Issue 3 Term I, 2012

NEWSLETTER Year 6 Progression Dinner

Year 6 Canberra Excursion

Headmaster’s Message Chaplain’s Message Senior School Swimming Carnival Winning House Wolgal

Issue 3 Term I, 2012

Academic • Christian • Caring

Head of Senior School Head of Junior School

Life is Co-ed “Life is co-ed. Co-ed schools are a more natural way for kids to learn and interact, it normalises all forms of relationships.” Professor Judith Gill, University of South Australia (1) This week I spoke to two groups of Year 9 students in the playground, opening with the simple question: “How was your weekend?” The first group spoke expansively and with great detail about their experiences while the second group were able to summarise all their experiences in just one word: “Good”. No prizes for identifying which was a group of boys and which was a group of girls.

Parents blessed with an adolescent daughter and son will recognise this difference. Adolescent girls speak readily about the complex social events that fill their day while adolescent boys can reduce the same experiences to a few words, if we are lucky.

Our understanding of the development of adolescent brains informs us that the development of social awareness and the skills of social interaction occur during puberty. During this time the brain undergoes dramatic change in the way it organises and processes information. This includes developing a synapse framework that gives order and meaning to the adolescent’s social world.

A neuroscientist once described this stage to me as being of critical importance in the development of adult social behaviour. He advocated the exposure of adolescents to positive social experiences involving males and females and the planned interaction of adolescents with positive role models.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

This is the significant advantage that an education in a co-educational school such as TIGS provides for adolescents. As Professor Gill says, “Life is co-ed” and it is important that adolescents have the diversity of experiences in the formative years to develop the social skills necessary to succeed in a world of men and women.

Adolescent girls and boys learn to understand, communicate and interact with each other when they learn together.

Hearing a perspective in an English lesson, interacting in the playground, performing in a musical, hiking on an outdoor education camp or even lining up at the canteen - all these experiences contribute to the formation of strong social awareness and the skills of social interaction.

In a similar way, the Senior School’s Student Leadership program provides positive role models for students. Captains, House Captains, Prefects and Student Leaders all provide models of leadership, male and female, that contribute to the development of a healthy understanding of authority and how to behave appropriately.

So the next time your adolescent son causes you to be exasperated because you believe he is incapable of interacting with the rest of humanity, be encouraged. It is all happening in the brain as you watch. Be thankful that he is in a co-ed school and be patient; the social development of the adolescent male brain is about two years behind that of our girls of similar age.

In a similar way, the next time you are impressed by the high degree of sophistication and social maturity of your adolescent daughter, be thankful that she has developed her social skills in a co-ed environment where self-confidence and resilience amongst males and females is fostered and promoted.

(1)

Gill Judith (2004): Beyond the Great Divide: Single sex or coeducation? UNSW press

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Did you know that 10 students from Year 12, 2011 have gone on to study in the field of Medicine?

• • • • • •

2 Medicine 1 Medical Science 2 Pharmacy 2 Nursing 2 Public Health 1 Medical and Radiation Physics

Chaplain’s Message The Ballad of General Shamile What God has accomplished for us through Jesus is impossible to fully convey. It is just too enormous. Sometimes, however, a simple story can cut right to the heart of the matter and help us feel the grandeur of what God has done for us. I found that to be the case with this true story which took place during the Russian Revolution of the early 20th Century. It concerns a General named Shamile who led an uprising against the Czar.

Shamile’s band of revolutionaries had a limited food supply due to the fact that they strategically moved from place to place. Out of sheer desperation food was regularly being stolen from the group’s reserves. In an effort to prevent this from happening General Shamile warned that anyone who was caught stealing food would be publicly whipped.

For a while, the thieving ceased. But before long it commenced again. General Shamile was furious and ordered his men to find and arrest the thief. When the thief was found and brought before him, he was surprised and shocked to find that the thief was his own mother!

