FRENSHAM SUMMER 2024
OUR FRENSHAM
SUMMER 2024
A WELCOME RETURN
ANDREW
FISHER
Head Andrew Fisher reminisces on returning to Frensham to take up the helm again for this academic year.
What a year it has been for Frensham, for me and for my family. It was in August that I received a call from the Chair of Governors asking me if I would be able to return to the role of Head for a year whilst the school transitions to the new Head, Ben McCarey, it was an easy decision to make. Frensham had been my home and my life’s work for fifteen years, so another year was actually something of a joy to consider; it was both exciting and humbling to be asked.
I found the school to be rather more uncertain and a little nervous when I came back for the results days and then the start of the academic year; it had lost some of the natural confidence and swagger that I felt it had enjoyed previously. The staff were needing clarity, confidence and support having had disrupted times and effectively three Heads in one calendar year. I can reflect back now and say that the warmth, confidence and long term belief in Frensham is back and will flourish into the years ahead; Ben is an excellent choice and will be an exceptional Head.
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This simple act of connection between the Head and the students exemplifies us: Frensham.
To give you all a flavour of this year I would begin in the early weeks of September when I had several unscheduled visits to the office from students wanting to voice their issue to the top! It has always been a wonderful feature of Frensham life that students feel they can and should take their views to the Head and expect a fair hearing, I knew straight away how much I had missed that energy. I found myself once again walking through the school seeing joy and energy and laughter, seeing those who might need some understanding or help and feeling the Frenshamness everywhere. The same can be said of my personal highlights: the U15 girls football team reaching the semi-finals of the National ISBA Cup, the school musical ‘We Will Rock You’, a mesmerising and exceptional performance of ‘Frankenstein’, a junior school musical of Matilda. Alongside the performances were a series of fantastic extensions into academic life: the model UN, a group of computer science students who came 3rd in the National Cyber Centurion Competition against 502 other teams, the project week where Year 7 work on a project
called The Flood, Year 8 build The Village in the woods, Year 9 have a week in the Peak District; all challenging thinking, problem solving and teamwork. Then there has been the annual pleasure of World Book Day and being able to step into lesson after lesson of warm, well taught, engaging learning. I also found time to hold a fundraising week in a tent, sleeping in the woods, near the carpark, on the side of the theatre and up in the high ropes; never again!
I would simply sum up my year with one last example of why I have loved Frensham since the day I started in 2004 – I started the year asking students who I did not know from my previous tenure to introduce themselves to me so I could learn their names and make a connection; Dylan (year 13) shook my hand that day and introduced himself and from that day until my last, every time we crossed paths we shook hands and exchanged smiles. In my first tenure James W did the same, and this simple act of connection between the Head and the students exemplifies us: Frensham.
MEET OUR NEW HEAD BEN MCCAREY
Incoming Head, Ben McCarey, tells us of his journey to Frensham, the benefits of working with Andrew over the last term and his thoughts for the future.
In April this year, I moved to Frensham with my wife (Becky) and my children (Millie and Felix) who are settling into life at the Junior School very well. My journey to Frensham was a long one: I first considered applying for the role when Andrew first retired in 2018 but chose not to, in part, because I was concerned that his shoes may have been too big for me to fill (how ironic this seems today!). Despite choosing not to apply, the school left a lasting impression on me: there is something utopian in the educational vision to which Frensham Heights aspires and a purity about its ethos which, in my previous role as Head of a state boarding school, seemed to speak to me whenever I became frustrated or ground down by the strictures of state sector education. When I was approached again about the role in May 2023 (whilst in the midst of an OFSTED inspection at my previous school), it seemed that the fates were aligned.
I have been extremely fortunate to enjoy the unexpected luxury of a full term's handover with Andrew. His knowledge of all things Frensham,
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There is something utopian in the educational vision to which Frensham Heights aspires and a purity about its ethos...
his love for the school and his boundless belief in the potential of its students are infectious and I am indebted to him for the time he has given to me throughout this year in helping me to plot a path for the future of the school. It is no secret that Frensham has been through some challenging times and, as the fourth Head in four terms, I have joined a school which is cautiously poking its head above the parapet behind which it has been sheltering from the storm. I have also joined a school whose potential is as expansive as the views from my office in Main House.
I firmly believe that Frensham Heights, its ethos and its unique identity have never been more relevant in the world than they are today: in a world where technological advances are forcing us to ask fundamental questions about the role of humanity in the modern workplace, it has never been more important for a school to champion individuality, human relationships and emotional intelligence; in a world in which the value of our education is too often distilled in the sum total of the letters and numbers
we are awarded for a narrow range of exams covering an even narrower field of knowledge, it has never been more important for a school to see beyond this and to educate its students to know themselves and to understand their place in society; in a world riven by political instability, global conflict and where opinions are increasingly polarised, it has never been more important for schools to educate their students to understand the importance of kindness, open mindedness and of reasoned discussion.
As Frensham Heights approaches its second century, these values are in no way new. I am humbled to have been offered the opportunity to lead this wonderful institution. As I begin my journey as the custodian of all that has always made Frensham so unique, I know that the school plans on developing a much closer relationship with its alumni and, as part of this process, I sincerely hope that I have the opportunity to meet as many OFs as possible and to share their experiences as I develop our plans for the future of the school.
SCHOOL NEWS & ACHIEVEMENTS 2023-2024
Frensham Heights Students earn their place on The Cybercenturion Podium!
After initially battling against 500 teams over two intense rounds, the Frensham Heights Sixth Form team made it to the final and placed third in the 2024 CyberCenturion competition. Sarah Cull, Head of Computer Science said “The competition has helped the students develop technical skills that they can use in the future and has inspired them to consider cybersecurity as a potential career choice”.
Frensham Heights Student wins BAFTA Young Game Designers Competition
Arlo Freer, Year 11, won the BAFTA Young Game Designers Competition earlier this year. Arlo was selected as the winner in the category Game Making Award (15-18) for his game ‘Bird in the Woods’. Set in a dilapidated ruin, deep in the forest, you're a bird with a magic bow that allows you to teleport to the location of your arrows. With as few shots as possible, you need to manoeuvre your way through levels of puzzles. Instead of music, the audio background is birdsong and other nature noises. Impressively, Arlo was able to design and create his game in less than a month.
Frensham Heights Students electrify The Aldridge Theatre with their production of We Will Rock You
Frensham Heights’ production of "We Will Rock You" (school edition) was a captivating and energetic spectacle that transported audiences to a world of rock and roll rebellion. The show, based on the music of Queen, showcased the wide-ranging talents and dedication of its young cast and crew of 55 students, creating a production that got the audience stomping their feet, singing along and shouting for more at the end.
“The cast, crew and directors all deserve immense praise for their hard work and dedication. Performing to four jam-packed audiences with standing ovations, the whole team should be incredibly proud”.
