NEWSLETTER

Academic • Christian • Caring

Issue 5 Term I 2013

Kindergarten Visit The Headmaster

Maintain Balance One of the benefits of a TIGS education is the availability of a complete service catering for the needs of the whole child. Even I was surprised to find that there are 29 extra-curricular and co-curricular activities available to students in the Junior School, and 82 activities available to students in the Senior School.

The availability of such an extensive and comprehensive range of activities for students is an expression of the core values of the School:

“Success in learning involves the development of the whole child. The School is committed to offering a broad curriculum, adopting a holistic approach to each student’s academic, spiritual, physical, aesthetic, cultural, social and emotional development.” (TIGS Statement of Mission and Values 1.2)

The School encourages students to be involved in a broad range of experiences and to maintain balance. We want our students to excel in the areas where they are naturally talented so that we can all benefit from the product of their talent. We also want our students to experience the challenge and thrill of experiencing something outside their comfort zone. Such experiences build resilience and character and may uncover a hitherto hidden talent or at least enable an appreciation of the excellence of others gifted in that area.

No TIGS student can claim that there is nothing to do at school. In the last week I have observed:• Students learning musical instruments at School – much easier for parents than

transporting children to after-school lessons• The Jazz Band performing at Dr Michael Carr-Gregg parents’ Trivia Night• Students competing at NASSA Junior and Senior Swimming Carnivals, led by our swimming captains - many students

train with the TIGS early morning swimming squad• The Senior School assembly led by student leaders in Year 12• Rehearsals for the dance section of the Music, Dance and Drama Competition• Rehearsals for the TIGS production of Cats• Junior School assembly run by student leaders in Year 6• Year 6 HICES Debating• Year 10 student helpers preparing to assist at Expo Day (our students are our best ambassadors)• Art from the Heart - after hours art classes for students from both the Junior and Senior School• Junior School rehearsals for ensembles: Strings, Orchestra and the Cantilena Singers• Junior School Theatre Works and Dance club• Rehearsals for the Senior School ensembles – Choral 8, Senior Choir, String Orchestra, Jazz Band and Concert Band• Lego Robotics• Soccer program for boys and girls from the Junior School• Senior Boys participating in representative Cricket• Year 8 students returning from camp which included an overnight hike, sleeping under canvas• After hours care at Extend @ TIGS

The benefit to our students of participation in such a broad range of activities goes beyond character development. TIGS graduates are regularly offered scholarships by universities that are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and participation in a broad range of experience and community engagement.

Honours received by students from Year 2012 include:• UNSW Co-Operative Scholarship Program in Chemical Engineering• UOW Vice Chancellor Academic Scholarship

• Engineering Dean’s Scholar• Engineering Academic Scholarship

• The UBS Business Cadetship• BlueScope Logistics Cadetship• BlueScope Engineering Cadetship• Accounting Cadetship• NSW Minerals Council Scholarship• UNSW Japanese Scholarship • ANU Academic Scholarship• UOW Dean’s Scholar Arts

We are proud of the achievements of our students and are thrilled that they have received recognition by these universities and corporations.

There are several opportunities for parents and members of the community to experience and celebrate the many talents of our students in the near future:11 April (Thursday) Music, Dance and Drama Showcase18 May (Saturday) The Great Fete - with many performances scheduled during the day19-22 June The TIGS season of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats

I look forward to meeting you at these events.

Stephen KinsellaHeadmaster

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Community Service We value community service highly at TIGS. We believe it benefits not only the community around us but our students as well. The reason for this is that when we engage in community service we’re engaging in life as God intends.

God has created us to be other-person-centred. Jesus made this clear when he was asked to identify the greatest commandment in the Law.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”’ (Matthew 22.36-40)

Jesus plots here the orientation of our lives. It is outward looking. It follows that we are only ever truly alive when we are living with the best interests of others in mind. If our direction in life is toward the gratification of our own needs we will come up short. If, on the other hand, we take Jesus at his word and live for the glory of God and the good of others we will experience life in all of its fullness.

