International Student Programme 2011
The School The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) was founded in 1959. The vision and philosophy of TIGS is to fully develop young people spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically in order that they might enter society with strong Christian foundations to lead and serve. The School is situated on an impressive site facing both Mt Keira and Mt Kembla in the City of Wollongong, New South Wales, and is strategically placed to take advantage of the many educational, cultural, sporting and transport facilities associated with the city and its relative nearness to Sydney. TIGS has an enrolment of over 1000 students, Preparatory – Year 12, housed in a modern educational setting with a wellestablished and acknowledged reputation for delivering programmes of excellence. TIGS is a Christian school in the Anglican tradition. The school has an inclusive enrolment policy and welcomes students from all faiths and denominations. The School’s mission is 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. The School Motto “De Virtute in Virtutem” is taken from Psalm 84, Verse 7 and means ‘From Strength to Strength’.
• Co-educational
• Private transport to
• Founded in 1959
school available • Modern educational setting
• Strong academic focus
• Wi-Fi enabled campus
• Homestay in Australian
• Sports programme
• Illawarra region of NSW
family environment
• Small international
programme
• Safe secure environment • Close to public transport
links
• Music tuition • Counselling and support
services • Guardianship • Dean of International Students
International Student Programme International students are welcome at TIGS. Every effort is made to ensure that overseas students become a part of the School community. Centre for English Where appropriate, students will be offered intensive English language tuition at our NEAS accredited Centre for English on campus. Students can participate in school activities and will be introduced to formal school studies as their confidence in English improves. Homestay We take great care in looking after our international students, ensuring they are safe and secure, and helping them to adjust to the Australian way of life. Students are accommodated in carefully selected homestays with either a school family or a family from the local community. These families are reputable and provide good accommodation. A homestay coordinator visits all accommodation and is available to deal with any problems that may arise. Transport to school is available from all homestay locations. Guardianship Guardianship can be provided for students under 18 years of age who are not living in Australia with a parent/custodian or nominated relative.
Academic Excellence
The Curriculum
Every year TIGS students achieve outstanding results in all areas of academic endeavour.
Years 7 and 8 (Stage 4) Students study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Christian Studies, Personal Development Health and Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music, Languages, Design and Technology and Computer Education.
In 2010 our Year 10 and Year 12 students achieved excellent results in both the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate. • 41% of our 2010 Year 12 students were recognized by the Board of Studies on the Distinguished Achievers List. These students achieved a mark of 90 or more in individual Higher School Certificate courses. • Three students were included in the elite All Round Achievers list (achieving over 90 in at least 10 units). • Five students were nominated by Board of Studies examiners for exhibition in showcase events for elite students in the areas of Music, Industrial Technology, Drama and Visual Art. • Over 60% of our students were offered a place at university prior to sitting for the HSC examinations. • Over 87% of our students gained a first round offer of a course of their choice at university. It is thrilling to see students achieve great results and enjoy the opportunity for further study and employment as a result of their hard work. School Certificate results report that our students are significantly outperforming the Statewide averages. Results in English were 5.04% above State average; Mathematics 9.25% above State average; Science 7.33% above State average. These results clearly indicate that TIGS is one of the top schools in NSW. Parents and students can feel confident that an education at TIGS adds significantly to a student’s achievement of academic success.
Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5) Students study the compulsory subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Christian Studies, Personal Development Health and Physical Education. They also make two elective choices from: Commerce, Dance, Drama, French, Industrial Technology Timber, Information and Software Technology, Japanese, Music, Photography and Digital Media, Physical Activity & Sport Studies, Textile Technology and Visual Arts. Years 11 and 12 (Stage 6) English is a compulsory subject in Years 11 and 12. Students then choose electives from the following range of subjects: Ancient and Modern History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese Background Speakers, Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, Earth and Environmental Science, Economics, French, Geography, Industrial Technology, Information Processes and Technology, Japanese, Legal Studies, Mathematics, Music, PD/Health/PE, Physics, Software Design and Development, Textiles and Design, and Visual Arts. Students can also choose to study other subjects through Vocational Education and Training, Open High School or Saturday School.
Co-Curricular Activities
Study English at TIGS
TIGS students are encouraged to become actively involved in all aspects of school life. By participating in as many cocurricular activities as possible, students will be able to enhance their self esteem and develop resilience by building greater connectedness with the school and their fellow students.
The Illawarra Grammar School offers English language tuition to high school age international students.
Music Private music tuition is available to all students during and outside of school hours with fully qualified professional musicians conducting the lessons. Students are also encouraged to join one of the many school ensembles which perform regularly at concerts inside and outside the school, and at many other school events.
The Centre for English is wholly owned by The Illawarra Grammar School and is accredited by the National ELT Accreditation Scheme. The Centre is located within the TIGS campus giving students full access to all TIGS facilities and support services.
Students have a wide variety of co-curricular music groups to choose from including: chapel bands; jazz and concert bands; string and wind ensembles; orchestra and vocal or choral groups. Sport Each student is provided with the opportunity to train in a number of sports and activities under the expert tuition of qualified and experienced coaches. Some of the sports include rugby, hockey, netball, touch football, basketball, soccer, athletics, and beach volleyball. Some of the sports clubs available include mountain biking, board riders (surfers), gymnastics, triathlon, dance, swimming, snow skiing and rock climbing.
The School’s Centre for English provides a high quality English course to prepare students for the Senior School.
