Issue 4 Term IV 2014

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

ISSUE 4

TERM IV 2014 Stage 2 Camp

Headmaster

In last week’s newsletter it was announced that the School intends to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and is working toward it being offered for the first time to Year 11 in 2017.

Students at TIGS will then have the choice of two pathways as they enter Years 11 and 12 - the HSC or the DP. The School will support students in both programmes with the same teachers being allocated teaching duties to both courses of study.

The benefit of offering two courses of study is that a student can select the pathway that best suits their needs. The following is a simple comparison of the HSC and DP: Higher School Certificate

International Baccalaureate Diploma (DP)

Organised by the NSW Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES)

Organised by The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)

Over 69,346 candidates sat for the HSC in 2014

Over 70,000 candidates sat for the IB Diploma in 2013

HSC examinations are held in October/November and results are released about 1 week before Christmas

DP examinations are held in November (or May in the Northern Hemisphere) and results are released early in the New Year

HSC caters for students of all academic ability levels. Subjects available include the traditional academic disciplines and vocationally focussed subjects

DP is designed specifically for students intending to progress to further study at University. Subjects studied are drawn from the traditional academic disciplines

HSC students normally study subjects at 2 unit level. A few subjects are offered at the Extension level

DP candidates must study 3 subjects at Standard Level (SL) and three subjects at Higher Level (HL). HL subjects are allocated additional tuition time

HSC is awarded to all students that satisfy the BOSTES requirements. There is no pass/fail award in the HSC based on assessment results

DP is awarded to students that achieve the DP course requirements and a minimum standard in their assessment results. Failure to achieve this standard means that the students do not receive the Diploma

HSC assessment covers study in Year 12 only – the HSC year. The HSC is assessed using school assessment and external examinations

DP assessment covers all of Years 11 and 12. It includes school assessment and external examinations

HSC students must study a minimum of 10 units (5 subjects), one subject must be English

DP students must study 6 subjects, 1 from each of 6 subject groups – the DP requires a broad range of subjects to be studied.

HSC students at TIGS are required to participate in service activities and are encouraged to participate in sport and co-curricular programmes

DP students are required to participate in the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme DP students are prepared for study at university by being required to: *Study Theory of Knowledge (How we know and learn) *Complete and properly reference a 4,000 word research assignment (called the Extended Essay)on a topic of their choice

The HSC results of students are scaled by the University Admission Centre (UAC) to determine an ATAR score which is used to allocate places at university

The results of DP students are not scaled - all subjects and levels are treated equally. There is a conversion table that equates IB result with HSC ATAR scores

HSC students wishing to study internationally must apply directly to the university of their choice and submit their HSC/ATAR results for consideration

DP scores are recognised by universities world-wide. It is usual for international and Australian universities to accept an IB Score as sufficient information when allocating places in courses of study Note: the School is waiting for the IBO to confirm the 2017 start date at TIGS. Current Year 8 students will be notified once advice is received.

Current Year 7 students and younger will be offered the DP as a choice when they commence study in Year 11

Students entering Year 11 at TIGS will be in the unique position of being able to choose between two highly respected courses of study - the HSC or the DP.

Chaplain’s Message CULTURAL CRINGE

It is said to be as Australian as a day at the beach in summer, as a thin veil of Vegemite on a slice of fresh white bread, as a boisterous backyard barbecue with family and friends. It can be heard at most major sporting events and now apparently even at solemn State Memorial Services. I am talking about the business of booing our elected members of Parliament, especially our Prime Ministers.

Did you know that TIGS has two specialist teachers of Gifted and Talented students with a third teacher commencing work at TIGS in 2015? By coincidence, all three have the same qualification - the widely respected Certificate in Gifted Education (UNSW) • Ms Kath Walker Coordinator of Gifted and Talented students in the Junior School • Mrs Margaret Dubowski - Coordinator of Gifted and Talented students in the Senior School.

Please contact these specialist teachers if you have any questions regarding our programmes for Gifted and Talented students.

In 2015 we will welcome Mrs Katrina Toland to the School as a specialist Gifted and Talented teacher in the English Faculty.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

You may have seen the news footage of the ignominious reception Prime Minister Tony Abbott received on Wednesday as he ascended the steps of the Sydney Town Hall to pay his final respects to the late Gough Whitlam.

Reporters asked commentators whether it was disrespectful. They faulted for a moment and said it was Australian. Apparently that was not only an explanation but also a justification. This is what we do as Australians.