I must admit this doesn’t seem obvious. Jesus’ teaching goes against so much of what we hear around us. We are often told to look out for our own interests first because we are the most important person there is. Don’t get me wrong; our needs do matter. But the teaching of the Bible is that God will see to our needs as we seek first his kingdom (see Matthew 6.25-34). We seek God’s kingdom first by living first for his glory and the good of others.

That’s exactly the direction our community service seeks to take. We direct our students to consider first the interests of others to the ultimate glory of God.

It is not surprising, therefore, to hear our students say so often that their involvement in community service has been one of the most significant sources of enrichment during their time at TIGS. What this tells me is that God is right. When we live his way – however unlikely it seems – we end up living the best life on offer.

I am delighted to be able to head up Community Service at TIGS. My delight stems from my unshakable conviction that in leading our students to serve the interests of others in Jesus’ name we are directing them towards embracing the most satisfying life on offer. Thank you for allowing me such a privilege.

Rev James RogersChaplain

Rev James RogersChaplain

Senior School Teaching and LearningAs you know we have completed a review of our Year 7 – 10 curriculum and we have now embarked on a program to introduce the IB’s Middle Years’ Programme, known as the MYP, into the Senior School. The success of the adoption of the PYP in the Junior School together with other critical changes to the education environment both in NSW and Australia-wide have together impacted on our decision to implement change. Thus the scrapping of the School Certificate as an external examination and the Federal Government mandating that the States adopt the Australian Curriculum mean that change will occur anyway: it will be best if we negotiate the changes with the best interests of our students as our prime motivation.

Curriculum change of this scale is not just a change in content but a whole paradigm shift for teachers and students in terms of both delivery and content. The ‘student as learner’ is now at the centre of the paradigm not the ‘content that has to be learned’. Knowing about how people learn, how they perceive and process information is required knowledge for teachers, not just specialist knowledge of their subject area. Senior School teachers have extensive skills and knowledge in specialist areas; Chemistry, Literature and Linguistics, Applied and Pure Mathematics, Visual Arts, Ancient History. All of our Senior School teaching staff have degrees in their discipline, many have Masters degrees and some Ph.Ds. We have kept up to date with reading and professional development and our training is being supplemented by specialist training in constructivist theory and applications, and the latest research on brain maturation and development. In this way we will be equipped to plan and produce student-centred inquiry-based programs.

This training is on-going and it is producing rich and fertile ground for professional discourse between teachers from diverse disciplines. The recent Year 11 Camp utilised these skills that staff had learned and brought together staff from a variety of subject areas who now had a shared pedagogical vocabulary, strong theoretical knowledge of the learning process and a keen focus on student engagement. Student and staff survey results and assessment results suggest good learning outcomes were achieved.

This week, while the Year 12 examinations are being held, I will be training 10 more Senior School teachers. I am sure that the outcome will be as it has been on previous courses - an added excitement and passion about the individual learning journey that each child takes in her/his own unique way and a renewed enthusiasm for the art and craft of teaching children, namely pedagogy.

Monica WattDeputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School

KD Toby Jinks, Isabelle Bush, Samra TarrantKM Cate Giason, Zachary HiltonKP Jahzara McCann, Campbell Boardman1C Stephanie Fiorio1M Zane Al-Salih, Lilli Fellows1T William Dolan, Bhaavya Gupta2H Ava Baxa, Grace Hilton, Mayson Russell, Angus Kiang2M Inaaya Kermali, Molly Buikstra

3W Ameesha Gogulan4S Evan Glover, Isobel Kinnear5Y Jayden Grieve, Sarah Tubman6S Zachary Winter, Belle Kolodziej6W Chivonne Barrett, Christopher McEwan

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

Junior School The hidden power of smilingWant to be a super hero? Want to make the world a better place?Smile!“Smiling is evolutionarily contagious – we can’t help but smile back when we are smiled at.”Teachers often say that they love working with children because their work makes them happy. This is because the most frequent ‘smilers’ are children. Children are really superheros when it comes to making the people around them feel better. Smiling makes life a lot better.