Our high school English preparation course teaches the English and academic skills that students need to be successful in the Senior School at The Illawarra Grammar School. The course combines intensive English language study with English for specific Australian high school subjects. Time is allocated to focus on Australian study methods and techniques. Where appropriate, students are placed in Mathematics and PDHPE classes in the mainstream from Day 1. While studying at the Centre for English, students are integrated with TIGS students, participating in activities as part of the academic, cultural, sporting and social life of the School. This interaction increases confidence and helps students adapt to life in the school. The course also includes study in the library, computer and internet skills, project work, self study and educational excursions.
Images courtesy of Wollongong Tourism
About Wollongong Wollongong is one of Australia’s most liveable regional cities located just south of Sydney. Wollongong is the third largest city in New South Wales, just 1 hour south of Sydney CBD and the international airport. Located in a narrow coastal strip, Wollongong is home to over 200,000 residents, beautiful landscapes and one of Australia’s finest universities, the University of Wollongong. Wollongong is the heart of the Illawarra Region enjoying a magnificent natural environment from rainforests to spectacular sea cliffs and unspoilt beaches. Wollongong is bordered by the Royal National Park to the north, Lake Illawarra to the south, the Tasman Sea to the east and the Illawarra Escarpment to the west. Wollongong has a mild, sunny coastal climate with winter temperatures averaging 17 degrees and a summer average of 27 degrees tempered with sea breezes. Most rainfall occurs between February and June. Key economic sectors: manufacturing, education, technology research & development, coal mining, retail services, tourism, port activities, health and community services. For further information refer to the following websites: Tourism Wollongong http://www.tourismwollongong.com Study in Australia http://studyinaustralia.gov.au NSW
Sydney
Southern Highlands
Wollongong
NSW
Kiama Nowra
Sydney
How to Enrol 1. An International Application for Enrolment form should be completed and forwarded to the School together with: • Copy of applicant’s two (2) most recent school reports • Copy of applicant’s birth certificate or passport • Copy of English testing results • Letter of recommendation from the Principal of the applicant’s present school, if readily obtainable. • Copies of recent references • Non-refundable application fee of $A150.00 Students from China are also required to provide: • Evidence of Junior High School Graduation with a minimum score of 75, and a letter of admission to an academic stream at Senior High School Send to: Manager, International The Illawarra Grammar School PO Box 225 FIGTREE NSW 2525 AUSTRALIA Telephone: (612) 4220 0269 Facsimile: (612) 4220 0267 Email: sgail@tigs.nsw.edu.au 2. Successful applicants will be provided with a Letter of Offer. To accept the offer of a place at The Illawarra Grammar School, the following must be forwarded to the School: • payment of fees as requested on the Letter of Offer • signed Acceptance of Offer • completed Medical Data form An electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) will be issued on receipt of the above. The School’s official Letter of Offer, together with the Confirmation of Enrolment should be used to support an application for a student visa. The Illawarra Grammar School is CRICOS registered. Provider Code: 02300E
English Language Requirement International Students should complete English and ability testing through Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS) or other testing agencies approved by the School. Students wishing to enter Years 7 – 10 must have a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 5.0. Students wishing to enter Year 11 and 12 must have a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5. Where required, the applicant will be offered a place in the School’s Centre for English to study ELICOS until a sufficient English level, as determined by the School, is achieved. Students should have a strong foundation in English and are expected to enter the ELICOS programme with the following English levels: Years 7 - 9: Upper Elementary or an IELTS score of 3.5; Year 10: Lower Intermediate or an IELTS score of 4.5. For more information please visit www.tigs.nsw.edu.au
2011 Schedule of Fees Application Fee To accompany ‘International Application for Enrolment’ form .............................................$150 Enrolment Fee Paid per student, secures a place in the school...........................................................................$2,500 Capital Deposit Refer to ‘Clause 4’ in the ‘Conditions of Entry - Business Notices’ ...................................$2,000 Tuition Fees (per annum) Year 3 and Year 4 .....................................................................................................................................$15,700 Year 5 and Year 6 .....................................................................................................................................$16,500 Year 7 and Year 8 .....................................................................................................................................$19,800 Year 9 and Year 10 ..................................................................................................................................$20,500 Year 11 and Year 12 ...............................................................................................................................$21,400 Annual Activity Fee (resources, excursions, camps, etc) Year 3 and Year 4..............................................................................................................................................$455 Year 5.......................................................................................................................................................................$650 Year 6.......................................................................................................................................................................$755 Year 7 - 10.........................................................................................................................................................$1180 Year 11....................................................................................................................................................................$755 Year 12....................................................................................................................................................................$990 Building Maintenance Fee Paid per family per annum...........................................................................................................................$730 Health Cover - Medibank Private All overseas students are required to take out insurance cover for medical and hospital expenses before a student visa will be issued. Current per annum fee is.............................................................................................................................$429 HSC Examination Fee (payable to the Board of Studies) for Year 12 students.............................................................$964 Centre for English High School Preparation Programme Tuition Fee (per week).................................................$475 Homestay Fees Placement Fee (non refundable)..............................................................................................................$209 Per week................................................................................................................................................................$245 Management Fee per annum.....................................................................................................................$500 Guardianship Fee Per week.................................................................................................................................................................. $35 Additional Expenses Uniform.................................................................................................................................approximately $950 Textbooks and Stationery...........................................................................................approximately $350 Private Bus Service (optional) (per term)...........................................................approximately $380 Music Tuition (optional) (half hourly rate)............................................................................................ $35 This International Student Fee Schedule is for 2011 only; fees for 2012 will be revised. Fees are quoted in Australian Dollars.
The Illawarra Grammar School PO Box 225, Figtree NSW Australia 2525 - Western Avenue, Wollongong Tel: +61 2 4220 0200 - Fax: + 61 2 4220 0201 Email: info@tigs.nsw.edu.au
www.tigs.nsw.edu.au