Issue 2TERM III 2014

2014/2015 LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTSmiles all round! Full details in next week’s newsletter

NewsletterAcademic Christian Caring

On a shelf in my office is one of my favourite pieces of memorabilia. It is a mug given to me by some generous parents in response to a comment I made in the TIGS Newsletter. The mug has the following message printed on its side:

“Ubuntu: A person is a person because of other people”

According to the Oxford Dictionary there are “at the very least, a quarter of a million distinct English words”.(1) In our everyday lives, a quarter of a million words should be more than enough to communicate effectively. The challenge of spelling them all correctly and using them in the right order to convey meaning confronts our students every day and mastery of the use of the English language is an empowering skill.

Even with such a large resource at our disposal there are still times when the English language is unable to provide the right word to clearly convey our meaning. The Jewish concept of shalom, for example, is commonly translated as ‘peace’ in English but its meaning also captures the concepts of wholeness, completeness, balance, healing, wellbeing, tranquillity, prosperity, security and justice.(2) It is much easier to say shalom than the cumbersome list of equivalent English words but its meaning is lost if we use shalom as a substitute for the idea of ‘peace’ alone.

The word ubuntu is another such word. It comes from the African Bantu language and was used by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in discussing the notion of ‘the common good’. Bishop Tutu says:

Ubuntu is the essence of being a person. It means that we are people through other people. We cannot be fully human alone. We are made for interdependence, we are made for family. When you have ubuntu, you embrace others. You are generous, compassionate.

It embraces hospitality, caring for others, being able to go the extra mile for the sake of others… A person is a person through another person, that my humanity is caught up, bound up, inextricably, with yours.. When I dehumanize you, I inexorably dehumanise myself. The solitary human being is a contradiction in terms.” (3)

In the TIGS Statement of Mission and Values a whole page is devoted to explaining what we as a school mean by the word ‘Caring’, one of our three core values. So much of our commitment to the care of our students, the members of our broader school community and those beyond TIGS, is captured by the concept of ubuntu that there would be a strong case to change our three core values to ‘Academic, Christian and Ubuntu’ (this is not being proposed I hasten to add).

Having connected with the concept of ubuntu it is not hard to notice it in action within our school and the life enriching benefit it brings those who are touched by it. During the recent vacation a group of Year 11 students travelled to Nganambala (Emu Point) in the Northern Territory to live with the Aboriginal community that has been a friend of TIGS since 2006. The community graciously welcomes our students and introduces them to their families, their land and their culture.

The students that visit Nganambala each year return telling the same story – they go to Nganambala believing they will bring something to the community, and return with the realisation that they have gained a much deeper understanding about family, community and relationships through their shared experiences with their Aboriginal hosts. The Ngnambala trip causes students to ask the big questions about life, priorities and about shared humanity.

I often find it difficult to succinctly define what it is that makes TIGS such a special place. Maybe ubuntu is the word I need. “We cannot be fully human alone. We are made for interdependence, we are made for family. When you have ubuntu, you embrace others.”

Stephen KinsellaHeadmaster

Headmaster

(1) http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutenglish/numberwords?view=uk

(2) Wallace, J (2008) “Seven Ways to Change the World: Reviving Faith and Politics” (Harper-Collins) (p73)

(3) ibid (p72)

There was a lovely moment in the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It was an incident which followed Australian cyclist Stephanie Morton’s defeat of cycling legend Anna Meares in the Women’s Sprint. At the playing of the national anthem Morton called her hero Meares to share the centre podium with her. This is not unusual in itself. There have been a number of occasions when the gold medalist has invited the silver and bronze medalist up to the centre podium. But this was different. It was a personal invitation to Meares only as an expression of Morton’s esteem of Meares. Meares was overcome by the gesture and the great champion was reduced to tears during the anthem. It was a great moment in Australian sport.

It got me thinking about grace. Grace is when we are called to share something we have not earned or do not deserve. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Our salvation from

sin and inheritance of eternal life are a gift to us from God on the basis of what Jesus has done for us, not a consequence of anything we have done for God (see Ephesians 2.8-9).

Picture it like this: Jesus has lived the life we ought to have lived before God but didn’t. He died to pay the penalty we deserved for our failure to live as God intended. God raised Jesus from death to life, never to die again. And Jesus invites us to share this eternal life with him. It is as if he is up on the centre podium inviting us to join him there. This is grace.

