Newsletter Issue 1 Term I 2017

Issue 1 Term I 2017

NEWSLETTER

Watermelon Day An International Baccalaureate World School

Academic • Christian • Caring

TI G S

The Illawarra Grammar School

HEADMASTER

Mr Stephen Kinsella Headmaster There is a lot of emotion and nervous energy associated with the start of the academic year.

Tears in the Piper Centre and Kindergarten, amongst the parents at least; Junior School students (and their parents) wondering who their new teacher will be; new Year 7 students walking around in groups of 10 or more seeking the comfort that large numbers bring; Year 9 students desperate to change their elective choices; Year 11 students apprehensive as they enter their last two years of schooling; Year 12 students realising that they have had their last Christmas School Holidays.

My advice to students at the start of the year is simple: make the most of the opportunities that your parents are giving you by attending TIGS. TIGS has capable teachers, great facilities and a highly successful academic programme. There are opportunities in Sport, the Arts and over 70 co-curricular activities, more than any other school in the Illawarra.

However, there is one thing that teachers and parents cannot deliver: the desire within each student to make the most of the opportunities that TIGS provides. Fortunately, it is the norm at TIGS for students to be actively involved in school life.

I wish all students from the Piper Centre through to Year 12 a successful 2017 with the hope that they will make the most of the opportunities that come their way as the year unfolds.

We were sad to farewell the many teachers that retired at the end of last year but are glad to welcome the following new members of staff to our school: •

Mrs Rocio Lovett

Teacher of Spanish (P/T)

•

Ms Sara Colville

Teacher of Art (P/T)

•

Mr Adam Foxall

Teacher Librarian (P/T)

•

Mrs Erin Rowe

Teacher of Music

•

Mr John Kennedy

Head of Science

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Ms Cassie Magar

Teacher of English and Theory of Knowledge

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Ms Amy Howes

Teacher of Music

•

Mrs Karen Weir

Accompanist (P/T)

•

Mrs Lennea Grace Arrowsmith Teacher (P/T)

•

Mr David Green

Library Technician

We are excited that such qualified and capable staff are joining our school and we look forward to celebrating the contribution they will make.

Congratulations to our 2016 HSC students on their outstanding results. A summary of our HSC achievements is provided on the website. Some additional highlights are: •

95% of students received a first round offer for placement at university in a course of their choice

•

The number of courses in which students gained a Band 6 result was the highest ever for TIGS

•

There were 10 nominations by the HSC Examiners for special exhibition at BOSTES (now called NESA) events. Nicholas Hilderson received six nominations for Encore (Music 2 and Extension), Kirralee Hinch and Ashleigh Doherty were nominated for Callback (Dance), and Holly Morgan and Mikayla Smith were nominated for ARTEXPRESS (Visual Arts).

Kirralee and Ashleigh were selected to perform in Callback which was held at the Seymour Centre in Sydney and Mikayla’s work is being exhibited at Hazelhurst Gallery, Gymea. NESA nomination and selection are for the elite of the elite and we congratulate Nicholas, Kirralee, Ashleigh, Holly and Mikayla on their success.

It is becoming more and more difficult for the School to obtain data about the success of our students.

Privacy considerations mean that the School does not receive official information about student ATAR results or offers of placement at university. We appreciate our graduates contacting the School, and providing their personal information so that we can celebrate their successes.

CHAPLAIN

Rev. James Rogers Chaplain The Work-Rest Balance

Welcome to the new academic year. A special welcome to those families who have joined us at TIGS this year. It was a joy to meet some of you at last Friday’s New Parents’ Evening. If I didn’t have the chance to say hello to you there I look forward to meeting you sometime soon.

From my perspective the new year has started very well. Both students and staff seem well rested from the Christmas break and ready for action.

One of the features of our campus that always catches my attention following a break is how lush the main playing oval is in the Senior School. This plot of grass cops a hiding during term time. If we don’t need a break, it does. Of course, the truth is we both do! But the way the field is replenished following the rest always speaks to me about the importance of rest for us as well.

The importance of rest from work is a major theme in the Bible. It was established right in the beginning when God rested from his labours, thus setting us a pattern of work and rest. We ignore this pattern at our peril. What happens to us if we refuse to rest is not unlike what happens to our main playing field if it receives no respite – we are downtrodden.

