Issue 4 Term IV 2012

NEWSLETTER

Issue 4 Term IV, 2012

Headmaster’s Message Chaplain’s Message Head of Senior School TIGS Olympians, Jarrod Port (Class of 2012) and David McKeon (Class of 2010)

Academic • Christian • Caring

Head of Junior School

Performing At Elite Levels The Sports Presentation Evening held on Wednesday evening was a wonderful night. Many parents commented after the presentations that they were surprised by how many of our students are performing at an elite level.

Sports representation at TIGS occurs at the following levels: School level Students compete against other TIGS students, usually

representing their House NASSA

Students represent the School in competition against the other NASSA Schools

AICES

Students represent NASSA in competition against teams from other sports associations

CIS

Students represent AICES in competition at CIS carnivals

All schools

Students represent CIS at state level against GPS, IGSSA, CAS, CCC and CHS students

Australian

Students represent NSW in National competition

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

In some individual sports the pathway varies and in the Junior School state representation is through PSSA. Nevertheless, all students have the opportunity to represent in their sport at the highest level.

At the presentation evening I acknowledged and congratulated all those that contribute to the high achievement of TIGS students in sport. Special acknowledgement was given to parents (who feed, equip, drive, encourage and console their children as they develop their skills) and the coaches.

Special thanks were also given to the TIGS staff that organise, coach and encourage the students in their sporting endeavours. Many of our students are benefiting from the TIGS Talented Athlete Program that enables elite athletes to arrange their studies around their busy training schedules and to receive the benefit of mentoring and coaching from elite athletes. The TIGS Talented Athlete Program is also developing links with the NSW Institute of sport.

Finally, congratulations go to the athletes. In total 175 students received awards on the evening, including 38 representatives at State level and 3 representatives at National level. We were also proud to have two TIGS Olympians, David McKeon (Class of 2010) and Jarrod Port (Class of 2012), as our special guests. We were delighted to see images from the Olympic Village and to hear of life at the Olympic Games from the point of view of the athletes.

The Sports Presentation Evening is a sign that the year is rapidly drawing to a close and it is important to reserve the following dates: Tuesday 27 November

Honours Program Presentation Evening

Thursday 29 November

Year 6 PYP Exhibition

Wednesday 5 December

Christmas Celebration

Saturday 8 December

Infants Pageant

Monday 10 December

Years 3 to 6 Presentation Evening

Tuesday 11 December

Senior School Presentation Day

The students and staff are always encouraged by the attendance of parents and other family members at these events. It is a great way for our community to finish what has been an excellent year. I look forward to joining you..

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Chaplain’s Message

A Life Well Lived

As a teacher of Christian Studies at TIGS I often think I’ve got one of the best jobs in the world. I love what I teach, I believe it has ultimate worth and I know what I teach makes a difference in students’ lives and, in turn, the world. It doesn’t get much better than that!

While I am always enthusiastic about what I teach there are occasions when I am really grabbed by a particular line of enquiry. This week with Year 10 was a case in point. We are presently considering a variety of ethical theories which have been proposed as a framework for action in the world. My rule is to examine these theories on their own terms – highlighting their strengths and weaknesses - and then compare and contrast them with the biblical ethic of love toward God and others. To flesh out the biblical ethic we looked at the life and legacy of William Wilberforce.

William Wilberforce was an English politician and Member of Parliament from 1784-1812. He was also a Christian man. Wilberforce’s great life work was to head the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade. He worked on this for 26 years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.

Wilberforce’s campaign against slavery came directly out of his Christian convictions. He saw that God is most honoured and society most blessed when each individual is able to live with freedom, purpose and dignity. His campaign against the slave trade was essentially a campaign of love – love toward God and others. It was the Christian ethic in action. The opposition he encountered Chaplain along the way from those working from different ethical theories (usually a consequentialist ethic which said that the end - in this case economic prosperity - justifies the means - slavery) nearly brought him undone. In the end, however, Wilberforce won the day. It is a truly inspiring story.

