Newsletter Issue 8 Term IV 2017

Issue 8 Term IV 2017

NEWSLETTER

Infants’ Pageant

An International Baccalaureate World School

Academic • Christian • Caring

HEADMASTER

Mr Stephen Kinsella Headmaster So here we are – about to commence the last week of the 2017 Academic Year. The past week has been very busy for our families but full of wonderful highlights at the Infants’ Pageant, Christmas Celebration and Year 3 to Year 6 Presentation Day. Next week the Senior School Presentation Day brings the year to a close, I look forward to seeing you at this event on Tuesday starting at 10.30am.

As busy as this time is at TIGS, it is one of my favourite times of the year. It is a reminder of all the great things achieved over the course of the year. This is the 40th occasion that I will have celebrated ‘end of school year’ activities, 17 of which have been as a Headmaster or Principal of a school. In that time I have formed a clear opinion as to what makes a great school and why I believe that TIGS falls into this category.

I believe a great school has five key elements: 1. Strong and supportive governance, ensuring the School never strays from its core values and mission.

It is an exciting time at TIGS because, under the leadership of our School Council, TIGS:

2. Shared values held by the School and parents ensuring that students are receiving a consistent message at school and at home. This is a crucial element to the success of TIGS. We know who we are, where we have come from and what we are seeking to achieve with our children: Striving for academic excellence •

Not mediocrity, every child enabled to be the best they can be.

•

Living the whole of their life, learning how to flourish, not just survive.

Being a caring community •

Safe for our children.

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Children learning to be outward looking putting others first.

Understanding and experiencing Christian belief and behaviour •

Learning to live as God intended.

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Develop an informed understanding of what the Christian life entails.

3. Outstanding teachers and support staff committed to the values of the School and the on-going development of their professional expertise. Great teaching and learning does not occur by accident:

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Is finalising its Strategic Vision for the next fiveyears.

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Has released TIGS21, the 21-year plan for the refurbishment of TIGS campus.

•

•

Is searching for the School’s eight Headmaster to lead our community into the next phase of its development.

TIGS has dedicated and experienced teachers, committed to the School, its values and of course our children.

•

They will be led most ably by Mrs Nealy who will be acting Headmaster in 2018 while the new Headmaster is found.

We have a dedicated, hard-working, visionary Council and we thank them for their leadership.

TI G S

The Illawarra Grammar School

We wish you and your family a Joyous and Peaceful Christmas

4. An effective environment in which to learn. We have a beautiful campus that will only get better as TIGS21 is implemented.

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We have been blessed by and benefit from the commitment of the School community over 59 years in providing our wonderful facilities.

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We have a responsibility to provide outstanding facilities that will be to the benefit of TIGS students of the future.

5. Amazing students. The culture amongst our students is that it is okay to succeed academically at TIGS. •

Students at TIGS have developed a culture of learning and engagement that is supportive of the achievements of their peers.

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This support extends across the whole spectrum of living and learning.

•

This culture of success is precious and found in too few schools. It is something to be celebrated and nurtured.

It is therefore no surprise that our children continue to astound us with their progress, achievements and performances.

And that’s it – my last Newsletter item (664 over 17 years).

It has been a privilege to share the joy of raising our children with TIGS families.

Headmasters come and go but the School will continue to thrive, by God’s grace, while we hold on to the values and traditions that make TIGS such a special place.

May God continue to bless the School and the people that make up TIGS community. Psalm 84:7 contains our School motto “From strength to strength” and that is my prayer for TIGS.

CHAPLAIN

Rev. James Rogers Chaplain Jesus the Saviour Christmas is a time we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Saviour. There are a couple of things we need to understand to fully appreciate this.

First, Christianity is a religion of salvation. The whole biblical narrative assumes this. God made all things in the beginning and declared them to be good. The chief good was that we, God’s image bearers, would be his vice-regents over creation. We will rule on his behalf and in his way, so that the whole creation might realise its latent potential and abound to the glory of God. When humankind refused this role, all things experienced brokenness. Nothing was exempt. The greatest tragedy was humankind’s alienation from God. The end of this is death. But we were too precious to God for him to let death be the final word. He set in motion a plan of salvation – a plan to save us from death. This plan finds its fulfilment in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He is God’s salvation and our saviour.

