Issue 1 term I 2014

TI G S

The Illawarra Grammar School

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

Issue1

TERM I 2014

New PARENTS EVENING Friday 7 February

Headmaster WELCOME BACK

Welcome, or welcome back, to all members of the TIGS family for 2014.

It was wonderful to meet many new parents at the New Parents’ Evening held last Friday.

We welcome many new students starting their TIGS journey and hope that their time at TIGS will be enriching. We are pleased that they and their parents have joined our TIGS community and look forward to a long and happy partnership.

This year we welcome the following new members of staff to our school:

capable staff joining our school and look forward to celebrating their achievements with our students.

A number of teachers have also been appointed to new roles: •

Mrs Judi Nealy – Acting Deputy Headmaster, Term 1 while Mrs Watt is on Long Service Leave

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Mr Greg Lanyon – Acting Head of Senior School, Term 1

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Mrs Dianne Bryant – New role, IB Continuum

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Mrs Alexandra Gordon (Stage Coordinator)

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Mr Shaun Houghton (Head of English – Senior School)

Mrs Karen Wallace – Teaching & Learning/IB Coordinator, Junior School

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Mrs Kylie Cook (Teacher – Junior School)

Mrs Renae Pinazza – Head of The Faculty of The Arts

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Mr Matthew Unwin (Music Teacher – Senior School)

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Mr Jay Tregonning – Head of Faculty, PDHPE

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Mrs Jane Golding (Science Teacher – Senior School)

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Mrs Mel Sharpe- Acting Director of Pastoral Care, Term 1

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Ms Megan Armstrong (Teacher Librarian)

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Mrs Petra Pollum – Acting Head Librarian, Term 1

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Ms Di Goodman (The Arts – Senior School)

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Mr Brenden Parsons – Dean of Year 10

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Mrs Renee Ferguson (P/T The Arts – Senior School)

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Ms Cassie James – Dean of Year 8

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Mr Jesse Pinazza (P/T English, Music Accompanist)

Mr Marcello Dardanelli – Coligan House Patron

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Mrs Carolyn Brown – Music Teacher, Coordinator of Performance (Junior School)

We are privileged to have such qualified and

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Mrs Jacqui Hitchcock – Coordinator of Performance (Senior School)

We were thrilled with the performance of our students in the 2013 HSC. TIGS continues to be unchallenged as the leading school in the Illawarra. A summary of our HSC achievements is provided on our website.

Some highlights are: •

90% of TIGS students seeking Selective Entry (Early Entry) at University were successful – they were advised of their success before they sat for their HSC examinations;

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3 students were named on the Premier’s All Rounders list. These students achieved the highest result (Band 6 or equivalent) in their top 10 units of study. This is the same number of students as the local selective high school – a great result for TIGS which is not a selective school.

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There were 9 nominations by the HSC Examiners for special exhibition at Board of Studies events: Encore (4 Music), Call Back (4 Dance) and Art Express (1 Visual Arts).These nomination are for the elite of the elite. It is an outstanding achievement to receive 9 nominations.

The success of Year 12, 2013 should be a great encouragement to students and parents. We are always confident that at TIGS we achieve excellence in educating the whole child - it is always nice to have this

Chaplain’s Message LESSONS FROM SOCHI

at TIGS. We teach our students that God gifts each with unique talents. God wants each to use their talents to the best of their ability for the good of others and to the glory of God (see Matthew 25.14-30).

Successful living involves employing our gifts and talents in this way. We can be sure we have done well when we have done our best with the resources God has put at our disposal. Whether this wins us a prize or not is beside the point.

confirmed through external authorities such as the Board of Studies – now known as the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES).

A special event for all parents has been organised for Monday, 3 March starting at 6.30pm. The subject of the presentation is ‘Build a family that sticks together’. It will be of great interest and benefit to everyone involved in the care of children.

Lisa McInness-Smith, a world renowned speaker will be leading the session. She has presented to more than one million adults in 22 countries and authored seven best-selling books. She is also the first person outside North America to be inducted into the International Speaker Hall of Fame – the highest designation possible in the speaking world. Further details can be found in this Newsletter.

Her presentation is an event not to be missed.

