Our Frensham - Summer 2013

Our Frensham

AUGUST 2013

AN EXUBERANT SPRING & SUMMER FOR FRENSHAM

Dates for your diary

While the school calendar for the Autumn Term 2013 includes all dates for the remainder of this year, the following are those ‘open’ events that family, friends and OFs might like to note down in their diaries.

Further details about all of these will be publicised nearer the time.

3 November

Friends of Frensham Firework Evening

PAC

7 November

Monologue Festival and ‘The Date’: Edinburgh Fundraiser

PAC

8 November Jazz Café Performance PAC 13-14 November Look Back in Anger Studios 21 November Rock and Pop Concert PAC 28 November Dance Concert PAC 9 December

Senior Christmas Music Concert

Parents’ evenings: Autumn Term 9 October Year 7 16 October Year 10 6 November Year 8

15 October 4 November

PAC

N-Year 3 Years 4-6

Contact us The next issue will be printed in December 2013. If you have any news, suggestions or photographs for inclusion in Our Frensham, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: Our Frensham, Frensham Heights, Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4EA Email: ourfrensham@frensham.org

“If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.”

Get your own prospectus from individual@frensham.org

Benjamin Franklin

Frensham Heights Think, Create, Explore

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AN INTRODUCTION ANDREW FISHER “Our current and past students are an endless source of inspiration.

Whether three years old or in their 90s, you can easily spot a Frenshamian – it’s something about the unassuming confidence.”

The last year at Frensham began with me taking 16 students and staff to All Saints School in Malawi and has ended with a return visit by the All Saints headmaster, Michael Masudi, and his wife, Dorothy Banda. This is fitting as I can see the partnership between our schools developing into something very special that will provide real learning opportunities and extraordinary experiences.

This issue of Our Frensham covers just the last two terms and I hope you will get a sense of just how vibrant and varied those terms have been. It is, of course, impossible to cover everything but reading through has reinforced to me what an exceptional school Frensham Heights really is. I don’t think there are many establishments where you will find students able to turn their hands to top level debating, a wide range of sporting pursuits, putting on extraordinary music, drama and dance shows and inspiring thunderous standing ovations for Les Misérables – not to mention excellent academic performances.

It is also noticeable how many different directions our students go in once they have left Frensham. I am proud of our Old Frenshamians, many of whom keep in touch with the school

and take an active interest in our current students. Several come back to give Morning Talks, like Steven Frank (see page 34) or as the Guest Speaker on Founders’ Day, like Robert Barton (see page 24).

What strikes me is how many OFs have really wonderful memories of their school days.

This was particularly obvious at the 50-year anniversary of the 1963 leavers (see page 32) – a very special event.

Which brings me to this year’s leavers – a really lovely group, many of whom have been at Frensham since the age of 11 and some who joined us when they were even younger. Yet, even those who have been here only for the Sixth Form seem to have embedded themselves in the life of the school so successfully that they will be a hard act to follow. I wish them all the luck in the world in whatever path they now choose to follow and hope that they, too, will keep that contact alive.

Andrew Fisher looks back over a successful 2013.

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SCHOOL NEWS MUSIC FROM TINY TO TEENAGE Monday 4 February saw the PAC play host to a lovely Morning Talk bringing together Frensham’s musical students from across the year groups.

SNOW WONDER

January’s snow brought some parts of England to a standstill...but not Frensham! Blessed with surroundings that only get more beautiful when covered in a white blanket, boarders got stuck in to a snowball fight on the Astro and turned their creative sides to building igloos. Not to be outdone, day students came up with a novel twist to a games afternoon (top).

DEBATING SUCCESS January’s snow brought some parts of England

to a Frensham’s standstill...but debating not Frensham! students Blessed have with surroundings had another thatsuccessful only get more year.beautiful The when covered group in aas white a whole blanket, havethey beengot ably stuck led in to a snowball

by Lewisfight Brander on the and Astro Josh and Watts, turned their creative both ofsides whom toleave building us this igloos. summer Not to be outdone, having day students completed came their upAwith Levels. a novel twist to The a games highlight afternoon. of the year was undoubtedly seeing Josh and fellow Year 13, Selena Geerts, beat over 500 other schools to earn the right to battle it out at the finals of the Cambridge Union Schools Debating Competition at the end of February. This was a tremendous achievement for such a young debating society and Josh and Selena did themselves and Frensham proud. Let’s hope there are more enthusiastic students ready to step into their shoes.

GOSH THANK YOU

Members of Frensham’s Charity Committee were invited to London for a special thank you celebration laid on by this year’s school charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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FIRST COMMISSION FOR ALEX

WHOLE SCHOOL WALK

As part of his Fine Art and Product Design A Level, Year 13 Alex Rake developed transfers for ceramics in Art based on tattooing and skateboard designs in Product Design. Alex’s creativity was ‘spotted’ by Deano, the owner of a Shoreditch alternative club, restaurant and barber shop, who commissioned him to design a portrait.

Unsurprisingly, Alex has been accepted on to the highly competitive Foundation Studies course in Art and Design at Falmouth University, after which he plans to continue to a degree in illustration.

The freezing weather got the better of the Whole School Walk this year and the whole event had to be postponed until after the Easter holidays.

So it was later than usual, on Wednesday 17 April, that the traditional assorted crew of serious runners, staff, students and dogs set off for the 10k walk raising money for Great Ormond Street.

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR The end of April brought many congratulations to Year 9’s Rosie Forster, who was named as the Haslemere U18 Sports Personality of the Year 2013 for her excellent achievements as goal keeper for the Surrey U14 Hockey Team.

