Issue 2 Term I 2014

TI G S

The Illawarra Grammar School

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

Issue2

TERM I 2014

Junior School CAPTAINS INDUCTION Thursday 20 February

Headmaster During the holidays I read a book that describes the writer’s experience at school.

She wrote: “I really did not want to let him (her father) and the rest of the family down, so I was determined to work that much harder to succeed.

By the time I entered high school, I was becoming ever more aware that I didn’t comprehend ideas as others did. I was increasingly being asked to reason and think logically, but I could do neither. Symbolism, metaphor, historical cause and effect, mathematical and chemical equations: grasping these ideas was like trying to grasp a beam of light.

I would read an article and have no idea what the author intended, so I would read it five to ten times.

I would easily feel overwhelmed when trying to follow a group discussion on any topic more complex than the weather. I was always five steps behind everyone else. I had even greater trouble grasping ideas when they came from more than one

1.

Some learning difficulties can be linked to specific areas of the brain. The synaptic connections in these areas of the brain are not sufficiently developed to enable normal functioning. Some authors refer to this as the ‘wiring’ of the brain not being fully developed. For example, deficits in the ‘wiring’ of the pre-frontal cortex can manifest itself as problems with writing, reading or speech.

Teachers hope that their lessons are interesting and engaging and that their students make excellent progress as a consequence of their tuition. Usually this is the case but for some students there are significant barriers to learning.

2.

The brain has the capacity to develop new synapses that can remedy neural dysfunction of this nature. This ability is described as neuroplasticity although some describe it in layman’s terms as ‘rewiring’ the brain.

These barriers may be the result of physiological or social factors. Brain injury, intellectual, cognitive, emotional or behavioural disorders are some of the things that can slow the learning of a student.

This is exciting news for educators, parents and those struggling to learn. Learning difficulties of this nature can be wrongly linked to levels of intelligence. Even the most intelligent people can experience learning difficulties because of neural dysfunction.

person. Dizzy and disoriented by the effort of trying to follow and hold it all together, I knew that if I loosened my grasp to integrate this new information, everything would fragment and I would be lost. I was forever juggling balls in the air, but I could juggle only one at a time.” Arrowsmith-Young, B. (2012)

The woman who changed her brain Harper-Collins: Sydney (p23)

A growing body of evidence emanating from research in neuroscience suggests that there is another category of students that struggle with learning but do not have physiological or social factors to explain their learning difficulties. The research indicates that:

Until now, the response to students with learning difficulties has been to provide strategies that compensate for their difficulties.

Students with poor memories might use post-it notes; students with poor writing might use

Parents are also reminded of the special presentation scheduled for Monday 3 March starting at 6.30 pm. This will be an extraordinary evening. Renowned speaker Lisa McInnes-Smith will be presenting a session on developing strong families called ‘Sticky Families’. Please let us know that you are coming through the School website.

Chaplain’s Message ANOTHER LESSON FROM SOCHI

difficulty that even the failed landing was sufficient to secure Lydia the bronze.

Lydia was overjoyed. She had realized her dream and changed her sport forever.

Lydia is a legend.

All this got me thinking about Jesus. Jesus was tempted on many occasions to live someone else’s vision of the good life. But he resisted. In John 6, for example, Jesus perceived the crowds were coming to make him king by force, so impressed were they by his miraculous deeds. But Jesus would have none of it. This was not why he came into the world. That was someone else’s vision of the good life. Jesus had another vision – a vision for sinful human beings to be reconciled to their holy God. He came to die to make that dream a reality. And no other vision – however mainstream, however lucrative – was going to cause him to waver in his resolve.

a keyboard; students with poor processing skills may be given more time to complete examinations.

These strategies still have their place. The exciting thing about the research is that there is a growing body of knowledge that describes how to remedy the core problem of neural dysfunction using the ability of the brain to reorganise itself. Instead of facing a life of ‘compensatory behaviour’, it is possible to retrain the brain to allow for normal functioning and participation in learning.

