NEWSLETTER
Issue 3 Term III 2013 Junior School Athletics Carnival
Academic • Christian • Caring
The Impact on TIGS With the announcement of polling day for the coming Federal election comes the inevitable questions about the policies of the parties and about the impact these will have on TIGS in particular. Observers of the media will have noticed that references to educational change described as ‘Gonski’ have receded in recent weeks. This is because the recommendations of the Gonski review have been subsumed into a much broader suit of reforms called the National Plan for School Improvement (NPSI), the details of which can be found at http://deewr.gov.au/national-plan-school-improvement The NPSI includes arrangements for the funding of all schools by the Australian Government. NSW was the first state to agree to the NPSI and accept the new funding arrangements. To receive funding under the new model, schools will have to comply with five areas of reform, collectively described as the Better Schools Plan covering: 1. Quality teaching 2. Quality learning 3. Empowered school leadership
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
4. Meeting student need, and 5. Transparency and accountability (http://betterschools.gov.au/) TIGS is already well placed to meet these requirements which will enable it to receive funding under the new arrangement. However, the School has not been advised yet on the level of funding it will receive. In broad terms, TIGS receives income from two sources: about two thirds of our funds come from fees paid by families and about one third comes from governments. The quantum of funding from the Australian Government under the NPSI is therefore a serious matter for TIGS. Formal announcements by the Labor Government over the last few months indicate that the intention is for schools to receive, as a minimum, the same level of funding as was received in 2013 plus 3% indexation. Schools may receive additional funds on the basis of ‘loadings’ that cover various categories of disadvantaged students. The actual amount that TIGS will receive from the Australian Government will not be known until November, well after the election. This makes budgeting, including the setting of fees for 2014, a challenging process. The TIGS budget for 2014 is being prepared on the basis of the following: •
If the Labor Government is returned at the coming election, it will keep its undertaking that schools will receive as a minimum the same funding as 2013 plus 3%
•
If the Coalition forms government it will keep its undertaking, announced on 5 August 2013, that it will match the Labor Government’s funding offer for all schools for the next four years.
In effect, the funding that TIGS will receive in 2014 appears to be the same whichever side of politics gains government. There is no reason to think that TIGS will be the recipient of more or less funding and planning for 2014, for the School and for families, should be based on a ‘business as usual’ approach.
Wednsday evening I had the pleasure of attending the HICES Music Festival Concert, 2013, for students in Years 5 to 8. It was a wonderful evening. The first HICES Music Festival was held in 1988 so it was a special privilege to attend the 25th Anniversary of this wonderful event. 21 students from TIGS were selected to participate as well as our own Mrs Pinazza who was the conductor of the String Orchestra and Ms Hollander who assisted with the Concert Band. Students performed in a range of ensembles including String Ensembles, a Concert Band, a Boys Choir and a Girls Choir. All students came together for a memorable finale performing Before Day, a beautiful work by Siegfried Sassoon especially commissioned for the 25th Anniversary of the Festival. The students had an unforgettable experience: performing with 330 other talented students from 27 HICES schools on the Sydney Town Hall stage. Congratulations to all our participants.
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
The Good Samaritan In 2011, there was a shocking story reported of a two year old baby that was left injured in a street while 18 people walked past. Closed circuit TV revealed the facts. As people tried to work out why this had happened one theory put forward was that the country’s compensation culture had caused it. “They didn’t ignore the girl, they just didn’t dare help her” was one reporter’s attempt at an explanation. They suggested that people would have been aware of the 2006 case where someone who helped an injured woman get to hospital ended up being ordered to pay her compensation. Maybe this goes part way to explaining the behaviour of those who walked past. In the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 Jesus uncomfortably hits many pressure points - the story challenges us to help anyone who is in need regardless of the circumstances or our relationship to the person. For Jesus’ Jewish audience, Samaritans were despised. Jesus is saying we should be prepared to help anyone who needs it. And the parable presents the help as costly, not just token - the Samaritan helps the Jew at great cost to himself. Why should we do this? Firstly, I think because we would want to be helped. I doubt if we needed serious help, just like that baby in the 2011 story and its parents, we wouldn’t care who it was. However, there is a more important and persuasive reason for the Christian. We will be ready to help anyone because that’s what Jesus did. Jesus was the true good Samaritan! He rescued us when we were his enemies. And our rescue came at a great cost to himself. Romans 5:8 says “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners Christ died for us”. Jesus shows exactly what it looks like to serve God and others before yourself when he walked on the earth and gave up his life for the world. And we are called to follow his example. Like Jesus, Christians will seek to love their neighbour, whoever that may be. Ms Kathryn Stanton English and Christian Studies Teacher
Senior School
Absences Whenever we amend a school policy we need to inform you and just recently we have had to tighten up the Attendance Policy. The following is now in force: The reason given for absence/lateness/early leaving must be genuine and the leave unavoidable: illness, medical appointment, pre-approved commitment or unexpected emergency. Unless the reason is one of the above, students will have their absence recorded as ‘unexplained’ on their school record and their School Report and they will be required to serve a detention. Repeat offences will result in students being excluded from class until they can show just cause why further action should not be taken.
