THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
Friday 16th September, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM RICK
Dear Parents
It is fantastic to welcome you and your children back to the school at the start of the academic year. I have seen lots of smiling and happy children around the school, and there is a really positive atmosphere on the campus.
Staff news
After 12 years of simply outstanding service to Frensham Heights, Becks Scullion has decided that this will be her final year at Frensham. Becks will be here until the end of this academic year and will leave in August 2023. She has made an enormous contribution to the school in her time as Deputy Head, and there will be opportunities later in the year to thank her for all she has done. I am sure you will join me in wishing her all the best for an amazing final year at the school.
Anyone who has joined the school in the last three years will have had contact with Emma Judge, our Director of External Relations. Emma leaves Frensham this week to take up a similar position at Farnborough Hill School. Emma has contributed enormously to the school, in particular leading on the significant changes we made to our branding and our website, and helping me on the redefinition of our vision, mission, aims and values. She achieved this, and many other things, against the backdrop of the pandemic and we will miss her calm and steady presence very much. We wish her all the best in her new role. Interviews for her successor have started and we hope to announce the new appointment soon.
New staff
The new year is a time of change, and we welcome several new staff to the school. Below is a list of the new joiners and their roles:
-
Sarah Gibson, Head of Early Years
-
Tania Negus, Early Years Practitioner
-
Katie Wright, Year 4 Teacher
-
Ranjani Ravichandran, Year 5 Teacher (Ranjani was a cover teacher last term, but now joins as a permanent member of the Junior School staff)
-
Anna Boon-Arnell, Teacher of Art
-
Chrissy Rose, Head of Maths
-
Pippa Gaut, Teacher of Science
-
Lisa Graham, part-time English and Horizons teacher. Many of you may remember Lisa who left us a few years back – it is wonderful to welcome her back.
-
Colin Addison, Teacher of Maths
-
Jack Scullion, Teacher of Maths and PE, and Housemaster of Hamilton House maternity cover for Sian. Jack was a Graduate Gap with us a few years back, so it is great to welcome him back.
-
Niah Kerr-Ebanks, Graduate Gap Performing Arts
Role changes
We have had some role changes for current staff that I need to mention
-
Lauren Jelley now becomes a whole school Graduate Assistant
-
Matt Brown is now our permanent Outdoor Education assistant
-
Kelly Hewitt, in addition to her role as Head of Support for Learning in the Junior School, now takes on the role of Head of Years 1-3.
Aldridge Theatre and Café
As many of you will be aware, we have been without a Theatre Manager for a few months. I am pleased to let you know that we have now appointed a manager and they will be starting at half term.
I want to apologize to parents for the lack of communication over when the theatre foyer and café are open. Unfortunately, we are facing some logistical challenges that mean we cannot open the theatre café every morning. We are working urgently on a solution to this. However, the café is open from 3pm-5pm on Monday to Thursday afternoons
HM The Queen
I want to thank the school community for the way they have supported the changes we have made this week during the period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. There is a book of condolences in Main House reception and we invite any members of our community to contribute to it. A reminder that school is closed on Monday 19th for the day of the funeral; we welcome boarders back on Monday evening and day students on Tuesday as normal.
This morning for our Morning Talk for senior school students, we had a moving tribute to the Queen and the impact her death has had as we approach the end of the mourning period. A number of staff shared their reflections on the Queen, together with a fascinating historical and political perspective from Matt Burns and Charlie Bennett.
I want to thank the whole Frensham community for their support this week, both for any changes we have had to make to our normal routine, and for the additional events we have run at this important time in our national history. We look forward to seeing all the students back next week.
Have a wonderful weekend
Best wishes
Rick
A MESSAGE FROM NICK OT
Dear Parents,
What an amazing first week back! There is a wonderful buzz about the school and I have loved having a walk around all learning spaces and year groups and watching them getting back in action. Everyone seems settled, happy and immersed in their learning and playtimes have been bubbly, busy and full of fun and laughter.
I hope you found the ‘Meet the Teacher’ sessions on Tuesday both informative and helpful. They will be followed up with a communication from the teacher that will include any presentation used (for those unable to attend), your child’s timetable (if you haven’t received it already) and a curriculum overview of the term ahead. Please do also follow up with your class teacher if there is anything you still feel unsure about.