Kat Pinnell, Director of Performing Arts
A Monstrous Talent: Frensham Heights Triumphs with Frankenstein
Before the Easter break, Senior School students brought Mary Shelley's chilling masterpiece, Frankenstein, to life in a captivating performance. This was certainly not your average school play with the entire cast and crew pouring their hearts into the project. The result was a mature and captivating performance that rivalled professional productions. This ambitious production, adapted by Nick Dear, showcased the remarkable talent and dedication of a cast and crew entirely comprised of students. Dear's adaptation, famously performed by Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch at London's National Theatre, demands a high level of maturity from its actors. The Frensham cast and crew rose to the challenge magnificently. Drama teacher, Amanda Liddle, who led the production never doubted her students’ ability to take on mature and demanding roles: “Trying to find a play to showcase the specific talents of our students in any given year is always a time-consuming pleasure, but landing on something so far outside the normal scope is a risk. It is a testament to the talent of our whole cast and crew that this was a risk I am certain has paid off. I am immensely proud of every one of them.”
Junior School shine in Matilda the Musical
"Our incredible junior school proved that even if you're little, you can do a lot by delivering the most incredible, heartening and triumphant production of Matilda! Students in years 2-6 were outstanding in their portrayal of this beautiful story that celebrates a love for learning, literature and standing up for what is right. Thank you to the wonderful audiences who came to see it, to the brilliant team of staff who supported and to the young people who made this production the hottest ticket in town!"
Kat Pinnell, Director of Performing Arts
Junior School Prehistoric Museum
During the Autumn Term, Year 6s transformed the Ballroom into a museum for prehistoric animals. It was an incredible display of their creativity and passion for their subject and a wonderful opportunity for the children to share their work with their families.
Young Voices – The Largest Children’s Choir Concert in The World
During the Spring Term Years 5 and 6 took part in Young Voices, a collaboration of many young voices from primary schools across the UK, which takes place at the O2 arena in London. The children practised hard in preparation for the event with our music team and then performed to friends and families with the choir of 1000s along with some famous names.
Junior School Gardening News
Nursery to Year 3 have been very busy preparing their courtyard garden since September. We have sown, cared for and produced a range of vegetables and flowers. Some for the wildlife, and some for ourselves and our families. We have recycled pallets and tins from the kitchen into planters, created a bug hotel, and grown a teepee out of beans! It has been great to see the school community come together and donate seeds and pots and all sort of things we have been able to put to good use. Judith (Teaching Assistant) has worked hard leading this project and the children have benefitted greatly from her time and expertise.
As a result of all of this hard work, we were successful enough to be awarded our Level 4 RHS Gardening for Schools award which meant we collected our prize of seeds, a book, a certificate and (best of all) a gift voucher that we can use to make our garden even better!
To help raise much needed funds we also had our first plant and vegetable sale on the last day of the half-term. Thanks to the enormous generosity of parents and friends we sold almost everything and everybody loved tasting our Rainforest smoothies that Year 2 had made using the spinach from our garden.
All the funds raised will go towards the garden but the first purchase will be some native trees for the patch of grass in the courtyard. The trees will provide food and shelter for the birds and some shade for the corridor that gets very hot in the summer.
At the moment we are growing; potatoes, swiss chard, spinach, broad beans, peas, onions, garlic, carrots, runner beans, fennel, courgettes, pumpkins and lettuce. Everyone got to try our spinach salad one lunchtime and there will be more recipes to follow - so watch this space!
GREENPOWER
Greenpower Formula 24
Racing thrives at Frensham Heights School: A Fusion of Motorsport and STEM Education
Greenpower Formula 24 racing has become a beacon of innovation and enthusiasm at Frensham Heights School, blending the thrill of motorsport with the educational enjoyment of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This dynamic extra-curricular project has not only captured the hearts of our students but also propelled them to significant achievements on the national racing stage.
The Heart of the Project: STEM Learning through Motorsport
The Greenpower Formula 24 initiative at Frensham began with a vision to inspire students by integrating practical STEM applications with the excitement of racing. The project invites students to design, build, and race their own electric-powered cars, offering a hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Students from various year groups eagerly join the team, contributing diverse skills and perspectives. Under the guidance
of dedicated teachers and mentors, they embark on a journey that covers the fundamentals of engineering, physics, and technology. They engage in the entire process, from initial design concepts and CAD modelling to fabrication and fine-tuning their race cars.
Racing Highlights: Triumphs and Achievements
The racing season so far has been a testament to the skill and dedication of the teams. Competing against other schools, colleges, universities and private entrants from across the country, our students have showcased their prowess in engineering and teamwork, achieving remarkable results:
Goodwood Motor Circuit:
(First race as a team)
Secured a commendable 3rd place in class, demonstrating resilience and innovation.
Mallory Park Circuit:
Clinched an impressive 1st place in class, a victory that highlighted the team's teamwork and inspiring performance.
Castle Combe Circuit:
Finished with another 3rd place in class, solidifying our reputation as a formidable competitor in the Formula 24 kit car category.
With one more race heat remaining at Dunsfold Park in September, the teams are gearing up for another stellar performance. Their consistent success has earned them a coveted spot in the International Finals, to be held at Goodwood Motor Circuit in October.
Community Support: A Collective Effort
The success of the Greenpower Formula 24 project at Frensham is bolstered by the unwavering support of our parent community and sponsors, including the Friends of Frensham who have kindly supported the project financially to purchase essential equipment and helped get the project off the ground five years ago.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
As we prepare for the final heat at Dunsfold Park in September and the International Finals at Goodwood, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. The journey thus far has been incredible, and the future holds even more promise. We are committed to expanding the project, incorporating new technologies, and involving more students in this thrilling intersection of motorsport and STEM.
If you’d like to find out more about Greenpower then you can visit their website: www.greenpower.co.uk or contact Giles Rudd, teacher in charge of the project. gilesrudd@frensham.org .
PROJECT WEEK
Every year after the summer half term break, we step out of the usual curriculum to give students the opportunity to develop life skills beyond the classroom. As well as the experiences below, Year 9 spent a week at Mount Cooke in the Peak District and a group of our Year 12s spent a week in Knoydart, Scotland.
Year 7 - The Flood
Year 7 honed their skills for life last week in The Flood Project, which saw them reimagining society following a flood of biblical proportions. Students chose to work on different aspects, depending on what piqued their interests, be that governance or cultural legacy or shelter design. This was a truly cross curricular project and allowed them to test real world skills, working together as a team, being dynamic in changing circumstances, thinking creatively, and building resilience. On Thursday afternoon, each tutor group presented their vision for their society to all of Year 7. The range of creative solutions, their collaborative approach and their excellent presentation skills impressed us all!
Year 7 - Forensics Day
Year 7 became forensic scientists on Friday 7th June attempting to solve the Alice Holt killing!
Throughout the day the students learned new skills and used various techniques to analyse evidence collected at the scene of the crime and at suspects' homes. These techniques included using chemical food tests where they identified what the victims' last meal was. They used chromatography to identify a pen linked to the crime, and analysis of soil which was collected at the scene and on suspects’ shoes.
They also found out how footprint casts could be made at crime scenes to help investigations and made their own casts of their initials in addition to doing some fingerprint work. Furthermore, they used microscopes to look at fibres, hair, and pollen to further narrow down the suspect.
Due to the good work and pressure applied by the FHS forensic team one suspect changed their story during the day. The students then used this new information and additional work, using the flame tests, to identify an unknown substance found on the victim and a suspect.
Thanks to the incredible work carried out by the FHS forensic team the police confronted and arrested John Jackson who, with the overwhelming evidence, confessed to the murder.
The students really enjoyed a day filled with practical science work and using their creativity and problemsolving skills to crack the case wide open! They were fascinated to discover how science techniques they have learnt about in lesson time can be used in the real world for such important applications.
