NEWSLETTER
Headmaster’s Message Technology Head of Senior School Head of Junior School
Issue 3 Term II, 2011
Academic • Christian • Caring
TIGS Great Fete THIS WEEK!!!
Technology “Technology, you’ve got the best of me Technology, why don’t you let me be? Who is the master and who is the slave? You just behave yourself technology. I got 100,000 photographs that I will never see and 20,000 songs alphabetically, And they’re all backed up just in case of an emergency. I got GPS and CCTV but I don’t know where I’m going, can’t remember where I’ve been. I’m running round in circles with a head full of chimpanzees. Technology, you’ve got the …” This song (I have not been able to identify the title or composer) catches very well the challenges and the frustrations that technology pose in the 21st Century. In the last five years the provision of ICT at TIGS has progressed from workstations, to laptops and now iPads. Internet services have shifted from copper wiring to fibre cable and now wireless networks. The amount of information available to students as they learn is now almost incomprehensible and still growing exponentially. Our challenge is to discern which innovations are genuine improvements to teaching and learning and which are fads. The Australian government’s commitment to ensure every student in Years 9 to 12 has access to a lap top already seems dated with the emergence of iPads.
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
The TIGS library is undergoing a significant refurbishment to ensure that students are supported in ways appropriate for 21st Century learning. When it was officially opened in 2001, it was felt that it was a state of the art facility that would serve the School well for many years to come. The digital revolution has caused this to not be the case. The library is undergoing refurbishment in three areas: The Collection The physical resources, particularly fiction and non-fiction books, are being assessed and culled to ensure they are appropriate for current teaching and learning practices. Shelf-fillers from as far back as the amalgamation with SCEGGS Glennifer-Brae in 1975 have been removed to make way for the significant investment in books that will be made over the next few years. The Virtual Library The way we think of the library has now changed. The TIGS wireless network and website now makes the resources available to students learning in the classroom and at home, 24 hours a day. Through the Library, students now have access to data bases world-wide. The thought of completing assignments just using the library’s print copies of World Book or Britannica now seems absurd. How times have quickly changed. Physical Space The planned refurbishment of the library’s physical space, now 10 years old, has been expanded to include a reconfiguration of the libraries learning space. There is now less need for fixed workstations arranged in rows, typical of learning in the pre-digital age. Library spaces now require flexibility to respond to the varying need of students and teachers learning in a style that is much more student-centred and inquiry based with learning taking place in small groups rather than as a class group. The resources of the library are being increasingly accessed by class groups in the classroom using the virtual library. There are times when we feel that technology seems to have got the better of us, but the needs of 21st Century learners compels us to continually review and renew our teaching and learning practices to provide our students with the best possible learning environment, be they physical or virtual spaces. If you have not seen the library website recently, you should have a look at http://libguides.tigs.nsw.edu.au/library
Parents are aware that the changeover date for winter uniform was changed this year on a trial basis. This was in response to a request from parents who believed that the changeover date, which has previously corresponded to the start of Term II, was too soon and the weather too hot for children to wear winter uniform. I will be reviewing the changeover date with staff shortly and I welcome feedback on the experience of students and parents during the first three weeks of Term II this year. Finally, I hope to see you all at the Great Fete this Saturday. It is sure to be a great day. Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
Serving Others This week’s article comes from Jim Douglass, Assistant Minister at St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral, Wollongong. Have you ever thought about “giving something back”? It seems to be one of those elements of a bygone era that we aspire to do but never really get around to. Jim McGowen was the first Labor Party premier of New South Wales, yet despite his position he was Sunday School superintendent of St Paul’s Redfern for 35 years including his entire parliamentary term. And he and his wife were busy raising 7 children! It is very rare to find someone today who is willing to serve in the way modelled by McGowen. Serving is an enormous privilege and yet to do it we need to say ‘No’ to something else, and usually that means it will hit our back pocket. And yet I can’t help but reflect on the privilege of service. Many of the retirees in our church serve each other in remarkable ways, visiting the sick and lonely and driving one another to appointments. They use their retirement as an opportunity to serve rather than be served. But I don’t think it’s an attitude that has sprung on them in their retirement. Attitudes of service are developed over a lifetime. These are the people who were helping in schools, visiting new mothers and helping the sick long before they reached retirement age. I particularly want to encourage families to think about this. For the married, service always involves husband and wife. If a husband serves, it is because the wife has freed him up to serve. If the wife serves, it is because the husband has freed her up to serve. In the Bible, Christians are encouraged that we belong to each other and that we are to use our God given gifts to serve each other (Romans 12). I think this service attitude is well represented by “Honest Jim” McGowen. What are the gifts you have been given with which you can serve? Service is something we need to think about in our families, churches, schools, community and world until Christ returns. Jim Douglass Assistant Minister at St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral, Wollongong office@stmichaelswollongong.anglican.asn.au
