Winifred West Schools Limited . ABN 14 000 025 0267

PO Box 34 Mittagong NSW 2575 . Phone: +61 2 4860 2000 . frensham@frensham.nsw.edu.au

Phillip

With thanks for feedback... To all who have contributed to Surveys this term, as part of our annual cycle of review, we are appreciative of the considered information provided. The Frensham and Gib Gate Advisory Committees provide another avenue for crucial parent feedback. Driving the process is our commitment to action designed to meet School goals and priorities, including: ~ ‘to focus on and foster continual improvement, and the belief and practices that support all members to achieve success as enthusiastic, hardworking and persistent learners - a culture where all members can learn and thrive’ and ~ ‘to harness the possibilities for connection and interconnection amongst our stakeholders, challenging and inspiring each member to work with passion and commitment, in accordance with the School’s values’. Most recently, we have surveyed: Year 7 Parents (School Choice); Year 8 Parents (feedback on the Parent Weekend Plenary Session and

TERM 2 NO 3 Wednesday 24 May 2017

Phillip (Frensham’s Holt Farm) meets Gib Gate Preschool...

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Parent/Teacher Discussions); Years 1 to 6 at Gib Gate – questions to the children to gain their perspective on ‘what works well’ and ‘what could be better’ in terms of: Learning Environment (Teaching and Learning), Campus Environment (Playground Facilities/Classrooms); Curriculum (in and beyond class) and Values (what they see in action).

Additionally: - Year 9 Parents (Phone interviews have been undertaken by Senior Staff to all parents of Year 9 students). This process,

introduced several years ago is to provide a point of contact for parents prior to the end of semester reporting period (June)and the Parent Teacher discussions which take place mid Term 3.

- Student Reports – Year 11 Reports will be emailed this week to parents, with the inclusion of an additional personalstatement by Year 11 about their Studies Highlights (drawing from senior students’ reflective commentary about theirgrowth as a learner, and interests academically since the start of the year).

Internally, teachers continue to embrace the challenge to improve practice, and professional learning and review are designed to support student achievement of the highest academic standards. The context: a broad educational experience that fosters excellence and life-long love of learning - through intellectual, spiritual and emotional, aesthetic and physical challenge. We need parent and student feedback and value the trust to act on what we learn from all that is offered.

Innovation – Ideation How closely linked is success of the Year 8 and 9 da Vinci Decathlon teams in the State competition this week (3rd place in Arts & Poetry; 3rd place in Ideation) to their recent School experience? [Team members are saying they felt confident to embrace the academic/creative/innovative ideas challenge – in fact they ‘loved’ the challenge...] [Another key strategic theme with priorities for action is ‘to be innovative and adaptive to all aspects of education, so that students and staff experience the adventure of experiment and the excitement of breaking new ground, developing a spirit of enquiry, a love of learning and the capacity to discern....’]

Acknowledgement to: Frensham’s State Finalist teams in the da Vinci Decathlon: Year 8 placed 3rd in the Art & Poetry section (of 70 schools inthe competition) and Year 9 placed 3rd in the Ideation section (of 80 schools in the competition);Frensham’s Cross Country team, with two representatives qualifying for the IGSSA team to compete in the CombinedIndependent Schools event next term: Antoinette Inglis (Year 11) placed 10th in the 17 Years 4km; Annabel White (Year 12)placed 6th in the 18 Years 6km;Minnie Arnott (Year 12), selected in the Open IGSSA Hockey team to play in the NSWCIS Championships and ChloeMcCrabb (Year 12), selected in the Open IGSSA Touch team to compete in the NSWCIS Touch Representative TeamChampionships;Year 12 Girdle recipient, Natasha Long (Academic Excellence);Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (Bronze) recipient, Jacqueline Wilkins (Year 10);Alice Battcock, Lucy Brigstocke, Darcey Gwynn-Jones, Phoebe Hill, Stella Wilde (Year 11), selected for the competitiveentry National Art School HSC Intensive Studio Practice Program;Frensham Madrigals, placed 1st in the Youth Sacred/Gospel Choir (19 years and under) and 2nd in the Youth ChamberChoir (19 years and under) in last Sunday’s sections of the Sydney Eisteddfod – and invited to perform in the JohnLamble Australasian Choral Championship in the John Vallance Hall (Sydney Grammar) on the afternoon of Frensham’sBirthday Service, Sunday 4 June;

Timely news for the 5 Year On Reunion Old Girls joining us for the Birthday Weekend (3-4 June): The 2012 Madrigal performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody was recently linked to the personal website of Brian May (Queen’s lead guitarist): http://brianmay.com/whatsnew.html ‘This superb school choir performs a magical version of Bo Rhap, with excellent harmonies and creates superb dramatic effect with their unique treatment of the song. Sit back, relax, enjoy. – Brian May.’

Staffing update - Long Service Leave, Deputy Head, Mr Geoff Marsh This week we have been preparing final details for Geoff’s extremely-well-earned break (from 29 May, returning 14 August). Parents will receive a separate email detailing the specific staff managing aspects of the Deputy Head portfolio to provide clarity for contact and Dr Tristan Burg will operate from Geoff’s office, in an Acting Deputy Head role, supported by all Directors of the School. Ms Kate Chauncy (WWS Executive) assumes the role of Deputy Head of Winifred West Schools.

BIRTHDAY WEEK CELEBRATIONS – I look forward to welcoming parents to the WWS Service (Friday 2 June) and to Frensham’s Birthday Service (our guest this year is entrepreneurial businesswomen, Jane Cay – owner and CEO, ‘birdsnest’).

Julie A Gillick Head of Frensham Head of Winifred West Schools

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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.com gavin.martin@ap.jll.com sam.paradice@morgans.com.au nicola@nicolarobertsonots.com.au t.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 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

2017 PARENT WEEKENDS – Confirmed dates for attendance of all students Years 7-12

Term 2 Gib Gate & Frensham Wednesday 26 April-Thursday 22 June, 3.00pm (Year 10 Work Experience ends Friday 23 June) Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend: Monday 12 June; Frensham departs 3.00pm Friday 9 June Term 3 Gib Gate & Frensham Tuesday 18 July- Thursday 21 September, 3.00pm (Boarders always return evening before classes start) Frensham (Year 12 Dinner with Parents and Staff is evening of Thursday 21 September) Term 4 Gib Gate: Tuesday 10 October-Friday 8 December, 3.00pm Frensham: Tuesday 10 October-Sunday 10 December from 12noon (after 11.00am Carol Service) (Boarders always return evening before classes start)

Term 2 Year 12 Saturday 3 June-Sunday 4 June WWS Birthday – Friday 2 June Frensham’s 104th Birthday – Sunday 4 June Term 3 Year 11 Saturday 5 August-Sunday 6 August [Year 10 Saturday 5 August – Year 10 planning for Senior Studies (with parents on Saturday)] Year 9 Saturday 26 August-Sunday 27 August

