Issue 1 Term I 2016

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

ISSUE 1

TERM I 2016 Watermelon Day

Headmaster Welcome back to all members of the TIGS family for 2016.

A special welcome to families that are new to our TIGS community. A distinguishing feature of a TIGS education is the shared values held by the School, staff and families.

These values have defined the School since it first began on 3 February 1959 and we are pleased families that share our values have chosen to join us.

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

Mr David Meredith

IB Diploma Coordinator and Teacher of English

•

Mr Tim Murray

Teacher of English

•

Ms Emma Randell

Teacher of Dance

(while Ms James is on maternity leave)

• Mrs Alison Lo Surdo Learning Support Teacher in the Integration/ Learning Support Unit •

Mrs Anna Carswell

K-6 Teacher

We are excited that such qualified and capable staff are joining our School and we look forward to celebrating the contribution they will make.

The retirement of Mrs Monica Watt, the former Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School, after 42 years of outstanding service to the School, and several key staff absent on maternity leave has placed a number of staff in new roles.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

•

Mrs Judi Nealy

Deputy Headmaster/Head of Junior School

•

Mr Greg Lanyon

Head of Senior School

•

Mrs Narelle McRae

Deputy Head of Junior School

•

Mrs Naomi Sullivan

Director of Student Wellbeing (Senior School)

•

Mrs Kerri Baird

Director of Teaching and Learning (Senior School)

•

Mrs Amanda Lowe

Dean of Year 8

•

Ms Di Goodman

Dean of Year 10

•

Ms Jane McIntosh

Dean of Year 11

•

Mrs Bernadette Henry

Head of Learning Support/Integration Unit

•

Mrs Kylie Cook

Stage 3 Coordinator

We wish the staff appointed to these positions success in their new roles.

Congratulations to our 2015 HSC students on their outstanding results. TIGS continues to be unchallenged as the leading non-selective school in the Illawarra. A summary of our 2015 outstanding achievements is provided on the website. Some highlights are: •

95% of students received a first round offer for placement at university in a course of their choice

•

There were five nominations by the HSC Examiners for special exhibition at BOSTES (Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards) events: Encore (1 Music), Call Back (2 Dance), OnStage (1 Drama) and ARTEXPRESS (1 Visual Arts). Two of these students were actually selected for inclusion in the exhibition: one for Callback and one for ARTEXPRESS. BOSTES nomination and selection are for the elite of the elite and we congratulate Clara Davidson, Madi Hah and Titus Grenyer on their success.

•

We are still receiving advice from our students about offers they have received for study at university. The more popular courses for our graduates are: o o o o o o

Medical and health studies Business/Commerce Science and Engineering Law Creative Arts International Studies

(14 students) (13 students) (10 students) (9 students) (8 students) (6 students)

It is becoming more and more difficult for the School to obtain data about the success of our students. Privacy considerations mean that the School no longer receives information about student ATAR results or offers of placement at university.

We appreciate our graduates contacting the School and providing their personal information so that we can celebrate their successes.

Chaplain’s Message GIVING ONE’S ALL Welcome to the new academic year.

I trust you had a restful and enriching break. A highlight for my family over the summer break is the couple of weeks we spend together camping on the beach. We love it. This year we also went on a road trip to Port Douglas.

What a wonderful country we inhabit; and what an extraordinary creator God is. The beauty and diversity of the landscape was amazing.

During the summer months I also like to kick back and watch some (too much!) of the Australian Open Tennis Championships. This year was no exception. It was another great competition (even if Roger Federer – my personal hero – failed to win!)

This year’s event was dominated by the retirement of Lleyton Hewitt. He went out in the second round with much deserved acclaim. What was it about Hewitt that won us all over in the end? It was clearly articulated by those who had opportunity to verbalise their tribute following his final match.

Hewitt never let up. He gave his best to the very end. No matter where he was in the match the opponent knew it was not over while Hewitt was still on his feet. He was dogged right up until the final ball.

I commended Lleyton Hewitt’s determination to our Senior School students at our commencement service last week. I said if they approached their studies this year like Hewitt approached each tennis match there was nothing else we could expect from them. There is certainly nothing more God requires of them.