I am currently working with the JS staff to launch a number of new projects over this term that will see us further evolving the N-3 and 4-6 spaces while also enhancing our teaching practices in the JS so that we make our teaching culture as impactful as it can be. I plan to talk more about this evolution of the JS as well as key themes for the term and year ahead, at our forthcoming JS Town Hall Event. This event will be held in the Aldridge Theatre on Monday 26th September from 7pm to 9pm. The event represents a chance for you to come and hear more about the Junior School from the JSLT, Rick and myself and also provides a space for you to talk into and share your ideas and feedback. Our last two Town Hall events have proven to be highly supportive in shaping how we move the JS forward both in the short and long terms and aim to create a transparent and open dialogue between us all.
It was great to meet the JS Parent Voice Reps this week and to share in helpful discussion, review the first few weeks and begin to listen to what has been working well and where we can further support your children and yourselves. Please do use your reps as they provide a highly effective channel of communication to myself and the JSLT and are a great way of getting questions answered and solutions found.
We started our Friday with a whole JS Assembly in the Aldridge Theatre and it was lovely to have all of the JS together to celebrate the week gone. The focus of the assembly was our theme for this term – Communication. We talked about positive and negative communication and how this theme sits at the heart of everything we do. We then finished with a dance and a boogie which is fast becoming a Friday assembly tradition!
I wish you an enjoyable bank holiday weekend and look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday for more learning adventure.
Take care and have fun!
Nick O-T
SCHOOL NOTICES
PARENT INFO ON THE WEBSITE
As we start a new academic year, we just wanted to point out the Parent Info page on our website which holds a lot of handy links to information you may need throughout the year. Just click here.
INDIVIDUAL MUSIC LESSONS
We are delighted to let you know that individual music lessons will commence from next week.
Lessons take place in our Music School (located near to Main House). Children in the senior school should come to the Music Department and wait in the atrium for their teacher to come and meet them. Please note that for all Junior School children, their music teacher will come and collect them, returning them safely to their classroom at the end of their lesson.
Timetables for Junior School children will be available on the Parent Portal under your child’s Real Time Timetable. For students in the Senior School, we will make them available on Teams -> [teacher name] -> Files
Could we ask you as parents/guardians to remind your children about their lessons, to bring in their musical instrument (where applicable) and any music that they may be using please.
As ever please contact Sally who is the Music School Administrator should you need any help - email Sally.
GRIEF FOR HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
If you are deeply affected by the death of The Queen you’re not alone and Cruse Bereavement Support is offering support. Just click here.
POETRY LIVE! AT THE DOMINION THEATRE, LONDON
Friday 3rd February 2023 : GCSE English Literature Year 11 payment due.
Just a reminder that all forms and the non-refundable bank transfer of £58.00 needs to be completed by Monday 12th September to attend the GCSE English Literature event Poetry Live! at the Dominion Theatre on Friday 3rd February 2023. These sessions have proved invaluable to students’ thinking and offer superb support for the study of their GCSE English Literature poetry paper component which is traditionally a very challenging exam and therefore attendance is strongly advised.
Any issues, please contact Zoӫ.
ROWLEDGE COMMUNITY CHOIR
Rowledge Community Choir welcomes any new members, especially tenors and bases. No auditions, just turn up. We meet every Tuesday evening during term time 7.30-9.15pm in the Music Recital Room. £5 per session, to include coffee and biscuit. We are a very friendly choir, and perform in concerts a couple of times a year to raise money for charity. Please see their website for more information.
FARNBOROUGH CONCERT BAND OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Two of our teachers, Esme and Tamzyn, are part of the Farnborough Concert Band of the Royal British Legion. They are a concert band of approximately 35 amateur musicians who play for pleasure. They are joining up with a local charity choir to raise money for The Topic of Cancer charity to put on a concert on Saturday 29th October. They would love as many people as possible from the Frensham Family to come along. Please click here for more information.
