Issue 7 Term I 2015

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

ISSUE 7

TERM I 2015 Senior School TIGS ArtsFest

Headmaster IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ABSENCE PROCEDURES The NSW Minister for Education has changed the way schools must process student absences. These changes will bring uniformity across Australia and are based in the ACARA National Standards for Student Attendance Data Reporting.

d. The power to approve/not approve leave was not sought by the School but has been provided by the legislation. Student absences in term time are not a common occurrence at TIGS. Nevertheless, the school is required to implement this new procedure.

All schools are required to implement these changes.

All School families will shortly receive a letter from the School that details these changes and provides advice on how parents are able to comply with the new requirements.

There are three main areas where parents are required to follow new procedures: 1.

Absence during the School Term

Under the new legislation, parents or carers must provide an explanation within seven (7) days of the occurrence of an absence. If the explanation is not received within 7 days or the Headmaster does not accept the explanation, the absence will be recorded on the student’s report as ‘unexplained/unjustified leave’. Parents are able to explain a student absence by: • • •

2.

Replying to the SMS message sent by the School Through Edumate Completing a ‘Notification of Student’s Absences’ form.

3.

Term

Regular scheduled absences during the School

Students requiring leave to regularly attend activities outside of the School, such as participation in elite sport or music programmes or exceptional family circumstances, are now required to: a. Complete and submit to the Headmaster an ‘Application for Exemption from Attendance at School’ form available on OLLE. Email messages or letters are not acceptable under the new legislation. b. If the Headmaster approves the absence, the School will issue a ‘Certificate of Exemption from Attendance at School’ which the student is required to have available while absent from School.

These requirements may appear to be onerous and bureaucratic to some. However, the legislation requires that all student absences be accounted for using these new procedures. Please contact the School office if clarification of the procedures is required.

Holidays taken during the School Term.

The School recommends that parents do not take their children out of school during term time. Should a student be required by parents to be absent from school during term time for the purpose of travel or holiday then parents are now required to: a. Complete and submit to the Headmaster an ‘Application for Leave Form’ available on OLLE. Email messages or letters are not sufficient under the new legislation. b. If the Headmaster accepts the reason for the absence then approval will be given and the absence will be recorded as approved ‘Leave’. A ‘Certificate of Extended Leave-Vacation/Travel’ will be issued by the School. c. If the Headmaster does not believe the absence is in the best interest of the student then approval will not be given. If the student is then absent without approval, the absence will be recorded on the student’s report as ‘unexplained/unjustified leave’.

Congratulations to our swimmers who represented TIGS at the NASSA Swimming Carnivals last week.

Our Junior School team finished in 2nd place with many fine performances across all age groups.

Our Senior School team finished in 1st place with our relay teams proving the difference.

Special congratulations go to our Year 12 representatives.

The carnival fell during the Year 12 Half-yearly examinations which meant some of our Year 12 students could not compete due to their study commitments. Madeline Laing, Kaitlin McKeon, Olivia Poate, Brady Rengger, and Josh King ensured we were represented in almost every event and proved the difference in helping TIGS achieve first place at the Senior Carnival. What a great example of the TIGS spirit.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Chaplain’s Message A CONTAGIOUS SPIRIT Some things are contagious. Try as you might you cannot resist being infected. The encouraging spirit among the students at TIGS is a case in point. It grabs you and refuses to let you go.

I am writing this article during Artsfest 2015. There is the roar of an Artic Monkeys song ringing out from the stage (which is a pleasant surprise for a ‘Monkeys’ fan such as myself!) But above this is the roar of the students as they encourage the performers on stage. Admittedly, most of the support is coming from the House represented by the performer on stage - but not only. I perceive a generous spirit of encouragement from all students regardless of House allegiance. It is impressive.

This is how it is at TIGS. Our students seem to have this unspoken pact that they will be positive toward one another and give one another space to soar. If they fall – as occasionally they do – there is a safety net woven by the students themselves to shield the fallen from injury and embarrassment.

