THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
Friday 12th May, 2023
A MESSAGE FROM LAURA
Dear parents,
As always, it was an incredibly busy week at Frensham, as the MFL exams got underway, the OF Art exhibition started to take shape and the school prepared for its Open Morning on Saturday where over 150 families signed up to attend.
This week also saw the conclusion to the catering tendering process. On Wednesday three companies presented their catering vision to an eager panel made up of myself, Nick O-T, Sian and student volunteers from Year 4 to Year 9. The presentations were educational and informative, and students asked some insightful and challenging questions which would not have been out of place on The Apprentice! Nick and I will now take time to review each proposal alongside student, parent and staff feedback before making a final decision.
Following my start of term letter that introduced you to the new Leadership Team for September, I thought it would be helpful to follow this up with an overview of 'Who Does What'.
As always, thank you for your continued support and have a good weekend.
Best wishes,
Laura
SAFEGUARDING UPDATE FROM JACK AND JO
We wanted to introduce ourselves as the new Safeguarding Leads at Frensham taking over from Becks. The first thing we have to do is pay tribute to all the fantastic work done by Becks over the last twelve years, I am sure that many of those who gave her a standing ovation in the Theatre last week were students and staff who had been helped by her and benefitted from her care and guidance.
Safeguarding is one of the most important things that schools do and one part of this is you knowing who you can speak to with any worries or concerns you have about keeping children safe from harm while at school. The simple answer is that this is the same as before – your child’s form tutor is their first port of call, but beyond this Jack is the new DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) and so responsible for this area of school life and Jo is taking over as the Assistant DSL. You can also contact us on our school email addresses with any concerns and it may well be us who follow up any concerns you do raise. We are at jacktalman@frensham.org , jodalziel@frensham.org or simply at dsl@frensham.org . Please do get in touch if there is anything you would like to speak to us about.
One quick thing to be aware of is that Mental Health Awareness Week starts on May 15th. There are so many great charities that offer support regarding mental health, something that is affecting more and more young people across the country. If this is something you would like to find out more about mental health, www.youngminds.org.uk offers a great deal of support and advice to help us all support our young people and their mental health.
Best wishes,
Jo and Jack
SCHOOL NOTICES
ASSESSMENT WEEK - 15th to 19th May
Please can you make sure your child has the correct equipment for their end of year assessments - pens and pencils and particularly a calculator on Thursday 18th May for their maths (calculator) assessment. Thank you!
HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD MANAGE THEIR STRESS & WELLBEING - Tuesday 23rd May (6-7pm)
Elevate Education's second free webinar of the Summer Term will be taking place on Tuesday 23rd May. Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school:
Click here to register for free
In this webinar, Elevate will be showing parents:
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How to spot your child's stress symptoms early
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How to start a conversation about emotional wellbeing
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Techniques your child can use to self-manage stress
RECENT RESEARCH FROM THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF MUSIC EDUCATION
This article highlights the importance of Music on academic achievement and makes for a thoroughly interesting read. In short, researchers compared the examination grades of 15,483 students between the ages of 11 and 16 who participated in music with 97,433 who did not. Academically, they were over 1 year ahead of their peers. Instrumentalists performed at nearly one standard deviation higher on almost all examination outcomes. Click here to read the report
PARENT VOICE MEMBERS NEEDED - YEARS EY, 1, 8 and 10
Parent Voice is looking for parents with children in years EY, 1, 8 or 10 (who are going into years 1, 2, 9 or 11 in September) to join their volunteer team! Joining Parent Voice is a positive way to get involved at Frensham.
Parent Voice is made up of parent volunteers. Their 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 in order to support the joint interests of the school community.
Details of PV and its role can be found on the school's website: https://www.frensham.org/parent-voice
Vicki, Emma and Jo will be in the Aldridge Cafe after drop off on Tuesday 23rd May to meet with anyone who is interested in a role, would like further information or has any questions. Please feel free to drop by and have a chat!
Alternatively, you can contact any of us directly:
Vicki Nixon - Chair - vicki@nixonconsultancy.com
Emma Tweed - Vice Chair - emmatweedradford@icloud.com
Jo Bushill - Secretary - j.bushill@hotmail.co.uk
PARENT VOICE - OPEN COFFEE MEETING
Parent Voice will be holding an open coffee meeting in the Aldridge Cafe after drop off on Tuesday 16th May.