All our instincts say we have to do something to warrant our place beside him. Usually that “something” consists of good deeds that we deem pleasing to God. But Jesus says there is nothing that we can or must do to share the eternal life which is his alone to bestow. We simply have to come to him.

It would have been odd wouldn’t it, if Anna Meares said to Stephanie Morton when she called her up on to the centre podium that she would first go back to the track to see if she could equal or better Morton’s time to warrant her place with Morton on the centre podium. Morton wasn’t requesting that. Neither is Jesus requesting we do anything to earn our place beside him. He simply calls us to accept the call up as a gift of grace.

Grace melts hearts. Grace changes lives. As Meares’ heart melted when Morton called her up so our hearts melt when Jesus calls us up. And for us this translates into a life dedicated to the honour of the one who has so graciously shared his rightful place with us. Have you accepted Jesus’ call up? And if so, are you living for the honour of the one who has been so gracious to you?

Rev James RogersChaplain

Chaplain’s MessageA GLIMPSE OF GRACE

You might have noticed that some images have appeared this year in the IGC. They are displayed along the face of the mezzanine balcony. So if you haven’t seen them, then the next time you are in the IGC Hall, look up!

The photos are of ex-students who have attended the school during a range of eras and they are there to illustrate the diversity of post-school options that TIGS students pursue. From David McKeon who left in 2010, to Georgia Manning who left in 1998 and Andrew Newhouse in 1980.

The obvious aim is to illustrate to students that they too can realize their ambitions. But there have been some additional messages that these images have communicated: one of those is that you can achieve in a variety of ways and sometimes you can change your aspirations as time goes on.

When David was in the Junior School, even up until Year 11, his dream was to be a Basketballer. He played, he practised, he bounced that basketball at recess and lunchtime, on the way to school and often on the way out of the gate. But at some point in Year 11 he decided that he would train really hard to support his House in swimming and perhaps also try for an individual championship. The rest, as they say, is history.

There is also a message about girls and their aspirations attached to Georgia’s photo in the Qantas cockpit. The fact is that we could have called other ex-students, girls as well as boys, to provide such a photo. It has been a surprisingly popular post-school destination for a number of our alumni.

And Andrew’s photo is rich with messages about commitment, history and generativity. Andrew is now a parent of two boys who don’t look too dissimilar to the young Andrew. He is a tireless worker for the school and his wife, Sandra, is on the Foundation Board. On the day of the photo-shoot Andrew assembled some ex-students who now work for him to share in the image. This was a lovely gesture and enriched the message of the image. (There were also other ex-students both males and females who weren’t working in the Wollongong office on the day who could have been in the shot. We might add that image later!)

So, thank you to each of our alumni who appear on the images. We are so proud of each of you. Thank you also to Lile Dimoski who organized the representation and presentation of the images and to Tim Oyston, our previous Property Manager who came up with the method of capturing and attaching the images in such an interesting and engaging way.

Senior School ASPIRATIONAL IMAGES

Crossroads ProjectDominic Mortimer is running the City2Surf this Sunday, to raise funds to buy the shipping container that TIGS Year 10 will pack in Hong Kong this Year.

Please consider supporting this important venture by donating and/or forwarding the following link:

https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/kids2kids

DAVID MCKEON Year 5 2003

DAVID MCKEON Alumni 2010

Olympic Athlete

GEORGIA MANNINGYear 11 1998

Monica WattHead of Senior SchoolDeputy Headmaster

Library NewsPremier’s Reading Challenge Saturday 30 August is the closing date for The Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2014. Could you please ensure that all books are entered on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge site by then. Please contact Karen Bowmaker in the Library should you need any assistance.

DAVID MCKEON Year 5 2003

DAVID MCKEON Alumni 2010

Olympic Athlete

GEORGIA MANNINGYear 11 1998

GEORGIA TRACY (nee Manning)Alumni 1999

Aviation Pilot

P&F2014 Karobran Disco The annual Karobran Disco is on again this year for students in Kindergarten to Year 6. Sausage sizzle, drinks, fairy floss and treats will be available for purchase on the night and there will be great entertainment. Children may be dropped off or parents are welcome to stay.

Friday 19 September 5.30pm to 7.30pm in Rees Hall.Tickets are $5.00 and are available to be purchased through Flexischools from Monday 11 August.