Now, don’t get me wrong. We are not a perfect community.

We have all of the problems of other schools. But, still, I see this persistent determination among our students to create positive norms that give permission for individuals to be the best they can. It really is impressive and one of the reasons why many of our graduates tell how TIGS enabled them to be their true selves.

We are wired to take our temperature from those around us.

It is a part of what it means for us to be communal people.

Jesus spoke into this on a number of occasions. He saw there was potential here for good or ill. He often spoke of this truth in very ordinary ways – like the way a little yeast works itself through the whole batch of dough (Luke 13.20-21).

I see this principle at work in our School everyday. And, usually, it is someone or some group saying we are going to do something positive - something good - and let the power of that transform the whole students body. And it does.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

One of the exciting prospects for me in all this is the opportunity I have to be the one who influences others for good. While I am limited in what I can offer, as Chaplain I believe I have a great resource in the word of God. The word of God is life-giving and life-affirming. It transforms people and cultures for good. I am excited at the prospect of sowing this word into the lives of our students not only so that it might seep through our School for good but also overflow into the world for good as our students go out and make their mark in the world. We will never be able to measure fully the impact of one TIGS student on the world but I am sure if we could it would be substantial.

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School Opportunities for Academically Gifted Students Years 7 – 12 The Illawarra Grammar School understands that academically gifted students have needs that are unique within the gifted population as a whole. These needs are both intellectual and affective.

Monica Watt Head of Senior School Deputy Headmaster

As you know our Mission and Values Statement clearly articulates that we address the development of the whole child. Our HSC results are graphic in the range and diversity of outstanding results that our students achieve in Dance, Drama, Music, Business Studies, Economics, Science, Languages, Design and Visual Arts.

Add to that the successes in all areas of Sport which were evident in last week’s Newsletter and in this edition.

We also have extensive programmes to assist students with learning needs for “It is recognized that students learn in different ways and at different rates and the gifts that each child possesses are unique in their extent and combination.”

For Expo Day, Mrs. Margaret Dubowski, our Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, recently outlined the ways in which we address the needs of our academically gifted students. I thought I would share this programme with you.

According to their individual needs, academically gifted students require opportunities that recognise their ability to acquire and transfer knowledge and understandings at a rate that is significantly and qualitatively superior to that of their age peers. In response to this, a range of opportunities is provided for academically gifted students within our school community.

Relationships with mentors and teachers during their school years are critical to the realisation of their academic potential and affective wellbeing. For this reason, staff who are qualified in understanding the nature of giftedness, and who are experienced teachers in their area of expertise, work closely with academically gifted individuals or groups.

Opportunities provided to meet the diverse needs within the academically gifted student population include: •

•

Extension classes for selected students in Mathematics and English in Years 7, 8 and 9 Inquiry and concept based units of work within the Middle Years Programme

•

The Honours Programme, in which selected students are able to undertake a Personal Interest Research Project in Years 7 and 8 with a mentor

•

Future Problem Solving

•

Community Problem Solving

•

Maths Olympiad

•

Debating Competition

•

Public Speaking Competitions – United Nations, Rostrum, South Coast Public Speaking

•

Model United Nations

•

Da Vinci Decathlon Academic Gala Day

•

GATEway8 Academic Competition

•

Mock Trial

•

Lions Club Youth of the Year

•

Quota International Student of the Year

•

Leadership Camp

•

Community Service

•

International exchanges and excursions

•

Creative Writing Camp

•

Goodhew Research Centre interactive research technology and collaborative spaces

Production of

ŠDisney

e l sa II n rm o s Te t e 1 k k c i e T e W

17 - 20 June 2015

Music by

Alan Menken

Lyrics by

Book by

Linda Howard & Tim Ashman Rice Woolverton By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)

Junior School Car Line Update

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

Car line is slowly improving and we are very appreciative of the support and care of our community each afternoon. There are a few little things that would continue to allow us to improve the dismissal procedure further. Firstly nametags are important, many of the teachers recognise the cars and know which children they belong to, however it is much more efficient if parents leave their nametags visible on the visors until the children are in the car. If you need a new nametag please contact the Junior School office where we will be happy to print one off for you.

