Issue 6 Term II 2012

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NEWSLETTER School Production - The Boyfriend

Year 6 Canberra Excursion

Issue 6 Term II, 2012

Academic • Christian • Caring

The Universal Language A message for Aiden Chilcott (Year 12): The Illawarra Grammar School gives up. We will not try and kill you anymore. Aiden started his TIGS musical career in 2007 as an orphan in Oliver, progressing to a minor role as Bickle in Footloose in 2008.

In 2009 we thought we had got rid of Aiden when he was at the barricades in Les Miserables. As a politically motivated student he took a stand against the forces that oppressed the people in 19th Century France and was shot along with his friends by the troops putting an end to their ‘Revolution’.

Aiden bounced back the following year in the lead role of Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar. How well we remember his powerful portrayal of the confused, emotionally tortured and at times demented betrayer of Jesus. Surely we were all convinced

by Aiden’s suicide?

Not Aiden. In 2011 Aiden returned as Tony in the TIGS production of West Side Story. The dramatic story of Romeo and Juliet set in 1950’s New York and told with some wonderful dancing and singing showed Aiden’s talent at its best. The experience of dying so many times in the previous two musicals was evident as he was convincingly murdered each night.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

In total, Aiden has died 15 times on stage. He is safe this year because he, like all Year 12 students, is excluded from being on stage to allow him to focus undistracted on his HSC assessment tasks and examinations.

This year will be a new experience for him as he will be joining the audience for the 2012 TIGS production of The Boyfriend. The words of Monty Python could not be more apt - “and now for something completely different”.

The Boyfriend is a 1950’s musical set in 1920’s France about ‘perfect young ladies’ at a finishing school dreaming of finding the perfect rich young man. The music, clothing and dancing of the 1920’s, the era of the Charleston, combine to provide a fantastic setting for the farcical, implausible and at times unbelievably old fashioned story line. I expect there will still be tears shed in the audience but this year they will be tears of laughter as the characters of this comedy are brought to life on stage.

One of the great joys of attending a TIGS production each year is watching the development of the students as they progress over the years from the chorus through to the lead roles. This year there are many former juvenile delinquents and girlfriends from the ‘Jets’ and ‘Sharks’ who have progressed to become leads in The Boyfriend. There are also many young performers on stage for their first production and I know there will be many in the audience trying to identify the future stars.

I hope that the TIGS season of The Boyfriend will again be well supported. It inspires the students and encourages the staff. It is particularly suitable for students from the Junior School as it will be light-hearted, entertaining and inspiring as well as giving insight into what is ahead for them when they progress up the hill to the Senior School.

The season opens on Wednesday 13 June and closes on Saturday 16 June. Full details are found in this edition of the Newsletter.

To the 117 members of the Cast (50), Creative Team (12), TIGS Tech Crew (25) and Orchestra (30) we offer our best wishes for this season of The Boyfriend and congratulate them on the effort that has gone into preparing what is set to be another great TIGS production.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Chaplain’s Message

The Heart of Worship

I wonder if you’ve noticed of late that weather forecasts are becoming more reliable. When I was growing up one of the great sports was to poke fun at the weather man (as he usually was back then) who seemed to get his forecasts more wrong than right. That’s not the case today. Take, for example, the inclement weather forecast for this week. On Monday we were told things were going to get pretty nasty on Tuesday afternoon. On Tuesday morning I couldn’t see it. But then, sure enough, things turned decidedly nasty - just as the meteorologists said they would.

While the science of meteorology might be advancing day by day, it is by no means a new science. Weather forecasting has been around for quite a while. It was certainly an acknowledged science in Jesus’ day. We know this because on one occasion Jesus referred to this science in order to deliver one of his trademark challenges to those who sought to test his credentials as God’s anointed deliverer. The reference is Matthew 16.1-4: The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’

You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

What Jesus is saying here is that just as there are indicators which enable us to predict the weather so there are indicators which enable us to identify Jesus as God’s promised deliverer from sin and death. The chief indicator is what Jesus calls here the “sign of Jonah”. This is code for the resurrection. As Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights so Jesus would be in the belly of the earth three days. And as Jonah was delivered from the belly of the fish so Jesus would be delivered from the belly of the earth. And when this happens we can know for sure that he is God’s anointed deliverer.

