Founded by Winifred West in 1913, Frensham is one of Australia's most respected boarding and day schools for girls.
Frensham inspires students to think critically, act ethically, and remain adaptable in our changing world. We prepare young women to lead with confidence and integrity.
At Frensham, education is built on the development of both intellect and character. We believe young people thrive when academically challenged and personally supported within an environment where learning is purposeful and enduring relationships are formed.
Supported by world-class facilities, and set on a spectacular 300-acre campus surrounded by natural beauty, Frensham offers a distinctive living and learning experience.
Our setting nurtures resilience, independence and responsibility. Frensham is a place of belonging where each student discovers their voice, pursues their passions, and makes meaningful contributions to their community.
Within our close-knit community, students grow into talented, compassionate leaders ready to create a positive and lasting impact on the world beyond our grounds.
Thank you for considering Frensham for your daughter. We would be delighted to welcome you to our community and support your child’s growth, learning, and educational journey.
Geoff Marsh Head of Frensham Head of Frensham Schools
THE UNSELFISH PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
Our vision for learning extends beyond traditional academic outcomes.
At Frensham, true learning is about building a strong foundation. We enable students to confidently pursue their intellectual and personal journeys.
The School's values and educational ethos are grounded in the belief that our moral purpose is to develop our talents and use them for the common good. These values are reflected in every aspect of school life, particularly in teaching and learning.
Young people—especially girls—thrive when they feel connected, and our highly relational teaching ensures that connection is nurtured.
With a strong focus on personal best and continual growth, every student is supported to strive and improve.
A Frensham education is designed to ignite deep, intrinsic curiosity—driven not by external results, but by the joy of discovery and growth. We equip students with the skills and mindset to explore, question, and shape their own path.
Frensham's culture is founded on the belief that true achievement is not measured by trophies or rankings, but by the quiet, steadfast commitment to personal growth.
Our students feel joy in their accomplishments, knowing they have done their best—not because they have won a prize, but because they have grown, contributed, and made a difference.
"We aim to prepare students to be academically ambitious, while also nurturing their ability to embrace a growth mindset with confidence and purpose, to serve others and make a lasting, meaningful impact in their immediate and broader communities."
Sarah Tynan, Deputy Head of Frensham Schools
SURROUNDED BY NATURE
The connection between nature and student wellbeing is intentional and holistic.
Immersion in our green surroundings supports personal growth, encourages reflection, and builds resilience that serves our students throughout their lives.
The Holt and Gillick Sports Complex
The Lower Holt, adjacent to our Junior Boarding Houses, is set on 100 acres of bushland and includes farmland and sporting facilities. Students spend meaningful time here, caring for the environment, participating in sport, and enjoying leisure activities.
The Gillick Sports Complex houses our state-of-the-art aquatic centre and a recently constructed indoor sports hall with Olympic-grade flooring, providing exceptional facilities for physical development and sporting excellence.
The Complex also includes over 12 acres of outdoor games fields, multipurpose courts, a hockey turf, and the Centenary Trail, a three kilometre cross-country track. Our sporting facilities allow us to serve as the home ground for all IGSA fixtures
Holt Farm is a working property where students engage in Agriculture Studies and land management. Our livestock teams
represent Frensham at local and national agricultural shows, including the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The Upper Holt is a haven for environmental education. It is a protected area of native bushland that remains untouched under Frensham's stewardship, preserving its natural integrity for future generations to enjoy and cherish.
"Our green spaces: our gardens with trees, the playing fields, the Lower Holt, the Centenary Trail, the Upper Holt, and more, play a crucial role in the education and development of our students."
Geoff Marsh, Head of Frensham
OVER
300 ACRES ONLY
100 KM FROM SYDNEY
At Frensham, education begins with character.
Since 1913, we have been committed to developing young people of integrity, empathy, and conviction. Our Character Education framework is embedded in every aspect of School life. At Frensham, values are not just taught; they are actively lived.
We are intentional in developing students with a strong moral compass. Through explicit teaching, transformative experiences, and a culture grounded in trust, service, and personal responsibility, students grow into individuals who lead with purpose and act with compassion.
Year after year, families tell us it is this unwavering focus on character that draws them to Frensham. And our graduates reflect this in who they become. From Annabelle Chauncy OAM (2003), Co-founder of School for Life in Uganda, to Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (Nicholson, 1940), whose work revolutionised maternal healthcare in Ethiopia, Frensham alumni are known for their deep sense of responsibility and their drive to make a difference.
At Frensham, character development is at the core of everything we do.
Grit, gratitude and good humour
THE JAMIESON PROGRAM
Personalised learning and character development, free from distractions.