I look forward to meeting you and this and the many other events that will make 2014 another exciting year at TIGS. Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

With the 2014 Winter Olympic Games presently underway in Sochi elite sport is back in the headlines. We marvel at the passion, dedication and talent of those who represent their countries in this most prestigious event. There are really no losers in an Olympic Games meet. The athletes in Sochi have communicated this well. There is a wonderful camaraderie among the athletes and those who have failed to win a place on the podium seem so full of delight in the knowledge they have done their best. This is how it should be.

Sometimes the Australian media can be especially hard on our athletes, giving the impression that a failure to win a medal is a failure full stop. While there have been some traces of this attitude expressed at Sochi most of the coverage has been congratulatory, regardless of the placing.

This is refreshing.

This is the sort of mindset we seek to foster

As parents we have power to put undue pressure on our children to perform.

There are many reasons we might be tempted to do this. But if it is true that God has uniquely gifted each of our children and is satisfied himself when they use those gifts to the best of their ability it can’t be right that we would be less than satisfied ourselves with the best our children have to offer. As parents we have a responsibility to draw the very best out of our children; we do not have the right to express dissatisfaction when they have given their very best. Slopestyle skier Anna Segal’s parents expressed this perfectly on Tuesday night. You may have seen them interviewed after Anna’s fourth in the ski slopestyle final. They were so proud of their daughter. They knew she had done her very best under trying circumstances. That is all they could have asked.

As a postscript to this article, you will be aware I am sure that one of our greatest Olympians, Ian Thorpe, is doing it pretty tough at the moment. Ian has bravely admitted to battling with depression over a long period. He is experiencing a severe bout of depression at the moment and is seeking some much-needed assistance.

We as a nation have a duty to wish him well. He has represented us all with such distinction over many years and has given us many thrills in the pool. Let’s pray for a speedy recovery for Ian. Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School UNIQUE SKILLS

Although there is always some trepidation about starting back at school after the summer break or joining a new school for the first time, it was great to see the way that the School community has settled back into the routines in the first week. Prior to students returning to school last week, all Senior School staff were engaged in professional learning in the Middle Years Program (MYP), with trainers from international schools in Sweden, Singapore and China as part of the School’s commitment to accreditation as an IB World School.

More about the benefits of the MYP to students at TIGS in future Newsletters.

One event in the School calendar that all parents and carers should bookmark is the presentation at the School by Lisa McInnes-Smith on the evening of Monday 3 March, starting at 6.30pm. Lisa is an engaging, internationally recognised speaker whose presentation is titled “Build a family that sticks together”.

Having adolescent children in your home is not easy. Although at times it can be exhilarating, my own experience with teenage children at home is that it creates pressures and tensions within the family that require

P&F Update

unique skills and innovative solutions.

For the most part we all struggle along without much help, doing the best we can.

Lisa’s presentation will be dynamic and engaging and we hope that you will come away feeling encouraged about the work that you are doing with your family as well as having some insights about new possibilities and skills in building a loving family.

The good news is that this opportunity to hear Lisa will be at no charge, but there are limited seats available. In order to reserve a seat, please go here to reserve a ticket. If you know friends or family who might be interested, please invite them along.

Lisa will also be working in the School during the day with school staff as well as a leadership training session, which is open to leaders of teams from both business and education. I hope to join many of you for an entertaining and insightful day and evening.

Greg Lanyon Acting Head of Senior School

PARENT LUNCHEON

RECYCLED 2014 UNIFORM SERVICE MEETINGS

All members of the TIGS community are invited to welcome in the start of the School year, catch up with old friends and meet new families.

The Recycled Uniform Shop will be open Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons only from 2.30pm to 3.45pm.

Sizes catering from Prep to Year 12.

Tickets on sale via the TIGS Website Thank you everyone for your kind donations Seacliff Restaurant, Cliff Road, Wollongong Wednesday 26 February 2014 12.00 - 2.30pm $60pp RSVP: Essential

Held from 6.00pm to 7.00pm in the Goodhew Library.

Term 1 – 31 March Term 2 – 10 June Term 3 – 2 September Term 4 – 2 December (AGM) Come along and keep in touch with what’s going on in our school.

by Susan McLean

The Illawarra Grammar School is pleased to host Lisa McInnes-Smith, a motivational keynote presenter. Lisa has presented to more than one million adults in 22 countries and authored seven best-selling books. She is also the first person outside North America to ever be inducted into the International Speaker Hall of Fame – the highest designation possible in the speaking world TIGS will host a FREE session for Parents of the Illawarra on ‘Sticky Families’

FREE

Lisa’s session will teach you how to ‘Build a family that sticks together’!