Second, Jesus had to be human to save us.

This is something we don’t often consider. If someone was going to stand in our place and pay the penalty we deserve for our refusal to live God’s way, that someone needed to be as we are in every respect. God had anticipated this beforehand with the ritual of animal sacrifice. As worshippers acknowledged their sin and its just penalty they were able to offer the sacrifice of an animal as a substitute for their own life. God accepted this substitution and granted forgiveness not because the animal sacrifice was sufficient in itself but because it pointed towards the sacrifice that would be – the man Jesus Christ. The Bible’s teaching about Jesus was that in this one person was God in human flesh. He was fully God but also fully human in one fully integrated person. (Don’t

spend too long trying to figure that out because it can’t be fully understood!) The point is, the saviour needed to be fully human to be a suitable substitute for us. It couldn’t be a charade. And it wasn’t. Jesus had a body like ours so he could offer his body for us; he had a mind like ours so he could offer his mind for us; he had a heart like ours so he could offer his heart for us; he had a will like ours so he could offer his will for us; he had a soul like ours so he could offer his soul for us. He was a full and fitting substitute for us. One ancient theologian, Gregory of Nazianzus, put it well: “That which he has not assumed he has not healed.”

In other words, if Jesus wasn’t fully human we don’t have a sufficient saviour – he is not a fitting substitute for us. But he was fully human and so we do have a wonderful saviour.

Third, ‘joy’ is an appropriate word to define the essence of Christmas. Joy is a visceral, existential reality for Christians. It is the sure conviction that God is with us come what may. Joy does not remove the struggles of life, it just refuses to allow them to define us. It is amazing that even in those moments in life where we feel stretched to breaking point joy can be still experienced. Joy says it is well with my soul even when everything else gives way. Christmas is the fuse which brings real joy into the world.

I pray that you and your family might have the most wonderful Christmas this year. God bless you and keep you.

END OF YEAR INFORMATION Last Day of Term IV 2017

Gender Identity

Buses will be running as usual but at this new time.

Gender dysphoria refers to a mismatch (incongruence) between a person’s biological sex and their gender identity.

It is a condition that is determined by health professionals, not the School.

On the last day of Term IV, Tuesday 11 December, Preparatory students will finish class at 12.00pm and Kindergarten to Year 12 students will finish at 12.30pm.

Christmas Closure The Office will be closed from Friday 15 December 2017 and will reopen for business Tuesday 2 January 2018 from 9.00am until 3.00pm.

Uniform Shop School Holiday 2018 Opening Hours The Uniform Shop is open 8.30am to 4.00pm on the following days across the 2018 School Holiday: •

Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 January

•

Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 January

The issue of gender dysphoria has received some coverage in the media in recent weeks and has caused concern for some members of the School community.

The student population at TIGS is representative of the broader population and there have been, are and will be students grappling with the challenge of gender dysphoria.

School policy on matters of gender dysphoria is clear and aligned with the Anglican Diocese of Sydney (Synod Resolution 40/16): “Provide a school environment where there is tolerance of people’s opinions, the acceptance of all people regardless of ethnicity, religion, professed sexual orientation or gender identity, non-acceptance of bullying for any reason and the freedom to express a person’s religious convictions, including the sharing of one’s faith” Gender dysphoria brings challenges for the student concerned, the student population in general and for the School in providing a safe and caring environment for all.

Parents will understand that specific cases of gender dysphoria cannot be openly discussed due to reasons of privacy. Nevertheless, we encourage parents to contact The Headmaster’s Office if they have any specific questions or concerns about how students with gender dysphoria are managed at TIGS.

SCHOLARSHIPS Applications for Scholarships for students entering Year 5 to Year 7 as well as Year 11 in 2019 are now open.

Applications close: Thursday 29 March 2018 Examination date: Friday 6 April 2018

Further information is available on TIGS website

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mrs Judi Nealy Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior School What a fantastic year of learning we have had in the Junior School in 2017!

