Newsletter Issue 4 Term II 2017

NEWSLETTER

Junior School collecting autumn leaves and creating art Issue 4 Term II 2017

HEADMASTER

Mrs Judi Nealy Acting Headmaster Intellectual virtues Tenacity The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly they seek it while conditions are still unfavourable. Favourable conditions never come” C. S Lewis, “Learning in War Time” (Dow. P. 2013 Virtuous Minds, pg 39).

This intellectual virtue aligns beautifully with the IB learner profile and values and is focussing our attention on persistence even when the going is tough. We all know that tenacity or persistence is often the difference between success or failure in our actions so it is worthwhile unpacking this a little more with regard to our thinking habits.

Athletes, musicians and artists demonstrate this persistence in their skills and achievements and as a society we value this persistence greatly.

However, “...when it comes to our individual thinking habits, and those of society, tenacity has lately fallen on hard times” (Dow. P. 2013 Virtuous Minds, pg 40.)

Tenacious thinking is needed in order to grow beyond our limitations. It means thinking in areas that are not our preferred interests or strengths. Each time we choose or allow one of our learners to opt out of difficult thinking, to take the easy road, we are permitting them to “dig a rut of intellectual laziness” (Dow. P. 2013 Virtuous Minds, pg 44.) that will impact on their life choices and experiences. The development of intellectual tenacity allows opportunity for deep satisfaction at wrestling through a difficult process or task.

So how do we do this as a school and what can parents do to help?

• Set appropriately challenging tasks • Resist rescuing learners too early, instead support them as they wrestle with solutions • Ask your children to justify their opinions and discuss their thinking practices • Reward effort over outcome • Celebrate achievement that is the result of hard work, rather than the things that come easily • Appropriately share areas of thinking that you as adults are wrestling with

Why is the fete GREAT? TIGS Great Fete was held last weekend and was a happy and successful day. We were absolutely blessed with the rain holding off for the day and this in the face of predicted record precipitation! Our oval looks a little worse for wear, but this will soon be mended. It was a GREAT event for two reasons: 1. The fete provides an opportunity for our TIGS community to come together.

2. The fete allows our community to reach out into the broader Illawarra community.

Coming together

Reaching Out

The effort of parents, staff, students and volunteers a integral to a successful and happy fete. People were on site until Friday night setting up stalls, from before 6am continuing the process, all day working on stalls or attending the event and into the late afternoon packing up. There were endless hours cooking and preparing delicious treats and organising items to be sold and all this by busy people who are no doubt time poor. However, the prevailing mood was happiness!

People who attend the Great Fete are not all directly connected to our School. In fact, when I am out and about I am often told by many people that they love coming to our fete, it is an Illawarra event. Performances from various local troupes, battle of the bands and The Disability Trust all are integral factors of a GREAT fete. This year we were thrilled to present a cheque for $20,000 to The Disability Trust along with further funding to support the Sony Camp respite weekend. This wonderful outcome was the result of the hard work of the Taj Mahal organising committee (Dr Sharad Tamhane, Dr Lata Tamhane, Dr Cedric Fernandez, Mrs Usha Fernandez, Mrs Lisa Wilson, Mrs Sandra Newhouse and Mrs Helen Bugg) along with TIGS Foundation.

Events such as these, along with our fete, show community mindedness in action. It is our privilege and joy to reach out beyond our TIGS community to bring blessing to others in the Illawarra.

TIGS students are quite scattered around the region and really love this opportunity to come together for a fun day at school. Families can often find it quite tricky to negotiate opportunities to catch up for the children as well as for the parents. The fete is one opportunity and it was wonderful to see both young people and adults taking advantage of this.

Our community was happy to come together for a shared purpose, they see this coming together as valuable and worth giving their limited time to. We know from research about wellbeing that being involved in something bigger than yourself is GREAT for our wellbeing. This was evident in the smiles around our School. Thank you to our community for your support of this fantastic event.