Those wanting to read more on this topic might like to start at http://www. arrowsmithschool.org/arrowsmithprogrambackground/ld-definition.html I am interested to hear from parents that are interested in or have a perspective on this research.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Lydia Lassila is a legend! You may be familiar with her story. Lydia came into the Sochi Games as the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s skiing aerials.

She was well placed to win back-to-back gold. Everyone assumed this would be her primary goal in Sochi. As it turned out, Lydia had another goal stirring in her soul.

In 1999 Lydia saw a male skier perform a quad-twisting triple somersault. She was mesmerized by the jump and vowed to introduce it into the women’s competition. That was her major goal in Sochi – a goal 15 years in the making.

But surely that would all change when she finally made the final! Surely she would play it safe in order to win goal! Not Lydia. Not on your life. A double gold was someone else’s vision of the good life; it was not Lydia’s vision. Lydia remained determined to jump the quad-twisting triple somersault, come what may.

And that is exactly what she did in the final. And she almost landed it. Almost.

The jump had such a high level of

As Jesus clarified this to his disciples he also painted a vision of the good life for them. It was to live in the same manner in which he had lived. Here’s how he puts it in Matthew 16.24-26: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

In Lydia Lassila’s frame of reference a safe Olympic gold would have been akin to her selling her soul. For the Christian, a self-centred life is akin to selling one’s soul. It might be the norm in this world – to live for self – it might seem lucrative, but it is not the vision that Jesus has set for his followers. It is about as far from Jesus’ imagining as a safe gold was for Lydia.

Hear Jesus again: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School CONNECTEDNESS

The Senior School Swimming Carnival has been swum and won by Aranda House, making it back-to-back titles.

Congratulations to all Houses for the high level of competition and participation during the day.

by research in this area. It is important that as parents you also encourage your children to become involved in activities that interest them and give them the opportunity to make connections. It will set them up for life.

I think one of the unique things about our school is the pride students feel in being part of a House and the level of camaraderie that is built between students of all ages, particularly at major events such as the Swimming Carnival and later in the Term, showcasing other talents at the Music, Dance and Drama Competition.

Make sure that you get to the Music, Dance and Drama Showcase on the evening of Friday 4 April. You will gain some real insight into the sense of excitement and belonging that these types of events engender.

Added to this, employers and universities are no longer seeking only students with high ATAR scores.

They are looking for well-rounded individuals who have demonstrated they have been involved in a diverse range of activities while at school and who have been willing to give back to both their school and the wider community. The evidence of this is that 90% of selective entry applicants from TIGS 2013 Year 12 cohort were offered a place at University, prior to sitting their HSC examination.

Universities recognise that our students are balanced and adaptable and are well equipped as 21st century learners.

The reason why we emphasise the importance of all students being involved in whole school events such as the Swimming Carnival or Music, Dance and Drama Competition, is that there are real spin-off benefits, which actually assist individuals to learn. The well know adolescent psychologist, Michael Carr-Gregg, who presented the Parenting quiz this time last year at school, believes that “connectedness� to parents, family and school are vital protective factors for adolescents in terms of their mental health and this is supported

Greg Lanyon Acting Head of Senior School

Our school offers a myriad of cocurricular, sporting and community service activities, before and after school and I urge you to consider the educational, social and health benefits to your children when encouraging the sometimes reluctant ones to try new activities for the first time. The effort will be well worth it.

YEAR 7 FAMILY PICNIC As Dean of Year 7 2014 I am pleased to invite you to a family picnic to celebrate a successful start to the year. The picnic will be held on Friday 28 February on the oval outside of the Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC) between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. This event will be a fantastic opportunity for parents both new and existing to the School to gather and to form friendships that will last the next six years.