I love the little quirks that set us apart from other nations of the world. I remember once being in New York and hearing an Australian accent cut through the crowd like nothing else on this planet. It was music to my ears. I love being Australian, but I cannot stomach such insolence toward those who represent us in Parliament. If this is what it means to be Australian then I am in the midst of a huge identity crisis.

we will not. But there are appropriate expressions of disagreement. Booing in a public forum is not one of them, especially on such a sensitive and delicate occasion as a State Memorial Service.

We train our students at TIGS to be rigorous thinkers. As they form strong opinions and learn to contend and even argue for their points of view we need to ensure we teach them how to disagree with other people in agreeable ways. We need to remind our students that those they might disagree with always remain God’s image-bearers, deeply loved and valued by him. We must see and treat others as God does.

The Bible is clear about the status of governing authorities. They have been established by God as a part of his good order for the common good.

The governing authorities are God’s servants (whether they acknowledge this or not) who give their full time to governing and as such deserve our full respect and honour. This is the teaching of the Bible. I have quoted almost word for word from Romans 13.1-7. To boo an elected member of Parliament is effectively to boo what God has instituted and established. It is the ultimate form of disrespect to God.

In Romans 12.1-3 we are warned against conforming to the pattern of a world in rebellion to God and his ways.

Instead we are to be transformed in our thinking as our minds are instructed and shaped by God’s word. Passages like Romans 13 on our duties toward the governing authorities must always trump the norms of our culture. We must be prepared when the occasion demands to be counter-cultural. It is one of the ways we acknowledge that ultimately our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3.20). My hope and prayer is that this will be what characterizes a TIGS student as they live out their lives in the public domain.

This is not to say we will always agree with our elected members. Of course

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Senior School

Term IV is well underway and Exams and Assessments are looming. But this Term also marks the beginning of Year 12’s HSC journey.

At a recent Parents’ Evening I passed on some of Michael Carr-Greg’s advice for ‘Surviving the HSC’ but some of it might be useful for students in other years who are approaching their exams.

So here are some of his pieces of advice for parents to share: 1. Get a good night’s sleep. Final year students need 8.25 to 9.25 hours of sleep a night but rarely get this. “Young people are the most sleep deprived people on the planet,” he reveals, saying that without the required amount of sleep their brains won’t work properly.

2. Eat well – especially at breakfast. Ensure you have glucose as it’s food for the brain. Eggs are the most powerful brain food – as long as they’re not fried.

Yoghurt, anchovies, sardines and blueberries are all great as well.

3. Chew gum while you study at home as it helps improve your memory. (But don’t chew gum at school.)

Monica Watt Head of Senior School Deputy Headmaster

4. Study for 50 minutes at a time then have a 15 minute break. If you study for less time but with more breaks the brain remembers more.

5. Drink lots of water – make sure you have a sip at least every 20 minutes to keep the brain hydrated.

6. Exercise – do at least three sessions of mild aerobic exercise each week 7. Do not study late at night 8. Study at the same time and same place each day when possible.

9. Take responsibility for your study by working out a timetable of when to work and when to socialise.

10. Find the best way you remember things. Maybe you read and write things down or just listen intently. Do you work better in groups or alone?

11. Some students will go on to develop depression. Signs are feeling sad and miserable, not sleeping or eating properly and feeling worthless. DO NOT LEAVE IT – GET HELP. (Talk to your mentor, your Dean or any staff member.)

12. As a rule, do not listen to music with lyrics while studying. Low volume instrumental music is ok.

13. Try not to let personal relationships interfere with your study.

14. Limit social networking considerably.

TIGS P&F

RECYCLED UNIFORM SERVICE

The TIGS P&F Recycled Uniform Shop will be closing its doors at the end of Term IV but don’t worry there will still be opportunities to purchase recycled uniforms. We will be holding two events per year to give everyone an opportunity to purchase good condition recycle uniforms and help our environment.

As always we will be holding our very popular stall at the 2015 TIGS Great Fete and another event late in Term IV so you can re stock for the following year. We would like to thank our very hardworking Recycled Uniform Shop Coordinator, Adele Hamilton, and all the lovely ladies in the Uniform Shop for supporting us.