HUMAN LETTERS

It spells ‘dANCE’, of course! What else would Year 9 dance students do on a sunny late spring day?

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LUNCHTIME SERENADE MEXICAN STYLE May brought the start of study leave for our Year 11s. This is always marked in some way by students – and 2013 was no different. Well, actually, it was quite different and quite brilliant – staff and students arriving for lunch were greeted by a three-piece Mexican band looking as authentic as they possibly could in a school canteen in Surrey! As the group made their way through the tables, each song ended in enthusiastic applause. Genius.

MATHEMATICAL RESILIENCE In mid-March, Professor Sue Johnston-Wilder, Professor of Mathematical Education at the University of Warwick, led a session for parents on Developing Mathematical Resilience. It was a fascinating and challenging evening designed to equip parents with the knowledge they need to help their child overcome obstacles to learning – not just mathematics but across the curriculum.

LARGER THAN LIFE During the Easter holidays, the staircase in Main House underwent a revamp – one that saw two stunning huge portraits by Lucy Millett of her fellow Sixth Formers, Gaby Millington and Becky Tattersall, adorn the walls.

That this was happening came as something of a surprise to Lucy, who left school after her A Levels in July 2012.

She and Becky returned to Frensham in April and both were somewhat overwhelmed when they came through the front door.

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ART SHOWS

The Art & Design Centre has had a busy two terms, playing host to three exhibitions featuring work

by Year 7, GCSE and AS/A Level students. Each one perfectly demonstrated the creativity and innovation of our students, whether in product design, fine art, graphic design or, for the older students, photography.

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ROCK & POP

The Rock & Pop Gig performed in the PAC at the end of May showcased some of the exceptional talent among Frensham’s students of all ages. From Cry Me a River and Someone Like You to Sweet Child of Mine and King of the Road, the theatre rocked and the performances were electrifying. Photos by John A.

CYCLING CHALLENGE May was a busy month because it also saw Matt Burns and Alex Allan join 400 other cyclists on the inaugural 440mile Ratrace Road Trip from London to Edinburgh. It was a huge challenge but a worthwhile one – Matt and Alex have raised over £2000 for Great Ormond Street.

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1. The sun came out for the Sixth Form Leavers’ Summer Ball on 21 June.

2. Will, Vincent, Joe, Sam and Ben celebrate study leave 60s style.

3. Naomi, who was just four when she joined Frensham, gave a moving speech at the ball.

4. Gaby, Henni and Abbi say goodbye to Meryl.

Photos by John A.

YEAR 13 LAST BLASTS

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LES MISÉRABLES PRODUCTION PROVES A STUNNING SUCCESS 1. The spectacular staging created the perfect backdrop.

Photo John A.

Night after night of fabulous singing...of high drama... of standing ovations and thunderous applause – Frensham’s production of Les Misérables between 27 February and 2 March offered all this and so much more.

The weeks of preparations, practices and rehearsals were suddenly all worthwhile as the cast and crew produced consistently top level performances.

Many letters and emails of thanks and congratulations arrived at the school in the days and weeks following the last night. Among them, one member of the audience from a local prep school described it as “the most incredible school production I have been to in the last 30 years”, while a parent wrote: “We had expected it to be good but were totally blown away by the quality of the acting, singing,

music, lighting and the sets. I would happily have paid a West End ticket price to see that and would do so to see it again.”

Perhaps the most succinct appraisal, however, came from another parent, who described the show as “brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!”

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The fabulous cast and dedicated orchestra brought the show to life.

Photos by Chris Boyce.

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Every member of the cast contributed night after night, earning well deserved standing ovations.

Scan the QR code below to see a complete cast list.

“Many, many congratulations on Les Mis - it was absolutely sensational, a credit to everyone at Frensham.�

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OUTDOOR EDUCATION Parents L to R: David Webster (Ed’s father), Nils Johnson (Morgen’s father), Johannes, Karin Lewiston (Fred and Gabe’s mother), Clive Ardagh (Astrid’s father), Greg Carter (Nick’s father)

March 2013 saw an intrepid group of five parents venture to the Peak District for a weekend of Outdoor Education, Frensham-style. The concept was to show parents what their children experience on residential trips such as the Lake District, Climbing Club trips and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

These pictures show the parents and children from these five families getting stuck into some proper adventures. I know that many of you love sharing outdoor experiences with your children.

We are all engaged in the same process – getting this and the next generation in tune with nature and with themselves.

“Alex has not stopped talking about the weekend...It is times like this that I sit back and reflect at what Frensham offers the children and how these experiences enrich their childhood.“ MARIA COLEBROOK, MOTHER OF ALEX

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The students got a chance to go where their parents had gone before!

“It was a real treat to be re-introduced to an outdoor existence after so long...Your clear enthusiasm for being out there and helping others learn from their experience was a joy.”

“Thank you for giving up your weekend to organise and supervise the climbing trip. Izzy had a great time and came home tired but with the climbing bug well and truly established.”

“I’m so pleased I didn’t go with my gut reaction and pull out of the trip when I saw I was the only female!

The trip exceeded my expectations in every way!”

David Webster, father of Ed

Simon Cole, father of Izzy

Karin Lewiston, mother of Gabe and Fred

ECO HEIGHTS ROUND UP The Summer Term was a busy one for the Eco Heights students as they aimed to raise funds, secure a notice board, recruit new members and achieve the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.

Eco Heights’ Robbie and Theo are joined

by Charlie, the staff representative.

In May, the Eco Heights group got their chance to reach out to potential new members when they gave a presentation to their peers at a Morning Talk. Not only was this a perfect opportunity to let everyone know the progress being made but it also helped meet the criteria for the Green Flag Award.

notice board, both of which are now in place. Hopefully it won’t be long before we have met all the requirements and achieved the Green Flag.