ABF - THE SOLDIERS CHARITY (SURREY BRANCH) - ANNUAL SPEAKER'S DINNER
Friday 28th October 2022, 6:45 - 10:00 pm At Frensham Heights School
Before Dinner, Major General Mungo Melvin CB OBE will talk about The War in Ukraine: Causes and Consequences Click here for more information.
PARENT VOICE
Parent Voice are seeking two new reps to join their volunteer team to cover Sixth Form and Boarding starting straight away.
Joining Parent Voice is a positive way to get involved at Frensham.
Parent Voice is made up of volunteers whose role is to provide a point of contact for feedback, to represent wider parent views fairly and without bias, provide help on general issues and develop opportunities to collaborate with parents and staff to support the joint interests of the school community. Click here for more information.
For more information and to put yourself forward, please contact:
Vice Chair Emma Tweed
or Secretary Isobel Hanmer
Here are our 2022/23 members:
-
Chair: Vicki Nixon
-
Vice-Chair: Emma Tweed
-
Secretary: Isobel Hanmer
-
Nursery & Reception: Manga Tharma
-
Year 1:Claire Karitzis
-
Year 2: Jo Bushill
-
Year 3: Natasha Hill
-
Year 4: Nina Maidlow
-
Year 5: Helen Jones
-
Year 6: Dan Wheatley
-
Year 7: Maki Fox
-
Year 8: Helen Davison
-
Year 9: Fiona Turner
-
Year 10: Sandra Laird
-
Year 11: Carina Hamilton & Laura De Mierre
-
Sixth Form: Kay Mawer
-
Boarding: Emma Tweed
POSITIVE FEEDBACK
Got something amazing to shout about? Click the logo to use our Parent Voice Frensham Heights positive feedback link.
SCHOOL EVENTS - see all upcoming events here
![Back to School - newsletter[77].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/244947_b8f8ac05e864484782dac0e786e76a5f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_942,h_331,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/244947_b8f8ac05e864484782dac0e786e76a5f~mv2.png)
![Ball Save the Date[79].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/244947_e44dde0e95e44ae4a291a26ac321e842~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_838,h_268,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/244947_e44dde0e95e44ae4a291a26ac321e842~mv2.png)
THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
BOARDERS WEEKEND
Last weekend saw our annual boarders weekend when all boarders are invited in for a weekend full of activities and social events.
Boarding is a great opportunity for students to gain a bit more independence and experience opportunities not available to day students. We now offer full, weekly, three day and occasional boarding to allow more flexibility for our Frensham families. Find out more here.
COMMUNITY MATTERS
Throughout the summer holidays, acts of kindness continued, especially for the local Ukrainian families. The clothing, toys and shoes were available and taken regularly from the pop up shop in the theatre. Sat 24th July Doorstep Duets saw Ukrainian families meeting on our sports field to socialise with cakes and tea whilst finding themselves clothes and shoes, watching a professional dance company perform outdoors.
This term has started with an explosion of ideas from the Clothing donations to robot and coding mentoring, playing games and socialising with elderly to ideas of an i-rock concert, an Inclusive Fashion Gala and a Eurovision Party. We will also be choosing which charity will be our main charity that we will support for this academic year before our Whole School Walk in October, so please do send forwards any personal ideas you or your children would like to be considered. As always, thank you for your support.
High Tide, performed by New Adventures, photo by Stephen Daly
AN INSPIRATIONAL AND REASSURING VISIT FROM OLD FRENSHAMIAN, ESALAN
Esalan Gates (OF) visited us and talked inspirationally to the entire Sixth Form about having a vision and adapting to opportunities that you create. Esalan left Frensham at the end of Year 13 in 2018 after studying 4 A-levels very successfully indeed: English Lit, Art, Drama and Maths. She explained how she had been considering going to Cambridge to study English Lit but wanted to continue to be able to enjoy her drama. In the end, she elected to go to Durham to study Literature which allowed her to engage in many drama societies where she took chances and ended up directing as well as performing. She shared the difficulties of her lockdown experience and how it paused her plans. However, Esalan continued to pursue her creative ideas. She achieved a 1st class degree and is just finishing her MA in Theatre Directorship at Mountview in London (only 8 students get in each year).
