Issue 5, Term 1 2010a

NEWSLETTER

Headmasters Message Expo Day 2010 Head of Senior School Chaplain Junior School Issue 5 Term I, 2010

Academic • Christian • Caring

Expo Day 2010 The TIGS ‘Expo Day’ for 2010 will be held on Saturday, 20 March between 10.00am and 2.00pm.

This is our open day and provides the opportunity for the broader community to visit the School and meet with our staff and students and to view our beautiful campus. Current members of our TIGS family are also welcome to attend if they would like to view the latest changes to our facilities and programmes.

There will be much to see as we display the many things that fill each day at TIGS, including: •

Wireless Network providing students with internet access from any part of the campus.

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ICT resources available to assist students in their learning, including:

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Interactive whiteboards

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iMac computers for photography and creative arts

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400 workstations located across the campus in the library, classrooms and common rooms for student access

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Narradan, the student portal that enables our students to learn in the virtual world.

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The new Junior School Building which includes 6 classrooms and a basketball court sized multi- purpose space (it will not be finished until mid-year so viewing is still behind the builder’s fence).

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Junior School displaying the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) that shapes learning for our students.

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Ethan Butson (Year 8), National Young Scientist of the Year showing his award winning research

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Megan Wulf (Year 12 and School Vice-Captain), National Young Businessperson of the Year for Young Achievers Australia.

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Rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar, the School musical production for 2010.

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Tap Dogs, our boys’ tap dancing troupe.

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Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band and String Ensemble and Orchestra in rehearsal.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Our Year 10 students will be on hand to act as guides for our visitors. We believe that our students are the best advertisement we have for the quality of our programmes. This is part of our leadership training programme which leads to their appointment as student leaders at the end of Year 11. Year 10 students also have the opportunity to serve our community as hosts at major events, camp leaders and as peer readers with students from the Junior School. By demonstrating their commitment to serving others in these roles, they demonstrate their readiness to act as servant leaders which is the model of leadership we value as a School.

Mrs Jefferson, the Director of Enrolments and Student Support, will be available to answer any questions about the enrolment of new students. She will also be available to answer questions about scholarships. Applications for scholarships close on 1 April.

The School’s Statement of Mission and Values expresses the purpose of the School and the values that have been developed since its foundation in 1959. Our core values – Academic excellence, Christian values and behaviour, Caring community – shape all that we do. In fact, our School must be distinctly different from other schools in a way characterised by these values or we have not been true to the vision of our Founders 51 years ago.

We believe that the advantages that a TIGS education provides are compelling. I look forward to showing you our campus and our students at Expo Day.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Chaplain’s Connection

“There, but for the grace of God, go I”

John Bradford lived in a different era in a different country to us. But in many ways, his life and early career were not dissimilar to that of many TIGS alumni. Born in 1510 to a financially comfortable English family, he received a good education from a grammar school and went on to earn a good living serving under John Harrington, paymaster of the English army during the wars of Henry VIII. Later, he became a law student at the Inner Temple in London.

Whilst studying law, John Bradford was converted to Protestant Christianity. He abandoned his legal studies and took up theology at Cambridge, where he earned the nickname “Holy Bradford”. In 1550, during the reign of Edward VI, he was ordained a clergyman.

Following King Edward’s death in 1553, Mary Tudor ascended to the throne. A devout Catholic, she was determined to return England to Roman Catholicism and to discipline the Protestants, whom she regarded as heretics. Within a month John Bradford was arrested and confined to the Tower of London. For a while during his two-year imprisonment he shared a cell with three fellow reformers: Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer. All four were to die as martyrs.

At one point John Bradford reputedly witnessed a group of prisoners being led to their execution, and famously remarked, “There, but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford.” This saying survives today in a slightly varied form: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” He didn’t say, “Luckily that’s not us!”, or “It wasn’t in my stars for today!”, or even: “Looks like the Queen’s let us live another day!” He said: “There, but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford.” The events of history he understood to be in God’s hands, and if he was spared to live another day it was entirely due to the gracious gift of God.

