Newsletter Academic Christian Caring
ISSUE 5 James Seal & Maudie Skyring Sportsman & Sportswoman of the Year
TERM IV 2014
Headmaster The decision of the School Council that the School will offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) as an alternative to the successful HSC course already offered at TIGS is causing students in current Years 8 and younger to reconsider their elective choices. The DP, which will be offered from 2017, requires a different pattern of study to that followed by students who will choose the HSC. The actual subjects that will be available at TIGS will depend on the number of DP candidates and their preferences. The requirements for the awarding of the IB Diploma are as follows: 1. Subjects - students are required to study one subject from each of six subject groupings ensuring breadth of knowledge and understanding. Students are required to study three of these subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). The subject groups are: Group 1 Studies in Language or Language & Literature (TIGS students will choose English at HL or SL) Group 2 Language Acquisition (An additional language, either at continuing level or beginners level (ab initio), both at SL) Group 3 Individuals and Society (At TIGS these might include Economics and History, both offered at HL and SL) Group 4 Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology, all at HL and SL – students requiring a second Science subject will do so in Group 6) Group 5 Mathematics (At TIGS three levels will be offered: HL, SL and Mathematical Studies (SL) Group 6 The Arts (such as Music and Visual Art, both at HL and SL) or an additional Science subject Note: HL subjects are allocated 240 teaching hours over two years SL subjects are allocated 150 teaching hours over two years
2. Extended Essay - students are required to complete a 4,000 word research essay on a topic of their choice. 3. Theory of Knowledge - (100hrs over two years) requires students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know and learn. 4. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) - 150 indicative hours to be spent in CAS enables students to live the IB learner profile in real and practical ways, to grow as unique individuals and to recognise their role in relation to others. CAS is organised around the three strands of Creativity, Action and Service defined as: Creativity - arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking Action - physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the IB Diploma Programme Service - an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student Assessment is based on some externally moderated school-based assessment and external assessment (examinations are held in November). Each of the 6 subjects is graded from 1 to 7. Up to 3 additional points are awarded for the combined performance of a student in the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. A student must achieve 24 points to be awarded the IB Diploma. The maximum result is 45 points. There is no scaling of marks in the DP. All subjects, whether at HL or SL, are treated as of equal value. Students that satisfy these requirements are awarded the IB Diploma. DP graduates are highly sought after by universities and it is not uncommon for a strong performer in the DP to be offered advanced standing in their university courses. An IB Diploma Information Evening will be held on Monday 24 November starting at 5.30pm in the Library. This is open to parents and students of all ages but is of particular interest to students in current Years 8, 7 and 6. Special guidance will be given regarding subject selection, particularly in the choice of the language to be studied through to Year 10. Year 8 students will also be given advice should they be considering changing their elective choices for Year 9 next year. Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
Chaplain’s Message SERVICE LEARNING AT TIGS
We’re big on service at TIGS. It flows straight from our Statement of Mission and Values, through the classroom and out into the streets. There are a number of reasons we are passionate about service. First, as a Christian School we model all that we do on the teaching and example of Jesus. As Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10.45), so we prize service at TIGS. We exhort all to have the same attitude as Jesus and celebrate those who do. Second, service is a blessing to those who are served. God’s will for us as human beings is that we live for the best interests of others (Matthew 22.3440). Serving the needs of others is one of the primary ways we can live as God intends us to live.
Did you know that the minimum IB score of 24 has an ATAR equivalent of 69.35; an IB score of 34 has an ATAR equivalent of 91.35; and an IB score of 45 has an ATAR equivalent of 99.95? Australia has one of the highest per capita rate of students achieving an IB score of 45 in the world.