Aligned with Frensham's Character Education Framework, the Jamieson Program helps students develop the personal competencies that underpin our school values. It fosters a strong sense of self and empowers students to recognise their potential to create positive change, both locally and globally.
Frensham’s distinctive Jamieson Program equips students with the skills and mindset to navigate life beyond school, focusing on resilience, independence, and adaptability. The program prepares students to lead and contribute with confidence, helping them understand their role as change-makers in the world.
On and off campus, in and outside the classroom, we deliver a program that is woven throughout everything we do.
Through a blend of in-class learning, leadership development, service, and outdoor immersion, students discover their sense of identity while making a meaningful impact on their school, local, national, and global communities.
Participation in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is available as part of the Jamieson Program, providing internationally recognised acknowledgment of students' hard work, growth and achievement.
Frensham graduates are confident, respectful, curious, creative, and grounded. Inspired by a strong sense of purpose, they understand that the challenge, ‘In Love Serve One Another’, calls on them to develop their talents and use them to make a meaningful contribution, for the common good.
EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM
At Frensham, every day is active and purposeful, with students—whether they are a Full or Day Boarder—participating in a personalised Extended Day program.
This program ensures that learning, personal growth, and connection continue beyond the classroom.
The Extended Day Program complements the academic curriculum with a broad co-curricular offering including Sport, Music, Drama, Outdoor Education, and Service Initiatives. These experiences help students develop teamwork skills and connection across year groups.
Students are guided by specialist teachers, not only during these activities, but also in nightly Prep sessions, ensuring they receive
the support needed to excel both in and beyond the classroom.
Extra-Curricular
Supplementing the Extended Day Program, extra-curricular activities are integral to developing confident, capable individuals. Students embrace challenges and develop character through leading, competing and performing across a range of activities.
Alice Fergusson, Year 12, has embraced the wide range of opportunities offered through Frensham’s Extended Day program, participating in Sport, Productions, Dance, Mock Trial, Choir and the Sustainability Committee.
“The extended day program at Frensham provides unique opportunities to try a range of activities and develop your skills and interests. Being involved in extra and crosscurricular teams, we can learn valuable lessons while making meaningful friendships and contributions to our community.”
Alice Fergusson, Year 12, 2025
"Frensham encourages every student to be the most authentic version of themselves — not a version shaped by perfection, but one guided by honesty, integrity, growth, and the courage to be different. To be yourself. Loud or quiet. Dramatic or thoughtful. And in the true spirit of Frensham, kind, considerate and willing to put others before yourself."
Ben Chadwick, Director of Students and Strategy
As a boarding school, not a school with boarders, Frensham offers a unique residential experience.
With more than 70% of our students living in residence, and despite our small student population of 360, we are the largest girls boarding school in Australia.
Frensham boarding is more than just a place to live. It is an enriching experience that extends well beyond the classroom. With dedicated staff, personalised guidance, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, we nurture independence, responsibility, and empathy within our vibrant residential community.
Our programs, staffing, and facilities are all designed with boarders at the centre. Whether Day Boarders or Full Boarders, all students enjoy a structured, full-week experience, ensuring everyone benefits from the sense of belonging and purpose that boarding life provides.
Both day and boarding students thrive in our supportive and inclusive environment where lifelong friendships are forged and essential life skills are developed through everyday interactions. Our dedicated boarding staff ensure the Houses are a place of warmth, joy, excitement, and safety.
Over 70% of our students live on campus
"Boarding at Frensham means living with your friends and being part of a community where people look out for each other. The staff are there when you need them, and over time, it just feels like home."
Georgie
Lewis, Year 12, 2025
Find out more about Boarding at Frensham
BOARDING TRADITIONS
Frensham’s boarding traditions foster camaraderie, connection, and are just downright fun!
One of the most cherished traditions is the Friday Night Activity. This weekly event, led by Year 12 students, provides boarders with the opportunity to unwind, connect, and have fun dressing up in themed costumes.
All students, regardless of whether they sleep over, are attached to a boarding house, contributing to the shared spirit of the residential experience. Throughout their time at Frensham, students rotate through different Houses, allowing them to experience different living arrangements.
Our weekends are thoughtfully balanced, offering both structured activities and time for relaxation. The weekend program plays a pivotal role in the rhythm of residential life, featuring a vibrant mix of sport, creative pursuits, outdoor adventures, and social events. From trips to Luna Park, Taronga Zoo and Jamberoo Action Park, to on-campus activities including movie nights, crafting, and cooking together.
Wholeheartedly celebrating student's birthdays are a treasured tradition. On her birthday, each girl is celebrated with waffles for breakfast in the Dining Room, and presented with a birthday hat of flowers or ribbons decorated by her year group. This is a simple, joyful ritual that reflects the warmth and community spirit of Frensham.