CHAPLAIN

Rev. James Rogers Chaplain Taste and See A couple of months ago we got our second family dog. It had been five years since we had to put down our first family dog. It was a sad occasion but I thought that was it as far as dogs were concerned. I was wrong. The fact that it took five years was largely due to my resistance. I was not keen to get another dog. Everyone else in the family was. In the end it took a significant family need for me to relent. I’m glad I did.

Our first dog was called Scoota. She was a StaffyCattle cross. She had a very friendly nature and was very loyal. The perfect family dog. But I was not very welcoming of her affection. I wasn’t really a dog person. I just wasn’t a fan of the mess and the smell. While over the years I grew very fond of Scoota I did not allow her to get very close to me.

I say that now with some regret.

Enter the new dog – Bagel. Bagel is a Great DaneBull Mastiff cross. (We don’t do things in halves in the Rogers family!) She has a lovely nature, is very personable and very cute (if a Great Dane can be cute). This time I am a changed person. I enjoy patting her and welcome her friendly advances towards me. We are pals. I even take her to dogtraining school.

But there’s a problem. My family are still not satisfied. They think I am still resisting a complete abandonment to the love of a dog. The point of contention is licking. Bagel tries to lick my face and I don’t let her. I am told that this is how a dog shows affection. By resisting her licks, I am not letting her show me how much she loves me. It is the last frontier. But I can’t do it. Not yet at least.

Poor Bagel, she deserves better.

In Psalm 34.8 God invites us to “taste and see” that he is good. It is a striking image. Clearly, it is a figure of speech but I am struck by the way God opens himself up to us in this way. The invitation to taste and see that God is good is an experiential offer which when accepted allows us to truly experience the goodness of God.

What does the figure refer to? The over-riding testimony of the Scriptures is that we experience the goodness of God by trusting his promises and ordering our lives according to his word. Thus, to taste and see that the Lord is good is to hear his word and allow it to direct our paths. The result is abundant life as God proves himself true to his word. A classic statement is Psalm 119.102-104: I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

When we “taste and see” the Lord in this way we affirm our love for him (not unlike how a dog affirms its love for us when he tastes our face!) and fulfil our destiny. If only I was as welcoming as God. Maybe one day Bagel!

SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION Students from Chi Lin Primary School in Hong Kong will visit us again this August.

We are hoping to be able to accommodate these students with families from our Junior School and are looking for parents who would be able to offer accommodation and meals at no charge.

We are also hoping to accommodate their female accompanying teacher.

The students will be studying with us in Weeks 2 and 3, Term III 2017.

If you are able to help with accommodation for one of the students or their teacher, please contact Mrs Deck, Enrolment Officer, International at rdeck@tigs.nsw.edu.au or by phoning 4220 0269.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mrs Narelle McRae Acting Head of Junior School/ Director of Student Wellbeing Junior School We were truly blessed last weekend with the fine weather we had for TIGS Great Fete. It was another well attended and wonderful community event.

Thank you to all our Junior School families who volunteered their time to help out on the day and beforehand. Thank you also to our amazing student performers from the Infants and Stage 2 Choirs and the ensembles who did a great job entertaining the many visitors who gathered in the IGC. A number of our Junior School leaders gave up their time to act as Student Hosts, directing people around the campus, handing out site maps and conducting surveys – thank you!

This week I want to share an article with you by Hank Pellissier: ‘Helping Siblings to Get Along Better; Learn the skills of forgiveness’.

Science has shown that forgiveness – intentionally letting go of angry feelings toward someone who has harmed you – is good for the health and wellbeing of the forgiver. Forgiveness is critical for healing conflicts between siblings and nurturing a lifelong trusting bond. The other major benefit: harmony at home. Besides helping them get along better, teaching kids how to forgive prepares them for dealing with hurts they’ll inevitably encounter in life. Following are some tips that may help: Don’t force forgiveness - this is one area where ‘fake it ‘till you make it’ doesn’t apply. Rather than insisting that one child apologise and the other accept the apology, acknowledge the hurt that happened.

