Issue 4 Term III 2015

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

ISSUE 4

TERM III 2015

Year 6 working on their PYP Exhibition

Chaplain’s Message

Headmaster

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

I have just visited the IGC where preparation for ‘The Works’ Exhibition for 2015 is almost complete. The Works is an exhibition of the major works of our Year 12 students and features Artwork, Design, Dance, Furniture, Photography, Textiles, Music, Video and Drama.

At this week’s Professional Learning Day, staff were privileged to be addressed by TIGS parent Mr Graham Stanton on the issue of childhood and adolescent spiritual development.

Mr Stanton has a rich experience of working with children and young people both as a father and former principal of a theological college which trained candidates for gospel ministry to children and youth. Mr Stanton is also presently undertaking doctoral studies on the topic of spiritual formation in young people. We were fortunate to be led by Mr Stanton on this very important matter. It proved to be a helpful session.

The exhibition this year is inspiring. It has been said that Headmasters sometimes only see the good in their students but I would be surprised if anyone left this year’s presentation without a sense of awe at what our students have produced at the end of their schooling at TIGS. We wish our Year 12 students success as their work is presented to the BOSTES examiners for marking.

The Exhibition is also wonderful because it features the work of some students from our Junior School, particularly Years 2, 5 and 6.

One can only wonder what their major works will be like when they graduate from TIGS in Year 12.

Congratulations to all our students for the effort they have made in producing such fine works and on making the most of the opportunities available at TIGS. As wonderful as the works on exhibition are, it is important to note that a TIGS education is about life-long learning and we are as much concerned about the process of learning as we are about the actual learning that occurs along the way.

We celebrate that Eleanor Middleton from Year 2, one of this year’s exhibitors, has already developed a deep understanding of the use of colour and shape in her painting of a landscape. We proudly observe the level of sophistication that Isobel Kinnear and Aria Bacic-Johnston demonstrate in their beautiful paintings, indicating that a deeper understanding of life and a greater degree of mastery has occurred as they have progressed through to Year 6.

In the same way, Isobel and Aria can look forward to even greater things as their level of mastery progresses to that of the soon to graduate Year 12 students. The inspiration gained by younger students from older students is a special dimension of learning at TIGS. Eleanor is inspired by Isobel and Aria who are again inspired by the brilliance of Cameron Barrett’s photography, Madaleine Hah’s sequential art, Kaitlin McKeon’s design or Olivia Poate’s beautiful work in textiles.

Inspiration and motivation is also gained from the success of former TIGS students. On display in the IGC are some new images of past students: • Ben Morrell graduated in 2009 and is now an Aeronautical Space Engineer associated with NASA; • Siobhan Lee graduated in 1986 and is now working as an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist; • Sophie McPhate graduated in 2009 and is now an International Business Analyst.

All students can be inspired knowing that a TIGS education opens many doors to places hardly imagined during the journey from Prep to 12. Each of these students were encouraged and nurtured in their study, in co-curricular activities, at Music, Dance and Drama Competitions, Sports Carnivals, NASSA and AICES events, School musicals… each part of the TIGS experience building character and self-confidence which has shaped their lives beyond TIGS and influenced their success.

I do hope that students and parents will make time to visit this year’s ‘The Works’ Exhibition and celebrate the raw talent of our younger students, marvel at the depth of mastery demonstrated by our Year 12 students and be inspired by the current achievements of our past students.

The Works Exhibition is open Friday 21 August from 7.00pm – 8.30pm and Saturday 22 August 11am – 2.00pm.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Drawing on some of the work of Canadian Developmental Psychologist James Marcia, Mr Stanton talked about the importance of a moratorium period as young people work towards identity achievement. The moratorium period is characterised by crisis. It is a time of intense questioning and exploration. The moratorium stage is an important stage in the transition from earlier periods of identity formation where the young child adopts unquestioningly the views of others and largely defines themselves with respect to the commitments of significant others. If opportunities are not given for young people to wrestle with ideas and challenge assumed norms they are at risk of adopting uncritically the views of others leading to an underdeveloped sense of self which translates to a lack of vitality in purposeful living. The underdeveloped person tends to fall in line with another’s vision of the good life instead of passionately committing themselves to something they have come to truly believe for themselves.

The implications of all this for spiritual formation are profound.

If we do not allow space for young people to challenge beliefs and behaviours they will never come to that place of passionate personal commitment which is the motivation for vital spiritual discipleship.