Esalan’s mantra was that we cannot control success, but we can keep being creative and taking chances; comfort is not guaranteed, even within our comfort zones and we need to take opportunities to stretch ourselves. Many students, not just A-level drama students, then had an opportunity to chat with Esalan in a small group where she allayed their fears about not knowing exactly what they want to do next. It was also great for the sixth form teachers to see how confident and successful Esalan continues to be four years after leaving us. We couldn’t be more proud of her and grateful to her for her time and wisdom. Thanks Esalan! - Alison
YEAR 11 TRIP TO BUDDENS ACTIVITY CENTRE
Year 11 had an amazing time at Buddens Activity Centre for an overnight stay in the first week back, and that was despite the atrocious weather! We were very impressed with how they all got stuck into all of the activities, including raft building, canoeing, bell-boating, nightline and tomahawk throwing. A fantastic way to start their GCSE year!
axe throwing
YEAR 10 TRIP TO HOVE LAGOON
The rain didn't put our year 10 students off as they paddleboarded, sailed and built rafts in Hove Lagoon as part of their induction
YEAR 8 & 9 TRIPS TO PGL
Overcoming challenges, problem solving and having fun were the order of the day for our year 8 & 9 students. They abseiled, built rafts, honed their archery skills and enjoyed a giant swing at Marchants Hill last week.
CARBON OFFSETTING UPDATE
Frensham has been building a partnership with the Knoydart community in the Western Highlands of Scotland for five years. We are very proud of the community projects that the students have helped build. This year we have been building a fund to carbon offset school trips. This fund will be divided between planting trees on the Frensham Heights site and throughout the Knoydart area.
The trees that are planted must meet Scottish Forestry requirements for native woodland and have to be of a suitable local provenance. A new tree nursery has been started to be able to supplement the tree planting with locally grown trees in the next couple of years. Due to the level of deer on the land all new woodland sites are protected by deer fencing. Planting trees in the Knoydart area increases biodiversity, has community benefit as well as absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. The woodland creation work is supported by Scottish Forestry's Forestry Grant scheme but the Knoydart Forest Trust aim to plant 20% more trees than required by the funding to ensure the woodland thrives given the harsh climate there and therefore any additional support is very much appreciated and needed. Frensham’s first donation will lead to approximately 70 trees being planted.
Here's a link to the website.
Photos show the planting in April at Ben's Wood including the team heading off on the "Spanish John", the landing craft, with all the trees and equipment, camp, food and firewood
MESSAGE FROM KNOYDART
"Planting is going well, thank you. We're currently planting 22,000 trees in a 64 hectare new woodland, Ben's Wood, round at Croulin on the Loch Hourn side of the peninsula. We planted 37,000 there in April and will complete it next April with another 22,000 trees going in. Next in the plan is a 58 hectare new woodland at Abhain Bheag out at the Folach (Glen Guiserain) work is starting on that soon and we will be planting it early in the new year - around 90,000 trees. Both these locations are remote in terms of proximity to tracks which give us additional challenges for getting materials and people out there. The planters at Croulin are camping Monday to Friday - hardy folk to do that after a hard day's graft! And the midges have been diabolical!" - Lorna
YEAR 4 THIS WEEK
Year 4 have had the most amazing week back already. Gelling well, Year 4 have completed 2 team building days where the group made Chinese lanterns as part of their topic in English based around the book ‘The Magic Paintbrush’. In addition, we created a number line take from key figures and events in medical history, while learning about the history associated with key medicinal properties i.e ginger. Finally, the year group have linked all the above learning to their current topic of potions and have now started to investigate potential ingredients to make their own smoothy/potion as part of their DT lessons.
FOREST SCHOOL AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION
What an amazing start to the term we have had in Forest School.
All year’s groups have taken to Forest School with great energy and enthusiasm for being outdoors. We have explored both forest school sites, dabbled in several outdoor games, completed an array activities to hopefully kick start their sense of adventure. Most notable are the leaf prints made by Nursery, Reception and Year 1 which are on display in the N-3 hall.
Year 5 and 6 have begun to ascend the dizzying heights of our outdoor wall and high ropes course. Students will learn the different roles within this topic in addition to the various techniques required to become a competent climber.
