Issue 8 Term II 2015

Newsletter Academic Christian Caring

ISSUE 8

TERM II 2015 Junior School Sisterhood Program

Headmaster How is your child progressing in Latin and Ancient Greek?

Perhaps they are struggling in the subjects of Logic and Rhetoric? Maybe they have developed an unhealthy obsession for Astronomy and Arithmetic at the expense of Geometry and Music?

The history of ‘Grammar’ schools is far more complex than I could hope to explore on this page. However, students attending a Grammar school in the 19th Century would have received a ‘classical’ education that included all these subjects and they could well have mastered all the published European knowledge available at the time they finished their education.

What a contrast to the 21st Century where the amount of published knowledge is growing rapidly - some say exponentially. This explosion of knowledge has had a profound effect on how knowledge is organised and the way we learn. Information is organised into academic disciplines that provide the framework to analyse, interpret and develop further knowledge in that specific subject area – and there are specialist areas within the academic disciplines that allow for even greater specialisation.

The knowledge that comes from specialisation enriches and enhances our quality of life and wellbeing. Science delivers better health and longer life expectancy; Economics provides for a more efficient use of resources leading to a higher standard of living; Technology allows us to travel faster and more safely than ever before (‘Around the World in 80 Days’ would now be regarded as an air traveller’s nightmare).

However, the specialisation of knowledge has come at a cost. Specialisation in subject areas means that learning becomes disconnected from other disciplines. Students can acquire extensive knowledge in a subject but have no idea of how it is connected and related to the wider context.

How else do we explain that some scientists believe it is right to clone human beings in the name of research, or CEOs restructuring once profitable companies to restore balance sheets and profitability at the expense of the wellbeing of employees?

The writer of Proverbs, King Solomon, recognised that knowledge must have meaning by being understood as part of a bigger picture when he wrote: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

(Proverbs 1:7) His advice, given nearly three thousand years ago, is as true today as it was then. Knowledge is given meaning when it is understood as part of the bigger picture (metanarrative).

At TIGS we believe an understanding of the bigger picture comes from an understanding of God and what was intended for the world and the people He created.

Our commitment to learning at TIGS within the bigger picture is captured in our Statement of Mission and Values which includes: “The core business of the School is student learning within a framework provided by Christian faith. The School

Community supports students in developing their abilities, empowering them to become fulfilled individuals who can successfully participate and provide leadership in society for the good of others and to the glory of God.” (1.1) “Individual academic disciplines provide a knowledge base and framework for understanding the world. The School is also committed to students achieving an enriched understanding that comes through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning, building on the academic disciplines.” (1.4) Students learn through their study in the academic disciplines and gain a deeper understanding by making connections with the learning in other disciplines. Sense is made of learning through the lens of God’s created order which is taught in Chapel, Christian Studies and when considering a Christian worldview in the classroom.

Grammar Schools, such as TIGS, bear no resemblance to the original ‘Grammar School’ of the 19th Century which is a good thing. What does remain at TIGS is the same commitment to holistic learning and understanding.

Stephen Kinsella Headmaster

Chaplain’s Message IN PRAISE OF GOD’S PROVISION Psalm 104 is a psalm that celebrates God’s provision for his creation. The scope of the psalm is comprehensive.

All of God’s creation is the object of his gracious care and attention. Take this excerpt as an example: You [God] provide streams of water in the hills and valleys, so that the donkeys and other wild animals can satisfy their thirst. Birds build their nests nearby and sing in the trees. From your home above you send rain on the hills and water the earth. You let the earth produce grass for cattle, plants for our food, wine to cheer us up, olive oil for our skin, and grain for our health. Our Lord, your trees always have water, and so do the cedars you planted in Lebanon. Birds nest in those trees and storks make their home in the fir trees. Wild goats find a home in the tall mountains, and small animals can hide between the rocks. (Psalm 104.10-18) This is a wonderful portrait of a God who is not only Creator but also Sustainer of all things. Some have suggested that God is not intimately involved in his creation at all. They assert that he simply wound it all up at the beginning (like one might wind up a clock) and retreated to leave it to operate according to its own principles. The technical name for this is Deism. But Psalm 104 refutes this. Psalm 104 proves beyond doubt that God is intimately involved in his creation, caring for that which he has created, providing for all that he loves.