We suggest that you bring a picnic, drink and something to sit on. Tea and coffee making facilities will be made available and in the instance of inclement weather the event will move to the IGC. I look forward to seeing you there and if you have any questions, comments or suggestions please feel free to contact me via this page or email bferguson@tigs.nsw.edu.au Brett Ferguson Dean of Year 7

2014 TIGS Rail/Bus Connection Services AM

Buses will collect ALL students from Wollongong Train station from the Eastern side at approximately 8.20am week days, this Includes: •

Students arriving on the Eastern side of Wollongong train station at 8.16am on the ‘all Stations train from Waterfall’

•

Students arriving on the Western side of Wollongong train station at 7.57am on the ‘all stations train from Bomaderry’ **PLEASE NOTE – students on this service will need to cross over to the Eastern side of Wollongong train station to meet the bus**

PM

Buses will depart TIGS Western Ave in the afternoon as follows: •

Two early Rail buses will depart TIGS Western Ave at 3.20pm in order for students to catch the 3.35pm North bound train ** First stop Thirroul at 3.46pm, students living North of Thirroul are to catch the 3.55pm all stations train to Waterfall**

•

A later bus will depart TIGS Western Ave at 3.25pm in order for students to catch the 4.10pm North bound all stations train **PLEASE NOTE this bus will stop in Crown Street, at the Piccadilly stop**

STUDENT SUCESS Congratulations to Alexander Marzano on an excellent representation at the LIONS Club Youth of the Year in Gerringong last week – he was runner up to a young man from Kiama High – but spoke passionately about the nature of privilege with regard to his sailing life and achievements.

Thankyou to the Year 7 and 8 parents and students who have contacted Mrs Dubowski about participation in this year’s Honours Programme.

All new enquiries should be forwarded to mdubowski@tigs.nsw.edu.au. by the end of Week 5 this term.

Marg Dubowski Gifted Education Co-ordinator

2015 SCHOLARSHIPS NOW OPEN Scholarships are now open for 2015 in Years 7 and 10. Further information is available at http://www.tigs.nsw.edu.au/scholarships. Scholarship Registrations and Applications close on Friday 14 March 2014.

For any additional information, please contact Enrolments on 42200 216 or email: enrolments@tigs.nsw.edu.au

by Susan McLean

The Illawarra Grammar School is pleased to host Lisa McInnes-Smith, a motivational keynote presenter. Lisa has presented to more than one million adults in 22 countries and authored seven best-selling books. She is also the first person outside North America to ever be inducted into the International Speaker Hall of Fame – the highest designation possible in the speaking world TIGS will host a FREE session for Parents of the Illawarra on ‘Sticky Families’

FREE

Lisa’s session will teach you how to ‘Build a family that sticks together’!

PARENT SESSION

• • • • • • • • • • •

Refresh and refuel quickly and efficiently Build your capacity to stick at it Be fun to live with Relate in ways that make others feel appreciated Use the self talk of success not stress Work at building a great marriage (it doesn’t happen by accident!)

Love and nurture each other Release the talents and strengths of those around you Fill up your family’s love tanks Better understand your kids Love your kids through clear boundaries

6.30pm to 8.30pm Monday 3 March 2014 @ TIGS in the Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC)

Bookings Essential

For more information or to book your ticket please visit

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au An International Baccalaureate (IB) World School

Sport

SENIOR SCHOOL

NASSA Hockey Representatives

Year 7 – 10 Sport

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent NASSA at AICES Hockey:

It has been a great start to the Co-curricular Sport programme.

Students a reminded that their attendance is compulsory and they are to submit a note for illness or non-attendance to student reception.

OPEN BOYS Adrian Whitehall

OPEN GIRLS & U/16S GIRLS Isabella Sandy Margot Allison Lilli Bennett Brittony Smallhorn Maudie Skyring Claire Smallhorn Teagan Johnston Chloe Johnston Rachel Craft

U16 GIRLS Erin Golding

Wiburd Shield - Cricket This team travelled to Orange last Tuesday for the quarterfinal showdown with the boys from Kinross Wolaroi School. Captain Cameron McMillan won the toss and elected to bat on a decent pitch with good conditions. However, the Kinross bowling attack proved too good for our batsmen being dismissed for 42 runs. One of their bowlers in particular was a standout, finishing with figures of 7/8 off 6 overs. Kinross Wolaroi only needed 15 overs to reach the total of 42 but the TIGS team were gracious in defeat. Many of whom played their first match on a turf wicket.