YEAR 5 VISIT FROM PIP AND HER GUIDE DOG
On Thursday afternoon, Year 5 had a visit from Pip and her Guide dog, Alice. Pip lost her sight 23 years ago in a car crash, so she can remember things like colour – which is what Year 5 have been studying in English. Alice is her life - line but Pip is still very independent. Up until a couple of years ago she was still working with horses and Riding for the Disabled. Now she knits, listens to audio books and podcasts, talks to school groups and walks Alice. Pip showed the children some of her gadgets which help her – a talking tape measure, stickers on her food packets which say what they are and how long they need to be cooked for and a device which tells Pip the colours of her clothing. The children loved meeting Alice and asked some great questions.
THIS WEEK'S SPORTS REPORT
WELCOME BACK FROM THE PE DEPARTMENT!
I hope you all enjoyed an active and restful summer holiday! Some amazing sporting events happened this summer with the Lionesses success, the Athletics World Championships and Commonwealth Games to name a few! I hope students managed to watch some elite sport and have been inspired to try some new sports in the year ahead.
For new parents please follow us on Twitter @Frensham_PE
We have an action-packed year ahead with a record numbers of fixtures, sports tours in netball and football, the well contested staff v students matches, hosting tournaments as well as an a huge sporting ECA programme.
If you have any queries sport related, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the team!
U11 Football v Bedales
On Wednesday afternoon the U11 football team played their first game of the season at home to Bedales. It was brilliant to see lots of familiar faces in the team from last year, who were keen to progress their football skills. It was a close affair from the beginning of the match with both teams having equal possession and looking to find a goal. Unfortunately, Bedales made the breakthrough first and then this was quickly followed by two more goals in quick succession. Despite this, Frensham didn't let their heads drop and continued to battle until the very end. Bedales came out on top in the end, but we look forward to seeing this team progress their football skills over the course of the season with a busy fixture calendar. Well done to everyone who played.
U10 Football v Bedales
The Year 5 football team got their season underway when they hosted Bedales on Wednesday afternoon. Both teams had a couple of efforts on goal in the opening 5 minutes, but couldn’t find a way past either goalkeeper. Bedales started to pile on the pressure, winning the ball back high up the pitch, leading to an opening goal, and two more quickly following. Rudy managed to latch onto a long ball out of defence from Amos and shrugged off multiple defenders before shooting low into the corner. Conceding two soft goals just before the break wasn’t ideal, but gave us something to focus on improving in the second half. All the children agreed that they needed to up their intensity in the second half and aim to win the ball back as quickly as possible when it was lost. The improvement in the second half was excellent, with the midfield of Ruby, Isla and Luca putting in huge efforts to close the ball down, win it back, and create chances for our strikers. Bedales scored a couple more at the end as we began to tire, but on the whole, this was an encouraging first game against a strong opposition.
Player of the match - Ruby
NEWS FROM FRENSHAM KITCHEN
WHAT'S ON NEXT WEEK
Sunday 18 Sept
Year 8 Greenpower Race Day (Dunsfold Heat)
Surf Trip to Cornwall for Year 8 to 13 Students Returns
Monday 19 Sept
BANK HOLIDAY
Tuesday 20 Sept
14.30 - U15 & U14 Football v St Eds (Home)
15.15 - U14 Netball v Alton (Away)
15.40 - U15 Netball v Weydon (Away)
19.00 - Year 11 A level Information Evening - Recital Room then Main House
Wednesday 21 Sept
14.30 - U11 & U10 Football v Alton (Away)
16.30 - U18 Netball v Farnborough Hill (Home)
Thursday 22 Sept
7.30 Departure (arrive by 7.15am) - Year 7 Hadrian's Wall Trip
15.00 - U16 Football v Ditcham (Away)
15.30 - U9 Netball v Alton (Home)
15.30 - U9 Football v Alton (Home)
Friday 23 Sept
Year 7 Hadrian's Wall Trip
9.30 - Year 7 to Year 13 Morning Talk:
19.00 - FoF Charity Bar night /social event - Aldridge Theatre
Saturday 24 Sept
Year 7 Hadrian's Wall Trip
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