TERM DATES 2018 - Gib Gate and Frensham

Term 1: Wednesday 31 January classes commence* Thursday 12 April, 3.00pm end of Term 1 Term 2: Monday 30 April classes commence* Thursday 28 June, 3.00pm end of Term 2 (except for Year 10 – Work Experience continues to end of Friday 29 June) *(Boarders always return evening before classes start)

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

Ranier Uniform Shop

All fittings for uniforms are by appointment: Mondays and Thursdays 12noon-5.00pm Shop Manager: Mrs Michelle Wynn

To order goods, please call the Shop: (02) 4860 2136 [BH] Shop Hours: Mondays and Thursdays: 12.00pm-5.00pm or email: frensham@ranier.com.au

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All the fun of the Fair! But can you help by donating………..? Prizes for the Silent Auction – donation forms are available from Michele Scamps In 2012 the Silent Auction at the Fair offered 130 items and made a significant contribution to the final surplus of $180,000. Currently we have 20 confirmed prizes – so we are keen to hear from all who would like to contribute! Items for the Silent Auction can range from the obvious to the unexpected, the frivolous, serious, beautiful and wacky - so there is something to appeal to everyone. Please think about what you may be able to contribute so that we have an extensive and tempting offering! Some suggested ideas for your contribution may be found on the reverse of the attached donation form – thank you! Your time at the cutting and sewing bees – Frensham, Friday 2 and 9 June, 9.00am-3.00pm: Annette O’Connell needs volunteers to help with her pyjama pants production and is looking for anyone who can come on these dates, for all or part of the day, to help with cutting out the flannelette or sewing. You don’t have to be an expert – just a willing helper. These pyjama pants are always hot sellers to children of all ages and have become one of the iconic products for which the Fair is famous. Don’t come on your own – bring a friend and enjoy a day that is guaranteed to be light-hearted and convivial and an opportunity to meet more of the Winifred West Schools community. If you would like to be part of this fun day, please contact Annette – annette@mocelectrical.com.au; 0412 490 494. Your unwanted trash ‘n treasure Storage is available at both Gib Gate and Frensham for anything you might have that you no longer want or need. It could be:

Empty jars Books Garden pots Garden tools and paraphernalia Clothing Furniture Homewares Fabric – for clothing or upholstery

Please contact Michele Scamps to arrange delivery.

For information please contact: Michele Scamps Iris Country Fair Coordinator mscamps@frensham.nsw.edu.au 02 4860 2100 0407 919 718

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The Merrett family hosted the annual Fellowship Southern Highlands gathering with a 'Picnic in the Paddock' last weekend. Our thanks to Prue and Tony Merrett and their family Ingrid, Fleur and Mark for their generosity. The next Fellowship function is the AGM on Wednesday 14 June at Frensham. Reply forms were posted with the Chronicle or are available on line at www.frensham.nsw.edu.au/community-frensham-fellowship For a full list of events and Reunions, please visit: www.frensham.nsw.edu.au/community/fellowship

Participating in the Year 5 and Year 6 Outdoor Education Camp continues to remind me of the enormous value gained by students from experiencing learning in the natural environment. Away from the comforts of home, learning to work together as a team, students face challenges, discover new strengths and have time to reflect on and wonder about the fascinating natural environment in which they are immersed. Careful support to enable students to feel confident and prepared for the three-day/two-night Camp begins in Year 1 and Year 2, with students participating in annual outdoor education days at Camp Wombaroo. Learning how to put on abseiling harnesses and helmets, the students scale the high ropes, experience the Giant Swing, try outdoor cooking and canoeing. This experience is built upon in Years 3 and 4 with students taking part in annual ‘Adventure Days’ where they learn how to orienteer with a compass and participate in a mountain bike expedition. They also learn how to cook outdoors using a Trangia, how to abseil down a cliff and how to construct a shelter in the bush. The excitement of being able to put all of these skills into practice during Camp in Year 5 is greatly anticipated by students with the added challenge of being away from home - and all its comforts - for two nights, sleeping in eco huts without the luxury of beds, running water, showers and electricity. Observations of change and growth in individual students and the group, as they journey through this experience, is fascinating and rewarding as they learn to sacrifice individual needs for the needs of the group, encourage one another and learn to extend comfort zones and accept challenges. Experiencing the camp again in Year 6, with the added challenge of higher abseils, learning how to use a caving ladder, flying fox and point-to-point orienteering, is a fantastic way for students to gain even more insight into their own capabilities and to appreciate the contribution of others. Year 5 My favourite part was night time, I enjoyed listening to a bed time story, then my friends and I chatted for hours. Kate Nicholl I had so much fun. I had all my friends with me and the most awesome OEG camp instructor. Cate Horsfall Camp was an amazing experience and I'd definitely go again. Madison Brett Abseiling was so much fun, at first I was scared but then I was fine. Amy Wimalaratne

Camp was the best thing ever, it made people who normally enjoy watching TV get involved in outdoor activities that are out of their comfort zone. Andrew Campbell

Liz Bell (Moore, 1957), Brooke Wilson (1985) and Nonie Day (Scott (1957)

Host, Ingrid Ridge (Merrett, 1984)

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Year 6 My experience on camp was incredible and hard. We learnt to understand each other and we made sure we got the best out of all the activities. I loved moments like waiting for dinner near the camp fire, watching the sun go down and listening to the calming sound of a ukulele. Although hiking was painful...our camp leader told us to, ‘drop the positive pebble’ and at least pretend we enjoyed it! So we did. We put on our accents and marched up the mountain. If only it lasted longer! Amelia O’Shanassy I always enjoy camping with my friends but OEG is a whole other level. The OEG camp leaders were so nice, encouraging and friendly with all of us. They tried to make us feel at home as much as they could but I didn’t feel at home, not in a bad way but in a very good, fun way! My home is nice and can be amazing sometimes but camping at Biloela is far better. Believe me, camping is so much funnier and far more enjoyable when you get to leave your ‘tech’ at home and start fresh in the outdoors, doing and seeing some amazing things that you wouldn’t have seen or done in your whole life before! Romeo Atra The squelch of water in my shoes, the rocks slipping down the mountain, my friend’s laughter and the dirt all over me tells me that I am on camp! The first activity of camp was the hike and we walked for TWO hours! I really enjoyed the walk because it was steep. This made it challenging, entertaining and the view was amazing. Our hike destination was the abseiling site and the cave ladder. Half way up the cave ladder, my hands were aching but I persisted. I touched the top and the feeling of coming down was of great relief. After I finished the cave ladder I headed up to the abseil. When I was all clipped in and was standing at the edge I felt a slightly scared but I continued, Yay! Another great part about camp was the view - it was astonishing; the hills, the towering trees, the animals and all of the nature around us were breathtaking. I loved the feeling once I reached the top of the mountain although I felt as if I would collapse I knew that I was getting to my destination. I loved it. Camilla O’Brien

Ms Sally Robson, Head of Gib Gate

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Curriculum Highlights 2017 Term 2 Learning in Science & Technology The most important aim of the NESA Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus is for students to learn like scientists: to ask interesting questions and develop creative solutions to important 21st century challenges. They develop their curiosity and understanding about the Natural Environment and the Made Environment through learning about the Physical World, Earth and Space, the Living World, the Material World, Built Environments and Information and Products. Students learn about the influence and relevance of science and technology in their lives now and in the future. For Term 2, teachers have designed a range of units of work to engage the students’ sense of wonder and curiosity, and to develop their skills in the processes of Working Scientifically and Working Technologically: In Kindergarten’s unit, What can we learn from a textile tree?, students handle and experience a variety of textiles and

relate them to their everyday uses. There is great fun in spotting the inappropriate uses of materials – like newspaper shoes, or a towel made from kitchen foil. The students work as a team to design and make a ‘learning tree’ for their classroom and reflect on their learning by evaluating their final product.

