captain of Athletics, Vice Head of Drama Charlie Rogers Head of Day Boarders, Head of Library/Careers Katchmirr Russell Head of Pen & Ink, Vice Head of Public Speaking Frances Ryan Head of Kennedy House, Head of Tours for Visitors Philipa Steedman Head of McCarthy House, Head of Prep Support Gabrielle Steiner Head of Mathematics Club, Head of Stage Management Sabrina Stephenson Captain of Hockey, Chair of Forum (& Head of Dining Room) April Stokman Captain of Equestrian, Head of Design Studios Kiara Stone Captain of Swimming, Vice Captain of Water Polo Catherine Talbot Captain of Snow Sports, Head of Madrigals Eliza Treloar Captain of Tennis, Vice Captain of Netball Monica Webster Captain of Football, Vice Head of Event Management Stella Wilde Head of Debating, Vice Captain of Football

Prefects for 2017-2018

Lucy Barton Lucy Brigstocke Chloe Hickson Molly Paradice Gabrielle Steiner Alice Battcock Isabella Camilleri Antoinette Inglis Tara Penton Eliza Treloar Celia Battcock Caroline Gotterson Nina Jephcott Ella Pratt

6

5 Weeks to go….

Books, books and more books! As well as DVDs and CDs. Annabel Dulhunty and Krissy Arnott spent time in the vacation sorting the large number of books, DVDs and CDs that have already been donated and still they continue to come. There will be something for everyone on the Secondhand Book Stall.

39 mature English Box Hedge plants These have been donated to the Plant Stall and are available for purchase in advance of the Fair. The plants are around 45cm tall and 40cm wide. Perfect for that instant, mature new hedge. Contact Michele Scamps for more information – mscamps@frensham.nsw.edu.au 0407 919 718

Sewing Bees – continuing this Term Cutters and sewers welcome. Each Friday – October 13, 20 and 27 and November 3 and 10. Time: 9.00am at Waverley Annexe, Frensham Please contact Annette O’Connell if you are able to join the team - annette@mocelectrical.com.au 0412 708 705

Pyjama Trousers and Shorts Shortie pyjama pants will soon be available for order. Flannelette trousers are still available.

Cake Stall – Bake a Cake for the Fair Take a cake box and bake a cake for the Fair! Boxes are now available from all Boarding Houses and from Gib Gate. Please let Jane Camilleri know what she can expect: jane.camo@icloud.com 0411 694 280

For more information or to arrange a delivery, please contact Michele Scamps Iris Country Fair Coordinator mscamps@frensham.nsw.edu.au 4860 2100 0407 919 718

7

Award-wining author SOFIE LAGUNA (cohort 1985) has published another adult novel The Choke. This is her first work since winning the 2015 Miles Franklin Prize. According to the dust jacket, The Choke is a brilliant, haunting novel about a child navigating an often dark and uncaring world of male power and violence, in which grown-ups can't be trusted and comfort can only be found in nature. This compassionate and claustrophobic vision of a child in danger and a society in trouble celebrates above all the indomitable nature of the human spirit.

Photo courtesy: Sydney Morning Herald

For a full list of events and Reunions, please visit: www.frensham.nsw.edu.au/community/fellowship

‘Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.’ Anton Chekhov At Gib Gate, the art of writing is practised every day. Whether it is a journal entry, a character description, the line of a poem, a story ending or a persuasive slogan – every writing attempt exercises the writing ‘muscle’. Refining, redrafting and, perhaps most importantly, removing words, all form part of the writer’s difficult task. Just as athletes reach new goals through hard work and dedication, writers reach new heights and inspire their readers as they learn to perfect their craft. Gib Gate writers, Alexandra Inglis (Year 5) and Isabella Atra (Year 4), who are currently inspiring others to pursue excellence in writing, have both been recognised for their outstanding achievements as recipients of Stage 2 Silver (Isabella Atra) and Stage 3 Gold (Alexandra Inglis) NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) 2017 WriteOn Competition awards. Alexandra and Isabella were selected from entries across all sectors of schooling in NSW. Competition entrants were required to compose an imaginative text of up to 500 words in response to a photograph, and entries were judged by a panel of experienced educators from all sectors and NESA representatives. Isabella’s composition, ‘Jackie!’ was one of 18 entries for Years 3 and Year 4 to receive a Silver award, while Alexandra’s entry, ‘Chinatown’, was one of six entries for Years 5 and 6 to receive a Gold award.

Alexandra Inglis (Year 5) with parents, Charlotte and Arthur Inglis, receiving her NESA WriteOn Competition Gold Award at the award ceremony held at the NSW State Library; Isabella Atra (Year 4), with her NESA WriteOn Competition

8

A recipient of the highest award, Alexandra was invited with her family, accompanied by Gib Gate Teacher Librarian, Mrs Lee Ann Marsh, to attend an award ceremony at the State Library of NSW. Certificates were presented by Mr David de Carvalho, NESA CEO. Mr de Carvalho said the imaginative texts produced by the students were truly outstanding: “WriteOn is a celebration of excellence and these young students will become published authors, which is a brilliant achievement. Writing is integral to students’ learning throughout their time at school and beyond. Initiatives such as WriteOn encourage the development of imaginative writing skills and help to promote a love of writing. The Best of WriteOn Anthology provides students and teachers with inspirational examples of students’ written works.” Particular note was made by NESA of Alexandra Inglis’s outstanding achievement in receiving a Gold Award for three consecutive years, an achievement unprecedented in the WriteOn Competition history. Competition entries that earned Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be published in The Best of WriteOn 2017 Anthology. Chinatown by Alexandra Inglis My eyes snapped open. The day had come. Chinese New Year. I bustled along the pristine white corridor. It was time to go. I didn’t want to miss a moment. Where were Mum and Dad? Time dragged by. When will it be time to leave? My mind was already in Chinatown. I could see myself dancing and twirling around the dim-sim stands. I dreamt of eating delicate fortune cookies and fried ice cream. The highlight for me was always the street parade and the spectacular fireworks. I loved the Chinese dragons. Nearby in the foyer on a red silk tablecloth, decorations for Chinese New Year were on display. Beautiful, delicate paper cut-outs, phoenixes arising from sunset coloured flames, herds of galloping horses in yellow grass pastures, and silver fish jumping out of foaming waves. The most impressive was a dragon with a cavernous mouth and bulging eyes. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. It seemed to change its pose as I watched it. I thought that I was dreaming but then it moved and became a beautiful dragon with shimmering scales and a wide mouth. The paper cut-out had disintegrated, taking on a life of its own. Without a second thought I hurtled towards him. I jumped up and we flew up into the sky to Chinatown. “Tom, Tom, put the dragon down please. It’s time to return to your room. It’s time to take your medicine.” “But I am waiting for my parents. It’s Chinese New Year and I don’t want to miss the parade,” I said to the rude woman. “Tom, your parents aren’t coming. Come back to your room and I will explain.” As she spoke, Chinatown and the dragon melted away. I was back in the white corridor. The woman took me by the arm and led me along the hall to a small room. In a picture frame by the bed was an old newspaper clipping. “Look at this picture,” the woman said. “This is you and your parents in the newspaper many years ago when you were a little boy. See, that is you stepping forward. You were in Chinatown, New York. Look at all those people watching. It must have been quite a year. Do you remember? Now take these, they will make you feel better. There’s a good man.” I took a gulp of water and swallowed my pills. As the nurse departed I slowly opened my hand to release the crumpled dragon. He shook himself and slowly began to grow again. Up and away he went around the room and then together we went beyond the walls. We were back in Chinatown once more. Jackie! By Isabella Atra The air was full of excitement. Crowds of locals and tourists lined the streets of Hong Kong to get a peek of a local hero and movie star. People pushed and shoved to get a good spot with their cameras and iPhones out in full force. I wondered what and who all the fuss was about. It was July, summertime, and the air was hot and sweaty. We should have been making snow angels in the snow at home, but instead my dad had decided that we visit his brother, who was working in Hong Kong at the time. So here I was, on a crowded street, with no choice but to tag along because my uncle insisted that we get a glimpse, maybe a selfie, with the “superstar”. I secretly hoped that the street parade was for Katy Perry, but knew it wasn’t because my parents were too excited! “Who are we waiting for?” I asked, and mum impatiently said, “JACKIE CHAN!” Jackie Chan? Who’s that?

