Issue 4 Term II 2015

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

2015 TIGS Great Fete

ISSUE 4

TERM II 2015

Headmaster THE COMMUNITY OF TIGS

Conventional wisdom has always been that parents’ engagement in their children’s schooling is an acknowledged feature of improved learning, development and health outcomes for both young children and adolescents. But since many of those studies were conducted we have seen many changes in the learning landscape and in the social environment. Parenting norms have also changed. There are now extremely time-poor parents, ‘tiger mums’, helicopter parents and even one mother in a conversation with me, referring to herself, humorously, I think, as more a ‘stealth bomber.’

So what is the research telling us now?

Recent American studies have told us a number of more specific details about parental influence and engagement.

One significant finding is that over-involvement in homework can have a negative impact on student academic performance and development. The older the child is the greater the negative impact. In fact when parents regularly help with homework – or worse still complete work or parts of it for them - students’ grades and performance do not improve.

Similarly, other forms of involvement such as observing children’s classes, disciplining them for poor grades, deciding which courses your teenager should take, over-involvement in a child’s social interactions and/or fighting battles for them can actually hinder academic and/or social development.

This kind of ‘meddling’ can make children more anxious about school and their performance – less confident of their own abilities.

So what does work?

At various stages in a child’s life their needs and desires for parent support will vary but there are some overarching findings and many of these happen outside the classroom walls.

At opposite ends of the schooling years the evidence is very clear: reading aloud to young children, preferably daily and talking with teenagers about University/tertiary plans are two habits that make a real difference.

Parents who research and choose the neighbourhood they live in, the social settings their children experience and the school they choose for their child to attend, significantly influence the outcomes for their children. They are embedding their children in environments where strong values are reinforced, where people talk about tertiary study and communicate both in word and deed the benefits of learning in its many forms. In such environments children hear others asking critical questions in respectful and measured ways. They hear people advocating for themselves, and see them modelling behaviours that have positive outcomes.

By choosing to send your child to TIGS you have embedded them in just such a positive environment.

One of TIGS’ Core Values in the Caring domain is: 3.1 Forging strong partnerships between the School and families is foundational to the provision of a caring, nurturing and safe environment which engages children as they grow, learn and mature into adulthood.

Every day both during school hours and outside school hours those values are being re-inforced for your children,

Monica Watt Acting Headmaster sometimes explicitly sometimes implicitly. It happens when you attend events at school. TIGS Great Fete, for example, where children see their parents interacting with other likeminded parents supporting their children, the school and each other, is a powerful vehicle for parents to demonstrate the way in which they value community service, schooling and the caring environment of our School. Similarly when you attend the Production, this week’s Biggest Morning Tea, the Prayer Breakfast, TIGS Trivia Night, GameOn or the Korobran Coffee Morning you meet with like-minded parents and staff, you show support and you model values.

Another finding in the research was that as they get older children should become more involved in the ‘conversation’ about parental involvement: Is it helpful if I help you with your homework? What activities/subjects do you find challenging and why?

So, the essential ingredient in promoting great learning outcomes for children is for parents to not only communicate the value of schooling, tailored to the child’s age but also model and reinforce by their actions the importance of the School environment and their support for their child and the School community.

With reference to: Robinson, Keith and Angel L. Harris. 2014 The Broken Compass: Is Promoting Parental Involvement Leading Parents in the Wrong Direction? Harvard Press.

Monica Watt Acting Headmaster Mr Kinsella is currently on Sabbatical Leave. Mrs Watt is Acting Headmaster and will write about the experiences of 1975 in coming weeks while he is absent.

Chaplain’s Message AN INVITATION TO PRAYER

It was wonderful to be a part of the TIGS Great Fete last weekend. We came together as one with a common mind and goal.

And we had a lot of fun as well!

There are many opportunities we have throughout the year to express our unity and common purpose as a School community.

Another of these opportunities is coming up soon. It is the TIGS Prayer Breakfast.

Prayer is a reminder of the unique character of the Christian faith. It is all about relationship with God and with one another.