Observing our broader culture at the moment it seems that we are working more and resting less.

This is not good. While work is viewed positively in the Bible it cannot be undertaken at the expense of rest.

The two must remain together.

As parents, I encourage you to keep an eye on your children with respect to their work-rest balance.

I know as a parent it is easier to encourage more work than rest. That is appropriate if our children are not working as much as they ought. But it can be dangerous if they are already working too much.

Sometimes they will need our encouragement to take a break. The result is counter-intuitive. We don’t often think that the way to do better work is to do no work at all. But sometimes it is. And that’s because when we align ourselves with God’s good order (in this case, a good work-rest balance) things go well for us.

Be assured of my prayers as you manage your precious children this year. It is one of the great delights of my role to pray regularly for you. And it is not only me – I know there are many in our wonderful community who regularly pray for the welfare of our families. I hope you sense the difference that makes for you this year. God bless.

2016 PHOTOS The images from the following 2016 School events are now available to view via the below links:

Infants’ Pageant

The Wizard of Oz

Year 3 - 6 Presentation Day

Sports Presentation Night

Year 7 - 11 Presentation Day

Year 12 Graduation

Christmas Celebration

Year 12 Formal

Year 10 Formal

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mrs Judi Nealy Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior School Welcome Back!!

It’s a pleasure to welcome the children and parents back to school each year. I love seeing the new haircuts, shiny shoes, missing teeth (from Years 1 and 2!) and happy faces of our students. Over the break I have been thinking about communication at our School in terms of both sharing information and building community. We aim to do this in multiple ways and the newsletter is just one of them.

Our first few weeks of school were very busy with the Commencement Service, Watermelon Day and Captains Training and Induction as well as regular classroom learning. All of our classroom programmes and specialist lessons were in full swing by lunch time on the first day which meant that our learners quickly engaged and settled.

We are very pleased to welcome our Kindergarten children who spent some time with their Year 5 buddies. It is great to see our Kindergarten children already gaining confidence in their newest environment. They are mastering where they should be at various times as well as the car line at the end of the day.

Captains Induction and Leadership Training

Tuesday 7 February was the Year 6 Student Leaders training day. We were learning the skills of being a good leader. Throughout the day we had multiple sessions about leading. We started the day with a devotion and prayer with Rev. Rogers. Then the Senior School Captains came down and we did difficult teamwork exercises. We had to hold hands and put a hula hoop on our shoulder and we needed to not let hands go and get the hula hoop past everyone one by one...

After lunch Mr Kinsella taught us about CPORT (Context, Purpose, Output, Resources and Time) which helped us understand how to give others detailed tasks. Then we talked and discussed ideas and things we are going to do for the School.

After recess we had our final task. It was all about dealing with problems as a captain. We had to answer questions and write it down. Some were like: You are aware of a problem in the playground.

What do you do?

Overall today was really awesome. The experience was amazing.

Everyone had so much fun and learnt so much!

We would like to thank Mr Kinsella, Rev Rogers, The Senior School Captains and Mrs McRae for helping us throughout the day.

Interesting fact Q. Why do we celebrate

Watermelon Day?

A.

One of the stories told by Rev Bosanquet was that on the first day the milkman provided watermelon to all the students as a special treat to mark the opening of the School, a welcome relief on what was a very hot day.

On the 3rd of February each year from now on, all Junior School students will be provided with watermelon to be reminded of the first TIGS day in 1959.

Inaaya Kermali, Thomas Kirby, Jessy Harman and Jacobus Newhouse Junior School Captains and Vice Captains

CAPTAINS INDUCTION AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING DAY

WATERMELON DAY

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT Swim Squad commenced this week and there are plenty of spots for students interested in preparing for the swimming carnival as well as improving their swimming competency. Please access this wonderful coaching opportunity with McKeon’s.

We are looking to expand our commitment to co-curricular sport programmes this year in the Junior School to increase both students’ skills and fitness. To this end we are undertaking a movement skills program with Soccajoeys to provide for our youngest members of the School.

Swim Squad (Year 3 to Year 6) McKeon’s Swim Centre Unanderra Tuesday and Thursday at 7am Cost $4.00 entry Return to school via School Bus

Soccajoeys (Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2) We are introducing this new program on Monday afternoons to develop both game and movement skills in our Stage 1 students.