9

Disappointment flooded through me as I stepped inside a nearby café to grab a cool drink. No snow, boring family holiday in a hot city, no exciting holiday stories to tell . . . and no Katy Perry! As I realised that this was our last day, I thought to myself that this holiday could not get any worse. I heard the shopkeeper excitedly chatting to his customers about how “Jackie” had grown up locally. I listened to them, curiously. I could barely make out what they were saying as they were speaking with lightening speed, talking over one another, sharing stories about his childhood, his family, his time in Australia. Australia? My interest grew as I heard the words, “Kung-fu”, “Stuntman”, “Will Smith”, “Rush Hour”. Wait, did he say “Rush Hour”? I remembered that we had just watched that movie two nights ago! Excited, I realised that I did know who Jackie Chan was - that funny, Kung-Fu fighting, Hollywood superstar who acted in Karate Kid and Rush Hour 1 and 2, with all those other famous actors! Things were looking up ... finally. As I ran out of the shop, I could hear the crowds clapping and cheering, and my mum calling out to me, “Quickly, Bella. His car is getting closer!” I was too short, and couldn’t see a thing, just tall adults pushing and shoving with their phones and cameras pointed over their heads. How could I be this close to Jackie, but not see him? I just wanted a photo! My desperation grew as the clapping and cheering got louder. I heard the car approaching and the crowd chanting, “Jackie. Jackie. Jackie”. This could not be happening, I thought, as I stared at the spotty pattern of the lady’s dress squished up in front of me. All of a sudden, my dad scooped me up onto his shoulders and shoved his phone in my hand. “Get a picture, Bella. Quickly!” CLICK. Got it! Best holiday ever! Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate Curriculum Highlights 2017 Please see the Director of Teaching & Learning’s Report, page 13 in this Newsletter that documents full details of the breadth of professional learning undertaken by staff throughout the vacation period. Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning, P-12 and Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes Enrichment/Activities IPSHA Competitions The Debating, Public Speaking and Gymnastics teams will represent Gib Gate at IPSHA Competitions in coming weeks. The coaches for these activities are supporting teaching staff who prepare students for these exciting events. Senior Musical Production Year 6 students have been learning lines in preparation for rehearsals in Clubbe Hall, in the lead-up to performances of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Wednesday 22 November at 12.00pm and Thursday 23 November at 6.00pm.

Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration) Sport Equestrian Congratulations to Ava Berkelouw (Year 6), Alexandra Inglis (Year 5) and Sophie Baldwin (Year 4) who competed in the Australian Interschools Championships event in Toowoomba over the vacation. All these riders performed exceptionally with Sophie winning the 80cm National Primary Show Jumping. Sophie won all three rounds with no penalties which earned her the Perpetual Show Jumping trophy. This trophy is usually reserved for a senior rider. Sophie also placed 6th in the Primary working Hunter and, together with Alexandra, won the trophy for the best Primary Team. Alexandra placed 5th overall in the Primary 90cm Show Jumping, 6th in the Primary 90cm - A2, 3rd in the Primary 90cm - AM5, 10th in the Primary 90cm – 2 Phase, 14th in the Primary 80cm – 2 Phase, 3rd in the Primary 80cm – AM5 and 4th in the Primary 80cm – A2. Ava placed 12th in the Primary 80cm and 6th overall in the Primary Preliminary Dressage 1.2-1.3. [Full report can be found on page 20.] Preschool - Year 2 Fun Carnival 2016 Students in Preschool to Year 2 held their Fun Carnival on Thursday 14 September. This is a fun, non- competitive activity. As part of the leadership programme, Year 2 students took on the role as organisers and helpers for the day. Representative Congratulations to the Junior Girls Relay team of Luca de Manincor (Year 5), Sophie Baldwin, Isabella Barber and Arabella Whitehead (Year 4) who qualified for the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships after coming 3rd in their Relay final at the CIS Carnival at the end of last term. We wish them every success as they train for this event being held at Homebush in Sydney next week.

10

Following his selection in the NSW U17 Boys Cricket team, Dominic O’Shannessy (Year 6, 2014) completed a very successful national carnival in Brisbane over the vacation. Dominic finished as the leading wicket taker for the tournament and was subsequently named in the Australian U17 cricket team. Summer Sport Swimming Development sessions will be held for Kindergarten to Year 2 students from Week 5 this term on Thursdays during Sport at The Centenary Pool. Please contact Ben Slade at Aquabliss (02) 4872 3672 for other swimming squad, training or lessons. Summer Sports games and training started in the first week of Term 4 Wednesday: Basketball training before school for the Green (U10 Girls) and Black (U12 Boys) teams. U12 Basketball games begin on Wednesday 11 October. Please refer to the Bulletin for times. Thursday: Basketball training before School for the Purple, Blue and White teams (all U12 Girls). Cricket training and IN2Cricket after school began on Thursday 12 October. Primary Cricket and the internal Tennis competition begin on Saturday 14 October. Water Polo games and training begin in Week 2. Please refer to the Bulletin for times. T20 Blast Cricket begins on Thursday 26 October at Eridge Park. Please refer to the Bulletin for times.

