NEWSLETTER Julie Donnelly - Winner 2010 ‘The Works’ Acquisitive Art Prize
Headmaster’s Message Fostering High SelfEsteem Head of Senior School Head of Junior School Issue 6 Term III, 2010
Academic • Christian • Caring
Chaplain
Fostering High Self-Esteem How do we get badges? This is the surprising question that is consistently asked by students new to TIGS. Badges are awarded to students in recognition of consistently high levels of achievement. They are a reflection of the student’s individual commitment to excellence and the many badges worn by our senior students are hard earned and well deserved – and they inspire younger students to achieve at the same high level. The recognition of achievement helps build positive self-esteem. Few parents or teachers would question the importance of fostering positive self-esteem in children. We know that when a child is feeling positive about themselves and their ability, their confidence and resilience cause them to achieve at a higher level than when they are feeling insecure and have self-doubt. This is true on the sporting field, on the stage and in the classroom. Professor Stephen Dinham, whose many roles include visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong, has recently written about the role of parents in developing self-esteem in children. He refers to two dimensions of parenting style: Responsiveness: “the extent to which parents intentionally foster individuality, self-regulation and assertion by being attuned, supportive and acquiescent to children’s special needs and demands”; and Demandingness: “the claims parents make on children to become integrated into the family whole, by their maturity demands, supervision, disciplinary efforts and willingness to confront the child who disobeys.”
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
When parenting style is assessed using these two dimensions, he refers to four possible parenting styles: Uninvolved: Authoritarian: Permissive: Authoritative:
low responsiveness, low demandingness low responsiveness, high demandingness high responsiveness, low demandingness high responsiveness, high demandingness
Parents that wish to foster the development of high self-esteem in their children should aspire to develop an authoritative style. Authoritative parents are described as: “They are warm and supportive of their children, aware of their current developmental levels and sensitive to their needs. They also, however, have high expectations, and set appropriate limits while providing structures and consistent rules, the reasons for which they explain to their children, rather than simply expecting unthinking obedience.” “While they maintain adult authority, authoritative parents are also willing to listen to their children and to negotiate about rules and situations. This combination of sensitivity, caring, high expectations and structure has been shown to have the best consequences for children, who commonly display academic achievement, moral maturity, autonomy and high self-esteem.” The same rubric can be applied to schools. A school, for example, that recognises the achievements of students (high responsiveness) but does not assist students by informing where and how they need to improve (low demandingness) fails, just like a ‘permissive’ parent, to serve the best interests of its students. How can parents and schools help their children by being more demanding? To score highly in demandingness students should be assisted to understand the answer to four questions: • • • •
What can I do? What can’t I do? How does my work compare with that of others? How can I do better?
Put simply, it is reaching of a standard and overcoming failure that should be rewarded. Self-esteem is built from genuine achievement, not from hollow words and easily received badges. The School’s commitment to care for our students and to provide encouragement and support (our system of awarding badges is just a small part of this) is balanced with an equally rigorous commitment to setting high standards and working with students to achieve those high standards. At TIGS, we believe encouragement and the expectation that standards will be achieved go hand in hand. Stephen Dinham sums up by saying “every student needs to feel recognised and cared about. Every student needs to experience success and feel that they are progressing in their learning and development. Real achievement, no matter how small, is the best way to engender self-esteem. This can then serve as a solid foundation for further achievement. In this way, self-esteem and student achievement affect each other in a reciprocal fashion, but in my experience, achievement is the foundation of self-esteem and must come first. We shouldn’t shy away from the concept of failure. Having failed and then succeeded at something can be a powerful driver for learning and self-esteem.” Dinham, S (2010)
Self Esteem: Caution-do not overinflate in ‘Teacher’, August 2010 (pp6-11)