In Spot the Difference, Year 1 students explore the process of change through the context of food products, including

spaghetti, chocolate and popcorn. They learn how heating or cooling a food can change its properties and investigate whether the change can be reversed or not. An investigation about which type of chocolate melts the fastest, helps students draw conclusions relating to fast or slow changes, and the consequences of change.

In the Marvellous Mixtures unit, students in Year 2 learn about materials that do not mix well, and others that are difficult to

separate. Through hands-on investigations, students explore how changing the quantities of materials in a mixture can alter properties and uses. This unit incorporates a combination of Information Skills, ICT skills and language skills. Working in small groups, students record observations and write procedures and explanations.

In their unit of work, Melting Moments, Year 3 scientists explore the difference between solids, liquids and gases and how

these substances can change state when heat is removed or added. Students conduct experiments using a Fair Test scaffold. They learn how to write a hypothesis and how to follow specific scientific procedures. Working in small groups, students record observations and write explanations.

Year 4 students complete two complementary units of work that consider the importance of material selection and

properties in the success of a range of products. Material World assists students to build knowledge about the properties of a range of materials through hands-on scientific investigations. The Package it Better unit requires students to apply their knowledge of materials to evaluate, design and create a package for a mystery product, and to follow a simple design process to refine their packages. Students are introduced to scientific terminology relevant to their field of study and are required to critique the validity of the investigations they perform.

A feature of the Year 5 programme is the development of skills to undertake an Open Ended Investigation in small groups

and independently. During Term 1, students conduct an investigation as a whole class to explore the process of working scientifically like professional scientists. Students propose questions they are interested in exploring or investigating, that support the Term 2 unit Waste Not Want Not – Science that Matters, which focuses on themes related to sustainability. They will now begin to conduct a series of hands-on experiments or tests, recording their results in a table and graphing their data using Microsoft Excel. Using the information and photos taken during their investigations, students will showcase their work, on posters, for sharing with other students during the annual Gib Gate Science Fair, which is held in August during National Science Week.

Year 6 students are working on their Chemical Science unit, Change Detectives. During this unit, students explore melting,

evaporating, dissolving, burning and chemical reactions. Students’ understanding of the factors that influence the rate of change will be developed through hands-on activities and student-planned investigations. Throughout the unit, students become ‘detectives’ who identify and explain physical and chemical changes in everyday materials.

Ms Kate Chauncy Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programmes Director of Teaching and Learning P-12

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Enrichment/Activities Winifred West Schools BirthdayWe warmly encourage parents to attend the annual WWS Birthday Service at Clubbe Hall on Friday 2 June. This service commences at 10.00am and includes the three schools; Gib Gate, Frensham and Sturt. Highlights of the service include students singing the School Hymns together, seeing former Gib Gate students now at Frensham, and students cutting the birthday cake. In the afternoon, as part of the birthday celebrations, Kindergarten to Year 6 students will participate in a hands-on workshop with Charlie Truscott focusing on clowning and juggling. These workshops will be challenging but achievable and students will combine their new skills to develop a short performance piece. Hokuriku Gakuin Elementary School, Kanazawa, Japan Throughout last term, Skype sessions were facilitated with students from Gib Gate’s sister school in Japan, Hokuriku Gakuin Elementary School. This authentic communication involved students speaking in both Japanese and English. The sessions will recommence this week with Year 3 and Year 4. Mrs Gemell has been impressed with the confidence with which students communicated with their counterparts in Japan. Hokuriku Gakuin is bringing 31 students to visit Gib Gate in August and we are excited to be planning for their visit. Please return the Expression of Interest in Billeting form which is published on Schoolbox if you are able to host one or more Japanese students. Mrs Anne Graham, Gib Gate Coordinator (Administration) Sport Jump Rope for Heart Every two years, Gib Gate supports the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart campaign. In addition to promoting health benefits associated with skipping, children are encouraged to sign up to raise sponsorship money for the Heart Foundation. In 2015, students raised nearly $4,000 for the Foundation and this year we are hoping to equal that figure. The younger classes have been learning different types of skipping skills, including Double Bounce, Peppers, Can Can, Goose Step, Pretzel, Double Unders, Tandems and Long Rope skips. The senior classes from Year 2 to Year 6 have been putting their skipping skills into practice by creating group routines to music. Students can still sign up online to make a contribution to the Heart Foundation. All the relevant information is contained on the sponsor forms taken home; additional forms and information are available from Mr Standen. Hockey Congratulations to Tom Milner and Ava Berkelouw (Year 6) who trialled for the CIS Boys and Girls Hockey Teams last week. Tom was selected as goalkeeper for the NSW CIS Primary Boys Hockey team. Tom will now attend training sessions before the NSW State Carnival to be held from 29-31 August in Wyong. Mr Michael Standen, Co-ordinator of PDHPE and Sport Preschool (Pre-Kindergarten) During their exploration into camping, one of the children suggested a Camp Out day. This suggestion was welcomed as the more children are encouraged to lead an interest, the deeper their interactions and thought processes become. In preparation for the Camp Out day the children made lists of items required, from sleeping bags and tents to food. This research stage also involved the children looking on websites for camping information, and questioning friends and family. On the day of the Camp Out, excitement levels were high, with some parents reporting children had been up since 5.30am ready for Preschool. Growing independence was evident in those children who reminded parents they did not need lunch as they would be cooking sausages, but that they did need their sleeping bags. The children spent the day telling stories around a campfire, playing camping games, hunting for insects and enjoying an outdoor rest in sleeping bags, while stories were read to them.

Piers Clarkson and Zachariah Chalak

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Another area of interest for students was triggered by the lovely picture book, Warble, Gaggle, Google by much-loved author, Pamela Allen. This intriguing book tells the story of a magpie swooping on a family. To encourage the children to ponder events on a deeper level than just accepting what they see, the question was posed, ‘Why do you think the bird was swooping?’ Learning to respect our natural environment can be a challenge, with many of the children quick to name the bird as ‘bad’ in the story, only to discover that the magpie was protecting its nest.

