THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
Friday 25th November, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM RICK
Dear Parents
I hope you enjoy the footage in today’s newsletter of Nick, Junior School Head, and I engaged in a scooter race with Maya in Year 2. Nick and I received the challenge from Maya a few weeks back, and we have been gathering the courage and necessary stamina to face up to this daunting task, and today was the day of the race. Inevitably, Nick and I were simply not good enough to outshine the amazing Maya and she emerged a worthy winner. Nick and I will now retire to lick our wounds...
Next week sees the start of our Christmas countdown with the beginning of December, and the final few weeks will be a wonderfully festive way to end an excellent term. We hope your children enjoy the various events and surprises we have planned for them!
I need to end on a serious note with a request for all parents to take much more care when driving on site. We introduced the one-way system to the main car park as a safety measure to ensure that those walking in the car park know which direction cars are coming from. Unfortunately, a minority of parents feel the rules do not apply to them, ignoring one-way signs, speeding and generally driving dangerously. I need to ask all parents to take real care when driving on site – with very young children moving around the site, I don’t need to remind you of the awful consequences if it all goes wrong. There are often staff members positioned in the main car park and drop-off zone to help with the flow of traffic, and I know they would appreciate a positive and constructive approach from all drivers. Thank you for your support with this.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes
Rick
A MESSAGE FROM NICK OT
Dear Parents,
There is a Christmas buzz brewing in the air at Frensham and this has been royally represented through the great variety of discussions I have had with children, parents and teachers alike. The energy that Junior School parents are putting into the Friends of Frensham's creative plans is wonderful to engage with and support. Please do look out for their ideas and plans coming to fruition over the next few weeks. There will be lots for you and the children to experience.
This energy is also transcending into the children who are totally immersed in Xmas practices and full of high spirits. I have loved every session of Emerging Horizons this week where the themes have been focused around ‘Friendships’ and ‘Emotions’. The children have fed back lots of emotionally intelligent ideas and opinions with an authenticity that is great to facilitate.
It is this theme of ‘Authenticity’ that has really sat with me this week. Across all the interactions and discussions I have had with children, parents and new parents (who are keen to come and join the adventure), I detect great authenticity. People who are open to honest chats, who thoughtfully share information, who present their ideas with great creativity and people who really have a passion for the space that is Frensham. Good times as we head toward 2023!
Next week sees us looking at ‘Communication’ within the school so we can further become more effective and efficient in this area. I have also been plotting a new outreach programme for the Years 4-6 children which I will be sharing with the class reps soon to get their feedback. I plan to launch this with Lynn Goodburne in the New Year and see it becoming an empowering new element of enrichment to the experience of the Junior School.
Lots going on and lots to still do! I hope this week has been a good week for you too and that the weekend ahead holds some fun and adventure.
Take care and see you all on Monday.
Nick O-T
SCHOOL NOTICES
ALDRIDGE CAFE
We realise there has been some issues with students not being able to use their Go henry cards in the café. After looking in to it we have found out it’s because the theatre is a licensed building. However, there is something you can do to allow your child to use their card in the café. Using the Go Henry app, go to card limits and uncheck the bottom box which is the merchant block.
We are also in the process of looking at a new barista style coffee machine and new coffee beans. Hopefully we’ll have a date soon so we can do a tasting session and get your feedback.
GRAYSHOTT CHRISTMAS MARKET
Jasmine, Year 11, will be performing at the Grayshott Christmas Market on Thursday 8 December. There will also be late night shopping, food trucks and stalls please click here for more information.
IMMERSIVE THEATRE IN THE STREETS OF FARNHAM
There’s Something Going On Here is live in Farnham November 12-27 - with telephone calls, secret messages and immersive theatre in the streets of Farnham. Click here for more information.
LOOKING FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY SLEIGH BELLS!
Farnham Brass Band are holding an evening of festive music on Saturday 3rd December and they are looking for children who would like to accompany on sleigh bells! Children come free and refreshments are included in the adult ticket price. Please click here for more information.
SCL HOLIDAY CLUB
SCL will be running a holiday club at Frensham Heights over the Christmas holiday period. Please click here for more information.
FREE 20 MINUTE MUSIC TASTER LESSONS!
