REVIEW ISSUE 1, 2015
Our TIGS Community The Power of Experimental Learning Cultivating Creativity
Academic • Christian • Caring
An International Baccalaureate World School
One of the distinguishing FEATURES
of a TIGS education is learning under the programmes of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). The Illawarra Grammar School became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in 2011 when it was authorised to teach the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the IB. The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) was established in 1968 in consultation with UNESCO as a service for the children of diplomats. From this small beginning it has grown to become the world’s leading academic programme for schools and its pedagogy and approaches to teaching embrace the latest understanding of how students learn. The Illawarra Grammar School currently offers two IB programmes and will offer all three IB programmes from 2017. The programmes offered at TIGS are: 1. Primary Years Programme (PYP) covering students from Preparatory through to Year 6. TIGS is an authorised PYP school and has been using the PYP framework for learning since 2009. There are 95 schools in Australia and 1201 schools in 104 countries teaching the PYP. 2. Middle Years Programme (MYP) covering students from Year 7 to Year 10. TIGS is an MYP ‘candidate’ school and has been using the MYP framework since 2014. It is working toward authorisation in early 2016 and will present its first Year 10 candidates for assessment by the IBO in November 2016. There are 41 schools in Australia and 1117 schools in 95 countries teaching the MYP. 3. Diploma Programme (DP) covering students in Years 11 and 12. TIGS is a DP ‘candidate’ school and is working toward authorisation in 2016. The first students to study the DP at TIGS will commence study in Year 11, 2017. Students at TIGS will have the choice of studying either the DP or the already successful HSC. There are 63 schools in Australia and 2627 schools in 140 countries teaching the DP.
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report from the headmaster TIGS is also leading the way in our region by being the first school to introduce the Arrowsmith Program. There are currently 12 students enrolled in the programme at TIGS with many more wanting to join. The Arrowsmith Program: •
Is based on research in neuroscience;
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Recognises that some students have learning dysfunctions because of cognitive deficits caused by how the brain is organised;
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Identifies that most people learn to compensate for learning dysfunctions and live normal lives;
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Recognises that some learning dysfunctions, often in combination, can lead to learning difficulties that are barriers to success in schooling and beyond;
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Prescribes a programme of targeted exercises for the brain that strengthens cognitive function in areas of identified deficit;
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Enables successful participants to engage in normal learning because the barriers created by the learning dysfunctions have been remediated.
The Arrowsmith Program has been successful in other schools world-wide by assisting students overcome learning difficulties related to reading, writing, mathematics, comprehension, logical reasoning, visual memory, auditory memory, dyslexia, non-verbal learning, auditory processing and attention. We look forward to the success of our first intake of Arrowsmith students. The School’s decision to adopt the programmes of the IBO and Arrowsmith reflect our commitment to a world class education that improves learning for all our students.
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
In Profile Nadia Merchant
Head of Library and Information Services When did you join the staff and where have you taught/worked previously? TIGS has been my new home since the beginning of the school year 2015. Previous to that I worked as the Head of Information Services at Queenwood School for Girls in Mosman. I began my education career as an English, Drama and ESL teacher. I have also worked in the publishing industry in sales and later as a project manager. I then re-trained and completed a Master of Education Teacher Librarianship. I have worked in a variety of roles in school libraries since I finished my master’s degree. I spent three years at St Ignatius Riverview as a Digital Learning Facilitator. I am currently studying a Master of Education – ICT to further enhance this important aspect of school libraries. As one of the newest members of staff what are your impressions of the TIGS Community? The TIGS community is very warm and welcoming, although I have only been here a matter of weeks I already feel as though I am part of the community. What have been some of your best moments in the Goodhew Library so far? On Friday 13 March we had the famous author Jacqueline Harvey come to the school and speak to Years 2-4 about being a writer. Students lined up to get their books autographed. That was very exciting. It has been a busy start to the new school year: we have been teaching a dedicated research skills lessons to all of Year 10; we also have wide reading classes with Year 7 and we are preparing a range of workshops for the Years 11 and 12 to help them with their academic writing and research skills. I’m really enjoying teaching in the wonderful space that is the TIGS library.