In response to the range of the birdlife at Preschool, the children spent time observing what species of birds were visiting and why. They noticed that Noisy Miner birds do a good job of cleaning up after the children had eaten, and that magpies keep busy singing their warble song, while the young rosellas feast on some of the nectar supplying flowers. James suggested helping the birds by building them a nest. Sophie felt that the materials should be the same as a bird would use and so a nest building treasure hunt began. After visiting the Library to watch a video of birds building nests, the children felt that they were ready to start building their own nests. They wove, threaded and glued grass, bark, sticks, feathers, wood shavings and flowers to create nests, then they climbed into trees in the outdoor

environment to install the nests. Now the waiting starts to see if the birds will use the nests the children have made for them!

Mrs Tinna Loker, Preschool Coordinator

Special News Elizabeth Swane to Open Sturt Exhibition Sturt’s next exhibition, Woven in Winter, featuring the work of nine artists all exploring woven forms but in very different mediums, will open on Sunday 11 June at 11.00am. The exhibition will be opened by special guest, Elizabeth Swane, well known horticultural consultant and garden presenter for ABC Radio. Food and beverages will be available and we hope that you can join us to hear Elizabeth speak and to view what we think will be a great exhibition (see description below). Sturt Winter School 3-7 July, Daily 9.00am to 4.00pm There are still places remaining including Children’s Workshops: Botanical: Drawing Fruit, Nuts and Seeds with Christine Rockely – All levels Go on a journey of discovery! Breaking down the complexity of seedpods, students will create accurate B/W drawings, leading to scaling up and adding colour – each illustration building on the fundamentals of drawing and design, exploring different techniques. Christine Rockely makes the invisible, visible. A highly experienced tutor, teaching scientific botanical illustration at both University and Community levels, Christine is also the current chief illustrator and producer of Flora of the Hunter Region, Endemics reference book. Look, Draw & Print with Cecile Galiazzo for Beginners to Intermediate Learn the art of observation enabling you to draw, then transfer your images into your own unique monoprints. This is a unique opportunity for those starting out, to build drawing skills by observing the world around us, using a variety of materials then carrying the work forward onto monoprints. Cecile Galiazzo has been teaching for many years, notably at the Canberra School of Art and Illawarra TAFE – a highly skilled teacher renowned for her patience and ability to quickly guide students through their learning journey.

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

Preschool Camp-out

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Stitch and Dyeing with Morgan Higgins (formerly Morgan James) – All levels A new and exciting workshop! Investigate design and image-making processes, dyeing and drawing onto natural and synthetic fabric and free machine embroidery. During the week’s course, you will explore drawing, frottage, collage, free machine embroidery reverse applique, hand stitching and mono printing. Morgan Higgins has been a practising artist, working in a variety of media, for over 20 years and has taught at ANU, Canberra University and various community schools. Children’s Courses The Winter School still has some places remaining in the daily programme of courses for children. Each day offers something different, so you can book for one day or even do the whole week. Led by artist, Tina Hansen-Jones and ceramicist Karen Farrell, the programme comprises painting in the footsteps of famous artists, creating an intricate landscape in mixed media, creating crazy hand puppets, a clay boat project and crazy critters made from clay and straw! All materials are supplied and morning and afternoon tea and lunch are provided. See: http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/winter-school for all details of the Winter School. Pizza and Plate - Date for the diary - 24 September On Sunday 24 September, we will be opening a new exhibition by Master Potter, Jeff Mincham, who will have completed a short residency at Sturt to complete work for the exhibition. On the same day, we will be holding the annual community event in Sturt Pottery where a wide variety of plates will be on sale – all made by potters in the various classes and courses held in the pottery – with freshly cooked pizza available from the pizza oven. The day is always a terrific success and raises funds through Friends of Sturt, to contribute to important acquisitions. Short Courses 2017 - Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 May 9.30am-4.30pm Short courses are now on the Sturt website and feature a diverse range of opportunities from ephemeral art to tool restoration and steam bending to still life painting. More courses will be included as workshops are confirmed. http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/short-courses Ephemeral Art with Shona Wilson - Suitable for all levels This workshop is for anyone interested in connecting with their creative self in a playful and unpressured way. Using lateral thinking you will open yourself up to new ways of thinking and creating. Shona Wilson is an Australian sculptor who engages with the natural world, creating beautiful assemblages. Shona’s materials are drawn from her surroundings; she is continually foraging and hoarding and is renowned for her ability to re-contextualise materials into intricate and striking artworks. Tool Restoration and Sharpening with Keith Houston – Suitable for all levels Using a tool you have rescued and lovingly restored, whether it is a chisel, a plane or perhaps even an antique bread knife, is rewarding. This two day, hands-on course will show you the best way to restore an object – and, more importantly, what not to do. Bring a selection of hand tools, no matter their condition, and be prepared to transform them into working condition, whether for personal use or for profit. Keith Houston is a retired scientist and past President of the ACT Woodcraft Guild, and has been collecting and restoring hand tools for much of his life. He has written articles about hand tools, and has conducted many workshops on woodcarving and sharpening. Exhibitions Gauge…a matter of moisture - installation by B Jane Cowie - continues to 4 June

Woven in Winter – woven forms in basketry, textiles and ceramics - 11 June to 23 July

We are woven with richness into this place of contrasts but all seek the warmth of belonging. Tracy Luff This exhibition is a celebration of woven forms in the winter months and features works by nine extraordinary contemporary artists: Bronwyn Berman, Brooke Munro, Catriona Pollard, Karen Farrell, Keiko Schmeisser, Patrice Cooke, Shona Wilson, Tracey Mitchell and Tracy Luff. Sturt’s newest exhibition will feature works in a variety of mediums, using materials such as clay, rusted wire, twigs and branches, natural dyes, copper, seeds, animal fibres, plant matter and much more. The exhibition opening will be held on Sunday 11 June at 11.00am. 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

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Deputy Head Year Weekend Services and Concerts are important events on the School calendar. All students are asked to attend the Sunday Service in support of that year to enhance community spirit, reinforce School values and further strengthen the strong bonds that are encouraged across year groups. The intimate knowledge of each other gained through diverse shared experience is greatly treasured by staff, students and parents. If girls do not attend these weekends, it can be difficult for them to be part of this process. A reminder to Day Boarder parents: Please pick up and drop off your daughters from their Boarding House and not from Range Road or Waverley Parade. All School Services are formal occasions and girls should attend wearing stockings, blazers and hats. Please ensure that shoes are cleaned daily.