Details are available on OLLE.

AWARDS Weekly Awards 5A Leyla Yusuf, Tania Kalsi 6Y Madeleine McNeill, Oliver Alexander

Merit Certificates Academic Grace Russo

CO AND EXTRA CURRICULAR The 2017 Co and Extra Curricular activities for the Junior School are now open for applications. Unless stated otherwise, all activities will start Week 3, commencing Monday 13 February. Please follow the link below to the Junior School Co-Curricular page on OLLE

Katherine Binks Joanne Park Wyatt Toland Christian Vujic

Service Neel Shetty Jude De Araujo

All Extra-Curricular activity applications will not be accepted until the finance form has been returned to the office and the online permission slip has been filled out completely.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Greg Lanyon Head of Senior School At the beginning of each school year it is important for students to get back into routines as quickly as possible. They are better able to do this if they have spent some time getting organised before the inevitable pressures of assessments and other activities start to crowd-in the available time. I know that some teenagers are much better at doing this than others without too much help. However, it is my experience that many students do require a bit of direction and support to get organised, particularly in the first few weeks of the school year. Having done this in the early days, the trick is to keep the routines going as the year becomes busier and to adapt when things go awry.

Here are some commonsense tips that are a combination of my experience with four teenagers of my own and some expert advice from those who do the research in this area: 1. Check the TIGS Student Diary. In there you will find daily timetable planners and term planners.

Some students prefer electronic planners that are easier to customise. On the OLLE Year page students can download and use templates of daily, weekly and term planners which they can use to insert daily school timetables, weekly schedules that can incorporate home based activities and term planners where events, assessments and exams can be scheduled.

2. Work with your son or daughter to complete the planners as early in the term as possible. If you need help or advice on this task, please contact either the Year Dean or House Mentor. Check once a week to make sure things are on track and to check tasks that are coming up.

3. Set up a suitable home study area. Consider good lighting, desk or table, storage and pin boards to post timetables and schedules. This might be in the child’s bedroom or in a common area that is set aside.

4. Sleep is essential for good health and a fully functioning brain. Adolescent psychologist Dr Carr-Gregg recommends 9 hours of sleep per night for the adolescent brain to function well.

He has several good suggestions 1 about what can be done to improve sleep habits if that is a problem.

5. Communication devices. This includes mobile phones, tablets and laptops. The best advice here is that there is a time and place. We all know that these devices are an essential tool for students. However, parents can and should limit both the time that students have access to their devices and where they will be stored in the evening (not in the bedroom). There is now strong evidence to suggest that lack of sleep will often be associated with using blue screen devices late into the evening.

6. Diet and exercise are an important part of the mix in ensuring good health and maximum brain function. Try to make time in the morning for a well-balanced breakfast. This can be problematic but not insurmountable.

7. Be flexible. We all know from experience that things don’t always go to plan. An important part of the learning process is to be adaptable and be ready to adjust when things go wrong.

This is a great skill for you to model and for students to learn.

8. Regular communication is key. Although the teenage years may be a time when monosyllabic responses are the norm, it is OK to keep checking in with your son or daughter. The experts say that the best time for this is in the car where the audience is captive. I have found this does actually work! I encourage you to keep in contact with teachers, Deans or House Mentors if you have any question or concerns related to academic or social development.

9. Encourage and build resilience in your children.

The parenting expert, Michael Grose has some practical ideas 2 on how you might do this.

1 Carr-Gregg, M 2014, Sleep and teenagers, - notes from presentation at TIGS

Grose, M 2017, Building resilience in kids – practical tips for parents, accessed 9 February 2017

2

STUDENT SUCCESS

Over the summer holiday break Billy Fisher, from Year 12, become one of sixteen students selected from around Australia (two from each state and territory) to participate in the National Summer Art Scholarship at the National Gallery of Australia. The scholarship program offered an opportunity to engage with the staff at the National Gallery of Australia, as well as other arts professionals, artists and other students from around the nation.

Billy was able to discover the national art collection and to learn how works of art are acquired and exhibitions developed. He went behind the scenes to experience the workings of the Gallery and to participate in workshops and receive expert tuition from Gallery staff and professional artists.