God calls us to converse with him and he promises to use our prayers in his work in the world. That’s amazing. It is impossible to map just how God has used our prayers for the protection and progress of TIGS over the years. All we can say is that he has – much more than we could ever imagine.

God also wants us to grow in deepening relationships with one another. Prayer is one of those events in life which draw us closer together. Through prayer we realize one of God’s primary goals for us as human beings – sweet, blissful unity of heart and mind.

To help facilitate all of this, there are two Prayer Breakfasts in the calendar for this year. The first is Wednesday 3 June from 7.30am-8.20am in the library. I hope you might be able to come along.

The format of the Prayer Breakfast is specifically tailored to cater for different approaches to prayer. We have moments where we all pray prayers which are written out in our service guide; we have people who lead us in prayer; and we pray in an extemporary way at tables in response to a range of prayer points that have been especially compiled for the Prayer Breakfast. Our experience is that this approach enables all to participate at their particular comfort level.

Will you consider making the Prayer Breakfast a priority? To make it a little easier for those with children we provide supervision, breakfast and activities for children during the time of the Prayer Breakfast. They will be well looked after as you give yourself to prayer.

There is no cost to the Prayer Breakfast but we do need to know if you are coming for catering purposes. Please RSVP by Monday 1 June through our online events booking system or by contacting Mrs Natalie Moore on 4220 0284 or nmoore@tigs. nsw.edu.au Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School STUDENT COMMUNITY SERVICE tap into, by providing opportunities for meaningful community service that offer an outlet for the need to help others.

Greg Lanyon Acting Head of Senior School One of the really positive features of an education at TIGS and one that sets it apart from other schools, is the increasing opportunity for students to be involved in community service activities in both the local and broader community. What is really encouraging is that most students have embraced the opportunities available, so much so that many activities are oversubscribed. This response by the current generation of students flies in the face of the common portrayal in the media of the so-called “me” generation.

There is no doubt that the teenage years are difficult ones for parents and schools as we deal with the emotional and psychological development that tends to be increasingly egocentric.

It can be particularly frustrating when conversations become more difficult and bedrooms become more of a battlefield. However, the good news is that it is also a period of time when there is an emerging sense of social justice and a real questioning of values and relationships by them. This is a good thing and it is what we can

In the Senior School there are a range of community service activities available at every Year level. Year 7 supports Anglicare mid-year Winter Appeal and the Christmas appeal, Toys and Tucker. Year 8 are currently developing a relationship with Parameadows and Year 9 is enhancing connections made last year with various nursing homes, providing service through performances, reading and chatting to clients. They also support the Kidzwish Foundation at their annual Christmas party, by entertaining and helping disabled children.

The Year 10 Crossroads project in Hong Kong is supported by the whole Year through fundraising to contribute to the cost of sending a container of goods to a third world country, supporting a particular project. A group of Year 10 students will combine a cultural experience in Hong Kong with the packing of the container to address a specific need identified by the Crossroads group.

Year 11 is a significant year for community service where every student makes a personal time commitment to support one or more of the following organisations: •

The Disability Trust, providing respite care particularly for families in the areas of Sport, Craft, Drama and Surfing. As well, one-off events such as the Sony Camp weekend providing respite for parents and carers of disabled children.

•

Student 2 Student homework help services.

•

Reading help for disadvantaged students at Warrawong Anglican Church.

•

MANNA House, run by the Anglican Church, which provides meals for people in need in the community.

Year 12 support a community service project of their choice, as well as fundraising for the Nganambala indigenous community in the Northern Territory. This year the community project is Kids2Kids, which was established by current School Captain, Dominic Mortimer in 2010 following a family trip to Africa and has been supported by this Year group since then. The goal of the project is to address poverty through education in Tanzania and Kenya. So far, since inception, Kids2Kids has raised over $100,000, which has been used in various individual projects. Currently, funds being raised will be used to help build a library on land already purchased in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. One of the major fundraising events is tonight’s TIGS Trivia Night, Friday 22 May at 6.30pm in the IGC. Online bookings have now closed but you can still attend and pay at the door. If you are able to come and support Year 12 in reaching their goal, please email tmcmaugh@tigs.nsw. edu.au

Greg Lanyon Acting Head of Senior School

TIGS CHARITY

TRIVIA NIGHT 2015 As part of their fundraising efforts for the TIGS Year 12 Charity ‘Kids2kids’, the 2015 School Captains invite you to attend a Trivia Night.