Chaplain’s Connection I was intrigued by the headline on a story in the Sydney Morning Herald this week: “Universities have knowledge, but lack wisdom” [SMH, 26/8/10]. The article reports on a lecture given by Steven Schwartz, the vice-chancellor of Macquarie University, in which he argues that modern universities are neglecting the teaching of wisdom to the detriment of their students. He points to the financial crisis, the parliamentary expenses scandal in Britain, and the home insulation scheme as examples of choices made by leaders who were educated but lacked wisdom. Professor Schwartz argues that a fixation with money has led to a decline in teaching students how to think broadly: “We once were about character building but now we are about money”, he is quoted as saying. Don Thurbon, a panellist for the lecture, urged that there was danger in such broad generalisations, but commented: “There is a trend, however, towards a more instrumentalist view of education ... The drive to commercially ready degrees means less time is spent on broad philosophical underpinnings of education.” I think the issue being raised is: “What is the goal of education?” Is it simply the handing on of knowledge in order to help a person to get a mark so that they can gain a qualification that will enable them to do a certain job and therefore make them a useful and productive member of society? Or is it, more broadly, to equip them with the skills they need to handle life, to think through issues ethically, to make wise choices? Is it, to use quote the article’s heading, about knowledge or about wisdom? Some of my favourite books of the Bible (if you are allowed to have favourites) are the so-called books of Wisdom: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs). Here we find advice on the importance of wisdom, and instructions on how to find it. With regard to the importance of wisdom, consider for example Proverbs 4:6-7: “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
John Reed Chaplain
Wisdom is conceived of as the art of living well. It involves not just the acquiring of information, but skill in decision making, understanding of priorities, sensitivity to the needs of others, awareness of dangers and pitfalls, and a whole raft of almost indefinable things that go to making us not just knowledgeable, but wise. Where does wisdom come from? The Bible writers are united on this: it begins (and ends) with understanding who we are, what our place is in this world, and above all, our relationship with our Creator: “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? ... The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28:20-28).
Professional Learning Day
Senior School
Professional Learning Days are critical in keeping staff up to date with the latest research, legislation and developments in Teaching, Learning and Pastoral Care. Long Term Planning for these days involves us in addressing the key elements in the Strategic Plan: Curriculum Differentiation; ICT and equipping teachers to use Technology appropriately for 21st Century learners; the development of a Christian World View and the concept of Christian faith in each subject area. We have a regular and systematic program for after-school meetings and in-services which address these and a number of other significant initiatives. On Professional Learning Days we can explore selected issues with much more depth and rigour and with extensive academic input from visiting experts. In our Professional Learning Day this Term, staff were brought up to date with the latest changes to Child Protection Legislation and the latest research, developments and best practice in dealing with adolescent impulsivity.
Monica Watt
Deputy Headmaster
In addition a number of teaching staff were being extensively in-serviced by me over two days on 4MAT, a framework for teaching and instructional design that raises awareness on the diverse ways in which learning happens. Each student in our classrooms - and by extension every person - perceives and processes information differently. 4MAT is a system which explores these differences and provides a structure to accommodate this diversity within the context of the latest brain research on how learning happens. This is a rigorous program which equips teachers to differentiate learning, a Strategic Initiative in the School’s Strategic Plan. As you can see this will ensure that we provide the very best learning environment both inside and outside the classroom for our students.
Junior School A busy week or just another diverse week at TIGS!! Last weekend I had the great pleasure of cheering for one of our TIGS netball teams at Berkeley. In a “nail biter” of a game that went into extra time, the girls struggled on until the very end and with a win as the result. The netball has been a great success this year and I congratulate the players, their coaches and their families for a wonderful season of netball. Tournament of Minds 2010 Challenge TIGS Junior School entered four teams in this year’s primary tournament held on Sunday 29 August at Nowra High School. Congratulations to all 28 students from Years 4-6 who worked independently and tirelessly to present their creative responses to the short and 10 minute dramatised long term challenges. Special congratulations to The Language Literature Team who won Honours in the most contested challenge. Mrs Wallace, Mrs Binns and Mr Carroll were impressed with the way the teams collaborated, shared responsibilities, handled difficulties and presented creative and entertaining solutions to the challenges. Up there for thinking, TIGS!
HELLO Judi Nealy
Head of Junior School
HICES Gifted and Talented camp On Monday a group of students travelled to Northern Sydney to participate in the HICES Gifted and Talented camp. These students will be challenged and stretched in the areas of Ancient Civilisations, Drama, Electronic Music Composition, Robotics, Judging Justice, Problem Solving-Lateral Thinking, Science, Environment Studies and Stop Motion Animation. They will “live in” at camp with Mrs Mann in attendance and 125 Students form 16 other schools.