If you get to the front of the queue and your child/ren are not ready to load, please assist us by doing another lap around Drummond Drive. We appreciate that this is a delay for you individually, however if we allow cars to stop at the front of the queue while we call for children multiple times, every single car in car line is held up and this impacts on the Princes Highway.

Lastly please remember that only Kindergarten children should be loaded from 3.00pm – 3.10pm. This allows us to get our youngest children buckled up and safely through car line before it gets busy. If you have children in Years 1 – 6 please arrive in Car Line after 3.10pm.

Playground Update

Our Infants Playground is getting really close to completion with a few minor adjustments being completed this week. On Friday and Monday the Kinder – Year 2 children will visit the new space with their teachers. Mrs Monica Watt, the Acting Head of the School will then officially open the area on Tuesday 24 March.

This week the teachers “tested” some of the equipment to make sure it was sufficiently safe and fun!!! We think it is!

This week’s attitude is Empathy •

UPCOMING EVENTS: • •

I imagine how others might feel.

I use this imagination to help understand why they feel the way they do.

Wednesday 1 April – Junior School Cross Country Thursday 2 April – Junior School Easter Service

Awards WEEKLY AWARDS KD KH KP 1T 1W 1Y 2M 2Mc 2S 2T 3R 3S 3WJ 4M 4Y 6A 6C 6K

Poppy Bambrick, Lucia Ding Gabriel Beebe, Arwen Bowman Damon Glynn, Anthea Zaki Ronghao Chen, Saxon Gerovasilis Jawad Aly Aahan Rakheja, Lachlan Taylor Nelle-May Makowski, Fergus Dutch, Toby Jinks Bora Kim, Bhargav Jagarlamudi Eleanor Middleton, Mackenzie Pead, Katherine Binks Natasha Karakousis Anika Rindani, Megan Adams Aiden Da Deppo, Athina Pates Tyler Sullivan, Nicole Mau Marley Stephenson, Chloe Shadler Alexander Tonkli, Madeleine Sheargold Daniel Michelmore Sarah Hutchinson, Aydin Arapali Arthur Johnson, Harrison Kiteley

MERIT CERTIFICATES ACADEMIC

Ashika Bahl Deepika Parajuli Mayank Aurangabadkar Subodh Parab Natasha Karakousis Nicole Mau Bora Kim Glory Obinwanor Fergus Dutch Nelle-May Makowski Ryan Osadczuk Emily Sutherland Aydin Arapali

Pictures of our new Infants' Playground

Uniform Shop HOLIDAY OPENING

The Uniform Shop will be open on the following days of the April School Holidays: Thursday 16 April 2015 9.00am to 2.00pm Friday 17 April 2015 9.00am to 2.00pm Saturday 18 April 2015 9.00am to 2.00pm No Appointments Necessary.

Robo Camp

BUILD SOME NEW FRIENDS! Students (aged 7+) learn to design, build, and program LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robots – and have a lot of fun in the process!

Hosted by the University of Wollongong Bookings Essential: Email coach@projectb.net.au Full Information at www.projectb.net.au  INTRO TO MINDSTORMS®: April 7 - 8, $120 (Inc. GST)  MINI-SPORTS: April 7 - 8, $160 (Inc. GST) Presented by Project Bucephalus and sponsored by the University of Wollongong LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorise, or endorse this activity.

Senior School Sport OLLE Sport Page We are pleased to announce that the OLLE Sport page has just gone live and will be updated accordingly in line with any representative sports taking place at TIGS within the coming school year. The page is in its early stages of development, however we envision that it will become the one stop shop for all sporting information. It is currently accessible to all students and parents in Years 7-12 and will enable you to readily access any information about all upcoming sports on offer at TIGS, permission notes, photographs taken at events and it will highlight students’ sporting success. Importantly, students will also be able to indicate their interest in a sport or activity and gain valuable information such as training times for carnivals, events and gala days and any other information that they may require when participating in the sport.