Date:

Friday 22 May 2015 (Week 5 Term II)

Time:

6.30pm – 10.00pm

Location:

The Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC)

Cost:

Tables of 8 $120 Tables of 10 $150 $15 per person $10 University student tickets can be purchased at the door with a concession card

Theme:

Book Week Dress up as any character from any book (be creative!)

RSVP:

Monday 18 May 2015

ABOUT THE NIGHT

Please bring your own food and drinks (BYO alcohol is permitted). You may also pre-order online when you book your tickets and/or an antipasto platter. The platters are being sold at $25 each and will be distributed on the night. An antipasto platter will be suitable for up to 4 people and will include an assortment of cheeses, cold meats, dips, sun dried tomatoes, olives and crackers.

There will be prizes for the winning table, best dressed table, a lucky door prize, a raffle and a number of competitions on the night – so don’t forget your wallet!

KIDS2KIDS Kids2Kids is a not-for-profit organisation that nurtures self-help solutions for issues of education in Kenya, including fundraising for a high school library. 100% of all proceeds goes directly to the library, providing much needed funds to expand the children’s education and access to resources. By assisting the Year 12 charity, you are forever impacting the lives of Kenyan children through the priceless gift of education.

TO BOOK TICKETS VISIT Online bookings have now closed PLEASE but you can still TIGS attendWEBSITE and pay at the door, please email tmcmaugh@tigs.nsw.edu.au

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au/events-and-bookings

2016 Enrolments We are now finalising placements for 2016 – particularly in Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Kindergarten and Year 7.

Applications for Enrolment are now submitted online here or via our website: http://www.tigs.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/ enrolment-procedure Please contact our Enrolments Department on 4220 0216 should you have any questions.

Junior School WHAT A FANTASTIC FETE DAY!

Saturday was a wonderful demonstration of our School community in action. It was wonderful to have so many of our parents involved in running or volunteering at fete stalls and I enjoyed painting the many faces of our students and visitors that visited throughout the day.

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

MERIT CERTIFICATES Academic

Dean Borbilas Payton Leitch Ashley Armstrong Spencer Newhouse Ashley Brewer Daniel Peden Keiran Reveley Oliver Johnson Maddison Tonkin Alexandra Da Deppo Ashwin Gogulan Rebecca Winn Callum Perrins Samarth Sirohi

Service Ashley Armstrong

Being involved in an event like the TIGS Great Fete is so important in our development of community and connectedness. The positive relationships and sense of purpose builds the strength of community at TIGS. It’s important to remember also that the children and staff currently enjoying the benefits of being at TIGS each day, have such a positive and privileged School experience because of the effort of past community members. Our fantastic buildings, resources and indeed the feel of our great School is a testament to the hard work and commitment of past parents and staff – the stalls at the Great Fete that they have run and volunteered at over the School’s 56 year history.

To be a part of something bigger than yourself is a fantastic experience and one which our School does so well, from student charity initiatives, student voice opportunities within the School, service opportunities both in the Illawarra, nationally and internationally and at events like the Great Fete.

The IB philosophy aligns closely with our School’s long held values and history of working together to benefit others. This is because it is well recognised that purpose and shared endeavour provide a rich learning opportunity for our students. When this is affirmed by parent and community involvement the learning is that much more powerful. Our students know that their parents, their teachers and the wider community think that what they do here at TIGS each day is important. They know this because these important people give their time, energy and enthusiasm to support the School and continue to develop the community that is TIGS. Congratulations to all involved and in particular Benita Andrews for her wonderful supervision of the Great Fete. It really was great!