And it has happened – around two thousand years ago now. We have eyewitness reports. Jesus rose from the dead to assure all he is God’s anointed deliverer from sin and death. While our ability to read the weather might be more sophisticated than ever let’s not overlook our need to read well this all important sign – the “sign of Jonah”. Let’s read this sign well and act accordingly by entrusting ourselves fully to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School

significant Progress

Today’s Kindergarten children will retire in around 2070 – we have no idea what the world will look like in five years much less 60 years. Yet we are charged with preparing our students for life in that world.

We are currently part of a significant milestone in education. This is the development and implementation of a world-class Australian Curriculum that will prepare young people for life in the 21st Century. This curriculum is re-defining the educational goals and in the process reconceptualising the attributes, skills and dispositions young people should expect to develop during their education. This reconceptualisation of the 21st Century learner is set out against a backdrop of unprecedented global change, driven by economic and technological forces and environmental challenges.

21st Century learning focuses on productivity and social inclusion. It is best defined by Peter Hill, the CEO at the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. 21st Century learning emulates: 1. It does not always imply new learning, but learning that is relevant to life and ongoing learning in the 21st Century. By definition, what is relevant is subject to ongoing change.

2. It assumes competence in and increasing reliance on new information technologies for accessing, processing and sharing information.

3. It is about learning in the service of a better world, and about promoting human potential to solve problems, be productive, creative, think deeply about issues and care for others.

4. It is for all and is founded on the notion that all can achieve high standards given sufficient time and support.

The Australian Curriculum is a staged release with English, Mathematics, Science and History due to be released this year.

World-class 21st Century learning is a vital aspiration for our school and one that is widely recognised and supported.

Curriculum work is never complete and certainly never perfect; it is always a work in progress. However, right now we have a unique window of opportunity to make significant progress.

Melina Sangster Director of Teaching and Learning

Junior School One of the reasons parents send their children to TIGS is because of the opportunities afforded to them at our School. Our families know that a great education goes beyond what happens in the classroom. This week there have been many opportunities either beginning or occurring for our students.

Responsible Pet Ownership visitor for infants children, Excursions, G&T camp applications for Years 5 and 6, Specialist in Residence Camp, Drama Club, Art from the Heart, Sport, Music. The list just goes on and on. Added to this list is a new opportunity for children aged between 9 and 16 years of age to participate in Lego Robotics. There will be a full day workshop in the first week of the holidays, followed by weekly sessions all building towards participating in the regional Lego Robotics Championships. The instructor providing this opportunity for our children participated last year and sent a team to the National Championships in Sydney and also to the International Championships. A flyer is attached to the newsletter. Please consider whether your child would benefit from this opportunity. Places will be limited, so you will need to express your interest by phoning the number provided.

Now to the more mundane matters of wet weather and lost property. I must congratulate our School community on how we have all coped with the challenging weather this week, particularly at dismissal time. The children have listened well, moved quickly to the car line and have stayed Head of Junior School for the most part dry. Parents, thank you for your consideration and cooperation in making our car line safe and efficient. Can I remind all, students and their parents that wet weather gear is a necessity for the next two terms. It is very unpleasant to move around our campus without adequate wet weather protection and umbrellas are not permitted for student use. Good old fashioned yellow raincoats are effective and safe so please make sure every child has one packed in their bag.

Judi Nealy

For some reason wet weather seems to provide the optimal conditions for growth…. on the lost property table that is! I was astounded this week as I sorted through this table of the quantity of items without names that we could not return to their owners. Please take a minute this weekend to check every item that comes to school for the appropriate name. This week I discovered a named item on the table, the name however belonged to a student currently in the Senior School and who definitely would not be wearing a size 7 jumper! It is a great thing to pass down items that are no longer useful, but when you inherit a jumper, blazer, tracksuit, please make sure that you have the correct name on it so we can return it to you when it is misplaced.