John Reed Chaplain

He was not spared forever, and on January 31, 1555 he was brought out to be burned at the stake alongside another young martyr, John Leaf. After begging forgiveness of any he might have wronged and freely forgiving those who had wronged him, his last recorded words were addressed to Leaf: “Be of good comfort brother; for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night!”

In life he thanked God for his grace, and in death he again trusted in God’s grace for his eternal future. He was as confident in facing death as that other great grasper of grace, John Newton, who wrote in his classic hymn “Amazing Grace”: “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”

Senior School

Transformations

It’s lovely how things evolve and grow; how students develop from Year 7 to Year 12 and how year groups change and re-invent themselves from one year to the next. One of the most significant changes that we witness in the Secondary School is that transformation from Year 10 to Year 11 and this year has seen quite a change.

The Year 10 Formal last year was a wonderful event - a real ‘coming of age’ for many of our students: their first time in formal clothes; their first time at a formal venue without their parents and their first time being the centre of attention as they stepped - some tentatively (in high heels for the first time) others more assertively - from the age of dependence to independence. It was also affirming to see so many of the parents celebrating their child’s ‘coming of age’ at an Orana-organised event at the Lagoon. For parents too it is a significant time in their life and it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate that together with others who are ‘walking the walk.’

Monica Watt

When the students arrived at School at the commencement of this year all of the Year 11 students were in Senior Uniform: the girls quietly composed and the boys so much taller and bigger - transformed by their new uniform. We were sad to see that a number of students had left to gain employment and some had left the area but we were also thrilled to welcome so many new students.

Not only have individuals changed physically and in levels of maturity, but the whole dynamic of the year group has shifted too. It was great to visit Year 11 Mentor Groups and see real friendship and fellowship being extended by continuing students as well as chocolate croissants and muffins being provided to assist the whole process!

Deputy Headmaster

Year 11 students are now studying fewer subjects and they are mainly only studying those that they have selected and one would hope they have chosen those subjects because they enjoy and are good at them. Yes, there is more work to be done, more homework, more assessment tasks but the goal is clear and they realise that there are only a certain number of terms in which to achieve their best.

But the most significant change is the way in which so many have stepped up to show leadership in their Houses, in CoCurricular activities and in the School generally. And, judging by my discussion with all of the new students recently, it’s everyone in the year who has risen to the occasion! Well done Year 11.

Welcome all of our students to Year 11 and welcome parents to a new stage of your child’s life.

Junior School

What is a Learning Community?

Schools often refer to themselves as leaning communities but what does this mean? Often it only means that children learn here. This is such an understatement of what the concept of a learning community should embody and happily nothing like what we are striving for in the Junior School. The concept of community depends on stakeholders all working towards a shared undertaking. In our case it is the education of the children here at TIGS. Our community is made up of many stakeholders, the children, the parents, extended families, teachers, admin staff, support staff, etc. If we are a learning community here in the Junior School then all members have a commitment to learning in this context for themselves and for each other.

In the Junior School we see this played out in many ways; the children are of course working hard and learning each day at School as well as at home with their families.

The involvement of our parents and extended families in Karobran sessions where we discuss learning and pedagogy, has long been a distinctive feature of the Junior School experience and one which demonstrated our parent and family commitment to life-long learning. On Monday our staff participated in one of our regular Professional Development Days, this is a day set aside for teachers to step away from the ‘busyness’ of day to day teachers and be intentional learners together. On Monday the staff in the Junior School learnt about Assessment, the PYP planner, the best way to use Narradan to assist the children in learning and also CPR. I include some photos for the children to know that their teachers were working hard and learning while they were having a long weekend!

Of course the staff here at TIGS have a commitment to being life-long learners and this doesn’t only occur on Professional Development Days.

Judi Nealy

Head of Junior School

The Learner Profile International Baccalaureate learners strive to be: Inquirers, Knowledgable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open Minded, Caring, Risk Takers, Balanced and Reflective.