Mr Michael Standen, Co-ordinator of PDHPE and Sport Preschool (Pre-Kindergarten) A suggestion from a student that the children could bring their bikes to preschool resulted in a day’s learning activities that promoted social and cultural awareness and developed confidence in physical skills. The day’s programme aligned with the Preschool’s educational principles of not only respecting, but extending the children’s ideas to promote their learning. Planning for the day involved making lists of things the children would need, including helmets. Counting down the days on the calendar offered opportunities to consolidate concepts of time in terms of dates, weeks and days. In preparation, the children learned about road safety, body safety, judging distances and predicting what other riders might do. They also learned how to rehydrate their bodies during times of high physical activity. The children thoroughly enjoyed the day, role playing many real road use scenarios, such as traffic police handing out tickets for offences that included running a red light, going too fast or the rider not looking where he or she was going. The wonderful sense of caring that the group has established throughout the year was evident in the thoughtfulness of those children who brought an extra scooter or bicycle in case a friend forgot. Bikes were shared in true Gib Gate style, with children encouraging their friends to ‘have a go.’ A highlight of the day for several students was successfully riding another’s bike with no training wheels for the first time, gaining confidence from the support and reassurance of their classmates. Other students learnt how to ‘start off’ without an adult pushing them to gain enough momentum to start pedalling. Overall, following up and extending a student’s idea provided an opportunity for the children to develop their knowledge, physical skills and confidence in an environment featuring ‘calculated yet supported risks,’ while having a lot of fun! Pictured: Madeleine Hannah, Emily Thornton, Anna-Sophia Psarakis and Zephyr Burney enjoying Preschool Bike Day Mrs Tinna Loker, Preschool Coordinator

11

Jeff Mincham Exhibition opening plus a Pizza and a Plate! Jeff Mincham’s new exhibition “Ephemeris” was opened on Sunday 24 September by special guest Michael Keighery. Virtually all the work on show was made by Jeff in Sturt Pottery during his month-long residency. It was a big day for Sturt with the opening of Jeff’s exhibition plus the opening of our new Archive Gallery – housing the Sturt collection (see below) and the big Pizza and Plate event in Sturt Pottery – organised by Friends of Sturt as a fundraising event. Hundreds of supporters turned out to buy plates made by students and staff over the last few months and then enjoy the hot pizza, tea, coffee and homemade slices. Despite a sudden total fire ban that prohibited the use of our wood-fired pizza oven the event went ahead with an efficient team of volunteers turning Sturt Cottage in to a pizza factory for the day and ferrying platters down to the Pottery. Over $4,500 was raised and the FOS Committee have pledged to fund the purchase of a new test kiln for the Pottery. Well done Friends of Sturt! Sturt Permanent Collection in the Archive Gallery A new display of the Sturt Permanent Collection is now on show in the Archive Gallery. For the first time we will be able to display a significant proportion of the Sturt Collection that has been amassing since the 1950s and includes ceramics, metalwork, jewellery, furniture, textiles, glass, basketry, photographs and historical written material. Uniquely among collections of its type anywhere in the world, almost everything in the Sturt Collection was made at Sturt and therefore the Sturt Collection tells the story of the development of Australian craft and design since World War II. With volunteer support we aim to have the Archive Gallery open twice a month. The next confirmed day will be the day of the Wood School graduation on Saturday 18 November. For details: http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/about/sturt-permanent-collection In these hands – Ernabella Arts, 70 years of Indigenous art & design Sturt has received a grant of $40,000 from the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support programme, the Federal Department of Communication and the Arts, to support the development and production of our major end of year exhibition in conjunction with Ernabella Arts Centre in South Australia. This very special project for Sturt will be a celebration of many things – Ernabella’s 70th birthday, the unique residency collaboration that took place between Sturt and Ernabella in the 1970s and the wonderful contemporary work that is produced now at Ernabella. The funds received will enable us to produce the exhibition to touring standard including a full catalogue and interpretation. The exhibition will open at Sturt on Thursday 7 December. Who’s in residence? Isabelle Moore, fine furniture maker and chair designer residing in Scotland is with us for eight weeks teaching the chair design component in the Sturt School for Wood. Cara Johnson, graduate jewellery/textile maker from Victoria and winner of our award in last year’s National Contemporary Jewellery Award exhibition will be with us for four weeks developing new work in the Jewellery studio. Exhibitions and Events Ephemeris - Some notes from the Natural World – continues till 12 November An Exhibition of new work by Jeff Mincham AM which includes work made at Sturt Pottery during the artist residency. Idyll - Sturt School for Wood Graduating Exhibition 2017 - 18 November to 3 December The world class Sturt School for Wood accepts just 12 students each year to learn the craft of fine furniture making and design. This end of year exhibition offers a showcase of the exceptional works produced by the students during the year. The exhibition (including graduation ceremony) will be opened by Neil Erasmus, fine furniture maker/designer from WA. Artisans Night Market in the gardens at Sturt - Thursday 7 December from 5.00pm Join us for our annual Artisans Night Market when we will have all types of wares on sale from a wide variety of makers in a market style setting in Sturt’s historic gardens. The night will include live music, food and drink on offer, plus the opening of two new exhibitions in Sturt Gallery and some great special offers in Sturt Shop. The perfect night before Christmas is at Sturt.

F R I E N D S O F S T U R T Denise Sumner (President), Penny Hoskins (Secretary), Ruth Wright (Roster Secretary), Joan Dinning, Bill Dinning, Anne Thomson, Julie Musgrave, Michael Harris, Libby Hobbs, Jill Dyson