When hurt stays with the child and is uncomfortable for them, that’s when you need forgiveness. Dr Robert Emright, an educational psychologist and founder of the International Forgiveness Institute says that the best time to begin teaching forgiveness to kids is when they are not so hurt and angry over small conflicts – the kids learn to build up their ‘forgiveness muscle’.

One of the misconceptions about forgiveness is that it negates or excuses wrong doing. Forgiveness isn’t saying the behaviour is OK, but that it needs to be dealt with in a fair and just way. It is saying “I am deciding to let go of my hurt and angry feelings towards that person even though they hurt me”.

It is crucially important for parents to model forgiveness toward each other in front of their kids.

Kids notice when there is a lack of forgiveness between spouses. Parents can exhibit forgiveness toward each other in their words and actions, this example will be ingrained in their children.

Parents can read stories to their children about forgiveness and show kids that conflicts always arise but there are many ways a person can react to unfair treatment. Some movies are also excellent in that children can learn by watching different scenarios of conflicts they aren’t involved in, that forgiveness leads to peaceful relationships and happiness. Lastly, when angry feelings linger and simmer, taking up a pen and paper may help ease them. Writing a letter to the person who hurt them can help the child describe how they felt hurt at the time, and how they feel now. Especially if there are still negative feelings, ending with an expression of forgiveness and understanding.

Have a great week everyone, enjoy the amazing weather and the beautiful autumn leaves.

JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS MERIT CERTIFICATES Academic

Leyla Yusuf Ashton Tregonning Alissa Tonkin Marley Stephenson Sam Nikpey Hannah Makotsvana Josie Lowe Ting-Ting Cook Harry Coates Zara Clark

Addison Tarrant Class: 2T

Service

Josie Lowe, Rhys Chieng

Assembly 2M will be hosting next week’s Assembly in Rees Hall from 12.10pm.

Who are your friends and what do you like to play? 44 Homes, Hide and Seek, Cops and Robbers and Chase.

What do you like to do best in the classroom? Maths.

What are you really good at? Writing.

KM

WEEKLY AWARDS

Harry Coates, Sam Nikpey

KP

Elise Cordaro, Yuto Yamauchi

1R

Sophie Deck, Wilson Makowski

1Y

Tyler Hallal, Zoe Grieve

2M

Matilda Pead, Jia Tang

2S

Zara Clark, Evelyn Sanzone

2T

Jannah Kermali, Maddison Tonkin

3D

Marcus Smith, Samuel Williams

4G

Spiros Tsaganas

4J

Samuel Gilligan

4R

Ashton Tregonning, Charlotte Wall

5A

Allegra Fock, Auden Tyrrell

5C

James Brewer, Tyler Sullivan

5M

Georgia Dolan, Joel Turner

6C

Marley Stephenson, Jacobus Newhouse

What do you need to work hard at?

Science.

How do you improve? Ask the Teacher.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Master Chef.

Awards listed in the Newsletter will be presented at Assembly/Chapel the following Thursday at 12.10pm

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT NASSA Touch Football Last Thursday our Junior School Boys and Girls Touch Football teams travelled to Liverpool to participate in the annual NASSA Gala Day. Both teams displayed great game skills and teamwork to finish in third place overall.

Congratulations to Pia D’Rozario and William MacKay on being selected to trial for the CIS Team later this month.

Team Members: Girls Pia D’Rozario Molly Buikstra Sarah Partland Rebeca Winn Mackayla Hutchinson Laura Hunt Allegra Fock Jessy Harman Mena Tsaganas

Boys Jacobus Newhouse William Hernandez Xavier Druett Alexander Attorre Ryan Molnar Oliver Alexander Ashton Tregonning Samuel Lowe Connor Burrows William MacKay

Sutherland Futsal Championships Last Tuesday 16 May, three teams went to play at the Sutherland Futsal Championships where outstanding results were made. All teams played exceptionally well, displaying teamwork, ball skills and dedication to each game.

