Issue 5 Term III, 2010 by The Illawarra Grammar School

NEWSLETTER Junior School Book Week

Headmaster’s Message Service Above Self Head of Senior School Head of Junior School Issue 5 Term III, 2010

Academic • Christian • Caring

Chaplain

Service Above Self What do a vegie patch and a golf day have in common? Not a lot you might say unless the question is considered in the context of service learning at TIGS. Service learning involves the planning and delivery of a curriculum that promotes action by students for the benefit and wellbeing of others. It is not surprising to find service learning in a Christian school such as TIGS where we are committed to following the example of Jesus Christ who called us to “love your neighbour as yourself”. We understand the meaning of this call to love others by observing the example of service demonstrated in the life of Jesus. He calls us to act with compassion and justice directly through our relationship with people and indirectly through our stewardship of the world’s resources. Research into the effectiveness of service learning in schools has found that students have great concern for global issues such as famines, wars, global warming and whaling but are less likely to indentify with similar issues at a local level. It is curious that a student can be passionate about loss of habitat for tigers but happily leave rubbish in their own habitat, the playground. It seems that the enormity of global issues causes students to feel disempowered and to become disengaged. A vegie patch being planned by students in Year 4 is an example of how service learning at TIGS is helping students think locally when applying the outcome of their learning. Zane and Byron in Year 4 are planning to establish a vegie patch to provide food for use at the School Canteen. Their learning, under the framework of the PYP, involved looking at how plants convert and store energy and required students to respond to their learning by taking action.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Zane and Bryon have been testing their idea with some snow peas in a small planter in the playground and have found that there are some problems to be solved if they are to be successful. Where would the vegie patch be located? How will it be paid for? Is the soil good enough? Is there enough sunlight? What is photosynthesis? How can they organise other students to help? How do they stop people from trampling on the young plants? A child-centred, problem-solving approach to learning is certainly not an easy road but the skills gained as students grapple with a challenge are at the heart of effective learning. Service learning is not confined to the Junior School. The School has a program of age appropriate experiences and opportunities embedded across the curriculum and programs from Prep to Year 12. In 2010, our student leaders have supported Triple Care Farm, located in Robertson, which provides support for young people aged between 16 and 24 recovering from problems associated with alcohol and drug use. So far over $8,000 has been raised for this worthy cause. A former TIGS student, Michael O’Halloran, is now a staff member at Triple Care Farm and has spoken at a Senior School Assembly. The support for the program has gone beyond the raising of funds which has the risk of being impersonal. TIGS students have visited Triple Care Farm and have collected books and art materials to meet the specific needs of the young people at Robertson. This commitment by our students to making a difference locally through action has been picked up by our parents. The School hosted the recent Daffodil Ball with many parents attending in support of cancer research. The annual P&F golf day, organised by a team of parents led by Mrs Leisl Kolodziej, was held last weekend with over 50 participants teeing off at Wollongong Golf Course. All funds raised on the day will be donated to Triple Care Farm. Apart from being a great day (the weather was perfect for golf, although some say that the weather is always perfect for golf) it was a great encouragement for our students to know that our parents share the same concern for others and want to make a real difference to the lives of those that live in our community. Congratulations to Zane, Byron and Leisl for showing us that we can make a difference in our local community through our action. There are a number of significant events approaching that need to be marked in diaries and calendars: This weekend

The Works Exhibition

Sunday 19 September Official Dedication of Rees Hall ‘Back to TIGS’ Day Thursday 23 September ‘The Big Day In’ Friday 24 September

Year 12 Graduation

Your support by attending these important events is appreciated by our students and staff. Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Chaplain’s Connection I have pink socks. I didn’t buy pink socks: I bought white socks. But they took on pinkness in my laundry. It is my own fault – nobody else’s. You see, I object to separating the whites from the colours in the wash. I argue that I am acting on principle. Are we not told to save water in our dry and dusty land? And do we not waste water by putting on two loads of washing instead of one? It is in the interests of the planet that we not conduct unnecessary separate washes. If that is not enough to persuade you, consider my second and (see if you agree with me) even more powerful argument. From 1948 until 1994 in South Africa, there was a policy of keeping ‘whites’ and ‘coloureds’ separated. They had a name for it, the Afrikaans word for ‘apartness’: apartheid. This policy of segregation was soundly condemned by the world community, the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and anyone with a sense of human decency and fairness. Which brings me to the crux of my (perhaps not as strong as I first thought) argument: If it was wrong in South Africa, why is it right in my laundry basket? Why should I separate the whites from the colours? If you are beginning to suspect that my tongue may be firmly planted in my cheek as I make this argument, you would be right. If you are wondering whether I might be making excuses because I am too lazy to separate the laundry into two piles, I refuse to answer on the grounds that I may incriminate myself. My conclusion is actually this: sometimes it is completely the wrong thing to do to enforce separation (as in South Africa); but equally it is sometimes quite the right thing to do (as in the laundry). So, not being a fan of pink socks and shirts, I have decided to reconsider my refusal to separate the laundry. In future, I will be more careful about keeping my white socks from contamination by those other darker colours. Which makes we wonder: maybe there are other areas of life in which I also ought to be careful about cross-contamination? If my clothes can be corrupted and lose their whiteness by mixing with the wrong crowd, perhaps my character can too?