If you would like to meet the team, discuss an issue or just find out more about PV and what we are doing, then please feel free to come along.
Everyone is welcome!
INDIVIDUAL MUSIC LESSONS
Timetables for individual music lessons are now available for the remainder of this half term. Please do check the timetables carefully as we have built the timetables around the variety of wonderful events, not to mention assessments and exams taking place before the May Holiday. Timetables can be found under your child’s Real Time Timetable on the Parent Portal, and are available to students in years 7 and above on Teams.
As ever, if your child would like to have individual music lessons with us, then please do complete our application form here: https://www.frensham.org/music
Finally, should you need any help at all, then do contact Sally: sallyvivian@frensham.org Thank you 😊
SHYNEFEST - 2nd & 3rd JUNE
A couple of our parents run the annual Shynefest music festival in Guildford. Click here for more info.
GALA CONCERT OF WORLD MUSIC 3rd JUNE
An International Prom - Gala Concert of World Music is happening at G Live in Guildford on 3rd June - free for under 18s. Click here for more info.
RESIDENTIAL TRIPS - LOOKING AHEAD
We are very lucky that we have a large number of staff who are very happy to run school trips that enrich our school experience – including over weekends and holidays. We know that trips require a lot of planning and in general residential trips are scheduled a year in advance so that we can organise them and allow you time to plan/save as neede. Below is a live link to our working document that shows our plans so far. The further ahead the trip – the less details we may have – but hopefully it goes someway to help give the overview.
THANK A TEACHER!
The Thank a Teacher campaign recognises all staff working in UK schools and colleges; school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, and all support staff such as lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and cleaners. If you’re feeling shy you can send a card anonymously! Click here to send a thank you.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK
Got something amazing to shout about? Click the logo to use our Parent Voice Frensham Heights positive feedback link.
SCHOOL EVENTS
SAVE THE DATES
Please make sure to put the dates below in your diary, more information will follow:
Sports Day 2023
It gives me great pleasure to invite parents to sports day this year. Great events to attend and I will be looking for some volunteers to get involved in some parent v teacher events!! - Phil
Senior School Sports Day (Year 7-13) – Thursday 8th June – Approx 1:00pm Start
Junior School Sports Day (Year 1-6) – Friday 9th June – Approx 1:00pm Start
Early Years Sports Day (Nursery and Reception) – Wednesday 7th June – 8:30am Start
Self-Expression Safari Family Activity Day - Saturday 10th June
Founders Day - Saturday 1st July
All students are expected to be here for our whole school celebration.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Saturday 10th June | 10am - 4pm
Photography Studio | FREE
We need you! Shout out to Years 7 to 13 photographers for two workshops:
13th May - get to know your camera & camera skills
10th June - practical event photography
Own camera desirable!
RSVP to sarahfarr@frensham.org to reserve your place.
THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
FOF JUNIOR SCHOOL DISCOS
Last week the junior school enjoyed a disco organised by FOF. From nursery to Year 6, kids, teachers and a few parents danced along to firm favourites played by the legendary DJ Lee Russell. With a DJ known for not allowing stragglers at the back, everyone danced their socks off and the ballroom filled with a wonderful energy and happiness. A great afternoon and evening!
MAN UP: WOMEN WHO STEPPED INTO A MAN'S WORLD
The English department welcomed back once more the very talented Dr Clio O’Sullivan, Head of Public Engagement and Communications at Chawton House, for this week’s Morning Talk and she did not fail to engage and inspire students with highlights from her electrifying exhibition based around stories of women who stepped into male roles.
By picking up a pen, pistol or sword, they broke with convention to survive and thrive. Out of necessity or choice, to seek glory or escape the fetters of a restrictive life – there were those who kept control over their inheritance, unashamedly sought fame, adopted fake names, took to the high seas, or even joined the army! Disregarding the confines of societal expectation, these pioneering women harnessed their fate and sought control over their narrative. It was an inspiring testament to the female spirit!