I have provided here a link to a very interesting TED talk which I really enjoyed and I think you all would enjoy also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9cGdRNMdQQ&feature=youtu.be

Year 1 ExcursionYear 1 had a fantastic time at the Science Centre on Monday. We learnt many things about our solar system during the Planetarium show…if only we had popcorn too! It was also great to find out about our world and how things work by exploring the two-storey exhibit hall. The Balloons and Bubbles show was a great way to finish our visit as we made links to our Unit of Inquiry on ‘Air’ and were able to share our knowledge. What a fantastic experience for us all!

SportNASSA Junior SwimmingLast Tuesday 30 students competed in the NASSA Swimming Carnival at Homebush.

There were some excellent performances all round, particularly from Aria Bacic-Johnston who placed first in five 10 years girls’ events and narrowly missed a record by .03 in the 50m Backstroke.

It was pleasing to see some very strong results from our younger swimmers who are new to the sport. Equally satisfying was the improvement and achievement of personal best times by many and the addition of some new students to the team in the older age groups. It is encouraging to see students rewarded for their commitment and efforts to training.

Seven individual swimmers and three relay teams have qualified to swim at the NSW Combined Independent Schools carnival on the 20 March. We wish them all the best.

NASSA Team MembersAmelia Druett, Tamara Matar, Aria Bacic-Johnston, Ben Giason, Joseph Druett, Austin Pallone, Elliot Winn, Ella Vartazarian, Zoe Dribbus, Cartia Taranto, Ruby Tilden, Georgia Webb, Aydin Arapalli, Griffin Spicknall.

CIS Primary Girl’s BasketballCongratulations to Benae Kuiper who was selected into the CIS Basketball team last week. This is an outstanding achievement for Benae as the first ever TIGS representative at this level. Benae will now compete in the PSSA championships in Sydney in June.

South Coast Regional Futsal Championships On Monday the Junior School sent 4 teams (under 12 boys and girls and under 10 boys and girls) to compete in the South Coast Regional Futsal Championships.

Local schools participated in the event and after a very competitive day, TIGS were successful in sending all four teams through to the state championships which will be held at Penrith. The under 12 boys, under 12 girls and under 10 girls all won their event and are now South Coast champions.

Our children p;ayed with great enthusiasm and our parent support was a highlight. Thank you to all involved.

After School Fitness ProgramThere are places available for Years 3 to 6 students who would like to participate on Wednesday afternoons (3.15pm – 4.15pm) in our after school fitness program. We have secured the services of Lucas Chodat and Chodat Fitness at a cost of $10 per week. Please obtain a note from the Junior School Office.

Weekly Awards

3W Ameesha Gogulan4S Evan Glover, Isobel Kinnear5Y Jayden Grieve, Sarah Tubman6S Zachary Winter, Belle Kolodziej6W Chivonne Barrett, Christopher McEwan

Andrea Avenido – AcademicAaron Avenido – AcademicAnika Rindani – AcademicShemun Simon – AcademicRobert McGrath – AcademicJai Hemsley-Oades – AcademicKavya Acharya – AcademicPippi Fuller – AcademicJude McCann – AcademicAustin Pallone – AcademicJames Gardner – AcedemicMackayla Hutchinson – AcademicAnnie McLearie – Academic

Chloe Jackson – AcademicJarod Tuckwood – AcademicAlexander Vartazarian – AcademicJessy Harman – AcademicEuan Christopher – AcademicNadia Nagaratnam – AcademicDaniel Tubman – AcademicJett Norris – AcademicPiper Kimberley-Mastalir – AcademicJack Burrows – AcademicJessica Bradley – AcademicElla Smith – Academic

Merit Certificates

Extend @ TIGS Weekly RecapLast week the children painted on their hands and made a lovely circle of friendship with their best friend’s handprint next to theirs.

Homework Club is getting busy with more children bringing in their Reading Folders and worksheets to do before the fun begins.

The children enjoyed drawing with coloured chalks on the pavers outside KG7.

‘”Our Kitchen Rules!” started with the children making Jelly and Custard Cups and we weren’t surprised when they wanted seconds!