John Reed Chaplain

Consider this advice from the writer of Proverbs: Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs 22:24-25) Or this commitment from the Psalmist: Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. (Psalm 101:4). Clearly, whilst we are to love all of our fellow human beings without exception, we ought to be very careful about whose influence we fall under. Jesus himself set us this example: he loved, and freely associated with, even the worst of sinners – but without ever compromising his own holiness.

Senior School This week, Year 10 and their teachers returned from the Snow camp, which is the culmination of our 4 year Outdoor Education Program. Also this week, Melinda Sharpe, Director of Sport/Outdoor Education, forwarded an interesting article on research into the benefits of involvement in Outdoor Education Programs. The researchers found that teenagers who attended such camps developed more confidence and better initiative and leadership skills than those who did not attend. Such camps equip teenagers with valuable life skills assisting them to become more self-reliant. The camps were also effective in teaching students the value of teamwork, taking responsibility and accepting consequences for their actions. In addition, the researchers discovered that the benefits were cumulative and students who attended a camp each year “develop life effectiveness skills four times greater than those who complete only a single program.” For those who go on and accept the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh Award the benefits can be even greater.

Monica Watt

Deputy Headmaster

It was validating and so reassuring to see that there was solid, reliable and measurable data to underpin our own belief in and commitment to our Outdoor Education Programs. It is quite demanding on all concerned to run such programs each year: for both the students and staff who attend camps as well as the staff who have to cover back at school. But when the results can be seen so clearly then it is all worthwhile.

Junior School

Book Week

Children’s Book Week is the longest running children’s festival in Australia celebrating its 65th year in 2010. In the Junior School we have taken the opportunity to allow our children and teachers to celebrate the books and characters they most love, to hear from experts, participate in performance and to just enjoy Book Week. The theme this year was across the story bridge with children and teachers enjoying dressing up as their favourite characters. Some classes collaborated to dress up. Kindergarten and Year 3 enjoyed “Shuman the Shoeman” by John and Stella Danalis so much that they all wore funny shoes for the day. 4M all shared their enjoyment of the CS Lewis story ‘The Magicians Nephew’ from the Chronicles of Nadia and 4B were very excited to all dress up as characters from Mr Chicken goes to Paris by Leigh Hobbs. Our visiting Author was Mo Johnson and the Karobran Morning Tea and subsequent class sessions were a highlight for our community. Thank you to our lovely library ladies and to Mrs Dostal for organising this wonderful event.

Judi Nealy

Head of Junior School

What a privilege it is to have access to wonderful literature for our children. I encourage you all to continue to read together with the children, to discuss the stories you are enjoying and to enjoy the great gift that reading is. Operation Christmas Child item for next week is ‘Something to Wear’.

Big Day In

Don’t forget Thursday 23 September is the Junior Schools BIG DAY IN picnic day. Order forms for the yummy lunch picnic hampers need to be handed into the Junior School Office or Piper Centre by Friday 17 September 2010. Please click here to download your order form.

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Emails out this week Fathers’ Day Breakfast reminder Head lice alert

TIGS P & F

TIGS P & F September Dinner & Auction

3 September 6.30pm at Villa D’Oro, Flinders Street Wollongong. Come along and join the fun with a great dinner, drinks and a DJ to entertain you, all for $80 per person. To continue in the proud TIGS tradition, we are helping to fund the installation of shelters for the bus and car lines and for the road between the Junior and Senior Schools. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or direct deposit to the TIGS P & F account. Click here for the Auction booking form. Please fill in and return the booking form to School with payment or payment details if using direct deposit facility. For more information please call Sheridon Tregonning - 0409822273 or Sheldri Hamilton Smith - 0417301108. This is our only all School social function for the year .

BOOK I N G S C LOSI NG NOW!

Charity Obento Day

Tuesday 7 & 14 September

The Language Department is happy to announce that there will be a Japanese Charity Obento day. Money raised will go towards this year’s Year 12 charity, Triple Care Farm. •

Tuesday 7 September for Junior School students in years 5 & 6 (last day to order is Friday 3 September)

•

Tuesday 14 September for Senior School students (last day to order is Friday 10 September)

There will be two types of lunches available, meat or vegetarian. If you would like to order one, please put $10 in an envelope clearly labeled with your name, your choice of Obento (meat or vegetarian) and your mentor group. There is a box at both Junior School and the Senior School reception to put your order in. Thank you for supporting our event!