Rev James Rogers

I occasionally hear people say that the Bible endorses slavery in that there are commands in the New Testament that slaves are to be obedient to their masters and masters humane to their slaves. But this is misguided. The Bible’s primary aim is not to mandate a change to systems. Instead, the Bible’s primary aim is to bring individuals into relationship with God through faith in Jesus. Once that has happened these individuals can’t help but begin to live their lives in new ways, impacting the world for good according to the will of God. Systems like slavery crumble before men like William Wilberforce who are determined to live the life of love proposed and modelled by Christ.

Wilberforce’s story is one of the many ways a biblical ethic of love has positively shaped our society for good. If you want to learn more about him a good starting point is the movie of 2006 Amazing Grace. Alternatively, if you are a reader you can download a free copy of John Piper’s biography of Wilberforce at the following address: http://www.desiringgod.org/ resource-library/books/amazing-grace-in-the-life-of-william-wilberforce Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School Each Tuesday we have Senior School Assembly. Students sit in Year Groups parallel to the stage, subdivided into their House groups so that from the stage each House and each Year Group is clearly delineated. The aim is for us all to meet together in a formal situation to pray, celebrate student success and endeavours and to hear from students and groups who have been involved in significant school activities. It is largely student-run under the direction of the School Captains. It can be fun; it can be formal; it can be uplifting.

The School Captains for 2013 have already made their mark. We have had lots of fun with Prefectled mini House Quizzes - the Maths prefects are always a big hit here – and Prefects from other areas have been encouraging co-curricular involvement. The Production for 2013 has been promoted and lots of competitions are brought to students’ attention in order to encourage participation. The SRC, which meets regularly at lunchtime on Tuesday, is also promoted

Monica Watt

Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School

It’s always great to see student work which has won various competitions and to see examples of interesting pieces of work, particularly from the Creative and Performing Arts areas. Last week the Year 9 Drama class presented some extracts from a play they are currently studying, called “Fossils”, dealing with parent/children relationships. It was amazing to see the professionalism of the class in their presentation. And they were very, very funny. Some outstanding comedians with great comic timing are in that class. We also saw a wonderful video by Talia Yerbury.

Awards are presented and it is always a powerful message to hear the citation for each Award and how each student has, in their own unique way, achieved success. This week is no exception.

But the most powerful and moving of the presentations are always when the students report on their Community Service work.

Recently we have been privileged to hear from Year 10 who visited the Crossroads Humanitarian Project in Hong Kong; from Years 11/12 who have been involved in the Sony Camp providing weekend care for young people with disabilities, giving parents respite - sometimes for the first time - and again from Years 11/12 who assisted at the Disability Trust’s Special Olympics.

What a wonderful model of servant leadership our Senior Students present to their fellow students. Assembly really is a great experience.

Monica Watt Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School

Junior School Student Leadership More Than Just a Popularity Vote

In days gone by, Student Leadership was decided by popularity. Children campaigned with posters, speeches, promises and incentive (usually lollies) to be elected into the position of their choice.

We have been moving away from this approach for several years in the Junior School and for 2013 we take another significant step. At TIGS the leadership model for students is based on servanthood and community. Children in Year 5 are currently considering their interest and enthusiasm for positions of leadership in the following areas:

Judi Nealy

Head of Junior School

Junior School Captains – one boy and one girl Vice Captain – one boy and one girl House Captains – one boy and one girl for each house - total 8 Year 6 Captain – environment focus - two students Year 6 Captain – creative focus - two students Year 6 Captain – community focus - two students Year 6 Captain – communication and technology focus - two students All of our Year 6 students are regarded as Junior School leaders in their final year of primary school and the Year 6 Captains will lead teams of other Year 6 students to make a positive impact on their area of responsibility.

Very soon our Year 5 candidates will present a speech to children from Years 3 – 6 and then Years 4 – 6 will vote for children to be considered for leadership positions. Those recognised by their peers as having leadership potential will then be interviewed

by Mrs Nealy, Mrs McRae and Mr Grieve and the positions will be appointed.

It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm for service in our current Year 5 and I look forward to observing the great work they will do as student leaders in 2013.