Junior School

STUDENT LEADERSHIP MORE THAN JUST A POPULARITY VOTE

In days gone by Student Leadership was decided by popularity. Children campaigned with posters, speeches, promises and incentive (usually lollies) to be elected into the position of their choice.

At TIGS the leadership model for students is based on servant-hood and community.

Children in Year 5 are currently considering their interest and enthusiasm for positions of leadership in the following areas: Junior School Captains - one boy and one girl Vice Captains - one boy and one girl House Captains - one boy and one girl for each house, total 8 Year 6 Captains - environment focus, creativity focus, community focus, communication and technology focus, two students

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

All of our Year 6 Students are regarded as Junior School leaders in their final year of Primary School and the Year 6 captains will lead teams of other Year 6 students to make a positive impact on their area of responsibility.

Our Year 5 candidates have all participated in panel interviews with Mrs Nealy, Mrs Herramann and Mr Cross and very soon they will present a speech to children from Years 3 – 6. Years 4 – 6 will vote for children to be considered for leadership positions.

It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm for service in our current Year 5 and I look forward to observing the great work they will do as student leaders in 2015.

DIARY DATES • • • • • •

JS Prize Giving Assembly Year 6 Progression Dinner Infants Pageant P&F Meeting Year 3 – 6 Presentation Evening A Christmas Celebration

Thursday 27 November Thursday 27 November Saturday 29 November 10.00am - 12.00pm in the IGC Tuesday 2 December 6.00pm - 7.00pm in the Library Monday 8 December Wednesday 10 December

WEEKLY AWARDS

MERIT CERTIFICATES

KP KM 1WJ 2C 3R 4C 4R 4Y 5Y

Academic

Elizabeth Hoskins, Andrew Neal Isaac Turner, Grace Russo Natasha Karakousis Samarth Sirohi Marley Stephenson, Thomas Kirby Samuel Murrie Joshua Cheng Jade Hyde, Ah-Young Choi Emma Black, Ryan Osadczuk

Charlotte Palmisano Ella McIlwraith Austin Keefe Alana Newhouse Jade Hyde Emily Choi Jocelyn Ayers Grace Russo Aston Di Donato Palakh Garg Elizabeth Hoskins Lola Stephenson Samarth Sirohi

Personal Presentation Kalan Taylor Alexandra Birch

Service

Ruby D’Rozario Alex Varmedja Scarlett Ford

Junior School Sport INDOOR HOCKEY Congratulations to Rory Hanrahan who was selected to represent NSW in the U13’s Indoor Hockey State Championships, which were held at Tamworth over the weekend. He will now go to competeDogs against earlyofnext year Thurston in January love other states Plenty scare for centre giggles at Canberra. This is such a great accomplishment and we wish Rory luck in the coming few months.

Maroons stage in mall PAGE 3

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SPORT

BALLET Monday, July 7, 2014

SINCE 1855

$1.40 (incl GST)

Temira’s just tutu good

Winning smile: Temira Cowie, from Woonona, proudly shows off her trophy for winning the Restricted Classical Ballet Solo 9 years and under section in the competitive and strongly Picture: ROBERT PEET supported Wollongong Eisteddfod at the IPAC that attracted dozens of dancers from Illawarra and interstate. STORY AND MORE PICTURES – PAGE 5.

Gleniffer Brae use not value for money, says Bradbery

NOTE OF DISCORD TODAY Mostly sunny

17˚ TOMORROW Mostly sunny

CASH-STRAPPED Wollongong City Council is missing out on vital income because of a ‘‘ridiculous’’ long-term agreement allowing the Conservatorium of Music to control most of Gleniffer Brae, Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery says.

Cr Bradbery reignited debate over the controversial manor house on Sunday, saying he was not happy with the conservatorium’s lease over about 60 per cent of the site. ‘‘Personally, I think the conservatorium shouldn’t be in the manor house and it should be separated out as a function centre, which is returning funds to the council,’’ he said. ‘‘At the moment, the conservatorium has

got that place for cheap rent, it’s an asset we have poured a lot of money in to maintain, it’s a treasure of the city and all we’ve got out of it is the front two rooms.’’

The future of the historic house has been in limbo for the past 18 months, after councillors voted to reject a land rezoning proposal to allow the University of Wollongong to build a $40 million creative arts precinct at the site.

Council staff are currently working with community groups and other stakeholders to work out what to do with the historic home, with a report due to come before councillors in August.