To win this prestigious scholarship Billy was required to submit an artwork and a written reflection in response to an artwork by artist Narelle Autio. His submission was selected from many hundreds of Year 11 students around the country.

Congratulations Billy.

MYP ASSESSMENT INFORMATION EVENING On Tuesday 21 February there will be an Information Evening on MYP Assessment.

This evening will explain the details of MYP Assessment and outline the new MYP Assessment and Academic Honesty policies. The evening is targeted at new parents of students in Year 7 to Year 10 who are interested in understanding how MYP Assessment works. It will begin at 6.00pm in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library).

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORT

Sport Term I and IV

The TIGS co-curricular Sport Programme offers a great range of activities for student participation and enjoyment. A summer sport programme is offered in Terms I and IV and a winter programme is offered in Terms II and III. The school utilises numerous local facilities to support this programme and students are transported to and from the venues with school buses.

Year 7 and Year 8 This year we are trialling a new programme for Year 7 and Year 8. Sport will take place on Tuesday afternoons 3.20pm 5.00pm. Please see the timetable below for Term I: Class

Teacher

Year 7

Sport 1

Sport 2

Week 2-6

Week 7-10

Mrs Cassidy

Learn to Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Pines Surf Academy

Netball/Cricket Wollongong Indoor Sports Centre

Mr Ferguson

Netball/Cricket Wollongong Indoor Sports Centre

Learn to SUP Pines Surf Academy

Mr Tregonning

Learn to Surf Pines Surf Academy

Tennis Riolo Tennis at Collegians

Mrs Toland

Tennis Riolo Tennis at Collegians

Learn to Surf Pines Surf Academy

Aranda and Coligan (7AC) Year 7 Kogara and Wolgal (7KW) Year 8 Aranda and Coligan (8AC) Year 8 Kogara and Wolgal (8KW)

Year 9 and Year 10 Year 9 and Year 10 sport will take place on Tuesday mornings 6.30am-8.30am and Thursday afternoons 3.20pm - 5.00pm.

Students are required to sign up to a sport. The following sports have been selected by students for Term I: Sport

Day

Location

Teacher

Morning Learn to Surf

Tuesday 6.30am - 8.30am

City Beach

Mr Grieve

Girls Fitness

Thursday 3.20pm - 5.00pm

ReKreate Fitness

Mrs Golding

Tennis & Squash

Thursday 3.20pm - 5.00pm

Riolo Tennis at Collegians

Mrs Lo Surdo

Afternoon Surfing/SUP

Thursday 3.20pm - 5.00pm

Belmore Basin

Mr Dardanelli

Talented Athletes Programme

2016 was the first year of the Talented Athletes Programme. The programme is designed for aspiring student athletes, who would like to improve their strength and conditioning, speed, mobility, balance and flexibility for their respective sport, as well as develop their swimming, cross country running and athletics skills for our big three carnivals and various representative levels.

The programme has previously only been available for Year 8 to Year 10 students, however we are seeking expression of interest from Year 7 to Year 12, with the vision of developing a Senior and Junior Programme if numbers permit. If your child is interested in this programme they can obtain further information by clicking on the link from the Sports OLLE page.

At this stage TAP will run the following days in Term I: Cross Fit JAK Tuesday 7.15am - 8.15am Coached by Abbey and Karlo Specialist Carnival Training Thursday 7.00am - 8.30am Week 2 - 4 Swimming at Western Suburbs pool Week 6 - 10

Athletics at TIGS

Coached by Josh King (accredited competitive swimming coach) and Peter Murphy (accredited running and athletic development coach).

Mrs Lane and Mr Deck will coordinate the programme, however sessions will be run by the accredited coaching staff and there will not be a TIGS teacher present. Students are expected to arrange private transport to the venue and a bus will transport our aspiring athletes to school ready to commence the normal school day.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Lane. Email: klane@tigs.nsw.edu.au or Phone: 0438513245.

TIGS Swimming Carnival

The TIGS Senior School Swimming Carnival will be held Wednesday 15 February at Western Suburbs Pool, Unanderra. All students are encouraged to enter all events, however they are requested to sign up to events prior to the carnival in their House meetings. Events where possible will run per program, however competitors should listen during the carnival in case of any changes or if the events are running early. Swimmers must compete in the age group division they are turning in 2017.