Senior School
2011 Youth Achievement Awards Last Friday evening, I was delighted to represent the School at the annual Youth Achievement Awards held at Wests Illawarra. It was very pleasing to see so many of our students had been nominated for the different categories and our warmest congratulations go to all our nominees, particularly prizewinners Hugh Allison, Jarrod Poort and Emma McKeon and our inspiring special achievers Ryan Breslin, Tim Johnson, Aaron Cannon and Davy Conacher. TIGS has much to celebrate! Academic Excellence Award Nominations Junior High School: Jaiden Fullerton-Harvey (Yr 9) Academic Excellence Award Nominations Senior High School: Dilpreet Wadhwa (Yr 12) Hugh Allison (Yr 11) – WINNER (Trophy and $1500) Sports Achievement Award Nominations (Senior Entrants): Stella Crick (Yr 11) Jarrod Poort (Yr 11) – WINNER Encouragement Award (Trophy and $500) Emma McKeon (Yr 10) WINNER Senior Sports Award (Trophy and $1500)
Monica Watt
Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School
Achievement in the Arts Award (Senior Entrants) Daniel McNamara (Yr 11) Christian Vellar (Yr 12) Tex Crick (Yr 11) Jake Kuit (Yr 10) Citizenship Award Lisa Fernandez (Yr11) Hanna Goodhew (Yr12) Isaac (Young Dae) Kim (Yr 11) Special Achievement Awards Ryan Breslin (Yr 11) (Trophy and $500) Timothy Johnson (Yr 10) (Trophy and $500) Aaron Cannon (Yr 10) (Trophy and $500) Davy Conacher (Yr 12 2010) (Trophy and $500)
Junior School
Cybercitizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/children/technology-users should know to use technology appropriately and safely. Cybercitizenship is a way to prepare students for a society full of technology. The Junior School Acceptable Use Agreement (signed by each student at the beginning of the school year) outlines four capabilities that we need to be explicitly teaching and encouraging to create Cybercitizens for our children. They are: 1. Peer and personal safely capabilities 2. Positive online behaviour capabilities 3. Digital literacy capabilities 4. E security capabilities The policy is available to view online through the TIGS Website/About TIGS/School Policies The responsibility for developing these capabilities is a shared one between home and school and there is a growing understanding of the importance of beginning this education when a child first starts their use of ICT. This may be in a Primary School, Preschool, or even at home as young as two years old. The website below has a useful section for parents and I recommend that all parents who allow their children to use technology to think carefully about how it is being used and how they are monitoring their children and assisting them in becoming Cybercitizens. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ advice-for-parents
Judi Nealy
Whilst on this topic, I need to request that parents support the School by spending a few minutes with your child/ren looking at the contents of their ipod. Unfortunately many of the clips that are downloaded with popular songs can contain images that are not appropriate to the School environment. Please take an active role in this aspect of your child’s life and decide together which songs and clips are appropriate for viewing. It is a matter of trust between parents that we do not expose each others’ children to inappropriate content and we must assume that the children will view and listen to each others content.
Head of Junior School
The use of technology is something that we cannot avoid for our 21st Century learners. In fact when used thoughtfully and strategically it opens up opportunities for learning, thinking, creativity and communication that are extremely powerful and valuable. Our children have many skills in the use of technology, however they need to continue to develop maturity of judgement and this is a role that their important adults can take in guiding them to make wise decisions in the use of KH Taylor Merritt, technology.
Congratulations once again to the Year 6 Debating team. Kai Dreyfuss-Ballesi, Rebecca Adams and Himali Wijesinghe-ably supported by Elizabeth Martin, Chiara Kovac and James Cooper were successful in their debate against Broughton Anglican College this week. Congratulations on a very challenging topic - That ANZAC Day should not be a public holiday (Affirmative)! and well done.
Cer Mer tif it ica B tes Nia elle K mh olo Ch dzie Ale David ristop j xan Pe her der rri San tos
rit tes e M ica f tkinsonini i t Cer abella AChiaverher
Is olas istop talir Nich h Chr ey-Mas Niam imberl rK Pipe
Inaaya Kermali, Harry Jenner
KM
Jack parker, Grace Hilton
1D
Temira Cowie,
1W
Jack Worthington, Zachary Birch, Kiarna McIlwraith
2A
Ella Scott
2D
Jayson Cooper, Xia Lian Wilson
2P
Megan Ashford
- Weekly AWARDS -
Year 6 Debating
3M Ruby Tilden, Aanya Rakheja, Vincent Qiang, Piper Kimberley-Mastalir 3Y
Shay Harper, Farrah Al-Salih
4M
Belle Kolodziej, Maryam Simon
4R
Alysha De Ruyter
6C
Jackson Dekker
6W
Brad Van Vreumingen, Jai Tuckwood
6Y
Emilia Bujaroska
THIS SATURDAY! Saturday 21 May 2011
Please join us for the 2011 TIGS Great Fete this Saturday 21 May from 10.00am – 3.00pm. Come and enjoy a day of fun with an array of international food, bargain buys, rides for children and entertainment for all! For a full list of ‘What’s On’ or to find out performance times click here. Don’t forget that once again TIGS will be running a free shuttle service in and around the School on Fete day to help relieve parking congestion and traffic flow. We look forward to seeing you all on 21 May for the TIGS Great Fete.