Volunteers are needed for this event for various roles including canteen, supervision and BBQ (great job for dads!!). If you would like to be part of this fun night please contact Lauren Gadson via email laurenpg80@gmail.com

The Big Day In A picnic lunch co-ordinator is required for this year’s Big Day In. The Junior School P&F, Karobran, organise the picnic lunches to be purchased for the Big Day In, which is to be held on Thursday 18 September. If you are interested in taking on this role please contact Tanya Edgerton at tanya@tfabrications.com.au It is a great way for someone to contribute to the school community who doesn’t have the time to commit to an ongoing role.

2015 EnrolmentsInterviews for all 2015 enrolments are now being conducted. If you need to enrol another family member for 2015, please contact the Enrolments Department on 4220 0216 or via email: enrolments@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Junior SchoolLast Monday we welcomed three Hong Kong students and their teacher to the Junior School. Joey, Apple, Thomas and their teacher Miss April are visiting us for the next two weeks. The students are on a Study Tour and are from the Chi Ling Buddhist Primary School in Hong Kong. The main aim of the visit is for the students to improve their English and to engage in an intercultural experience with our students here at TIGS. Joey will be having a fun and engaging time in 4C while Apple and Thomas will be enjoying their time in 5A. Thank you to the Druett, Thompson and Neal families for hosting the students in their homes for the two week visit.

A message was sent to me last week from the Canteen Supervisor. It has come to her attention that a number of Junior School students are bringing quite large amounts of money to the Canteen on a daily basis. Amounts mentioned were up to $60.00. It is important for our students to have the experience of going to the Canteen and being able to enjoy the process of independently choosing and buying something to eat and drink. I encourage parents to monitor the amount of money that your child is bringing to School.

Jade Kennedy Visits Year 5On Monday 4 August, Jade Kennedy, a local Aboriginal of the Darawahl community, came to visit TIGS for the day.

Jade came to teach Year 5 about Aboriginal views on biodiversity, our current Unit of Inquiry. We learnt about the many uses of the plants in our School playground. We were shown that Lomandra has three different uses such as a drinking source, rope and making flour. Next, Jade explained that there are 85 different kinds of gum tree, some of which are used as a medicinal source. All of the trees have different uses, such as medicine, making fish bombs, chewing gum to help heal toothaches and much more.

Jade also taught us about all of the bush tucker such as, sweet bottlebrush cordial, tree sap lolly and we even made our own herbal tea made out of pink flower and sarsaparilla leaves. We learned how Aboriginal people have a different perspective on biodiversity within different environments.

Overall we learnt a lot, most importantly not to take more than we need. It was a great experience for all of Year 5.

By Jessica Hall, Olivia Barber and Xia Lian Wilson

WEEKLY AWARDSKD Daniel Llewellin, Aston Di DonatoKM Alexander Mumford, Callum PerrinsKP Shlok Murty, Elizabeth Hoskins1M Myer Matyana, Alizeh Syed, Joanne Park1T Sadurshi Prabaharan, Tom Armstrong2C Samuel Stevenson, Glory Obinwanor2H Ashika Bahl, Joel Turner2M Daniel Radojicic, Jude De Araujo3R Georgia Gadsdon, Taylor Merritt, Oscar Ryan4Y Nicholas Chiaverini5A Jayson Cooper, Olivia Barber5Y Hugo Parrish, John Taiwo

AcademicOlivia BarberElliot WinnAva SantosGlory ObinwanorXavier DruettAahan RakhejaWilliam DolanSally GyngellJames Healy

Personal PresentationRyan Molnar

Dates for your diaries:• Thursday 21 August NASSA Athletics Carnival• Thursday 28 August Book Week• Thursday 28 August TIGS Trophy• Tuesday 2 September P&F Meeting – 6.00pm to 7.00pm Goodhew Library• Wednesday 3 September Father’s Day Stall Years 3-6• Friday 5 September Father’s Day Stall Kinder – Year 2• Friday 5 September Father’s Day Breakfast – 7.00am to 8.00am Rees Hall• Thursday 18 September Big Day In• Friday 19 September Karobran Disco – 5.30pm to 7.30pm Rees Hall

MERIT CERTIFICATES

Narelle McRaeActing Head of Junior School

Extend at TIGS

JUNIOR SCHOOL FATHER’S DAY STALLIt is that time of year again where the Junior School children have the opportunity to participate in the Fundraiser Father’s Day Stall. Once again, we will pre-purchase a wide range of presents that the children will be able to choose from.