Year 8 - The Village 2024
What a week it was! All of Year 8 enjoyed being off timetable, taking part in a three-day experience deep inside Frensham’s magical woodlands. They were tasked with working together to create their own community who collectively built shelters to sleep in, chopped wood for the fire, prepared and cooked food over said fireincluding pizzas in a galvanized steel bin - heated water for washing up and generally worked hard to keep the site clean and safe.
There was plenty of downtime along the way too, with time spent wood whittling, meeting birds of prey, partaking in a spot of archery and even befriending some tame ferrets and adopting a resident camp cat! Of course, just spending time chilling out with friends was high on the agenda as well. This taste of freedom was sweet!
Although students may be blissfully unaware, all of this has effectively helped develop some key skills for life such as independence, leadership, teamwork, communication, problem solving and maybe most important of all, resilience. Parents will have faced some exhausted young people being returned to them after the event, but undoubtedly there have been many memories made that will last a lifetime.
JUNIOR SCHOOL - Nick OT
I am 2 years into my time as Head of the Junior School at Frensham and have also now been given the opportunity to be one of our two Deputy Heads across the whole school. This strengthens our joined up and dynamic approach as a through School and allows us to take the children and students on a learning adventure that could span their whole educational adventure from Nursery all the way through to the Sixth Form.
As a Junior School Head, I believe in being active and building great relationships with our children. I love that I am known as Nick O-T to all the children in the school and that I can be in a school that gives the Junior School Team the chance to be brave and adventurous in how they deliver teaching and learning to the children.
Our teaching and learning ethos is driven by an immersive Topic based approach in which we seek to link our Topic with our English, Science and (where possible) our Maths! Our approach also factors in the questions, ideas and curiosity of the children so that our planning is informed by them in a collaborative process. This gives the children the autonomy and chance to take a greater ownership of their learning and to influence how we deliver our exciting curriculum.
The Junior School is a non-competitive space that revolves around a ‘hands-down’ culture, talk time, new talk partners each week, and plenty of chance for children to have a voice and share their thoughts.
Ultimately, the aim is to have a learning environment where the children want to come to in the morning and don’t want to leave at the end of the day.
The most important parts of Frensham for me are that we nurture and build self-confidence and allow children time and space to be themselves and fully enjoy the freedom of not growing up too quickly. The key to this is the ability of the talented Junior School Team to build trusting and in-depth relationships with the children and to look at every cohort and child with a different lens so that we proactively adapt our teaching and learning styles to suit the children in front of us each year.
Behaviour management is key in an environment that offers children more space and freedom to be themselves. This is positively delivered through our JS Learning Charter which was co-created by the children and the Junior School Team and is reflective of a culture that wants children to recognise that they and the staff are on this journey together. This is further underpinned by our values of Being Brave, Being Creative, Being Kind and Being Yourself and our use of the Zones of regulation to educate children about their feelings and emotions and how to successfully navigate through them.
Frensham is somewhere I firmly believe in, hence my happy 14 years here so far. I have chosen this space for my own two girls and am excited to now see the empowered, confident, kind and social young people they are becoming. This place really is somewhere rather special.
FOCUS ON TEACHERS
NOEL
What do you enjoy most about being at Frensham Heights?
The coolest part of being the librarian at Frensham Heights, is watching a reading trend take off and having the resources and freedom to nurture it. Series such as The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter, or the Vinland Saga’s by Yukimura, anything by Karen McManus or even Marlon James are very much stocked because of students talking about the authors' books. Non-teaching staff too have contributed, with a fine biography of Richard Nixon being added by request.
Though the library catalogue has an evergrowing range of digital resources, by far the strongest preference is for physical resources, resulting in a collection of well over 10,000 items on the shelves.
Anything else?
To maintain relevance school libraries are having to become increasingly diverse in ways to be supportive and useful. Hence non-bibliographic areas are very much part of the library. Here too, the freedom at FH. to grasp a suggestion and develop it has also been truly rewarding. The library’s current colour scheme, taken from a school magazine cover, was pointed out by a teacher. The library
café – also a suggestion - has become very popular, with queues stretching out of the door and down the stairs. And the reading snug was born, following a Head-teacher’s comment, after a burst water pipe meant a previously walled-off area of the library needed to be opened up. These features have contributed to making the space more of a welcoming sanctuary.
OK,
back to books?
One of the more memorable titles I have come across recently was taken up by the library’s reading club: The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer: an early example of the New Weird literary genre, made into the Netflix film Annihilation.
What were your first experiences of reading?
My earliest book related memories would be having the stories of Hans Christian Andersen read to us by my father. Dark and gruesome, these cautionary tales have echoed for decades. My own early forays into the world of reading were much lighter material, the Just William series being amongst them.
How did you start being a librarian? I came to being a school librarian through
Noel's tips for a good summer read:
Butter by Asako
Yuzuki
That's Not How You Wash a Squirrel by David
R Thorne
This Book Kills by Ravena
Guron
a circuitous route of nearly twenty years in the book trade. Unemployed for a while having returned to the UK after eight years abroad - mainly in Denmark, Sweden and Australia - I found work in a book warehouse. Seven years later I moved to London having been offered the position of Bookseller in Hatchards Piccadilly and later became the manager of the bookshop in the Science Museum. My wife, whom I met in Hatchards had decided to retrain as a teacher. The school she ended up working in, in central London, needed a librarian and after a gruelling, two-minute interview by the photocopier, I was a librarian!
Did the pandemic affect the library?
Yes, enormously. It was shut throughout. Frensham Heights kindly re-deployed me and I helped with covering lessons. This has continued ever since, and I am now also involved with Outdoor Education too. Whilst there is an inevitable impact on the library, the increased contact with the student body, allowing me to see school life through their eyes, and honing the lines of communication, is an experience I would not want to be without.
Noel Rasmussen has been our librarian since 2009.
When did you start working at Frensham?
I joined Frensham in the Easter Term 2000. The Junior School was just beginning to grow after its move from Pierrepont School, which had closed a few years before. My first class, Year 5, had just seven children and was a huge change from the state school I had come from!
Tell us about some stand out memories of working here?
I have so many! Taking the children on residential visits is something that was special. Seeing them in a completely different environment, sometimes challenging them to keep going when things got tough and seeing the enjoyment of success when they reached the end of the week having had a fantastic time! There was always an ice cream to keep everybody’s spirits up and the sun was nearly always shining!
What is the best thing about Frensham
The best thing about Frensham has got to be all the people I work with from the teachers to all the support staff, everyone is always willing to give their time to help and listen and always with a smile. With
ROSEMARY
people around you like that things will always be good and you can achieve so much.
What is the best piece of advice you can give one of your students?
The best advice I can give is to be kind in all that you do. Always look for the positives, always do your best and be your best.
What motivates you as a teacher?
The greatest thing about teaching is working with the children, seeing them grow through the year and gain in confidence. There is never a dull day and I have loved being part of their school lives. They have so much energy and enthusiasm for everything, and they can so often surprise with their talents and capacity for fun.
Why did you want to teach?
My first proper job was working for a bank in the Income tax and accounts department – I found it pretty dull work being someone who would rather be doing something outside! I was lucky enough to have a friend who was a head teacher and kindly let me come to his school for a week to see if teaching could
be something I would enjoy better. I loved it, loved working with the children and all the variety of things to do each day.