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

Dates for your Diary: • • • • •

Thursday 15 November – Thank You Morning Tea Thursday 22 November – Year 6 Progression Dinner Wednesday 5 December – A Christmas Celebration Saturday 8 December – Infants Pageant Monday 10 December – Years 3-6 Presentation Evening

Weekly Awards Merit Certificates KD KM 2H 2P 3Y 4R 5S 5N

Thomas Saffoury, Joshua Jose William Dolan, Mia Taylor, Alissa Tonkin Adelaide Thompson, Isabella Mitic Zachary Birch, Cooper Kerridge Isobel Kinnear, Jayson Cooper Zoe Dribbus Jack Scot Emmanuela Franco, Joanne Karakousis

Zachary Birch – Personal Presentation Alysha De Ruyter – Personal Presentation and Academic Mayson Russell – Academic Jessica Llewellin – Academic Breanna Saad – Academic Ella Fenell – Academic Mia Taylor –Academic Sarah Partland – Aademic Brandon Nugara – Academic Kye Gosling – Academic Aria Bacic-Johnston – Academic Benae Kuiper – Academic Belle Kolodziej - Adacemic

Thank You Morning Tea On Thursday 15 November 2012 TIGS will be hosting a ‘Thank You Morning Tea’ from 10.30am in Rees Hall for the many parents and members of our community who volunteer their time and expertise to benefit the students in our school.

We would like to extend a warm invitation to all parents in the Junior and Senior School who assist in the classrooms, on excursions, through Karobran, Orana, the Canteen and in other ways.

We look forward to thanking you in person on the Thursday 15 November.

For catering purposes, please RSVP on 4220 0200

Uniform Shop Year 7 2013

Would all existing Year 6 students who are entering Year 7 in 2013 please visit the Uniform Shop and have their uniforms fitted and purchased by 15 November 2012.

Year 10 2012

Would all existing Year 10 students who are entering Year 11 in 2013 visit the Uniform Shop and have their uniforms fitted and Senior Blazers ordered by the 24 November 2012.

Prep 2012

Would all existing Prep students entering Kindergarten in 2013 please visit the Uniform Shop and have their uniforms fitted and purchased by the 15 November 2012.

To make an appointment please call the Uniform Shop on 4220 0230

P & F News P&F Annual General Meeting 21 November 2012 7.00pm Goodhew Research Centre - Library All committee positions are open and nominations for the Committee are welcomed for the following positions: • • • • • •

President Treasurer Secretary Committee members x 3 Karobran President Karobran Committee members x 3

To download the P&F nomination form please click here

Text Book Exhange Parents are invited to the annual text book exchange facilitated by the P&F. 21 November 2012 5.00pm – 7.00pm Goodhew Research Centre Bring along your second-hand text books to sell or come along and source second hand text books.

The 2013 text book list for Years 7 to Year 12 is available from the School website or can be assessed by following this link.

Senior School Sport Douglas Shield Cricket

NASSA Cricket

The senior cricket side had their first match of the prestigious Douglas Shield state wide cricket competition last Wednesday. After winning the toss TIGS elected to bowl and quickly bundled Shellharbour out for 56. Xavier Whitton and Thomas Walker each took 3 wickets. TIGS had no trouble with the run chase as the opening pair of Samuel Isabella (26 runs) and Raman Wadhwa (32 runs) achieved the total with 36 over to spare. Well done to the boys who next week travel to Wagga Wagga to take on Riverina Anglican College who were finalists in last year’s competition.

Shellharbour Anglican 56 (Whitton 3/8, Walker 3/11)

On Monday this week the senior side travelled to Harrington Park to take on Macarthur Anglican in round 2 of the NASSA cricket competition. With several players unavailable a new look side took the park which was a good opportunity for many players to press their claims for a permanent place in the side. After being sent in to bat TIGS were in early trouble and managed just 91 runs. Thomas Dougall (18 runs) and Alec Adams (18 runs) were the shining lights with the bat. The total was never enough and the Macarthur side chased down the total with wickets and overs to spare. Robert Gyngell toiled hard with the ball with 0 for 10 off 5 overs being the highlight of the bowling performance.

TIGS 0/62 (Isabella 26 not out, Wadhwa 32 not out)

TIGS 91 (Dougall 18, Adams 18)

Round 1 vs Shellharbour Anglican

Round 2 vs Macarthur Anglican

Macarthur Anglican 3/94 (Gyngell 1/5)

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Tea g in n r o ers M lp e H u o Y • Thank 012 ember 2 y 15 Nov Thursda

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Quiz r 2012 • Hous2e be 6 Novem Monday

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