Joanne Danckwardt Year 7 Parent/Foundation Member For how long have you been a TIGS parent? I have been a parent since Hunter started in Prep in 2006. Why have you chosen TIGS for Hunter’s education from Prep – Year 12? I work in Wollongong and wanted Hunter in a school close to where I was. I also thought it was important that he be in a school which encourages respect for all and develops the whole child (not just in an academic way). I wanted to give him the best education I could afford. Why did you join the Foundation? I wanted to be more involved with the school and thought the goals of Foundation suited me. What do you value most about your involvement in the TIGS family? I love the interaction with other parents. I also really enjoy and value talking with the teachers and understanding how I can help support their role in Hunter’s development.
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Cultivating Creativity ArtsFest is an opportunity for students to develop real life social and management skills, including organisation, coordination, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, motivation and leadership skills, and skills in production techniques and creativity. It’s also an innovative way for students to represent their house and work collectively towards a positive goal. ArtsFest provides a life experience that’s hard to forget as students and teachers see the rewards of their commitment. The Showcase continued the wonderful spirit of student involvement in the Arts with over 400 people supporting this event and well over 100 students involved.
“I loved seeing the House Captains and the teachers dancing and then we were all dancing because we were having so much fun.” - Year 10 Kogara
Our students in the Junior School continue to learn through music by doing. Students are doing movement and performance activities in the classroom through tuned percussion instruments in Kindergarten to Year 2, to the Infants’ Choir and Stage 2 Choir, to our string, piano, fife, brass, woodwind and percussion programmes in Years 3 and 4. Students are exploring musical concepts in a hands-on, practical way. Years 5 and 6 have used percussion instruments, non-Western instruments and even objects in our built and natural environment to play together, to improvise and to organise sound into compositions. In our co-curricular programmes, students are actively engaged. From the Infants’ Orchestra in years Prep – 2, to our Junior Strings, Junior Orchestra, Junior Concert Band, Cantilena Singers, Junior Dance and Theatreworx. In the Primary years, students are developing their aural awareness and aesthetic appreciation.
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“Ever since I found out I was getting a trumpet, I can hardly wait to get started!” – Oscar Ryan, Year 4
“I like how everyone has a go, even kids who are not the best singers or dancers. We all get to try it.” - Year 8 Aranda
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Cultivating Creativity “I loved painting the rocks and my favorite symbol is the campfire.” - Jessica Britton, Preparatory Programme
Art in the Junior School supported learning across the curriculum as well as developing disciplinary specific skills in the Creative Arts.
“I loved the boys playing the didgeridoo” - Mackenzie Tregonning, Preparatory Programme The Year 11 Creativity Camp saw students consider the theme of ‘Place’ in their Study of The Arts. Students collaborate across the disciplines of Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Drama and VET Entertainment to create artworks that respond to the environment and develop and extend each student’s skills. The works produced on camp and subsequently in class were celebrated at their Exhibition ‘Beyond Bundanon’. Students created some amazing artworks, films, dance choreography, performance and music, in response to their experiences at Bundanon and the Shoalhaven River.
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“My highlight was doing the giant swing because it conquered my fear of heights” - Madison Rice, Year 7
“Visiting Canberra was really good. I was amazed by the AIS and Parliament House was actually beautiful.” - Deepika Parajuli, Year 6
The Power of EXPERIMENTAL Learning Learning outside the classroom
Providing experiences where students interact with the world makes learning rewarding and authentic. Taking students into the community, helps them to bridge classroom study and life in the world and to transform inert knowledge into knowledge-in-use.
“The visit to the Aboriginal tent embassy provided us with a different perspective on life in Australia.” - Elliot Winn, Year 6 Outdoor Education
The Motto behind the Outdoor Education Program at TIGS is “Growth Through Challenge”. This includes physical, emotional, psychological, relational and spiritual challenge. ‘Growth through challenge’ means that the programmes are designed to be tough and the students are taught to rely on their peers, it is through this process that the students can appreciate real life scenarios and real support.
“I felt challenged while caving, but I was pushed through by the support of my new found friends” - Lochie Mills, Year 7 The Illawarra Grammar School Term I Review 2015
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Opportunities to Lead and Serve “The Year 10 leader was the best because she cared about us, she made our group bond really well” - Emma Franco, Year 8 TIGS students are given every opportunity to lead and to serve within our school community so that they can provide leadership in the future. Thank you to all our leaders and to those providing leadership by volunteering at various events and in lots of contexts throughout the school. Our school community is all the richer for your involvement.