We hope the new OLLE Sport page will become part of our sporting culture and we look forward to any feedback or ideas on how we can improve the page and the communication of sport across our school.

The Winter Co-curricular Sports Programme The TIGS Co-curricular Winter Sports Programme is an innovative and exciting sports program that aims to introduce students to specialist coaching and expertise across a variety of sports and activities in our local community. Our Winter Program will commence Term II Week 2 and we anticipate students will make their sporting selections Week 9 Friday 27 of March online. Please assist us by taking the time to read through the attached proposed list of sports with your child and discuss the sporting options that best suit your child’s personal interests, talents, sporting needs and current commitments.

Please contact Ms Lane if you have any ideas or suggestions on activities we could offer or ways we can improve the programme. We thank you for your assistance in this valuable sporting program and look forward to some exciting sporting accomplishments and the development of new interests and new skills as we move into Term II and commence our Winter Programme.

Please click here to see the sports offered in winter this year.

STUDENT SUCCESS:

Australian Junior Athletics Championships Maudie Skyring (Year 12) and James Seal (Year 9) competed at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, at Sydney Olympic Park. Both students performed exceptionally well and their results were as follows: Maudie Skyring: U/20 Women

1500m 5th - 4:32.38 (5 second PB)

800m 12th – 2:15.38 James Seal: U/16 Men

3000m 4th – 9:08.47 (PB)

2000m Steeplechase 3rd – 6:30.75

NSW Schoolboys Tamworth

Cricket

Championships

in

All students will make a selection, either selecting a sport or selecting an exemption. Please note if your child is seeking an exemption, they will also need to sign up and select exemption as the option. Your child will then need to complete an exemption form and return it electronically or in hard copy to Ms Lane or Mrs Hinch.

Once all selections have been made, students will then receive a permission note indicating the sport they have selected. Please ensure that the permission note is completed and returned at your earliest convenience so that we can ensure that the classes are organised and we can confirm numbers with our teachers and external providers.

It’s important to note that attendance at the Co-curricular Sports Programme will be monitored and recorded on your child’s end of year Report. If your child is absent or going to be absent please take the time to contact the teacher in charge of your child’s sport or contact Ms Lane or Mrs Hinch.

Jonathan Fowles performed exceptionally well at the All Schools State Cricket Carnival. His team finished second in the championships, behind Combined Catholic Colleges, whom they had already defeated. Jonathan is to be congratulated for being selected in the NSW All Schools Cricket side to play against QLD in September.

AICES Swimming Carnival

Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley.

Our Relay teams demonstrated exceptional leadership and teamwork and achieved the following outstanding results: •

1st in the Boys 15-16 50m Freestyle Relay (Timothy Gaynor, George Moustoukis, Ethan Dorrian and Daniel Laing)

•

2nd in the Girls 15-16 50m Freestyle and 50m Medley came 3rd (Georgia Robson, Jana Massingham, Kelsey Cresswell and Laura Gibbons)

•

1st in the Girls 17+ 50m Freestyle and Medley (Olivia Poate, Kaitlin McKeon, Madeline Laing and Alice Fox)

The first 2-3 swimmers will go through to CIS, so we will have a strong team competing at this high level early next term.

I would like to congratulate our NASSA Team for their hard work and dedication in the pool and I look forward to the results at CIS.

Nassa Touch Carnival U/15 BOYS Runners Up On Monday the U/15 and OPEN girls and the U/15’s and OPEN boys’ teams competed in the NAASA Touch carnival at Dalton Park Fairy Meadow.

We enjoyed a highly successful day in the pool with our NASSA Swimmers competing at the AICES Swimming Carnival in Homebush last Thursday.

