THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
Friday 11th February, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM RICK
Dear Parents
In the last week I have had the pleasure on two occasions of seeing our talented students performing. Last week saw the senior school production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the Aldridge Theatre. We were delighted to have our senior school production back in the theatre, and the audience on each night was treated to a wonderful spectacle. With COVID challenges, rehearsing had proved really tricky, and the whole cast, crew and staff are to be congratulated on the way it all came together. Yesterday, I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Junior School informal lunchtime concert. The talent on display was amazing, particularly as a number of the students have only been playing instruments for a few months (or weeks!). Well done to them all and thank you for providing such a wonderful treat in the middle of a busy day.
You will be aware from the media reports that Boris Johnson intends to relax all restrictions towards the end of this month. We are not yet sure what this means in schools, but we will update you in due course once the Department for Education has planned their response. I would like to draw your attention to a letter I sent this morning to all parents about a concern in the Bordon area – please do read the letter and, where necessary, talk to your children about it.
I do wish you all a wonderful half term and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Best wishes
Rick
A MESSAGE FROM KATHERINE
Dear parents,
So, it was a lovely week seeing our children talk about their Mental Health and finding ways to explore how we can keep on top of our needs. The theme this year of ‘Dress to Express' was really all about Frensham because our children can express themselves every day of the week. It was so great to see colours, tutus, sports kits and even fancy dress. Our assembly today from Meghan and Nick ended with everyone dancing in the Theatre to S Club 7! Just what we all needed as we are all tired going into Half term.
Year 2 and Clive decided to fill my office full of colourful plastic balls at the beginning of the week which definitely made us all smile. So, to pay back the favour, I may have had a little help to fill Clive’s car with the balls! All part of being a fun community, I wonder who will get the balls next.....
We look forward to seeing you all after a good break and just another reminder that we have an INSET day on Monday 21st February so children are back in school on Tuesday 22nd February. I do hope everyone stays safe over the holidays and I know this for many families is the first time to get on a plane for a few years. Enjoy whatever you are up to!
Lastly, I have some news about our Early Years team. Honesty will sadly be leaving us at the end of the academic year to relocate with her family. She has been an incredibly kind and knowledgeable colleague who has ably led our Early Years team over the last two and a half years and her passion for Early Years and children’s first steps in their learning has put the department on a bright path. Lizzie will also be leaving at the same time after eight years at Frensham; she is an experienced, kind and patient member of the team and we wish her well in her new adventures. Both of these staff members will be very much missed by the children and staff and some goodbyes will be organised in the Summer term.
We have plenty of time to recruit some amazing new people to join the Early Years team in September. Nick and I will be working together to recruit next half term and we will introduce them to you as soon as we have appointed. As part of the process, we will get feedback from staff and children about choosing people who will continue to help Frensham thrive.
I hope you all have an enjoyable break and take care of each other.
Best,
Katherine
SCHOOL MESSAGES
STAFF CONFERENCE - MONDAY FEBRUARY 21ST
Please remember that after half term, classes do not begin until Tuesday February 22nd - boarders return evening of Monday February 21st.
EXAMS INVIGILATORS
If anyone knows anyone who might be interested in invigilating external exams at Frensham Heights this summer please let Rachel Al-Azzawi, our Exams Officer, have details.
JUNIOR SCHOOL TOY SALE – FRIDAY 25TH FEBRUARY
It is the time of year when we ask you and your children to sort out the playroom or toy cupboard in aid of our charity toy sale. Half term is the ideal time to do this! We hope that you will be able to donate games, toys and books in good condition for us to sell in aid of our school charities which are Malawi Schools Trust and Happy Space. Both charities are ones with whom Frensham has a strong link.
Please bring any donations you have to the 4-6 atrium from Wednesday 23rd February onwards.
If you have any questions, please contact me – sallyheighington@frensham.org
Thank you in advance and happy sorting!! Sally
MALAWI INFORMATION EVENING - TUESDAY 29TH MARCH
I am pleased to say that there will now be a Malawi Information Evening on March 29th at school in the Ballroom. Students and parents who are interested in the trip, or who have already signed up for the trip next year, are invited to join us for drinks and canapes at 7pm. It will be a chance to come and hear about the trip from the Frensham point of view. I am also hoping that some of the students who came on the last trip will be able to share their experiences during the evening.
The trip is open to those students who will be in Year 11 and above in September this year.
Please have a think about joining the team – it is a trip that stands out for everyone who goes on it. In addition, it is good for a personal statement when the time comes.
Any issues, please email me – sallyheighington@frensham.org
Sally
SCL HALF-TERM HOLIDAY CAMP
SCL will be holding their holiday camp at Frensham Heights over half-term. Click below for their flyer..
MUSIC TIMETABLES: NOW AVAILABLE
Please note all timetables for individual music lessons are now on the Parent Portal (on your child's realtime timetable) and for all Senior School students on Teams. All Junior School teachers also have a copy. Please check schedules for after half-term. Wishing you a Happy Half Term Holiday from the Music Dept.
WORLD BOOK DAY:
SENIOR SCHOOL GET YOUR BONNETS ON!
World Book Day is fast approaching us! On Thursday 3rd March, we invite the Senior School community to dust off their Regency dress and enter into the spirit of the day. Our morning talk is from Dr Kim Simpson, who has been the Postdoctoral Fellow at Chawton House since 2016. She will be embracing all things Jane Austen and the social etiquette of the time.
JUNIOR SCHOOL: DON'T FORGET TO DRESS UP!
World Book Day is fast approaching and takes place on Thursday 3rd March. We would love for your child to dress up as their favourite character on this day. On WBD, we will be having lots of storytelling activities and opportunities to share favourite books.
As an optional extra, we would love children to create a mystery box/bag (they can put items, pictures, and written clues inside) all about a book that the class can work as detectives to identify together.