12

Short Courses 2017 ~ Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 October, 9.30am-4.30pm Experimenting with laminations – the construction of a simple curved tray with laminations and ply with Isabelle Moore. Level: Some experience | Cost: $300 + $ materials Learn the aspects of mould and template jig making, prepping and gluing veneers for laminating, simple joinery and shaping, making a simple curved tray. This workshop is suitable for students with hand tool skills. The course includes guided instruction for using the bag press, router table, hand held router and demonstration of the band saw. Edinburgh-based furniture designer-maker Isabelle Moore’s work focuses on seating and textiles. Inspired by the incorporation of different techniques, Isabelle has explored the possibilities of ‘active sitting’, ergonomics and minimal material to provide holistic and fun ways to interact with our built environment. Ply-Split braiding with Angharad Rixon. Level: All | Cost: $300 + $ materials to be paid to the tutor Ply-Split braiding provides endless possibilities for creating 3-dimensional forms. Learn the basics of this technique and create your own ply-split basket. You will also learn how to prepare cords to make patterns and textures. Working with paper, students will make strong (and useful) baskets, boxes, trays in a technique that can also be adapted for chair seats for those interested in furniture making. Angharad Rixon is an historian specialising in textile techniques, interested in structures, surface treatments, textile materials and the relationship between commerce, design and craft. Angharad has taught at numerous international institutions including NABA, Milan and Roberto Capucci Foundation Florence. Exploring the Bangalow basket with Glenese Keavney. Level: All | Cost: $300 + $25 material fee to be paid to the tutor. In a way we could all be described as ‘baskets’ – containers carrying our ideas, feelings and life experiences. We will have the opportunity to explore this personal journey in collaboration with the Bangalow Palm - a wonderful material to work with, beautiful, and versatile. Using Bangalow Palm as a blank canvas, students will be encouraged to experiment to create a basket or a sculptural form, making your mark with additions – feathers, buttons, stitching etc. Bring along some old materials that have significance for you (e.g. an old scarf, a favourite dress material, a worn belt). The workshop will explore the art and craft of Bangalow basketry, using the Bangalow sheathing base, inflorescence and spathe. String making and coiling techniques will be incorporated as part of the making process with plenty of information in gathering and care for the plant material as well as comprehensive notes. Glenese Keavney has an ongoing passion to keep exploring Bangalow Palm, creating basketry and sculptural pieces. She has been creating baskets for over 15 years. Glenese exhibits her work regularly and was a founding member of Basketry NSW Inc. Summer School 2018 – Wednesday 3-Sunday 7 January 2018 2018 brings our 20th Summer School with a bumper programme to celebrate! Over that time we have built something unique in Australia, an unparalleled creative learning experience of breadth and depth in a special setting led by inspiring and experienced tutors. This year we present a programme of 23 adults’ courses and daily courses for children. We also offer accommodation and meals packages and the week includes a range of social events, talks and demonstrations. Details are available on the website http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/summer-school and at the Gallery. Places are filling fast! Full details of all Sturt courses, exhibitions, residency programmes and events can be found on the website www.sturt.nsw.edu.au or to make a booking or enrolment call Sturt Shop on +61 2 4860 2083 or email shop@sturt.nsw.edu.au Mr Mark Viner, Head of Sturt

13

Deputy Head During Term 4 time is spent planning and decision making in preparation for the following year. For many students this means making subject selections. Year 8 students will have to select three electives for study in Years 9 and 10. The process begins with an explanation of each subject and the kind of material and work covered being sent to parents and discussed with girls. The process is completed with a letter being sent to parents to confirm the subject selection. Year 10 have made an initial selection of subjects for the Preliminary Higher School Certificate. This initial expression of interest is used to establish subject lines. The students then choose up to 14 units of study from the subject lines. To conclude the process a letter of confirmation is sent to parents. Year 10 girls also have “Orientation” in Weeks 5, 6 and 7. This allows students to spend two weeks sampling the subjects they have chosen and gives them a taste of the subject, helping them to prepare for the start of Year 11. Year 11 have begun their first term of HSC studies. Most students have finalised their course loads for Year 12. A final confirmation letter will be sent to all Year 11 parents within the next two weeks. For Year 12, HSC Examinations commence on Monday 16 October. This year the examinations are located in Clubbe Hall. Fitness, Health and Wellbeing As mentioned in the last Newsletter of Term 3, Year 7 classes have commenced their Term 4 Positive Peer Relations programme. Their focus for the first two weeks will be on getting along with others and developing their listening and communication skills. One of the activities requires them to rate their own ‘people skills’. Together with the data they compiled from Term 3, this will assist them in managing themselves and their peer relations. All of Year 9 students are participating in a Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award expedition this weekend. This will be the culmination of the Outdoor Education section of the Jamieson Programme for Year 9, with most girls having been involved in at least one expedition per term. The girls are now highly skilled and comfortable in an outdoor environment and they are looking forward to this expedition.

Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head Boarding News On Friday night of the last Closed Weekend in Term 3, a Harry Potter Dinner was organised as the final Year 12 Friday night activity. Battery-operated candles provided the mood lighting in the Dining Room while music from the movie was played. Wonderful costumes of most of the characters from the books were created. The excitement of returning to school was evident on the evening of 9 October and we all look forward to ensuring the last term of the year is both productive and enjoyable for all. Highlights this term include: - Year 7 in both Houses share dorms with Years 8 and 9; - Orientation: we welcome ‘new students for 2018’ for an overnight stay 26-27 October; - Moving House: when Year 12 HSC examinations are completed early in November we take the opportunity to move all of

Year 11 into Bryant McCarthy; - Jamieson Week: the final week of the term, with a full programme of whole-school and year-group specific activities; - Relocation of our Dining Room to the Parker Gymnasium: the transformed court space is now carpeted and complete with

an extended High Table, renovated dining room tables, industrial dishwashing and food preparation areas and new servery equipment. Above all, the generous space and excellent acoustics are complementing extremely comfortable mealtimes.

Weekend Exeats To assist with weekend planning, parents are reminded that Weekend Exeats are to be submitted by 12noon the Friday before the requested weekend leave, to ensure all details are clear before passing on to the Houses. Thank you for your support. As noted in the Parent Information Book, Weekend Travel to and from Sydney must be booked by the student at White Cottage. Bookings need to be finalised by 1.00pm Thursdays, to be assured of a seat.

Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Planning & Events; Mrs Amanda Wansey, Deputy Head of Boarding