Uniform Change Over Winter to Summer

Raising Boys with Steve Biddulph

Uniform Shop holiday opening times • 9.00am – 3.00pm Thursday 7 October 2010 • 9.00am – 3.00pm Friday 8 October 2010 • 9.00am – 3.00pm Saturday 9 October 2010 • Appointments necessary, phone 4220 0230

Child psychologist & international best-selling author

Please note all existing Year 6 students who are entering year 7 in 2011 should have their uniforms fitted and purchased by 11 November 2010.

Lost Property

Parents are reminded to check and label each item of their children’s School uniforms to assure they only have their items at home. Please return any lost uniform items to either Senior School Reception or Junior School Reception. Thank you for your support!

TIGS Class of 1990

Steve is an experienced child psychologist and international best selling author, and Playgroup NSW is pleased to be hosting his popular talk, Raising Boys in Wollongong on 20 September 2010. Parents with children throughout the School may be interested in attending Steve’s talk. Book online at www. playgroupnsw.com.au To view the flyer please click here.

TIGS Class of 2000

High School Reunion 20 years

High School Reunion 10 years

If you attended TIGS during your primary years from 1978 - 1984 or in Year 7 1985 to Year 12 1990 you and your partner are invited to attend the 20 year School reunion

If you attended TIGS during your primary years from 1988 - 1994 or in Year 7 1995 to Year 12 2000 you are invited to attend the 10 year School reunion

Click here to view full invitation

Online Ordering is Here! Our School has now introduced a great new online ordering system for the canteen called FlexiSchools. This system allows parents or students to place orders from home, work or school at any time up until 9.00am in the morning. The payment is also done online, so you no longer need to send cash or write up a paper order. As well as being convenient for parents, the online orders are much faster and easier for the canteen to process - so it makes everyone’s life a little easier. FlexiSchools is well established and tested, operating in hundreds of schools across Australia. Getting online is easy and only takes a second to register. Simply go to www.flexischools.com.au and click “Register Now”. You will be sent an email with further instructions on how to complete the registration. Once registered, you can start placing orders immediately. If you have any questions, FlexiSchools provide a great help desk on 1300 361 769, or you can contact them via their website. There are a variety of payment options supported, including Visa, Mastercard (credit and debit), Bank Transfer and Payclick. The system operates via a pre-paid account, so you don’t need to scrounge for coins in the morning and can easily budget for your canteen spending throughout the Term. The system is now available, so we look forward to seeing your next order online!

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If you have any questions please feel free to contact the canteen on 4220 0241 for more information.

Year 12 Information Evening University of Wollongong

Students and parents are invited to attend the UOW Year 12 Information Evening held on Tuesday 31 August at 6.30pm. Please book by calling 1300 367 869 or using the online booking system at http://www.uow.edu.au/future/events/ UOW081221.html

Creative Arts Student Art Competitions

Samantha Elliot, Year 12 Visual Arts student, has been selected for an important exhibition and an invitation to all our students and their families has been made by the organisers of the exhibition, who look forward to welcoming us to the Headspace 10 exhibition launch at the National Portrait Gallery. There are so many wonderful art/photographic competitions that students can be a part of at the moment. Please click here for the Term III Timetable.

Senior School Sports NSW All Schools Athletics Entry Information CIS will not be entering a team at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships this year. Students that wish to compete at this event will need to enter as individuals. Online entry forms can be found on the Athletics NSW website. Although there are no changes to events being held at the NSW All Schools Championships, the selection criteria for the NSW All Schools Team to compete at the SSA Championships has changed as a result of the Change in Pathways for Junior Athletes to the National Level. Although all age groups can compete at the NSW All Schools, the NSW All Schools Team will be comprised of the top 2 athletes per event per gender in the following Age Groups U’18, U’16 and U’14. Places will be offered to those that compete in the 17, 15 and 13 Year Age groups. Should a 12, 14 or 16 year old wish to be considered for selection they will need to compete “up” an age group. Please note that if they compete up for 1 event they will have to compete in all events in that age group. For further details on the selection criteria go to the Athletics NSW website.

Cycling Success Bridget Mullany (Year 8) recently competed in the NSW Cycling Championships in Port Macquarie. Bridget came second in the Individual Time Trial Championship, second in the Criterium Championship and won the 23km race and is the NSW Junior Women’s 15 and under Road Race Champion for 2010. Bridget has been selected for the NSW Junior Road Cycling Team and will compete at the Australian Junior Road Championships in Canberra during 3-5 September this year. This is an outstanding achievement for Bridget particularly as she is just 13 years of age. The TIGS community wish her the best for the upcoming Australian Championships.

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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