God has uniquely gifted each of our students. At TIGS we seek to help our students identify their unique gifts and to encourage them to use those gifts to the best of their ability. If they do this, they can hold their heads up high. This is all God expects of us. He doesn’t expect us to do more than we can; He just wants us to maximize our potential.

This is what I think Hewitt did so well and why I think he is a good model for our students. Hewitt wasn’t the tallest player on tour; he didn’t have the biggest serve; he didn’t have the biggest forehand; he just knew what he could do and did that to the best of his ability - every point of the match.

He retired knowing he had done all he could. He is a satisfied man.

I hope and pray each of our students will enjoy the same satisfaction this year of knowing they have done their very best, making much of the unique

Rev James Rogers Chaplain gifts God has imparted to them. It is our task as teachers and parents to encourage them in this. Let’s be sure to do that.

Rev James Rogers

The only published information that provides an indication about the relative performance of TIGS students compared to students in other schools is provided by newspapers who create league tables based solely on the number of Band 6 results (the top band) achieved by students in each school. This is a poor measure of the comparative performance of schools but it is the only information available. Based on the information available from the Sydney Morning Herald (17/12/15): •

TIGS is one of only two schools in the Illawarra that were placed in the list of Top 150 schools. It is the leading non-selective school in the Illawarra.

•

TIGS is the Illawarra’s top ranked school in Mathematics

•

When students of like ability are compared, TIGS was ranked higher than 12 of the 18 state selective high schools (behind six Sydney based selective high schools).

The wonderful results of our students are not achieved by accident or just the reputation of the School. They are the consequence of the effort of the students, the expertise of our teachers and the support of families. Students approaching the HSC or the IB Diploma should gain confidence from the results of our HSC students in 2015 and seek to match their commitment to doing their best.

I wish everyone a successful 2016.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Junior School ROUTINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR “Start as you mean to continue” is a good piece of advice and one which many wise people would offer at the beginning of a new chapter. The commencement of the academic year is one such possibility. In the Junior School the teachers are starting as they mean to continue. The emphasis is on focus and calm, on high expectations and positive relationships. It has been a great start to learning in 2016, classes are settled into their routines and are already working hard.

At home the same opportunity exists as you commence establishing the family routines for a great year of learning.

Morning routines are particularly important in setting the right tone for a successful day at school. Breakfast helps focus the mind and a little bit of time on the playground prior to the bell are both helpful in giving the children a flying start to their day in the classroom.

Judi Nealy Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior School

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: Tuesday 16 February Years 3-6 Meet the Teacher 6.00pm – 8.00pm to be held in Rees Hall Thursday 18 February Kinder – Year 2 Meet the Teacher 6.00pm – 8.00pm to be held in Rees Hall Friday 19 February New Parents’ Evening Tuesday 23 February The Piper Centre ‘Get to Know You’ Thursday 25 February Junior School Swimming Carnival Thursday 25 February The Piper Centre ‘Get to Know You’

In the afternoons it is helpful to consider how many after school activities your child can enjoy whilst still having enough homework and “down time”.

Often very young children have exceedingly busy schedules and this can be detrimental overall to learning and wellbeing. Start slowly is a great rule of thumb allowing the children to ease into their academic year and then determine the number of cocurricular activities that will be just right for each individual situation.

We look forward to meeting with all of our parent community at Meet the Teacher nights next week. This is a valuable opportunity for us to communicate with our parents our focus areas for the year as well as to give insight into how to best support your children in 2016.

Car Line has proven challenging on several days during the first few weeks of the term. At one point last week there was an incident where 6 minutes passed without a single car being able to leave the school grounds. This was caused by many cars arriving early and the children were not ready to be collected.

I remind all parents that: 1. Only Kindergarten cars are to be in the Car Line prior to 3.00pm 2. There are a limited number of 5 min parking spaces for occasional use by families with appointments off site. All other parents are encouraged to use the normal car line process.

3. Families with children in Years 1 – 6 should plan to arrive at Car Line no earlier than 3.10pm 4. Car Line operates until 3.30pm so it is often wise to time your arrival around 3.20pm to avoid the rush 5. If children are not ready to load when the car reaches the front of the line, parents will be asked to do another loop 6. All cars need to have the names of the children clearly displayed on the car visor. Please contact the Junior School office for a Name Tag if you do not have one Thank you for assisting the Junior School staff in making Car Line safe and orderly. We appreciate your ongoing support and cooperation.