Other criteria included the school having an active recycling facility and the Eco Heights group having its own

Looking ahead to the next school year, the group will be looking in to the possibilities of composting food waste,

which could then be used on the allotments and potentially excess compost could be sold on. This could add another fundraising stream to sit alongside the Eco Heights jute bags, sales of which raised nearly £200 on Founders’ Day alone.

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SPORTS ROUND-UP A lot of hard work and sheer effort was on display at the Senior Sports Day. Photos by John A.

Jez Belas, Head of Sport, writes: What a summer term to end a fantastic year. I’ve never seen so many clubs, fixtures, events and innovative ideas surrounding being active and healthy.

The spring term brought plenty of Netball and Hockey fixtures, with Years 3 to 6 mirroring the Senior School’s hectic schedule of fixtures and training sessions. The U11 Netball team took their first ever victory against the Royal and the U15 boys’ Hockey team went almost unbeaten, only losing 2-1 against Charterhouse in the last game of the season!

The summer term saw us all working hard in Cricket and Rounders fixtures. The boys

had a brilliant Cricket tour in London where they saw England play Sri Lanka in the ICC Champions Trophy and toured the Oval. They also beat Harrodian School and went on to the final of a 20-Over tournament at King Edwards in Witley.

The penultimate week of term saw the most activity.

Frensham’s first Health and Fitness week was packed, with activities including a morning talk by the Director of Basketball at Surrey Heat, Junior and Senior Sports Days, Creative Day (with a health and fitness theme), a Swimathon and the Junior Sports Dinner.

Last but not least was the fantastic Frensham Adventure Run on Founders’ day.

Thanks to everyone for yet another great year.

Lucy Fox, Head of Junior Sport, writes: It has been a fantastic and busy year for Junior PE and Games, with students involved in Gymnastics, Athletics, Personal Survival, Young Sports Leaders Awards, Tennis, Golf, Multi-Skills, Rugby and Ultimate Frisbee.

The spring term was a successful one for the U11s and U10s. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the Hockey season, with special mention to Henry Loomis and Kalle Sundell for their excellent consistency in matches. The girls’ Netball team was just as strong and their improvement over the season was fantastic.

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The boys have had plenty of Cricket fixtures in the summer term and this match play has improved their game tremendously. The girls had more Rounders fixtures, although some matches were disrupted by poor weather.

I am so proud of everyone who has taken part in ECAs and matches this year and am always overwhelmed by the number of children who want to be part of a team. A great year for sport in the Junior School!

Becky Edwards, Head of Girls’ Sport, writes: What a fantastic year – I have been so very proud of all the girls this year, with a change of attitude towards training and

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fixtures. This commitment was never more evident than in the impressive number of victories in the summer term.

The short spring term saw the girls inspired by a trip to Surrey Storm Netball but progress was sadly hindered by lack of time. As always, the U14s impressed, racking up a number of victories, notably against Marlborough.

The Senior girls also deserve a mention as they adapted to new combinations and welcomed younger girls into the squad.

The summer term began with a friendly Rounders match at Licensed Victuallers’. Fresh to the game, the U13s felt their inexperience but their loss only inspired them to work hard, even practising during

lunch breaks and joining other training sessions. This all paid off with convincing performances against Gordons School and Alton Convent. The U15s and U14s also showcased their natural talents – their winning performances at Bedales were particularly impressive.

I would like to thank all the girls, Lucy, Annie and the rest of the PE department for their continued support and extra effort – particularly in the summer term following my knee operation. I’m so excited for next year already.

2013 has seen some great sport from across the school. Well done to all our teams!

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FRENSHAM NEAR & FAR Students enjoyed a fascinating visit to the Palace of Versailles.

Frensham students get many opportunities to go on educational and sporting trips – some just for the day; others further afield and for longer.

As Our Frensham is being printed, the World Challenge trip to Vietnam and Cambodia is under way, while elsewhere in this issue Jez Belas refers to the boys’ cricket tour, Johannes Felter writes about Outdoor Education trips for students and parents and pictures from both the Year 5 and 6 trip to Swanage and the Junior Orchestra Tour appear on pages 20/1.

The last two terms have seen several further trips. Just some of these include Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions, a Year 4 trip to Marchants Hill and a Year 8 trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyards.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING A Level history students enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to travel to Paris and visit Versailles, once home to Marie Antoinette and the last place where she, her husband Louis XVI and their children knew freedom.

Younger historians in Year 7 went on an equally moving visit to the Battlefields of the First World War, where the grim existence and often tragic death of young soldiers between 1914 and 1918 is still only too real.

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50 GO TO SICILY: ROCKS AND RUINS

DISCOVERING THE LOCAL AREA

Nicola O’Donnell, head of Geography, writes:

We are lucky at Frensham to have many fascinating local areas to explore – and staff use these to enhance classroom work. One example on 10 June saw Year 8 students in Farnham town centre gathering data to determine ‘Is Farnham a clone town?’ Some even took their own initiative and interviewed local shop assistants and members of the public to gauge their views.

The final verdict? Farnham exhibits many signs of being a ‘clone town’ but retains a lot of unique ‘home town’ features, so the final vote was that it is somewhere between the two: a ‘border town’.

The Easter holidays saw 45 students and five staff explore the Ancient History and Tectonic Geography of Sicily.

Highlights included amazing Greek and Roman temples plus a Roman villa with the world’s largest mosaics.