FRENSHAM News

14

Director of Teaching and Learning Continuing Professional Learning at Winifred West Schools – Vacation ProgrammeAll staff enjoyed a full day of Professional Learning on the Gib Gate campus at the end of Term 3 on Friday 22 September. House, Health Centre and Preschool staff completed their annual Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate update delivered by a specialist trainer from Surf Lifesaving Australia. Teachers K-6, led by Mrs Kate Chauncy, and 7-12, led by Dr Ruth Phillips, worked in two groups to analyse data on the Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 NAPLAN 2017. Their goal was to determine how to continue to improve student outcomes, and to design teaching and learning programmes in all Key Learning Areas to enhance student achievement across reading, writing and numeracy. The afternoon session involved teachers sharing samples of documented student work from their classrooms. These were a representation of lessons designed to engage students in challenging, authentic, problem-solving tasks, specifically linked to our work with the Cultures of Thinking Project at Harvard University Graduate School of Education. During the first week of the school vacation, Gib Gate teachers Ms Jenny O’Rourke, Mr Greg Hannah and Mrs Lynn Venish, with Ms Kate Chauncy, joined AIS consultants and highly experienced teachers from independent schools across NSW to assess the portfolios of practice submitted by applicants to gain the Experienced Teacher Level of professional attainment for the Independent Schools Teacher Accreditation Authority (ISTAA). In the same week, Health Centre staff Ms Cathie Weaver, Mrs Darrya Foster and Mrs Susan Skehan attended the 2017 School Nurses Association of NSW 18th Annual Conference in Sydney, with 150 school nurses from Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Pakistan. The two-day conference covered health subjects and treatments, including concussion and head injury, sudden cardiac death, haemophilia, diabetes, thunderstorm asthma, immunisation and juvenile arthritis. Also during the vacation, Ms Sabine Madden attended the Best Practice in Artistic Research in Music Symposium at the Sydney Conservatorium. The Keynote address was delivered by Liza Lim (Sydney Conservatorium, University of Sydney) and was entitled: How to make a woodblock sing: Using composition to experiment with thought. Sabine also attended a series of lectures by Jeanell Carrigan (Sydney Conservatorium, University of Sydney) on The Piano Music of Meta Overman; Anna Goldsworthy (University of Adelaide) on Traversing creative disciplines: Anna Goldsworthy's Piano Lessons; and Liam Viney and Anna Grinberg (University of Queensland) on Updating the four-handed monster: New Australian Music for two pianists. On Monday of the first week of term WWS teaching staff welcomed Mark Church back to the Frensham campus. Mark is our US based consultant for the ‘Cultures of Thinking’ Project, and co-author of the book Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners. Sessions involved reviewing work so far this year, before re-examining the School’s core teaching and learning goal: to develop students’ thinking dispositions – their thinking habits – while deepening their subject matter understanding. Continued striving for this goal will ensure that when students leave WWS they will have developed the skills and attributes needed for lifelong learning in the variety of environments they will encounter. One of the highlights of the day was discussion of the core question, central to all planning for effective teaching and learning: how do we influence and shape classroom culture to make ‘thinking’ the central aspect of classroom life? To focus their consideration of this question, Mark provided the following problem to staff, with a thinking time limit of three minutes:

An aviculturist was given the task of purchasing exactly 100 budgies for exactly $100.Blue budgies cost $10 each, green budgies $3 and yellow budgies 50c. Each colour must be represented. Document what the aviculturist purchased and how you solved the problem.

In attempting to solve the problem using trial and error, by applying algebra, or by adopting other creative thinking strategies, teachers ‘walked a mile in the shoes’ of their students. They enjoyed the opportunity to grapple with a novel dilemma – an authentic thinking task where getting it wrong the first time is a real chance to try thinking another way and to learn from failure on the first (or second…or third attempt!) On Tuesday small groups of teachers worked with Mark in master-classes and think tanks throughout the day. The topics featured in these professional discussions will be shared by teachers in our mid- term 4 TLC meetings to be held after school in Week 3. Finally, this week Miss Erin Gray, Head of Sport, will travel to Wollongong on Friday and Saturday to attend the Annual PDHPE Teachers’ Association State Conference in North Wollongong, entitled: Captivate, Innovate and Engage. The 2017 Conference Keynote Speakers include: Karen Ingram on The New PDHPE syllabus and Stage 6 Assessment Requirements; Stacey Quince on Future-Focused Learning and Nathan Spencer on Improving the Performance of Elite Athletes. Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning, P-12 and Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Programmes

15

Director of Studies Year 12 students have returned from their study vacation well prepared and looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the upcoming HSC examinations. These will commence on Monday 16 October with the first of the English papers; all examinations will be completed by the afternoon of Tuesday 7 November. Year 8 Mathematics Team-Teaching With Year 12 Higher School Certificate Mathematics classes completed at the end of Term 3 and HSC examinations commencing next Monday, our Mathematics Faculty is implementing a team-teaching trial with Year 8, from Monday 16 October. In addition to their current class teacher, each Year 8 class will have a second teacher working in tandem, in the same classroom. From our three current teachers on three classes, we move to having six teachers working with Year 8 (still in three classes) for most of their Mathematics periods, for the rest of the term:

Ms Wymer’s class and Ms Fittler; Mrs Semler’s class and Ms Allison; Miss Wong’s class and Mrs Coupland Our interest is in: - progress possible for students when there is increased opportunity to gain support ‘at point of need’ - impact on student engagement in class and on confidence to approach ‘any teacher’ for Mathematics support - enhancing shared knowledge about student skills and progress in preparation for re-grading of classes for Year 9 Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any aspect of the above. Ms Janene van Gogh, Director of Studies – in Residence English “An irresistible page-turner is a wonderful thing, but the very greatest novels pack sentences so prevailing that you stop reading, lower the book and simply live in the words for a moment.”

“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” F. Scott Fitzgerald Frensham English students are looking forward to an exciting Term 4 inside and outside the classroom. The final weeks of the school year provide a wonderful opportunity for the girls to extend their literary experience, share their reading interests, and consolidate their writing skills. In a unit titled ‘Own Voices,’ Year 7 students have been reading from a selection of fiction books, the narrative qualities of which they will discuss this term in Literature Circles. This opportunity to share their joy of reading, and develop their understanding of how language conventions are used in story-telling, is extended as each student plans, drafts and writes her own imaginative composition. At the other end of the school, Year 11 students begin their HSC English studies with a focus on the concept of Discovery in the poetry of Rosemary Dobson (1937). A former Frensham student, Dobson is an award-winning author, who published fourteen collections of poetry. Prescribed HSC poems include “Painter at Antwerp”, “The Tiger”, and “Young Girl at a Window”. The poems represent deeply personal individual insights and epiphanies, and provide students with opportunities to analyse different forms and styles of poetry and a wide range of poetic techniques. Theatre Excursion On 19 October, Years 7 and 8 will be travelling to the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, to see The Popular Mechanicals, a re-imagining of the antics of the amateur actors who perform for the Duke and Duchess in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Created by Keith Robinson, William Shakespeare and Tony Taylo, The Popular Mechanicals focuses on what may have happened off stage to Bottom and his company of bumbling artisan actors in the world of Shakespeare’s play. The first production of The Popular Mechanicals was directed by Geoffrey Rush in 1987. The production, described as “a perfect romp”, features clowning, vaudeville, slapstick, farce, stand-up comedy and some hilarious puppetry. For Year 7, the excursion is an introduction to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, while Year 8 will enjoy the performance which coincides with their study of Shakespeare. 2017 Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award State Final The State Final of the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award will be held on Friday, 20 October at the Domain Theatre, Art Gallery of NSW. Georgia Shakeshaft (Year 8) will be representing Frensham at this event following her success at the 2017 Semi-Finals where she was one of eight students across two semi-finals selected to compete in the State Final.