OFFICE HOURS AT TIGS Our school administration is staffed from 8.00am – 4.00pm during term time. Administration staff are happy to receive and direct all parent calls to the appropriate person during these times.

Phone calls after 4.00pm are directed to the library or to the after hours service.

Parent are encouraged to use the after hours service in case of an emergency or urgent concern.

CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMES Junior School students at TIGS are very lucky to have such an expansive Co and Extra Curricular programme offered. There are a few new activities available this year including French, Intermediate Strings, Cricket, Netball, Mindful Movement, Computer Games, Library Tech and Creative Mindfulness.

Of course the popular activities from previous years will continue including: Sisterhood, Junior Dance, Junior Orchestra and Junior Strings, Infants Orchestra, Cross Country, Athletics, Swim Squad, Gardening Club and the list goes on. Please look out for an email in your inbox shortly with the full programme attached. Students will need to complete permission slips for activities outside of school hours – these can be obtained from the Junior School Office.

Join the Junior School Extra-Curricular Languages Programme!

The after-school Languages Programme will be expanding from TERM 1 2016 in the Junior School. Feedback from a languages survey revealed substantial interest in Chinese and French, so classes are being offered in these languages. The classes will be held on Mondays for both French and Chinese (Mandarin), from 3.30pm to 4.20pm.

Through a communicative approach, students will participate in language learning activities ranging from songs and games to puppets and role plays.

This programme is suitable for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

Cost: $320 per Semester – 2 Terms (pro rata applied only to mid-course starters) Dates: Semester 1 - eight lessons Term I: Lessons begin Week 2 Term II: Lessons begin Week 2 Semester 2 - eight lessons Term III: Lessons begin Week 2 Term IV: Lessons begin Week 2 Contact: Doriana Previati on email dpreviati@tigs.nsw.edu.au The Hindi Heritage classes will also be continuing twice a week. Please contact Rebecca Grneski rgrneski@ tigs.nsw.edu.au for further details.

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT NETBALL If your child would like to play netball and compete against other teams within the Illawarra region, registration dates are as follows: •

Friday 19 February 2016 from 3.30pm – 6.00pm in MG3 (next to IGC)

•

Friday 26 February 2016 3.30pm – 6.00pm in the IGC

from

Students can register and play a game to try it out.

Training will be held every Friday afternoon from 3.30pm till 5.00pm and games are held Saturday mornings at the Berkeley netball courts.

Senior School The first week back at school after the summer break is one that is likely to elicit a mix of emotions from students, parents and teachers. Speaking to samples from all three groups, it is clear that the emotions range from excitement through to trepidation. The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant one, as is the move from Year 10 to Year 11. My sense is that new students have settled in well in the first week and have adjusted quickly to new routines.

Greg Lanyon Acting Head of Senior School

Probably the most significant change to routines has been the introduction of longer periods (now 58 minutes, instead of 45 minutes). This change was the result of questioning whether the previous structure of the day allowed sufficient time for collaborative, inquiry-based learning, which is an integral element of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The change has also provided scope for integrating time for Year 10 Personal Projects, Chapel, Student Wellbeing Lessons, Year meetings and House meetings.

These changes were made following wide consultation with teachers and students via the SRC. The feedback so far from students and staff has been positive.

The School has also updated its student management system this year, partly to better accommodate MYP reporting.

This should have little day-to-day impact for parents communicating with the School. You should have received an email last week explaining some modifications for signing into our learning management system OLLE, as well as notification of student absences. If you haven’t received this email please contact the School and a copy will be forwarded to you.

Term I is always a busy one. Year 7 commenced its Outdoor Education programme and Year 11 is participating in the Creative Arts camp. Year 8 will be away in Week 4 on their Outdoor Education programme. Auditions and rehearsals for the “Wizard of Oz” have already commenced and most cocurricular activities are underway.

The following are some of the key events to also keep on the radar this Term: •

Senior School Swimming Carnival, Western Suburbs Pool, Unanderra.

Friday 19 February.

•

New Parents’ Evening, 6.00pm Friday 19 February. An opportunity to meet other new parents and some key staff.

•

Year 12 Half Year examinations, Weeks 5 and 6.

•

Expo Day incorporating the Beyond Bundanon Exhibition, Saturday 5 March.