Shamile faced a dilemma. While he loved his mother dearly and did not want to see her suffer, justice demanded that she be whipped. If he did not punish his mother, he would be considered unjust by his men and lose their respect; it might even encourage others to steal food.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Shamile knew he had to make a decision which was both just and loving. He hugged his mother and then offered himself to receive the whipping in place of his mother. This was the only solution to this dilemma, and it required his loving sacrifice on behalf of his mother.

It’s a moving story which illustrates exactly what God has done for us in his Son Jesus Christ. God’s justice demands the punishment of death for our rejection of his good rule. His love recoils at the thought of our punishment. God satisfies his love and justice through the death of his Son Jesus on the cross for us. Jesus willingly dies in our place – the innocent for the guilty that we might be forgiven. In this way God remains just as he justifies all who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3.26). He is truly worthy of our devotion.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School

Corporate Responsibility for Personal Presentation Over the past few weeks we have been reminding students in the Senior School of their rights and responsibilities regarding their personal appearance and the wearing of the School uniform. Students in the Senior School directly benefit from the good name of the School within the local community.

Employers are predisposed towards our students when interviewing for part-time positions. Last year tertiary institutions unconditionally accepted 60% of the Year 12 cohort into their course of choice, based on our school’s reputation.

Our reputation has been built over many years and is continuously being enhanced or eroded by the actions of current students. Each and every student who appears in public is a living, breathing, branded advertisement for TIGS not only when they appear in the media but when they walk into town, sit on a bus or train or go shopping with their parents in their school uniform. Our reputation is important to us. It is important to you as parents and it is critically important in both the long and short term for your children.

It is also important in the extended TIGS Community, in particular for TIGS Alumni. Ex-students of the Grammar School are very proud of their school and its traditions. They often speak with pride when they see current students behaving in ways which bring honour and respect to the School. They also will call or email when they see or hear of any risk being posed to our good reputation, because they are Grammarians too and they love their Alma Mater, their ‘old school.’

Monica Watt

Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School

We are all engaged in supporting our students so that they can do the right thing and achieve the Personal Presentation Award, but they can be at a disadvantage if their uniform is too small or short. Please ensure that your child’s uniform is the right size to allow the boys to keep their shirt tucked in and the top button done up; the girls’ summer dress should be well below the knee. On the website, under the School Uniform tab, you will see images for the uniform, and in the diary on pages 17 – 19 all of the rules are articulated.

So, we do need your help to work together with us to maintain and further enhance this proud TIGS tradition. Together – staff, student and parents – can go “from strength to strength” so that the community will continue to respect our school and those values that we stand for, symbolised, embodied and exemplified in our students’ personal presentation.

Mrs Monica Watt Deputy Head and Head of Senior School

Junior School

Supporting the Junior School Learner in a Successful Start!

There is no doubt that parents hold a crucial role in determining the level of success that their children will experience at school. There are many simple practical things that parents can do to promote individual success. I am often asked by parents about how to assist their children in successful learning at school and acknowledge the varied situations of our school families. Current research suggests that the following areas are useful for parents to consider.

Arriving on time - if we reflect as adults on how flustered and unprepared we feel if we are late for an important meeting, it becomes obvious the disadvantage to our children when they are late to class. A great way to assist your child is to make sure your morning routine gives them enough time to have a play and to get settled for the day of learning before the bell goes at 8.45am. As a school we are required to monitor late arrivals and time lost from learning as a state legal requirement.

Sleep - the school day is very busy! It is very important that children get adequate sleep for them to cope with the demands of learning and working positively in their school community.

Judi Nealy

Food - brain food has an impact! Most importantly a good breakfast is really helpful in setting up your son or daughter for a positive day.

Homework - is an important part of the school routine. Children need a space and adequate support to build good habits in terms of homework and study. Young children need adult support in approaching and completing homework, however parents need to aim to encourage confidence and efficacy in homework tasks. A great idea is to talk through with your children the tasks they have, ensuring that they understand what is required and have a plan for how to get it done. Then check in with them so that they feel supported, don’t do it for them! If your child has homework that they cannot complete please let their teacher know.