As we come to the end of Term 2 I want to acknowledge God’s provision for us at TIGS. He has been very good to us. It has been such a blessed term. God has supplied us with many wonderful opportunities to learn more about him and his world; he has given us the strength to be diligent learners; he has provided us with many rich resources to extend our learning; he has given us a talented staff and student body; he has provided us with resourceful and enthusiastic parents and grandparents and friends (we need only think of The Great Fete to appreciate this); he has given us opportunity to do good to others; he has enriched us on many occasions by his word; he has heard and acted on our prayers; he has …

In the light of such generous provision I want to close off my final article for Term 2 with the words of the psalmist as he nears the conclusion of Psalm 104: As long as I live, I will sing and praise you, the Lord God. I hope my thoughts will please you, because you are the one who makes me glad. (Psalm 104.33-34) Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Rev James Rogers Chaplain

Uniform Shop The Uniform Shop will be open for School Holiday trading on the above dates: 9.00am - 2.00pm 9.00am - 2.00pm

Thursday 16 July Friday 17 July

Senior School Consistent with this research and the Illawarra Grammar School’s core values, the School believes that success in learning involves the development of the whole child by offering a broad curriculum adopting a holistic approach to each student’s academic, spiritual, physical, aesthetic, cultural, social and emotional development. The extent and diversity of the co-curricular programme at TIGS reflects this approach. For this reason I wanted to share with you some of the activities that students have been involved in this Term to provide a sample of the points of connection available in a TIGS education.

Greg Lanyon Acting Head of Senior School

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES @ TIGS

There is much research in the area of adolescent mental health that points to the importance of schools providing multiple points of connection for students as an important protective factor in their development. What this refers to is a school providing a diverse range of opportunities for students beyond the classroom, whereby students may find and pursue a passion with other likeminded people.

For many adolescents this point of connection may be the thing that provides the motivation for them to engage with and enjoy school.

This time of year the most obvious activity outside the classroom is the annual School Production. This year it is Beauty and the Beast and at last count over 150 students have been involved in some way in bringing this classic story to the stage. The Production involves a range of talented performers, musicians, lighting and sound crew, backstage, makeup and prosthetic assistants. For those students and staff involved it has been a culmination of hard work, juggling the demanding rehearsal schedules with regular classroom commitments.

Rebecca Adams and Himali Wijesinghe from Year 10, qualified at the Future Problem Solving Australian Nationals in October 2014, won the Healthy Schools Competition from UOW in December 2014 including a grant for $2000 and made it a hat trick winning First Place in Community Problem Solving at the International Competition in Iowa, USA in June 2015. The girls’ project, Heart to Heart, about blood and organ donation, endorsed by Gordon Bradbery and Clover Moore, won in the Middle Division against competition of the highest standards. Congratulations to Rebecca and Himali and many thanks for the support of their parents in getting them to the world stage to compete.

Tahlia Jackson (Y12) and Robert Martin (Y10) have reached

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 10 Year 9 Year 7

Monday 22 June Thursday 25 June Tuesday 21 July

We will be using the booking system Parent Teacher On-Line (PTO) to arrange all interviews. Bookings will close at 10.00am 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

the State semi finals of the Evatt Model United Nations Security Council Diplomacy Competition, open to students from Year 9 to 12. They were selected from 231 teams who competed in the competition. The Evatt competition aims to educate young people about Australia’s place in the world and empower them as active citizens by developing public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, research and diplomatic skills. The competition takes the form of a mock UN Security Council, where teams of two students debate, amend, and vote on resolutions from the perspective of their assigned nation. TIGS hosted the Illawarra regional round and entered several teams, with UN Youth Representatives coming to the School to chair and judge the event.

Emily I’ons, Olivia Poate and Tahlia Jackson, all from Year 12 competed earlier this Term in the regional round of the Bond Mooting High School Competition. The team received praise from the judges for preparation and the high standard of presentation at the competition and Tahlia received an Outstanding Advocate Award.

Our students have performed very well in the first round of the national Ilford Photographic Competion for 2015.

TIGS placed second in the Digital Category as a school and individual students were recognised for their efforts and talents. Ethan Brunskill was placed first in the Year 7-8 Digital Category, Nicholas Gulaj, Vanessa Winterbottom and Morgan Jackson received a Merit Award in the Year 9-10 Digital Category. Dominic McLernon O’Donnell and Ruilin Zhu also received a Merit Award in the Year 11-12 Digital Category.