I want to congratulate all our students on the growth they have demonstrated not only academically but also in their ability to be good friends, to be responsible citizens and to be creative and critical thinkers.

The last weeks of school are always hectic with many events, concerts and celebrations. Thank you to our students and their parents for supporting these important annual events. Thank you for wearing your uniforms well, for participating with such enthusiasm and for showing our community the many marvellous talents amongst our TIGS student cohort.

The Year 5 students have just participated in the leadership process to select student leaders for 2018.

Applicants have completed nominations and provided information about themselves to the student body.

Students in Year 3 to Year 6 and staff have voted for their student leaders and the students with the most votes have been interviewed by Mrs McRae, Mrs Carswell and Mrs McMahon to appoint the successful candidates to the position that they are best suited to fill.

This process is tricky and while many students and their families are thrilled to be appointed to a nominated leadership position, there are some who may feel disappointed at the outcome for them personally. I am always so impressed by the way our students handle themselves in congratulating their friends and supporting them in their roles and I want to remind all our Year 5 students that whether they have an official leadership position or not in 2018, they are all considered student leaders in the Junior School and have an important role to play in a successful and happy year in 2018.

I am pleased to communicate with our community that for 2018 Mrs McRae will be acting as Head of Junior School, supported by Mrs Wallace as Acting Deputy Head of Junior School and Mrs McMahon as Acting Director of Student Wellbeing Junior School. I know that this leadership team will do a fantastic job of caring for our students, families and staff. Thank to our School Community for your support of our School in 2017, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas break with your families and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year for another great year of learning at TIGS.

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT TIGS Junior School Tennis Tournament

TIGS Netball Club

Last Friday 1 December, 43 TIGS Junior School students from Year 4 to Year 6 competed in the TIGS Junior School Tennis Tournament at Beaton Park. Even with such a large number of children participating in the tournament this year, only one game needed to be played here at School to achieve the final results.

Expressions of interest are being called for any student interested in playing with TIGS Netball Club in 2018. If you would like to be part of a team next year, please register your interest by emailing Mr Adrian Deck on adeck@tigs.nsw.edu.au.

In the email please include your child’s name, the Year group they will be in during 2018 and any playing experience they have. Players of all abilities are welcome.

Results: Year 6 Boys Winner – Jacobus Newhouse Runner Up – Aditya Kumaresan

Student Success

Year 6 Girls Winner – Molly Buikstra Runner Up – Pia D’Rozario

Congratulations to Chelsy Wayne (Year 4) and Jamaya Wayne (Year 5) who competed at the South Coast Highlands Zone Athletics Carnival last week.

Year 5 Boys Winner – Ishe Chibanda Runner Up – Alexander Vartazarian

Chelsy broke four zone records, including a 27-year-old long jump record while Jamaya broke a 23-year-old discus record.

Year 5 Girls Winner – Georgia Dolan Runner Up – Billie Prescott Year 4 Boys Winner – Samuel Lowe Runner Up – Hugh D’Rozario Year 4 Girls Winner – Victoria Di Martino Runner Up – Charlotte Wall Well done to all the students who competed on the day: Harley Adams Oliver Alexander Alexander Attorre Rhea Boga Molly Buikstra Ethan Bywater Ishe Chibanda Hugh D’Rozario Pia D’Rozario Aiden Da Deppo Victoria Di Martino William Dolan Georgia Dolan Xavier Druett Ben Harman Inaaya Kermali Kasim Kermali Angus Kiang Lachlan Kiang Aditya Kumaresan Gautham Lakshmanan Dev Samuel Lowe William MacKay Siva Mahesh

Christopher Mountifield Jacobus Newhouse Spencer Newhouse Charlotte Palmisano Saxon Parrish Daniel Peden Billie Prescott Archer Ryan Oscar Ryan Saksham Sirohi Samarth Sirohi Marley Stephenson Samuel Stevenson Samra Tarrant Ashton Tregonning Spiros Tsaganas Alexander Vartazarian Christian Vujic Charlotte Wall

Keep up the great work girls!