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

Denise Wood

WEEKLY AWARDS

Considering the Catalysts of Talent Development in Gifted Children.

KD

Lucia Ding, Rana Ulusu

KP

Jia Tang, Anthea Zaki

1T

Max Clark, Palakh Garg, Ashwin Gogulan

1W

James Saffoury, Nicholas Radojicic, Alexandra Da Deppo

1Y

Lola Stephenson, Aahan Rakheja

2M

Ashley Brewer, Nelle-May Makowski

2Mc

Ayaan Chabungbam, Hilton Brown

Gagne (2008) defined a number of catalysts that impact on the

2S

Saksham Sirohi, Hugh D’Rozario

external forces that come into play in the lives of gifted

2T

Archer Ryan, Ashton Tregonning

3S

Samarth Sirohi, Diya Mehan, Samuel Stevenson,

3WJ

Mayank Aurangabadkar, Ella McIlwraith

4M

Ashley Armstrong, Jack Parker, Reid Gunther

5R

Payton Leitch

5S

Liam Harvey, Gabriella Valenzuela

6A

Emma Black, Oscar Tilden, Victoria Summerill

6C

Dean Borbilas, Alexandria Gunther

6K

Jessica Hall, Charlotte Tregonning

Presented by Denise Wood Hosted by Gifted Families Support Group Inc. Revesby Workers Club

process of talent development. There are both internal and individuals as they learn about themselves and their abilities.

In this presentation we will explore what these forces are based on Gagne’s work, consider some new ways of thinking about it and share ideas about supporting gifted children and adolescents to understand their potential.

Denise has worked with gi0ed children and families for the last 20 years, beginning with work in schools in Moree and teaching in an OC for 12 years in Mudgee.

She has presented workshops for children, families and teachers in a variety of contexts. Denise recently completed her doctoral thesis that examined the impact of popular culture on the talent development of gi0ed adolescent,rural girls. Talent development and beEer understanding of the catalysts as outlined

by Gagné, and others, that support talents have become a very real interest. Denise is also keen to explore the ways that women demonstrate talent in spheres that are not public, seeking to understand the ways that talented women contribute at a community and local level, o0en in an un-­‐noIced way. Her current work at Charles Sturt University in course design, is emerging as an area that can contribute to provision for gi0ed children in school seLngs. Denise is planning to use this experience to inform her ongoing work in rural areas for gi0ed learners and families, teacher inservicing and classroom pracIce

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Senior School Sport Sport is a valued “intelligence” Next time you get a permission note for your child to represent TIGS at a sporting carnival or competition, I challenge you to not just think about how busy your child is and how much time they have missed at school, but take some time to consider the bigger picture and think about all the physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual benefits that come hand in hand with sport. I also urge you to remember that being able to coordinate your body and play sport is a valued form of “intelligence” that can be explained by the Theory of Multiple Intelligence developed at Harvard University in1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner.

The Theory suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited and proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults.

One of the intelligences is BodilyKinesthetics. This intelligence helps us to understand and recognise that being able to use the body effectively is an important and highly respected form of intelligence to be valued in its own right. Think about the various skills that an elite athlete or talented dancer possess. These athletes usually are visual and tactile learners who learn by doing because they are required to move their body and execute difficult skills with great precision, control and accuracy.

At TIGS we aim to send a clear and positive message to our young people that their movement and sporting achievements are valued and we celebrate their personal achievements when they excel in sport. We believe that all students have potential to achieve excellence and reach their own unique personal best. On any given day, we have students representing our School at various levels ranging from the TIGS School Carnival to NASSA, AICES, CIS, NSW, all the way to Australian level. We recognise that we are all unique, we all possess varying skills and we value Bodily-Kinesthetics as an “intelligence” in its own right.

So next time you get a permission note, congratulate your child for being bodily-kinaesthetic intelligent, think of all the positives of sport and remember that it’s our responsibility to help them shine and to give them every opportunity to excel across all of their unique intelligences.