For your child to participate please send in $10.00 for each present they wish to purchase, $5.00 of this will, as always be for school fundraising. Please enclose the money in an envelope clearly marked with:

CHILD’S NAME, CLASS AND AMOUNT ENCLOSED (Remember NO gift is required)

All monies should be sent in to either the Junior School Office (Years K-6) or the Early Learning Centre (Pre-prep & Prep) before 29 August. It is important that your child’s money is handed into the correct office so that their names are marked off correctly and there are no disappointments on the day.

Pre Prep and Prep parents will be notified by The Piper Centre with regards to their arrangements for gift selection.

The Father’s Day Stall will be held over 2 days:• Wednesday 3 September Years 3 to 6 • Friday 5 September Kindy, Years 1 and Year 2

For further enquiries please contact Lisa Kiteley 0407 127 550

Week 4’s Activities:Monday 11 August:Organised Sports-PlaylawnSoccer on the Oval Craft: Canvas Tape Painting

Tuesday 12 August:Organised Sports-PlaylawnSoccer on the Oval Crazy Craft

Wednesday 13 August:Organised Sports-PlaylawnFutsal in Rees HallCraft: Canvas Tape Painting

Thursday 14 August:“So, You Think You Can Dance!”

Friday 15 August:Movie (G) and Popcorn

ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.auCALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437

NEWSFLASH!!!Please note there will be a Pupil Free Day on the 18th of August at The Illawarra Grammar School. Extend will offer a full day service on this day subject to minimum bookings of 12.

Operating hours: 8.00am - 6.00pm. Fees: $53

After child care entitlements are applied, including the non-income tested 50% Child Care Rebate you pay between $8.38 - $26.50.

If you would like to book in for this full day service please book online at extend.com.au. As we require minimum bookings for the service to run there are strictly no refunds or cancellations on Pupil Free Day bookings.

Booking close: Monday 11 August. Parents who book in will be notified on this day by close of business.

Image from Year 5 Jade Kennedy Visits

SENIOR SCHOOLStudent Success

Hockey – Congratulations to:

Brittony Smallhorn and Chloe Johnston who have been selected in the NSW U15 Hockey squad.

Claire Smallhorn who has been selected in the NSW U13 girls Hockey team.

NASSA Football Gala Day Senior Boys – NASSA Champions

The Senior boys had a very successful day, winning their pool convincingly without a goal being scored against them. A comfortable 2-0 win in the semi-final saw TIGS take on Macarthur Anglican in the final. Macarthur scored first, however from there the tide turned. Apart from a penalty awarded against TIGS, our boys dominated for most of the game to be eventual winners 3-2. A wonderful effort by: Matthew Galanti, Lachlan Scott, Kyle Del, Zac McLaren, Thomas Goodhew, Ali Sawan, Louis Parsons-O’Malley, Cameron Barrett, Isaac Osborne, Tomas Saponja, Nick Grozdanov, Jeremy Harrison, Peter Kyriakoudes, Jacob Shalala, Joel Moore.

The Junior Boys (Year 7), Junior Girls (Year 7-8) and Senior Girls (Year 9-12) were also involved with the NASSA Football Gala Day, with their competition being held at Jim Ring Reserve, Birrong. Both of the girls teams had very tight matches in the pools section of the tournament. The Junior girls had three draws, to finish 2nd in their pool, while the senior girls had a 1-0 loss and two draws to finish equal 2nd in their pool, along with Thomas Hassall Anglican College. The Senior Girls competition was so close that the only way to split TIGS and Thomas Hassall was by a coin toss. Unfortunately TIGS lost the coin toss, so did not progress to the semi-finals.

The Junior Girls played a tough game against Broughton Anglican College and lost their semi-final. In the play off for 3rd place against Macarthur Anglican College, TIGS dominated early, creating a number of chances, but were unable to convert any of them. Macarthur was awarded a penalty early in the second half to take a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately TIGS was not able to come back from this, finishing the competition in 4th place.

In the Junior Boys competition, TIGS dominated their pool matches with a draw and two wins, to finish on top. TIGS had a comfortable victory in their semi-final match against Georges River Grammar School,

winning 3-0, displaying some excellent teamwork, passing skills and great finishing. The final against Penrith Anglican College was a tight match with both teams unable to convert some early chances. With five minutes of the match to go, Penrith scored to take the lead 1-0. Two minutes later, TIGS scored, with a great goal from Austin Pallone, to level the match 1-1. However, with one minute to go, Penrith found the back of the net again, to win the game 2-1.