16

AHIGS Festival of Speech This year’s Festival of Speech will be held at Tara in North Parramatta on Saturday, 21 October, with the following girls competing: Religious and Ethical Questions: Ella Pratt, Philipa Steedman, Alice Battcock and Reserves: Tara Penton and Stella Wilde; Current Affairs: Nina Jephcott, Chloe Hickson, Isabella Camilleri and Reserve: Celia Battcock; Senior Public Speaking: Sophia Parker; Junior Public Speaking: Mia Horsfall; Senior Poetry: Katchmirr Russell; Junior Poetry: Caitlin Quinn; Senior Reading: Isabella Allen; Junior Reading: Madeleine Mulligan. Parents are encouraged to attend the Festival and support the team. For a detailed program and map of the venue please visit the following site: http://www.ahigs.nsw.edu.au/AHIGS/FestivalofSpeech.aspx We wish Georgia and all of our AHIGS competitors every success in their competitions. Ms Jennie Mickle, Director of English Drama As the current Year 12 complete their final examinations for the Higher School Certificate, the next group of Year 12 students commence their HSC courses for completion in 2018. During Term 4, students will be studying theoretically and experientially, Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice through the plays, ‘Stolen’ by Jane Harrison and ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ by Lally Katz. The topic explores contemporary practices of Australian drama and theatre and the various ways in which artistic, cultural, social, political and personal issues and concerns are reflected in different contexts. Students investigate how different Australian practitioners use dramatic forms, performance styles, techniques and conventions to convey ideas and influence the ways in which audiences understand and respond to ideas and images presented and represented in the theatre. The unit of work will be assessed through group-devised adaptations of the set texts, performance essays and in the written section of the Higher School Certificate examination. In addition, students in Year 12 start investigating suitable options for the Individual Project. Across New South Wales, most students select Performance monologue as their option but many more students are starting to consider the nine other alternatives to performance for the Individual task. The options for the Individual Project are:

Performance Critical Analysis in Director’s Folio OR Portfolio of Theatre Criticism OR Applied Research Project. Design: Set OR Lighting OR Costume OR Poster/Promotion. Video Drama Scriptwriting

Mrs Sally Hannah, Head of Drama French The students in Year 12 have worked diligently during the recent vacation and will strive to achieve their best in their HSC examination. Given that French is more than a school subject but is also a skill acquired for life, these girls are certain to use and benefit from their knowledge and understanding of the language on many occasions in the future. Meanwhile, Year 10 French students are starting revision for Week 5 and their end-of-year examination. Year 9 students will also be preparing for their examinations in Week 6, with each student demonstrating focus and determination to improve upon her previous achievements in the subject. Years 7 and 8 classes are continuing their studies to realise the outcomes established for their respective year groups, thereby laying the foundations for their future achievements in their study of this language and culture. Mme Mary Kidner, Teacher of French Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) Term 4 is always an exciting time as Year 11 transition to Year 12 in the classroom. It is important to remember that classroom learning is only one aspect of HSIE subjects; once students start to learn content in class, recent research has indicated that the most effective way to consolidate the knowledge is to use it meaningfully. This usually involves writing practice responses, which includes taking time to perfect the response by planning it thoroughly, using study notes to construct it, then submitting the response to the teacher for feedback. Year 12 students will benefit if this becomes a part of their regular study routine from Week 1.

17

Ancient History students begin with a unit of work on ‘Sparta’. This involves the investigation of key features of Spartan society in the sixth to fourth centuries BC, through a range of archaeological and written sources. This unique warrior-based society is the topic studied as their Ancient Society section of the syllabus. Modern History students commence their Core Study: World War I, 1914-1918. Students will use different sources and acquired knowledge to investigate key features, issues, individuals, groups and events in the study of World War I and its aftermath. Their initial focus will be on the Western Front and how stalemate developed. Year 11 students electing to do History Extension commence with ‘What is History?’ Students soon realise that this seemingly simple question has so many possible answers. Students will then move into examining different frameworks for historiographical analysis, such as empiricism, relativism and post-modernism, to investigate how the creation of historical accounts is determined by the individual. Economics students begin their HSC course by examining the global economy and the impact of globalisation, grappling with the idea of the interconnected nature of economic activity around the world. With a degree of economic uncertainty created by the geopolitical tensions around North Korea, this is a fascinating time to be looking at the global economy. Business Studies students begin with the HSC topic ‘Human Resource Management’, focusing on the process of managing staff within an organisation. This is such a fundamental aspect of business administration and growth that all of the budding entrepreneurs and business owners in the group will surely be paying close attention to the theory behind the practice. Mr Stephen Clarke, Head of HSIE Jamieson Programme The Jamieson Programme is built on the belief that … “The very experience of being confronted by physical, intellectual and emotional challenges in a stimulating environment is inherently exciting and immensely rewarding.” The Cambridge International Examination is part of the University of Cambridge: “We prepare school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning.” Year 8: This term the girls are continuing with their much-loved and important role as Shadows to Year 7. This week, rostered girls continue Farm Management duties which are conducted one afternoon a term in small groups, which tend to the animals on the Farm. Riding for the Disabled continues throughout the term. Year 9: At the end of Term 3, each Year 9 group presented their Global Perspectives Group Project Outcome. The projects were entertaining and informative, raising awareness about important issues like gun violence, changing family demographics, drink driving, missing persons, health and racism. Over the Term 3 vacation, Cambridge accredited teachers completed their marking of the Global Perspectives Group Project. Each student and group will receive feedback on their performance in this important assessment task. Students over the next three weeks will be preparing for the Global Perspectives Cambridge IGCSE examination. Girls will review past Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives examinations from 2012 to June 2016. After answering the set questions, which requires the use and analysis of source materials, they are given the marking criteria and Sample Answers to review.

Year 9 Group Project Outcome - Gun Violence Outcome – pins represent number of gun massacres globally.