Further highlights included going above the snowline on Mount Etna to climb and explore a number of craters and a day boat trip to two further volcanic islands of Lipari and Vulcano (where some students experienced the hot mud pools!)

It was a diverse and full expedition that enabled all to understand the complex links between history and geography in this beautiful Sicilian location.

‘AND WE’LL HAVE FUN, FUN, FUN…’ California came to Cornwall at the beginning of June when our staff and students set off on Frensham’s hugely popular Surf Trip.

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FUN IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL Life has been busy in the Junior School over the last two terms. Just some of the highlights include:

15 FEBRUARY: GOSH FUNDRAISER

Junior School children have been doing their bit to raise money for this year’s school charity: Great Ormond Street Hospital. Among the events was a cake and toy sale. Across the school, this year’s efforts have raised nearly £7000 for Great Ormond Street and just over £3000 for All Saints School in Malawi.

26 FEBRUARY: RED WATCH VISIT On a very cold afternoon in February, Farnham Fire Station’s Red Watch came to visit the Junior School as part of the Year 1 topic, ‘People who help us’. Even more excitingly, they brought with them their very big, very shiny fire engine!

14 MARCH: GRANDPARENTS’ DAY As is becoming something of a tradition, what was probably a record number of grandparents came to spend time with their grandchildren in class, at play and over lunch. It is a day the Junior students really look forward to and this year definitely met their expectations, with a lovely atmosphere, great activities in the classrooms and tea and scones to finish it off.

The students from Year 1 and the Nursery were able to climb inside the engine and try the helmets on before having a go at knocking over cones using the hose. The visit was one of a series that also included a visit by the local police.

The following month, Year 1 played host to James Grundy from the estate agents Truman and Grundy, who came in to talk to them about selling and buying houses for their new topic ‘Houses and homes’.

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16-20 MAY: JUNIOR ORCHESTRA TOUR

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7 MARCH: WORLD BOOK DAY The Junior School marked World Book Day in style when almost all the students arrived at school dressed as their favourite character.

Although not strictly a Junior School only trip, as the group included students from Years 5 to 8, the tour to Germany’s Rhineland was a clear highlight – and the students were able to recreate their tour music for family and friends on 19 June at the ‘Music for a Summer’s Eve’ soirée on the Front Lawn. Photos: Bob Keane

22 MAY: NURSERY STUDENTS MEET A REAL FIREMAN

It was a special day in the Nursery when Ed Fox, husband of our head of Junior Sport Lucy Fox, came to talk to the students about life as a fireman.

7 JUNE: NURSERY TO YEAR 3 SCHOOL CONCERT

Hours of preparation paid off for our youngest students when they performed their School Concert to parents and siblings.

10 June: Activity Week

10 June: Trip to Swanage

26 June: Play in a Week

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FRIENDS OF FRENSHAM It has been a very busy couple of terms for Friends of Frensham as the fundraising initiatives got under way for the one major project: the complete refurbishment and improvement of the existing swimming pool so that students can enjoy swimming, whatever the weather, throughout an extended summer season.

From selling Christmas decoration raffle tickets to selling refreshments at practically every major event for the past seven months, their dedication to fundraising has been astounding.

Without question, however, the highlight of the year so far was the Gatsby Ball. Held on Saturday 15 June, the ball drew record numbers of parents and staff. Overnight, the Ballroom and Long Gallery were transformed into a glittering silver spectacular. Starting with drinks and canapés in the walled garden, with music throughout dinner – and a fabulous effort on the part of Russell Crew where guests paid to guess how far he could get on an exercise bike – through to a raffle and finally dancing, the evening was a great success!

As the summer term drew to an end, the Friends of Frensham were out in force on Founders’ Day selling Pimms, wine, beer and soft drinks – and it is hoped that the sale of sports team photographs will help boost the fundraising total as well.

Buy a brick

Friends of Frensham are also offering parents, Old Frenshamians and students the unique opportunity to support the Pool Project by donating their own paving brick.

Priced at £50, the bricks will be engraved as requested by each donor before being incorporated into the newly paved area surrounding the pool. This is your chance to leave a lasting legacy in a part of the school that already evokes strong memories among Old Frenshamians of all ages.

Jez and Becky get into 1920s swing.

Photos by Sam Hay.

If you would like to buy a brick for yourself, on someone’s behalf or in memory of someone, please leave a message for Friends of Frensham on the main school number (01252 792561) or scan the QR code (left) to download a copy of the order form.

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Meticulous organisation and creative flair made for a stylish and successful evening.

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“You leave Frensham Heights but actually it never really leaves you.”

ROBERT BARTON

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FOUNDERS’ DAY 2013

Robert Barton as he was in the 70s (above) and as he is today (left).

Robert Barton Robert’s early interest in the natural world was encouraged by several teachers at Frensham and by school birdwatching expeditions to remote corners of the British Isles – the Shetland Islands, the Scillies and Lundy Island.

He went on to study Zoology and Psychology at Bristol University before continuing on to postgraduate studies in animal behaviour at University College London and St Andrews.

For his PhD, Robert spent a year doing fieldwork in the Kenyan bush on the ecology and social life of wild baboons. He has been at Durham University since 1992.

We were lucky again on Founders’ Day. After a slightly shaky start, the sun eventually broke through the clouds so the barbecue was lit, the Pimms was prepared and picnics were laid out on the grass. It was a glorious way to herald the end of another academic year and to celebrate Frensham past and present.

The opening of the popular Creative Arts Exhibition and the lovely Acoustic Music outside the PAC began the day and set the scene for Andrew Fisher’s Review of the Year followed by this year’s guest speaker, Robert Barton (OF 1970-77), Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Durham University.