Noah Butler, Adam Galanti, Matthew Galanti, Noah Gibbs, Elliot Hutt, Noah Koder, Peter Kyriakoudes, Cameron McMillan, Samuel Okely, James Seal, Samuel Shalala.

All 5.00pm sport buses will depart from the IGC carpark.

MONDAYS Swimming – 7.00am – 8.00am University Pool Surfing – 6.30am – 8.00am North Wollongong Beach

TUESDAYS Stand Up Paddleboard – 6.30am – 7.30am Belmore Basin Girls Strength Conditioning – 3.30pm – 4.30pm ReKreate Coniston Hangdog Climbing – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangdog Racquet Sport – 3.30pm – 4.30pm ORB Sporting Complex Figtree Hangtime Trampolining – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangtime Coniston Street Dance – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Begbie Dance Studio

THURSDAY Stand Up Paddleboard – 6.30am – 7.30am Belmore Basin Rowing – 7.00am – 8.00am – Illawarra Boat Sheds Surfing – 6.30am – 8.00am North Wollongong Beach Hangdog Climbing – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangdog Tennis – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Beaton Park Tennis Courts Hangtime Trampolining – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangtime Coniston Boys Gym – 3.30pm – 4.30pm – University Recreation Centre

FRIDAY Swimming – 7.00am – 8.00am University Pool

Junior School Newsletter 19 February 2014

Communication COMMUNICATION

we proceed our current strategic plan and specifically the enhancement of communication TIGS I have had AsAs we proceed withwith our current strategic plan and specifically the enhancement of communication at TIGS I have at had opportunities opportunities to speak with many parents, students and staff about how we communicate now, what works well and where to speak with many parents, students and staff about how we communicate now, what works well and where we can make changes. we can make changes. Following is an overview of some of the communication methods currently utilized across the Following is an overview of some of the communication methods currently utilised across the School for your information.

School for your information.

Communication Method/frequency Web site (Live) School Magazine (Annual publication) TIGS Review (Term publication) Newsletter (Weekly) Edumate (Live)

OLLE (Live)

“Class of ..”

Facebook (Live)

TIGS Facebook (Live) P&F Facebook (Live)

Email (As needed)

SMS (As needed)

Information

Who is this for

Access by

General information about our school, upcoming events Bookings for events etc An overview of the highlights of the academic year An overview of the highlights of the previous term Weekly happenings at our school. Awards and student achievements Student Management System Awards, reports, contact information medical alerts etc On Line Learning Environment Parent and student window into the classroom outside of class hours Grade specific news and items of interest for parents.

Currently there is a Class of 2024, Class of 2025, Class of 2026 Short notices about events and achievements at TIGS Information about events and achievements for our School organised by the parent community eg parent luncheons, fund raising, parent workshops and training

General public as well as our own community

Web

General public as well as our own community

Delivered via current Students

General public as well as our own community

Delivered via current Students

School Community

Emailed out weekly or via website

School Community

Parents with log in

Students, Staff and Parents (OLLE is being rolled out through 2014)

Parents with log in – same as Edumate

Parents of specific Year groups

Parents and family of students in the grade Via Facebook

General public as well as our own community Parent community

Via Facebook

Specific communication including permission slips and other notifications.

Email currently replaces or enhances paper notes being sent home Immediate and important information eg health alerts, bus late arrivals, student absences

Parents of enrolled students

Sent to the email listed on parent information in Edumate.

Parents of enrolled students

Sent to the mobile phone number listed on parent information in Edumate

Parents and family Via Facebook

AWARDS Please note these awards will be handed out in our first Assembly on 6 March 2014.

Academic

Amelia Druett Winnie Cheng Class Awards Toria Tsakiridis KP Jawad Aly, Rhea Khanna Xia Lian Wilson 2C Ali Matar Alexia Zafiriou 5A James Healey, Deepika Parajuli Bowen Kimberley-Mastalir Hasnain Aly Elliot Winn MERIT CERTIFICATES Eloise Malouf Personal Presentation Andrew Brown James Kirby Daniel Aghmesheh Cartia Taranto Alexia Loeser Xia Lian Wilson Chloe Jackson Jamilla Perri Service Cohen Sawyer Rory Hanrahan Riley Grundy Judi Nealy Annabel Malouf Dylan Koster Head of Junior School Charlotte Tregonning Samuel Robinson Harrison Webb Ava Baxa Xia Lian Wilson Paige Jenkins Ruby Moore Zoe Dribbus Olivia Barber Alizeh Syed Why do the passwords for Edumate and OLLE need to be so tricky?