PARENT SESSION

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Refresh and refuel quickly and efficiently Build your capacity to stick at it Be fun to live with Relate in ways that make others feel appreciated Use the self talk of success not stress Work at building a great marriage (it doesn’t happen by accident!)

Love and nurture each other Release the talents and strengths of those around you Fill up your family’s love tanks Better understand your kids Love your kids through clear boundaries

6.30pm to 8.30pm Monday 3 March 2014 @ TIGS in the Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC)

Bookings Essential

For more information or to book your ticket please visit

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au An International Baccalaureate (IB) World School

Students helping with Breakfast on the Beach

STUDENT SUCCESS CAREERS Breakfast On The Beach

TIGS is extremely proud of our students at Breakfast On The Beach yesterday. 13 of our Year 11 students, and one Year 12 student turned up at 7.30 am and helped out. They sold raffle tickets to raise funds for the Disability Trust and played games with children. They were polite, cheerful and very enthusiastic. The list of students is below.

Year 11: Rachel Craft, Clara Davidson, Bronte Greer-Richards, Tahlia Jackson, Susan Jah, Hannah Kim, Maria Kyriakoudes, Simone Lindsay, Stephanie McEwan, Yaru Mizori, Maddie Negus, Olivia Poate, Margaux Walker Year 12: Manarr Jasim

CANTEEN A reminder that online ordering for the canteen is available. Please visit the website to view the menu for Term I 2014 and to place your order.

The Canteen is also looking for volunteers, if you would like to know more please call 02 4220 0241or visit Debbie in the Canteen.

2014 NSW Mining Scholarships Online applications for Year 11 students studying minerals related subjects (Maths, Science etc) and considering entering a mining related subject at university have been extended to Wednesday 26 February.

Considered university subjects can include: Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Mining, Environmental), Geology, Geoscience, IT, Health and Safety, Surveying, Legal, Operations and Environmental Science.

Further examples can be found here.

The scholarship provides $500 in Year 11, $1000 in Year 12 and $2000 when they complete their first year in a minerals related subject at university. Students will also be allocated a mentor from their sponsoring company. The online application can be found here.

2014 CALENDAR CHANGES Please be aware of the following changes to dates published in the 2014 Calendar.

The TIGS Whole School Cross Country Carnival is scheduled for 9 April. There will be no Junior Cross Country on 3 April.

The NSW All Schools Triathlon Championships have been moved from 4 and 5 March to the 6 and 7 March.

THE ARTS: MUSIC Two of our most promising musicians will be performing at the upcoming Gerringong Music Clubs Concert to be held at the Gerringong Town Hall, on Sunday 9 March at 2.00pm.

The Concert will showcase some of the Illawarra’s Most outstanding young musicians. Violinist Linda Lee (Year 5) will perform a work for two violins with Cedar Rose Newman also nine years of age.

Vocalist Molly Stewart (Year 8) will be displaying her talent in the genre of Musical Theatre

Junior School A WONDERFUL WEEK It was wonderful to welcome all students to TIGS last week but especially our new families and the Kindergarten and Prep children. Our youngest students were settled and happy for their first week of school and the Teddy Bears picnic with their buddies was certainly a highlight.

I remind families that we are a “nut aware” School. This means that students are not permitted to bring food to School that contains nuts. This is because we have several students at our school who are extremely allergic to nuts and we want to keep them safe while in the Junior School.

Your assistance in doing this is greatly appreciated and perhaps if your little one really loves peanut butter, then this would be a great afternoon tea when he or she arrives home.

Parents consistently tell us that this role is the most important one in their lives, above career, sports, interests and friends. Please take this opportunity to be encouraged, uplifted and skilled in creating the family life you aspire to.

Lisa is an engaging and skilled speaker and just great fun. You will enjoy the session as well as come away from it excited and refreshed about the possibilities for your family.

There are limited seats available for this session and we are opening the opportunity to the Illawarra community so they will go fast. To ensure your seat, please go on the School web site and reserve a ticket.

I am looking forward to joining many of our TIGS community at this parent event but also at the team leadership training event during the day which is open to leaders of teams from the business sector as well as those in the educational sector.