The Works Workshop Monday also saw the teachers back at school to participate in Professional Development. At the same time our Year 12 students hosted “The Workshop”, an opportunity for talented Junior School artists to engage with the works exhibition and also create some art works of their own. These links and mentoring opportunities between our senior and junior students are one of the great attributes of a TIGS education. Thank you to the students who participated in this opportunity. NASSA Athletics NASSA athletics was a great day of competition for our children. A glorious day where the sun shone, but not too hot, a little bit of breeze and some wonderful competition. It was a pleasure to look up at the stands and see our TIGS children behaving well, to look across the athletics field and see them competing strongly but with great sportsmanship and to congratulation them on a fine result – second overall. Great work and thank you to Mrs Martin for her never ending effort in achieving such wonderful results. Artist in Residence Camp Wednesday morning sees a group of children going off to Waterslea along the Shoalhaven river for an “Artist in Residence Camp”. This year, we have nominated children to attend the “Writers in Residence” camp at Blue Gum Lodge in the Blue Mountains. These camps allow our students to spend time with like minded peers to develop their passion and interest in specific subjects. I look forward to seeing the artwork they create. We finished up the week with the Fathers’ Day breakfast and the P&F Charity Auction. Community in action – what a great week! Operation Christmas Child item for next week is ‘Something to play with’. Emails Sent • K-4 Disco • Impetigo alert
By Emily Nugara and Jacob Hall
Gat eWAY 8
On the 25 August, 6 TIGS students travelled to MacArthur Anglican College to participate in the academic challenge GateWay8. As a team of 8 Year 6’s we completed six different challenges. The big picture of the day was making a country.
One of the challenges involved art; we had to make a mask out of clay, a piece of jewellery and then we had to paint a picture of it being used. The second challenge we had to do was a science challenge. We had to purify water which means to make it clean. We used rice, sticky tape, a rag, rock and a soft drink bottle. The third challenge we had to do was a maths challenge. We had to find out what country was in need and write a letter to the government asking if they would like this aid. The fourth challenge was a music and dance challenge. We used a drum, clapping sticks and maracas. We had to make up a dance that represents our country and perform it to the two judges. The fifth challenge was to make a new report of a natural disaster that has happened in our country. The last challenge we had to do was literature. We had to make up a speech to give to a country that has just had a flood and perform it to an audience. In conclusion our team had a great day. We all worked together and produced some good work.
Big Day In
Our ‘Big Day In’ will be held on Thursday 23 September. We would just like to go over the events of the day for all our new families to the School. The ‘Big Day In’ is our old ‘Special Persons Day’ where family and friends of our students visit our school for classroom visits, a special Assembly and a picnic lunch. Please find below a program for the day. 11.00am - 11.50am 11.50am 12.00pm - 1.00pm 1.00pm - 1.45pm 1.45pm
Classroom visits Move to Rees Hall for Assembly Assembly Lunch on the Junior School Oval Soccer Finals on the Junior School Oval
Please note that there will be no canteen facilities on this day so children will be unable to place lunch orders.
Sport l o o h c S Junior etball
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Jude McCann Cooper Kerrid ge Liana Smigulski , Lauren O’Hanlo n 1S Xia Lian Wilso n, Sana Zafar 1W Racquel Burges s, Michael Piela 2A Cartia Taranto 2Y Hunter Danck war Nathan Bridge dt-Bruce, 3A Ethan Brunskill , Izac Saad 3Y Daniel Tubman , Benae Kuiper 4B Domenic Espo sito, Ellen Manson 4M Quincy Tut, Aaron Bell 4R Jasmin Holdsw orth, Emily Evans 5R Blake Kolodziej , Remi Moores 5S Oliver Birt, Kai Dreyfus-Bal lesi, Meena Jasim 5/6W Megan Farrell, Himali Wijesin ghe 6C Chloe Kuiper, Kai Middleton 6M Mackenzie Ro ber Mikayla Smith ts, , Cameron McM ill Stephanie Shal an, ala, Lauren Tillots on
We Thankyou!
TIGS CANTEEN COMMUNITY
We are very sad to be losing some of our wonderful volunteers and would like to thank all the ladies who are retiring this year for their dedication and help during theirs child’s time here at TIGS. As we bid farewell to some mums off to support their children through the HSC, the Canteen is seeking new volunteers to join our team of dedicated parents and grandparents for the remainder of this year and next year’s roster. We endeavor to supply the students and staff with a healthy and friendly environment, with a range of products available whilst maintaining reasonable prices. The Canteen is a great place to network with other parents, staff, meet new friends, and learn more about your child’s school environment. If you would like to organise one or two friends to work with on a particular day, we can accommodate this request as well. There is no need to stay all day, even if you can only spare an hour, we would love to see you. The children enjoy seeing you involved within their school environment and volunteering is easy and relaxed . To learn more about Canteen, please call Megan or Deb on 4220 0241 or visit us between 8.00am and 2.00pm daily. Come join us!