NASSA CRICKET

■ REPORT PAGE 4

On the 30 October Year 4 and 5 students travelled to Onslow Oval in Camden to compete in the Super 8 NASSA Cricket Gala Day. The boys played seven games from 9.00am to 2.30pm. All of our students played well and showed great sportsmanship when they won and lost.

17˚ WEDNESDAY Sunny

19˚

4 TV - P34

ilillawarramercury.com.au

We won two and lost five of the games played where only 2 games were lost by less than 10 runs. Everyone gave their best effort and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

IMD 0001

Such a fantastic achievement from Temira Cowie who, back in June, came first in her age group for Restricted Ballet. In September Temira also travelled to Canberra where she competed in the Brindabella Dance Eisteddfod where she placed an outstanding First in the U10 restricted Classical Ballet, First in U10 Demi Character, First place in Restricted Lyrical and Third place in Restricted Contemporary. Temira also competed for the first time in the improvisation sections and received First place in Ballet Impro and First place in Lyrical Impro. Temira has been asked to dance with the TIGS dancers at Kidzwish again this year and is very proud and excited to be a part of the show.

AUSTRALIAN BALLET SUCCESS! Maya Soligo (Year 6) has recently been accepted to continue into Level 3 of the Australian Ballet School Interstate Programme for 2015.

The Interstate Programme is a sector of The Australian Ballet School which provides training opportunities for gifted Classical Ballet students.

Inclusion is of great benefit to Maya who will work in a class of high aptitude peers and with teachers of high renown in the Professional Ballet Community. We look forward to following Maya’s progress in both her training visits to Melbourne as well as her involvement in the Dance programme here at TIGS. Congratulations, Maya!

A GIFTED & TALENTED SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM CONNECT: LITTLE LEARNING LABS & EARLY LEARNING LABS Both Little Learning Labs and Early Learning Labs are designed for academically gifted and talented primary school students.

All workshops are held over two days and cover a range of disciplines, presented by teachers with specialist training or a specific interest in gifted education.

LITTLE LEARNING LABS

EARLY LEARNING LABS

For students in Year 1 and in Year 2 during the 2014 school year.

When: 12 – 13 January, 2015 Fee: $110 Where: UOW Main Campus

For students in Year 3 to Year 6 during the 2014 school year.

When: 15 – 16 January, 2015 Fee: $135 Where: UOW Main Campus

For more information about individual workshops, sponsored places and how to apply, please visit www.uow.edu.au/in2uni/learninglabs or contact Sarah Smith at sarsmith@uow.edu.au A note for schools: Places for this program fill up quickly. Please distribute this information to students whom you think would benefit from the program as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

TIGS

Prayer Breakfast

Parents, staff and friends are invited to gather to pray for our School community

Thursday 13 November 2014 7.30am - 8.20am TIGS Goodhew Research Centre (Library) Breakfast and supervision is available for children Please contact Mrs Moore for more information on 4220 0284 or email nmoore@tigs.nsw.edu.au

RSVP: Friday 7 November 2014

Vist www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

Extend at TIGS

NEWSFLASH!!!!

SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME - BOOKINGS ARE OPEN

Booking deadlines apply and excursions fill fast. Book now to avoid disappointment at extend.com.au . All holiday programmes are open to primary school aged children.

ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.au

Week 6’s Activities:

Monday 10 November: Organised Sports with Prep & Kinder Soccer on the Oval Crazy Craft Tuesday 11 November: Extend@Library Playlawn/Sandpit Wednesday 12 November: Futsal in Rees Hall Prep and Kinder Craft Thursday 13 November: The Voice@Extend-Karaoke Friday 15 November: Crazy Craft Movie (G) and Popcornid

CALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437

UPCOMING

EVENTS

WEEK 6

TIGS Prayer Breakfast

7.30am Thursday 13 November 2014 in the Library

Brass, Woodwind and Guitar Concert

6.30pm Thursday 13 November 2014 in the Recital Room

WEEK 7

P-12 Singing Concert

6.30pm Monday 17 November 2014 in the Recital Room

WEEK 8

House Quizzes

Monday 24 November 2014

P-12 Piano Concert

6.30pm Wednesday 26 November 2014 in the IGC

Junior School Prize Giving Assembly 10.50am Thursday 27 November 2014 in Rees Hall

Year 6 Progression Dinner

5.30pm Thursday 27 November 2014 in the IGC

Year 10 Formal

Friday 27 November 2014