18

Mrs Merrilee Harris, Jamieson Programme Coordinator Mathematics Mathematics Club this term is being held on Tuesday night in Week 3 and is open to all interested students. Girls are asked to email Ms Wong or Gabrielle Steiner or Jessica Latimer (Heads of Mathematics Club) to express their interest. After school Mathematics Tutorials continue on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons in room NW13 for students who would like individual assistance. Mrs Yvette Semler, Head of Mathematics Music Beauty and the Beast has enjoyed a renaissance in 2017: first with the film version; and now, live on stage at Frensham. The question for parents to answer will be which version they enjoyed the most! Staff and students are working hard to ensure there is really no question at all. Auditions for 2018 Madrigals are being conducted in the coming weeks with at least six places to fill. Choristers in Year 8 will be invited to audition for 2018 Senior Choir closer to the end of term. Year 10 Music students are looking forward to attending the third concert in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Meet the Music series on Wednesday 18 October. They will hear Australian pianist Piers Lane perform Rachmaninoff's virtuosic Piano Concerto No.3 (well-known from the film Shine) with the SSO. There will be a work by Sibelius and Brett Dean will conduct his own piece, Fire Music – a heartfelt response to the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. This piece captures in music the intense heat and destructive force of the fires, as well as the almost-miraculous rebirth of the landscape in the aftermath. Mr Michael Spencer, Head of Music Science On 19 September Year 7 students travelled to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney as part of their study of Life. They participated in a session called “Purposeful Plants” where they investigated a range of native plants and the adaptations they have that allow them to survive in the Australian environment. An Aboriginal educator, Terry, provided them with an Indigenous perspective on living with, and from, the native bushland and explained the different uses of the plants as foods, medicines and raw materials for tools and weapons. Plants studied included the Grass Tree, Warrigal Greens and Old Man Banksia. On the same day Year 8 students travelled to Questacon in Canberra with Dr Burg, Ms Wong and Mr Bull to experience the world of Science and Technology. Students had time to explore all of the galleries including Awesome Earth where they could experience the power of an earthquake. In Above and Beyond – an interactive flight exhibition – they could use computer technology to design their own space ship and fly it through space. As in past years students enjoyed the Excite@Q exhibition where they were able to free fall down a six metre slide as well as battle a robot in a game of air hockey.

Year 9 Group Project Outcome: L: Missing Persons Outcome – Cordelia Bell, Mairi Menzies, Claudia Logan, Olivia MacDiarmid; R: Drink Driving Outcome – Rose Gamble and Heidi Montgomery.

Year 7 during the Purposeful Plants session

19

Left: Georgia Hill, Grace Mackenzie, Jessica Greig, Ivy Hayes, Elke Arnott, Sarah Brown, Laura Harper, Ella Hopperton, Phoebe Storey ready to Free Fall.

Right: Skye Vander Straaten free-falling.

All students participated in a half hour session in the Japan Theatre called ‘Move It – The Engineering Show’ where Grace Lewis was invited on to the stage to help with a demonstration.

Mrs Alison Andrew, Head of Science NCSS Coding Competition is a national competition where over a five week period, students learn how to write in the Python coding language and use their coding skills to solve a range of challenging problems.

Eleven students from Years 8-11 participated and achieved some excellent results. In the Beginners level of the completion: Perfect Score to Harriette Beedle and Georgina Ridge. In the Intermediate competition: High Distinction to Natasha Long (Year 8). Distinction to Sophia Parker. Congratulations to all students who took part and challenged themselves to learn a new valuable skill. Left: Skye Vander Straaten, Georgia Hill, Madeleine Mulligan flying their space ships.

Dr Tristan Burg, Director of Research and Innovation Agriculture & Show Cattle Team Show Cattle Team Term 4 brings the start of the 2018 Show Cattle Team season. Most of the steers have already arrived and settled into Holt Farm. Training will begin Week 1, with seniors (Years 10 and 11) on Tuesday afternoon and juniors (Years 7-9) on Thursday afternoon at 4.00pm-5.00pm. Students interested in joining the Team are encouraged to contact Ms Leonie Mutch or the 2018 Head of Show Cattle, Grace Halliday (Year 11). The Team now has time to teach the steers to lead, formulate their feed rations and begin the grooming process with progress photos being taken each week. Thanks is due to the following beef cattle breeders for providing steers for our programme – Mr Mark Goodfellow, Spring Creek Limousins, Kiama; Mrs Susan Elder (OG, 1964) Durness Highland Fold, Joadja; Nicole and John Hopkins (parents of Miriam, Year 9 and Judith, Year 7), Wormbete Simmentals, Illabo; Mr Richard Baillie, Wyagdon Valley Angus, Wiagdon; Mrs Carol Durkin (Grandmother of Grace Halliday, Year 11), Eccleston Park, Sutton Forest; and Mr William Day (uncle of the 2017 Head of Show Cattle Team, Mia Withers Year 12).

20

In Term 1, 2018 the Team will compete at the local Shows and the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Berry Saturday 3 February Nowra Saturday 10 February Kangaroo Valley Friday 16 February Robertson Saturday 3 March Moss Vale Saturday 10 March Sydney Royal Friday 23 March – Tuesday 3 April (Frensham commitment TBC)

Ms Leonie Mutch, Co-ordinator of Agriculture PDHPE During Term 3 the Year 10 PDHPE Jamieson Programme focused on youth health issues. This included content on drug use and mental health. A police liaison officer spoke to students regarding drugs and the law, and in Week 2 Term 4, Batyr representatives will speak to Year 10 about mental health issues. Batyr aims to deliver innovative peer-to-peer programmes that engage, educate and empower young people. Batyr’s programmes focus on addressing issues that impact the mental health of young people, and promote resilience and help seeking behaviour. In Term 4, content related to sexual health will be addressed with a similar session conducted by a specialist in this field. Ms Janene van Gogh, Acting Head of PDHPE Sport Touch The IGSSA Competition for Touch will commence this Saturday 14 October. Matches will take place across four different timeslots (8.00am, 9.00am, 10.00am and 11.00am). All Touch matches will be played at Frensham this term (seven rounds), as there are no finals. Water Polo The IGSSA Competition for Water Polo will commence this Saturday 14 October. Matches will take place across five different timeslots (8.15am, 9.00am, 9.45am, 10.30am and 11.15am). All Water Polo matches will be played at Frensham this term (seven rounds), as there are no finals. Tildesley Tennis Trials for the 2018 Tildesley Team will commence this week. Girls wanting to be selected in this team are required to attend trials during the following days and times:

Wednesday mornings – 6.15am-7.15am Friday mornings – 6.15am-7.15am Saturday mornings – 8.00am-10.00am (when girls are not playing Touch or Water Polo)

