Issue 6 Term II, 2010

NEWSLETTER

jesus christ

Headmaster’s Message Agents for Change Head of Senior School Head of Junior School Chaplain Issue 6 Term II, 2010

Academic • Christian • Caring

Agents for Change “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’” (Martin Luther King Jr) The story of the good Samaritan is a familiar one that is often used to question our values and priorities. It would seem that the priest and the Levite made the decision not to help the injured man on the basis of their own personal interests and would therefore fit easily into our modern world.

In 21st century Australia we are constantly being enticed by the core values of capitalism: self-interest and the accumulation of wealth. We are told through the media that we “can have it all now” with “nothing to pay until 2012” and that “we deserve a break”. It is refreshing to observe that our children are questioning these values and are increasingly looking for opportunities to act in the interest of others.

Students at TIGS engage in a planned program of service-learning that commences in the youngest years and builds through to Year 12. This commitment is embedded in our Statement of Mission and Values which says: “By modelling servant leadership, promoting service and embedding the concept of stewardship in the School’s programs, students receive guidance and practical experience in living a life that is faithful to the teachings of Christ.”

In the Junior School, under the umbrella of the PYP, service-learning experiences for children occur in three ways: student initiated, school/teacher initiated and curriculum initiated activities. Students are required to respond to their learning experiences though ‘action’. Students, both individually and collaboratively, devise ways of expressing the understandings they have from their learning.

This often shows itself in activities that are focussed on the needs of others and the ‘common good’.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Australian research (Eckersley 2007) when examining the attitudes of students predicts a gloomy future where “young people’s perceptions and expectations of the world will become more significant this century as visions of the future are increasingly shaped by the frequency, immediacy and vividness of the images of global threat and disaster to which they are exposed: earthquakes, severe storms and floods, terrorist attacks, genocide, famine.” Eckersley calls for young people to be given the opportunities and means to deal constructively and creatively with these images and the challenges they represent.

It is important that our children are not left with a sense of hopelessness at the enormity of the challenges they face. Students can do little to reduce depletion of the world’s resources but they can take steps to recycle their own waste. Similarly they can do little to prevent civil war and persecution but they can help refugees assimilate into our community.

Our aim as a School is to empower students to be agents for change in their own community. Through the experience of service that is connected to real people and real issues, students learn that they are not helpless and that they can make a difference in the lives of others and for the ‘common good’. (See the letter Mrs Nealy received from Molly on Page 4) These powerful learning experiences are not limited to students studying under the PYP in the Junior School. Currently there are four students competing in the USA in the ‘Community Problem Solving’ competition, a division of Future Problem Solving (FPS).

The School has a proud tradition of success in this world-wide competition having won the world title on five previous occasions.

The local problem our FPS team identified concerns the many people, particularly tourists and refugees, that drown on our local beaches. In addressing this problem they have implemented a number of strategies: assisted disabled swimmers at the Gerroa Surfing Day; provided a Surf Safety education lesson for International students at TIGS and for refugee children at the Wollongong Library; organised a stall distributing sunscreen at Wollongong Beach; designed a Surf Safe website: safe-shorelines.webnode. com; published a Surf Safe Brochure.

We wish our FPS team, Katrina McMahon, Renate Kunz, Olivia Wallace and Cara Feldtman every success in the USA. Service-learning is an integral part of a TIGS education and is embedded in the Christian Beliefs and Values that underpin our School. It equips our students to “act with wisdom, compassion and justice” enabling our students to act for the ‘common good’.

To paraphrase the words of Luther, “If our children don’t stop and help, what will happen”?

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Eckersley, R (2007) Human Potential and Young People Report http://www.australia21.org.au/youth.htm

Chaplain’s Connection An African proverb states, “The one who asks questions doesn’t lose his way.” It clearly wasn’t made up by a real man, as we all know real men wouldn’t dream of asking for directions!

The fact is, of course, that we all need directions from time to time. We all get lost, or find we don’t have the answers, or don’t understand what is happening. And it is not always best to just keep a stiff upper lip and grin and bear it on your own. Hard as it may be for us sometimes to admit that we don’t have all the answers, it can be helpful for us to ask our questions and express our doubts.