"Friday Night activities create an inclusive atmosphere where you can be your most confident self. It cultivates an attitude to give anything a try and get out of your comfort zone."
Madison Walters, Year 12, 2025
A Frensham education challenges students to think deeply, act with purpose and approach learning with curiosity and independence.
Through our broad and engaging curriculum, students pursue diverse interests, build confidence, and develop skills that prepare them for life beyond school.
Our educators create academically rigorous, purposeful and collaborative learning environments. Students are encouraged to retain high expectations for themselves in all they do, with teachers tailoring their support to meet students' needs and aspirations.
Personalised Learning Plans
Formalised through our Personalised Learning Plans, students are given a voice in their learning experience.
Personalised Learning Plans provide an opportunity for students to be given space in designing their own curriculum—whether diving into a particular passion, gaining more time to excel in a specific endeavour, accelerating beyond their year group or gaining access to targeted support.
No learning journey at Frensham is the same.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
At Frensham, every student has the opportunity to excel. Academic growth is driven by a rigorous curriculum that balances depth and breadth.
Core subjects are complemented by an extensive elective program, allowing students to specialise in particular fields or experience a range of subject areas.
While we expect our students will pursue tertiary study, we recognise there is no single path to success. Our graduates thrive in diverse fields including medicine, law, the arts, agriculture and entrepreneurship, carrying with them the confidence and capability instilled during their Frensham years.
Higher School Certificate
Frensham offers the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) with a wide range of subjects. Our comprehensive program prepares students thoroughly for these important culminating assessments and examinations. Our long-standing success in the HSC is driven by our personalised approach, where each student is guided on a tailored path to excel, supported by one-on-one guidance and a joint desire to lift each other up.
Cambridge Programs
Offered in Years 9 and 10, the globally recognised Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) equips students with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This internationally benchmarked qualification opens doors to global opportunities, reinforcing our commitment to academic excellence and preparing students for opportunities beyond
“What should be the aim of education? Probably no two people here would give the same answer to the question and many would differ widely. All would probably agree that education should be a preparation for life.”
Winifred West, Founder, 1973
IN LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER
Leadership is woven into the fabric of school life. Every student is encouraged to embrace service and leadership, living by the School’s motto, In Love Serve One Another.
Leadership at Frensham means action, spirit, and a commitment to making a positive difference, regardless of formal role or year group.
Our students lead in countless ways. In Year 7, a student might support a friend; in Year 9, they might facilitate a class discussion; and in Year 11, they could take charge of a House event. Whether on the sports field, in the classroom, or at school events, leadership is a daily practice of service and setting an example with courage and strength.
The foundation for leadership is laid early and builds progressively. In Year 8, students engage in service through activities like Riding for the Disabled; in Year 9, they visit nursing homes, connecting with the wider community; and in Year 10, students develop leadership skills through sports coaching and helping at Frensham Junior School.
In Year 11 and Year 12, leadership opportunities are formalised, with students participating in leadership camps and building their personal leadership portfolios.
Leadership at Frensham is deeply embedded in every student’s journey. We empower each young woman to lead with purpose, make her mark, and create a ripple effect of positive change that extends beyond the School.
"The philosophy of our School is for the girls to work in cooperation with each other, rather than in competition against each other"
Cynthia Parker, Head of Frensham 1965 - 1993
Sport is an essential part of our School, and a celebrated part of life at Frensham.
All students in Years 7-10 and over 90 percent of our students in Years 11-12, represent the School in the Independent Girls Schools Association (IGSA) Competition each term. In addition to IGSA sports, a broad range of sporting opportunities are offered as part of our co-curricular program, including Rugby 7s, a personalised Fitness Program, Equestrian and Snowsports.
Our sporting spirit shines every Saturday morning at the Games Field, where students proudly wear Frensham purple, green, and white. Supporting one another is a cornerstone of our culture, and our students are known for their unwavering School spirit both on and off the field.
IGSA Home Ground
With expansive grounds and state-of-theart facilities, Frensham hosts regular round matches 'at home.' Parents play an integral role in welcoming visiting teams and their families, creating a warm atmosphere of friendly competition and community.
Frensham's Holt Café is run by our Year 9 parents and supported by student Heads of Holt Café. Visitors can enjoy hot coffee and classic bacon and egg rolls, as well as an assortment of other treats.
Equestrian and Snowsports
Frensham's Equestrian team competes at local, state, and national levels. Riding is part of the extra-curricular program, and students who own horses ride at their chosen venues. Horses and lessons are provided at a select range of riding schools in the Southern Highlands. Lessons are available for students of all levels and disciplines, from learning to ride, to experienced riders; from dressage to show jumping.