Monica Watt
Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School
To ensure transparency and fairness for all, students who appear to have been taking time off to give themselves an unfair advantage in studying for Assessment Tasks or to avoid involvement in scheduled school activities will be required to provide a doctor’s certificate or other documentary evidence as determined by the School to prove the authenticity of their absence.
Unfortunately we had a number of instances recently where students have not been taking their responsibilities seriously. As you know we support and encourage all students to be involved in all school and House activities, supporting their House and their school in whatever way they can. Not all will come first or even run in races or swim in a team but all students can offer support and do some small service for their team, their House or their school as stated in our Mission and Values as ‘individuals who can successfully participate and provide leadership for the good of others.’ Please support us in this endeavor. Monica Watt Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School
Junior School Athletics Carnival
The primary Athletics Carnival was held on Tuesday this week on a clear but windy day at Beaton Park. The children were proudly wearing their house colours and accompanying zinc cream and participation was enthusiastic in all events. It was a great community day with many parents and grandparents coming along to support their children – even the supporters wore the house colours! My favourite part of this busy day is the fact that for most of the day, the grandstands are empty as all of the children are out on the field participating in a happy day of athletics. Another pleasing aspect of the day was to see our visiting international students from Hong Kong entering in to the carnival atmosphere and being so well supported by our TIGS students. Sportsmanship and encouragement was a key feature, I heard many students congratulating each other on their effort and participation. Jett Norris in Year 5 did a particularly great job of encouraging a Year 3 girl when she was feeling overwhelmed by making it through to the finals. She ran in the finals and did very well!
Judi Nealy
Mrs Martin and Mrs Dribbus are to be congratulated for providing pathways for our competitive athletes to reach representative levels as well as opportunities for all of our students to enjoy being physically active and to enter into the house point competition. Student house captains lead their houses well as did our other Year 6 student leaders demonstrating enthusiasm, courage, skill and respect, a wonderful day!
Head of Junior School Dates for your diary: Tuesday 27 and Friday 30 August – Father’s Day Stalls Friday 30 August – Father’s Day Breakfast Thursday 19 September – Big Day In
UNSW Science Competition Results High Distinction Ajay Rindani Nadia Nagaratnam Michael Marzano Bowen Kimberley Mastalir
Year 4 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3
Elizabeth Michelmore Alison Guo Katie Gorham Temira Cowie
Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3
Credit Distinction Min Kang Micah Sullivan Kivaan Mudaly-Naidoo Connor Harvey Zoe Dribbus Niamh Christopher Jayson Cooper Dean Borbilas Aria Bacic-Johnston Bodhi Hemsley Oades Daniel Michelmore Hugo Parrish Clara Swainson
Year 6 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 3
Nicholas Sutherland Michael Kyriakoudes Riley Hanlon Ella Green Alexia Zafiriou Joseph Rossi Aanya Rakheja Aiden McGoldrick Francis Mau Thomas Main Dylan Koster Chad Jenkins James Gorham Margaux Chauvet Aaron Avenido
Year 6 Year 6 Year 6 Year 6 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5
James Taylor Rory Swainson James Kirby Paige Jenkins Jessica Hall Sally Gyngell Alexandria Gunther Emma Black Olivia Barber Megan Ashford Elliot Winn Anthony Damcevski Lauren O’Hanlon Sophie McGuire Eloise Malouf Liam Harvey Ben Giason Lachlan Boardman Jasper Bambrick Hasnain Aly Mary Albert
Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3
Junior School Awards Weekly Awards KB KM KP 1C 1T 3W 4S 4R 5Y
Geraint Dodd, Joshua Burden, Lexi Mitchell, Victoria Di Martino Archer Ryan, Ting-Ting Cook Jocelyn Ayers, Campbell Boardman Joel Turner, Ethan Bywater Ella Fennell, Alby Ferguson, Oskay Gultekin Elizabeth Michelmore Megan Ashford, Olivia Barber, Dean Borbilas Oscar Tilden Jayden Grieve, Selma Celik, Kano Hiramatsu, Kye Griffiths
Merit Certificates Academic Dean Borbilas Oscar Tilden Olivia Barber Cartia Taranto Hamish Lepp Ah-Young Choi Lachlan Boardman
The Illawarra Grammar School would like to invite you and your family ‘Back to TIGS’ for our annual day of reunion, Saturday 24 August 2013 at 11.00am. We welcome all students, alumni, their extended families and the community to join in the festivities on our annual day of reunion. Enjoy a brief tour of the School whilst catching up with friends, enjoying light refreshments and the opportunity to the view the exhibition of current Year 12 Major Works in the IGC - ‘The Works’ Exhibition. In addition to the HSC 2013 artworks on display, a range of works by local artists will be offered for sale and a small coffee shop will be open. Please see attached flyer for more information. We look forward to welcoming you all back! Time:
11.00am
Date:
Saturday 24 August
RSVP: Monday 19 August Visit www.tigs.nsw.edu.au
Office Closure The Illawarra Grammar School office will be closed this coming Monday 19 August for Professional Learning Day, reopening 8.00am Tuesday 20 August.