THE PIPER CENTRE

Mrs Taesha Duley-Smith Director of the Piper Centre Term IV is a busy time, with many learning opportunities and events, coupled with the excitement of transitioning into the next year level.

One of the highlights to finish our School year is the Infants’ Pageant.

The Pre-Prep to Year 2 Infants’ Pageant, ‘Are We There Yet’, was an absolute triumph and a timely reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Piper Centre educators are very proud of the children and their amazing performance on stage.

In addition, we would like to thank the many parents who ensured that the pageant was such a visually striking show by their creation of the many brilliant costumes.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Greg Lanyon Head of Senior School Students are now in the final week of the school year, having completed their last assessments and now looking forward to the summer break. Many of them have been involved in rehearsals for the Christmas Celebration and Presentation ceremony next week.

The School has also received news that Zachary Miller’s artwork from the 2017 HSC, has been included in the ARTEXPRESS 2018 exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. Zach’s work is a series of photographic portraits which “explores the complex and untold connection between individuals and their perceived reality”.

The final day for all students is the Senior School Congratulations to Zach and the other HSC students Annual Presentation Day, on Tuesday 12 December. who have been nominated for public exhibitions This is an opportunity for us, as a school community, related to their HSC works or performances. to acknowledge students outstanding achievements in academic, co-curricular and service activities. It is As well, Year 7 student Emily Choi’s artwork, also a time to reflect on the school year, celebrate titled Autumn House, has been selected for the success and look to the future. All students are “Operation Art Touring 50” exhibition that opened expected to attend this day and parents and friends this week at the Wollongong City Gallery http:// are most welcome. Reserved seating will be available www.wollongongartgallery.com/exhibitions/Pages/ for parents and relatives near the front of the IGC Operation-Art.aspx. Operation Art is an initiative of and it would be best to arrive about 15 minutes the Children’s Hospital Westmead, in association with before the event starts. The IGC is air-conditioned the NSW Department of Education, to encourage and all students must wear their full summer uniform, young people to create artworks for children in the including their blazer. If students are receiving an hospital. Thousands of students in NSW each year award, parents will receive a notification this week. enter their artworks into this competition and Emily Boys receiving awards must wear long trousers, as was selected to participate in the exhibition at well their blazer.

Homebush last month. Her work was then selected in one of 50 artworks to be part of the Children’s On the final day, school commences at the normal Hospital Collection and the touring exhibition. time of 8.40am, the Presentation ceremony starts at 10.30am and will finish at approximately12.15pm. In science news, following on from their success at Students will receive their final reports and leave the State Crystal Growing Competition, a team the school by 12.30pm. Service buses will be as of Year 10 girls, Lana Atkinson, Nhi Thu Trinh, Nicole normal, but students should check public transport Russo, Seh Meh, Francesca Lambert, Min Seo Kang connections to make their way home at the earlier and Claire Nguyen have been awarded third place time. in the National Competition. Macinley Butson was awarded a well-deserved first place in the open The School has received some great news regarding secondary division. Several other students from Year The National Gallery Art Scholarship. Our Year 12 11 and Year 12 also received highly commended students have been involved in this programme for awards. Congratulations to all these students and several years now. Last year Billy Fisher was selected their teacher, Mr Gollan. for this programme and it really inspired his artmaking and set him on his path as an artist. This year Eva Finally, I would like to wish all the school community a Peacock has been selected. To enter, students safe and happy Christmas and New Year. I hope you responded to an artwork by creating both a written and your family enjoy a well-earned break together. and a visual work and these responses are judged by a panel of gallery curators. There are only 12 students across Australia selected and only two from NSW. For more information please see this link https://nga. gov.au/summerartscholarship/. Congratulations to Eva and Ms Goodman who supported her with the application.

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORT TIGS Swimming Carnival 2018 The Senior School Swimming Carnival will be held on Tuesday 6 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. Where possible, events 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 they are turning in 2018.

Emily Choi’s (Year Eva Peacock (Year 7) 11)

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 costumes. Students may wear TIGS Swimmers, swimmers in their house colour or plain navy, black swimmers or board shorts only! No two pieces or bright patterned coloured swimming attire will be accepted.