The Snowsports team competes in events including Alpine, Ski Cross and Snowboard Cross at regional and state levels, with coaching offered at Perisher for students of all experience levels.
Sports by Term
Term 1: Tennis, Touch Football, Water Polo, Cross Country, Equestrian, Gymnastics, Swimming.
Term 4: Tennis, Touch Football, Water Polo, Cross Country, Equestrian, Gymnastics, Swimming.
CREATIVE ARTS & DESIGN
Frensham has a long-standing tradition of nurturing the arts.
Whether through the performing arts, such as music and drama, visual art, design and technology, or writing, students are deeply engaged in creating and producing across all mediums.
Visual Arts
The art of making is an integral part of Frensham's culture. Students learn a range of traditional art forms across diverse media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and woodwork.
Visual Arts is a popular HSC subject, highlighted by regular nominations and
selections of students’ major works for ArtExpress, as well as offers of places in the HSC Intensive Studio Practice courses run by the National Art School. In 2024, 7 students were nominated for ArtExpress.
Design & Technology
Frensham's state-of-the-art Design and Technology studios equip students with technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
From engineering fundamentals and digital design to product development and sustainable architecture, students engage in hands-on projects using industry-standard tools that prepare them for future studies and careers in a variety of design and engineering fields.
“Art is not only a means of self-expression but it is also a means of understanding and enriching life itself.”
Winifred West, Founder
MUSIC & DRAMA
Music
Music is at the heart of the Frensham experience, enriching the lives of every student. Students have the opportunity to learn a wide range of instruments, and play music from orchestral to contemporary. Our musicians are continuously supported in their musical development by an exceptional team of teachers and music staff.
Frensham has a strong history of musical excellence. Students are encouraged to explore their interests and build their skills through individual lessons, classroom music, and ensemble participation.
Students take part in a variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles. Instrumental ensembles include Kennedy Strings, String Quartet, Concert Band, Jazz Band and the
Frensham Orchestra. Vocal ensembles include the Junior Choir, Senior Choir and the Frensham Madrigals.
The Frensham Madrigals is an award-winning chamber choir that has enjoyed particular success at the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod, including three recent wins as Champion Youth Choir.
"Ever since coming to Frensham, whether it is in choir, in morning prayers or just for fun, singing has become an essential part of my time here at Frensham. So, when the opportunity came around to audition for the Madrigals, I knew I had to jump at the chance to be able to sing and learn from a group of extremely talented, musical girls and Mr Spencer."
Madeleine Houston, Year 10, 2025
Drama
Drama at Frensham builds confidence, courage and creative expression, offering students an opportunity to explore their creative potential. Through collaborative performance opportunities, students experience the joy of creating and presenting work together, both on stage and behind the scenes.
There are many dramatic opportunities on offer at Frensham and we strongly encourage each student to share their gifts and talents with the School community. Frensham’s Birthday Play is a senior production for Years 11 and 12, held as part of the School’s annual birthday celebration. The Junior Production invites students in Years 7 to 9 to perform in
Selfexpression and creativity
a fun and supportive environment. Our End of Year Production, staged during Jamieson Week, is a whole-school musical where every role is performed by students.
Tech Crew
Students in Years 9 to 12 can join the Tech Crew and gain a Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services. They operate sound, lighting and staging equipment, supporting events across the School.
Drama Club
Drama Club introduces younger students to theatre in a playful and fun setting. It is a creative space where they explore different performance styles and grow in confidence.
With families joining us from across Australia and beyond, we create purposeful opportunities for connection. This ensues every parent and carer feels a strong sense of belonging within the Frensham community.
Our Term 1 Parent Welcome Drinks is a much-anticipated event, drawing more than 400 parents to the Frensham campus for an evening of conversation and connection. Events like this reflect our commitment to building meaningful relationships between home and school—relationships that support student wellbeing, academic success and personal growth.
When parents are engaged, students flourish. From Year Weekends to informal gatherings and parent groups, there are many ways for families to be involved. These moments help parents stay connected to their child's learning and to each other—often building friendships that last well beyond the school years.
As Winifred West said in 1932: "We live in a series of concentric circles…our families and School—the circles ever widening." At Frensham, these circles form the foundation of our shared values and united community.
Connection Beyond Frensham
The Frensham experience extends far beyond graduation, with our alumni carrying forward the School’s distinctive spirit and core values throughout their lives.
Frensham Fellowship, our alumni network, fosters strong, enduring connections through professional networking, mentoring opportunities, and celebrations of our shared heritage.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community.
Discover how your daughter can flourish at Frensham.
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