NASSA Cross Country On Monday, TIGS took a strong team of 67 students to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre to compete at the NASSA Cross Country. The event was moved away from Macarthur Anglican School due to the excessive rain endured a couple of weeks ago. The new venue hit the mark and made for a great day.

Overall, TIGS had 29 students who finished within the top 10 in their respective races. These students are automatically selected for the NASSA team who will then run at the AICES Cross Country in two weeks’ time. From the group of 29, we had a number of students finish on the podium: • • • • •

James Seal, 1st, 15 year old boys Elizabeth Martin, 2nd, 16 year old girls Teagan Johnston, 1st, 17 year old girls Jesse Price, 2nd, 18 year old boys Maudie Skyring, 1st, 18 year old girls

Congratulations to all students who ran on the day, especially to the above students who performed exceptionally well in their age groups. The AICES Cross Country will be held at the same venue on Thursday 4 June. Please see the team list and permission notes that are available on the Cross Country OLLE page that is linked to our Sports OLLE Page. If you cannot attend please complete the form on OLLE or email Ms Lane by 29 May so that we may organise an appropriate replacement runner.

The TIGS AICES Cross Country Team 2015: Margaux Chauvet Teagan Johnston

Jesse Price Molly Denison-Pender Noah Koder Georgia Robson Ashley Dribbus Chloe Kuiper Ali Sawan Zoe Dribbus Maria Kyriakoudes James Seal Emma Franco Elizabeth Martin Maudie Skyring Nicholas Gulaj Eden McCall Brittony Smallhorn Denali Hutt Finley McLaren Harrison Taranto Elliot Hutt Natasha Mullany Luke Wilson Sarah I’Ons Lucinda Paine Aaron Ylias Henry Jenkins Louis Parsons-O’Malley

AICES Football Carnival TIGS had eight students represent NASSA at the recent AICES Football Carnival last Thursday. These students were: Anastasia Grozdanov, Zoe Dribbus, Margaux Chauvet, Rebekah Hutton, Ashley Dribbus, Harrison Taranto, Lachlan Scott and Kyle Del. All students had a prominent role within their respective teams and performed very well on the day. Some standout moments included Ashley Dribbus booting 5 goals in a half and Lachlan Scott scoring all of NASSA’s 3 goals in their defeat of CDSSA in the final (3 -1).

After much deliberation from the selectors and coaches, TIGS had three students selected to represent AICES at the CIS Football Carnival next week.

They were: Ashley Dribbus, Rebekah Hutton and Lachlan Scott. Well done to these students.

TIGS Athletics Carnival We had a fantastic day at the 2015 TIGS Athletics Carnival with a huge

number of students competing across the day for their House. It was exciting to see so many students getting out there and having a go and even more exciting to see so many students striving to achieve their personal best. Across the day there was a large number of students excelling in Athletics and smashing TIGS records. Congratulations to the following record breakers: Maudie Skyring Caitlin Chadrawy Annalise Chadrawy Charlotte Gaynor Denali Hutt Caleb Stamper Harry Borbilas We would also like to congratulate the following age champions:

Females: Year 1st 2nd 3rd Males: Year 1st 2nd 3rd

12 Sia Gupta Maya Middleton Sophia Santos

13 Cartia Taranto Margaux Chauvet Charlotte Gaynor

14 Ashley Dribbus Isabel Bodey Anastassia Zafiriou

15 Georgia Robson Caitlin Chadrawy Bella Caroutas

16 Elizabeth Martin Sarah I’ons Rebecca Adams

12 Sebastian Buchanan

13 Anthony Krsteski

14 Jonathon Michalopoulos

15 Elliot Hutt

16 Harrison Tarranto

Kivvan MudalyNaidoo Jermain Issa

Finley McLaren

Nicholas Peros

James Seal

Vincent Chauvet

Lachlan Mills

Sammy Lendrum

Lachlan Phillpot

Ethan DorrianNancarrow

17 Denali Hutt Margot Allison Kaitlin McKeon

18 Maudie Skyring Maddie Negus Miriam Birt

17 Louis Parsons O’Malley Ali Sawan

18 Jesse Price

Mitch Ferguson

Jonathan Fowles

Caleb Stamper

The House Cup proved very exciting across the day and many students participated strongly to help their team. Despite much effort, at the end of the day it was the Aranda House that were too strong and took out our 2015 Carnival, followed

by Wolgal, Kogara and Coligan.