When I read the Psalms in the Bible, this is one thing that strikes me: the Psalmist (more often than not King David) is quite open in expressing his fears, uncertainties and questions to God. Consider these examples: “My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?” (Psalm 6:3) A question of eagerness to see God’s plan accomplished.

“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4) A question of awe that God even cares about sinful man.

“Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1) A question that reveals a longing for God’s presence.

“Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1). The ultimate question of who is worthy to enter the presence of God. David had some tough questions for God. He had discovered what it was like to lose his way when he excluded God and followed his own sinful path. I’m sure he wasn’t alone in that.

John Reed Chaplain

But as he penned the Psalms, he was a man in search of godliness, which meant he probed God’s mind about difficult subjects. He expressed his confusion, and asked his questions. And in the process he found many answers.

It may be that we too have questions. Sometimes, like ‘real men’ we are afraid to ask for direction. But often that’s exactly what we need to do.

It’s good to have questions, but it’s even better to search for God’s answers.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Senior School

Synchronicity

Last week I mentioned how important it was to aspire to one’s personal best. Just after I had written the Newsletter article I learned about recent research by Professor Andrew Martin and Gregory Lim from Sydney University published in the international journal Learning and Individual Differences which confirmed that same message. “The study of 1866 Australian High School students found that students who strive to improve their personal best performance were more likely to achieve higher literacy and numeracy standards, complete their homework and participate in class. They were also more likely to have higher academic aspirations and be more persistent with their studies.”

At Assembly this week Miles Waring, the School’s Vice Captain explained his philosophy which he has applied in both training for NASSA Cross Country - which he has won five years in a row – and in his school work. He aims to train and strive to do better each time; to have a personal goal in mind and to set priorities in apportioning time to these training tasks. This was summed up in Professor Martin and Lim’s findings as “to compete with yourself and your previous best, more than competing with others.” They continued to explain: “We know from our research that the more you focus on (attempting to beat others) the lower your self esteem and the more anxious you can become, and so personal bests are a great way to avoid that happening while performing well in competitive conditions.”

Monica Watt

Deputy Headmaster

In this world of comparative media hype and comparisons between schools it is good to remember that “real educational progress occurs at the individual student level.” In an interesting metaphor the researchers explain that that is where “the rubber hits the road.” At this time of assessment, reporting and parent/teacher interviews it is good to remember this critical element in educational attainment.

Junior School Service Learning in the Junior School

Service learning opportunities occur on several levels in the Junior School. Student initiated, School/teacher initiated and curriculum initiated.

Student Initiated

My diary is routinely filled with appointments with students to discuss fund raising or awareness raising for a particular charity or issue. They prepare a detailed proposal which is reviewed and approved by the School Chaplain and myself. While these events usually raise small amounts of money they are valuable learning experiences for the children building on their self image as potent and capable in their world.

This is a growing trend in the Junior School and the formalisation of the process has added a dimension for the children where they feel that their efforts are recognised as important and seriously considered. It is wonderful to see them building skills in so many areas and beginning to look beyond the “gold coin donation” option to awareness raising programs.

Please see a letter from Molly Parrish in Year 1 as an excellent example of student initiative.

Judi Nealy

Head of Junior School

School/ Teacher Initiated

The Junior School supports Operation Christmas Child as its main service opportunity. We ask the children to collect and donate items to fill shoe boxes that are taken overseas. This experience allows our young children to connect in a developmentally appropriate way to the issue of wealth distribution and our obligation as a community of plenty. This initiative also involves our parent community with packing days to organise the items and present them beautifully before they are shipped overseas. It is a unifying activity for the whole Junior School community.

Curriculum Initiated

In the PYP it is believed that education must extend beyond the intellectual to include not only socially responsible attitudes but also thoughtful and appropriate action. An explicit expectation of the PYP is that successful inquiry will lead to responsible action initiated by the student as a result of the learning process. This action will extend the student’s learning or it may have a wider social impact and will clearly look different within each age range. PYP schools offer all learners the opportunity and the power to choose to act, to decide on their actions and to reflect on these actions in order to make a difference in and to the world.

The action component of the PYP can involve service in the widest sense of the word: service to fellow students and to the larger community, both in and outside the School. Through such service students are able to grow both personally and socially, developing skills such as cooperation, problem solving, conflict resolution and creative and critical thinking.

