Issue 5 Term III 2012

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NEWSLETTER

Headmaster’s Message Chaplain’s Message Head of Junior School

Year 6 Canberra Excursion

Year 2 learning about Japan and the Kimono

Academic • Christian • Caring

Issue 5 Term III, 2012

Not Just a Sunny Day The recent run of warmer weather and the hope of spring help us forget the long cold winter. The weather has a remarkable impact on children and their state of wellbeing and happiness. Today has been a very windy day and teachers, particularly in the Junior School, know that after lunch the children will be particularly unsettled and difficult to get focussed on learning.

The link between weather and the behaviour of children has been the subject of many academic studies. One researcher suggests that it is a change in the ion content of the air that causes a range of unusual and sometimes unwanted behaviours in children.

Teachers and parents know from experience what to expect without testing the ions in the atmosphere. We know that when the weather has been wet and miserable and children are confined to the indoors, especially over several days, then strategies that allow the children’s pent-up energy to be released in a socially acceptable way are essential.

One of the defining characteristics of modern society is that children are increasingly less involved in unstructured, active play, not because the weather is worse but because children have their time organised by adults. There are perfectly good reasons for this, not the least of which is the issue of child safety. The consequence, however, is that children are not receiving the benefits of unstructured ‘play’ time, a similar effect to a stretch of bad weather that restricts activity away from the close supervision of adults.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Researchers have identified some of the benefits that flow from children being involved in active, unstructured by adults, play time: • Play keeps the doctor away. Play keeps children moving and active, maintaining fitness and a healthy body weight.

• Play bolsters emotional health by helping children overcome insecurities and gain confidence. When children take risks and overcome challenges in their pretend worlds (dolls, LEGO, games, role plays), they learn skills to overcome real world challenges.

• Play improves mental health. Laughter and play are healthy ways to minimise stress, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and illness. Children and teens with healthy outlets for active play also learn to manage their energy and emotions more effectively.

• Play actually helps the brain grow. The more experiences a child has, the more connections (synapses) the brain cells will make. The more connections, the more effectively the brain works.

• Play reduces violence by helping children practise and refine social skills. As children learn to resolve conflicts, persuade teammates, and play fair in their game-time, they are learning valuable skills to reduce aggression in schools, sports and families.

Driving children to school, encouraging involvement in team sports, music lessons, physical culture club, scouts, craft groups and the many other activities that are available can enrich the development of children into wellrounded adults. Of equal importance are the instructions ‘go outside and play’.

Our Year 12 students have commenced some of their HSC assessments with examiners from the Board of Studies on campus over the next few weeks assessing performances and major works. We wish our students well and hope they are rewarded for all their hard work.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Chaplain’s Message

A Tale of Two Cities

I have enjoyed over the past week or so a wealth of Professional Development. First, there was a four day Anglican Schools’ Association conference in Sydney - the theme was ‘Renewing Minds, Changing Lives’. This was followed on Monday by our own Staff Professional Development Day with Mark Treadwell - the topic was ‘The Future of Learning’. Finally, on Tuesday I met up with Ruby Holland from the Anglican Education Commission at Broughton Anglican College. Ruby facilitated a meeting with Chaplains and English Teachers from four Anglican Schools to seek to make some ground in the practice of teaching English from a Christian perspective. We were represented at that meeting by our English Faculty Head, Andrew Rout and our English/Christian Studies Teacher, Kate Stanton. As enriching as our Staff Professional Development Day was (and it was!) I want to comment on the Anglican Schools’ Conference and the meeting at Broughton College.

There was much at the Anglican Schools’ Association Conference that thrilled me, instructed me and challenged me. I am richer for the experience. There was one minor component, however, which troubled me. In one of the seminars, three Heads from other Anglican Schools said with one voice that the practice of teaching subjects from a Christian perspective was at best flawed and at worst foolish. I was shocked to hear this as I believe (with our School’s strategic mission) that it is not only mandated by Christ but necessary for a penetrating and illuminating education.