Head of Junior School

Access to IT - last year I heard the term “ubiquitous technology”, it means that, for our current learners the use of technology is seamless and natural. Students need to be able to access appropriate technology to compliment their learning including homework. This does not mean that all homework should be done using technology, nor does it allow us to assume that everything done on the computer is homework. Parents can assist their children by setting limits on their technology use, by being involved and proactive in monitoring what is happening and sharing the advantages of technology with them.

Routines of practice - assist at home and at school in improving outcomes for children. When learners feel secure, they know what to do next and even when they are learning something new they achieve more success. Routines of practice at school include lining up, sitting in a particular area for particular tasks, setting out of bookwork and hands up to speak etc. At home they include a bedtime routine, regular homework or reading time in an appropriate space, time to be physically active, quiet time where the child amuses him or herself without the aid of IT and social times together where everyone speaks and listens to each other. In our busy time-poor home lives, these routines can be difficult to maintain, I encourage you to persevere, the children will benefit.

Dates for your diary: • •

• • •

Tuesday 28 February - Junior School Swimming Carnival Thursday 1 March - Junior School first Assembly, both to be held in Rees Hall Years 3 - 6 from 9.00am to 9.40am Prep - Year 2 from 9.50am to 10.30am Friday 9 March - Prep - Year 2 Twilight Picnic Parents Understanding Asia Literacy Project Southern Sydney Wednesday 7 March, Friday 9 March or Monday 12 March Information and registrations are available at: http://www.pual.org.au/ Monday 26 March Cybersafety parent training and information session with Susan McLean

Sport NASSA Basketball Carnival On Monday 20 February 2012, after hectic lunch time trainings, two teams from Year 6 (boys and girls) competed in the NASSA Basketball gala day.

While none of the TIGS players made it through to the next level, the day was great fun and each of us came away thinking we had potential!

The girls’ team of Holly Kiteley, Ashley Dribbus, Benae Kuiper, Isabella Sandy, Taylah Pather, Stephanie Moustoukis, Zara Winter and Sophie Correa had a fantastic time under the guidance of Mrs Martin and ended up (to our surprise!) second to St Luke’s.

Mrs Mann coached the boys’ team which comprised of Ethan Hennessy, Miles Dennison-Pender, Joshua Fullerton-Harvey, Oscar Malouf, Ethan Jackson, Joshua Shalala, Austin Pallone and Sam Okely. We improved markedly throughout the day and finished third behind St Luke’s and Penrith Anglican.

While both teams lacked basketball experience, our heart was unquestionable and we came away knowing that we had done our absolute best. It was a fantastic day and the opportunity to participate was appreciated by us all.

Class Awards KD KM 1C 1M 2P 3Y 4R 5S 5N 6W 6T

Merit Certificates

Jessica Llewellin, Anika Rindani Gabriella Thornton, Zane Al-Salih, Ella McIlwraith James Burgess Angus Kiang Nathan Molnar, Jade Hyde Bodhi Hemsley-Oades, Daniel Michelmore Winnie Cheng, Selma Celik, Farrah Al-Salih Nicholas Sutherland, Michael Kyriakoudes Kye Gosling, Polly Powell Anastassia Zafiriou, Lara Conti Tayla Smith, Samuel Lendrum, Daniel Dragutinovich, Mika Bliokas

Harry Borbilas Sarah Hutchinson Cameron Davies Samuel Lendrum Lachlan Boardman Grace Summerill Jacobus Newhouse Harry Sanzone Molly Buikstra Hasnain Aly Austin Pallone Michael Kyriakoudes Joanne Karakousis Gianluca Fierravanti Zoe Dribbus

Connect with TIGS on the Web TIGS has joined the world of social media and is communicating through Twitter and Facebook.

Please follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/tigswollongong

Please like us on Facebook: facebook.com/illawarragrammar

2012 Student Address Collection

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will be collecting student residential addresses from all non-government schools from 1 March 2012. Please click here for the attached Privacy Notice regarding the purpose of the collection and disclosure of information.

Visual Arts News

After School Visual Arts and Creative Writing Classes

Artspace Studio is a not for profit local resource brought to you by Illawarra Children’s Services which offers visual arts and creative writing classes for students aged 12 -16 years after school.