We would like to introduce Sachin Gasper, a Year 10 student at TIGS who will be doing voluntary work experience with us for a few weeks and he is an AVID cricket fan. We will definitely be incorporating cricket into our weekly program.

Our Extend Superstar is…Kavya Acharya for helping the staff put away resources and materials we have used for the day.

Next week’s activities:Monday 18 March: Crazy for CricketTuesday 19 March: Craft: Easter Bunny Mask Wednesday 20 March: “Bend it like Beckham” with TomThursday 21 March: Library Day @ TIGS Friday 22 March: Our Kitchen Rules! Chocolate Bunny Cupcakes

ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.au CALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437

TIGSFOUNDATIONTIGS Foundation AGM 2013 All members are cordially invited to attend the TIGS Foundation Annual General Meeting. If you know others who are interested in the work of TIGS Foundation or have been part of the Foundation’s history, we would welcome their attendance as a guest.

When: Wednesday 20 March 2013

Where: Goodhew Research Centre (Library - Entrance via Powell Street)

Time: 6.00pm - 7.00pm welcome drinks and canapés 7.00pm - 8.00pm AGM

Dress: Smart casual

RSVP: 13 March 2013

Phone: Lisa Wilson (Foundation Coordinator) 4220 0264

Email: foundation@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Careers NewsAustralian Air Force CadetsThe Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is an air-minded youth organisation open to young people aged between 13 and 18 years. Your local unit, 314 Squadron, is now recruiting.

Information sessions will be held on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 and Tuesday, 26 March 2013 at 7.00pm. For more information, visit www.aafc.org.au and 314sqn.aafc.org.au or contact the Commanding Officer by emailing co.314sqn@aafc.org.au

Uniform Shop Holiday Opening TimesFriday the 26th April 2013 All school fit outs

Saturday 27th April 2013 All school fit outs

No appointments necessary.

Dear Parents / Guardians

The Illawarra Grammar School will again be participating in The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge offers a fabulous opportunity for children to explore and read from an extensive list of great literature. If you would like your child to participate please obtain a permission slip from The Junior School Office, the Library, or download a copy. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Library staff by phone 42200275 or email librarystaff@tigs.nsw.edu.au

NASSA Swimming Carnival Congratulations to all 38 students who represented TIGS at the NASSA Senior School Swimming Carnival last Wednesday at Sydney Aquatic Centre. It was wonderful to see numerous students step up out of their comfort zone and support the School.

The night was filled with close results. The difference was a mere 52 points ahead of Georges River Grammar School. TIGS came through triumphantly winning the Overall NASSA Swimming Shield – Champion School. Every student who swam made a difference. Thank you.

As well as the overall shield TIGS also claimed the Junior and Senior Shields.

Some other outstanding results included:

Jana Massingham (Year 7) – Junior Girls Champion

Kelsey Cresswell (Year 9) – 3rd Junior Girls Championship, new record 14 Girls 50m freestyle 29.72

Kaitlin McKeon (Year 10) – Intermediate Girls Champion, new record 15 Girls 50m freestyle 30.03

Joshua King (Year 10) – Intermediate Boys Champion

Kyle Locke (Year 11) – 2nd Senior Boys Championship

23 students have now been selected in the NASSA swimming team to compete at the AICES Swimming Championships on the 26 March at Homebush.

NASSA Tennis Gala Day

The TIGS Open Boys and Open Girls tennis teams represented the school at the NASSA Tennis Gala Day at Campbelltown last week.

In the boys competition TIGS were undefeated in their pool and played Broughton Anglican College in the final. TIGS were far too strong for Broughton winning in straight sets.

In the girls competition TIGS were undefeated in their pool

and played St Luke’s Grammar in the final. Both teams were very strong with no clear winner. The score had to go back to the number of games won. St Lukes Grammar was slightly in front on games and went through as the final winners and TIGS in second place.

A great effort by both teams and congratulations to the following students on their successful day.