“Leadership opportunities let me serve others and give service. They provide happiness for all of our community.” - Elijah Li, Year 11
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“It’s a privilege to step up to the task to lead younger students and help them adjust to the Senior School.” - Marie Russo, Year 10
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“Every child must feel safe to thrive but it is also true that sometimes they have to feel brave” - Griffin Longley at TEDxPerth 2014
Creative Play The importance of unstructured creative play for successful learning and life. Research has shown that children who have regular time in nature are: •
More able to cope with stress
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Calmer
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Able to concentrate more
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More attentive
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More able to problem solve
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More positive in social interactions
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More environmentally responsible
Positive risks are the bedrock of innovation and leadership. Positive risk takers are the innovators of the future: the people who are confident and ready to move beyond the standard answers and solve the pressing questions, like future power sources or how we deal with climate change. Playground design can teach and embed positive risk confidence.
“It is very exciting for us as a school to be creating an intentional environment where risk literacy and indeed risk fluency is considered, in the playground, in the classroom, in thinking and learning and with parent involvement, at home also.” - Judi Nealy, Head of Junior School The Illawarra Grammar School Term I Review 2015
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OUR community
Schools are a community made up of multiple groups and relationships. This term has seen varied opportunities for us to connect and continue to grow as a community together. The Class of 1984 gathered early this year with classmates coming as far as Singapore, the UK and Sydney to reconnect. Alumni picked up where they left off 30 years ago, sharing their journey so far and reconnecting with old friends. Our International students from China, Thailand, Korea and Japan, along with the TIGS cross cultural prefects celebrated Chinese New Year with a meal at a local Chinese Cambodian Restaurant. Gathering together to celebrate this important day far from home was a wonderful experience for all. The second event to celebrate Chinese New Year was hosted by the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) students who set up games, Chinese snacks and decorations to wish the rest of our school “Happy New Year” in Mandarin. On Harmony Day, the Junior School ‘Language Enriched Activity Programme’ (LEAP) group greeted fellow students in their home language and tied colourful string around everyone’s wrist to show that we all belong. It was very exciting to see national costumes from India, China, Pakistan, Iran and Norway which sparked many conversations and embraced the wonderful range of cultures we have in our country and school. The annual Junior School Twilight picnic provided parents the opportunity to connect in a relaxed way while the children were entertained by our Year 10 student hosts. Held on the newly refurbished Junior School oval, a fantastic evening was enjoyed, establishing and building connections with other parents and getting to know their children’s friends at school.
“Do we have to go home now? I love playing with my Senior School buddies!” - Riley Grundy, Year 2 The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence is an opportunity for the whole school community to ‘take a stand together’ against bullying and violence. A Kindergarten to Year 6 picnic lunch was held on the new Junior School Oval and our community Captains organised games and activities for all the students to enjoy.
“It is pretty cool. No bullying. I’m with that” - Evan Glover, Year 6
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Over 450 members of our extended community enjoyed the Taj Mahal Dinner, feeling transported to a palace in India for the dazzling offering of gourmet Indian food, exotic entertainment and a Bollywood atmosphere. Funds raised on the evening are divided into two significant School and community partnerships: TIGS Foundation, which raises funds for the advancement of the School, in particular the Rev Richard Bosanquet Scholarship and for the Disability Trust’s TIGS Sony Camp, which enables a large cohort of students to provide valuable respite for the families of local children with disabilities. TIGS community extends our gratitude and appreciation to Drs. Sharad and Lata Tamhane and Mr Cedric and Mrs Usha Fernandez, who, as past parents, have given so freely of their time, talents and resources.
“It is very rewarding to see such a large number of local people and businesses come together to celebrate the diversity, heritage and culture of our Indian community here in the Illawarra.” - Stephen Kinsella, Headmaster
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Focus on learning What does great learning look like?