Extend @ TIGS Weekly Recap With the weather being sunny this week, we have been busy with our “Gardening Gloves Club “. The children have been busy weeding and planting and enjoying every minute of it!
Week 5’s Activities:
Monday 19 August: PUPIL FREE DAY Tuesday 20 August: “So, You Think You Can Dance?” with Ms Mac Wednesday 21 August: “Crazy Craft” with Ms Indy Thursday 22 August: “Outdoor Organised Sports” with Ms Branka Friday 23 August: Drama & Dress Ups, Movie (G) and Popcorn
NEWSFLASH!!!
Kids Club Competition NOW OPEN FOR ONLINE VOTING! Visit extend.com.au to vote! A big thank you to all the children who entered and put in so much hard work into their impressive Kids Club entries. Judging each entry was extremely tough but we’ve narrowed it down to the shortlisted winning entries. Voting ends: Friday 6 September 5.00pm
ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.au CALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437
Creative Arts News Turner at the Tate and the Craft and Quilt Fair in Canberra
Last Thursday a group of Year 10 Visual Arts and Textiles students travelled to the nation’s capital to gain inspiration for their Bodies of Work and Major Textiles Projects by viewing some amazing exhibitions. The Annual Craft and Quilt Fair was a smorgasbord of textiles products, techniques, workshops and exhibitions which showcased a huge range of textile art and design. This Exhibition included the outstanding HSC Major Projects from HSC 2012 in the Texstyle display. Students had the opportunity to try out different techniques as well as see the passion that human beings can express using fibre and fabric. The Turner Exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Australia gave our students the rare opportunity to view a large collection of oil paintings and water colour paintings from the Master Artist. Many of these works have never been seen outside their home in the Tate Museum in London. His sublime landscapes were still able to fascinate our teenage audience even 150 years after they were painted. The long bus ride was definitely worth it for our creative students who will no doubt be inspired to make more art themselves
Year 10 Students at the Craft and Quilt Fair
Students trying out watercolour techniques at Turner from the Tate Exhibition
Senior School Sports Balgownie Cricket Club
Junior Registration days for the 2013 -14 cricket season are to be held at Judy Masters Oval, Para Street Balgownie on the following days: 17 Aug 11:00am – 2:00pm 24 Aug 11:00am – 2:00pm 31 Aug 11:00am – 2:00pm Contact Catherine Harding on ballyjnrcricket@gmail.com 0431 259 389 for further information.
Invitation ‘The Works’ Exhibition 2013
An inspiring exhibition of the collaboration and artistic endeavours of our HSC students, current and past teachers and students, parents and friends of TIGS. A major fundraiser for TIGS Foundation Scholarships. Jake Kuit Year 12 2013
The Illawarra Grammar School invites you and your guests to
‘THE WORKS’ 2013 EXHIBITION 23 August 2013 – 24 August 2013
Please join us to celebrate art and design and continue the tradition at The Illawarra Grammar School with ‘The Works’ 2013. The exhibition will feature Artworks, Film, Design, Furniture and Photography from the HSC 2013 and from past and present students, teachers, parents and friends of The Illawarra Grammar School.
Official Opening
Friday 23 August 2013
Saturday 24 August 2013
Announcement of the $2,000 Westpac Acquisitive Art Award
The Works Cafe
Announcement of The Works People’s Choice Award sponsored by TIGS Foundation.
Open 11.00am - 2.00pm
7.00pm - 9.00pm in the IGC
10.00am - 3.00pm in the IGC
Proudly supported by
Academic • Christian • Caring An International Baccalaureate World School
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