Mia Mitchell

KP

Payton Leitch

1D

Ruby Moore

1S

Harrison Kiteley

2A

Maximilian Sanzone

3A

Arah Mizori

3Y

Sophie Correa, Cody Nugara

4B

Samuel Shalala, Caitlin Koloski

4R

Sarah Bradley

5S

Marie Russo, Kristopher Saad, Jesse Pupovac, Annaliese Phipps

6C

Georgia Wallace, In Young Jung

6M

Cameron McMillan, Grace Hennessy

JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS

KM

The clue to learning community as a concept is found in the learner profile. What attributes identify and compliment learning? If we share these attributes does this make us a learning community? I believe it does. As students, teachers, parents, admin assistants, canteen helpers, bus drivers we need to all strive to be these things. In the most part I believe we already do and this is why The Illawarra Grammar School is such a great place for children and their learning.

To value staff learning to such an extent that we set aside a day in each busy term for it to happen is a loud and clear signal that TIGS is a Learning Community. All staff left at the end of the day on Monday feeling challenged by what they had learnt, better equipped to do their work well, affirmed in the good work they are already doing and tired! It’s great to connect back with how the children feel at the end of most days!

Do you know what we do at TIGS EXTENDED? There is homework supervision so when children go home they can spend quality time with their parents without the stress of homework. Children enjoy indoor and outdoor games, crafts, drama and dress up’s. There is also time to relax after an eventful day at School or do lots of free choice play and fun.

It is just so easy to see why eveyone has so much fun at TIGS Extended and why they don’t want to go home.

With only 3 weeks until Easter we have now started our EASTER CRAFTS… fun fun fun…

TIGS Extended TIGS EXPO DAY 20 March 2010 10am - 2pm

The Illawarra Grammar School invites and welcomes all members of the community to visit the School and explore the Preparatory, Junior and Senior Schools at the annual TIGS Expo Day.

Mitchell Aitcheson Alumni 2008

This will be a great time to talk to your family and friends about our School and what we have to offer. With Tours, Open Classrooms, Scholarship Information, Performance, Art Displays and the opportunity to meet with teachers and students, discover the advantages of a TIGS education.

Mitchell Aitcheson is performing in the production of ‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS’ Wednesday 17 March to Friday 19 March at the IPAC.

Light refreshments will also be available on the day.

Please click here for more details

The School community of The Illawarra Grammar School looks forward to welcoming you.

Year 7 Camp 2010

In week 2 of term 1, Year 7 went camping at Wedderburn Christian Campsite which is about 45 minutes north of Wollongong.

We spent 2 nights in cabins and 2 nights in tents. There were lots of awesome activities such as pool wrestling, rock climbing, abseiling, archery, flying fox, BMX riding, where some of us fell off our bikes (on purpose) onto the muddy tracks, and a bush walk that ended at a beautiful waterhole.

Camp was a wonderful experience and a great way to get to know each other and learn skills that will stay with us for the rest of our lives!

Claire Bonaccorso and Brenda Tekkol

Uniforms

Curry Drive

Year 7 Winter Uniforms

The Senior School Captains are running a Curry Drive to raise funds for Triple Care Farm. Please click here to download the order form.

Please note that Year 7 students who require a winter uniform should visit the uniform shop for fittings from Week 7 until the end of term.

Uniform Shop Holiday Opening Times

The Uniform Shop will be open on Thursday 15th April, Friday 16th April and Saturday 17th April 9am - 2pm.

Order forms and money can be returned to either Senior School Student Reception or Junior School Reception by the closing date of Monday March 15 2010.

Appointments necessary please phone 42 200 230.

Senior School Sports Cricket

Two outstanding victories Bankstown Grammar.

against

Junior Batting first we were in early trouble at 6-57 but an outstanding innings by Sam Isabella (91) and good support from Matthew Scavarelli (18), Nikhil Verma (25) and Alec Adams (17 n/o) saw us reach 210. A great bowling display by Robert Gyngell (3-7) Alec Adams (2-9) Keiran Devitt (1-11) Matthew Scaverelli (1-7) and Sam Isabella (2-0) combined with excellent fielding saw Bankstown dismissed for only 47.