Congratulations to the 12 Years Girls who took out the championship, 10 Years Boys who continue to remain undefeated and the 12 Years Boys who played an incredible game. Well done to all students for such an amazing result.

Fustal Team 10 Years Boys Ben Harman Ryan Molnar John Perri William MacKay Oscar Kiely Spencer Newhouse Ali Matar

12 Years Girls Molly Buikstra Ashley Armstrong Pia D’Rozario Charlotte Palmisano Sarah Partland Alissa Tonkin

12 Years Boys Christian Vujic Alexander Attorre Ishe Chibanda Samuel Stevenson Jacobus Newhouse Oscar Ryan

SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Greg Lanyon Head of Senior School Last week I wrote about the success of Macinley Butson (Year 11) at the Australian National Water Awards. At the time Macinley was unavailable to receive that award because she was in Los Angeles, competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2017, Grand Awards.

This competition is open to students from around the world from Year 9 to Year 12 and is based on a student research project in categories such as Animal Sciences, Behavioural and Social Sciences, and Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Last week we also had several groups of Year 7 Design students competing in the regional round of the NSW Aeronautical Velocity Challenge, 2017.

Students were given a brief to design a rocket using a standard 1.25 litre or 2 litre drink bottle, which could be modified within guidelines provided by the organisers, the Institute of Industrial Arts Technology and the University of Wollongong. The rockets were launched using water pressure and then judged on both the distance travelled and an aesthetic element.

Macinley presented a project in the Translational Medicine section in that competition. She researched and developed a prototype copper chain mail breast shield called ‘Smart Armour’, which can be used in radiotherapy treatment as an alternative to the lead shields currently in use.

From all reports this was an event enjoyed by all who attended and was a valuable learning opportunity. It was rewarding that one of our School teams placed second in the event and will go on to the state finals in June. The team consisted of Kiarna McIlwraith, Jessica Quilter-Jones and Olivia Varmedja. Congratulations to this group of students.

They will be working hard with their teachers to optimise their chances of success at the state finals and we wish them well.

I am pleased and proud to announce that Macinley received the First Award in the field of Translational Medicine. It is the first time that an Australian student has received a First Award in the competition’s 50 plus year history. Speaking to Macinley on her return this week, it has confirmed her decision to undertake the IB Diploma Programme in her final years of school.

This will provide a pathway to several universities in the United States, where she would like to continue her study and research, once she completes the Diploma at the end of next year.

2018 ENROLMENTS Interviews for students who have applied for 2018 enrolment are currently being conducted. Should you wish to apply for enrolment for Pre-Preparatory to Year 11, please contact Enrolments on 4220 0216 or email: enrolments@tigs.nsw.edu.au for further information.

CONGRATULATIONS MACINLEY

NSW AERONAUTICAL VELOCITY CHALLENGE

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORT

AICES Open Hockey Trials

On Wednesday 17 May, three TIGS boys represented NASSA at the AICES Open Hockey Trials in Newcastle. The students were Liam Harvey (Year 7), Connor Harvey (Year 9) and Rory Hanrahan (Year 9). The NASSA team were a very young side that performed extremely well, finishing as runners up. Both Rory and Connor made the AICES team and travel to Sydney this week, we wish them well. Also a special mention to Liam for holding his own against some very strong and capable Year 11 and 12 hockey players. Once again it was a pleasure to take such well-behaved TIGS students away.

extremely well, and were integral players within their teams.

The AICES boys finished the day in fourth place, while the AICES girls finished in third place, in a very close competition.

Congratulations to Rebekah and Margaux for being selected to represent CIS at the NSW All Schools Football Championships to be held on 19-20 June.

Bill Turner Cup – Boys After weeks of try-outs and training the Bill Turner Cup team started their campaign last Wednesday. We played against Smith’s Hill High School who had recently demolished Figtree High 6-1 so we knew it was going to be a tough game.