Robert’s theme for his talk was ‘Continuity and change’, looking at what changes and what doesn’t and what’s important to keep the same.

He touched on some clear changes, such as the move

from helicopter parents to satellite parents following their child’s every move through new technology and even the fact that Frensham takes its sport much more seriously – from his First XI football team who were ‘the only 11 boys the school could scrape together’ to several sports teams and the fact that ‘I believe you actually win things these days’.

Students of Robert’s generation will undoubtedly see some physical changes in a new art centre, the music school, the PAC, the sports hall, Roberts House, the treehouse classroom and the outdoor theatre.

However, Robert highlighted Frensham’s strapline ‘Think, Create, Explore’ to show how there is also continuity with the school’s long held precepts of child-centred learning, respecting the individual and thinking outside the box. “It’s a new phrase,” he said, “but

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it embodies the old virtues, values and ethos.”

The sunshine drew crowds to picnic on the lawns - thanks to the sterling efforts of the FMU and Housekeeping teams, everything was set up perfectly beforehand and swiftly cleared away afterwards.

It is in its values and ethos that Frensham is getting it right through the equal emphasis on drama, music, creative arts, outdoor learning and sports.

“These are not peripheral things but central to human development,” he explained.

All mammals learn through play, which is fundamental to creativity and learning. As human beings, we are the extreme expression of this evolutionary trend. Research has shown that the size of a mammal’s brain is directly related to amount they play.

This is where having too narrow a curriculum is a serious mistake.

“The problem with the standard educational model is that it’s wrong – and Frensham has known it’s wrong since 1925.”

ROBERT BARTON

One of the key characteristics of human beings is that we carry on being playful and exploratory right into old age, which is what allows us to remain creative.

To be open to new ways of looking at things is to allow creativity to flourish. In his own fascinating research looking at

the evolutionary and cultural significance of the colour red, Robert was allowed to explore creatively in a way that a more narrow approach to scientific research may not have accepted. “It is important to encourage blue sky creative research,” he said. “Otherwise you risk missing an awful lot.”

Such an approach is just as important in school if we are to help our children be prepared for a future we cannot envisage. “Those leaving school today will retire around 2065,” he explained. “We have no idea what the world will be like then – it’s not something that a narrow curriculum is going to be adequate to cater for. So how do we prepare our children? How should we change and what should we hold on to?”

An answer to developing to cope with a changing world lies, Robert believes, in two theories: testing personal and institutional constructs and self-actualisation. Equally, he can’t think of a better way of achieving this than what

Frensham is already doing – Think, Create, Explore…and Play.

“I’m not telling you what you should do,” he finished. “I’m telling you what you’re already doing and congratulating you for it, admiring you for it and thanking you for it.”

Findings of actual studies show that: • Play can increase productivity, innovation and creativity. Incorporating play into the workplace increases risk taking, confidence in presenting novel ideas and embracing unusual and fresh perspectives • Play can increase job satisfaction, wellbeing, cooperation and performance on complex tasks • Play can decrease absenteeism, stress and health care costs

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FRENSHAM WELCOMES MALAWI HEAD TEACHERS Dorothy and Michael joined Reception students on the allotment, helping plant courgettes and pick peas.

Despite some last-minute visa difficulties, Dorothy and Michael from All Saints School safely arrived for their visit to Frensham on 19 June.

It proved to be a fascinating visit where they both explored some of the famous London landmarks and had the opportunity to find out about teaching and learning styles in UK schools. As part of their trip, Dorothy and Michael also spent a short time at Wrekin College and Shrewsbury School.

While at Frensham, they spent several days observing lessons, meeting different staff and sitting in on key meetings such as Heads of Department and the School Council. “Our time here at Frensham has

been very fruitful,” explained Michael. “We have been able to observe your school management, from the point of view of both classroom and financial management.”

The concept of risk management, for example, has just been introduced in Malawi so having an opportunity to talk to Frensham’s Bursar, Paul Lane, about it proved hugely worthwhile.

Equally, the Heads of Department meeting demonstrated how managers are free to suggest ways of running the school, while the School Council had a marked effect: “As managers, we should not always impose our views,” said Michael. “It is

important that we remember the need to listen.”

Their visit also included Founders’ Day, where they joined Andrew Fisher in a question and answer session in the Outdoor Theatre.

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PETER & PHILIP HARRISON Peter today lives in California with his wife Mollie in house he designed.

Our Frensham is always on the lookout for OFs with interesting stories to tell – stories that will both interest other OFs but, equally important, also inspire current students. In this issue, we focus on Philip Harrison (OF 1947-52) and Peter Harrison (OF 1947-51): two brothers whose creativity and imagination led them to become world leaders in their fields. Here they describe their career paths.

Philip Harrison writes: After leaving Frensham I went to study at an unsuspecting Chelsea School of Art, where the teaching staff included Liz Frink, Henry Moore and John Berger. Like all students at the time, I was caught up in the current revival of jazz and I played in a band with a couple of friends whenever possible to make a bit of cash.

From Chelsea, I found my way to the London School of Printing. Although mostly technical, it had a notable small art department with a bias toward advertising, some very good painting and drawing teachers and the well known ex-Bauhaus typographer and type designer George Adams.

Having then gained a place at the Royal Academy of Art, I used some free time to take a cargo ship to the United States – a trip that took two weeks with the various stops en route to unload all the Jaguar cars it was carrying. In

the States, I made an odyssey by bus through the country including a pilgrimage to New Orleans where I met some of the great names of jazz music and where an art gallery offered me $25 each – an undreamt of sum – for as many drawings as I could do. I

was in heaven but duty took me back to my place at the Royal Academy, where I took a new course in Film and TV Design, joining a small group that included Ridley Scott.