The last four weeks of Term 2 include the Birthday Weekend, the June Long Weekend (Queen’s Birthday) and the final Closed Weekend. All girls are looking forward to the start of the Hockey and Netball seasons. Team selections begin during the last two weeks of term with a major selection scheduled for the Saturday or Sunday afternoon of the last closed weekend (Friday 16-Sunday 18 June). Year 10 students will spend the last week of Term 2 participating in the Work Experience programme. Before leaving for Work Experience, they will be involved in a Careers Testing Programme. The Term 2 Sports Dinner, which is normally held in the last week of term, will be held on the Tuesday night of the second last week (13 June) so that Year 10 can attend. With the Year 11 Parent Weekend scheduled for 5-6 August, Year 11 students will soon begin preparations for this event. The Year 10 Senior Studies Seminars are also held during the same weekend. Mr Geoff Marsh, Deputy Head Boarding News Friday Night activities showcase the imagination and creativity of Year 12. Two weeks’ ago, girls were asked to make couture outfits using newspaper, pipe cleaners, and feathers and assorted ‘stick-ons’ for a Parade, and last Friday night the theme was Avatar Air-bender – for games in the Parker Gymnasium. On Friday this week, there is a Disney Disco. These activities involve all year groups. The Weekend Boarding programme encompasses physical activities, study, reading, creative activities combined with relaxation, quiet time and special excursions. Preparations are well underway for Frensham’s 104th Birthday celebrations. Mrs Ros Buick, Director of Planning & Events; Mrs Amanda Wansey, Deputy Head of Boarding Director of Teaching and Learning It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does. William Faulkner Characters Come Alive at Pen & Ink Understanding that writers often start their stories with a strong character that has ‘lived and breathed’ in their imaginings for so long, Pen & Inkers arrived at the last meeting dressed up as a character they have connected deeply with throughout the years of their reading life. Their task was to explain why that character affected them and to share a memorable quote from their story. Heads of Pen & Ink, Liana Berzins and Kate Swan (Year 12) opened the evening in character as Westley from the classic story The Princess Bride by William Goldman and Louisa Clarke from Me Before You by Jojo Moyles. Other members shared characters they still love from childhood stories read

Year 12 Heads of Pen & Ink, L-R: Kate Swan and Liana Berzins

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by parents; courageous characters from Harry Potter; popular series fiction; comic superheroes; and contemporary classics such as the memorable Max in Marcus Zusak’s The Book Thief currently being studied by Year 10 English classes. Members of the group all enjoyed the shared quotes, which brought back many reading moments including: ‘As you wish’ (The Princess Bride) and ‘Hello. My name is Alice Miranda Highton-Smith Kennington-Jones, and it is a pleasure to meet you.’ (Alice Miranda series.) The group now move their thinking about characters and stories into the hard work of writing. In the words of Nancy Kress they must now ‘learn to be three people at once: writer, character and reader’. The next Pen & Ink meeting this term will be: 100 Minutes of Writing. At this session students will work towards completing a first draft of their creative story, poem or opinion piece for the 2017 publication and will be supported by their peers as readers of each other’s work to refine their writing. Ms Kate Chauncy, Director of Teaching and Learning, P-12 and Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Programmes Director of Studies Years 11 and 12 students are currently undertaking Term 2 assessments across their various courses. For Year 12 students, the raw marks achieved in assessments completed to date will be posted to parents this week, together with an assessment-weighting sheet. This weighting sheet shows the percentage of the course completed and the task weightings for each assessment. For most HSC courses, the Trial Examinations are weighted between 30-40% of the school-based assessment, which in turn contributes 50% towards the final HSC mark in each course. Next term, Year 10 students will begin considering their subject choices for 2018. Most important in determining subject choices is an understanding of their passions and strengths. This process will be supported by a comprehensive Careers Testing programme this term, under the guidance of Mrs Cherylynne Williams. Ms Janene van Gogh, Director of Studies – in Residence English and Drama Drama On Wednesday 17 May, Drama students from Years 9–12 attended a theatre performance and workshop from Zeal Theatre Company. The performance, entitled Burnt, explores our relationship with the land and how drought affects us no matter where we live. Burnt was created with the assistance of many Year 9 and 10 students throughout regional NSW after a lengthy research/workshop programme with Zeal collaborators Stefo Nantsou, Tom Lycos and Lindy Sardelic, who play an entire town of characters in what is truly an 'Australian Story'. This superb production, theatrically told with minimal sets and props, live music, comedy and outstanding physicality was a powerful and evocative experience for all participants. The performance was followed by a series of workshops which used improvisation to develop characters and devise plays. The three performers were very informative and enjoyable to work with, particularly for Year 12 Drama students currently working on their Group Performances for the Higher School Certificate. Stefo Nantsou and Tom Lycos will return to the school on Saturday 5 August to assist Year 12 Drama students with the final stages of their Group Performances prior to their HSC practical examination. Drama is one of many subjects at Frensham which extends beyond the classroom, with school plays performed throughout the year. Senior students are currently rehearsing for this year’s Birthday Play, The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard and directed by Mrs Sally Hannah. The small, yet devoted ensemble has been working tirelessly to ensure that the audience will be entertained and all are keen to showcase the talent and dedication of the students and staff involved. The first performance is open to the public on Thursday 1 June at 7:30pm in Clubbe Hall. Mrs Sally Hannah, Senior Teacher

Zeal Theatre collaborators: Lindy Sardelic , Stefo Nantsou and Tom Lycos

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English If you can speak, you can influence. If you can influence, you can change lives. The study of English targets the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and all are interconnected in the way that we send and receive messages. Each of those skills is important, but the ability to speak proficiently is a particular skill that has many advantages. Eloquence is increasingly important in our personal and professional worlds, where the ability to convey information clearly, to negotiate, persuade and direct, may have a profound effect on relationships and professional outcomes. Frensham students frequently have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in oratory, and we congratulate Year 10 students, Isabella Allen and India Shead, who competed at the regional final of the Plain English Speaking Award competition on Monday 8 May at Smith’s Hill High School, Wollongong. The adjudicator complimented both Frensham girls on the passion and conviction of their presentations. Isabella’s speech explored how the decisions of people today will affect the people of tomorrow. India directed her address to the Year 2017, expressing her hopes that it would be the year that will end inequality. In addition to competition speaking, Frensham students are encouraged to develop their speaking skills in each stage of their English courses, through practice and by considering the qualities that constitute an effective speech. Stage 4 The unit, Own Voices: the Story and the Storyteller, studied by Year 7 in Term 4, focuses on preparation and delivery of effective oral presentations. In Term 1, Year 8 students prepared and performed speeches from Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The activity enabled each student to demonstrate her understanding of the scene, including character motivation and actions, as well as her understanding of drama as performance. The quality in confidence and clarity exhibited by Year 8 speakers at their recent Parent Weekend Service is a testament to their active engagement in developing their speaking skills. Stage 5 Skills in oratorical performance are taken a step further in Year 9, when in Term 2 students create Director’s Notes for a scene chosen from Romeo and Juliet. In considering the effect they want to achieve, and making decisions about pace, emphasis, action, style and tone of delivery to accomplish that goal, students become aware of the power of speech, and how it can be manipulated to convey different messages. Year 10 students’ study of Marc Zusack’s novel, The Book Thief, extends their understanding of the power of words to both overcome adversity and to incite hatred. From their investigation of the complexity of the novel’s narrative perspective, and its account of the lives of ordinary people during the rise of Nazism, the girls develop their awareness of the possible repercussions of all their communications, particularly spoken words. Stage 6 Year 11 students are currently producing an imaginative podcast of a radio programme, Live at Five, in which they interview the authors of two of their texts, Emma and Clueless. In creating and recording their interview, the students demonstrate their fluency in conveying information clearly and succinctly, and their understanding of connections between the texts in their ability to respond to the ideas of one author with comments from the other. In preparation for the HSC, all of Year 12 has created podcast presentations about either The Shoe-Horn Sonata (Standard) or Mrs Dalloway and The Hours (Advanced), in response to an imagined situation where they have been invited to speak at a Year 12 Study Day, hosted by a local university, to an audience of Year 12 students. Additionally, in terms of speaking skills, Year 12 English Standard students have been listening to, and learning from, an actual interview with Mark Haddon, the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; while Year 12 English Advanced students will soon begin their study of Speeches, which include formal addresses from a range of modern speakers including Paul Keating (1992), Margaret Atwood (1994), Noel Pearson (1996) and Geraldine Brooks (2011). The ability to speak clearly and confidently involves the synthesis of a range of skills, including nonverbal communication, engaged listening, managing stress, and the capacity to recognise and understand one’s own emotions and those of one’s audience. Through their English studies at Frensham, students learn the value of speech, and its influence in changing their own and others’ lives. Ms Jennie Mickle, Director of English French Years 7 and 8 French classes are making encouraging progress as they work through their textbooks, workbooks and the many enrichment materials provided to consolidate and revise the particular linguistic features they are currently addressing in each unit of work. Thus, Year 7 are learning about ‘-er’ verbs, the most common verb form, in order to produce a variety of descriptive sentences using the full range of conjugations in the Present Tense.

