NEWSLETTER
Headmaster’s Message Rees Hall Head of Senior School Head of Junior School Chaplain Issue 3 Term II, 2010
1
Week Until
Academic • Christian • Caring
Fete Day
Ress Hall Mrs Rhoda Lavinia Victoria Rees played a significant role in the establishment of TIGS in 1959, yet few people know who she was or how she contributed in the early days. Mrs Rees was the daughter of a Wollongong businessman and she married into a family of farmers and orchardists. She and her husband acquired 5 acres of land on Geard’s Hill and established a successful farm growing vegetables and flowers for market. They lived in a 19th Century cottage set on the hill in the centre of their farm overlooking the escarpment of Mount Keira. They had no children and when her husband died Mrs Rees continued to live by herself on the farm which became overgrown with lantana and scrub. Mrs Rees had a strong association with St Mark’s Anglican Church, West Wollongong and the lectern in that church bears a plaque telling that it was her gift. When it became known that members of the Parish were looking for land suitable for the establishment of a new Anglican school she offered her property for sale. Rees Farm was sold to the School in three stages: • On 18 December 1958 the contract was completed for the sale of land at TIGS (roughly the site of the current Senior School) for 2,500 pounds ($5,000). The School held its first lessons at St Mark’s Church during 1959 while the first building (the current main office building) was constructed. The generosity of Mrs Rees was reflected in the sale price which was well below market value and she became a benefactor of the School giving most of the sale price back.
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
• In 1961 she sold an additional acre of land (roughly the current site of the Piper Centre and the Junior School Car Park) to the School for 1,500 pounds ($3,000). • In 1977, she sold the final part of her property (roughly the site of the current TAS building, including her cottage, known as Rees Cottage) to the School for $35,000. Mrs Rees is an important figure in the history of the School. She provided the property on which much the TIGS campus is located; she was a generous benefactor to the School; she lived for many years in her cottage as the School grew around her; her cottage was eventually used as a place for girls boarding and then as a teaching space for Art and Cooking. At the last meeting of the TIGS School Council it was agreed that the name of the downstairs multi-purpose space in the new Junior School building will be known as Rees Hall in recognition of the contribution made by Mrs Rees to the development and success of TIGS. The New Junior School building, including Rees Hall, will be available for inspection prior to it being used for lessons and school activities, commencing at the beginning of Term III. Those interested in viewing this wonderful addition to our facilities are welcome to attend one of the following sessions: 22 May
TIGS Great Fete - tours will be held during the day, leaving from the Goodhew Research Centre on the hour.
9 June
Open for inspection at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm
19 September
‘Back to TIGS’ weekend, including the official opening of the building
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
Chaplain’s Connection Do you compartmentalise your life? Do you separate some parts of your life from others, put them in different boxes, never to be allowed to intermingle or cross-contaminate? And if so, is that a good thing or a bad thing? In some areas of life it can be a helpful thing to compartmentalise. For example, working from home can be totally life-absorbing. There are no bells marking the beginning and end of the working day. You are “in the office” 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. So someone once introduced me to the notion of letting the office door be the barrier between work and home. When you’re in the office, you’re at work: available, on call, worrying about and working on the issues in your job. But when you walk out of the office and into the family room, you shut the door behind you and, although the office may be only a metre away, the issues you were absorbed with in there are now shut away behind that door until tomorrow. That’s an example of where compartmentalising is a useful life-management tool. But there are other times when we ought not to separate one area of life from another. The English writer Dorothy Sayers (who was a Christian) once wrote (in Creed or Chaos): “In nothing has the Church so lost her hold on reality as in her failure to understand and respect the secular vocation. She has allowed work and religion to become separate departments, and is astonished to find that, as a result, the secular work of the world is turned to purely selfish and destructive ends, and that the greater part of the world’s intelligent workers have become irreligious, or at least uninterested in religion. But is it astonishing? How can anyone remain interested in a religion which seems to have no concern with nine-tenths of his life?” In other words, Christians who compartmentalise their faith and cut it off from the rest of their life, end up being ineffectual. You can’t (or shouldn’t) have the ‘God box’ that covers maybe ten percent of your life, but keep the other 90 percent in another box that God has nothing to do with. You should never shut the door and say “God doesn’t belong in this part of the house”.
John Reed Chaplain
When we speak at TIGS about applying a Christian Worldview through everything we do, that is what we are talking about: opening every door to God. God has his place not only in church on Sunday, but in the way we work, in our attitude to our sport, in the way we play our music ... in every sphere of life.