At the same time, the band I was in, The Temperence

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Seven, had made some recordings for Parlophone, one of which shot to No 1 at the same time as another got to No 7. Our Artists and Repertoire man was George Martin! Being art students we were perversely disdainful of any attempt to modify our style. We had reacted against the sockswith-sandals ‘Trad’ jazz then still current and were not properly reverent I’m happy to say.

As part of the design course in my last year at the RCA I designed and built a large sculptural exhibit for the Central Office of Information to be shipped to Nervi’s new exhibition hall in Turin; most of the materials came from scrapyards and the packing for transportation probably cost 10 times what had been allowed for the construction of the piece. I was sent out there to supervise the installation of the elements and had another taste of the real world. Domus magazine featured it in 1961.

The BBC having lost its monopoly of television, there were plenty of work opportunities with the new television companies. When I left the Royal Academy, I took up a position with ABCTV, starting a career that quickly brought me into contact with directors, actors and writers. I worked on all kinds of programmes, current affairs, light entertainment and, particularly, drama.

All this was against the splendidly hectic background of 1960s London. In 1964, I designed a film entitled Morgan - a suitable case for treatment.

It was directed by Karel Reisz, written by David Mercer and starred Vanessa Redgrave and David Warner.

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Peter Harrison writes:

“Frensham had been a very good experience for me and the atmosphere there had been that of a family, with Paul Roberts’ goodnatured acceptance and tolerance of the young setting the tone.”

PHILIP HARRISON

It turned out to be a great success. After that I focused only on film, working with directors such as Peter Hall, John Mackenzie, Ken Russell, Richard Lester, Robert Parrish, Cy Endfield, Peter Hyams, John Badham, John Frankenheimer and Harold Becker.

These and many other movies have kept me busy for about 20 years working in England and, having been invited by Hollywood, another 20 years living and working in California and the US [and last year Bulgaria!] so the phone still rings. I was also invited by my peer group in California to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and since then vote yearly on the Oscar nominations.

Having left Frensham, I unleashed myself into a London only seven or so years after the end of World War Two and the town was wide open to youngsters like myself. Frensham had been a very good experience for me and the atmosphere there had been that of a family, with Paul Roberts’ good-natured acceptance and tolerance of the young setting the tone.

When I left Frensham in 1951, I was a teenager of 17 and definitely not focused on a career. I vaguely decided I might go to work in the applied arts, so spent a foundation year at The Regent Street Polytechnic School of Art. I got called for National Service in 1952 but caught tuberculosis while serving with the Royal Artillery and spent another year recovering.

In 1955, now with some sense of urgency, I went to The London School of Printing and Graphic Arts to study graphic design and developed a portfolio of work so I could get a job! I married Mollie in 1957 and that September we emigrated to the United States.

My first and second jobs were with New York advertising agencies and in 1962 I began working as a designer at Walter Dorwin Teague Associates. During this time I studied three dimensional design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, adding exhibit design and interior design to my graphic design skills.

At home a family was arriving: first Matthew in 1959, then Benjamin in 1961. We lived in Greenwich Village for many years before saving enough money to buy a beach house on Fire Island, New York in 1964.

At work I now ran larger design projects, including Exhibits in Europe for the US government and in 1965 a big technical briefing exhibit at the Boeing Company in Seattle for their Supersonic Transport aircraft. Leaving Teague, I worked for Runyan Associates and in 1967 was responsible for the conversion of the ocean liner SS Independence to a cruise ship.

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I also designed office interiors and corporate graphics.

I started my own design consultancy, Harrison Associates, in 1970 and taught design in New York for several years at both Parsons School of Design and later at The Cooper Union. I received many design awards for my work from organisations including the American Institute of Graphic Arts, The Mead Library of Design, Communication Arts and the New York Art Directors Club.

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Peter stands on one of his famously distinctive designs in 1968.

In 1979 I was invited to join Pentagram Design as a partner. An international design consultancy partnership founded in London in 1972, Pentagram was opening an office in New York. This move was a big undertaking as I was moving from a small, low overhead business model to a larger and higher overhead business.

Pentagram Design was not widely known in the USA, so it took several years to build a reputation here and become profitable. I continued designing a wide range of programs including corporate identity, exhibit design, signage, interior design and planning and package design, as well as corporate communications for a wide range of clients. I won’t bore you with a long client list here but I did get lots of interesting work and most of it was fun. My Partners were fun too. Mostly!

I retired from Pentagram in 1996 and Mollie and I moved to Venice, California. Matthew is now an independent film producer while Ben owns a light construction business.

We have two grandsons, Malcolm and Gus. Mollie and I live in a house I designed in collaboration with Ben’s architect wife, Talbot, and

that Ben then built! Both my sons and their families live nearby so I see a lot of my grandsons.

It’s 62 years since I left Frensham behind me.

Reflecting on my time there I realise Frensham had a profound influence on me.

The qualities Paul Roberts had extolled – gender equality, liberal thinking,

a secular encouragement of the spirit, independence, democratic values, emphasis on the arts as well as academics – all had an enormous effect on my life and still do. I’ve tried to pass some of that on to my children and now my grandchildren. Too bad they couldn’t go to Frensham too!

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Top: Peter was responsible for the conversion of the SS Independence to a cruise ship.

Botton: One of the legendary lunches at Pentagram in 1981.

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FIFTY YEAR REUNION FOR 1963 LEAVERS Above: The class of 1963 reunited 50 years on.