We will be running the Frensham Book Swap for any children that would like to take part, they can bring in a book that they have read and think others might enjoy and swap it for one from another student.
JUNIOR BAKE OFF
Junior Bake Off have recently opened applications for their 8th series: a Channel 4 programme that celebrates the culinary talent and ambition of the younger generation in Britain.
They are looking for young budding bakers between 9-12 years old.
Filming would take place from July 2022, but our applications close on Sunday 13th March 2022.
Interested bakers can apply online at - www.applyforjuniorbakeoff.co.uk
CALLING ALL POTENTIAL POETS - FARNHAM NEEDS YOU!
Write a poem for Farnham and be in with a chance of winning £25!
Could you write a poem about Farnham – what you like about the town, your favourite places and things, what it means to you? If so, enter theFarnham Literary Festival’s new Poetry Competition which the parish is running, and you could win a prize of £25 or £10 for a runner up. Shortlisted entrants will be invited to our poetry evening on March 12th at St Mark’s Church, Upper Hale.
There’s a competition for under-16s and an adultone. The under-16s poetry will be judged by poet Coral Rumble and the adult one by poet Ellora Sutton.
All you have to do is write your poem about Farnham and send it to poetry@badshotleaandhale.org or by post to Poetry, St Mark’s Church and Community Centre, Alma Lane, Farnham, GU9 0LT to reach us by Monday, February 14th at 5pm.
Please send your poems typed and double-spaced.
Have fun and good luck!
You can find out more about the Farnham Literary Festival here: https://farnhamliteraryfestival.co.uk/
HAVE YOU GOT THE “X-FACTOR” TO ENTER THE “DRAGON’S DEN”?
Here at Frensham, we’re all about giving our students the opportunities to challenge themselves and gain valuable experience. And in our values, we’re also keen to be a valuable part of our wider community. So why not give them something just a little bit better than the normal?
In the summer term we’re planning to host an event providing our Year 9s with a look at the world of work. The Year 9s will be form small teams and be asked to pitch a product or service that either has environment or the benefit of society at its heart.
What’s happening
A competition that’s loosely based around Dragon’s Den, with hints of X-Factor. In our school, teams will create their idea, put together a presentation – maybe even create a prototype – and pitch it to a panel of judges. They can work on it at break, lunch, after school, at home, and with some dedicated time in tutor sessions. We’re inviting other local schools to take part; with each school putting forward their winners to compete on a grand final hosted in our Aldridge Theatre.
But how’s this different?
This is where you come in. We’d like to offer a mentor/sounding board to each group and have expert judges on hand for the finals. When students come up with their idea, we’d love you to offer feedback, guidance, and advice on their plans. The commitment from you can be minimal, the impact and excitement you’ll be helping to support will be immense and tangible.
And the grand final?
If you’re able to give up some time (I’m sure we’ll get you a tea and coffee!) to watch the pitches and help judge a winner – then get in touch. You may even be able to put this against your company’s CSR policy.
In short?
If you’re interested in helping, or simply want to find out more before you can put your name down, then please email Lyall, our Head of Careers. You don’t specifically have to be a parent of a participant – we’d happily receive interest from all parents able to offer their time.
BE INTERNET AWESOME: A PROGRAM TO TEACH INTERNET SAFETY
To make the most of the internet, children need to make smart decisions. Be Internet Legends empowers younger children to use the web safely and wisely, so they can be confident explorers of the online world. Click here
MINDFULNESS TECH TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Half term is here, and whilst it’s great for our children to have a much deserved break, it can also turn into an endless battle over screen time. At Digital Awareness UK they speak to thousands of parents each week, and they know how easy it is to rely on devices to keep our children entertained while we get things done, or are working from home. And with all the benefits tech has to offer, trying to find a happy tech-life balance at home during the holidays can be tricky. Click here for tips
YEAR 6 FLEXI-BOARDING IN HAMILTON HOUSE
Year 6 parents will have received an email from Sian today announcing that we are now offering flexi-boarding to Year 6 children. There will be some trial evenings in Hamilton House on Monday 28th February and Monday 7th March. Please check your email and get in touch with Sian if your child is interested.
SCHOOL EVENTS - see all upcoming events here
YEARS 4-6 TEATIME CONCERT
Wednesday 2nd March
Parents are invited for tea and cake from 3 o’clock in the Ballroom with the concert starting at 3:30 and ending around 4:15.
BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK
14th to 18th March
The theme this year is Growth and there will be a lot of activities planned throughout the school so keep an eye out for more information closer to the event.
THIS WEEK AT FRENSHAM
Climate Coalition Campaign
Frensham Senior School took part in the Climate Coalition campaign to ‘show the love’ to the natural world and inspire decision makers to make green choices in their policies. Green hearts have been crafted by students in the Junior School and Early Years (we'll share these after half-term), which alongside our great image (thanks to Linn K) will be used by Zero Carbon Guildford as part of their displays around the borough in support of the Climate Coalition. Look out for those green hearts. If you’d like to find out more or write to your local MP to show your support please use the link below.
BFI IMAX Sixth Form
Spanish Day
Conducted mainly in Spanish, by Professor Sarah Wright and Dr Lidia Meras, from the Royal Holloway University; This study day focussed on Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), a prescribed text in the Edexcel specifications. Students had the opportunity to learn about film language as well as important historical periods such as Franco’s dictatorship, and the civil war, in order to aid a deeper understanding of the film’s themes. In the afternoon there was an introduced screening of Pan’s Labyrinth (2006).
The students were thoroughly focussed on the day and I very much enjoyed seeing them gain confidence with their prescribed A level Film Study and Theme. Our students' undoubtedly left this session with an enhanced cultural and linguistic knowledge of this historical era.