School Contact Details Have you changed contact details recently? Current details of all students including names, addresses, emergency contact information, medical conditions and parent contact details including mobile phone numbers and e-mail addresses need to be kept on file and accurate at all times. Please ensure that any change of any details during the year are noted on a Notification of Change in Contact Details form and returned to the School office for recording.
TIGS
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Date: Thursday 26 May 2011 Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm
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Venue: Piato Grand (47/22 Market Street, Wollongong) Cost: $15pp - includes tea/coffee and a delicious buffet of sweets and savouries RSVP: 20 May 2011 RSVP Contact: Text Mary Shalala on 0423190560 or email mary@gig.net.au
2012 Enrolments and Beyond Limited places are available for 2012 with places filling quickly for 2013 onwards. Please contact our Enrolments Secretary, Ms Nicci Fripp, on 4220 0216 or email nfripp@tigs.nsw.edu.au for an Application Form or further information.
Please RSVP for catering purposes Come along and support a great cause with the opportunity to catch up with family and friends. All welcome!
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation please feel free to leave it at either the Junior School or Senior School reception in a clearly marked envelope. All cheques are to be made payable to the Cancer Council.
Canteen Corner Online Ordering
To order canteen food online visit www.flexischools.com.au.
Canteen Roster Week 5 Term II Monday 23 May Help Needed Help Needed
Tuesday 24 May Rose Dragutinovich Lauren Cunio
Wednesday 25 May Pat Calchi Danielle Burton
Thursday 26 May Susan Cooper Jennifer Cowie
Friday 27 May Ros Birt
TIGS Charity Trivia Night As part of their fundraising efforts for the TIGS 2011 Year 12 charity “Express Yourself”, the School Captains invite you to attend a Trivia Night. “Express Yourself” is a new initiative run by the Salvation Army that provides help and support to disadvantaged youth within the Illawarra through mentoring and literacy programs that use art, drama and music to help encourage young people to express themselves and develop essential life skills. Date: Location: Cost: Theme:
Friday 3 June (Week 6 Term II), 6.30pm – 10.00pm The Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC) $10 per person (Tables of 8) “Express Yourself”
For more information including the booking form please click here.
Senior School Sport Interschools Snowsports
Entries are now open for the NSW Northern Region Snowsports championships held from July 6 to July 9. Please notify Mr Jay Tregonning at TIGS (jtregonning@tigs.nsw.edu.au) for more information or confirm your attendance.
Student Success:
Hockey - Congratulations to Tegan Richards (Year 11) for her selection in the NSW U/21’s Hockey Team. This is an outstanding achievement particularly at the age of 17 years. Swimming - Last week both Emma McKeon (Year 11) and Jarrod Poort (Year 11) were recognised at the West’s Youth Achievement Award’s Evening. Emma was awarded first place and Jarrod received the Encouragement Award both in the Senior Sports section.
NSW All Schools Swimming Championships
Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding results at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships: Emma McKeon 1st 17yrs and Over 50m Freestyle (record) Emma McKeon 1st 17yrs and Over 100m Freestyle Aaron Cannon 2nd 16yrs and Over 200m Freestyle Relay MC Jarrod Poort 2nd 17yrs and Over 400m Freestyle Jarrod Poort 2nd 17yrs and Over 200m Butterfly Jarrod Poort 1st 800m Freestyle (record) Jarrod Poort 1st 1500m Freestyle (record)
Careers Apprenticeships and Traineeships in 2012
Information Session, strategies and resources – talk to the experts • • • •
What do employers want? Where do I find them? How many will be available in the Illawarra? How can I give myself the best chance of getting one?
Dates and Venues Wednesday 1 June 2011 6.00pm – 7.30pm Wollongong Master Builders Club
Tuesday 7 June 2011 6.00pm – 7.30pm Shellharbour Workers Club
Bookings and further information: Workplace Learning Illawarra Phone: 4225 2526 Email: info@iswlp.org.au
University of Wollongong Year 10 Evening for Students and Parents
The University of Wollongong is holding an information evening for Year 10 students and parents. Guests can expect to gain information on subject selection for Years 11 and 12, admission into university and information on how the ATAR is calculated. There is also an opportunity to talk one on one with UOW faculty staff and speak to current student at UOW. Bookings are essential. Please call UniAdvice on 1300 367 869 to reserve your place or Book online now Dates and Venues Tuesday 17 May 2011 6.30pm - 8.30pm Ray Cleary Lecture Theatre University of Wollongong, Shoalhaven George Evans Rd, West Nowra
Tuesday 24 May 2011 6.30pm - 8.30pm University Hall, University of Wollongong Northfields Ave, Wollongong
University of Wollongong Year 11 and 12 Open Night
Choosing a career can be difficult. The University of Wollongong is holding an information evening for Year 11 and 12 students and parents to provide as much information to set a course for their future. Dates and Venues Wednesday 8 June 2011 3.30pm to 8.30pm University of Wollongong, Wollongong Campus To download more information click here Bookings are essential Book online or call 1300 367 869
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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