Great learning happens when learners feel connected, when the learning is relevant and authentic, when there is purpose and when there is challenge. This environment doesn’t happen by chance. In Term 1 teachers at TIGS have intentionally planned to create environments where great learning can occur and then designed the learning opportunities with a focus on the individual needs of each student. In the Piper Centre great learning occurs through play and exploration. Play opportunities are designed with intention by the Piper Centre so that our youngest children can explore their understanding of the world and each other. In the Junior School great learning is characterized by authentic engagement and relevant experiences. It is transdisciplinary and concept driven and focuses on the development of essential skills and enduring understandings. The Senior School curriculum is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected. Student learning encompasses disciplinary knowledge, skills and content.
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TIGS FOUNDATION Limited Chairman’s Message | Craig Peden
It is with great pleasure that I write to you as Chairman of TIGS Foundation 2015, and to warmly welcome TIGS Families and the School Community, past and present to a fresh new year. As a former student and current parent I have seen the value that Foundation has added to the fabric of the School Community over my proud 30 year association. Foundation will continue to work closely with the Headmaster and School Council to deliver key strategic initiatives through instrumental fundraising activities that align with the goals and objectives of the school. It brings me enormous joy and gratitude to participate in architecting these key fundraising initiatives and adds to the sense of community and camaraderie that we are so blessed to have here at TIGS. I am immensely proud and grateful for our voluntary Board Members that work tirelessly on these key fundraising initiatives and without their efforts and passion our goals would not be achieved. Thank you to those families who generously donated to TIGS Foundation through the recent 2015 Fee Commitment Form. Your kind donation contributes to the achievement of our goals and objectives for funding of the Reverend Richard Bosanquet Scholarship, provided for students whose circumstances would otherwise not allow them to access a TIGS education, and to capital works programmes and assets which support teaching and learning at the School. This assists to drive forward the fantastic educational opportunities your children will receive here at TIGS.
“The Foundation looks forward to earning your respect and ultimately your involvement, as we partner with each other to achieve great things for this fine school – my school.” - Craig Peden, TIGS Foundation Chairman I look forward to welcoming you to our events over the course of the year and once again thank you for your interest and participation with TIGS Foundation.
On Board TIGS Foundation 2015
On Wednesday 18 March, TIGS Foundation Annual General Meeting was held in the Goodhew Research Centre. Congratulations to all Board Members who have been re-elected to TIGS Foundation Board for 2015. All of these high achieving and publicly spirited Board Members will continue as exemplary supporters of our school community and beyond. The School is privileged to have these willing volunteers to donate their resources to the Foundation in 2015 and forward into 2016. Foundation Board Members for 2015 are as follows: Chair Craig Peden Vice Chair Sandra Newhouse Secretary Craig Osborne Member Kevin Donald Member David Laing Member Joanne Danckwardt Member Olga Early Member Usha Fernandez
UP AND COMING EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES FOR 2015 •
TIGS Foundation Silent Auction - as part of TIGS Great Fete on Saturday 16 May 2015, TIGS Foundation will again host a Silent Auction with a wonderful array of items up for bid.
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School Production of “Beauty and the Beast” Pre-Show Cocktail Evening – Thursday 18 June 2015 for all interested in the work of Foundation
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‘The Works’ Exhibition – Celebrating art and design from the 2015 HSC Students, Friday 21 August 2015.
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“Not So Secret” Men’s Business – A major Fundraising Dinner to be held in November 2015 All gentlemen from the TIGS community are invited to join the original students of TIGS in a dinner to re-unite and connect with friends old and new.
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TIGS Foundation Wine Drive – an ongoing fundraiser with wines sourced locally. This Drive once again is an opportunity to contribute to TIGS Foundation.
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TIGS Community Business Directory – a new fundraising initiative which will enable TIGS Families to promote their business/s by advertising their details on the TIGS Website. There will be an annual fee of $300 per business each calendar year for advertising in the Directory. Upon approval, immediate applications for 2015 will receive a bonus of several months free advertising, expiring 31 December 2016.
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TIGS Foundation Wills Program – a new fundraising initiative, in which law firms will contribute to TIGS Foundation when arranging Wills requested by our TIGS Community.
If you would like to learn more about the work of TIGS Foundation and how your tax deductible donation could help, please contact the School or email Lisa Wilson at foundation@tigs.nsw.edu.au
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