Dates for your diary:

TIGS is not just for kids having fun and learning together!

Save the date, international speaker Lisa McInnes-Smith is coming to Wollongong and is being hosted at TIGS. When: Monday 3 March 2014 Time: 6.30pm Cost: Free!

Every day is an accumulation of actions and statements, habits and behaviours, rituals and traditions carried out and spoken over others. Success in school and in the workplace multiplies when home and family life flourishes. So let’s make sure we are flourishing at home!

Every parent seeks to create a wonderful environment for their children and partner where all family members are loved, appreciated and enabled to be the very best they can be. It’s hard work! It’s tiring!

Sometimes it’s confusing and it’s always worth it!

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Thursday 20 February - Captains Induction Assembly

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Friday 21 February - Junior School Swimming Carnival

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Thursday 6 March - Junior School First Assembly

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Friday 14 March - Junior School Twilight Picnic

Weekly Awards 1T

Riley Grundy Katherine Binks

2H

Alexander Attorre, Victoria Steward

4R

Daniel Aghmesheh

Please note: These awards will be handed out in our first Assembly on the 6 March 2014

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

S

ns

Extend @ TIGS Welcome back!

We hope you have had a fantastic summer holiday and are looking forward to what exciting possibilities 2014 holds. We can’t wait to see lots of familiar faces at After School Care and to welcome lots of new faces as well.

Please pop in and say hi!

ENROL NOW and PAY LATER NEW Enrolments must be received with 5 days notice Great news! In order to make the enrolment process more convenient and affordable for new families, we have decreased our annual enrolment fee from $30 to $20 per family. You don’t even need to pay this until you first use the account! So if you enrol and never make a booking, then you never need to pay the enrolment fee. We therefore encourage ALL NEW FAMILIES to enrol with Extend so that the service is available to you if you need to use it later.

All active enrolments and permanent bookings roll-over each school year so you only need to enrol once! Just let us know when you no longer require the service.

Please note all completed enrolments must be received with a minimum of 5 days notice before a booking is required. For any enrolments that need to be processed with less than 5 days notice, an Express Enrolment service is available at an additional charge. For further details please see our Terms and Conditions at extend.com.au.

ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.au CALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437

SCHOOL SAFETY NOTICE TO DRIVERS

In the interest of CHILD SAFETY there is NO EXCUSE for disobeying traffic control signs and road rules in the vicinity of a school. Please read and understand the following traffic controls around your school;

NO STOPPING Under no circumstances are you permitted to stop on a length of road to which a NO STOPPING sign applies.

(Penalty: exceeds $240 + two demerit points)

NO PARKING You are permitted to stop in a NO PARKING zone only while you are engaged in dropping off or picking up passengers. You must not stop for more than two minutes. You must stay within three metres of your vehicle. (Penalty: exceeds $130+ two demerit points)

BUS ZONE You are not permitted to stop in a BUS ZONE unless you are driving a public bus. (Penalty: exceeds $240 + two demerit points)

CHILDREN’S CROSSING You are not permitted to stop within 20 metres before the crossing and 10 metres after the crossing. (Penalty: exceeds $320 + two demerit points)

DOUBLE PARKING A driver must not stop on a road between the centre of the road and another vehicle that is parked at the side of the road.

(Penalty: exceeds $240 + two demerit points)

EFFECTIVE: 1 JULY 2009

THE COST OF TAKING YOUR CHILDREN TO

Sport

SENIOR SCHOOL

Swimming success

students at the pool by 8.50am.

Year 7 – 10 Sport

At the recent Australian Open water 10km swim event in Perth, Jarrod Poort (alumni 2012) claimed first place.

After the completion of the carnival students may be picked up from the venue or catch a TIGS shuttle bus back to school.

Emma McKeon (2012 alumni) competed at the BHP Billiton super aquatic series international event. Emma won four gold medals in the relays. Emma led the 4 x 200m freestyle relay and clocked the fastest 200m in the world this year.

Supervision will be available at the pool from 8.15am. A canteen is available, although it is advisable to bring your own food/drink.

It has been a great start to the Co-Curricular Sport programme. Students a reminded that their attendance is compulsory and they are to submit a note for illness or non-attendance to student reception.

David McKeon (2010 alumni) competed at the BHP Billiton super aquatic series international event. David came 2nd 400m freestyle, 3rd 200m freestyle and was a member of the gold medal 4 x 200m relay.