It was a great effort from the teams and they all represented TIGS exceptionally well. The teams were:

Junior Boys

Adrian Arcon, Matthew Fargher, Riley Hanlon, Hugo Hunt, Daniel Hunter, Nathan Hunter, Anthony Krsteski, Michael Kyriakoudes, Trent Ledwidge, Finley McLaren, Jonathon Michalopoulos, Austin Pallone, Nickita Peros, Hunter Powell, Jarod Tuckwood, Zachary Winter

Junior Girls

Mary Bul, Sophie Correa, Emmanuela Franco, Amy Gibbons, Rebekah Hutton, Joanne Karakousis, Sarah Jane Kingsman, Chloe Lavalle, Amy Logan, Seh Meh, Claire Nguyen, Claire Smallhorn, Charlotte Ward.

Senior Girls

Claire Nguyen, Emilia Bujaroska, Zoe Correa, Elizabeth Dominis, Mili Haber, Grace Hennessy, Hannah Kim, Maria Kyriakoudes, Kaitlyn Matias, Madeline Negus, Olivia Porcheddu, Katherine Read, Lilly Sands, Brenda Tekkol

Intermediate Boys

The Intermediate boys finished runners up in the NASSA Gala day. We only had two round games and needed to win them both to progress to the semi-finals. We beat Thomas Hassall and Broughton Anglican 2-0 respectively. The boys worked hard in each game and there were no easy goals. The semi-final against Macarthur Anglican was a tight battle with the final score being 3-2 to TIGS. Goals by Ryan Baker, Lachlan Phillpott and Harrison Taranto proving the difference.

The final was against Penrith Anglican. There were missed chances from both sides leaving the fulltime score at 0-0. A six a side golden goal format followed with Jai Tuckwood, Harrison Taranto, Caleb Grace, Samuel Lendrum, Nicholas Kyriakoudes, Elliot Hutt and Brent Tekkol giving it their all. Unfortunately we couldn’t hold them out and Penrith went away with the win. Congratulations to all the boys on a great day.

Intermediate Boys

Ryan Baker, Harry Borbilas, Caleb Grace, Beck Harper, Elliot Hutt, Henry Jenkins, Cameron Karwarz, Nicholas Kyriakoudes, Samuel Lendrum, Lachlan Phillpott, James Seal, Harrison Taranto, Brent Tekkol, Jai Tuckwood and Callum Wall.

JUNIOR SCHOOL Junior School Athletics CarnivalOn Thursday 24 July we held our annual Junior School Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park Wollongong. It was such a fabulous winter’s day with many participants and outstanding results across all areas of track and field. Coligan was the overall House winner on 753 with Wolgal following close behind on 662, followed by Kogara on 559 and Aranda with 495. All of the students showed commitment, great teamwork and enjoyed the day. A huge congratulations to the following students who are our Age Champions:

8 YearsGirls: Mackayla HutchinsonBoys: Terrance Tsakiridis

9 YearsGirls: Molly Buikstra

Pia D’Rozario

Boys: Cooper Kerridge Zachary Birch

10 YearsGirls: Olivia Varmedja Emma Black

Boys: Bodhi Hemsley-Oades Joshua Franco

11 YearsGirls: Aria Bacic-Johnston Annie McLearie

Boys: James Healey Dean Borbilas

12 YearsGirls: Margaux Chauvet Zoe Dribbus

Boys: James Gorham Aaron Ylias

Sport

TIGS Foundation

Fundraising Event

Save the Date"Not so secret" Men's Business

an innings with adam gilchristWhen: Friday Evening, 7 November 2014

Where: Grandstand Rooms, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2014

Visit www.tigs.nsw.edu.au or enquiries to Lisa Wilson on 4220 0264

TIGSFOUNDATION

TIGS Canteen The TIGS Canteen is welcoming any new volunteers. If you could spare a few hours of your time in the Canteen, we would love to have your help. Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles and friends are all welcome.

To join the friendly team please phone Debbie in the Canteen on 4220 0241 or email canteen@tigs.nsw.edu.au

NASSA Football Gala Day Images

WEEK 4HSC Trials

11 - 22 August 2014

UNSW Mathematics CompetitionTuesday 12 August 2014

WEEK 5Staff Development DayPupil Free Day

Monday 18 August

Senior School NASSA Athletics CarnivalWednesday 20 August

Junior School NASSA Athletics CarnivalThursday 21 August

The Works ExhibitonOpening Night 7.00pm Friday 22 August in the IGC

The Works ExhibitonBack to TIGS

11.00am to 2.00pm Saturday 23 August in the IGC

UPCOMING EVENTS