Students are required to wear their House shirt with school sport shorts to and from the pool. Please also ensure that your child has a hat, sunscreen and towel and all students must be in correct swimming gear. Acceptable swimming gear includes:

TIGS Netball Club

TIGS Netball Club had a great 2016 season, with our Year 6 girls winning the Grand Final. We invite any girls 8-17 years old to join the club in 2017.

Get your friends together and create a team. Students in Senior School can sign up on the Netball OLLE Page by Friday 17 February 2017 and students from the Junior School can email Mrs Lane directly on klane@tigs.nsw.edu. au. Training will take place on Friday afternoons at TIGS and games are Saturday mornings at Berkeley.

Please see Mrs Lane if you have any questions.

Up and Coming Sport Events

•

TIGS Swimmers

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Full piece swimmers in either the House colour, plain navy or black (this may include plain navy or black board shorts)

Monday 13 February – Senior School Tennis Day

Points will be deducted for incorrect swimming gear. Seniors will get bonus house points for fancy dress costumes.

Wednesday 22-23 February – NSW All Schools Triathlon

Students will travel to and from the pool via shuttle bus with their Year groups, departing school at 8.40am.

Years 7 to Year 10 will leave from Western Avenue, Year 11 and Year 12 will leave from Princes Highway at the Junior School entrance. Students may bring their own lunch or there is a canteen available on the day.

Friday 3 March – NASSA Tennis Gala Day

In case of inclement weather a text message will be sent if the carnival is cancelled.

Wednesday 15 February – Senior School Swimming Carnival

Wednesday 1 March – NASSA Senior Swimming Carnival

University of Wollongong Junior Rugby Registrations are being taken for boys and girls for the 2017 rugby season.

•

Thursday 2 March – U13s to 1st XV

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Wednesday 8 March – U7s to U12s

Please email the club for further details.

Australia Day Aquathon

2017 was the second year that TIGS have fielded athletes in the Australia Day Aquathon.

Congratulations to Ethan Dorrian and Harrison Taranto who competed as a team in the Long Course in a time of 00:44:07.

Overall they finished 6 from 44 teams and 1st in their age division.

Regan Norris and Aria Bacic-Johnston finished 57th overall from 95 teams and came 19th in their age division.

EXTEND@TIGS This week we made mosaic sun catchers, paddle pop stick crocodiles and aquarium sensory bottles, it was really cool to see we could make our very own ocean environment right here at school!

We completed some interesting artistic story writing and some of them turned out to be quite funny! We have well and truly had a fun engaging week to kick off 2017.

Natalie Ryan, Team Leader Our Extend Superstar is: Harrison Stone ‌ for continuous patience with his Hama Bead creations and always helping others.

Monday 13 February Pokemon Spinners and Run that energy!

Taj Mahal Dinner 6.00pm Saturday 25 March UniHall - The University of Wollongong

Tickets w! o n e l a s on

$125

Tuesday 14 February Magazine Art and Cats in the corner Wednesday 15 February Design your own board game and Capture the flag Thursday 14 February Shadow Theatre and Soccer Friday 15 February Scavenger Hunt and Adventure to Play Gym! ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.au CALL OUR OFFICE 1300 366 437

Visit www.tigs.nsw.edu.au Online ticket sales close Friday 17 March Proudly brought to you by The Illawarra Indian Community, TIGS and The Disability Trust

TIGSFOUNDATION

UPCOMING EVENTS

13

Year 3 to Year 6 Meet The Teacher Night 6.00pm in Rees Hall

Tuesday

Year 7 Meet The Teacher Night 5.30pm in The Goodhew Research Centre

Monday

Feb

14 Feb

Wednesday

15 Feb

Thursday

16 Feb

Monday

20 Feb

Tuesday

21 Feb

Find us on Facebook

Senior School Swimming Carnival at Western Suburbs Pool, Unanderra Junior School First Assembly and Chapel 12.10pm in Rees Hall Kinder to Year 2 Meet The Teacher Night 6.00pm in Rees Hall Year 8 Camp 20 - 24 February

Junior School Swimming Carnival 6.00pm in Rees Hall Parents of Year 7 to Year 10 MYP Assessment Information Evening 6.00pm in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)