Jane Read (OF1958-63) writes: The first daunting thing about organising a ‘50 Years On‘ reunion is realising with very mixed feelings that it actually is 50 years since one left Frensham. The second problem is identifying all the OFs in one’s ‘cohort ‘ – many of whom left before A Level but who in effect travelled up the school together. The third and probably most challenging aspect is to get people to understand the meaning of the letters RSVP. Five months and 200 emails/ letters later, 14 OFs (from a possible 27 in the OF records) together with three brave spouses assembled in the Drawing Room at Frensham on a truly glorious sunny day (this is becoming an Andrew Fisher speciality – he clearly

has a hotline to the weather provider).

Emily Wood’s team had burrowed into the OF archives for school magazines from the 50s and 60s, which were fun to re-read. The school’s archives had been trawled for our individual files, which were greeted with somewhat mixed feelings. There were photo albums, which were, perhaps, rather more appreciated!

Andrew and Emily hosted a splendid lunch, during which Andrew said a few words about ‘Frensham today’, assuring us that in spite of all the new and (to us) magnificent looking buildings (gone are the army huts of yesteryear, though the changing areas at the swimming pool soldier on), Frensham‘s ethos and values remain essentially the

same – but updated as one would expect to meet today’s educational and social needs.

We were then free to roam the school freely, gathering later for tea and a magnificent celebration cake – and then left to catch up with each other’s life histories for as long as we wished.

I believe most of us hope that this will not be our last reunion (we managed a 40th), though it might be more realistic to plan a 55th rather than a 60th. Although none of us has reached three score years and ten, already sadly four of our year group have died (Patrick Coxall, Wenda Denham (née Evans), Christopher Edmonds and – just a fortnight before this reunion – Deryck Wareing).

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The day gave all guests a wonderful chance to catch up, reminisce and revisit old haunts.

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STEVEN FRANK MORNING TALK Steven Frank (OF 1949-53) on 22 April, the day he returned to give a very moving Morning Talk.

The Spring and Summer terms have seen a whole variety of Morning Talks but the highlight was certainly the talk given

by Steven Frank (OF 194953). Steven held the packed student and teacher audience spellbound as he spoke openly and movingly about his experiences as a Jewish child living in Holland as the Nazi storm blew across Western Europe in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Steven was born in 1935, the second of three children.

His mother had been sent to Amsterdam from her home in Eastbourne to attend a finishing school and it was

there she met his father and they fell in love.

Steven was almost five years old when he witnessed the march of German jackboots on the cobbled streets of Amsterdam. Steven’s father, a prominent and respected lawyer, knew the dangers but elected to remain in order to speak up for vulnerable people for whom the danger was much greater – people like the patients in a large Jewish mental hospital who were likely to be among the first to be sent to the camps.

Steven described his life as a story in four chapters:

The initiation This was the time of his early years, when he had a blissfully happy and somewhat privileged childhood right up to the point when, for reasons he could not understand, he became aware that he was different to the other children in the street where he lived.

Incarceration This chapter chronicles when life became increasingly difficult and increasingly restrictive for Jews. Between May 1943 and June 1945, Steven spent his time in three different camps.

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Photos from what Steven describes as a ‘happy, happy childhood’.

Top: Steven with his two brothers.

Bottom: “The only photograph that we have of all of us together as one happy family unit.

[It] oozes with happiness, contentment and a unified family.”

Liberation The moment Steven and the others in Theresienstadt camp had prayed for, longed for, hoped for and then suddenly there is was – 9 May 1945.

Steven’s camp was the last to be liberated so he had to see it through to the bitter end.

Homecoming Just a few weeks after liberation, Steven, his mother and two brothers were unceremoniously dumped on the airfield at Croydon airport.

Two humanitarian RAF pilots had flown them illegally from Eastern Europe – they landed, opened the door, the family got out, they closed the door and taxied away. That was it – there they were standing on the runway. Steven was in England.

It was a haunting talk but one with a powerful message – one that is encapsulated in Steven’s description of his father’s arrest in December 1942. On that morning, his father kissed the family goodbye and left for work. “He went out of the house,” explained Steven. “I never saw him again.” They later found out that he had been arrested in his offices. He was imprisoned, tortured and sent to the gas chambers.

“True friendship means when you have a friend and that friend’s in trouble, you help them; you do not turn your back and walk away.“ STEVEN FRANK

Incredibly, three friends, all of whom were married men and all of whom were Jewish, risked their own lives by appealing to the authorities for Steven’s father’s release. “They were incredibly brave and their bravery taught me a lifelong lesson on what friendship is all about: when a friend is in trouble, you help them; you do not turn your back.”

Today, Steven works hard to bring history to life. Of 15,000 children who were sent to Theresienstadt, only 93 survived – and he gives his talks in memory of all those thousands of children who never came home.

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THE THING ABOUT ME IS In April, Mary Horsley (OF 1962-65) shared her memories of becoming a boarder at Frensham Heights with listeners to Radio 4’s Saturday Live. Her story was so delightful that we asked if we could include it here:

Mary Horsley, whose anecdote about joining Frensham in the 1960s featured on Radio 4.

Starting boarding school can be a daunting experience for any child but what does it feel like when you are 14 and everyone has already cemented their peer groups? And what if you’re there because your mother lost her way back to Gloucester from London, found herself in Farnham and decided to look up her old friend, Mary Hogg (wife of Stephen Hogg, headmaster 1956-70).

My mother was charmed by the school and decided it was a great place for her daughter to board under the watchful eye of her old friend.

At my grammar school, I had done my best to fit in by cultivating the Gloucester burr, which my mother found so offensive, and it was this I arrived with at Frensham.