Third, service is good for us. It is interesting to note how often the Bible says we receive blessing ourselves as we serve the best interests of others. One of my favourite verses which states this truth is Luke 6.38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” The reason we receive blessing ourselves is that God made us to live for the best interests of others. When we do that we live in agreement with how we have been fashioned. And that leads to our own personal wellbeing. According to the Bible, we cannot live for ourselves and attain a high degree of happiness. The reason: we have not been designed to live for ourselves – it is to go against the grain. This semester our Year 9 students have been engaged in a unique form of service. In Christian Studies we have been learning about the importance of justice and mercy in the Bible. As an extension of this learning students were required to devise an action plan to serve someone in need. It has been one of the highlights of my year to see
how enthusiastic our students applied themselves to this task. Students spent one lesson formulating their action plans, identifying a need they were aware of and indicating how they believed they were well placed to meet that need. In this stage of the process students were also encouraged to ground their proposed action plan in the Bible. Then came the implementation phase of the action plan. This took place in the students’ own time, using their own resources. Some of the actions included visiting a hospitalised relative, baking a cake for a needy neighbour, helping a sibling with homework, walking a neighbour’s dog, cooking a meal for the family or cleaning a Grandfather’s pool. In the reflection phase it was interesting to hear the students speak about how they were enriched themselves through their service. In many cases there was an element of surprise that they should have been so blessed. I didn’t miss the opportunity to point out that this is what the Bible says would be the outcome of a life given over to the best interests of others. Why is that? Because that is how we have been fashioned by God. Thank you Year 9 for allowing me to witness your magnanimity. Rev James Rogers Chaplain
Senior School
NEXT YEAR’S TIMETABLE AND YEARS 7-9 REPORTING
As we move towards MYP Accreditation in 2016 there will be changes made to the timetable and to our reporting procedures in 2015. The changes to the timetable will not be radical at this stage. We really can’t alter our start and finish times but we have managed to find an extra five minutes for lunch on three days of the week, and to return to a regular weekly Assembly, Chapel and Year Meeting of 30 minutes each. In order to make these changes we will have Mentor Groups as usual three mornings a week but will be starting timetabled lessons two days a week. Students will be going straight to class on those days. We are reviewing our transport arrangements and might have to make adjustment there also. The other major change will be that we will run a two-week timetable. This will allow for more flexibility and equity between subjects and where they occur in the week.
Monica Watt Head of Senior School Deputy Headmaster
In 2015 reports for students in Years 7-9 will focus on describing what students know, understand and can do. Teachers will be assessing not just through Assessment Tasks but also in class, through homework and other learning activities in order to establish where learners are in an aspect of their learning. Each student will be assessed against criteria set for each subject and at the end of each reporting phase their level of achievement will be defined by a mark from 1-8 for each criterion. There will also be a Board of Studies Grade reported. We will give you more information on what this will look like in the coming weeks and we are planning to have an Information Session on Assessment and Reporting for the I.B. MYP before the end of Term.
Languages 2015 TRIP TO NEW CALEDONIA AND JAPAN INFORMATION NIGHT The Languages Department will be running a trip to New Caledonia and Japan in the July school holidays of 2015. The first information session for interested students will be: When: Tuesday 25 November Venue: MG2 for New Caledonia MG1 for Japan Those students who are studying Japanese or French in Year 8, 9 and 10 this year are welcome to come to this information night to find out about the trip so please join us.
Senior School Sport SAM OKELY – CIS CRICKET TRIALS Sam Okely travelled to Blacktown on Monday 29 October to trials for the CIS U15 Cricket Team. As a promising opening batsman, Sam said the experience was of a high quality and that he learnt a lot about what it takes to play at this level. Unfortunately overlooked for selection, Sam was happy with how he performed and as he is bottom age for this age group, he has another opportunity next year to trial.
AICES U15 BOYS TENNIS
Last Friday, Sotiris Haris, Connor Papageorge, Blake Kolodziej, Mitchell Main and Sarunton Karunalai travelled to Concord for the U15 AICES Tennis trials. All boys represented themselves and the School amicably. Blake and Mitchell were the standouts, Blake played well to make the Round of 16 and Mitchell lost in the quarterfinal. Well done to all competitors.