Back to TIGS Alumni Picnic Day
Please join TIGS community for the official dedication of Rees Hall, a wonderful new facility in the Junior School. You and your family are invited to come to a service of dedication and thanksgiving as part of ‘Back to TIGS’ day. We welcome our students, our alumni and their extended families and the community to join in the celebrations in Rees Hall and participate in a Rotary charity BBQ in aid of TIGS Year 12 2010 chosen charity “Triple Care Farm’’.
Sunday 19 September, 2010 at 10.30am RSVP grammarians@tigs.nsw.edu.au
Senior School Sports Volleyball Congratulations to Kieran Ackhurst (Year 8) who was selected in the NSWCIS Under 15 Volleyball team and then the NSW All Schools Under 15 Volleyball Team. He recently competed in the Australian Schools Volleyball Championships in Canberra. Congratulations on these achievements. NASSA Athletics Carnival On Wednesday 25 September over 100 TIGS students travelled to Campbelltown Sports Stadium to compete in the NASSA Athletics Carnival. It was a great day with many exceptional performances from the TIGS team, with a number of our students breaking NASSA records. The competition between the schools was extremely close throughout the day, with Penrith Anglican College (PAC) only a few points ahead of TIGS coming into the final events. While TIGS were very strong in a number of the relays, particularly the Junior Girls and the Senior Boys, PAC was just too strong on the day, winning the day.
On final point scores TIGS were successful in: - Overall Point Score 2nd - Overall Boys Point Score 1st - Senior Shield 1st - Intermediate Shield 2nd - Junior Shield 2nd
competed and their results are as follows: Michael Ledwidge - 14B Age Champion. 1st 100m, 1st 200m, 1st 400m, 1st Long Jump, 4th 800m
The TIGS students all competed with great spirit and were wonderful ambassadors for our School. We wish our athletes the best when they compete in the AICES Athletics Carnival next Monday 6 September at Homebush.
Emily Debrot – Open Girls. 1st Javelin, 1st Discus, 2nd Shot Put
Illawarra All Schools Athletics – TIGS Champion School On Sunday 28 August the Illawarra All Schools Athletics Championships were held at Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre, Beaton Park. TIGS fielded a small but formidable team in competition represented by 56 schools from the Illawarra and beyond. It was an outstanding day for TIGS who finished the day as the Champion School for 2010, a fantastic result. The students who
Kyle Grubnic – Open Boys. 1st Long Jump, 1st Triple Jump, 2nd Discus, 2nd Javelin, 4th 100m
Harrison Steele – 14B. 2nd Javelin, 4th 1500m TIGS/Uni Rugby Good Luck to the TIGS-UNI junior rugby teams who begin their semi final campaigns this week at Shoalhaven Rugby Park. Under 11s TIGS Uni v Kiama @ 8.30 am Under 12s TIGS Uni v Kiama @ 9.35 am Under 14Bs TIGS Uni v Tech Waratahs @ 10.40 am Under 16s TIGS Uni/Vikings v Shoalhaven @ 2.15 pm
Canteen R oster W eek 8, Te rm III
Uniform Change Over Winter to Summer The Uniform Shop will be open during the School holidays from 9.00am to 3.00pm Thursday 7 October, Friday 8 October 2010 and Saturday 9 October 2010.
Monday
6 sept
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Tuesd Snezana ay 7 septembe r Bujaros ka ,Anne J ones Wednesda Heather y 8 sept Rugg, Ni embe chole An astas, P r am Park Thurs inson Vanessa day 9 septemb Cross, Ass er unta Dis ibio Friday 1 0 septem ber Help Nee ded
Appointments necessary, phone 4220 0230. 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.