Moreover these actions are ways in which the students exhibit their commitment to the attributes of the learner profile and the attitudes that we seek to engender within the PYP classroom.

The PYP curriculum includes Knowledge, Concepts, Skills, Attitudes and Action. The Action component is the most powerful provider of service learning opportunities that are directly linked to the learning taking place. In the learning cycle students are encouraged to take appropriate action in the area of inquiry being undertaken. For example a student learning about the water cycle and conservation might take appropriate action in Year 1 by collecting shower water for the vegetable garden. While a student in Year 6 recently investigated the effects of asbestos and took action by designing a flyer for people undertaking home renovation to alert them to the potential dangers they face. Action allows the students to demonstrate deeper learning through responsible behaviour and action.

It is very pleasing to see and hear of our young students in the Junior School firstly being aware of their place as an agent of change in the world and secondly being confident and able to take action.

Junior School Sports TIGS JUNIOR SCHOOL NETBALL RESULTS from Saturday 29 May Under 8’S TIGS Pearls v Dapto Dingoes/ won 9-4 Under 9’s TIGS Sapphires v Meadow Twinkles/ lost 29-2 Under 10’s TIGs Sparkles v Helensburgh/ won 16-6 Under 11’s TIGS Crystals v SPX Funky Monkeys/ lost 7-6 Under 11’s TIGS Diamonds v SS Roadrunners/ won 47-10 Under 12’s TIGS Eliminators v Woonona Phoenix/ lost 29-2

TIGS EXTENDED

TIGS Extended is an “approved” Childcare Service and ALL parents are eligible for the TAX Rebate Scheme - 50% of out of pocket childcare expenses.

TIGS Extended is a fun, relaxed, safe and caring environment. A place where everyone feels welcome and is valued and respected regardless of gender, ability, race, religion or cultural background. At TIGS Extended we value the importance of middle childhood. The environment is a secure and special place that children can come to relax, feel safe and have fun.

Our philosophy centres on the belief that childhood is a special time; a time in which play contributes significantly to development where the opportunity to form friendships, learn social skills, create, discover and experience fun and enjoyment in their time out of school is the right of every child; and throughout this special time each child should be valued and acknowledged for those aspects of character that make them unique … their virtues.

JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS

KP

Isaac Saffoury

2A

Francis Mau

KH

Jade Hyde, Benjamin Lu, Nathan Molnar

3Y

Michael Kyriakoudes

4B

Harry Borbilas

KM

Jordan McRae

4R

Jonty Swainson

1S

Dylan Barneaude, Chealsie Hynds

5/6W David Perri, Hannah Reveley

Farrah Al-Salih

5R

2Y

Julian Tsiamis,

Angus Day

6M

Lauren Tillotson, Samantha Schiodtz, Mackenzie Roberts, Christopher Reader, Sally Briggs

6C

Akash Rajpal, Joshua Kinnear

Due to circumstances beyond our control, Gluten

Monday 7 June

Free Meat Pies are no longer available.

Jenner – Dennis & Tracey Fulton

Tuesday 8 June

Coming Soon TO THE CANTEEN An on-line ordering system Details will be sent home within the next few weeks

Jan Scott Help Needed

Wednesday 9 June

Heather Rugg, Nichole Anastas & Pam Parkinson

Thursday 10 June

The new menu for Terms II and III can be

Vanessa Cross & Assunta Disibio Jnr Sch Athletics Carnival

found on the School’s web site, please check for new specials and price changes.

Friday 11 June Pupil Free Day

Senior School Sports Selection Successes Hockey

Congratulations to Tegan Richards (Year 10) for her selection in the NSW All Schools U/16 girls Hockey Team. She will play in the Australian Championships later this year in Perth.

Rugby League

Last weekend two students attended the CIS Rugby League Squad training camp in Sydney for three days. After an exhausting weekend both Benjamin Toussis ( Year 12) and Ryan O’Connor ( Year 12) were selected in the NSW CIS Rugby League Team for 2010.

Congratulations to both boys on this achievement.

Rugby Union

Congratulations to James Needham (Year 10) for his selection in the AICES Rugby Union Team for 2010.

NASSA Cross Country Results

Last week we acknowledged the students who were successful in making the NASSA Cross Country Team to run at the NSWCIS Cross Country. One student was omitted from the results.