SPORTS PRESENTATION EVENING
Last Wednesday, TIGS held its annual Sports Presentation Evening here at the School. It is a night to recognise all the sporting achievements made by students over the past year. Australian Commonwealth Games representative, Madeline Heiner, was the guest speaker for the night. She delivered words of wisdom to the student cohort about effective strategies to manage elite training, study and work. She spoke with great distinction and the audience truly appreciated her story. Finally, congratulations to all award recipients on the night. There were many great achievements over the year. Special recognition must go to the major award winners - they were well deserved: Junior Sportsperson of the Year: James Seal Intermediate person of the Year: Angus Pryde Sportswoman of the Year: Maudie Skyring Sportsman of the Year: Alexander Seal
Rotary Youth Driver Awareness
On 6 November, Year 12 had the privilege of attending the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program or RYDA. This awardwinning program, specifically designed for high-school seniors, provided a different approach into teaching road safety; by not confining it to the classroom. The day consisted of Year 12 being split into groups and then rotated around multiple stations. Some were more memorable than others; learning about stopping distance. Some lucky students were chosen to be passengers in a car whilst travelling at various high speeds, to then sharply brake. This activity although amusing had vital information that shocked most of us about just how long it takes a car to come to a complete stop. More sessions followed with a school liaison officer who spoke of the exact laws that Learner and Provisional drivers have to follow, a driving expert about how to judge car safety and how to maintain a vehicle, and lastly a session which discussed how to combat driver fatigue, drugs and alcohol. The day didn’t just consist of fun and games though. An address was made by a man named Omar with a life-long brain injury, who spoke of a traumatic car collision that changed his life forever. Although this story is tragic and heartbreaking, it provided a confronting insight to the cohort damage that can be done whilst being careless on the road. Overall the day was a success and I speak on the behalf of all year twelve when I say, RYDA is a huge assistance to all students and I would recommend for the future year twelve students to take on this great opportunity. Congratulations to Dom Mortimer who has won the Minnamurra Lions Club Youth of the Year. Dom has now progressed to the South Coast Regional event in February next year. Emily I'Ons and Tahlia Jackson will also be entering this competition in the Figtree division on Tuesday so please wish them well as they prepare.
Junior School AFTERNOON PROCEDURE
This week I need to remind parents about the acceptable ways for students to leave school each day and how you can assist us in keeping our students safe as they depart in the afternoon. When the bell rings in the afternoon Junior School students are only permitted to go to three places: • • •
The car line The top of the driveway to meet a parent who has walked in or The Amphitheatre.
Students who are waiting on the Amphitheatre are exiting the School either on the TIGS bus, on the busses leaving from the top of the School, walking home via Western Avenue or going to an after school activity or the library. A supervising teacher dismisses them from the Amphitheatre after the Senior School bell has gone at 3.10pm.
Judi Nealy Head of Junior School
Junior School students may not walk to the top car park to be collected by their parents or to wait with Senior School siblings. Car parks are dangerous places for young children and the School commits considerable resources to a safe and appropriate car line dismissal for our Junior School students. Please do not arrange for your Junior School child to walk to the senior car park, we will be supervising that area and will send them back to the Junior School car line to be collected by their parents. Rather please arrange for any siblings in the Senior School to walk down to the Junior School car line and pick up your entire family in this safe and supervised environment. Parents will find that in the new system where Prep is no longer dismissed using the car line is working extremely well and turn around is quick. Finally, please ensure that you have your nametag clearly displayed on the dashboard or visor of your car so that we can see it until your children are safely loaded. This will ensure that we get the right children into the correct cars! Thank you for your assistance in a safe dismissal and for helping to keep all of the children in our community safe.