Our swimmers were fine ambassadors both in and out of the water, swimming beautifully as individuals and in the relays and holding themselves with the highest regard throughout the day. TIGS finished second Sebastian Buchanan – 2nd 100m Freestyle, 3rd in the 50m Freestyle, 4th in the 50m Breastroke, 3rd in the 50m Backstroke Kelsey Cresswell – 3rd 100m Freestyle, 1st 50m backstroke, 1st 100m Freestyle, Ethan Dorrian – 1st 50 Butterfly, 50m Breastroke and 200m Medley, 2nd 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, Alice Fox – 3rd in 50m Breastroke Tim Gaynor - 4th in 50m Butterfly Josh King - 1st in 50m Butterflyly, 3rd in 50m Backstroke, 4th 100m Freestyle, Kaitlin McKeon – 1st in the 50m Butterfly, 200m Freestyle, 50m

The U/15 Boys finished runners up in their division losing the final 1-0 to Penrith Anglican in a game that could have gone either way. The boys were outstanding in their efforts being undefeated in the pool games. Blake MacDougall, Samuel Shalala and Elliot Hutt were rewarded with selection in the U/15 Boys NASSA team and will compete at the AICES championships next term.

The U/15 girls’ team also performed exceptionally well finishing third after losing their semi-final 1-0. Ashley Dribbus, Margaux Chauvet, Zoe Dribbus and Claire Smallhorn are to be congratulated for their selections in the NASSA team.

The Open boys and girls teams displayed great commitment in their respective divisions. The boys in particular, although lacking in numbers were competitive in every game. Well done to Isabel Bodey and Alexandra Lavalle who were both selected in the Open Girls’ NASSA Team.

All players are to be congratulated for their efforts and sportsmanship on the day. However special mention to the U/15 Boys who were runners-up, the U/15 Girls and Open Girls who came 3rd and the Open Boys who came 5th.

Mr S Chamberlain (MIC – TOUCH)

CIS Football Cup – Open Boys Knockout This year’s draw provided TIGS with a BYE in Round 1 and saw us up against St Spyridon’s College (Sydney) in our Round 2 match. Despite the positive intent of the team we managed to be a goal down very early on, but managed to equalise soon after. From there the tide turned in favour of TIGS, and we managed to come away with a convincing 7 – 2 win.

Full credit to our boys who displayed a lot of composure and maturity in what was, at times, a very physical and potentially volatile match. Congratulations to: Cameron Barrett, Kyle Del, Joel Moore, Zac McLaren, Isaac Osborne, Tomas Saponja, Lachlan Scott, Jacob Shalala, Adam Galanti, Matthew Galanti, Nick Grozdanov, Peter Kyriakoudes, Ali Sawan, Harrison Taranto

Up Coming Events: Week 9 • U/16 Girls AICES Hockey Championships Monday 23 March • Splash n Dash Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March Week 10 • South Coast Surfing Championships Monday 30 March • TIGS Junior and Senior Cross Country Wednesday 1 April

Charity Drive MACARON DAY IS COMING! The Languages’ Prefects bring you the annual Macaron charity drive this term.

Order your delicious Macarons through www. flexischool.com from today, Friday, until Sunday 22 March and collect your sweet treats on Friday 27 March. All proceeds go to the Year 12 chosen Charity: kids2kids. Spoil yourself for a good cause!

Extend @TIGS

Parent Teacher

Extend@TIGS is fully operating from Rees Hall this year onwards. We have a lot of exciting outdoor activities lined up since The Oval is open for play. Please do not forget to check the Newsletter for our weekly programme.

Reminder:

Week 9’s Activities:

Monday 23 March: “Our Kitchen Rules!”

Easter Craft with Prep and Kinder Tuesday 24 March: Extend@Library (3.30pm - 4.15pm) Basketball on The Oval Wednesday 25 March: Soccer on The Oval Easter Craft Year 1-Years 4 Thursday 27 March: “So, You Think You can Dance!”

Friday 20 March: Futsal in Rees Hall Crazy Craft - Recycled Bits and Pieces Movie (G) and Popcorn

ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.au CALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437

HOLIDAY PROGRAMME BOOKINGS ARE OPEN! Book by Friday 20 March to avoid a late fee.