Dates for your diary: • • • •

Wednesday 13 June 10.30am-11.30am – IT Coffee & Chat Day Session Thursday 14 June 3.30pm-4.00pm – Parent Training Session Thursday 14 June 4.00pm-5.00pm – IT Coffee and Chat Afternoon Session Thursday 14 June 5.00pm-6.00pm – Karobran Term II Meeting

Please note: All of the above events will be held in the Goodhew Centre (Library)

Class Awards KB KD KM 1C 1W 2A 2P 2R 4W 5N 6T 6W 6Y

Merit Certificates

Harry Borbilas Laila Kumar, Teerth Khanna Aika Hammond Luke Jansen, Jessica Llewellin Nicole Russo Georgie Lancaster, Georgia Dolan, James Brewer Rubey Williams Harry Jenner Aaron Ylias Euan Christopher, Zoe Mandziy Ben Giason Olivia Varmedja, Isabella Atkinson, Daniel Aghmesheh Taylan Arapali Cooper Kerridge Alana Newhouse Kyah Dema, Andrew Brown, Ben Giason, Alana Newhouse Polly Powell Nathan Bridge, Thomas Main, Aaron Ylias Ethan Brunskill, Daniel Tubman Abbey Hosking, Miles Denison-Pender, Isabella Sandy, Morgan Jackson, Harry Sanzone Justus Bacic-Johnston, Deniz Celik Aika Hammond, Byron Leitch, Anish Abey, Thomas Bannigan, Samuel Okely, Rubey Williams, Celeste Bonnaccorso

NSW Parents’ Council Awards for Excellence We are pleased to share with you that Kay and Brian Baird have been short listed as one of our three finalists in the NSW Parents’ Council’s Awards for Excellence. Congratulations!

The winner will be announced at the 50th State Conference/AGM & Awards for Excellence, on Friday 15 June 2012.

We wish Kay and Brian all the best at this event.

Canteen News Roster Week 8

Monday 11 June Public Holiday

Tuesday 12 June Help Needed

Wednesday 13 June Heather Rugg Nicole Anastas Pam Parkinson

Thursday 14 June Vanessa Cross Assunta Disibio

Friday 15 June Bronwyn Marvell Melanie Smith

TIGS Uniform Shop Holiday Opening Times The Uniform Shop will be open during school holidays on the following two days: Friday 13 July 9.00am - 2.00pm Saturday 14 July 9.00am - 2.00pm

Apprenticeships & Traineeships Information Sessions What do employers want?

Where do I find the jobs?

How can I give myself the best chance of getting one?

Strategies and Resources Hear from and talk to Employers, Current Apprentices, Group Training Companies, TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Australian Apprenticeship Centres and NSW Dept of Education and Communities.

When and Where

Wollongong Master Builders Club Monday 18 June 2012 6.00pm – 7.30pm

Bookings

Phone: Email:

The Shellharbour Club Tuesday 19 June 2012 6.00pm – 7.30pm

(02) 4225 2526 info@iswlp.org.au

Holiday Study Blitz Study courses are being held at the School during the Winter school holidays for any student from Years 7 - 12.

The courses being run are: Study Skills and Strategies - Years 7 - 9 Senior Study Skills and 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.

Senior School Sport Senior School Athletics Carnival The Senior School Athletics Carnival is on Thursday 21 June at the Kerryn McCann Athletics Field.

Holiday Tennis Parker’s school holiday tennis clinic at Wests Illawarra, Unanderra

It is a compulsory school event where all students compete for their House to claim the Inter-House Athletics Trophy.

Results from this event go towards the Shell Shield. House shirt and school sport shorts must be worn by all students at this event. If a student cannot participate it is important for them to come along and help with the various jobs that need to be done and assist their house patrons.

DATE: Monday 9 July 2012 to Wednesday 11 July 2012 TIME: 9.00am – 12.00pm COST: $60.00 (Ages 4-14 years)

Students may make their own way to the venue. Supervision will be available from 8.15am at the track. Buses will also run from the School down to Beaton Park from Western Avenue at 8.30am. The carnival is expected to finish at 3.00pm and all students must stay for the duration of the day. The Senior School athletics program is available for download on Narradan. If the weather looks inclement please listen to 96.5 Wave FM for cancellations.

Email: arparker@bigpond.net.au

Bookings are Essential For more information call: Andrew on 0407 029 731

The Illawarra Grammar School proudly presents

The

Boyfriend Click Here to Book Now!

Show Times 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.00pm 7.30pm

Wednesday June Thursday June Friday June Saturday June Saturday June

13 14 15 16 16

TICKETS $10

School Aged Students

$20 Adult

Tickets available for purchase online via the TIGS Website

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

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