DRAMA SCHOLARS' WORKSHOP
We were delighted yesterday to host a workshop for Drama Scholars and those with a passion for Shakespeare and performance. 28 students from Years 8-13 attended a 2 hour specialist workshop with professional actor Gerard Logan, in which they learned new acting skills and ways to approach a script. They left exhausted but exhilarated! We were also thrilled to host Gerard’s solo show “Hauntings” later that evening in Aldridge Theatre, where the audience were captivated by a compelling performance of ghost stories, told by a master craftsman. One audience member said: “What talent! I was totally gripped.” We would like to thank Gerard for his outstanding workshop and performance, and hope he will be able to visit us again before too long.
GREENPOWER
So like any good party the inevitable morning after clear up needs to take place, in our case the Goodwood party left us with bashed up panels and some dings on the cars frame.
We set about patching up the car, making sure everything was straight and true and the car was looking (almost) like new and ready for its next tarmac session.
The whole team got to have a debrief about how the race went and share ideas on thoughts for the next race. Remember everyone is welcome to come along to the race days and bring banners and flags and shout FRENSHAM at the top of your lungs..... Go on.... become a FROG (FRiends Of Greenpower) you will have a great day.
Team profile:
Name: David
Likes: Racing
Dislikes: Camping
Favorite subject: DT, of course!!
Why I applied: I wanted to be a part of something special with classmates.
- Juno, Year 7
JUNIOR SCHOOL FOREST SCHOOL, OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND BIKEABILITY
What an amazing week for the Junior School!
Nursery and Reception kicked off the week following deer tracks in their forest school lesson, whereas Reception class started to build the Mega Den using natural resources, in the main forest.
Year 1 got crafty and have started to explore weaving using just wool and cardboard. Year 1 did incredibly well and have started to form bracelets.
Year 3 were thinking way outside the box, finding a long piece of bark and using this as a nature slide, whilst the boys explored filtration and how effective different natural materials are at filtering dirty water. In addition to this, a few children took part in some ‘Hapa Zome’ otherwise known as leaf bashing to making some amazing patterns on cloths.
Years 5 and 6 have been masteting Archery, providing feedback to one another whilst indulging in some fun filled games.
Snorkelling club has been a huge success with last week being the first week the junior school have ever tried this club. It was amazing to see the children's confidence grow even within one session. This week the snorkellers cracked ‘finning’.
Finally, it was Year 6’s turn to complete their Level 2 Bikeability. An intensive course where Year 6 begin to further their understanding and competency when riding on main roads. Instructors have been very impressed with the children behaviour, technique, understanding and most importantly safety. Well done Year 6!
FARNHAM YOUTH CHOIR
Barnaby sang with Farnham Youth Choir’s Senior Choir (FYC) in Hull for the first ever Interkultur International Choir Competition to be held in the UK. The choir competed against choirs from as far afield as Finland, South Africa and Turkey. In total, 27 choirs from 10 countries took part.
They competed in the ‘Youth Choirs of equal voices’ category, winning the category trophy with gold!
YEAR 4 CORONATION
For the last two weeks Year 4 have been researching King Charles III and creating information leaflets during English. They then made their own decorations, wrote invitations and organised their own Coronation Party which we held on Tuesday this week. The children worked very hard and all their efforts were paid off with the amazing party! One of the favourite games was 'Mark the Ears on King Charles III' (our version of pin the tail on the donkey!).
SPANISH & FRENCH PLAYS
Last week, the Aldridge Theatre welcomed French and Spanish actors who tour the UK. Most of our linguists were lucky to attend two very different plays.
“La Maison Hantée” gave us some goose pimples and played tricks on the mind. How did the blood in a flask turn into water under our eyes?
“Mi personalidad” brought laughter amongst the audience. Fernando, in his first year at Uni meets a lot of people: a strange girl who climbs through windows to get into his dorm, a sports addict and a “Save the Planet” protester. Will they make him change?
A huge WELL DONE to some of our new actors who joined on stage! Both students and teachers had lots of fun immersing themselves in languages live!