•

Year 7 Meet the Teacher evening, Tuesday 22 March.

•

ArtsFest, Wednesday 30 March. A festival celebrating the Performing Arts, incorporating music, dance and drama with representation from the four House groups.

•

Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews, Wednesday 6 April.

For more details of these and other events check the regular updates on the school website and OLLE. Have a great year.

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 programme is offered in Terms II and III. The Summer options are listed below however the Winter program options are currently being developed. Some of the activities we are envisaging to offer in Winter include 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

BEACH SPORTS

Venue: Belmore Basin & City Beach Day and Time: Thursday 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Mr D Meredith dmeredith@tigs.nsw.edu.au

BOYS FITNESS - YEAR 9/10

Venue: Chodat Fitness Flagstaff Hill Wollongong Day and Time: Thursday 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Mr B Parsons bparsons@tigs.nsw.edu.au

GIRLS FITNESS (Strength and

Conditioning) - Year 9/10 Venue: ReKreate, Drummond St, Coniston Day and Time: Tuesday 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Mrs J Golding jgolding@tigs.nsw.edu.au

HANGDOG CLIMBING GYM

Venue: Hangdog Auburn St, Wollongong Day and Time: Tuesday 3.30pm - 5.00pm Contact: Mr J Gollan jgollan@tigs.nsw.edu.au

RACQUET SPORT

Venue: Collegians Sporting Complex, The Avenue, Figtree Day and Time: Tuesday 3.30pm - 5.00pm Contact: Mrs G Murphy gmurphy@tigs.nsw.edu.au

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD

Venue: Pines Surfing, Belmore Basin, Wollongong Day and Time: Monday and Tuesday 6.30am – 8.00am return bus to school Thursday 3.30pm – 5.00pm Contact: Mr S Rodgers (Monday) srodgers@tigs.nsw.edu.au Mr M Dardanelli (Tuesday) mdardanelli@tigs.nsw.edu.au Mr K Kaiser (Thursday) kkaiser@tigs.nsw.edu.au

SURFING

Venue: Pines Surfing, City Beach, Marine Drive, Wollongong Day and Time: Monday and Tuesday 6.30am – 8.00am Contact: Mr J Tregonning (Monday) jtregonning@tigs.nsw.edu.au Contact: Mr M Grieve (Tuesday) mgrieve@tigs.nsw.edu.au

TALENTED ATHLETES PROGRAM

(invitation only) Day and Time: Tuesday 7.00am – 8.00am and Thursday 3.30pm – 5.00pm Venue: Tuesdays Savvy Fitness Stuart Park, Thursdays Belmore Basin Contact: Mrs A Lo Surdo alosurdo@tigs.nsw.edu.au Mrs K Lane (Thursday) klane@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 late bus north or south. Please note that this bus route only picks up and drops off along the highway from Kiama Train Station to the shops in Austinmer.

Students can request the driver to stop at any bus stop along the route.

The Co-Curricular Sporting Programmme 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 nonattendance 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 15 of the Student Diary for your reference.

Senior School Sport TIGS SWIMMING CARNIVAL

AUSTRALIA DAY AQUATHON

VIKINGS RUGBY CLUB

The Senior School Swimming Carnival will be held Friday 19 February 2016 at Western Suburbs Pool, Unanderra.

All students are encouraged to enter any events. Events where possible will run per programme, however competitors should listen during the carnival in case of any changes or if the events are running early. Students will sign up to events and heats in their House meeting prior to the carnival or they can also enter on the day. There is a limit to the number of events per competitor, however swimmers must compete in the age group division they are turning in 2015 and we only allow two Houses per division.

TIGS had a team of 20 students/staff compete in their first Australia Day Aquathon which was a great way to start the year. TIGS will be competing in more community event throughout the year, so watch the Sports notices for information and dates.

Senior and Junior Registration at Vikings Oval cnr Swan and Corrimal Streets, Wollongong are welcome.

Students are required to wear their House shirt with school sport shorts to and from the pool. Please also ensure that your child has a hat, sunscreen and towel and all students must be in correct swimming costumes. This means TIGS Swimmers or plain Navy or Black swimmers or board shorts only!

If you swim in the incorrect attire you will lose points for your House and/or not be able to swim! Seniors will get bonus House points for their fancy dress costumes.