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Year 8 have completed the Unit based on physical descriptions and are starting the popular topic of Food. Year 9 have finished consolidating the work learned in the previous two years and are starting the next unit in their new textbook, Tapis Volant 2, with studies based on the home and household chores. Year 10 are focused on achieving a sufficient mastery of the language to speak with confidence in a French-speaking environment, having already mastered the Perfect (Passé Composé) Tense with both avoir and être as auxiliary verbs. They are currently preparing for their Term 2 assessment by focusing on writing skills. Year 11 continue with their exploration of the Personal Identity topic and are now consulting a resource booklet on Horoscopes to find unusual and varied adjectives for personal descriptions. This will shortly be followed by a brief study of Fashion, where the students will consider questions relating to the presence and influence of Fashion in today’s society and whether or not they think uniforms should be worn in school. They are reading French texts in a range of different text types, such as feature articles and blogs, acquiring a broad vocabulary and many language structures for communicating information and expressing opinions. Year 12 are readying themselves to practise their spoken French when they will soon host and engage in interviews with Oxley College students and staff, in preparation for their HSC Oral examinations in August. They are reaching a standard where they are able to converse reasonably fluently on any topic related to their world including school, family, home and friendships. Finally, the Extension class is analysing Extract 9 of the 12 extracts of the set film text, Neuilly sa Mère, which requires an intimate knowledge and understanding of all aspects of each frame of the movie. Part of the syllabus also includes Oral tasks, the most recent of which is a three-minute, near-impromptu speech in French on such topics as ‘Knowledge of oneself leads to acceptance of others.’ All students of French are commended for their diligent efforts at this busy stage of the academic year. Mme Mary Kidner, Teacher of French Latin In March, Latin students in Years 9-12, together with over 149,000 students in various countries worldwide, sat for the National Latin Examination, which is organised by the American Classical League. Year 9 Introduction to Latin Examination: Certificates of Outstanding Achievement +Purple Ribbons: [Pictured] Back L-R: Alexandra Cunningham, Mia Horsfall, Aarthi Avvari, Sarah Manwaring, Miriam Hopkins. Front L-R: Sophie Daly and Annabella Damiani Year 10 - Latin I Examination: Gold medals + Summa Cum Laude Certificates: Mia Coupland, Emily Gubbins, Joanna Hicks, Gina McGinnis, Georgina Ridge and Augusta Wyrzykowski; Silver Medals and Maxima Cum Laude Certificates: Isabella Gale, Pippa Hanan, Bardie Thompson and Jacqueline Wilkins; Magna Cum Laude Certificate: Isabella Allen. Cum Laude Certificates: Alexandra Hill and Phoebe O’Connell. Year 11 - Latin II Exam: Gold Medals and Summa Cum Laude Certificates: Jessica Latimer and Katchmirr Russell. Year 12 - Latin III Exam: Gold medals and Summa Cum Laude Certificates: Stella Wilde and Thea Horsley This year, Perfect Scores were achieved by Mia Horsfall (Year 9) and Jessica Latimer and Katchmirr Russell (Year 11) who were each awarded a special certificate for their achievement. Ms Liz Stephenson and Miss Victoria Akins, Teachers of Latin

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Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) Year 12 students will shortly be commencing the final HSC topic and Year 11 are preparing for the change to the HSC course which will commence in Term 4. Students in Years 7 to 10 are completing assessment tasks in all years and will be receiving reports shortly. Faculty staff have commented on the way that students are working in all of their HSIE classes and this positive attitude towards their learning is leading to significant development in skills in the classroom. Attitude is consistently one of the most important attributes highlighted in research about effective learners. Teachers can employ varied, interesting and engaging strategies, but without a positive attitude towards learning on the part of students, development is not nearly as meaningful. A student’s keen interest and engagement are manifested in the development of skills, as well as knowledge, in the classroom. A recent edition of the journal for the Australian Association for Research in Education noted the importance of skill development as opposed to knowledge acquisition and it reminded me of the long standing debate about what we should be teaching in the classroom – knowledge or skills? Do we want HSC students to be knowledgeable graduates or work-ready graduates? While some commentators will always emphasise one side of the debate or the other, I am happy to say that students in HSIE at Frensham are developing both a broader knowledge of content and a transferable skills base to prepare them for their working lives after Frensham and any tertiary study. Highlights in HSIE Year 12 Modern History will shortly be commencing their study of the Cold War, particularly relevant to world events at the moment, which will allow them to understand clearly the tensions that exist in the world around them. Ms Fennell has recently arranged for Estelle Lazer, Australia’s most eminent archaeologist of Pompeii, to address Year 12 Ancient History students about archaeology and Pompeii and Herculaneum. This will prove to be an invaluable preparation for those studying this topic as a core subject. On Wednesday 17 May, Year 12 Economics students attended an excursion to the Reserve Bank to gain firsthand insight into monetary policy. The group were also addressed on Australian economic issues by a representative from Moody’s rating agency. This was an informative excursion as it allowed students to learn from those who set Australian monetary policy and deal with the impact of economic issues in Australia. Mr Stephen Clarke, Head of HSIE Rotary Southern Highlands Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) On Saturday 13 May, the Frensham MUNA Team represented Germany at a model United Nations General Assembly debate at the Wingecarribee Shire Council Chambers in Moss Vale. This event was sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of the Southern Highlands and involved various local schools meeting to engage in a series of debates about global issues, with each school representing a range of countries. Issues debated included climate change, renewable energy, women’s rights, the Syrian refugee crisis, space law and cyber-security. After a full day of intensive debates and with many amendments being made to UN resolutions, the judges awarded the Frensham German Team the prestigious Rotary Peace Prize. This prize recognises the team’s skills in debating, negotiating and consensus building. The team qualified to represent the Southern Highlands region at the National Rotary MUNA, a three-day event at Old Parliament House in Canberra, on 18-20 August. Students from around Australia will converge on Canberra to engage in another round of UN debates. They will also have an opportunity to meet diplomats from the various countries represented on the day and to visit the ANU, a major sponsor of the event. The successful Frensham team comprised Lucy McMaster, India Shead and Georgia Gresham (Year 10) [pictured], who are commended for their strong preparation and research, and in particular, their ability to articulate and progress their country's point of view during the course of the day. We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the Rotary Clubs of the Southern Highlands region as the sponsors and organisers of MUNA, at both the local and national levels. Mrs Machelle Webb, Teacher of HSIE