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 10.00 - 12.00pm in the IGC Tuesday 2 December 6.00 - 7.00pm in the Library Monday 8 December Wednesday 10 December
WEEKLY AWARDS
MERIT CERTIFICATES
KD KM KP 1T 2C 2M 3B 3R 4R 4Y 5A 5Y
Academic
Roscoe Kambouris, Connor Hutchinson Lily Still, Leonardo Attorre Jawad Aly, James Saffoury Archer Ryan Anika Rindani Mia Taylor, Brandon Nugara, Lachlan Neal, Daniel Radojicic Emily Sutherland, Molly Buikstra, Cameron Davies Pia D’Rozario, Pippi Fuller Isaac Saffoury Darcy Cross, Natalie Parsons Thomas Peden, Amy Lendrum Stephen Borg, Evan Glover
Toria Tsakiridis Molly Buikstra Isaac Saffoury Mia Taylor Archer Ryan Ryan Molnar Andrew Neal Artan Karwarz Connor Hutchinson Jawad Aly Georgie Lancaster James Saffoury
Personal Presentation
Kiarna McIlwraith Andrew Brown Alana Newhouse
Service
Andrew Brown Ethan Bywater Emma Black Samuel Robinson
Junior School Sport FOOTBALL CHALLENGE WITH SHELLHARBOUR ANGLICAN COLLEGE Last Wednesday, selected students competed in the TIGS vs Shellharbour Football Challenge at Shellharbour Anglican College. The following students are to be congratulated on their teamwork and incredible sportsmanship throughout every game. The Girls Team won an outstanding 11-0 and the Boys Team 3-1. Shellharbour Anglican College’s Coach noted how exceptionally well Thomas, Margaux and Zoe played throughout the day. A huge thanks to all of the Year 6 players for all of your support and participation over the years, it has been great. Girls Team
Boy’s Team
Aria Bacic-Johnston Selene Chadrawy Margaux Chauvet Lucy Cross Ruby D’Rozario Zoe Dribbus Mila Lancaster Annabel Malouf Soraya McCann Annie McLearie Maya Soligo Cartia Taranto Adelaide Thompson Ruby Tilden Charlotte Tregonning
Dean Borbilas Joseph Druett Massimo Forte Joshua Franco Ben Giason Rory Hanrahan Shay Harper James Healey Cooper Kerridge Harrison Kiteley Thomas Main Nathan Molnar Jett Norris Aaron Ylias
NSWCIS REPRESENTATIVES
SPORTS PRESENTATION EVENING
Cross Country - Ben Giason and Cooper Kerridge Swimming - Aria Bacic-Johnston Netball - Cartia Taranto Football - Margaux Chauvet and Zoe Dribbus Touch Football - Zoe Dribbus Athletics - Selene Chadrawy
The TIGS annual Sports Presentation was held last Wednesday evening. Awards were presented to the Age Champions and Runner Up’s in Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming. CIS and NSWPSSA representatives were also recognised. The U13 Girls Futsal State Champions Team was awarded The Illawarra Mercury Team of the Year. Margaux Chauvet and Zoe Dribbus were announced joint Junior Sportsperson of the Year. Well done to all of the award recipients!
NSW PSSA REPRESENTATIVES Girls Football - Margaux Chauvet and Zoe Dribbus Snowboarding - Hunter Danckwardt-Bruce and Rory Hanrahan
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 recycled 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 restock 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.
HELP NEEDED Volunteers are needed to help out in our canteen in 2015. Please contact Debbie on 4220 0241
SAVE THE DATE Diploma Programme Information Evening Monday 24 November, 5.30pm in the Goodhew Research Centre All parents and students interested in finding out more about the DP are welcome to attend, this will be of particular interest to students in Years 6, 7 and 8
Extend at TIGS 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 CALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437
Week 7 Activities:
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.
Monday 17 November: Organised Sports Futsal with Tom Crazy Craft with Prep & Kinder Tuesday 18 November: Extend@Library Playlawn/Sandpit Wednesday 19 November: Futsal in Rees Hall Prep and Kinder Sports Crazy Craft Thursday 20 November: “So You Think You Can Dance!” Friday 21 November: Crazy Craft Movie (G) and Popcornid
UPCOMING
EVENTS
WEEK 7
P-12 Singing Concert
6.30pm Monday 17 November 2014 in the Recital Room
WEEK 8
House Quizzes
Monday 24 November 2014
Diploma Programme Information Evening 5.30pm Monday 24 November 2014 in the Goodhew Research Centre
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 28 November 2014
Infants Pageant
10.00am Saturday 29 November 2014 in the IGC
WEEK 9
Honours Presentation Evening Thursday 4 December 2014