Newsletter Issue 6 Term II 2017

NEWSLETTER Issue 6 Term II 2017 Senior School Athletics Carnival

An International Baccalaureate World School

Academic • Christian • Caring

HEADMASTER

Mr Stephen Kinsella Headmaster How is your child progressing in Latin and Ancient Greek? Perhaps they are struggling in the subjects of Logic and Rhetoric? Maybe they have developed an unhealthy obsession for Astronomy and Arithmetic at the expense of Geometry and Music?

The history of ‘grammar’ schools is far more complex than I could hope to explore on this page. However, students attending a grammar school in the 19th century would have received a ‘classical’ education that included all these subjects and they could well have mastered all the published European knowledge available by the time they finished their education.

This is quite a contrast to the 21st century where the amount of published and accessible knowledge is growing rapidly - some say exponentially. This explosion of knowledge has had a profound effect on how knowledge is organised and the way we learn. Information is organised into academic disciplines that provide the framework to analyse, interpret and develop further knowledge in that specific subject area – and there are specialist areas within the academic disciplines that allow for even greater specialisation.

The knowledge that comes from specialisation enriches and enhances our quality of life and wellbeing. Science delivers better health and longer life expectancy; Economics provides for a more efficient use of resources leading to a higher standard of living; Technology allows us to travel faster with increased safely (‘Around the World in 80 Days’ would now be regarded as an air traveller’s nightmare).

However, the specialisation of knowledge has come at a cost. Specialisation in subject areas means that learning becomes disconnected from other disciplines. Students can acquire extensive knowledge in a subject but have no idea of how it is connected and related to the wider context. How else do we explain that some scientists believe it is right to clone human beings in the name of research, or CEOs restructuring once profitable companies to restore balance sheets and profitability at the expense of the wellbeing of employees?

The writer of Proverbs, King Solomon, recognised that knowledge must gain meaning by being understood as part of a bigger picture when he wrote: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7) His advice, given nearly three thousand years ago, is as true today as it was then. Knowledge is given meaning when it is understood as part of the bigger picture (metanarrative). At TIGS we believe an understanding of the bigger picture comes from an understanding of God and what was intended for the world and the people He created.

Our commitment to learning at TIGS within the bigger picture is captured in out Statement of Mission and Values which includes:

Grammar schools, such as TIGS, bear no resemblance to the original ‘grammar school’ of the 19th century which is a good thing.

“The core business of the School is student learning within a framework provided by Christian faith. The School Community supports students in developing their abilities, empowering them to become fulfilled individuals who can successfully participate and provide leadership in society for the good of others and to the glory of God.” (1.1)

TIGS maintains the grammar school commitment to excellence in learning. Learning at TIGS is also holistic in nature and calls for an active response to the learning by our students. This is why we are an IB World School.

“Individual academic disciplines provide a knowledge base and framework for understanding the world. The School is also committed to students achieving an enriched understanding that comes through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning, building on the academic disciplines.” (1.4)

Learning at TIGS is not a passive process of acquiring knowledge. It has purpose in the formation of our students into active, concerned and committed students that will make a positive difference in our world. As our Statement of Mission says:

Students learn through their study in the academic disciplines and gain a deeper understanding by making connections with the learning in other disciplines. Sense is made of learning through the lens of God’s created order which is taught in Chapel, Biblical Studies and when considering a Christian world view in the classroom.

“The achievement of academic excellence in a caring environment that is founded on Christian belief and behaviour, so that students are equipped to act with wisdom, compassion and justice as faithful stewards of our world.”

FUNDRAISING UPDATE The financial outcome of the Great Fete this year is still being finalised but is likely to be around $27,500 which will contribute to the resurfacing of the IGC Carpark and associated works. This was a great result despite the week of bad weather in the lead up to the event.

CHAPLAIN

Rev. James Rogers Chaplain Faith Expressing Itself in Love I have given many Bible talks to children over the years. It is usual for there to be many adults present for a children’s talk. Over the years they have expressed appreciation themselves for the children’s talk, not only because they were glad the children were being taught the precious truths of God but because they themselves benefitted from the simple and direct teaching. Sometimes as adults a simple word spoken directly without ornament is powerful in our own lives.

I experienced something of this recently when our Deputy Headmaster, Mrs Judi Nealy, read from Romans 3 in staff devotions. Judi used a simple translation of the Bible one which was originally intended for children. I would normally read this passage from an adult-oriented English translation.

To hear it in this alternate translation was refreshing as it spoke directly to the point.