Senior School
Connections
As you are well aware TIGS is a school which is more than an academic institution. A teacher’s job at TIGS does not end with satisfying curriculum outcomes; we know that good pastoral care is a key determinant of a successful learning environment. This knowledge is underpinned by significant research on adolescent mental health and on new and emerging research on the brain and its development, particularly in the adolescent years. Students need to feel connected and helped to develop resilience. They need to be supported both inside and outside the classroom in order to achieve their potential and ‘be the best that they can be.’ The Pastoral Care structures that we have developed at TIGS and in particular the House Mentor Groups and the House system provide additional points of connection for students outside the classroom situation. A rich framework of positive and rewarding connections can provide a solid foundation for adolescents bombarded with conflicting messages by the media, new technologies, peer groups and alternative world views.
Monica Watt
Deputy Headmaster
As a learning community of staff we are constantly involved in reviewing and reevaluating our structures and approaches; we have a rigorous program of Professional Learning and Development activities to ensure that we are aspirational too, so that we can ‘be the best that we can be.’ Through the Deans and Mentors we aim to provide you with contact points within the School but we also seek to help you forge other connections, which I know is often difficult in your hectic lives. It can also be confounded by your offspring themselves who, at times it seems, would rather die than have you ‘involved in their life.’ Did they ever bring home the printed Newsletter?
In the Junior School it was all so easy. There was a joy and delight in having Mum or Dad visit the School, or meet up with your friends’ families. For teenagers this is definitely not the case. So the P& F have developed Orana; an organisation which seeks to help parents connect with each other at social events. Do come along to the next event that is organised by the Orana Year Co-ordinator. You will feel connected, empowered and maybe resilient too.
Junior School Mothers Day Celebrations in the Junior School The wind did make our hats a little flighty and we clutched our coffee cups in the brisk morning air, however, what a lovely morning was had by almost 100 mums and their children. It was fantastic to hear our mums chatting and strengthening the sense of community we share over a cuppa and some cake. Yes there was fruit but we all like something naughty for a treat! Our mums enjoyed watching the String Ensemble perform and also the Stage II Dance Group. I know there were quite a few of us wanting to join in the “Time Warp”! Thank you to Ms Ryan and Miss Zink with our very talented students for providing our entertainment. Classroom visits finished up our event. A relaxed time together with the children talking about what is happening on a normal day in the Junior School. Thank you to all of the mums who came along and also to the children for showing their mums how special they are and sharing their School day with them. I hope all of our mums had a lovely Sunday! This week I thought I would share with you an excerpt from a great site about literacy. I include the link for you to explore yourselves. Enjoy! http://www.rif.org/parents/motivate/ default.mspx Motivating Kids to Read - Studies show that the more children read the better readers and writers they become. But what can you do to motivate your children to read more regularly?
Judi Nealy
Head of Junior School As a parent you know that reading is important and you probably feel frustrated if your child doesn’t like to read. Many forces in children’s lives pull them away from reading television, video games, and after-school activities - but finding a way to incorporate reading and writing activities into your child’s daily routine may not be as difficult as it seems. Try the following: •
Learn more about your child’s interests and suggest books, magazines, and articles that relate to those topics.
•
Sometimes good movies are a starting point for pleasure reading - after seeing a movie based on a book, children will be motivated to read the book.
•
Sometimes travel sparks reading and finding books that relate to a place you visit on a family vacation can get a child hooked.
•
Keep books and other reading materials at home.
•
Read books with your children! Children of any age can appreciate being read to.
•
Be a good role model - let your children see you reading.
•
Try a hands-on activity - There are many activities that tie in literacy. Following written instructions is one.
TIGS EXTENDED At TIGS Extended last week the children enjoyed doing lots of crafts for mum for Mothers Day. We hope all the mothers of TIGS had a lovely well deserved restful break on Sunday. “Happy Mother’s Day to all the TIGS mums.” Vacation Care is NOW on the TIGS WEBSITE. All families of TIGS can access the information, booking forms and enrolment forms for June/July and Dec 2010 Vacation Care. Should you have any inquiries please do not hesitate to email the Director, Karen Buckley kbuckley@tigs.nsw.edu.au. Places will fill fast.....