What does the future hold for Frensham do you think?
Frensham will have been providing progressive, creative and engaging education for one hundred years in 202526. Every academic year brings new challenges and opportunities and I am sure Frensham will continue to inspire young people to unlock their full potential for many years to come.
What does the future hold for you?
I will be going on my long awaited gap year - riding my horses, catching up with friends and family and travelling the world!
Rosemary Giraudet has been a Junior School teacher at Frensham for 24 years and is retiring at the end of this academic year. We all wish her the very best for her coming “gap year” and beyond!
When did you start working at Frensham?
September 2023. Having followed Frensham Heights for ten years, I was very excited when the job as Head of Psychology and Sociology came up. I spent twenty hours preparing my interview and went in with guns blazing on the day! It was great to meet and teach the students, and I got a real sense of a strong community amongst staff right from the first moment.
Tell us about some stand out memories of working here.
First of all, every lesson is a real chance to create opportunities for learning with the students. In just one academic year, I have seen students develop their academic skill and knowledge first hand. Secondly, it has been a great pleasure to watch the production of Frankenstein, which was an excellent team performance with some outstanding individual performances as well. Finally, hanging out with the sixth form students in Roberts House as a sixth form tutor, having fun conversations, has always been an enjoyable experience.
What is the best thing about Frensham?
That students and staff can be
PAUL
themselves! With more than twenty years working in English schools, Frensham is the only school where I have felt completely at home in all aspects of my professional life. We have colleagues who are passionate about their subjects, which helps to create an environment that is focused on learning and teaching, but Frensham would not be what it is, if it wasn’t for our students. The fact that they really enjoy challenging lessons and contributing to these makes my job so joyful. Our parents’ support and belief in how we deliver education is likewise key to our success. I cannot forget to mention the amazing food we get every day! When I wake up in the morning, I don’t thing about going to work, but about the opportunities that await me and the students that day!
What is the best piece of advice you can give one of your students?
Never give up! Believe in your own abilities regardless of what others are telling you. Know that failure is part of the learning curve and that overcoming the obstacles which you will meet will only make you a much stronger person. And finally, that the shortest distance between
you and another person is a smile!
What motivates you as a teacher?
Psychology and Sociology offers the student a window into themselves, the world we live in and how it might change in the future. Teaching is the perfect platform for supporting and challenging students to go the extra mile on their learning journey. Having the opportunity to develop transformational skills in all my students and offer a bespoke learning experience is a major advantage of working at Frensham. Being with students on A level results day is very rewarding - knowing that as a team we worked together. But of course, there are also the experiences outside lessons with students and colleagues which add to the full picture of what it means to be part of a dedicated community that has it focus on working with and supporting young people.
Why did you want to teach?
The truth is, I didn’t! It came later in my life when I realised that I had a talent for motivating and inspiring young people. I happened to be in a place where this was recognised by others and combined with changing life circumstances, I
PAUL continued
grabbed the opportunity to teach in the classroom. It was a real change in my life, and I remember the early years of my teaching career of just living from day to day as I set up a brand new Psychology department with a colleague. After three years of teaching and getting A level results above that school’s own average, I thought I was doing something right.
What excites you about the future of Frensham?
I am excited about the fact that we have a new Head starting in September. Frensham is a school with amazing students and teachers, and I am sure that Ben's vision will give us all even more motivation to succeed. In addition, I am looking forward to developing Psychology and Sociology as subjects but also across the school. I have already collaborated with the Science department giving my Psychology students the opportunity to dissect sheep brains as a practical learning experience of Biopsychology as well as with the Arts department when students from my Psychology Club made drawings of the unconscious. I hope that both Sociology and Psychology students will contribute to the wider school community, and this is something that I will encourage them to do as a way of stimulating their personal growth and intellectual curiosity whilst at Frensham.
Paul Anders Søgaard is Head of Psychology and Sociology and joined Frensham in September 2023.
NEW HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL COMING SOON.....
As part of our preparations for the Centenary Frensham ‘commissioned’ a new history of the school. The author Roy Waight, a local historian spent hours and hours in the basement of Main house digging, correlating, cross checking and unearthing the school’s now long and colourful history. He has done a remarkable job. He starts with a detailed study of the origins of Main House, the various owners of the estate and the extraordinary lives they led. Of course, he covers the impact of WW1, when Frensham became a hospital and then the key events which followed through PR’s time right through to the current day. I was delighted to read his real engagement with the school’s long culture, it periods of growth and the sense of humour which he brings to his findings. I also fully support his honesty; any school that has been open for 100 years will have highs and lows, greatnesses and regrets, Roy writes with honesty and thoughtfulness throughout. I warmly recommend it to everyone who will take an interest in the century of Frensham life, loves, laughter and eccentricities. The final history will be ready for purchase during the coming academic year, as part of our launch of the Centenary Celebrations.
By Andrew Fisher
FH CENTENARY PLANNING
We are all looking forward to our Centenary in 202526, which will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Frensham’s history, its present and its future, together as a community. We are busy planning a series of events for Centenary year, when there will be the opportunity for you to get involved.
We have engaged the help of some of our OFs to be OF Ambassadors for the Centenary year. These include John Atkinson and Gunnar Cauthery, but we are hoping to engage the help of a few others.
We would love to hear from artists, musicians, authors, story tellers, in fact, anyone who would like to be involved in events across the year or in being part of the show during our Grand Centenary 2-day Founder’s Event in the summer of ’26. If you are interested in getting involved, please email us at of@frensham.org
Events you can expect include an OF launch event in London and another at Frensham in the first half of 2025. Then through the academic year 2025-26 there will be a series of events, some of which will be extensions of current events, such as a Centenary Fireworks Night and others that will be Centenary additions including the Frensham Literary Festival, Events to celebrate Drama, Dance & Music and the Creative Arts as well as social events for OFs to reunite.
We will be publishing a full calendar of events in early 2025. Here are a few for your diaries:
Founders' Day 2025
Saturday 28 June
Centenary Fireworks night
Sunday 2 November 2025
Centenary Founders' Event 2026
Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July
FRENSHAM AT OUR HEART -
THE ARTS AND BEYOND
In 2025, Frensham Heights will celebrate its Centenary. This will mark 100 years of a forward-looking approach to education that is arguably even more relevant today than it was in 1925. The creative thread that our insightful Founders embedded into the curriculum is still very much part of who we are today. They realised the importance of the creative and performing arts in developing the whole child and we continue their legacy by ensuring that every child at Frensham experiences Dance, Music, Drama, Art, Ceramics and Design Technology from the earliest years through to the end of Year 9. Students can then choose to follow their passions alongside their academic subjects, resulting in lawyers who can really sing, mathematicians who paint masterpieces and actors who are fabulous historians.... our aim for every Frenshamian, to leave us fully rounded and fully prepared for the world they are entering.
Sixth Form Arts Awards
Our new Sixth Form Arts Awards recognise the incredibly talented students that choose to study with us through their A level years. They attract students who excel in their discipline in either the Creative or Performing Arts and want to pursue their passion alongside their chosen A level subjects. As part of our Arts Awards offer, we fully prepare students for their next steps with enrichment opportunities relevant to their field of study including visiting industry professionals, audition training, workshops and trips to theatres, galleries, concerts and much more. We have become the first choice for many because of our broad offer, wonderful facilities and commitment to marrying a range of subjects through Sixth Form study.