MUSIC TASTER SESSIONS
Some of our amazing Visiting Music Teachers are offering free 20 minute taster lessons. If your child would like to try any of the following wonderful musical instruments, then why not get in touch with Sally
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Clarinet
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Saxophone
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Violin
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Flute
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Trumpet
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Trombone
POSITIVE FEEDBACK
Got something amazing to shout about? Click the logo to use our Parent Voice Frensham Heights positive feedback link.
FRENSHAM HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS CARDS
This year we are offering our Christmas Cards for sale. The cards were designed by OF Maisy Binns and all proceeds with be going to Malawi Schools Trust. Each pack of ten will be sold for £7.50. In order to buy a pack, please scan this QR code to take you through to our Stripe payment. Cards can be collected 48 hours after purchase from Main House reception.
SCHOOL EVENTS
STAR WARTS
Wednesday 30th November | 7 to 8:30pm
A Performance by the Years 6, 7 & 8 Performing Arts ECA. Come along and support the students, they have worked incredibly hard to put this production together and would love to share it with the whole school community. There will also be a charity bar and donations in aid of this year's school charity - Cancer Research UK.
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THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL TOUR
45 Students enjoyed a fantastic weekend in Manchester at the home of the current premier league champions and one of the best footballing institutions in world football. From minute 1 the boys and girls will treated as professionals with high standards expected from the Manchester City coaches as they graced the same changing rooms and pitches as Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
Day 1
After leaving school on Friday morning we were straight off the coach and were welcomed by an army on Manchester City coaching staff. They welcomed us to the Ethiad Campus, a £200Million purpose build training centre that is home to the first teams, ladies’ teams, disability teams and academy teams. With a 5* hotel on site for players, 19 pitches, a climate controlled indoor facility and 15,000 seat women’s team stadium this really was a once in a lifetime experience. Students changed into ‘city blue’ and experiences a training session focused on ball retention, playing through the middle and playing forwards. The coaches talked a lot about their philosophy and approach to football that is implemented to all teams from the first team to the Under 6s academy team.
After the first session we checked into our fantastic hotel, had a delicious supper before heading out for a bowling game that was certainly competitive in the staff lane. If anybody sees David Lloyd around school next week do ask him how he managed to surrender such a lead heading into the final round!
Lights out and ready for day 2!
THE BIG SCOOTER RACE
It was a big day at Frensham today. Last week, Maya in Year 2 challenged Rick and Nick OT to a scooter race. Both excepted her challenge and today was the big day. The whole Junior School was there to support Maya and a lot of the Senior School joined in as well. It was an experience and atmosphere that only really happens at Frensham! Don't worried if you missed the race - Ted, our roving reporter, was on hand to document the big event.
Who will come up with the next challenge?!
GUNWHARF QUAYS GEOGRAPHY TRIP
On Friday, 11th November, the Year 11 Geographers set out for a field trip to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth.
As part of their GCSE, Geographers are required to undertake two geographical enquiries involving fieldwork, with this trip completing their human geography fieldwork requirement. The fieldwork linked to the unit on Urban Issues, focusing on regeneration.
Former home to the British Navy, HMS Vernon in Portsmouth fell into decline following the decrease in the need for naval vessels after the Second World War, and was officially closed in 1995. The Portsmouth Council decided that the area would be best served by a complete regeneration and the Gunwharf Quays outlet shopping, commercial and residential complex was opened to the public in 2001. It was further developed with the impressive Spinnaker Tower in 2005.
To test whether the regeneration had been socially, economically and environmentally successful, the students conducted pedestrian counts, land use surveys, environmental quality surveys and field sketches. Some worked so efficiently they also managed to enjoy the views of Portsmouth harbour and some of the shops and cafes. Our Year 11s will be writing this up in the coming weeks in preparation for their Paper 3 exam this summer.
LUNCHTIME ACOUSTIC CONCERT
This week saw our first informal lunchtime concert of the academic year. As always, it was a real privilege to hear such talented, brave performers in a beautiful intimate venue. Keep an eye out for more informal concerts in the new year, they really celebrate what Frensham is all about.
TRIP TO SHEPTON MALLET PRISON
On Monday, the Human Perspectives Faculty launched a cross-curricular trip, with Year 9 PRE students joining the Sixth Form Sociologists to travel to Shepton Mallet Prison, enhancing their understanding of Crime & Punishment. Students were processed into the prison by the guards, having to change into rather fetching orange jumpsuits after being charged with numerous (& sometimes bizarre!) crimes, ranging from being drunk & disorderly, to cannibalism & the illegal importation of animals… We’ll leave it to you to decide what that says about Frensham students!