All students who have progressed through to NASSA are now on the Sports Notice Board and on our OLLE Sports/Athletics Page. Please check your name to see if you have made the team. Download and print off a permission note and if you cannot attend please complete the form on OLLE or come and see Ms Lane.

The NASSA Athletics Carnival will be held in Week 10 Thursday 25 June at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium. Please note that there has been a date change from Wednesday 24 June due to a double booking of the Stadium. We would like to take our strongest team, so get those permission notes back in the coming weeks.

Parent Teacher Interviews Years 7-11 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held in the Goodhew Research Centre from 4.00pm to 7.30pm on the following dates: • Year 11 – Monday 1 June • Year 8 – Tuesday 9 June • Year 10 – Monday 22 June • Year 9 – Thursday 25 June • Year 7 – Tuesday 21 July We will be using the booking system Parent Teacher On-Line (PTO) to arrange all interviews.

Parents will be sent their login details via email on Thursday, 21 May. The PTO System will be accessible for bookings from 5pm on this date and will close at 10am on the day of the interview.

Please ensure the School has a current email address so that your login details are sent to the correct place. Parents who do not have an email address listed with the School will be sent their login details via the post. If you have any questions regarding Parent Teacher Interviews please contact Courtney Brooks at: cbrooks@tigs.nsw.edu.au

Extend @ TIGS Extend@TIGS is fully operating from Rees Hall. We have a lot of exciting outdoor activities lined up since the oval is open for play. Please do not forget to check the Newsletter for our weekly programme.

WEEK 6 ACTIVITIES:

Monday 25 May: Painting Soccer

Tuesday 26 May

Extend @ Library (3:30pm-4:30pm) Play Lawn

Wednesday 27 May:

Rainbow Serpent Craft Soccer on the oval

Thursday 28 May:

Drama and Dress Ups Organised Sports

Friday 29 May: Movie (G) Soccer

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

GAMEON

for parents of children who love ‘gaming’ A free presentation by TIGS

Monday 25 May 2015 6.30pm to 8.00pm The Illawarra Grammar Centre with

Collett Smart

Sydney based psychologist and educator Collett Smart is a Sydney based psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, freelance writer and mum of 3.

She has spent the last 20 years working in private and public schools, with children, teens and their parents around Australia, the UK, and in Africa. Collett regularly appears in the media, covering topics related to parenting and raising teenagers.

‘GAMEON’ tackles issues such as: • How does gaming fit into this generation of parenting?

• The benefits of gaming • An analysis of violent video games

For more information or to book online visit

www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

• Online addictions – fact or fiction?

• Guidelines for parents on creating gaming boundaries “As parents it is our responsibility to guide our children toward healthy life choices. It is often easier to make tough decisions with and for our children when we think about the type of adult they will become.” Collett An International Baccalaureate World School

Academic • Christian • Caring

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 5

School Captains’ Trivia Night 6.30pm Friday 22 May in the IGC

Try TIGS Year 5 Friday 22 May

WEEK 6

Explore TIGS (Years 1 to 6) Monday 25 May

Collett Smart Free Presentation

6.30pm to 8.00pm Monday 25 May in the Goodhew Research Centre

Kinder Open Afternoon - A Flying Start 4.00pm Wednesday 27 May in Rees Hall

Karobran Coffee Catch Up

8.00am to 8.45am Thursday 28 May in the Canteen

WEEK 7

Year 11 Parent Teacher Interview

4.00pm to 7.30pm Monday 1 June in the Goodhew Research Centre

Junior School Three Way Conferences Tuesday 2 June

TIGS Prayer Breakfast

7.30am to 8.20am Wednesday 3 June in the Goodhew Research Centre

Professional Learning Day/Pupil Free Day Friday 5 June