Congratulations to Zac McLaren for coming first in the 12 years boys age group.

TIGS Uni Rugby Round 5 Results

U8’s Camden 30 v TIGS/UNI 15: Tries Darcey Stone 2, Oscar Tilden 1

School Production

Hurry Limited Seating Available Jesus Christ Superstar - Tickets Now On Sale Performance Times: • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Saturday

16 June 2010 17 June 2010 18 June 2010 19 June 2010

19 June 2010

7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.00pm 7.30pm

Adults $20 - Students/Concessions $10 Tickets available from TIGS reception phone 4220 0200

U11’s Camden 15 v TIGS/UNI 17: Tries - Bailey Lamb 2, Flyn Kilby 1.

Conversion Jack Faulks 1. Special thanks to all the u10’s players who stepped up to play U12’s Camden 5 v TIGS/UNI 26: Tries - Illia Ajdari 1, Angus Malolouf 2, Jack Mackenzie-Wood 1. Conversions - Harrison Pearce 3 U16’s Shoalhaven 49 v TIGS/UNI-Vikings 19: Tries - Jake Palermo 2, Robert Webb 1.

Conversions - Daniel Jurd 2

Cancer Council The Year 7/8 honours students held a monster cup cake stall to support the Cancer Council on Tuesday 1 June and raised $650. A very big thank you needs to go out to all who supported the stall.

On Tuesday 25 May many TIGS parents supported the TIGS Biggest Morning Tea held at Piato Grand. Thank you to all those parents who also supported this event with a special thank going out to Mary Shalala for all her hard work.

Tours of Rees Hall Please join us for a tour of the new Junior School building, Rees Hall On Wednesday 9 June.

Tour 1 - 10.00am to 11.00am Tour 2 - 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

Tours will be leaving from the Junior School breeze way approximately 10 minutes prior to scheduled tour time.

Look forward to seeing you then.

U9’s Camden 20 v TIGS/UNI 40: Tries - Austin Pallone 5, Luca Fierravanti 3, Zachary Winter 1, Blake Barkley 1

Casual help needed We are seeking expressions of interest from suitably skilled people to assist on a casual basis with the afternoon car park management in the Junior School.

For more information please contact Natalie Moore in the Headmasters Office by phone on 4220 0200 or email nmoore@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Narradan What’s Narradan?

It’s a student portal where teachers upload resources for their students to assist their study online.

Students can access it from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. So, even when students are away from school or on holiday during the school term, they can gain access to class work and catch up or continue with work that has been set for them.

How do you access Narradan?

Go to the TIGS website (http://www.tigs.nsw.edu.au) and click Student Portal (Narradan). It is often better to use Firefox not Internet Explorer.

How do you log in?

It is the same as your log in to the school computers. If your password does not seem to be working, please go to the library and ask Mrs. Pollum to change your password. If you have any technical issues about using Narradan, please talk to your class teacher and they will try to sort it out.

You should see all your courses and extra curricular activities that you participate in on your page once you successfully log in. Useful resources should be there for each subject.

Permission notes

Click “Notes” on the first page after logging on for your excursion notifications. Assessment Task Notifications can also be found on Narradan so if you have lost them or you were away, you can still get access to them.

Are you checking your school email?

When your teacher posts a notice on the news forum on Narradan, the message will be sent to your school email address.

You could be missing out on some important messages from your teachers so check it now!!

Your school username@tigs.com.au For students to keep up to date with all their subjects it is essential that they check Narradan and their school email regularly.

Winter Holiday Study Blitz

Uniform Notice The Uniform Shop will be open 10.00am – 2.00pm on: •

Thursday 15 July

•

Friday 16 July

•

Saturday 17 of July No appointments necessary

Study courses are being held at the School during the winter school holidays for any student from Years 7 to 12.

The courses being run are: Study Skills & Strategies - Years 7 - 9 Senior Study Skills & Strategies - Years 10 - 12 Essay Skills - Years 10 - 12 Advanced Reading Skills - Years 10 - 12 Please click here for more information and to download your enrolment form.

TIGS Foundation

Annual General Meeting

The TIGS Foundation will hold its Annual General Meeting Date: Tuesday June 15, 2010 Venue: School Boardroom Time: 6pm Parents & interested members of the school community are invited to attend.

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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