Zane Taylor James Taylor The School investigated the possibility of changing Edumate user Isabella Atkinson Georgia Gadsdon names to parents email address. Unfortunately this is not currently Jessica Hall Rhea Boga viable as many families have a single email address that both parents Cartia Taranto Nicholas Makdessi use. The username requirements for Edumate are that the value must Elliot Winn Jessica Llewellin be unique for each user. This information also feeds into other systems, Lina Lee Lillian Glover such as OLLE, which again require unique identities for each parent.

Jahzara McCann Chloe Loca At this stage this is not possible but we continue to explore avenues to Aya Naito James Gardner make this process easier.

Pippi Fuller Harry Jenner Alana Newhouse Tyler Sullivan The implementation of the ‘Forgot My Username/Password’ facility Zachary Birch Olivia Varmedja at the Edumate login screen allows parents to easily retrieve their Josh Agarwal Sana Zafar forgotten password and/or username. This facility greatly reduces the Ah-Young Choi Victoria Di Martino complexity of retrieving a forgotten password and/or username. The Ben Harman Charlotte Tregonning previous process was to contact the School and wait for a response.

Ashley Brewer Zaynab Panju The new process is all but instantaneous.

Daniel Peden Robert McGrath Ali Matar Connor Harvey How do I know when something new goes up on a TIGS Facebook Daniel Michelmore Thomas Kirby page if I don’t regularly check it?

Sally Gyngell Mackayla Hutchinson In Facebook if a Page that you Like/Follow makes a Post, this post will Winnie Cheng Ali Matar appear on your Feed (the main screen of Facebook when you first login). If you Like or Comment on this Post then you will be notified of subsequent Likes and Comments. You can also opt-in to be notified of all posts on a page. After Liking the page, click the little drop-down arrow next to the Liked button and select Get Notifications (see below image). This will now notify you of any posts made on this page.

• Thursday 6 March Junior School First Assembly • Friday 14 March Junior School Twilight Picnic • Monday 7 & Tuesday 8 April Parent Teacher Interviews • Wednesday 9 April JS Cross Country

QUESTIONS FOR THE TECHIES:

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Sport

JUNIOR SCHOOL

NASSA JUNIOR TENNIS

NASSA BASKETBALL

The NASSA Junior Tennis was held last Tuesday 11 February at Beaton Park Wollongong where the following 7 students participated.

After a very long journey arriving to the venue the students had a busy four hours of basketball. Both TIGS teams performed above expectations and showed considerable improved performance placing 3rd overall on the day. This was a great achievement considering two of the morning games were missed due to the late arrival. A huge well done to the following children who participated in such an eventful day.

Cartia Taranto Annabel Malouf Zoe Dribbus Thomas Main Anthony Damcevski Jermaine Issa Joseph Rossi Cartia Taranto was the winner of the girls division and Thomas Main placing 3rd overall. Both students will now go through to the CIS selection tournament held at Pymble Ladies College this coming Monday 24 February. The children played exceptionally well and the event was a great opportunity for all who participated.

Cartia Taranto Zoe Dribbus Annie McLearie Selene Chadrawy Aanya Rakheja Maya Soligo Thomas Main Dean Borbilas John Taiwo Connor Harvey Maxwell Okely Aaron Ylias Rory Swainson

JUNIOR SCHOOL MINDQUEST 2014 Talent enrichment weekend 5 - 6 April at St George Girls High Applications closing Friday 7 March - $175 for the two days.