Points will be deducted for incorrect swimming attire.

Students will travel to and from the pool via shuttle bus with their Year group at 8.40am. Year 7 to Year 10 will leave from Western Avenue and Year 11 and Year 12 will leave from Princes Highway at the Junior School entrance. Students may bring their own lunch or purchase lunch from the canteen available on the day.

The permission note for the carnival can be found on OLLE under permission notes. Please complete the permission note and return it to the Sports Office prior to the carnival. This note will cover all further carnivals and The Great Race for 2018.

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

TIGS Netball Club

Emily Choi (Year 7)

Expressions of interest are being called for any student interested in playing with TIGS Netball Club in 2018. If you would like to be part of a team next year, please register your interest by emailing Mr Adrian Deck on adeck@tigs.nsw.edu.au . In the email please include your child’s name, the Year group they will be in during 2018 and any playing experience they have. Players of all abilities are welcome.

Up and coming Sport Events Australia Day Aquathon – Friday 26 January Senior School Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 6 February (Week 2) AICES Girls Tennis – Wednesday 7 February (Week 2) AICES Boys Tennis – Friday 9 February (Week 2)

Parker’s Tennis Coaching Christmas School Holiday Clinic Farmborough Heights Tennis Club Times: 9.00am - 12.00pm 18 to 20 December 9.00am - 12.00pm 22 to 24 of January Cost: Three days $90 Zachary Miller (Year 12 2017)

For more information call: Andrew on 0407029731 email: arparker@ bigpond.net.au

EXTEND @ TIGS Last week at Extend, the children enjoyed creating super heroes and incorporating their super hero into a comic. We were also busy in the kitchen cooking up homemade mini banoffee pies, scones and fruit smoothies. The scones and smoothies they were a fantastic hit, the children love making the dough and slathering them in jam. The smoothies were a great refreshment from the humid weather.

Handball competitions are the all-round favourite game to play at the moment. Teachers try to get involved but don’t seem to last long as the children as professionals! We also played Dodge Ball, Soccer drills and Capture the Flag.

What’s on next week?

Monday Dodge Ball and Painting

Tuesday Octopus and Mix Berry Smoothie Wednesday Vacation Care Thursday Vacation Care

A friendly reminder that Extend will be open from 12.30pm until 6.00pm on 12 December (the last day of school.)

Friday Vacation Care

Our Extend Superstar is:

SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAM BOOKINGS ARE OPEN!

Hollis Bridgeman – Law: For always participating in activities with a positive attitude and for always listening and paying attention to his teachers.

Book 14 days in advance to receive early bird rates.

Get creative with a variety of art and craft projects, participate in delicious cooking activities, carry out a bunch of fun science experiments, and loads more!

Check out the daily schedule at extend.com.au and enrol and book with our brand-new platform, LookedAfter.

SCHOOL SUMMER CODE CAMP Little League, Spark and Ignite 22 January to 24 January 2018 Students currently in Kindergarten to Year 6 (beginners, intermediate, advanced) Fun, engaging and challenging – Code Camp is a popular course that over 27,000 students have completed. Code Camp is offering three courses these coming summer school holidays to help your child become a coding super-star! These summer courses are Little League – For Kinder to Year 1, Spark – For Year 2 to Year 6, and Ignite for Year 2 to Year 6 returning students.

Build your own iPhone app these school holidays!

More than 27,000 Australian Kids have loved Code Camp.

Sponsored by

22-24 January 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Powered by

$349 For 3 days

The Illawarra Grammar School

www.codecamp.com.au/TIGS Alternate dates and locations available

Computers Provided

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday

Find us on Facebook

12 Dec

59th Annual Senior School Presentation Day 10.30am in the Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC)

Last day of Term IV

13 - 14

Dec

Tuesday

2

Jan Wednesday

31 Jan

Report Consultation Pre book with teachers as need be

Piper Centre Reopens (All year round bookings)

First Day of Term I 2018 Piper Centre Open for Term Time Bookings