I want to share with you the reading but first some context. The Apostle Paul, writes to the Church in Rome in the 1st century AD. He has gone to pains at the beginning of the letter to demonstrate how every human being is alienated from God because of sin. Moreover, we can do nothing ourselves to remedy the situation. Our instincts are to obey the Law of God in the hope that our efforts there might make us acceptable to God. But we all fail to measure up to the just requirements of the Law with the result that we are stuck in sin and sin’s consequence - death. This is where we pick up the reading (notice the “but now” at the beginning): “But now God’s way of putting people right with himself has been revealed. It has nothing to do with law, even though the Law of Moses and the prophets gave their witness to it. God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all: everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence. But by the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. God offered him,

so that by his blood he should become the means by which people’s sins are forgiven through their faith in him.” (Romans 3:21-26) Like I said earlier, I was struck by the simplicity and directness of this reading. It spoke wonderfully to my heart of the amazing grace of God in the way many children’s talks have the power to speak directly to adults.

The fact that we are put right with God through faith in Jesus and not by our own efforts has left some wondering what place good works have in the Christian life. Surely, they are of interest to God? Surely, they matter? Of course, they do.

But they do not have power to make us right with God because we continually fall short of the just requirements of the Law of God. Instead, good works are an expression of the security we have with God though faith in Jesus. They are our response to the kindness of God who has graciously welcomed us back to himself on the basis of another’s perfect law keeping – Jesus Christ. More importantly, they are the fruit of the Spirit of God which is his gift to all who put their faith in Jesus. So, in this sense, we cannot but do good works as God’s children, because his Spirit within us continually moves us towards these works. It’s as if we cannot help ourselves. The fact that we will never do them perfectly or even consistently might rightly pain us but it ought never cause us to despair because we know and are convinced we are made right with God not through these good works but through faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul clarifies this wonderfully in another of his New Testament letters – Galatians 5.6: “The only thing that counts is faith [in Jesus] expressing itself in love.”

EXTEND @ TIGS ANNNNNNND that’s a rap! Last week we made some weird rainbow milk and started a new game called Shoot Hoops, where you try to bounce a ball in the hula hoops from a distance! Not as easy as it seems! Body Parts Scavenger Hunt really demonstrated some wonderful team work from the students and didn’t we have a ball challenging each other in the Paddle Pop Stick Puzzle creation competition?! Pac Man is always a favourite even with the Teachers! We finished off with Collage Portraits and Dodgeball.

The Superstar this week is Eva Grimm for being a positive member of Extend!

What’s on next week?

Monday:

Volcano Eruption and Basketball

Tuesday:

Colour Transfer and Capture the Flag

Wednesday:

Room Renovation Decorations and Spud!

Thursday:

Cartooning and Longest Fidget Spinner Spin competition!

Friday:

A fun day for all

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.

P&F MEETING -

Save the date!

Are you curious about how our school operates?

Would you like to share your thoughts and ideas with other parents?

Do you feel you have a little or a lot to contribute and you can make a difference?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or you would just like to observe and absorb, please join us at the P&F Meeting: When: Wednesday 28 June Where: The Goodhew Research Centre (Library) Time: 6.00pm The meeting will be a fantastic opportunity to discuss any challenges, provide feedback on what is working well and learn about our school’s plans for the immediate future and beyond. We plan to have measurable outcomes resulting from the gathering to ensure your time and energy is invested wisely.

It is also a great opportunity to have conversations with other parents experiencing similar child raising challenges.

It can be a huge relief to receive the insight “it’s not just me then”.

We warmly welcome you to attend and look forward to meeting you.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mrs Judi Nealy Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior School This week we have had fantastic learning conversations with the students in the Junior School at our Three Way Conferences. Three Way Conferences allow the students to share with their parents, areas of success in their learning so far this year as well as identifying the next steps forward for them in continued progress. There is also time allocated for conversations with parents and the teacher without the student present.

Since the implementation of the three way process, I have observed real growth in our children’s ability to set relevant learning goals, work hard towards achieving them and then reflect on this process.

This is powerful learning, not done to children or for them but by them. It sets them up with skills around learning that they will continue to benefit from for their entire lives.

How can intellectual curiosity be virtuous when we all know that “curiosity killed the cat?”

There are many examples of medical, scientific and social breakthroughs occurring as a result of curiosity.

This curiosity is characterised by a real desire to know the truth, to habitually keep asking why and to want to understand how it all works. Phillip Dow in his book “Intellectual Virtues” calls intellectual curiosity a foundational virtue.