This is an opportunity open to children who can cope with a challenging whole weekend programme of enrichment and extension. A wide variety of workshops are available for Years 1 – 6 age students. Follow this link for workshop descriptions and outlines. http://www. mindquest.net.au/ If you have any questions about this event please speak with Mrs Kath Walker or Mrs Rebecca Young who both conduct workshops at this event.

Extend @ TIGS Weekly Recap

This week, we were back into routine with The Homework Club where the children spent 30 minutes after afternoon tea catching up with their supervised homework and reading.

The activities offered are child friendly and stimulating and we hope to introduce more exciting activities in the near future.

Week 4’s Activities: MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY:

“Bend It Like Beckham” with Tom “Crazy Craft” using Recycled Materials

TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY: “Organised Craft” Winter Olympic Trophy

WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY:

For craft, we made “Love Heart” sunglasses in conjunction with Valentine’s Day.

“Crazy Craft” using Recycled Materials “Futsal” with Tom

Our Extend Superstar is… Gabriella for being a good helper in the service.

THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY:

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

FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY:

“Organised Craft” Winter Olympic Trophy

“Gardening Gloves” “The Mad Scientist Club” Exploring Density

P&F Update

PARENT LUNCHEON

All members of the TIGS community are invited to welcome in the start of the School year, catch up with old friends and meet new families.

P&F

LUNCHEON

Tickets on sale via the TIGS Website Seacliff Restaurant, Cliff Road, Wollongong Wednesday 26 February 2014 12.00noon - 2.30pm $60pp RSVP: Essential

RECYCLED UNIFORM SERVICE The Recycled Uniform Shop will be open Tuesday and Thursday afternoons only from 2.30pm to 3.45pm.

Sizes catering from Prep to Year 12.

Thank you everyone for your kind donations

Wednesday 26 February 2014 12 noon till 2.30pm

$60pp Seacliff Restaurant Cliff Road, Wollongong

2014 MEETINGS Held from 6.00pm to 7.00pm in the Goodhew Library.

Term 1 – 31 March Term 2 – 10 June Term 3 – 2 September Term 4 – 2 December (AGM)

All members of TIGS community are invited to welcome in the start of the school year, catch up with old friends and meet new families.

Tickets on sale via the TIGS website

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

Come along and keep in touch with what’s going on in our school.

TIGS FOUNDATION AGM 2014 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: Where: Time: Dress: RSVP: Phone: Email:

Wednesday 19 March 2014 Goodhew Research Centre (Library - Entrance via Powell Street) 6.00pm - 7.00pm Welcome drinks and canapés, 7.00pm - 8.00pm AGM Smart casual 12 March 2014 Lisa Wilson (Foundation Coordinator) 4220 0264 foundation@tigs.nsw.edu.au

2013 EVENTS Photo Gallery The images of the following key 2013 events have now been uploaded and are available for you to view and/or download.

These images can only be accessed by following the links below.

JUNIOR SCHOOL • Year 3 to 6 Presentation Evening • Infants Pageant • Year 2 Progression • MADD

SENIOR SCHOOL

WHOLE SCHOOL

• Year 10 Formal

• Sports Presentation Night

• Year 12 2013 Formal

• School Production – CATS

• Year 12 2013 Service

• Fete

• Showcase

• A Christmas Celebration

TIGS EXPO DAY 10.00am to 2.00pm Saturday 8 March Do you know a child who would benefit from a TIGS education? This is a wonderful opportunity to visit areas of the School you have not seen or invite grandparents and friends who have not seen the School before. You may know people that have shown an interest in the School, so please invite them as there will be plenty of opportunity for them to talk with staff to discuss the benefits of a TIGS Education. School tours will be conducted between 10.00am and 2.00pm.

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 4

P&F Parent Luncheon Wednesday 26 February

WEEK 5

Pupil Free Day Monday 3 March

Lisa McInnes-Smith Monday 3 March 2.00pm - 3.30pm - Leader Session 6.30pm - 8.30pm - Parent Session

Junior School 1st Assembly Thursday 6 March

Beyond Bundonon Exhibition Friday 7 to Saturday 8 March

TIGS Expo Day

10.00am - 2.00pm Saturday 8 March