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Jamieson Programme The Jamieson Programme began with Jamieson Weekends in 1986 when some of the bequest of Hilda Jamieson was used to buy camping equipment for Frensham. It has expanded since then to become an integral programme in the School, built on the belief that ‘… Exposure to challenges, in a secure environment, can awaken in young people a belief in themselves which will stay with them throughout their lives…’ Year 7: In Frensham Studies, students are currently examining the life of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the School. Year 8: Students have commenced a rotating Farm Management roster. As part of the Jamieson Programme, students spend one of their afternoons assisting at Holt Farm or the Ag-plots. Some of the tasks include hosing and sweeping out sheds, taking rubbish out to the bins and feeding the animals. The girls really enjoy these new experiences and comment positively on the change from their usual school afternoon activities. Year 9: Students will commence work on their group role play relating to ‘Ethical Consumerism’. The evening session this week will see students writing their scripts and deciding on the props required for their advertisement. The role plays will be presented in the evening Jamieson Programme session of Week 7 to a surprise guest judge. Students in the Cambridge IGCSE interdisciplinary course, Global Perspectives, are focusing on the structure for their second Individual Research Project (IRP), which is due for submission on Monday 19 June. Staff have been very impressed with the wide range of interesting topics the girls have selected. Year 10: Students are continuing to develop their roles as leaders of the Junior Houses, working closely with House Staff to assist junior students develop good routines and cooperative attitudes. Ms Merrilee Harris, Jamieson Programme Coordinator Mathematics The Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians (MCYA) drew to a close this week and the girls who entered have been industrious. It is a good achievement to have attempted the questions. To quote one student: ‘the questions hurt my brain but in a good way’. There are three independent stages in the MCYA: Challenge, Enrichment, and the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad. The next Stage for Frensham students is the Enrichment stage. The MYCA Enrichment programme is held over a period of 12–16 weeks from May to September. It is independent of the Challenge stage, but shares the common feature of challenging mathematics problems for students. Any student interested in this programme should speak to her Mathematics teacher. The Mathematics faculty have had a practicum student (UOW) who has assisted students both during and outside class time. He has also been working with the Challenge Competition students and both staff and students have appreciated his assistance and enthusiasm for mathematics. In a practical application of mathematical skills, Year 10 used their measurement skills to calculate the number of dragon fish the pond could hold. Mrs Yvette Semler, Head of Mathematics Music In the Year 8 Service last Sunday, the Senior Choir performed a setting of Agnus Dei featuring Charlotte Bernays and Shelly Mitchell as soloists. In the concert that followed, the Concert Band, conducted by Emma Knott, gave an exciting performance of Cloudburst. Pianist Paige Medich performed Beethoven’s famous Fur Elise. The Junior Choir, conducted by Mrs McBride, performed You’ve Got a Friend with soloists, Isabelle Promnitz and Isabella Watts. Annabelle Ranken then played Erik Satie’s Gnossienne No.1 on the piano. Grace Amos sang the theme from Beauty & the Beast and pianist Grace Lewis performed the theme from Forrest Gump. The final item featured all of Year 8 students performing Kuwa Furaha with African percussion. The String Quartet represented the School with maturity and musicality at the wedding of Old Girl, Brianna McDougall. They performed a wide-ranging repertoire for the ceremony and afterwards as the guests strolled around the grounds of Milton Park. On Sunday 21 May, the Madrigals competed in the Chamber Choir and Sacred Choral sections of the Sydney Eisteddfod, held at Chatswood. They placed 2nd and 1st, respectively, and are now looking forward to showcasing some of their repertoire during the Schools’ Birthday Weekend. Mr Michael Spencer, Head of Music

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Science Year 7 have commenced their study of the topic, Who Killed Pluto? This unit examines how Science is based on evidence and develops understanding that scientific knowledge changes as technological developments allow new evidence to become available. The students’ investigation involves examining different explanations for astronomical events, which have been proposed or accepted by a variety of cultures, in the light of evidence that existed at the time. Year 8 scientists are continuing with their combined Science/Technology assessment task, modifying part of their F1 racing cars. They are also studying Bushfires, Droughts and Floods, examining how humans play a role in Australian ecosystems. Human activity needs to be carefully managed to ensure that the effects of natural occurrences are minimised and a balance is maintained between biotic and abiotic features of the Earth. By studying ecosystems, students gain an appreciation of how small changes at one level may lead to bigger changes in the cycles of nature. Year 9 have recently completed their study of Nuclear Energy: Good or Bad? with a Microlab activity that involves individual research of different options for electricity production in Australia. Options include burning fossil fuels, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion and other renewable options. Following the Microlab activity, students discussed in groups which options they think Australia should be using in the future, with reasons for their views, and tried to come to a consensus. Year 10 have begun the topic, Chemical World, by revising their understanding of atoms and the use of data from the Periodic Table, including Atomic Number and Mass Number, to draw atoms. This activity leads into how to draw ions and how to determine correct formulae for ionic compounds. These skills are necessary for students intending to study Chemistry in Years 11 and 12. Mrs Alison Andrew, Head of Science Agriculture & Show Cattle Team The new Stud Poll Dorset ewes have now lambed with eight ewe lambs and two ram lambs produced – four sets of twins and a lambing percentage of over 150%. Year 10 Agricultural Technology will now monitor the lambs’ growth and development. The cross bred ewes are also due to lamb soon. The new Year 7 Technology class have chosen their vegetables and will commence planting their gardens this week. The Year 11 Agriculture class have been monitoring the growth of layer chicks with their weights recorded daily over the last three weeks. They are now writing up their experimental trial and drawing conclusions about which breed had the better growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Year 12 Agriculture visited a robotic dairy owned by Andrea and John Henry at Pyree near Nowra on Tuesday 23 May. The 175 head dairy has three Lely robotic crates that operate 24 hours a day. The milking is voluntary with the cows choosing when they enter the robot to be milked. When the cow enters the robotic crate, their identification collar is read and as the cow is milked, data about her yield and quality of milk is recorded. This data then allows the farmer to make decisions on further management of the cow. The robotic crate uses lasers to read the location of the udder and teats and puts on the milking cups one at a time, removing them when each quarter’s milk flow reduces. While the cow is being milked she receives pellets to eat; the amount she eats is also recorded and monitored. The dairy has a mix of breeds which include Brown Swiss, Holstein Friesian, Illawarra and Jersey. Milk production has increased at the dairy as many cows choose to be milked up to three times a day, producing an average of 35L/cow/day. After milking, the cows can choose to visit the silage pad or paddock for more to eat or to lie down in the shed and ‘chew their cud’. The visit allowed the group to complete an aspect of the Elective topic – Farming for the 21st Century. The topic explores technologies used in agricultural production, such as robotics like robotic milking; shearing and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: drones); biotechnologies such as GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms); computer technologies such as Smartphone Applications and weather forecasting; GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and satellite imagery; electronic identification such as the NLIS (National Livestock Identification Scheme); and virtual fencing. Ms Leonie Harris, Co-ordinator of Agriculture, Show Cattle Team & Farm Manager