We have heaps of fun activities planned these school holidays and we can’t wait for you to attend! To check out what’s on visit our website at extend.com.au and book via the Parent Portal.

Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews Tuesday 31 March, 4.00pm to Research Centre

7.30pm in the

Goodhew

Year 7 Meet the Teacher

Tuesday 24 March at 5.30pm in the Goodhew Research Centre.

Junior School Sport NASSA Soccer Gala Day

The Open Girls and Boys team travelled to Camden on Monday 16 March to participate against the 7 other NASSA Schools. Both TIGS teams played strongly with the Open Boys team coming in 2nd after losing the final game to Thomas Hassall Anglican College and the girls’ team finishing an equal first with Macarthur Anglican School but were awarded second place on a count back of goals for and against.

Well done on such a fantastic effort by all of the competitors and good luck to the following students: Cooper Kerridge, Ben Giason and Joshua Franco who were selected to play for the NASSA Team at CIS in a couple of weeks and Adelaide Thompson, Selene Chadrawy and Tamar Matar who have been given the opportunity to trial for the CIS team. We wish you the best of luck in the next coming weeks.

T he

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WHITE ELEPHANT

F T E A T E E R

BOOKS, CD’S DVD’S

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RIDES

Au NTon E L i SI t

FUN

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Free

FAC E

PAIN TING

ACTIVITIES

JOIN US FOR HOURS OF FAMILY FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT WIN A HOLIDAY TO HAMILTON ISLAND!

• International Food Fair •

PREVIEW THE SCHOOL PRODUCTION ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ • Shop for

Treasures Old and New

• TOSS A FOOTY • Paint a Parasol

1 y 6 a M d r u ay t a S AM 3 PM 10

to

The Illawarra Grammar School

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

MUSIC

GIFT

BASKETS

TIGS P&F Update HELP NEEDED

TIGS GREAT FETE - SATURDAY 16 MAY 2015 Less than 9 weeks to go!

We want to build on the success of last year’s fete by providing a fun and entertaining experience for everyone.

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PE LE To make this happen, please mark the date in your diaries and think how you can contribute.

Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents and build connections in our School community.

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KAROBRAN COFFEE MORNING ETIHW

TNAHPELE Come along and meet Junior School staff and parents at our first Coffee Catch up in the Canteen….

8.00am to 8.45am Thursday 26 March 2015

INDULGE YOURSELF...

Drink GOOD

Coffee

with GOOD Friends Attention parents, staff and visitors: Barista coffee now available at TIGS! On sale at the Canteen 8.00am to 9.30am 11.00am to 12.30pm Only $3.50 each

GAMEON

for parents of children who love ‘gaming’ A free presentation by TIGS

Monday 25 May 2015 6.30pm to 8.00pm The Illawarra Grammar Centre with

Collett Smart

Sydney based psychologist and educator Collett Smart is a Sydney based psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, freelance writer and mum of 3.

She has spent the last 20 years working in private and public schools, with children, teens and their parents around Australia, the UK, and in Africa. Collett regularly appears in the media, covering topics related to parenting and raising teenagers.

‘GAMEON’ tackles issues such as: • How does gaming fit into this generation of parenting?

• The benefits of gaming • An analysis of violent video games

For more information or to book online visit

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

• Online addictions – fact or fiction?

• Guidelines for parents on creating gaming boundaries “As parents it is our responsibility to guide our children toward healthy life choices. It is often easier to make tough decisions with and for our children when we think about the type of adult they will become.” Collett An International Baccalaureate World School

Academic • Christian • Caring

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 9

Year 7 Meet the Teacher

5.30pm to 7.00pm Tuesday 24 March in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Try TIGS Year 6 Friday 27 March 2015

WEEK 10

Senior School Easter Service Tuesdsay 31 March 2015

Year 12 Parent Teacher Interveiws

4.00pm Tuesdsay 31 March 2015 in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Junior and Senior Cross Country Wednesday 1 April 2015

Junior School Easter Service Last Day of Term I Thursday 2 April 2015