Miss Erin Gray, Acting Head of Sport Equestrian Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships Following the State Championships (Frensham was awarded Champion Secondary School and Gib Gate, Champion Primary School) a team of 8 selected riders from both Frensham and Gib Gate competed most successfully in the National competition representing NSW which was held in Toowoomba, Queensland, during the first week of the vacation. Despite a week of tough weather conditions, all rode extremely well and achieved the following results across the various disciplines: Overall Champions – Gib Gate Sophie Baldwin (Year 4) won the Overall Championship in the Primary 80cm Show Jumping (recipient of the Finch Farms Show Jumping Trophy). Alexandra Inglis (Year 5) placed 5th overall in the Primary 90cm Show Jumping. Ava Berkelouw (Year 6) placed 6th overall in the Primary Preliminary Dressage 1.2-1.3 Sophie Baldwin (Year 4) placed 6th overall in the Working Hunter Primary Overall Champions – Frensham Sophie Hatch (Year 9) placed 5th overall in the Secondary 120cm Show Jumping. Camilla Warner (Year 7) placed 6th overall in the Intermediate Preliminary Dressage1.2-1.3. Amy Thompson (Year 8) placed 15th overall in the Intermediate Novice Dressage 2.2-2.3. Antoinette Inglis (Year 11) placed 5th overall in the Secondary Elementary Dressage 3.2-3.3 Camilla Warner (Year 7) placed 4th overall in the Show Hunter Secondary.

21

Show Horse - Sophie Baldwin (Year 4) placed 8th in the led phase and 14th in the ridden phase

in the Working Hunter Primary. - Camilla Warner (Year 7) [pictured right] placed 5th in the led phase, 4th in the

ridden phase and 5th in the rider phase in the Show Hunter Secondary category. Combined Training - Alexandra Inglis (Year 5) and Sophie Baldwin (Year 4) from Gib Gate placed 8th

and 13th respectively in the Primary 60cm. - Ava Berkelouw (Year 6) placed 12th in the Primary 80cm. - Amy Thompson (Year 8) and Maya Basson (Year 7) placed 5th and 8th

respectively in the Secondary 80cm. - Antoinette Inglis (Year 11) and Sophie Hatch (Year 9) placed 5th and 8th

respectively in the Secondary 95cm. Show Jumping - Alexandra Inglis (Year 5) placed 6th in the Primary 90cm - A2, 3rd in the Primary

90cm - AM5, 10th in the Primary 90cm – 2 Phase, 14th in the Primary 80cm – 2 Phase, 3rd in the Primary 80cm – AM5, 4th in the Primary 80cm – A2.

- Sophie Baldwin (Year 4) placed 13th in the Primary 60cm, 1st in the Primary 80cm – 2 Phase, 5th in the Primary 80cm – AM5, 1st in the Primary 80cm – A2 .

- Ava Berkelouw (Year 6) placed 12th in the Primary 80cm. - Amy Thompson (Year 8) placed 5th in the Secondary 80cm. - Antoinette Inglis (Year 11) placed 5th in the Secondary 95cm. - Sophie Hatch (Year 9) placed 7th in the Secondary 120cm - 2 Phase, 3rd in the Secondary 120cm - AM5 and 5th in the

Secondary 120cm - A2. Dressage - Ava Berkelouw (Year 6) placed 8th in the Primary Preliminary 1.2 and 6th in the Primary Preliminary 1.3. - Camilla Warner (Year 7) placed 11th in the Intermediate Preliminary 1.2 and 1st in the Intermediate Preliminary 1.3. - Amy Thompson (Year 8) placed 15th in the Intermediate Novice 2.2 and 14th in the Intermediate Novice 2.3. - Antoinette Inglis (Year 11) placed 3rd in the Secondary Elementary 3.2 and 7th in the Secondary Elementary 3.3. State Team Results The host state, Queensland, was victorious in the team event winning the prestigious Harry Le Bherz Perpetual Trophy with 2743 points. New South Wales finished second (2613 points) and Victoria was third (2197 points), Western Australia fourth (984 points), South Australia fifth (568 points) and the smallest teams, the Northern Territory (222 points) and Tasmaina (145 points) sixth and seventh with less than a handful of riders each. Paris Ow-Yang (Year 7) won the 105cm representing Frensham at The Berry Interschools Event and Reserve Overall High School Champion. Miss Victoria Akins, Equestrian Coordinator Visual Arts/Design & Technology This week, students studying Visual Arts for the 2018 Higher School Certificate have begun developing ideas for Bodies of Work. Students were given detailed information about expressive forms, specific limitations and use of the visual diary. Below are excerpts from Assessment and Reporting in Visual Arts Stage 6, pp8-11, published by NESA, which provides a concise overview of requirements for Bodies of Work. Students will submit a body of work as part of the HSC examination for Visual Arts. In this body of work they should demonstrate their understanding of artmaking as a practice, and represent their ideas and interests through their interpretation of subject matter and use of expressive forms. For the body of work they should consider selecting a single work or a series of works that represent a coherent point of view and demonstrate conceptual strength and meaning. The body of work must comply with the prescribed dimensions for HSC submitted artworks in terms of limitations on size, weight, dangerous and prohibited materials and duration: 6 square metres in area for 2D works OR 1 cubic metre in volume for 3D works and/or works with 2D and 3D components; 2 square metres in area for individual flat, rigid works. Individual works which exceed 2 square metres and are up to 6 square metres must be rolled; 35 kilograms in weight; six minutes in duration (including credits) for submissions in time-based forms, and 3 minutes in duration (including credits) for a time-based work included in a submission in another expressive form. If a time-based work is the entire submission in Documented Forms the maximum duration is 6 minutes (including credits).

22

Students will submit a Body of Work in one of the following expressive forms:

Expressive form Documented forms Textiles and Fibre Collection of Works Graphic Design Drawing Designed Objects Painting Sculpture Photomedia Ceramics Printmaking Time-based forms

To provide a broad timeframe, students will need to develop and resolve a Body of Work by Monday of Week 6, Term 3, 2018, which will then be exhibited as part of the Visual Arts and Design & Technology Exhibition over the weekend of Week 6, Term 3, 2018. Although unpublished at this stage, it is expected that the NESA completion date for all HSC Visual Arts Bodies of Work will be the Monday of Week 7, Term 3, 2018. As outlined in the newsletter in Week 5 of Term 2, four Year 11 students accepted highly sought-after places in the 2017 HSC Intensive Studio Practice courses run by the National Art School in Sydney. They completed Module 1 during the mid-year vacation and during the first week of the last vacation, completed Modules 2-3 in their specific disciplines, outlined below:

The students were assessed on their completed work, and will receive a mark out of 50, which will appear on their HSC certificate as a one-unit course, but will not contribute to their ATAR. The students will receive their marks later in Term 4. Mr Phil Alldis, Head of Visual Arts and Design

Alice Battcock Painting Lucy Brigstocke Printmaking Darcey Gwynn-Jones Life Drawing Stella Wilde Black and White Photography