“The Performing Arts Award is a brand-new initiative that will break the mold of the conventional conveyor belt dance, drama or music training. Stanislavski said, love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art and as ever, Frensham is always far more interested in empowering individuals as innovators, artists and pioneers and this is the foundation of our arts award provision. The award offers bespoke and industry standard training across all Performing Arts students to offer a vocational experience to our students hoping to further their passion and experience in their chosen field”.
Kat Pinnell - Director of Performing Arts
The ambition behind the ‘Creative’ Arts Award Programme is to inspire, challenge and extend students who have already shown a passion and commitment to the visual arts. This will require a willingness to try new approaches, take risks and innovate. Creative and original thinkers who are self-reliant, adaptable problem solvers and effective collaborators will be in an excellent position to take advantage of new, and somewhat unknown, opportunities as the world moves into an uncertain, challenging and exciting future.
Brendan Horstead – Head of Creative Arts
SIXTH FORMERS
TAKE A STAND
The War in Ukraine: How Do You Feel?
Frensham Sixth Formers Polina and Ivan have taken the stage on two occasions to share their thoughts on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, with the hope of bringing it back to the forefront of people's minds. All proceeds were in aid of Unbroken - National Rehabilitation Center offering treatment to war-affected Ukrainians, https://unbroken.org.ua/
Reflection by Charlie, Head of Sixth Form
It has been an absolute pleasure to support Polina and Ivan over the last two years in Frensham Sixth Form. They are incredibly driven, diligent, and able students. Polina and Ivan are both from Ukraine. Ivan has not been able to return to his home country for over two years because he will not be allowed to leave in case he is needed for the war effort. Polina’s father has fought and been wounded fighting in the war. Polina and Ivan live every day carrying the stress and strain of what will happen to loved ones and how this horrendous war will unfold.
Ivan and Polina have worked hard to champion the cause of their homeland. Polina completed an excellent EPQ on the possibility of Ukraine joining the EU. She has also appeared on local BBC radio with her reflections about the war. This term, Ivan and Polina spoke to the 6th form in detail about the experience of the war that is not being shown on media in the UK. This was an astonishing presentation and deeply moving. The graphic reality of the war remains despite the insouciance that prolonged exposure to news brings. They delivered the same presentation to the local community on the 25th June. Polina and Ivan are very brave young people who have already lived well beyond their 18 years. Their message is an important one and deserves to be heard. They are hoping to raise money for an Ukrainian charity that supports wounded soldiers.
LIFE AFTER FRENSHAM:
Embracing the future and honouring the past with an evolving careers programme.
As we look back on the past year, one careers event stands out - the enriching interaction between our Year 12 students and you, our esteemed OFs over the week of 20 May 2024. This was a unique opportunity for our students to learn from your experiences and gain insights into life beyond Frensham Heights, it proved a useful activity for the Alumni who may have been able to pause and measure the distance they had travelled too.
In the week preceding the May half term, the 6th form students participate in an intensive Life After Frensham programme, a series of intensive handson careers and university workshops to prepare the students for their next steps in collaboration with alumni, industry experts and external speakers.
Like our own careers, our Careers Programme continues to mature and blossom too. We now leverage AI algorithms on platforms like UCAS and Unifrog which allows our students to complete psychometric testing and in turn helps create a personalised list of career paths and the routes and waypoints along them. This approach aligns with our shared belief at Frensham Heights that not everyone follows the same path and indeed, we encourage our students to blaze their trail instead. In addition to this, our students benefit from interview etiquette workshops, application form masterclasses, and one-to-one interview practice with industry experts. These initiatives are designed to equip our students with the skills they need to navigate their future careers confidently.
How you can help
As our Careers Programme looks to the horizon, we are eager to deepen our engagement with you, our OFs. Your involvement can significantly enhance the learning experience for our current students. Perhaps you are involved in recruitment and could assist with CV writing? Or maybe, you could offer a masterclass related to your current role and how it links back to the subjects you studied at Frensham?
We also welcome the idea of workplace tours, which could provide our students with a real-world glimpse into various industries students just like you could aspire to a little further down the track.
Our intent is to continue to forge strong community bonds between parents, students - both old and new - and the school. We aim to build lasting relationships which reach beyond our beautiful grounds extending globally. Your participation and support can play a crucial role in this endeavour.
As we head towards our Centenary, we look forward to your continued engagement with Frensham Heights, and we are excited about the positive impact we can make together on the lives of our students.
Many thanks and warm regards Grant Gallacher Business Studies Teacher/Head of Careers
Thank you OFs
As part of Life After Frensham week, Year 12 met seven Old Frenshamians (OFs) who left the school between 2016 and 2020. These OFs spoke to each student about their journey, their choices, the lessons that they learnt and their general pearls of wisdom. The Year 12s gained a great deal from speaking to the OFs: a real sense of the contemporary experience and inspired to realise how they can fulfil their dreams. A massive thank you to the following OFs for joining us: Jonas Helyar; Ben Garnett; Charlie Repp, Joel Nugent, Sam Scott, Katya Hardcastle and Cosmo Lupton. It is always satisfying to hear about the diverse adventures and how these former students are changing the world in their own way. As we approach the end of the academic year with students leaving us for pastures anew and becoming OFs, we hope that they will be part of Frensham for Life and in years to come, be able to share their advice with future students.
SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL CHARITIES
Fountain Centre
The Fountain Centre is Frensham’s chosen charity for the academic year 2023/24. Throughout the year students and staff have run charity events to raise money for this wonderful organisation. Andrew led the charge in January 2024 by taking on a 5-night extreme camping challenge. He relied on donors' generosity to get him through a week of winter camping with nothing but the kit that was sponsored – the full £10,000+ that he raised went directly to the charity. Camping locations included the roof of the Aldridge Theatre and a suspended tent from our high ropes, culminating on the last night in a
more luxurious tent on the lawn with other staff and parents.
Andrew said, “I hope that I can be a role model to students by showing that by taking on a personal challenge, we can raise significant awareness and funds for crucial charities. We can each make a difference.”
Andrew’s Winter Camping Challenge was more than just a test of one man’s physical and mental endurance. It was an opportunity to support a worthy cause. The Fountain Centre is an independent charity located within St Luke’s Cancer Centre at the Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford, Surrey. They provide crucial support and advice to cancer patients and their families.
www.fountaincentre.org
Farnham Assist
Farnham Assist are a local Christian charity who are growing rapidly, currently they support 190 elderly people with events and meetings with the help of around 70 volunteers.
Teachers and students support their Sunday lunches by helping with seating, serving, clearing and hosting regularly through the year
and we hold 2 afternoon teas at the school. Quoted as "a great opportunity for the young and “young at heart” to come together to share their experiences of life". Bringing the two generations together is powerful and develops how they both interact in their local communities afterwards "very many thanks for a lovely afternoon on Tuesday. All our people had a fantastic time and were very complimentary about the students, the tea, the school itself and also you".
https://farnhamassist.org.uk
Brightwells Gostrey
Brightwells Gostrey is another favourite elderly group who we visit weekly at the Memorial Hall to play games, quizzes, share music and chat with our Year 7 and 8 students. For some, it is their favourite part of the school week and they are dedicated to it. These elderly clients have visited the school for luncheon and particularly enjoyed sitting out on the front lawn being entertained by year 5 in glorious sunny weather.