Boys – Fred Newman, Adrian Haise, Mitchell Main, Fondas Haris, Oscar Edwards

Girls – Lily Tuivaga, Amelia Bujaroska, Hannah Kim, Maria Kyriakoudes,

The boys team will now go through to represent TIGS at the AICES Schools Tennis Day on the 2 April.

NASSA Touch Football Gala Day

On Monday TIGS entered four teams in the NASSA TOUCH GALA day and selection trials. Players represented the School in an admirable way with our U/15 Girls being the most successful team, winning their age group and conceding only two tries for the entire tournament.

This was a tremendous result for this team and special mention must be made of Ashley Dribbus who dominated the Grand Final by scoring all three tries.

Our Opens Boys and Girls teams, despite being affected by omissions due to Year 12 exams, gave their all and improved as the tournament progressed. Our U/15 Boys team showed plenty of promise and achieved some excellent results.

Congratulations to the following players who were selected to represent NASSA at the AICES carnival.

U/15 Girls – Alexandra Lavalle, Ashley Dribbus, Jacqueline Connor, Brittony Smallhorn

U/15 Boys – Mitchell Ferguson

OPEN BOYS – Jessie Price

Again, well done to all players who represented TIGS on the day.

Mr Chamberlain (MIC – Touch Football)

Senior School Sports

Creative Arts NewsBeyond Bundanon ExhibitionThe Beyond Bundanon Exhibition last Friday evening was a triumph to what can be achieved when students and staff collaborate and have opportunities to play, tinker and ask the question what if? A good crowd enjoyed a wonderful exhibition but also saw evidence of rich educational experiences. Congratulations also to the collaboration of the three faculties, English, Performing Arts and Creative Arts and the Dean of Year 11 Adrian Deck who have worked together to achieve good educational outcomes for Year 11 students. Thanks also to our keynote speaker, artist and TIGS Mum Sally Kidall who shared her insights on art and education.

Co-curricular ProgramStudents can choose between a range of exciting after school (3.30pm - 5.00pm) classes this term to extend and enrich their study of art and photography. Places are still available. Contact the teachers by email for more information and permission notes. Costs are involved in these classes.

WCG Friends Photographic Portrait Prize 2013 The Wollongong City Gallery calls for students, amateurs and professional photographers every two years to be a part of the Photographic Portrait Prize. This year we had three students from TIGS submit work for the show which were all selected to be hung!!! A big congratulations to Jake Kuit (Year 12), Brooke Kolodziej (Year 12) and Inez Playford (Year 11) for being selected to have photographs exhibited in this exhibition. The opening had a fantastic turnout and the show continues until 23rd June. More details on http://www.wollongongcitygallery.com/exhibitions/Pages/WCGFriendsPhotographicPortraitPrize2013.aspx

Day Course Title Media Teacher Loca-tion Year Group Contact

Monday Art From the Heart

Painting, Drawing, Sculpture

Mrs Kallinikos FG3 Primary Secondary

bkallinikos@tigs.nsw.edu.auPhone: 0405 588 105

Tuesday Art From the Heart

Painting, Drawing, Sculpture

Mrs Kallinikos FG3 Primary Secondary

bkallinikos@tigs.nsw.edu.auPhone: 0405 588 105

Tuesday Click It Wet Photography Ms Green F114 Years 7 - 9 dgreen@tigs.nsw.edu.auThursday Art From the

HeartPainting, Drawing,

SculptureMrs Kallinikos FG3 Primary bkallinikos@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Phone: 0405 588 105

Thursday Click It Wet Photography Mrs Colville F114 Years 10 - 12 scolville@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Beyond Bundanon Exhibition

• TIGSFoundationAGM

6.00pm Wednesday 20 march 2013

• JuniorSchoolThanksgi

vingandEasterServ

ice

Thursday 28 march 2013

• SeniorSchoolEaster

Service

Wednesday 20 march 2013

• Year7MeettheTe

acher

Tuesday 2 April 2013

• Music,DanceandDrama

Showcase

Thursday 11 April 2013

• LastDayofTermI

Friday 12 April 2013

• FirstDayofTermI

I

• WinterUniform

Monday 29 April 2013