“Without the desire to know more, growth in every area of our lives is virtually impossible” (Dow. P. 2013 Virtuous Minds, pg 54.)

This type of curiosity is motivated by noble aims and leads to personal growth and often benefit to not just ourselves.

The great thing about intellectual curiosity is that it is the only one that doesn’t have to be taught. Every parent and teacher knows that young learners ask “why”, sometimes incessantly! It can occur however that schools and other influential adults train our learners out of asking why, instead they want to know how to get the answer right or how to please the teacher. This is like stopping exercise for our minds, we can get lazy and forget to be curious in our thinking and wait or others to do the thinking for us.

The good news is, that if we are hard-wired to be naturally curious, then this trait can be reinvigorated.

Parents and teachers can help learners reinvigorate their curiosity by asking the following questions: • • •

Why? Really why?

Then why??

This prevents us from skimming the surface of our thinking and will uncover some useful and interesting insights.

So, what about that pesky cat? Curiosity can be unhelpful, self seeking and even harmful. An antidote is to go back to the why questions again: Why do I want to know this? What will I gain by understanding or knowing this? How will my knowing this help myself or others? Is it safe for me to learn more about this topic? These questions are excellent conversation starters for parents to help their children in making decisions about what to inquire into and what to steer clear of. With Three Way Conferences fresh in mind, parents can keep affirming and developing healthy intellectual curiosity in their children and observe the benefits of this in years to come.

Victoria Steward Class: 5A

Who are your friends and what do you like to play? Tania, Allegra, Leyla, Diya, Htay and Eloisa. We like to play handball.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CEO SLEEPOUT Donut Fundraiser

Don’t forget to get your Donut orders in for our CEO Sleepout Fundraiser. The cut-off date for donut orders is Friday 16 June.

What do you like to do best in the classroom? Literacy and Geography.

What are you really good at?

Comprehension.

What do you need to work hard at?

Public Speaking.

Please follow the Flexischools link to place your orders.

How you improve? Practice.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A radiologist or a psychologist.

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

TIGS YEAR 12 COHORT PRESENTS...

TRIVIA NIGHT ALL FUNDS TO THE HOMELESS HUB

FRIDAY | JUNE 16TH | 6:30PM - 10PM

IGC -The Illawarra Grammar School Tables of 8: $120 Tables of 10: $150 1st Prize: Dinner for 8 at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant Silent Auction, Top Prize and Other Games BYO Drinks and Snacks

Click HERE to book online

LANGUAGE LEARNING This week Mrs Marshall received the following email from Jamaya Wayne whilst travelling overseas. It is great to see our language programme having an impact on our student’s ability to explore the world and interact with others.

“Konichiwa Mrs Marshall! As you may know, I am in Europe at the moment, and today I went to Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland. While I was up there, I accidentally heard some Japanese people speaking. I recognised it and went over to them. I said hello and introduced myself (in Japanese,) and I understood most of their reply. I wanted to thank you for teaching me this as it was really fun to talk with them in a language I wouldn’t have known two years ago! Hope to see you soon! Jamaya Wayne, 5C”

JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS

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

MERIT CERTIFICATES Academic

Matilda Pead Joanne Park Tobias Knight Tania Kalsi Rithanya Jeyachandran Johanna Hernandez Riley Grundy Lillian Glover Thomas Binks Katherine Binks

Service

Ashley Brewer

KM

WEEKLY AWARDS

Lohithan J Avinash, Xiaojia Tang

KP

Elijah Makotsvana

1R

Wilfred Windsor, Rithanya Jeyachandran

1S

Clara Magambo, Jack Finnin, Thomas Tarrant

1Y

Miranda Di Marco, Jonathan Mountifield

2S

Johanna Hernandez, Coco Threadgate

2T

Henry Chen, Tobias Knight

4G

Riley Grundy, Nikita Nicholson

4J

Noah Threadgate

4R

Ashley Brewer, Alexandra Birch

5C

Femke Duursma, Lillian Glover, Chloe Jackson

5M

Ainslie Goodman, Samuel Stevenson

SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Greg Lanyon Head of Senior School There is much research around adolescent mental health that stresses the importance of schools providing multiple points of connection for students.

This is an important protective factor in their development and positive mental health. As a school this translates into providing a diverse range of opportunities for students beyond the classroom, whereby students may find and pursue a passion with other like-minded people, so that they feel more connected to the school. For some adolescents, this point of connection may be the one thing that provides the motivation for them to engage with and enjoy school.