Lynn Goodburne, Charity Committee
OF PROFILES
"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?"
HAMMY SPARKS OF January 1955 –
Frensham is in my blood. One of the three Founders, Edith Douglas-Hamilton, was my Great Aunt, my mother (Tommy Boyle) was a pupil in the twenties, as were at least two of her cousins, and my sister followed after me. I spent most of my time at school avoiding sport, other than swimming, at which I was quite useful, and basketball, which I liked. But I enjoyed organising and running activities such as the Flottage library, the tuck shop and the main library. I edited the school magazine and served as a school counsellor and a Hamilton House counsellor. In my earlier years I ran a ‘pub’ with two good friends, brewing and selling ginger beer; I and the same two friends developed and played many board games. The organisational skills I learned proved most valuable in my career.
After leaving Frensham I volunteered on a Welsh narrow-gauge railway, something which I continued, mainly as a Guard, for 52 years. Through this I learned much about responsibility, reliability and interacting with people,
July 1963
other skills which proved of great value. After gaining a mathematics degree and teaching qualification I joined a boarding school where I spent the next 37 years teaching maths, adopting the educational philosophies I had absorbed at Frensham, rather than slavishly following tradition. The organisational skills I had learned helped me to run many activities such as the Sixth Form clubroom and bar, school swimming, indoor games, various committees and I was a boarding house Housemaster for 11 years. I gained a mountain leadership qualification and organised many school camping expeditions to the Lakes, Snowdonia and Scotland, including long distance walks, such as the Lyke Wake Walk and the Welsh Three Thousands.
Theatre and opera have been lifelong passions and I sang principal baritone and bass-baritone roles with my local operatic society for 39 years. For some time, I ran the school theatre and directed productions, including some presented in-the-round, a great format.
Since retirement, I have had more time to pursue theatrical activities, visiting historic theatres to study their architecture and technical operations, and to develop new interests in travel and shipping, especially in historic paddle steamers in Britain and abroad.
Living alone, the lockdowns were a challenge, although nothing compared to those for a family with children, living in a high-rise flat. I enjoyed my garden, completed jigsaws, listened to old tapes of the Goon Show and read my first two Walter Scott novels. Also, some Frensham contemporaries and I worked through two school photos, identifying faces. Happily, life is now more normal.
The values and skills which I learned at Frensham have proved central to the whole of my life.
I left Frensham in the summer of 2016, and since then, it’s been a rollercoaster journey!
After completing my A levels, I embarked on a path towards working in the UK’s political sphere. I attended the University of Hull, where I studied politics and international relations. While studying, I had the opportunity to intern during my final year with Clive Betts MP, the Member of Parliament for South East Sheffield. This experience introduced me to the complex and often surprising world of politics.
Since then, I’ve taken on various roles, including working as a political consultant and as a policy assistant to another MP, Dr. Ben Spencer, from the Conservative Party. Although I am not a Conservative, this experience was invaluable. It taught me that while party politics has its place, understanding and collaborating with people across the political spectrum is crucial, especially if you want to drive forward the policies
JONAS HELYAR OF 2011 – 2016
and changes that you believe in.
Now, I am working in a slightly different field: human rights.
Halfway through my master’s degree in Violence, Conflict, and Development, I accepted a position as the Advocacy Director for the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, led by Bill Browder. Once the largest foreign investor in Russia, Bill has since become a global human rights activist, standing up to the violence of the Putin regime through being the driving force behind the adoption of the Magnitsky Act to hold other human rights abusers accountable for their crimes.
In my role, I have two primary goals. The first is to campaign for the seizure of Russia’s central bank reserves, totaling approximately $350 billion, and allocate them to Ukraine to fund its defence against Russian aggression. The second, and most important to me, is to campaign for the release of British citizen Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is detained in Russia on trumped-up charges of high
treason. His real "crime" was calling Putin what he is. A murderer. And for labelling the war in Ukraine what it is – a war.
Vladimir is a dual national and a well-known member of the Russian opposition. At the start of the war, he returned to Russia to speak out against the violence of the Putin regime. For this, he was arrested, charged with high treason, and sentenced to 25 years in a harsh prison regime—the longest sentence of any political prisoner in Russia.
Since taking on the role of Advocacy Director, I’ve had the chance to meet incredible people and witness firsthand the importance of standing up for political prisoners. Working in human rights has been both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to develop a wide range of skills from strategic planning to public speaking and lobbying. Collaborating with international human rights organizations, governmental bodies, and grassroots activists has
deepened my understanding of the complexities involved in global advocacy.
One of the most impactful moments in this role, was organizing a major advocacy event for the two-year anniversary of Vladimir’s arrest, that brought together activists, policymakers, the media and many more to call for action on Vladimir’s case. This event not only raised awareness about our campaigns but also demonstrated the power of collective action. Seeing people unite for a common cause was inspiring and reinforced my belief in the importance of community and solidarity in driving change.
Reflecting on my journey since leaving school, I realize how each experience has shaped my path. From interning with MPs to advocating for human rights on a global scale, every step has been a learning opportunity. The skills and insights I've gained along the way have not only defined my professional life but have also deeply influenced my personal growth.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the future and the possibilities it holds. There are still many challenges to overcome, but I am committed to continuing the fight for Vladimir’s freedom for as long as it takes to get him out. I hope to inspire others to join this cause, showing that with determination and empathy, we can make a difference.
Frensham Heights was, in many ways, the beginning of my political journey, and I am grateful for every experience I had at the school that has led me to where I am today.
Twitter: @GMJCampaign
BRONZE BUST OF LORD MOSER GIFTED TO FRENSHAM
We have been very kindly given a bronze bust of Claus Moser, OF, who died in 2015. He was at Frensham Heights in the late 30’s after arriving as a refugee into the UK from Berlin. Pete Moser his son says “He used to speak with very fond memories of the school and I do believe he went back a couple of times for events. The bronze bust is of my father by Rosemary Fisher and there is another one similar to this at the Royal Opera House”.
Andrew Fisher responded, “I was lucky enough to meet your father on two or three occasions, all linked to Frensham and his time here; he was so warm, engaging and erudite in his memories of his Frensham years. He still stands as one of our most notable and successful Old Frenshamians. The school would be delighted to have a bronze of your father, we can plan for a place in which to display it and continue the link we share. The generation of refugees who came to Frensham through the late 30’s and 40’s were truly remarkable in their passion, drive and commitment to living life to the full; we were so lucky as a school to have this generation here and from whom the current students can still learn”.
IN MEMORIAM TRIBUTES TO
RECENTLY DECEASED ALUMNI
JOHN BAYSTON MARCH 2023
Before joining Frensham Heights in 1973, John and Patricia had spent three happy years in Jamaica, teaching at a school in Kingston which was allowed to use the country’s only test cricket ground at Sabina Park. Since cricket was John’s favourite sport this was a great joy.
He and Patricia then moved from Jamaica to teach at a Young Offenders institution in the UK. The brutality of the regime there appalled them. Frensham seemed an attractive polar opposite. Appointed initially as teacher of Sport and PE, John and Patricia also ran Brackenhill, housing boarder boys from Y10 to Y13, for four years.