Once processed, students were sent to their cells where they had to solve puzzles to escape within half an hour, building their teamwork & communication skills. Most of the students managed to successfully break out in the allotted time, but the guards kindly allowed all of them out to leave their cells to take part in the tour & Q&A.
Students learnt about the history of the prison, from being a Victorian ‘house of correction’, to an American military prison, through to the first women’s wing being created, until it was eventually decommissioned in 2013. We covered some gruesome history, which the kids loved, learning about the Victorian use of hard labour such as Oakham Picking, the Crank, and the Treadwheel, as well as the various methods of execution which were carried out there. Students even got to crawl into a tiny original 17th century cell, to walk in the footsteps of prisoners on the ‘dead man’s walk’, to see the trapdoor for the long drop hangings, and even to meet the friendly ghost of a woman who mysteriously died (whilst wearing her wedding dress) the night before her execution – spooky!
We were impressed with the questions that many of our students asked, and their fascination with the historic & modern justice systems - we look forward to seeing this translate to their work in the classroom. A huge thank you to Jack, Karen, Jo, Beverley, Lindsay, and Hannah who helped to run the trip on the day, as well as Ruth, Kate, Julia, Susie & the rest of our lovely support staff team – we couldn’t have done it without you!
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
To support their study of ‘An Inspector Calls’ for GCSE English Literature, a number of Year 11 students headed off to watch the National Theatre’s touring production performance on Wednesday. Stephen Daldry’s stunning set remained timeless and imposing as we watched the Birling family’s cosy life literally and metaphorically be dismantled.
The students demonstrated super engagement and knowledge, which was especially gratifying given that mock exams are only just around the corner!
YEAR 4 INTERACTIVE MATHS
This week, our Year 4 children had to find the area of their names, then order themselves from the smallest to the greatest area.
THIS WEEK'S SPORTS REPORT
See our write up on the Manchester Football Trip above.
NEWS FROM FRENSHAM KITCHEN
WHAT'S ON NEXT WEEK
Monday 28 Nov
16.20 - Year 7 & 8 Drama "Star Warts" Tech Rehearsals (Aldridge Theatre)
Tuesday 29 Nov
14.30 - U15 & U14 Football v Boundary Oak (Home)
15.45 - U15 & U14 Netball v Sir William Perkins (Away)
16.15 - Year 12 & 13 CRB Tutor Trip to Winchester Christmas Market
16.20 - Year 6, 7 & 8 Drama "Star Warts" Tech Rehearsals
Wednesday 30 Nov
14.30 - U13 & U12 Football v Boundary Oak (Home)
14.30 - U11 & U10 Football v Boundary Oak (Home)
14.30 - U13 & U12 Netball v Boundary Oak (Away)
14.45 - U11 & U10 Netball v St Ed’s (Home)
19.00 – 20.30 - Years 6, 7 & 8 Drama Performance (Star Warts) (Aldridge Theatre) - book your tickets
Thursday 1 Dec
12.30 - Junior Informal Music Concert
15.30 - U9 Netball v St Eds (Away)
15.30 - U9 Football v Ditcham (Home)
15.30 - U16 Football v Ditcham (Home)
Friday 2 Dec
Year 6 Sleepover (in the classroom)
8.15 - Book Look (Junior School)
8.45 - Festive Wake Up (Junior School)
9.30 - Year 7 to Year 13 Morning Talk: Tutor Time in Form rooms
16.30 - Hex @ the National Theatre
Saturday 3 Dec
10.00 - GCSE Photography Workshop
Sunday 4 Dec
12.00 - Reading Ladies Football match
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook. We also have several Twitter accounts around the school where you can find resources and school info:
Main School account - @FrenshamHeights
Rick - @rickclarke72
Becks - @becksscullion
Business/Economics - @getontheeconbus
Careers - @FrenshamCareers
Creative Arts - @ArtsFrensham
Charity, Outreach and Community - @FrenshamCharity
Design & Technology - @FrenshamDT
Junior School - @FrenshamJuniors
Geography - @FrenshamGeog
Maths - @Frensham_Maths
Modern Foreign Languages - @Frensham_MFL
Music - @FHMusicSchool
Outdoor Ed - @Frensham_OE
PE & Sport - @Frensham_PE
PRE - @FrenshamPRE
PSME/PSHE - @FrenshamPSME
Science = @FrenshamScience