Senior Bankstown batted first compiling 141 from their 40 overs. Benjamin Toussis (320), Mateya Tomii (4-17) were our main contributors with the ball.

In reply Rahil Verma (89) led us to a comfortable victory, with Jackson Gray (14 n/o) lending valuable support.

NASSA Basketball

Congratulations to Joshua Haddan on making the NASSA basketball team.

Senior School NASSA Swimming Carnival

It has been a long time coming and in 2010 we have finally achieved a goal set six years ago for our TIGS Swim Team.

TIGS has won all shields in the Senior School, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Shield and Overall Shield. To top it off TIGS also won the Junior School Shield.

For the Senior School team we started with our traditional team bus trip up to Sydney Olympic Pool. After Mr. Kinsella opened the championships it was down to business. The team warmed up and we were ready to race under the guidance of Coaches Ron McKeon and Mr. McIlwraith while Mrs. Sharpe was on pool deck organising officials.

The team dominated .................. Click here to read on.

TIGS Touch Football Catholic Carnival

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On Monday 1 March, Mr Chamberlain, Mr Southcombe and Mr Ferguson accompanied the Open, U/15’s and U13’s boys Touch Football teams to Dalton Park to compete in the Wollongong Catholic Diocese Carnival.

U/ 13’s This team performed exceptionally well considering the amount of Year 7 players in the team. Improvement was made in each game and the players started to develop their teamwork and skills as the day progressed. Lachlan Scott and Callum Waldock were outstanding with Samuel Isabella and Samuel Gibbs providing leadership throughout the day. The team achieved excellent results some very .................. ............Click here to read on.

Important message

Pizza Dates on the menu should read 18/March and 1/April 2010

NEW MENU COMING FOR TERMs 3 & 4 For Canteen Menu, Roster Information or Junior School specials, please access the Canteen Link under School Community on the Web Site.

If you would like to join our friendly team please click here to download a canteen volunteer

Monday 15 March

Rose Dragutinovich Susie-Wynn Jones

Tuesday 16 March

Barbara Mandelson

Help Needed

Wednesday 17 March Anne Kelly Alison Mc Kenzie

Thursday 18 March

attention the canteen.

PIZZA DAY Teresa Marzano Alice Martin

Alternatively you can ring the canteen directly on

Friday 19 March

request form and return it to the school,

4220 0241 7am – 2pm or email canteen@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Joanne Elliott Bronwyn Marvell Toni Bolte

Creative Arts Beyond Bundanon

In February this year, 48 of our Preliminary Year students participated in a unique experience where they were asked to meld the art forms of Visual Arts, Music, Photography, Drama and Dance. They learnt about working together collaboratively within an arts setting and they learnt about how to respond to our environment in creative ways.

The Beyond Bundanon Exhibition of Art, Photography, Music and Drama will document their experiences on the Creative Arts Camp as well as reflect some of the work they have produced since this experience.

The TIGS family, particularly the students considering studying these subjects in Years 11 and 12 and their parents, are encouraged to attend the exhibition. The opening night in the IGC is 6pm - 7.30pm or on the following day during Open Day, 10am - 2pm.

Performing Arts Please click here to view the Performing Arts ‘Extra’ Event Time Table and here to view the ‘Re-occurring’ Event time table.

2010 Great Fete Meeting With the planning well underway for this year’s Great Fete we now need to get the community ball rolling to make it the best it can be.

If you are interested in playing a part or would like to know more about the Great Fete please click here or join the TIGS P&F on Wednesday March 17 from 7pm in the Library. Stallholder packs will be handed out at this meeting and we will be discussing any changes from last years fete.

If you are available to help on Fete day Saturday 22 May, 2010 between 7am and 4pm please email pandf@tigs.com.au or return the ‘reply slip’ attached to the bottom of the ‘TIGS News’ document to either Junior School or Senior School reception.

If you have any questions please call Barbara Mandelson 0409 969 044.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news and events that are happening in and around our School, we encourage you to subscribe to the email Newsletter.

Simply visit our website: www.tigs.nsw.edu.au and sign up on the home page.

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