A Gloucester GP’s daughter mingling with the kids of the comparatively rich and famous. Vegetarian, provincial, speaking like that. Cool? Not. Then I won a prize, presented at Morning Talk: an enormous box of chocolates or a classical LP. “Take the chocolates,” bayed my friends. I took the LP. The first possible Exeat, I went to the Farnham record shop to swap it for the first Rolling Stones LP. I was suddenly the cool kid on the block.

I still have the record – a bit musty, unplayed for years, faded but glorious. Mary Horsley: 64 and still rocking.

WHAT A COINCIDENCE When Johannes Felter was up in the Peak District with the parents’ Outdoor Ed trip (see page 14), the school minibus was instantly spotted by another visitor staying at the same bunkhouse. This visitor was Lorna Cutts, whose parents had met when they were both teachers at Frensham Heights in the

1950s. Here she shares some memories: My father, Donald Benson, joined the staff to teach physics in 1949. My mother, Jane Hillyard, joined from Dartford PE College in 1951. As a child I was told how my mother’s introduction to my father was when she was standing in the

staff room observing his Austin Seven going up the drive and another member of staff muttered ‘bloated plutocrat’!

Mum said this was all part of the banter of the time.

Donald was very proud of his A7 although, as he loved to relate, it would get speed wobble at 30mph. That vehicle

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and Frensham Heights were instrumental to my coming into being. Dad taught Mum to drive, providing perfect cover for a courtship. She was, she says, his star pupil and she passed first time. They got married and eventually moved to Friend’s School in Saffron Walden, where Donald was Head of Science.

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Left: Donald and Jane at Frensham in the early 1950s.

Right: Donald with his beloved car which he used to teach Jane to drive.

Sadly, Donald died in 1997. Jane still lives in Saffron Walden.

THE WEDDING SINGER – FRENSHAM STYLE Back in February, we were contacted by Helen Walker (OF 1995-2002) with a special request. She was due to be married at Rowledge Church on 14 June and had asked her close friend, West End star Florence Andrews (OF 19952002) to sing a special song at the ceremony.

Unfortunately, Florence was not only pregnant but due to give birth on 11 June! As a compromise, Helen and Florence hoped they could get permission to film Florence singing the song We Pledge to One Another in the Frensham ballroom, where both have strong memories.

So it was that on 28 April, a very pregnant Florence was filmed singing the song, which she did beautifully.

The video was subsequently played at Helen’s wedding to Dominic Au. Just a few days beforehand, on 5 June, Florence and her partner, Alex Catchpole, celebrated the arrival of Mabel Grace Coco.

Top: Helen and Florence on the day of the recording.

Middle: Helen and Dominic at their wedding on 14 June.

Bottom: Baby Mabel, born 5 June 2013.

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SUPPORTING THE BURSARY FUND Those who have been to Frensham or have had a child at Frensham will know what a special place it is and how well it can bring out the best in students whatever their hopes and ambitions. Through the Bursary Fund we want to open up the possibility of a Frensham education to many more young people – people we believe will thrive and bring something unique to the school.

This year, the Bursary Fund saw a major boost through a substantial bequest made

by Trevor Aldridge, former Chairman of Governors and a long-term supporter of the school. This was a particularly generous donation that will certainly make a difference but we are also delighted by other, smaller donations.

This year, for example, parents of this term’s leavers have been very supportive in contributing to our fundraising initiative to donate all or part of their original deposit. We made further headway, too, in putting the profits from the sale of school photographs towards the Fund.

We are in relatively early days as far as the Bursary Fund is concerned but there has been a real sense of success in the last few months, which is exciting. Many thanks indeed to everyone who has given over the last year – whether large or small amounts, it all makes a difference.

The programme designed by Naomi to promote her fundraising concert in June.

cLean NaomincMert with In co

ul Ekins

Jean-Pa

rokofiev y, and P Debuss , n e v o eeth pm th une, 7:30 Bach, B J ay 20 Thursd oom The Ballr ts School Heigh Frensham e, Farnham Rowledg U10 4EA Surrey G

an ndon, is usic, Lo es to be a my of M is al Acade r for what prom ks. oy R e of th wor in he ing cello graduate rding artist. Jo cLean, co t captivat Naomi M d cellist and re me of the mos ishe of so g in en accompl ev magical E on FRE Admissitions appreciated na do y ar volunt

RECITAL RAISES FUNDS On 20 June, Naomi McLean (OF 2005-07) gave a cello recital in the Ballroom, with half of the money raised donated to the Bursary Fund.

Accompanied by John Paul, she played Bach, Beethoven, Debussy and Prokofiev with passion and great skill.

The other half of the money raised will go towards a new cello. After leaving Frensham, Naomi studied at the Royal Academy of Music where she was privileged with the loan of a lovely English cello

through her four years. Having graduated, the cello had to be returned so Naomi has now embarked on a quest to obtain a quality cello of her own – one that will be equal to the task of accompanying her through her professional career.

There is no doubt that Frensham has made me who I am.

My confidence, my selfbelief, my love for others have all derived from my time at Frensham. The school’s ability to allow us to find who we are and to be who we want to be always astounds me.

A bursary can change someone’s life completely. We are committed to helping as many students as possible to benefit from a Frensham education. This was one of our founding principles and we are proud of this heritage. With your help, we can do so much more.

For more information on how your contribution can make a difference, please contact Andrew Fisher on 01252 792561 or email on headmaster@frensham-heights.org.uk

Frensham Heights Think, Create, Explore

Frensham Heights Rowledge, Farnham Surrey, GU10 4EA

Frensham Heights Think, Create, Explore

T. 01252 792561 E. admissions@frensham.org www.frensham.org Charity No. 312052