On arrival at FH, John, who was always very tidily turned out, found himself dealing with a bunch of long-haired, rather scruffy individuals unwilling to settle down and concentrate in the classroom. Moving on from the staff, some of the pupils could be equally challenging. However, they found their challenges more than met by John’s calm, organised, fair-minded approach.
He went on to teach Geography and, after a few years, was appointed Senior Master and Timetabler – a crucial role in pre-computer days. It needing an orderly approach to the practicalities plus the ability to persuade every member of staff that they had been fairly dealt with in terms of lesson numbers, distribution and teaching space. He chaired the staff common room committee, deputised for the Head and oversaw discipline throughout the school.
John was held in exceptionally high regard by staff and pupils alike. High regard and awe with just a soupcon of terror. Most realised that -- though his bark was formidable -- his bite was much gentler. John’s views, when expressed in a public setting, were always clearly audible, even from a considerable distance.
His office was positioned in the middle of Flottage; his door was almost always open. From his desk, next to the everpresent draughtsman’s board holding the developing outline of next year’s timetable, he had a good view of a very social area and could absorb the general atmosphere. Very little escaped his gaze. If he spotted an errant pupil whom he felt was in need of direction there would be a stentorian blast from that unmistakeable voice. The whole set up created an atmosphere of order and safety.
Any photo of John posted online always generates multiple warm comments from past pupils, including those who might well have been labelled ‘naughty’ at times. His blunt Yorkshire advice was remembered and fondly passed on from pupil to pupil. He was a central pillar of the school; thoughtful, wise, clear-thinking and someone who possessed in shed loads that most essential and fundamental requirement for teaching -- especially in a position of leadership – common sense. With John, what you saw was what you got.
When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2003, it was a real blow. He and Patricia decided that he would retire and live life to the full for as long as he could. Until the Covid lockdown he would visit the gym three times a week and play golf three times a week, though this proved impossible to maintain as Covid took hold. Another outdoor activity that gave him great satisfaction was angling. He was a devotee of the ‘Gone Fishing’ series on BBC with Mortimer and Whitehouse.
John B and Patricia exemplified, for many years, the best of Frensham Heights.
By John A
DAVID PROUDLOCK
APRIL 2024
Formerly Director of Performing Arts and House Master of Flottage, worked at Frensham for a number of years in the 90s. Described by many as kind, intelligent, empathetic, generous and overall a truly magnificent person
I was terribly sad to hear of the death of David Proudlock - a mentor, a friend, and a truly magnificent drama teacher. His passion for and knowledge of his subject were deeply inspiring and invigorating to so many of us at Frensham Heights, and at all the other schools he taught at over a long and distinguished career. When I first met him, aged 11, I already knew I wanted to be an actor, but I couldn’t really have told you why. What David gave me was an understanding that theatre could be so much more than entertainment: he revealed to me that it had the power to move, to make arguments, to provoke, to change minds, to place big ideas in communal spaces and to give shape to the political as well as the personal. He was never shy of giving us his real opinion on any subject, and he made sure we understood that our privilege was not the norm. He cared so much about his pupils and, crucially, he had enough faith in our maturity to talk to us like adults. I think he revealed to us more of the world beyond our doors than anyone else I encountered at school. He made very bold choices when it came to school plays, stretching us well beyond the limits we had known, and his skill as a director was such that I have no doubt he would’ve made a great career of it had teaching not been his true vocation.
I kept in touch with David fairly regularly until about 5 years ago. Of course I regret, now, that it had been so long since I’d seen him. On one of the last occasions we met, he had recently gone back to teaching after initially having retired. When I asked him why, he said he’d come to the conclusion that he would fade quite quickly once he really had to stop for good. I’m so sorry that turned out to be too true.
Thank you, Dave, for everything. I’ll never forget you.
Gunnar
Cauthery, OF
HUBERT WARD (GOVERNOR)
APRIL 2024
A former Frensham Heights Governor, Hubert is well-known for his 22-year stint as Headmaster at King's Ely and truly made his mark on the education sector, leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten.
NEIL FARMER
JANUARY 2024
Neil Farmer who attended Frensham in the 1950's died on Wednesday 24th January 2024 at the age of 80, after a period of declining health over several years. It will surprise no-one who knew him that he found fun in life and joy in nature to the end of his days. He died peacefully surrounded by the love of his nearest and dearest.
Neil's years at Frensham were defining and formative to the man he became. He was a wild little boy from a broken home when he first attended, and he often spoke of the kindness shown to him by the school and how the staff found ways to let him be him. He told many stories of the escapades he had with the great friends he made at Frensham, most of whom he lost touch with in later life, but all of whom were very much with him in his thoughts.
We, Neil's family, are deeply grateful for all that your school did for Neil and hope that you will pass on the news to those who knew him.
By Jenny Farmer
HEATHER MATTHEWS
JANUARY 2024
Heather taught violin/viola at Frensham for about thirty years. She was a fine musician and a highly regarded and dedicated teacher.
JENNY WELCH (NÉE KNOWLAND)
DECEMBER 2023
Jennifer Welch née Knowland died peacefully on the 26th December aged 83 years. Jen, her twin sister Adrienne and brother Nic attended Frensham in the 50’s.
On leaving Frensham Jen went to the Hammersmith College of Art and Building and then on to the Central School of Art to study pottery where she met and later married Robin Welch who became a prominent potter. Jen was also a very accomplished potter. They had 3 children Samantha, Polly and Marcus.
Our Frensham
DAVID BERGLAS OF (1938-42) INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY
DAVID BERGLAS
OCTOBER 2023
We were very lucky to meet up with David, world renowned magician and Old Frenshamian (1938-42) David Berglas a few years ago to reminisce on his time here and hear about the early days of our school and the people who helped make it the unique place that it has continued to be. In the Spring 2013 Our Frensham Magazine we featured David Berglas. Here is an extract from that feature:
It was at Frensham that David’s performing zeal was nurtured and able to thrive. “I was very athletic and a dare devil in many ways,” he remembers. “I was the youngest and the smallest in the gym team so I was always the one at the top of the pyramid in displays. I remember diving through flaming hoops in the pool on Founders’ Days and leaping from the Minstrels’ Gallery in the ballroom to be caught by the gym team below. My parents were horrified.”
VIJAY MAHARAJ
SUMMER 2023
Vijay was an OF between 1967 and 1973
SIR THOMAS LEGG
OCTOBER 2023
Sir Thomas Stuart Legg died peacefully at home on 8th October 2023, aged 88. Formerly Permanent Secretary at the Lord Chancellor’s Department. Beloved husband of Lizzie; father of Lucy and Isobel; grandfather of Conrad and Jude. Sir Thomas and all his siblings were students at Frensham.
DOROTHEA
WARENDORF-COHEN
OCTOBER 2023
During our mother’s funeral one of the pieces of music was Handel’s hymn Thine be the glory, which she whistled occasionally. She had learned the hymn at FH and loved it. This music remained always connected to the wonderful time she had spent at FH. My mother was proud of very few things, but we are sure she was proud of having been head girl. Furthermore, it enhanced her friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Roberts of whom she was extremely fond
When she left FH in 1949, she returned to Amsterdam and met Paul Cohen whom she married in 1954. They had a very happy marriage for 68 years (my father, who was a radiologist, died in January 2023). Dorothea started to work at the American Consulate in Amsterdam until she got pregnant with Rutger, who was born in 1958. Working as a volunteer for more than 40 years, she arranged home care for old age people and was helpful to patients in the Dutch cancer institute/ Anthoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital in Amsterdam. My mother loved English literature, classical music and Italy. She was a very caring, warm person, always thinking about other people, and the most wonderful wife, mother and grandmother one could think of. She passed on her love for England and the English language to us and always spoke highly about your school.