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PDHPE This term, in PDHPE practical lessons, students in Stage 5 have been learning about the features of composition, as they apply their knowledge and skills to more challenging movement contexts. In Year 9, students have been participating in fitness activities designed to improve flexibility, muscular endurance and aerobic capacity. Year 10 students have been tested in a Ballroom Dance unit where they explore the elements of composition including dynamics, rhythm and timing to execute various dance patterns. We are fortunate to have Mr Keith Nicholson, from Ballroom Blitz, instructing girls in the Cha Cha, Samba, Jive and Rumba. Later this term, both groups will be investigating ways in which composition and performance can be appraised. Ms Janene van Gogh Acting Head of PDHPE Sport Wet Weather arrangements for Saturday Sport Cancellations of Saturday Sport are rarely made before Saturday morning, unless a venue notifies IGSSA that the facilities will not be playable prior to this. [See details on Schoolbox re three ways to access information direct from IGSSA.] Cross Country On Friday 12 May, Frensham hosted the IGSSA Cross Country event. Frensham was placed 15th overall (improving on last year’s 18th place). Antoinette Inglis placed 10th in the 17 Years 4km and Annabel White placed 6th in the 18 Years 6km and will represent IGSSA at the CIS Cross Country in Term 3. Skyla Harris, Year 12 Captain of Cross Country noted: Every girl ran her hardest with great enthusiasm and determination. The day went very smoothly and Year 10 supported everyone amazingly! IGSSA Hockey Trials Emily Ives, Olivia Hart, Harriet Scales, Arabella McKenzie, Minnie Arnott and Madison Moore (Year 12) performed extremely well in the recent Hockey Trials and all reached the next round (possible/probable). Congratulations to Minnie Arnott on her selection for the Open IGSSA Hockey team to play in the NSWCIS Championships on Wednesday 24 May. Athletics Athletics training in preparation for the IGSSA Athletics Carnival next term, to be held Thursday 17 August, has commenced on Wednesday and Friday mornings (6.10-7.15am). At these sessions girls have the opportunity to train with different coaches, depending on the event/s for which they wish to trial.

Wednesday morning: sprinting, middle distance, throwing and jumping Friday morning: sprinting, middle distance and throwing

Next term, girls will have the opportunity to compete in a series of IGSSA Twilight Carnivals (Sydney Olympic Park) for practices and trials for the main carnival on the following Friday afternoons: 21 July, 28 July, 4 August and 11 August Girls will travel to and from Sydney Olympic Park by bus. Miss Erin Gray, Acting Head of Sport Equestrian This week, Valentina Aliprandi (Year 12) and Amelia Douglass (Year 11) were selected to the 2017 Jumping NSW Young Rider and Junior squad and Sophie Hatch (Year 9) was selected for the Junior Squad. Sydney International Horse Trials 13-14 May Charlotte Lalak (Year 10) placed 5th in the EvA 105 and 1st Junior. Thea Horsley (Year 12) competed in the CCI* (her first on both horses)

and placed 2nd on Riley with a Dressage score of 47, a clear round and under time in the Cross Country and a clear round in the Show Jumping, which meant she was placed 1st Junior overall. She placed 4th on Chester – and 2nd Junior in this event. In addition, Thea was awarded the Rod Winchester Memorial Trophy for Best and Fairest and up and coming Young Rider.

Sophie Hatch (right) and Colleen Brook (former National Champion and Australian International Representative rider)

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Sydney Show Jumping Club Competition 22 May Amelia Douglass (Year 11) placed 1st in the Junior 1m Show Jumping (also holding the fastest time of the day) and placed 2nd in the Open 1.30m AM5. April Stokman (Year 11) placed 4th in the 1.05m-1.10m Shoalhaven Dressage Competition May 21 Olivia Salkeld (Year 10) placed 2nd in the 1.1 Prelim Dressage and 2nd in the 1.2 Prelim Dressage. Emily Gubbins (Year 10) placed 2nd in the 2.1 Dressage. Emily also placed 1st in the Novice 2.2, 1st in the Novice 2.1 and 3rd in the Preliminary 1.2 at Goulburn Dressage on May 13.

NSW Interschools Championships 14-18 June Entries are now closed and planning is well underway for the five-day event at SIEC. Year 12 Heads and Vice Heads of Equestrian are arranging a Frensham tent to be set up around Frensham trucks and floats as a place for riders and parents to come together when not riding and there will also be a team dinner on the Wednesday night there for all girls and their parents, which will be a great opportunity new and old parents to meet and get to know each other. The girls have been asked to submit a photo (preferable on horseback) in preparation for stable decoration. Miss Victoria Akins, Equestrian Coordinator Visual Arts/Design & Technology Five Year 11 Visual Arts students have been offered places in the 2017 HSC Intensive Studio Practice courses run by the National Art School, Sydney. The selection process is conducted solely by the NAS, based on applications which include reproduced images of students’ artworks, a short statement and a listing of 1st to 3rd preference for courses (prepared with the assistance of their teachers). The five students who were offered places are:

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

They will undertake the following: Module 1: Tuesday 11-Friday 14 July, Studio Workshop - Students complete Stage One of their specific discipline Module 2-3: Monday 25-Friday 29 September, Studio Workshop - Students complete Stage Two of their specific discipline Assessment, Critique and Exhibition Students will undertake a variety of tasks related to their specific discipline. At the end of Modules 1 & 2, art making tasks will be assessed in the studio by tutors. The final body of work will be assessed by NAS faculty members. The HSC Intensive Studio Practice course will appear on the HSC Certificate as a one unit course with a mark but will not contribute to the student’s ATAR. Congratulations to the girls on their selection for these courses, for which places are highly sought by students across the state. Mr Phil Alldis, Head of Visual Arts and Design

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