Consistent with this research and our core values, the School believes that success in learning involves the development of the whole child. This is why we offer a broad curriculum and adopt a holistic approach to each student’s academic, spiritual, physical, aesthetic, cultural, social and emotional development. The extent and diversity of the cocurricular program at TIGS reflects this approach.

One event that embodies this approach is participation in the annual school production. This event provides opportunities for students from across the school to perform in the production or support the performance backstage.

This year’s production is Mary Poppins. One might think that this is an unusual choice for a school production given that it is known to most people as a Walt Disney classic movie. However, it does fit well with the criteria that the school uses to assess the suitability of a stage play for a school performance.

The stage adaptation builds on the storyline of the original Mary Poppins. First published in 1934, the P.L. Travers novel is the tale of a mysterious nanny who teaches a troubled family to appreciate the important things in life.

The director’s notes indicate that Mary Poppins is more than just a “feel good” story. It is a show of wonder and spectacle, colour and lights. It is also a show about kindness, generosity and priorities. The story P.L. Travers so beautifully crafted transcends generations.

Whatever knowledge about this enchanting story you bring with you to The Illawarra Grammar School Production, we are sure that Mary Poppins will touch your heart.

At last count over 110 students will be involved in some way in staging this performance. The production involves a range of talented performers, musicians, lighting, sound and backstage crew, and makeup artists. For those students and staff involved it will be a culmination of afternoons and weekends, juggling the demanding rehearsal schedules with regular classroom commitments. Performances of Mary Poppins will run from Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 June. To find performance dates and times and to book tickets, go to the school website and look for Events and Bookings.

I leave you with a little gem of wisdom from the production which is just as relevant for parents of this century as the last. It is the chimney sweep speaking to the banker; ‘Childhood slips like sand through a sieve... and all too soon they’ve up and grown and then they’ve flown’.

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORT

Athletics Carnival

2017 saw another successful Athletics Carnival with fantastic participation from across the Houses. Thank you to the University of Wollongong PDHPE students, who came and helped run our carnival. A special mention to the Year 12 students, who took part in the day and showed great leadership in organising their House, running the BBQ to raise money for Wollongong Homeless Hub and setting a fine example for our students.

The competition points were tight, however it was Aranda who took the lead early and were able to maintain this lead for most of the day. Congratulations to Wolgal who had the most students awarded points for their House by volunteering to help out at an event but at the end of the day the final House positions were: 1st Kogara 2nd

Aranda

3rd

Coligan

4th

Wolgal

Congratulations to the following students who broke records on the day: Elizabeth Martin - Snr Girls: 1500m (5:29.48s) Benjamin Jones - 13 Year Boys: 100m (12.55s); Long Jump (4.95m) Cooper Kerridge - 12 Year Boys: 400m (1:14.09s) Margaux Chauvet - 15 Year Girls: 400m (1:02.22s) Charlotte Gaynor - 15 Year Girls: High Jump (1.48m); Shot Put (9.05m) Caitlin Chadrawy - 17 Year Girls: High Jump (1.46m) Jessica Quilter-Jones - 13 Year Girls: Long Jump (4.62m) Iluka Budai - 14 Year Girls: Long Jump (4.67m) Nina Segar - 13 Year Girls: Discus (20.81m); Javelin (20.45m) Ashley Dribbus - 16 Year Girls: Discus (25.31m); Shot Put (10.61m) Isaiah Kennedy - 14 Year Boys: Shot Put (10.88m - equal record)

AICES Cross Country The AICES Cross Country was held on Monday 5 June at Sydney Equestrian Centre. Overall TIGS achieved some excellent results.

Athletics Age Champions 12 Year Girls 1st Katie Gorham 2nd Elizabeth Michelmore 3rd Zoe Turner