We will travel to and from the pool from school via shuttle bus with your year group at 8.40am. Years 7 to 10 will leave from Western Avenue, Years 11/12 will leave from Princes Highway at the Junior School entrance. Students may bring their own lunch or there is a canteen available on the day.

In case of inclement weather please listen to 96.5 Wave FM. I personally cannot wait to be part of my first TIGS Swimming Carnival and I would like to extend a warm welcome to any parents who would like to join us on the day as spectators. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Carnival for what will be a fantastic, fun filled day of swimming.

Kylee Lane Head of Sport and Outdoor Education

TIGS NETBALL CLUB The TIGS Netball Club had a great 2015 netball season and we invite any girls 8-17 years old to join the club in 2016.

Get your friends together and create a team to come to the registration day or we can help you get into a team.

Registration: Where: Senior School – Classroom near the IGC entrance When: Friday 19 February 3.30pm – 5.30pm M.G.3 (classroom near IGC) Registration OR Friday 26 February 3.30pm – 5.30pm IGC (Rees Hall and Basketball Courts) Registration and Try Netball.

UP AND COMING SPORTS EVENTS Monday 15 February Senior School Tennis Day Friday 19 February Senior School Swimming Carnival Friday 19 February TIGS Netball Registration Friday 26 February TIGS Netball Registration/Try Netball Day

Friday 19 February at 5.00pm Sunday 28 February at 10.00am – Registration and Family Fun Day Or email wvrc.junior@gmail.com or WVRC.registrar@gmail.com

AUSTRALIA DAY AQUATHON

Extend @ TIGS WELCOME BACK!

WEEKLY RECAP

We hope you have had a fantastic summer holiday and are looking forward to the exciting opportunities that 2016 will bring.

Our first week of school has gone by very fast, with many returning faces and a few new faces as well. We have focused on re-settling in for the term and decorating the room with new artwork. Highlights of the week include Soccer, Pokémon Painting and the Coke and Mentos Science experiment. The children had a great time hypothesising, participating in and replicating the Coke and Mentos experiment themselves.

We are looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces at After School Care and to welcoming lots of new faces as well.

EXISTING FAMILIES Don’t forget to manage your 2016 bookings.

Last year’s bookings do not roll over so log on to the parent portal NOW to secure your bookings for 2016.

Tom Hobson, Team Leader Our Extend Superstar is…Surabhi Parab for helping new students settle in for the new term.

You can book for the entire term or year or even book specific dates.

NEXT WEEK’S ACTIVITIES:

NEW FAMILIES

Monday 15 February: Chinese Whispers and Soccer

Enrol online – allow 24 hours

Tuesday 16 February: Baking Soda Boats and Cricket

Enrolling is quick and easy! Simply set up your own account online via the Parent Portal. Please note it is government regulation that all children must be enrolled BEFORE attending an Extend service. For information on operating hours and fees for your school, visit your After School Care venue or school website.

ENROL NOW, PAY LATER The annual enrolment fee per family of $20 is NOT payable until you first use the service. So why not enrol now so you can access the service later?

It doesn’t matter if you don’t end up using the service, because you won’t be charged.

Wednesday 17 February: Firework Painting and Hockey Thursday 18 February: Numbers Game and Soccer Friday 19 February: Recycle Craft and Soccer Watch this space throughout the term for regular updates from our Extend team!

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

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 3

Years 3-6 Meet the Teacher

6.00pm - 8.00pm Tuesday 16 February in Rees Hall

Kinder – Year 2 Meet the Teacher 6.00pm - 8.00pm Thursday 18 February in Rees Hall

New Parents’ Evening

6.00pm to 8.00pm Friday 19 February on Library Lawn

Senior School Swimming Carnival Friday 19 February at Western Suburbs Pool, Unanderra

WEEK 4

Year 8 Camp

Monday 22 to Friday 26 February

The Piper Centre ‘Get to Know You’

Cooinda and Marana 2 day Programme and Elanora 5 day Program 4.00pm - 6.30pm Tuesday 23 February in the Piper Centre Classrooms Cooinda and Marana 3 day Programme 4.00pm - 6.30pm Thursday 25 February in the Piper Centre Classrooms

Junior School Swimming Carnival

9.00am Thursday 25 February at Western Suburbs Pool, Unanderra