Mother’s Day Garden Party
JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS 2Y
Piper KimberleyMastalir, Josh Agarwal
KH
Faith El Homsi
KM
Kiarna McIlwraith
KP
Clara Swainson
3A
Zachary Winter
1S
Rory Swainson
3Y
Breanna Saad
2A
Sarah Van Vreumingen
4B
Ellen Manson
5R
Caitlin Chadrawy, Samuel Garbo
5/6W Zoe Morrell 6C
Kai Middleton, Emily Nugara
6M
Molly Denison-Pender
Senior School Sports Cricket Congratulations to Nikhil Verma on his selection in the Illawarra Academy of Sports Cricket Squad. Football Congratulations to Nathan Belsito, Joshua Hurt and Phoebe Fraser for their selection in the AICES Football teams. Skiing Success Congratulations to Jack Millar who has just been named in the NSW/ACT Alpine Junior Team for 2010. We wish Jack all the best for his Skiing endeavours this season. Snowsports Entries are now open for Interschools Snowsports held in Thredbo from Wednesday July 7 through to Saturday July 10. Events include Snowboard
slalom and Snowboard X, Alpine and Skier X and Moguls. Please contact Jay Tregonning at TIGS for more information or to register your interest. More information can be found at www. interschools.org.au or by contacting Jay at jtregonning@tigs.nsw.edu.au Entries Close June 24. TIGS – UNI Rugby Results Under 8s: BYE Under 9s: TIGS Uni 5 - Kiama 29 Under 10s: TIGS Uni 5 - Kiama 24 Under 11s: TIGS Uni 5 - Kiama 71 Under 14s: TIGS Uni 0 - Kiama 80 Under 16s: TIGS Uni/Vikings 10 Waratahs 56
Waratah Shield V Corpus Christi Friday May 7 On Friday of last week the Senior Rugby team travelled to Kiama to play Corpus Christi in the Waratah Shield Ruby
TIGS
Uniform Notice
Please return any stray uniform items to either Senior School Reception or Junior School Reception. for
your
B
ig
o r M n i t ng s eg Date: Tuesday 25 May, 2010 Time: 9.00am – 11.00am
tea
Can all parents please check name tags on your children’s uniforms for any strays that may not belong to their child?
Thank you support!
Tech
Competition. Fielding relatively young sides both teams were unsure of what to expect. TIGS started strong, holding on to possession well before eventually breaking the opposition defence, with Kye Adams scoring out wide for the first of his four tries for the game. It was no stopping the TIGS team from there. With the final score being TIGS 46 (Kye Adams (4 tries), Adem Arapali, Vincent Gillies, Lachlan Shrubb, James Needham (1 try each) Jackson Gosling (1 conversion) Bradley Burt (2 conversion) – Corpus Christi 5 (1 Try). The TIGS team for this game was: Year 12: Ryan O’Connor, Vincent Gillies, Gordon Mill, Joshua Haddan, Dylan Prior Year 11: Kye Adams, Adem Arapali, Bryce Etheredge, Jackson Gosling, Xavier Hollis, Sean O’Connell, Nicholas Sinclair Year 10: James Needham, Lachlan Shrubb, Hamish McIntosh, Stuart Mill, Bradley Burt
Venue: Piato Grand (47/22 Market Street, Wollongong) Cost: $15pp - Includes tea/coffee and a delicious buffet of sweets and savouries RSVP: 20 May, 2010 RSVP Contact: Text Mary Shalala on 0423190560 or email mary@gig.net.au RSVP Essential for catering purposes
P&F Meetings
Come along and support a great cause with the opportunity to catch up with family and friends. All welcome.
Please feel free to join the parents and friends of Orana at their meeting on Wednesday 19 May, from 7.30pm in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library). Everyone is welcome. The Karobran meeting is on again too, Tuesday 1 June. Stay tuned for more details.
2011 ENROLMENTS Please be aware that Pre-Prep to Year 11 Placements for 2011 are limited and are filling fast. Please ensure that enrolments for siblings are completed as soon as possible so that we know how many places we have available to new families. Please visit our website: www.tigs.nsw.edu.au or contact Ms Nicci Fripp on 4220 0216 if you require Application Forms.
TIGS GREAT FETE Saturday May 22, 2010. 10am - 3pm
The Great Fete is only
1 week away! Click here to read the full Fete newsletter put together by the P&F.
We need as much help as possible!. So please, If you are available to help on Fete day Saturday 22 May, 2010 anytime between 7am and 4pm please email pandf@tigs.com.au or return the ‘reply slip’ attached to the bottom of the ‘TIGS News’ document to either Junior School or Senior School reception.