One of our aims at TIGS is to give our students space to question the core teachings of the Christian faith. We seek to inform our students of the essential beliefs of the Christian faith, but in a way that invites conversation instead of uncritical conformity.

We encourage critical thinking not only because we believe it is a valuable skill for life but also because we believe it is necessary for healthy spiritual identity formation.

I was encouraged by Mr Stanton’s address to learn that we are on the right track when it comes to the spiritual formation of young people at TIGS. Having said that, I believe Mr Stanton has taught us much we did not know. Our practice will be better informed as a result of Mr Stanton’s address.

What a rich community we have at TIGS. It is wonderful when staff can benefit from the expertise of parents. I look forward to similar exchanges in the future.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

TIGS Foundation TIGS COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Are you interested in advertising your business within the TIGS Community?

A new fundraising initiative of TIGS Foundation is the creation of an on-line business directory, which will enable TIGS Families to promote their business/s by advertising their details on the TIGS Website.

There will be an annual fee of $300 per business each calendar year of advertising in the Directory. Upon approval, immediate applications for 2015 will receive a bonus of several months’ free advertising, expiring 31 December 2016.

The Business Directory will provide an opportunity to strengthen and tighten the bonds between the School, parents and the businesses contained within the School Community.

If you are interested and would like to be involved please phone, Lisa Wilson on 4220 0264 or Joanne Danckwardt 0426 264 771, or email: foundation@tigs. nsw.edu.au

Senior School ASPIRATIONAL IMAGES

BEN MORRELL - Class of ‘09 “I am spending a year in the US, as part of my PhD research.

It is an amazing chance to collaborate with and learn from some great researchers in the field, from MIT, Texas A&M University, and just generally in the highly active and exciting aerospace industry over here.”

Monica Watt Head of Senior School Deputy Headmaster Last year, at about this time, we saw the first set of Aspirational Images appear in the Senior School Hall, the IGC. The alumni featured were: Andrew Newhouse, Georgia Manning and David McKeon. They each came from a different era in the School’s history and each of them represented a unique career path.

We have now signed off on three new images which are now in place for ‘The Works’ Exhibition. So the next time you are in the IGC look up to see Siobhan Lee, Ben Morrell and Sophie McPhate, each pursuing and succeeding in not just a career but a vocation that they love. Read their updates below and hear how they exemplify TIGS’ Mission and Values – “Through the knowledge and understanding of Christian love, compassion and justice, students will be supported to become active participants in society and wise architects of the future.”

SIOBHAN LEE - Class of ‘86 “I am now an Obstetrician at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney and I love my work. I feel genuinely lucky to do what I do, every day being able to be part of one of the most significant events in people’s lives. I had to give up competitive skiing (in Senior School I was on the Australian Alpine Ski Team and the Olympic training team) as the exam times and sheer workload of medicine precluded much else.

I realised at 17 years old that my brain was more reliable than my knees anyway! TIGS gave me great skills for life - I was on the debating team, won the regionals representing TIGS in public speaking, had leadership experience as the School Captain, always enthusiastically part of the School musicals albeit off key in the chorus - and a respect for teachers that later contributed to my undertaking a Masters in Clinical Education, which is a specialty teaching degree for medicine and health sciences.

I loved TIGS and if I lived in Wollongong my son would be on the wait list for Kindy.”

The ever-unassuming Ben has won a very prestigious fellowship researching autonomous navigation systems for robotic spacecraft, with applications to UAVs and other robotic systems. His goal is to make the robotic systems more autonomous, to be capable of carrying out a greater range of tasks. This involves investigations of vision navigation, 3D mapping and optimal path planning. He is currently in the US doing his research thanks to the AAA Northrop Grumman Fellowship.

‘THE WORKS’ EXHIBITION

An inspiring exhibition of the creative major works of our 2015 HSC students

During his time at Sydney University he continued to play hockey, was involved in promoting Zero Robotics in schools and was a committee member both here and in the US of the American and Australian Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

SOPHIE MCPHATE - Class of ‘10 Sophie’s Aspirational Image was captured while she was in New York, having been awarded a prestigious 7 week internship at PineBridge Investments New York City.

Read her story here.

Sophie is currently studying for a Master of International Relations, having won the Richard & Verna Gutch Scholarship for Ormond College within the University of Melbourne. She is loving her study.