Rev James Rogers

Chaplain Still reeling somewhat from this interchange I attended the meeting at Broughton College on Tuesday. Our aim was to engage with a short story by Brian Caswell with a view to teaching it from a Christian Perspective. In other words, we met to do what some say cannot and should not be done. I must say that this session proved to be one of the most thrilling few hours I have had as an educator. The insight and understanding that the Bible brought to a communal reading of this short story was staggering. This had to do with the professional expertise of the English teachers present (and I must say our TIGS staff really did shine!) as well as the fact that all were convinced that to view all things from a Christian perspective is wholly legitimate. Not only did I grow in my understanding and appreciation of the short story, reading this story from a Christian perspective proved to be a catalyst for a richer and deeper understanding of life as God sees it and I experience it.

I think more than anything the session on Tuesday at Broughton College was the best answer to those who maintain that to teach from a Christian perspective could and should not be done. I say it can be done; it must be done; and it is being done with great profit. Long may it continue to be done! And long may we be involved in such a significant undertaking.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Invitation

‘The Works’ Exhibition 2012

An inspiring exhibition of the collaboration and artistic endeavours of our HSC students, current and past teachers, students, parents and friends of TIGS. A major fundraiser for TIGS Foundation Scholarships.

Friday 24 August 2012 6.00pm - 7.00pm 7.00pm - 9.00pm

The Works 2012 VIP Preview Official Opening

Saturday 25 August 2012 10.00am - 4.00pm

Junior School

Cooperation and Independence

This week let’s take a closer look at the attitudes of cooperation and independence.

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend a training session in Melbourne with Michael Grose and several other wonderful presenters. The theme was building positive relationships and parenting. I was amazed at how often the IB attitudes that we are discussing this term were highlighted as important as we assist our children in growing into adults of potential and influence.

The quote that resonated with me from this conference and that I would like to share with our community is from Michael Grose, ‘never do for your children what they can reasonably do for themselves.’ This is not about less work for parents and indeed teachers, but instead stressing the importance of the link between competence and confidence. Children and adults are most confident when they know that they have high levels of competence.

What does this means for our children? It means that the attitude of independence will develop as we allow children to do for themselves what is reasonable. In Kindergarten it means packing and unpacking your own bag, in Year 3 it means being responsible for your own homework, in Year 6 it means making your own lunch. Independence is an attitude that needs underlying competencies or skills. The significant adults in our children’s lives need to teach the skills, watch Judi Nealy and assist, then step back and allow our children to do reasonable things for themselves. That Head of Junior School way we have the time and ability to teach the next set of skills. Cooperation is another important attitude for our children and one that doesn’t always come naturally. It is a way of approaching a task, not a task in itself. Cooperation can be beautifully taught and practiced at home as well as at School. Let’s focus on developing our skills and awareness of independence and cooperation this week across our School and even further afield.

Dates for your diary: • • • • •

Tuesday 28 August – Prep 2 day, Stage 3 and Stage 2 Father’s Day Stall Friday 31 August – Father’s Day Breakfast Friday 31 August – Prep 3 day and Kinder – Year 2 Father’s Day Stall Tuesday 4 September and Thursday 6 September – IT Coffee and Chat Sessions Thursday 20 September – Big Day In

Weekly Awards

Merit Certificates

KB

Chloe Jackson, Lillian Glover

KD

Lilli Fellows, Bhargav Jagarlamudi

KM

Adil Qureshi, James Brewer, Mia Taylor

1C

Chloe Shadler

1M

Ava Baxa, Oberon Bridge

2P

Payton Leitch

Isabella Atkinson – Academic Lina Lee – Academic Anika Rindani – Academic Aya Naito – Academic Mia Mitchell – Personal Presentation Harry Borbilas – Service Sophie Santos – Service Charlotte Atkinson – Service Nathan Molnar – Service

3M Harrison Webb, Olivia Barber, Alexandria Gunther 5N

Evelyn Parrish, Gianluca Fierravanti

5S

William Young, Belle Kolodziej, Georgia Webb

6W

Mitchell Main, Riley Cross, Lucy Chester-Crowe

P & F News Year 2 Mums Lunch

All Year 2 mums are invited to lunch at Rock Salt (formerley Dunes) at 11.30am on Friday 7 September.