School Captains 2010
TIGS Charity Trivia Night 2010
As part of their fundraising efforts for the TIGS 2010 Year 12 charity Triple Care Farm, the School Captains invite you to attend a Trivia Night. Triple Care Farm is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, which provides an ideal environment of peace and healing for emotionally hurt and troubled young people, aged 16 to 24. Date: Location: Cost: Theme:
Friday June 4 (Week 8 Term 2), 6.30pm – 10pm The Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC) $10pp (Tables of 8) “All good things start with T”
Co Co n ng sel gratu rat ec ula ted latio tio in t ns Zo ns he eM orr Ho NSW ell ck CI fo ey Tea S Prim r be ing ary m. Gir ls
Please bring your own food and drink, however if you wish to pre order an Antipasto Platter for the evening the cost will be $25 per platter and they will be distributed on the night.
No student or persons under the age of 18 are permitted to attend this event. Click here to download your Trivia night order form.
Creative Arts The Works 2010
Due to the interest and excitement surrounding the Jubilee edition of the Works Exhibition, The Illawarra Grammar School will again be running an Acquisitive Art Award as part of The Works 2010, on the weekend of the 27th of August. We are very happy to announce that our generous sponsors, Westpac, are able to support us again with a prize of $2000 which will be awarded to the winning artist. One of the most satisfying aspects of this exhibition was to be able to reconnect with past students, parents, teachers and friends of the School and we would like to carry on this tradition by extending these friendships and establishing new ones. If you are an artist, designer or photographer or are in contact with artists who are friends of TIGS, we would like to get in contact with you to invite you to join in on this very special exhibition. Also, you may have some time to spare during the preceding week to help with the organization and hanging of the exhibition or with the café. Please contact Wendi Leigh by email on wleigh@tigs.nsw.edu.au to register your interest.
Year 8 Photography Workshop
Students of Year 8 are invited to attend two after school workshops that will introduce them to the foundations of Wet Photography in the darkroom and Digital Photography using Photoshop. The workshops will be running on two consecutive Wednesdays during week 6 and week 7 this term and numbers are limited so students should contact the Creative Arts staffroom for a permission note as soon as possible. The course will run from 3.30 – 5.00pm on Wednesday 26th May and 2nd June 2010. The cost will be $5 and the location is room F112.
Are Film Cameras Dead?
Do you have any SLR Film Cameras in working condition that you no longer use? An integral part of the Senior School Photography/Digital Media course is developing film and paper in our wet photography darkroom and we use these cameras to teach students the basics of photography. Digital technology has meant that these cameras are getting harder to source. Please email us if you can help sesposito@tigs.nsw.edu.au FaceArt10 is about secondary school students having fun by creating artwork of a face for a T-Shirt design. Students can create art by painting, drawing, assembling, taking a photo of, or building a great face. Students need to download the T-shirt template then talk to your teacher about submission requirements.
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize – Art Gallery of NSW
Senior students attended this exhibition last week and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Here are some of their responses. “This is the third time I have gone to see the Archibald but I left feeling truly inspired” “Art After Hours is excellent, without it I would never visit galleries” “Fantastically engaging for students”, “Really inspiring, I leave feeling motivated” For this and all other current art competitions, please click here. to view the updated Creative Arts Competitions timetable.
Monday 17 May
The new menu for Term II and III can be
Rose Dragutinovich Susie Wynn-Jones Lauren Cunio
found on the Schools web site, please check for new specials and price changes.
Tuesday 18 May
Janice Ethridge-Brown
We are seeking new volunteers for this year, if
Wednesday 19 May
you would like to join our friendly team please click
Anne Kelly Alison Mc Kenzie Kim Gibbs
here to download a canteen volunteer request form and return it to the school, attention the canteen.
Thursday 20 May Teresa Marzano Alice Martin
Alternatively you can ring the canteen directly on
Friday 21 May
4220 0241 7am – 2pm or email canteen@tigs.nsw.edu.au
Joanne Elliott Bronwyn Marvell
proudly presents
Jesus Christ Superstar
Tickets Now On Sale
Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Lyrics by TIM RICE BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL ON BEHALF OF THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP LIMITED
Reserved Seating
Performances Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Saturday
16 June 2010 17 June 2010 18 June 2010 19 June 2010 19 June 2010
Adults $20 Students/Concessions $10
7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.00pm 7.30pm
Tickets available from TIGS Reception Phone: 4220 0200
To keep up-to-date with the latest news and events that are happening in and around our School, we encourage you to subscribe to the email Newsletter. Simply visit our website: www.tigs.nsw.edu.au and sign up on the home page.
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