Smith’s Hill were a well-balanced side with quick forwards and backs who counter-attacked well. We went down 1-0 then drew even, then went down again and levelled just before half-time. Both goals came courtesy of Thomas Main and his deadly left foot. The second half was just as close but Thomas was the difference and gave us a 3-2 lead to which we held on till the end of the game. Special mention must also go to Koray Budak playing sweeper, whose pace and intensity kept their forwards at bay. Kai Goodacre made some good saves in goals and Stephen Borg, Omezikam Uchendu, Aiden McGoldrick and Joshua Field also played some great football. Well done Boys!

CIS U/15 Rugby League Trials CIS Cup Open Girls Football On Friday 19 May, TIGS Open Girls Football team travelled to Loreto Normanhurst, to compete in the quarter-final of the Girls CIS Football Cup. Against a very strong and welldrilled side that plays together every weekend, TIGS played extremely well and were unlucky to go down 2-0 in the first 30 minutes of the game. Our TIGS girls finished the half very well, with a goal to Margaux Chauvet to go in to half-time down 2-1. The second half didn’t start well for TIGS, conceding a penalty early and another goal on fast break against the run of play to take the score to 4-1 with only 15 minutes to go.

TIGS never gave up and were able to bring the score back to 4-3 after fantastic goals from Ashley and Zoe Dribbus.

Although they showed great strength and character, the girls ran out of time and lost the game 4-3. Well done to everyone who was part of the squad over the three games for being such wonderful ambassadors for the school. The squad was: Isabel Bodey, Iluka Budai, Emilia Bujaroska, Margaux Chauvet, Ashley Dribbus, Zoe Dribbus, Emmanuela Franco, Katie Gorham, Anastasia Grozdanov, Rebekah Hutton, Carys Jenkins, Sarah Mammone, Madeline McRae, Natasha Mullany, Claire Nguyen, Katherine Pennington and Adelaide Thompson. Coach: Mr Deck, Manager: Mr Edgerton.

CIS Football Championships On Monday and Tuesday 21-22 May, TIGS was represented by six students who played for AICES at the CIS Football Championships. The students were Margaux Chauvet (Year 9), Zoe Dribbus (Year 9), Anastasia Grozdanov (Year 9), Rebekah Hutton (Year 11), Samuel Lendrum (Year 11) and Harrison Taranto (Year 12). All six students played

Congratulation to Isaiah Kennedy (Year 9) on making the U/15 CIS Rugby League Team. We wish him well at the next level of competition.

NSW All Schools Hockey Congratulations to Claire Smallhorn who has been selected as part of the NSW All Schools U16 Girls Hockey team to compete at the Australian Schools Hockey Championships to be held in Canberra on 3 – 8 December.

Up and coming Sport Events CIS U/15 Rugby League Camp – 27 to 29 May South Coast Rugby 7’s U/16 Girls – Wednesday 31 May South Coast Rugby 7’s U/14 Boys – Thursday 1 June TIGS Athletics Mini Carnival – Thursday 1 June TIGS Senior Athletics Carnival – Monday 5 June

1st Place Year 7 Da Vinci Decathlon Team who came 1st at the Illawarra Regional event earlier this term, progressed to the NSW Da Vinci Decathlon at Knox Grammar School on Tuesday.

In a field of 70 metropolitan and regional private and selective public schools TIGS was awarded 1st Place in the inaugural Ideation challenge.

Ideation requires teams to develop and propose a solution to real world issues. They presented a design brief, an ethical framework, a reflection and prototype.

Congratulations, on this extraordinary result to: Elizabeth Michelmore Nicholas Chiaverini Alexandra Wall Enuri Gamage Lachlan Boardman Eloise Goodman Katie Gorham Angus Townsend

CAREERS NEWS

The Illawarra Regional Schools University Forum 2017 Date: Tuesday 6 June

Time: 3.30pm - 6.00pm Venue: Wollongong Town Hall As this will be a popular event, a registration form has been sent home with students from Year 10 to Year 12. This form is also available on the OLLE Careers pages for each year group. Please return the registration form to Student Reception by 29 May.