A great chance to get together and meet new faces.

RSVP Julie Chiaverini on 0414 491381.

Senior School Sport Christian Schools Primary and Senior Schools State Gymnastics Competition

TIGS entered three students in the CSSA Gymnastics at Five Dock Leisure Centre.

All students performed brilliantly and their behaviour was commendable.

Zaccary Ashby Abell (Year 7) – Level 4 combined Primary and Secondary comp – 1st on rings, 1st on pommel, 2nd on high bars, 2nd on floor, 3rd on vault and 4th on parallel bars and 2nd overall.

Aydin Serefli (Year 7) – Level 5 combined Primary and Secondary comp – 1st on rings, 1st on pommel, 1st on vault, 2nd on high bars, 2nd on parallel bars, 2nd on floor and 2nd overall.

Elise Serefli (Year 9) – 1st on vault, 2nd on beam and 2nd on the bars.

Congratulations on these great results.

State Futsal Championships The U14 Boys and Girls teams competed at the Futsal State Championships at Penrith on Wednesday 8 August. The boys played exceptionally well against some strong opposition to win their pool, followed by their quarter final, only to be defeated 5-4 by the winners of the tournament. The team consisted of Luke Bussoletti, Sam Chapple, Kieran Devitt, Benjamin Goodhew, Steve Hristovski, Michael Ledwidge, Alistair Martin, Alexander Morlando.

The girls were grouped in a very strong pool and, although they played with commitment, were unable to progress.

The team consisted of Zoe Correa, Rosemary Davis, Lucy Donovan, Phoebe Fraser, Maria Kyrakoudes, Kimberly McEwan, Tessa McMillan, Timia Osman.

TIGS Netball Club Congratulations to the Intermediate TIGS Diamonds and U/11 TIGS Sapphires who have played their way into the semi-finals this weekend at Fred Finch Park, Berkeley.

Year 7/8 All Schools Touch Football Carnival On Wednesday 15 August Year 7 and 8 boys and girls competed in the Illawarra All Schools Touch Football carnival. All Schools carnivals bring together schools from public, private and Catholic schools and as such the standard is very high.

Intermediate TIGS Diamonds v Southern Suburbs, Court 1 at 12noon.

U/11 TIGS Sapphires v Woonona, Court 15 at 8.30am.

The TIGS community are encouraged to come along and support the girls this weekend.

Barkley College Show Jumping Interschool

The boys played five matches with mixed results. Three wins and two losses were not enough for them to progress through to the final. Performances from Christian Kyriakou and Matthew Galanti were worthy of mention.

The girls played four games in the round robin format and although suffering a heavy defeat at the hand of Holy Spirit, who were the eventual winners, were able to beat Kiama High, Illawarra Sports High and Oak Flats High to advance into the semi-finals. In the finals the girls met Keira High and led the game 1-nil early but were unable to hang on and lost 2-1. The girls are to be commended on their efforts, with the performances of Jacqui Connor and Brittony Smallhorn outstanding.

Mr Ferguson would like to congratulate all the players involved on the day for the manner in which they represented TIGS on and off the field.

Lauren O’Neill (Year 9) and her horse Hayden competing at Barkley College Show Jumping Interschool competition last Saturday.

Lauren rode extremely well and placed top of the competition in the 105-110cm classes, 3rd in Take Your Own Line - a course on time 3rd in AM7 - which is over a course to go clear, then a second course on time and larger jumps 6th in Power and Speed - a course of maximum height jumps for half the course and the second half on time.

Canteen News Roster Week 7 Term III Monday 27 August Sonja Forte Julie Chiaverini

Tuesday 28 August Rose Dragutinovich Lauren Cunio

Wednesday 29 August Zina Ainsworth Wendy Gray Spence

Thursday 30 August

Friday 31 August Lynda Webb Clare Barber

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