12 Year Boys 1st Cooper Kerridge 2nd Zachary Birch 3rd Kaleb Anderson

13 Year Girls 1st Jessica Quilter-Jones 2nd Eva Katkjaer 3rd Alexandra Wall

13 Year Boys 1st Ben Giason 2nd Hugo Parrish 3rd Sebastien Azar

14 Year Girls 1st Victoria Summerill 2nd Iluka Budai 3rd Katherine Pennington

14 Year Boys 1st James Healey 2nd Daniel Jiang 3rd Stephen Borg

15 Year Girls 1st Margaux Chauvet 2nd Zoe Dribbus 3rd Charlotte Gaynor

15 Year Boys 1st James Gorham 2nd Finley McLaren 3rd Ethan Brunskill

16 Year Girls 1st Ashley Dribbus 2nd Isabel Bodey 3rd Francesca Lambert

16 Year Boys 1st Nickita Peros 2nd James Pegler 3rd Zachary Winter

17 Year Girls 1st Rebekah Hutton 2nd Caitlin Chadrawy 3rd Julijana Saponja

17 Year Boys 1st James Seal 2nd Aiden Wingate 3rd Alexander Wilson

18 Year Girls 1st Ruby Pallone 2nd Elizabeth Martin 3rd Natasha Mullany

18 Year Boys 1st Harrison Taranto 2nd Daniel Laing 3rd Billy Fisher

Congratulations to the following students that crossed the finish line in the Top 10 and have now been selected to represent AICES at NSW CIS Cross Country at Eastern Creek on Thursday 15 June: 12 Year Boys – Cooper Kerridge 1st 13 Year Boys - Ben Giason 2nd 13 Year Boys – Hugo Parrish 8th 13 Year Boys – Daniel Grieve 10th 14 Year Boys – James Healey 1st 15 Year Boys – Luke Wilson 6th 15 Year Boys – Finley McLaren 9th 17 Year Boys – James Seal 2nd 17 Year Boys – Henry Jenkins 10th 18 Year Girls – Elizabeth Martin 3rd A special congratulations to the 17 Year Boys (James Seal, Henry Jenkins, Aiden Wingate and Samuel Okely) and the 13 Year Boys (Ben Giason, Hugo Parrish, Daniel Grieve and Omar Matar) who placed in the Top 2 for the teams event and will be running for TIGS at the CIS Carnival.

Futsal School Championships – Campbelltown Region

Up and coming Sport Events

On Wednesday 24 May our 14 Years Boys team played extremely well to only lose a single game in the pool stage to eventually miss out on the finals on goal difference. This was extremely unfortunate because the boys found their stride and continued to improve over the day. Congratulations to Dean Borbilas, Stephen Borg, Joshua Field, Joshua Franco, Ben Giason, James Healey, Cooper Kerridge, Nathan Molnar, Omi Uchendu

NSW All Schools Football – Monday19 June and Tuesday 20 June

U14 Boys

Open Girls

On Thursday 25 May our Open Division Girls team put up a wonderful display of indoor skills to yet again go through the tournament undefeated. Our first game resulted in a 0-0 draw and we improved from there. Only a single goal managed to get past our super goalkeeper, Sarah, in a hard fought final that the girls took out with a 2-1 win. Congratulations to Isabel Bodey, Ashley Dribbus, Anastasia Grozdanov, Rebekah Hutton, Carys Jenkins, Sarah Mammone, Claire Nguyen, Charlotte Tregonning.

South Coast Rugby 7’s U16 Girls

On May 30, TIGS under 16 Girls Rugby team played in the South Coast Schools 7-a-side Rugby Gala Day. The day started with a small coaching clinic that was run by NSW Rugby followed by four games. TIGS finished the day with two wins against Bowral High School and Nowra Anglican College and two very close losses against Nowra Christian School and eventual winners Illawarra Sports High.

Congratulations to the following girls who were great ambassadors of the School throughout the day.

Mary Bul, Emmanuela Franco, Charlotte Gaynor, Amy Gibbons, Alanieta Kennedy, Sarah Jane Kingsman, Cailyn Knill, Claire Nguyen, Erynne Stone, Charlotte Ward and Madeline McRae (Year 11).

U14 Boys

Our TIGS Under 14 Boys team participated in the South Coast Schools 7-a-side Gala Day on June 1 at Kiama Showground.

Up against a tough opposition, the boys played and lost three games throughout the day. Although not recording a win, the students participated with great enthusiasm and the young side will be more competitive next year.

Taylan Arapali, Sebastien Azar, William Carroll, Joshua Franco, Joshua Happe, Eli Ireland, Daniel Jiang, Daniel Michelmore, Nathan Molnar, Hugo Parrish and Harrison Webb

NASSA Athletics – Wednesday 14 June CIS Cross Country – Thursday 15 June

AICES U15 Football – Wednesday 21 June

SENIOR SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

UPCOMING EVENTS Find us on Facebook

Monday

12 Jun

Tuesday

13 Jun

Wednesday

14 Jun

Friday

Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

Year 7 Parent Teacher Interviews Goodhew Research Centre (Library) 4.00pm

Piano Concerts Junior Concert - 4.00pm Senior Concert - 6.30pm

16

Captains’ Trivia Night The Illawarra Grammar Centre 6.30pm

22 24

School Production The Illawarra Grammar Centre 7.00pm (Thurs, Fri, Sat) 2.00pm (Sat)

Jun

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Jun