For more information and to have a look at the term timetable please click here.

Canteen News Please check the TIGS Website for our menu.

We would welcome any new volunteers at the Canteen. Forms are available on the School Website Online ordering - How does it work?

Go to www.flexischools.com.au and click “Register Now” in the Login Box. Then enter your student’s name, school and class, and add funds (say $50) into a pre-paid account. You can log into the website at any time to place orders, up until 9.00am on the day of the order. As purchases are made, the funds are taken from your pre-paid account. The account can be topped up again in the same way, or set to automatically top-up via credit card when the balance falls below a pre-set minimum. Each order is sent automatically to the kitchen, where an easy-to-read label is produced with the student’s name, class and order details.

Canteen Roster Week 5 Term I 2012 Monday 27 Feb Sonja Forte Julie Chiaverini

Tuesday 28 Feb Lauren Cunio

Wednesday 29 Feb Zina Ainsworth Wendy Gray Spence

Thursday 1 March HELP NEEDED

Friday 2 March Lauretta Bussoletti Melanie Smith

Senior Sport Student Success

Last weekend Jarrod Poort (Year 12) competed in the Australian Open Water Championships in Perth with outstanding results.

1st 5km Open Water Swim 57min 21s

Under 16 Girls Bennett(Year 10), Skyring (Year 9), Johnston (Year 8), Smallhorn (Year 7), Allison ( Year 9), Craft (Year 9), Johnston(Year 9)

Lilli Maudie Chloe Brittany Margot Rachel Teagan

The Young Endeavour

2nd 10km Open Water Swim 1hr 54min Jarrod’s commitment to training and regime amongst the demands of Year 12 is highly commendable. We congratulate him on these brilliant results.

Illawarra Academy of Sports Award Night for 2011

A large number of TIGS students have been involved in the Illawarra Academy of Sport. Last Friday evening at the Novotel the following students received Athlete of the Year in their respective Sports.

Stella Crick - Athlete of the Year for Tennis Tegan Richards - Female Athlete of the Year for Hockey Bridget Mullany - Athlete of the Year for Cycling Congratulations achievement.

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AICES Open Tennis Trials

The AICES Open Tennis Trials were held last week at Cintra Park Concord.

Congratulations to these students on their selection in the AICES Team for 2012.

Fred Newman (Year 11), Stella Crick (Year 12) and Lily Tuivaga (Year 9)

NASSA Hockey Trials

Congratulations to the following students for their selection in the NASSA Hockey teams for 2012.

Open Boys – Mungo Skyring (Year 11), Jacques Le Serve (Year 11), Anthony Keating (Year 11), Harrison Lindsay (Year 11), Robert Brodie (Year 11), and Adrian Whitehall (Year 9).

Open Girls – Isabelle Murphy (Year 11), Lilli Bennett (Year 10), Maudie Skyring (Year 9), Chloe Johnston (Year 8), Brittany Smallhorn (Year 7)

Youth Scheme Get involved!

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is now accepting applications for young Australians aged 16 to 23 to join a voyage aboard the national sail training ship Young Endeavour.

The ballot for voyages departing between July and December 2012.

A voyage on the Young Endeavour is an exciting experience and a unique opportunity for youth to develop teamwork and leadership skills through a world recognised organisation. In 2010, Hamish Paine, Kate Martin, Alistair Martin, Alexander Marzano and Nicholas Marzano attended this scheme. They have all praised the program for the benefits they have achieved on their voyage.

During each voyage youth crew from across Australia learn the skills to successfully sail a square rigged ship, including climbing the 30m mast, setting and furling sails and maintaining a 24 hour watch on the bridge.

They also learn to navigate, take the helm, keep lookout and help the chef in the ship’s galley. Once they have learned these skills, each youth crew will take command of Young Endeavour for 24 hours, and on their last day at sea will host a local group of youth with special needs, sharing their new found knowledge and experiences.

The specially designed program delivered aboard the ship increases the youth crew’s self awareness, develops teamwork and leadership skills, and fosters a strong sense of community.

Applications are accepted all year round, however first round offers will be made after the ballot closes on 2 March 2012. For more information on dates and fees, or to apply for voyages visit www.youngendeavour. gov.au

Year 9/10 Sports for Term I 2012

Sport is compulsory for all students at TIGS from Years 7-10. In Years 9 and 10 this compulsory sport is conducted before and after school in a variety of activities. It is mandatory that all students in Year 7s-10 participate in two hours of weekly sporting activity. Students therefore must attend compulsory school sports which have been organised. Students may formally be granted an exemption from the above requirement if they can demonstrate their participation in other regular sporting activities.

The Year 9/10 Sports Program includes Winter Sports in Terms II and III and a Summer Program in Terms I and IV. The Summer Sports for Years 9/10 have begun for Term I. Badminton Monday - IGC - 3.30pm - 4.30pm Basketball Wednesday - IGC - 3.30pm - 4.30pm Rock Climbing Wednesday - Hangdog Auburn Street Wollongong 3.30pm - 4.30pm Swimming Wednesday and Friday - University Pool 7.00am 8.00am (TIGS bus to school) Table Tennis Monday - IGC - 3.30pm - 4.30pm Swimming training is available to all students.

Please collect a permission note from Student Reception.

All Sport buses for Years 9/10 Sports will leave from Western Avenue.

Contact Mrs Sharpe at School with any questions regarding this program.

Senior School Swimming Carnival

Red, yellow, green and blue

the House spirit was clearly evident and the challenge for the Inter House Swimming Trophy for 2012 was an interesting turn of events.

The lead for the Swimming Trophy changed numerous times during the day. It came down to the final event of the day - the Senior Boys relay. With only 15 points difference Wolgal managed to beat Aranda for the blue ribbon finish.

House Results: 1st Wolgal 2nd Aranda 3rd Kogara 4th Coligan Well done to all students and staff on a wonderful day!

Congratulations to the following Age Champions from the carnival. These students will receive their medallions at the Sports Presentation evening in November.

12 Year Girls 1st Georgia Robson 2nd Michaela McGrath 3rd Grace Fitch 12 Year Boys 1st Joshua Buchanan 2nd Zaccary Ashby Abell 3rd Elliot Hutt 13 Year Girls 1st Laura Gibbons 2nd Kelsey Cresswell 3rd Sarah I’ons

13 Year Boys 1st Daniel Laing 2nd George Moustoukis 3rd Nicholas Gulaj 14 Year Girls 1st Kaitlin McKeon 2nd Alice Fox 3rd Margot Allison 14 Year Boys 1st Andrew Dickson 2nd Maxwell Lill 3rd Evan Jenkins 15 Year Girls 1st Olivia Poate 2nd Madeline Laing 3rd Tahlia Jackson 15 Year Boys 1st Simon Mill 2nd Joel Moore 3rd Alexander Marzano

16 Year Girls 1st Kate Martin 2nd Jaymee Kerema 3rd Jessica Kuit 16 Year Boys 1st Kyle Locke 2nd Jaiden Fullerton Harvey 3rd William Rogers 17 Year Girls 1st Emma Poate 2nd Amy Carberry 3rd Lauren Hatton 17 Year Boys 1st Richard Bujaroski 2nd Jack Millar =3rd Anthony Keating =3rd Kurt Ferguson 18 Year Girls 1st Emma McKeon 2nd Emma Ramsey 3rd Nikolina Panovski 18 Year Boys 1st James Needham 2nd Luke Moore = 3rd Jake Anastas = 3rd Jesse Kerema

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Vaccinations

2012 National Adolescent Vaccination Program for Years 7 – 10 will commence on Tuesday 28 February. You should have received the parent information pack Please complete the consent forms and return to school as soon as possible. If you have any enquiries please contact Lisa Dent on 4220 0227.

First Visit Year 7 Students 28 February 2012

Year 10 Students

Hepatitis B vaccine dose 1 (2 dose course administered 4 - 6 months apart) Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) dose 1 - GIRLS ONLY (3 dose course) Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis booster vaccine (single dose)