Karobran Literature Morning Tea The Karobran Literature Morning Tea was held last Tuesday in the Library. We viewed the children’s Book Week displays, purchased books and enjoyed a delicious morning tea. Mo Johnson spoke on her touching and inspiring children’s story “Noah’s Garden” with Yr 6 having beautifully performed the story for us. The new Head of The Goodhew Research Centre, Leanne Windsor spoke about reading with and to your child. Thanks to Mo, Leanne, the library and canteen staff for making this a very special event.
Congrat
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Congratu la the South tions to all the st ud Coast Pu blic Spea ents who comple king ted in 24 August debate on Tue sday . A specia l congra tula winning th e Year 10 tions to Daniel M division. cNamara technolo Danie for gy’ and it was a d l’s topic was ‘Ne w ramatic result.
Angelina Dostal
State Snow Sports Championships 2010 Last week, a number of enthusiastic TIGS students competed at the State SnowsportsChampionships after qualifying through the regional championships in July. All students represented the school admirably. The results were: Tahlia Jackson (Year 7) finished 12th in the Moguls, 15th in the Skier X, 16th in the Snowboard GS and 22nd in the Alpine in Division 3 (Year 7 and 8 Students) The Division 5 (Year 4 and below) female team of Mika Bliokas (Year 4), Ashleigh Mill (Year 4) and Georgia Webb (Year 3) finished 8th in the Alpine and 12th in the Skier X The Division 5 Boys team of Ethan Jackson (Year 4), Aaron Doherty (Year 4) and Caleb Grace (Year 4) finished 9th in the Skier X and the team of Ethan, Aaron, Holly Kiteley (Year 4) and Harrison Webb (Year 1) finished 12th in the Alpine. Congratulations to all the competitors.
NSW and ACT Mountain Bike All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships. On Friday 27 August 2010 several TIGS students competed in the NSW and ACT MTB All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships at Mt. Stromlo, Canberra. Congratulations Miles Waring, Samuel Jones and David Manton on a well deserved and hard fought win of the Year 11&12 division.
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Special mention and thank you to Peter Jones who has managed the TIGS teams for six years with assistance from Tim Manton. The Year 11 and 12 Podium 1st - The Illawarra Grammar School Miles Waring, Samuel Jones and David Manton 2nd - Daramalan College 3rd - Bowral High To read more on the day, please click here
State Sn o Champion w Sports s Georgia W ebb, Ash hips 2010 leigh Mill a
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The Works Exhibition 2010 It is always difficult to follow a blockbuster exhibition, particularly when our Jubilee Exhibition was such a successful event, but The Works Exhibition 2010 was a wonderful weekend where we were able to reconnect with old friends of TIGS and to make new connections with many new artists and with members of the community, who enjoyed the hospitality and welcome for which we are becoming famous. The quality and variety that was evident, particularly within the students’ works and the depth of feelings expressed, were some of the most commented on aspects of the Exhibition by our visitors. We were very pleased to welcome back to our school Julie Donnelly, a multi-media artist who works locally in the Illawarra and whose work was selected by our judges, John Monteleone and Tom Dion as this year’s winner of the Acquisitive Art Prize. The judges expressed the difficulty of the task they undertook in selecting a “winner” amongst such a diverse range of quality works. The prize was generously sponsored by The Westpac Bank who have partnered with us for a second year. Julie’s son, Adam, was an Alumnis of TIGS some 10 years ago, so it was wonderful to welcome her back and to be able to purchase her amazing artwork for the school’s collection. Di Goodman, a past staff member and artist who opened the exhibition, talked about the ability of artworks to communicate that which is impossible to express. Julie’s drawing entitled “Byzantine”, to me, expresses such things. The following is an artist’s statement which accompanies Julie’s Drawing. From a seed a tree grew tall and strong. Then it was cut down as it reached its prime. A new beginning – a house, a shelter, a home. Again came change – destruction, demolition and salvage.
Julie Donnelly Byzantine Pencil on Paper
Now reborn for all to see; aged paint, flaking, scars of life - cuts, nail holes. From its aged state, grace and beauty emerge
The Workshop
A group of Year 3 – 6 students were invited to engage with The Works Exhibition in a unique way this year. They were able to view the exhibition and draw inspiration from the exhibition to produce their own artworks, with the help of some enthusiastic art students from the senior school. Their parents enjoyed morning tea as well as a last look at The Works Exhibition. These talented students produced some amazing works and we look forward to their continued involvement in art.
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!
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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TIGS Class of 1990
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2010
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
Click here to view full invitation