Exhibitors: Australian Catholic University (ACU) Australian National University (ANU) Bond University Charles Sturt University (CSU) Macquarie University University of Canberra (UCAN) University of Notre Dame University of New South Wales (UNSW) University of Sydney (USYD) University of Technology Sydney (UTS) University of Wollongong (UOW) University Admissions Centre (UAC) U.S. Studies (Consulate)

Great Fete TIGS

THANK YOU!

That brings us to the end of the Great Fete 2017! Not only were we blessed to see a wonderful community of parents and staff donating their time to work the stalls we were also blessed with phenomenal weather against all predictions. It was great to see so many bright smiling faces enjoying the sunshine (and fairy floss) so a big thank you to everyone who supported the Fete with their time, donations and generosity.

An announcement of the proceeds will be made shortly in the Newsletter so please stay tuned for more details!

Thank you again to all involved, we hope you made some wonderful connections within the community, We look forward to seeing you all next year at the Great Fete 2018!

The Fete Organising Committee

GREEN CONNECT Did you know?

Green Connect was engaged by TIGS to provide a full resource recovery service at The Great Fete this year?

Green Connect is a social enterprise that provides resource recovery and associated labour services, and creates employment opportunities for people from a refugee background.

Why?

>> About 24.9 million tonnes of waste goes to landfill in Australia each year. This has environmental consequences.

As materials break down they leach contaminants into the air, soil and water, and resources must be used to produce them again. >> The Illawarra region has high unemployment, and is home to a large number of resettled refugees, who face specific employment barriers.

These include limited English, lack of experience and knowledge of Australian workplace culture and systems, discrimination in employment, problems with recognition of skills, qualifications and experience, and lack of qualifications.

So despite eagerness to work, and diverse skills and experience, only 31% of resettled refugees are employed after five years.

By contracting this service through Green Connect we were able to divert the majority of the waste created by the Great Fete, away from landfill, and into recycling and compost, whilst supporting a very worthy business.

An audit and investigation of the waste collected was used to put together statistics that can help us to better manage our waste at future events. To read the full report please click here.

Click HERE to book online

EXTEND @ TIGS Last week we made some scrumptious no bake energy bites and played capture the flag, always a favourite at Extend! We made Domino Chains late Tuesday afternoon and played Cats in the Corner to get our blood pumping! Spud the Ball game was a new addition that Miss Abby loved to play with the children. We also had basketball practice, helping us become NBA stars! We enjoyed Wembley as well as painting activities!

Our Extend Superstar is: Charlotte Palmisano… For always setting a great example to her peers!

What’s on next week?

Monday:

Spaghetti Challenge and Pac Man

Tuesday:

DIY Fidget Spinners and Yoga

Wednesday:

Watercolour Yarn Paint and Soccer

Thursday:

Tie Dye art and Handball

Friday:

Toilet Roll People and Spud game

To check out what’s on visit our website at extend.com.au and book via the Extend Parent Portal.

PARENT PORTAL: extend.com.au

Winter Holiday Programme Bookings are Open!

Book 14 days in advance to receive the lowest rate.

Participate in our winter-themed activities, including science experiments to learn about animals with blubber, recreate a winter snowstorm in a jar, and participate in a snowman slam!

To check out the daily schedule, visit our website at extend.com.au and book via the Parent Portal.

THE ARTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday

5

Jun Tuesday

6

Jun

TIGS Prayer Breakfast Goodhew Research Centre (Library) 7.30am Junior School 3-way Conferences In Classrooms

Wednesday

7

Jun Thursday

8

Jun Friday

9

Jun Monday

12

Find us on Facebook

Senior School Athletics Carnival All Day Event Kerry McCann Athletics Centre, Beaton Park

Jun

Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews 4.00pm - 7.30pm Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Junior School 3-way Conferences In Classrooms

Professional Learning Day Pupil Free Day

Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday