Issue 1 Term 1 2015

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

ISSUE 1

TERM I 2015

Headmas Welcome, or welcome back, to all members of the TIGS family for 2015.

A special welcome to new families that are joining the TIGS community for the first time. The year commenced with 18 more students than started in 2014 and we look forward to our new students and their families contributing to the life and success of our school.

This year we welcome the following new members of staff to our school: •

Mrs Sharon I’Ons – MYP Coordinator

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Mrs Nadia Merchant – Head of Library & Information Services

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Dr Meagan McKenzie – Senior School Research Adviser

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Ms Megan Armstrong – JS Teacher Librarian

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Mrs Kylee Lane – Head of Sport & Outdoor Education

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Mrs Katrina Toland – SS Teacher of English

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Mrs Anna Kinnear – SS Teacher of Design

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Mrs Sarah Bledzki – SS Teacher of The Arts

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Mrs Michelle Tierney – JS Teacher

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Mrs Dorothy Segar – JS Teacher

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Miss Ashley Young – JS Teacher

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Ms Sasha Sburlati – Piper Centre Teacher

It is a privilege to have such qualified and capable staff joining our school and we look forward to the contribution they will make.

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A number of teachers have also been appointed to new roles:

Chaplain’s Message A MORAL EDUCATION

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Ms Kath Walker – JS Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Students

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Mrs Suzanne Mammone – Arrowsmith teacher

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Mrs Joanna Locke – SS ESL teacher

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Mrs Jean Burton – Dean of Year 12

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Mr Adrian Deck – Dean of Year 8

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Mr Michael Toussis – Aranda House Patron

Welcome to the 2015 academic year. I hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer break. The summer break is my favourite holiday period. It seems to have something for everyone. There is the Sydney Festival for those who like their arts; the weather is superb for those who like the outdoors; and there is more sport than is humanly possible to watch for those so inclined.

We have such a strong contingent of young players at the moment who are making their presence felt both here and in tournaments abroad.

One of the major sporting events of our summer is the Australian Open Tennis Championship. It will be a great day when we have an Australian win this tournament again.

The last time we won the title was with Mark Edmondson in 1976. There are good signs that it won’t be too long before we have another win.

On too many occasions during the telecast of the tennis we were subject to tennis players shouting expletives on the field. Even when they knew the camera was on them some players were too ready to let fly with the most offensive language.

I found it distasteful and unbecoming of people at the height of their

I enjoyed the tennis this summer but it was spoiled a little by some bad behavior from some of the players.

Their behavior highlighted how our culture is wanting for some pretty basic social graces.

Th or di

ster

HSC Results

Congratulations to our 2014 HSC students. TIGS continues to be nchallenged as the leading non-selective School in the Illawarra. summary of our HSC achievements is provided on the website. ome highlights are:

The number of students that achieved the top band (Band 6 or equivalent) in 2014 increased by 13% compared to 2013.

Overall, the number of students that achieved at least one Band 6 result increased from 32% in 2013 to 39% in 2014. By this measure TIGS has easily maintained its position as the leading non-selective school in the Illawarra;

Over 73% of TIGS students seeking Early Entry at University were successful – they were advised of their success before they sat for their HSC examinations;

There were 10 nominations by the HSC Examiners for special exhibition at BOSTES (Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards) events: Encore (2 Music), Call Back (3 Dance), OnStage (2 Drama) and Art Express (3 Visual Arts). The Art Express nominees were all selected for exhibition and their works can be seen in galleries around NSW. BOSTES nominations are for the elite of the elite. It is an outstanding achievement to receive 10 nominations.

We are still receiving advice from our students about offers they have received for study at university. So far we know of placements in the following courses: • • • • •

support of families. Students approaching the HSC or the IB Diploma should gain confidence from the results of our HSC students in 2014 and seek to match their commitment to doing their best.