Please join us to celebrate art and design at The Illawarra Grammar School.

Some of her many achievements while at Sydney University were: Merit Entry Scholarship 2011, Certificate of Academic Merit: High Distinction Average (2014), Certificate of Academic Merit: Distinction Average (2013), Scolarest Scholarship (2011 - 2012), USBS Business Programs Unit Academic Scholarship 2013 and In June/July of 2013 she undertook a 6-week full time internship with the Public Affairs Division of the Organization of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) at their Paris Headquarters in France.

Sophie has certainly embraced learning with a passion and we look forward to hearing more from her as she moves on in her career.

This exhibition will feature Artworks, Design, Dance, Furniture, Photography, Textiles, Music, Radioplay and Video, from the HSC 2015.

OFFICIAL OPENING FRIDAY 21 AUGUST 7.00pm - 8.30pm in the IGC ‘Falling down’ by Cameron Barrett Year 12 2015

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST

11.00am - 2.00pm in the IGC

MERIT CERTIFICATES

Junior School

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

YEAR 6 EXHIBITION

GATEWAY 8

Mrs Wallace and I have been listening to “Action Proposals” from Year 6 associated with their Exhibition inquiry. Essentially this process involves the Exhibition group “pitching” several ideas for possible action they could take as a result of what they have learnt (picture ‘Shark Tank’ in TIGS uniform.) Our students absolutely amaze me not only with their knowledge of the inquiry area, but with their passion to take action and the ideas they come up with, they are truly empowered to take action that is meaningful, relevant and age appropriate. We have heard proposals for website designs to raise awareness of specific issues, lesson development for younger classes to begin increasing understanding of complex issues, the drafting of letters to editors, magazine articles or to political bodies, as well as hands on practical actions in our School to improve our playground actions or use of resources.

On Thursday 13 August TIGS sent two teams to compete at the GATEway 8 Challenge held at Macarthur Anglican College. The teams consisted of eight students from Years 5 and 6 and were required to undertake a number of academic challenges based on Gardner’s multiple intelligences. This year the theme of the day related to the United Nations International Year focusing on the topic of light science and its applications. The UN has recognised the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.

Why is this powerful learning? Frequently it is lamented that young people are overwhelmed by the complexity and magnitude of the problems they face in their early adulthood. Our young people are not feeling overwhelmed, they are feeling empowered to take action that DOES make a difference in their world and their lives.

This experience of autonomy and action builds confidence and optimism. Students who have gone through the exhibition process know that they can inquire into an area, understand it in depth, collaborate with others in order to identify appropriate action that they can personally implement and will make a difference.

This is amazing life long learning and an approach to life and living that will stand them in good stead as they continue to learn and grow into adulthood. Our Year 6 students truly can change the world.

KINDER – YEAR 4 DISCO

WEEKLY AWARDS

KH KP 1T 1Y 2M 2Mc 2S 2T 3S 4M 4Y 5G 5R 6C 6K

Academic

A myriad of colours danced and bopped around in the IGC last Friday night at the Kinder – Year 4 Disco. Our Year 10 volunteer students did an absolutely sterling job in decorating the hall, arranging the music and DJ-ing like professionals. The sausage sizzle was a great success as were the glow sticks and fairy wands. Many parents commented on how great it was to not have to go home and cook dinner after a busy day at work and school.

In the Science task we looked at a light box and the eye. We used these skills to calculate focal length. In the Music and Drama section we had to compose a song with multiple instruments and write a graphical score to perform our song. We used our literacy skills to create a story board and Twitter post to inform others about how to conserve energy. Finally, the design task involved making an object out of recycled materials that could make shadows after researching Nicolaus Copernicus’ ideas about the earth and sun.

The day was very interesting and we had lots of fun. We did our best in the different tasks and learnt many new things.

By Olivia Barber and Sarah Hutchinson

Nicholas Chiaverini Jordan McRae Elliot Winn Jacobus Newhouse Lily Still Amelia Druett James Gardner Aiden Da Deppo Elizabeth Michelmore Jai Hemsley-Oades Sally Gyngell Isabella Nicholson Subodh Parab Faisal Syed Joel Turner Isaac Turner Myer Matyana

Personal Presentation Victoria Steward

Service Cohen Sawyer Tom Armstrong Lachlan Kiang Diya Mehan

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES:

Monday 24 August Thursday 27 August Tuesday 1 September Friday 4 September Friday 4 September Thursday 17 September

Book Week Parade for Junior School students TIGS Trophy (Rescheduled date) Father’s Day Stall for 2 Day Pre-Prep and Prep, Years 3-6 Father’s Day Breakfast – 7.00am to 8.00am in Rees Hall Father’s Day Stall for 3 & 5 Day Pre-Prep and Prep, Years 1 and 2 Big Day In

Tobias Knight Joshua Llewellin, Maddison Tonkin Palakh Garg, Oliver Johnson Annaliese Brunskill, Aahan Rakheja Saif Jaber, Thomas Partland, Matilda Hughes Hilton Brown, Myer Matyana The event was coordinated and run by Rev Mark Grieve and Year Mackenzie Pead, Eleanor Middleton 10 students in support of the Crossroads service event which occurs Lachlan Kiang, Astrid Sperring in Hong Kong from 3 – 11 June 2016. Our School will send 22 students Aiden Da Deppo, Joel Turner to Hong Kong to volunteer at the Crossroads charity where they will Terrance Tsakiridis, Dania Jaber be working alongside Crossroads staff in sorting out products that Mackayla Hutchinson, William Rice come from around the world and putting them into a container Alexia Loeser, Faisal Syed destined for a third world country. They will also do some simulations Lachlan Boardman, Ethan Morgan of what it might be like living in a third world country or having AIDS Lina Lee, Sally Gyngell or being blind. This is an amazing opportunity to serve both the TIGS Jessica Hall, Elliot Winn community and the global community. Congratulations to the Junior School students and their parents for participating in the disco with such enthusiasm and generosity and to the Year 10 students and Senior School staff for their amazing effort. What a wonderful success!

Junior School Executive dressed up for the K to 4 Disco

Library News

Junior School

BOOK WEEK FESTIVITIES Thank you to everyone for your support of the Book Fair. All orders have been sent to Carnival Books and we expect them to be filled over the next two weeks.

This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in some reading together.

Join us for a FATHER’S DAY Breakfast

BOOK WEEK PARADE Next Monday 24 August is our Book Week Parade for K-6. All students are encouraged to get creative and make a costume of their favourite book character.

Please ensure that all costumes have enclosed shoes for the safety of your child.

AUTHOR VISIT FROM WILL KOSTAKIS

All students in Years 3 to 8 had the opportunity to see Will Kostakis share some of his stories about his experience of becoming a writer.

Friday 4 September 2015

Interested students brought home an order form so they could purchase his books.

Please drop these off to the Library by Friday 28 August.

7.00am to 8.00am

Will was kind enough to sign a number of book plates for us to put in any purchased books.

Rees Hall RSVP Tuesday 1 September visit website Includes assorted cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurts, croissants and sausage sandwiches

DAD’S, BRING THE KIDS ALONG AND ENJOY A WONDERFUL BREAKFAST TO CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY Academic • Christian • Caring An International Baccalaureate World School

TIGS Reunions 2015 Calling all alumni - it is reunion time!

Saturday 22 August is the “Back to TIGS” day which coincides with “The Works” Exhibition at School where all of the major works in art and design from this year’s HSC students will be on display for School families and the public to appreciate.

We hope that we may be joined by alumni from the classes of 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005 who will be meeting at this exhibition in the main hall at 11.00am on Saturday 22 August and doing a trip down memory lane with a tour of the School, if requested, at 11.30am.

Refreshments of coffee and cake will be provided following the tour.

To be involved please email grammarians@tigs.nsw.edu.au or send a Facebook inbox to The Illawarra Grammar School.

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 5

‘The Works’ Exhibition

7.00pm - 8.30pm Friday 21 August in the IGC 11.00am - 2.00pm Saturday 22 August in the IGC

TIGS Reunion Tour

11.30am Saturday 22 August meeting at the IGC

WEEK 7

Father’s Day Breakfast

7.00am – 8.00am Friday 4 September in Rees Hall

WEEK 8

Year 6 PYP Exhibition Opening

4.00pm - 6.00pm Monday 7 September in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Year 6 PYP Exhibition

9.00am - 10.30am and 11.00am - 12.00pm Tuesday 8 September in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

WEEK 9

Headmaster’s Handball Challenge Tuesday 15 September

Junior School Big Day In Senior School Great Race Thursday 17 September

Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and Formal Last Day of Term III Friday 18 September