LOST PROPERTY
Here's the current collection of property in the lost & found office. If anything is yours, please contact amylee@frensham.org
SPORTS REPORT
Under 13s Girls Football Tournament
This tournament was a regional Independent Schools event and therefore an excellent standard with many academy players on show. We started the tournament amazingly against Emanuel School with 2 quick goals one from Nell and an amazing solo goal from Matilda. We played really well and ended up drawing our first game 2-2. In the second game we played an incredibly strong Surbiton team who had won all their games. We battled incredibly hard but ended up losing 4-0 but the defending was really resilient and Clara in goal made some great saves. In the last game we needed to win to progress in the tournament against another very strong team, we played really well dominating the early exchanges and Georgia hit the post and also tested their keeper a few times. As the game went on we had to commit more players forward and they scored on the break. I was so delighted with them all especially Jess who played a real captain’s role on the day.
Waverley District Athletics
Ludo, Charlie and Johnny represented Frensham at the Waverley District Athletics Trials at Charterhouse School on Tuesday afternoon. They were competing for a place to represent Waverley Borough in their chosen events at the Surrey championships in June. Ludo started us off and ran a good race in the 800m finishing 6th in a large group of runners, he set a fast pace but the pack gained on him in the final 200m. Johnny jumped 4.20m in the long jump and finished 3rd in a brilliant run in the 300m. Charlie finished off the afternoon with the 100m and ran a great race close to his personal best. All three boys showed amazing effort and determination and performed brilliantly against many talented club runners in years above them. A very enjoyable afternoon of athletics.
Fixture Calendar
A reminder that you can see all fixtures for the half term on the SOCS sport frensham website, team selection activates on Thursdays the week before matches. Website can be found here.
FRENSHAM KITCHEN
Theme day
We enjoyed a taste of Mexico this week with delicious beef burritos, spicy bean fajita, jackfruit tacos and everyone’s favourite churros 😊
Taster day
We had an elderflower tasting day this week, we enjoyed cake, lemonade, salads, jelly and vegetable shots.
Street food
Chicken shawarma was the street food option this friday. As well as this we had French onion soup, breaded haddock, pad Thai tofu, mackerel pots and fried halloumi.
NEXT WEEK
Sunday 14th May
(Departing Basketball Court) 09.30 - Year 5 Swanage Residential (Return Wednesday 17th May)
Arrival Approx 17.00 - Year 12 Geography Field Studies Centre trip Slapton Lea
12.40 – 15.00 - Farnham Assist Lunch (Memorial Hall, Farnham)
Monday 15th May
Year 7 to Year 9 Assessment Week
Year 10 into Sixth Form Week
Year 10 Horizons Day (Careers)
10.40–12.45 - Year 10 BTEC Business Mock Job Interviews (Long Gallery)
17.30–18.30 - Parent Town Hall: Student Progress & Development Q and A session (Aldridge Theatre)
Tuesday 16th May
Life after Frensham Week (Tuesday to Friday)
14.30 - U15 & U14 Boys Cricket vs Boundary Oak (Home)
16.00–18.00 - Year 6 Maths Masterclass at Halstead Prep
13.00–15.00 - Year 3 to Year 6 Problem Solving Event (More House)
17.30–20.30 - Year 10 Academic Parents Evening (Assessment feedback ) (on Teams)
Wednesday 17th May
11.45–19.00 - Year 10 Music Trip to see 'Wicked'
14.30 - U13 & U12 Boys Cricket vs Boundary Oak (Home)
14.30 - U11 Mixed Cricket vs Bedales (Away)
18.00–20.00 - OFs Community Art Exhibition
Thursday 18th May
15.15 - U9 Mixed Cricket vs Ditcham (Home)
12.30–13.10 - Junior School Lunchtime Concert (MRR)
10.50–12.30 - Year 12 Vision Board Workshop (Ballroom)
8.30–16.10 - Year 10 Horizons Day (Diversity/Show Racism the Red Card/Neurodiversity & LGBTQ+ Rights) (Aldridge Theatre)
18.30–20.30 - Year 10 Parents and Students Information Evening (Main House)
Friday 19th May
Year 7 Enrichment Day
Year 8 Enrichment Day (Village Workshop)
Dep 9.00 / Return 17.00 - Year 9 Celebration Day (Thorpe Park)
8.15–8.45 - Year 6 Showcase Book Look
9.30 - Morning Talk: Year 12 Guest Speaker Dick Moore on Mental Health (Aldridge Theatre)
Saturday 20th May
10.00–16.00 - SES Workshop for makers & ALL models (Styling session) (Nevill Hall)
10.00–13.00 - Year 7 to Year 13 Photography Workshop
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
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