“TIGS has won 1st place in the ‘Best School of the Year 2014, Digital category”. This advice, received from the organisers of the prestigious Ilford Schools Photographic Competition, is a wonderful way to start 2015. Congratulations to Ms Goodman and all the TIGS students that submitted their creative works. Special congratulations to the National Winners in individual categories: Ellen Manson and Oliver Sekulic.

I wish everyone a successful 2015.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Business/Commerce (31 students) Medical studies (22 students, including 2 in Medicine) Science and Engineering (19 students) Arts and Creative and Performing Arts (17 students) Law (5 students)

he wonderful results of our students are not achieved by accident r just the reputation of the School. They are the consequence of the iligent effort of the students, the expertise of our teachers and the

profession. I also found it concerning that we seem ready to accept this type of behavior. I am not.

It seems to me that what these players are exhibiting is the lack of a moral education. They have not learned how to behave in public in such a way as to uphold the integrity and dignity of what it means to be human. These are educated people. But they have missed something in their education which leads them to believe it is acceptable to shout out expletives in public.

One of the benefits of an IB education is that it takes seriously the importance of a moral education. Both the Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme mandate the formation of good character. The type of learner

that the IB envisages is one who is (among other traits) principled, caring, balanced and an able communicator.

The attitudes an IB learner ought to embody includes (among other traits) empathy, respect, integrity and cooperation.

As a Christian School we are careful when we teach these traits to ensure they mesh well with the Bible’s teaching on what it means to be human in God’s world. Our experience so far is that there is a strong correlation between the IB Learner Profile and Attitudes and the type of character that pleases God. It is one of the reasons why the IB is a good fit for our School.

I am so glad the formation of moral integrity is an important part of what

we do at TIGS. My summer viewing has reminded me that not only do our children need it, but so does our community.

Rev James Rogers

Monica Watt Head of Senior School Deputy Headmaster Classes are up and running with the new timetable and we’re looking forward to all of the great learning that will be happening in classrooms, on playing fields, in cyberspace and anywhere else that our students engage in purposeful activity. Already rehearsals have begun for ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and many Cocurricular activities are well underway.

We will be promoting more of these as the Term progresses. Not all of them begin early in the year.

Senior School WELCOME TO 2015 Years 7 and 11 will be on Camp next week and then House Competitions will begin. First the Senior Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 17 February and then there will be planning and rehearsals for our wonderful Artsfest (the new name for the Music, Art, Dance and Drama Competition.) If you haven’t watched the Showcase yet put Friday 20 March in your Diary and join us. You will be amazed by the talent and skills of our students in so many areas.

Year 12 are of course focused on HSC study with Exams only three weeks away. Their HSC had already started in Term 4 2014.

So, as you can see, we have hit the ground running.

Have a great year.

We have planned for this to be a great year for your children too!

2016 Scholarships TIGS will be offering Scholarships to students entering Years 7 and 11 in 2016. For further information please refer to the School’s website.

Closing Date is Wednesday 11 March 2015.

HELP NEEDED Volunteers are needed to help out in our canteen in 2015.

Please contact Debbie on 4220 0241

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School Welcome to the 2015 academic year!

We are very excited to be starting another year of learning and growing together. Over the holidays a lot of work has been happening around our School with refurbishment of the learning support and Arrowsmith rooms, general maintenance and upkeep and major construction occurring in the Junior School playgrounds. Unfortunately the weather and other factors have meant that our playgrounds were not completed for the start of the year that was our original intention.

We are not disheartened! Our School is wonderfully equipped to provide plenty of alternate spaces for the children to play and learn together, so for the first few weeks we will be being a little bit flexible with our play areas.

We look forward to the completion of the playground work and the fantastic areas that will then be available for the children.

The teachers have been working together and planning for another great year of learning.

This year we will be focusing on the IB attitudes. The PYP/IB Attitudes are the characteristics we want students, teachers and parents of TIGS to have and further develop. They connect with the Christian ethos, values and mission statement of our School and are expressions of inner values

Junior School that contribute to the good of the individual and the group. In raising awareness of the attitudes we will create a common language that can be used across the school.

We will be focusing on one attitude per week in class and discussing what it looks like to demonstrate this attitude and the benefits of doing so, you might like to unpack them at home also! Teachers will be looking to see these attitudes being displayed by the students and you will notice that class awards will be focusing on them throughout the year.

The attitudes are: Commitment, Appreciation, Confidence, Cooperation, Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy, Enthusiasm and Independence.

This week’s attitude is Commitment.

It can be articulated as “I finish what I start. I make responsible choices. I never give up, even when something is difficult. I stick to the job”

DIARY DATES: •

Tuesday10 February – Meet the Teacher Night (Years 3-6)

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Thursday 12 February – Meet the Teacher Night (Kinder – Year 2)

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Thursday 19 February – Junior

School Swimming Carnival (Years 3-6) •

Thursday 26 February – Junior School Captain’s Induction Assembly

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Friday 27 February – Junior School Twilight Picnic

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Thursday 5 March – Junior School First Assembly

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Gerric Parent lectures and training – the school has received notification of the following parent lectures and training applicable for parents of gifted children.

Please click on the link to get more information

https://education.arts.unsw.edu. au/about-us/gerric/for-parents/ lecture/ https://education.arts.unsw.edu. au/about-us/gerric/for-parents/ gerric-parent-course/

Sport SENIOR SCHOOL Sport Term I and IV The TIGS Co-Curricular Sport Programme offers a great range of activities for student participation and enjoyment.

A Summer Sport programme is offered in Terms I and IV and a Winter program is offered in Terms II and III. The Summer options are listed below however the Winter programme options are currently being developed. Some of the activities we are envisaging to offer in Winter include Rowing, Spin classes, Rockclimbing, Basketball, Boot Camp training, Netball and Rugby just to name a few. The school utilises numerous local facilities to support this programme and students are transported to and from the venues with school buses.

The School also offers training in a variety of sports during the year in preparation for Gala Day competitions and representative opportunities.

TIGS has developed a Talented Athlete programme in Athletics and Football which students are invited to attend.

Questions on sport can be directed to Ms K Lane klane@ tigs.nsw.edu.au or Mrs L Hinch lhinch@tigs.nsw.edu.au on 4220 0258

Girls Fitness (Strength and Conditioning) - Year 9/10

Venue: ReKreate, Drummond St, Coniston Day and Time: Tuesdays 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Mrs N Sullivan nsullivan@tigs.nsw.edu.au Contact: Ms K Lane (Thursdays) klane@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Hangdog Climbing Gym Venue: Hangdog Auburn St, Wollongong Day and Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Ms J Morris (Tuesday) jmorris@tigs.nsw.edu.au Contact: Mr B Parsons (Thursday)

bparsons@tigs.nsw.edu.au Hangtime Trampolining

Venue: Drummond Street, Coniston Day and Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Ms M Stanford (Tuesdays)

mstanford@tigs.nsw.edu.au Contact: Ms K Lane (Thursdays) klane@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Racquet Sport

Venue: Collegians Sporting Complex, The Avenue, Figtree Day and Time: Tuesdays 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Ms J Graydon jgraydon@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Rowing

Venue: Illawarra Boat Sheds, Northcliff Drive, Warrawong Day and Time: Tuesday (Term I) 6.30am – 8.00am

Tuesdays and Thursdays (Term II) Contact: Mr M Toussis mstoussis@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Stand Up Paddleboard

Venue: Pines Surfing, Belmore Basin, Wollongong Day and Time: Monday and Tuesdays 6.30am – 7.30am

return bus to school Contact: Mr S Rodgers srodgers@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Surfing

Venue: Pines Surfing, City Beach, Marine Drive, Wollongong Day and Time: Mondays and Tuesday 6.30am – 8.00am Contact: Mr J Tregonning (Mondays)

jtregonning@tigs.nsw.edu.au Contact: Mr M Grieve (Tuesdays)

mgrieve@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Swimming

Venue:

Days and Time: Contact:

University Aquatic Centre, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong Mondays and Fridays 7.00am – 8.00am Mr J Edgerton (Mondays) jedgerton @tigs.nsw.edu.au

Tennis Venue: Beaton Park Tennis Complex, Foleys Road,

Gwynneville Day and Time: Thursday 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Ms T McMaugh tmcmaugh@tigs.nsw.edu.au For morning Co-Curricular Sports please ensure that your child is at the venue at least five minutes prior to the designated starting time and the TIGS bus will take your child back to school in time to start lessons.

Students participating in the afternoon Co-Curricular Sports will be transported to and from the venue via a TIGS bus and will return to School at 4.45pm – 5.00pm in time for students to catch the FREE late bus north or south. Please note that this bus departs the IGC car park and the route only drops off along the highway to Kiama Train Station or the shops in Austinmer. Students can request the driver to stop at any bus stop along the route.

The Co-Curricular Sporting Programme is compulsory. The student sport allocation/choice will be on their timetable like any other lesson. Students are expected to attend every week like any other scheduled lesson for the day.

If they do not attend, and no valid explanation given the non-attendance will be treated as a class truancy and will be followed up in the same procedure.

Students may be exempt from sport with permission from the Head of Sport and Outdoor Education if they are already meeting the mandatory government activity requirement hours or for other extenuating circumstances.

If your child is participating in regular organised physical activity and would like an exemption, please ensure that they complete an exemption form and return it to the office.

Full sport uniform including correct sports shoes must be worn to all TIGS sporting activities including the CoCurricular Sports Programme. Please see page 36 of the student diary for your reference. It’s also important to note that the TIGS Swimming Carnival will be held in Week 4 on Tuesday 17 February at Unanderra Pool. Students will be expected to be in the TIGS swimming costume, the TIGS board shorts or plain navy or black swimmers. Students out of uniform will not be allowed to participate in events on the day.

Up and coming Sport and Outdoor Educational Events in Week 3 Monday 9 February to Friday 13 February – Year 7 Camp Monday 9 February – NASSA Basketball 15 years and Open Trials

Wednesday 11 February – NASSA Hockey Trials Friday 13 February – AICES Boys Open Tennis Trials On a final note, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff, students and their families for the warm welcome into the TIGS Community over the past week.

As a new staff member, I am thoroughly impressed with the multitude of outstanding programmes on offer at TIGS and I believe 2015 is going to be a highly successful year. I thank you for your continued support in all the Sporting and Outdoor Educational Programmes, it’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the TIGS team and all the exciting Sporting accomplishments and Outdoor Educational Experiences that may unfold in 2015.

Mrs Kylee Lane Head of Sport and Outdoor Education

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Information Evening TIGS will be offering the IB Diploma from 2017 Students currently in Year 9 or younger are invited to attend this meeting with their parents to find out about the IB Diploma.

Special guest will be Mr Antony Mayrhofer, IB Co-ordinator, St Paul’s Grammar School, Penrith.

5.30pm to 6.30pm Wednesday 18 February In the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Academic • Christian • Caring

An International Baccalaureate World School

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 3 2015

Year 11 Crative Arts Camp 9 to 13 February 2015

Year 7 Camp

9 to 13 February 2015

Years 3 to 6 Meet the Teacher Tuesday 10 February 2015

Year 8 Camp Information Evening 6.00pm to 7.30pm Wednesday 11 February 2015 In the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Kinder to Year 2 Meet the Teacher Thursday 12 February 2015

Year 6 Excursion 12 and 13 February 2015

WEEK 4 2015

Year 6 Leadership Training Day Monday 16 February 2015

Senior School Swimming Carnival Tuesday 17 February 2015

IB Diploma Programme Information Evening 5.30pm to 6.30pm Wednesday 18 February 2015 In the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Junior School Swimming Carnival Thursday 19 February 2015