China, Japan, Brazil and South Africa were involved in this event. Congratulations to these three alumni students on these outstanding results.

Basketball Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in U/15 NASSA Basketball Teams:

To support our School sun safe guidelines students are advised to bring and wear hats and sunscreen. Students are also reminded to bring their asthma medication to this event. We are looking forward to a great day and invite parents to come and spectate.

In case of inclement weather please listen to 96.5 Wave FM. Sports before and after school will still go ahead on Tuesday.

Senior School Swimming Carnival The TIGS Swimming Carnival will be held Tuesday 18 February 2014 at Western Suburbs Pool Unanderra.

Last year saw a great number of students participating and we envisage the same for 2014. We encourage all students to participate in this compulsory school event.

If students are injured they can come along, support their House and help with the running of the carnival. Notes for non-participation can be submitted to House Patrons before or on the day. These students can act as helpers. There will be something for everyone.

Students are required to wear their House shirt with school sport shorts to and from the pool. Please remember students must be in correct costumes. This includes TIGS swimmers or navy blue/black speedos for both boys and girls (girls must wear full piece swimmers) and TIGS board shorts (optional).

Students may make their own way to the pool or there will be shuttle buses from TIGS taking students to the pool. We would like all

Mondays Swimming – 7.00am – 8.00am University Pool Surfing 6.30am – 8.00am North Wollongong Beach Tuesdays Stand Up Paddleboard – 6.30am – 7.30am Belmore Basin Girls Strength Conditioning – 3.30pm – 4.30pm ReKreate Coniston

TIGS Netball Club Registration Friday 14 February 3.30pm - 5.00pm in the IGC Saturday 15 February 9.30am - 11.00am in the IGC Snowsports

Benae Kuiper, Renee Thompson, Chloe Lavalle, Vincent Chauvet, Blake McDougall

All 5.00pm sport buses will depart from the IGC carpark.

Each year TIGS enters a school team into the Northern Regional Snowsports Championships. Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 are eligible to participate in the main skiing and snowboarding disciplines and the regional championships are a great introduction to racing for new comers to the sport.

The 2014 Regional Championships will be held at Thredbo during the first week of our school holidays in July (Wednesday July 2 through to Saturday July 5). If you would like to join the Snowsports team or need more information please contact Jay Tregonning in the Senior School at jtregonning@tigs.nsw. edu.au or phone 02 4220 0200.

University of Wollongong Junior Waterpolo Competition – Term I URAC will be running a junior waterpolo competition/training session this term starting on Saturday 15 February and will run every Saturday until the 12 April from 12.30pm - 1.30pm. Students from 8-14 years can be involved and cost is $7.00 per session.

Anyone is welcome to go along and try out the junior waterpolo which is a new and growing competition. For further enquiries email urac-pool@uow.edu.au

Hangdog Climbing – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangdog Racquet Sport – 3.30pm – 4.30pm ORB Sporting Complex Figtree Hangtime Trampolining – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangtime Coniston Street Dance – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Begbie Dance Studio Thursday Stand Up Paddleboard – 6.30am – 7.30am Belmore Basin Rowing – 7.00am – 8.00am – Illawarra Boat Sheds Surfing 6.30am – 8.00am North Wollongong Beach Hangdog Climbing – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangdog Tennis – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Beaton Park Tennis Courts Hangtime Trampolining – 3.30pm – 4.30pm Hangtime Coniston Boys Gym – 3.30pm – 4.30pm – University Recreation Centre Friday Swimming – 7.00am – 8.00am University Pool

New Parents Evening 2014

Thank you to the many Parents and Guardians of our new students this year who came along to our annual ‘New Parents Evening’ last Friday. The evening was a tremendous success and provided many new families with a platform to meet and greet other respective new parents in similar year groups to their children.

It was a pleasure to look around the room and see so many new relationships developing, not only with parents, but with staff also.

We look forward to seeing you at TIGS events throughout the year.

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 3

Senior School Swimming Carnival Tuesday 18 February

Junior SChool Captains Induction Assembly Thursday 20 February

Junior School Swimming Carnival Friday 21 February

P&F Parent Luncheon Wednesday 26 February

Pupil Free Day Monday 3 March

Lisa McInnes-Smith - Parent Session Monday 3 March 6.30pm - 8.30pm