Julie-Marthe Cohen, also on behalf of Rutger and Frédérique,
HEATHER TAYLOR
OCTOBER 2023
Heather Rosemary Taylor died peacefully on 17th October 2023 in Tunbridge Wells, aged 91. Beloved wife of the late Thomas, devoted mother of Graham and Christopher, grandmother of Shinae and Zara, and mother-in-law of Cathy.
ROBERT MYERS
(OF 1950-55)
Died recently at the age of 87
STEPHANIE EVANS
SEPTEMBER 2023
Jennifer Stephanie Evans, known by Stephanie, passed away on 7th September 2023 in Taunton, Somerset.
Stephanie was a former science teacher and Housemistress in Main House between 1991 and 2006 and was also the school’s examination officer for part of her time at Frensham.
Stephanie was a valued colleague and friend. She was a popular member of the boarding staff and with the sixth form girls she cared for. She also looked after the Eastern European exchange staff. She leaves behind her 3 children and 1 Granddaughter.
JOHN (JPF) GOODMAN
SEPTEMBER 2023
Attended Frensham between 1971 and 1977
PAUL MASON
(OF 1967 - 1973) SEPTEMBER 2023
Paul was a much loved husband, father, brother, uncle and recently grandpa. Paul unexpectedly died on 6th September with his family around him. Paul was devoted to his children, dogs and wife (in that order), alongside being an avid Chelsea and Surrey cricket supporter.
Like his father, Paul was a very active sportsman, who shared joy in encouraging his own children and others to explore the sporting world. In line with his beliefs that sports should be open to all, his family have chosen the Access Sport charity for any donations in his honour. Access Sport focuses on inclusive sport, which is accessible, safe and welcoming to all.
Balancing his sport alongside an active social life, Paul was a cherished friend of many. He would encourage you to celebrate his life with a beer, reflecting upon all the fun times and memories you share together.
JULIENNE COPLEY APRIL
2023
Julienne was a student at Frensham Heights between 1990 and 1992.
PETER GRAHAM-BROWN
JANUARY 2023
Peter Graham-Brown (OF 1956-1960) died at the age of 79 after a lengthy illness. He spent the second half of his life living in Malaysia, making music and writing books. He leaves three children and his wife Markizah. Peter’s father died in the Second World War, and he only knew his little son for a month. This placed great strain on our mother as a single parent and made home life quite tempestuous. Peter bore the marks of this stress all his life. Nevertheless, he was very proud of the family he helped to create.
Peter's half brother Stephen Hart (OF 1959-1968) contributed this piece.
MARIANA MUSA
NOVEMBER 2022
Mariana (OF 1977 – 1978) lived a life full of beauty and joy. She was an artist who worked under the name @marianablackart and brought joy to many with her beautiful illustrations.
After living in Malaysia, America, Australia and France, Mariana finally settled in Oxfordshire, England. She was an avid dog lover and loved taking daily long walks in the countryside.
Mariana sadly passed away peacefully on the 5th of November 2022. She died of lung cancer. She leaves behind her loving husband Gary, parents Musa, Maria and Ika, siblings Rosana and Hanif, nieces and nephew Marisa, Lara and Kaelen, and grand nephew Reyn.
Mariana was a loving and generous friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Rest in peace Ana.
BRIDGET EVANS (NÉE LLOYD)
JULY 2022
Bridget (OF 1945-52) was very happy during her time at Frensham and always spoke warmly about the school and its enlightened educational approach. She left in 1952 after being head girl. She then went off to France to improve her French by working as a governess and attending a course at the Sorbonne.
After a secretarial course she worked briefly for Shell before joining the Foreign Office to see the world. Her first posting was to Israel which she greatly enjoyed making many friends with whom she kept up for most of her life. Her next posting was to Rangoon where through family contacts she met General Ne Win becoming a member of his inner circle. He subsequently became Head of State after a military coup. Much to the ambassador’s chagrin she was the only person in the Embassy to have contact with Ne Win and was able to provide invaluable
reports on the progress of the new regime. She did so well that her London boss wanted to promote her to the officer grade. This proved impossible as she had fallen in love with a colleague and planned to marry. In those days marriage was not permitted for female diplomats and she had to resign.
She was married to Alun for 58 years and they had 3 sons and in time 5 grandchildren. She loyally carried out the important role of diplomatic wife in Singapore, Geneva and South Africa. She was also Chair, in London, of what is now the Diplomatic Service Families Association working with colleagues to ensure greater recognition of the role and sacrifices made by spouses in diplomacy.
She was a strong character which was greatly to the benefit of her family and her death has left a great void in many people’s lives.
FRENSHAM EVENTS
Frensham Enterprises is run alongside the school to raise as much income as possible. Every pound in income is gift aided to the school, this helps maintain, purchase and fund improvements. From weddings to afternoon tea, filming location to summer schools, we are opening up new and innovative ways to make the most of our wonderful site and facilities.
AFTERNOON TEA IN THE DRAWING ROOM
Would you like to visit us and have a wonder around the beautiful grounds, to re-live memories of your time at Frensham. Come and join us for afternoon tea in the summer – costs and booking details can be found at www.frenshamevents.uk
WEDDINGS AT FRENSHAM
We are also very well known for hosting weddings in the Edwardian Manor house, which is totally transformed on a wedding day, our ballroom seats up to 120 for formal dining
We have a civil ceremony license, and the Bride and Groom can choose many different locations to get married both inside and out! – we have hosted many OF weddings and parties here and we always offer the first drink on us, as a warm welcome back!!
As well as being a very popular Wedding location, we have hosted some amazing events such as 21st Birthdays, The Royal Surrey Doctors ball and a charity event with Marquee on the lawns for 320 people in support of MND.
We also hire out our amazing Aldridge Theatre for Productions, dance, concerts and to run our newly launched Runaround Cinema Club showing a wide selection of films throughout the year –visit www.frenshamevents.uk to see what is coming up!
We are also listed for location filming and have met the odd famous Actor or two!!!
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ENGLISH COURSES
One of our biggest income streams is through hosting international students in the summer for 5 weeks – like our students the experience of staying in beautiful surroundings is a massive selling point and we welcome students from all over the world. This is hosted by IH London, and we have been working in partnership with them for 4 years now.
Whatever your event the wonderful spaces of Frensham are available to hire – catered, uncatered, fully licensed bars in Main house and The Theatre. - please contact Kerry or Sarah on 01252797435 or kerryguy@frensham.org / sarahhyatt-williams@frensham.org
We also host events for our wider community including charity events and community festivals, such as the Farnham Literary Festival. If you haven’t been to visit recently, please do - all are warmly invited to join us at a future event in our much-loved Aldridge Theatre. Find out more on our Events page at www.frensham.org/events
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
UPCOMING CENTENARY DATES
Founders' Day 2025 Saturday 28 June
Centenary Fireworks night Sunday 2 November 2025
Centenary Founders' Event 2026 Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July
SEE PAGE 21 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS IN 2025-26