Quest and Erynne Stone was Runner-up at the Wollongong Region’s Rostrum Public Speaking Competition Year 9 Division. TIGS also hosted the Regional Da Vinci Decathlon, fielding teams from Year 7 to Year 10 and were successful in a range of problem solving categories ranging from Engineering to Creative Producers, Code Breaking and Cartography.

The School recently competed in the UOW Titration Competition. Students participated in teams of three in a 90-minute competition involving analytical technique developed at school. All students participated with enthusiasm and were great representatives of our School.

Individual and team results will be made available at a later date. The students involved in the titration competition were Denali Hutt and Cameron McMillan (Year 11) and from Year 12, Beppe Fierrevanti, Qi Jiang, Teagan Johnston, Robert Jover, Hannah Kim, Andre Kovac, Yaru Mizori, Quynh-Nhu Nguyen, James Sutherland and Aislinn Turner.

I would especially like to congratulate and thank the many staff at School who coach, guide, manage and mentor students, often in their own time. None of this would be possible without their commitment.

Greg Lanyon Acting Head of Senior School

In public speaking and debating our students have performed exceptionally. The TIGS Middle Division HICES Debating team were undefeated in the preliminary rounds and progress to the Finals in Term 3. Ishara Wijesinghe won the Quota International Leisure Coast Student of the Year

HEAD LICE There have been some recent reported cases of head lice in our School. This is a common phenomenon and nothing to be unduly concerned about. Nevertheless it is a reminder to check regularly and if detected treat according to the guidelines on the NSW Government Health website.

Junior School Junior School teachers are finalising Semester 1 reports ready to be sent home at the end of term. It is true to say that teachers of young children agonise over reports. The process of allocating a grade as a representation of all the learning, growing and development that occurs over the Semester is challenging for teachers as they want to really acknowledge the depth and breadth of learning that occurs for every child. Having said this however, it is very important that learners and their parents have a clear indication of how they are travelling and that the information they receive celebrates growth, affirms effort and points the way for future improvement.

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

EFFORT

We review our reporting process each year and this year we have specifically investigated the effort numbers allocated to our Junior School learners. Effort grades can be quite subjective as one person’s concept of “excellent effort” may be another persons “average”. Another complexity to be considered when grading effort is the developmental level of the children we are grading. For example the enthusiasm of Kindergarten students in raising their hand for every question the teacher asks, is viewed as satisfactory for that age group, where as by Year 6, a student who enthusiastically engages with class discussion and offers their input to the same level would be graded as above average or excellent.

It is important that we have a shared understanding of what expected and exceptional effort look like in different grades. The table below will give parents and students some additional insight into the effort expectations we have in the Junior School:

Grade

Description

Explanation in context

1

Excellent

Describes a student who always participates enthusiastically in their learning, engages in all experiences and takes ownership for their learning over and above expectations.

It is unusual for many students to be consistently working at this level across multiple subject areas. These students stand out as applying themselves far beyond expectations. If we consider ourselves as adult learners, we can reflect on the percentage of time we are giving effort to this level – it is not sustainable for many people to continue to deliver this level of effort long term. It is also not reasonable to expect most children to be operating at this level.

2

Above Average

Describes the student who goes the extra mile but perhaps not all the time. He/she connects with the subject area and learning really well.

They try harder than average but may not do it all the time. They do more than expected in terms of their effort and application to their studies. This may present as completing extra research at home, contributing with exceptional enthusiasm to class discussions, spending extra time on presentation etc.

3

Satisfactory

This grade is given to students who behave and apply themselves in a manner that is consistent with their age group. In the primary, it would be satisfactory to complete homework and bookwork to the expected standard, to listen to instructions and contribute to class discussions.

4

Needs Improvement

Students who receive this grade in any area are demonstrating effort below the expectation for the developmental level and our school standards. There is room for improvement. Their work is not reflective of their talent and ability.

5

Unsatisfactory

This grade indicates a problem and should be discussed by parents with the teacher as well as with the student.

One of the many reasons that parents send their children to TIGS is the high standards we set here at our

One of the many reasons that parents send their children to TIGS is the high standards we set here at our School. Effort grades are a reflection of these standards. It is important that we hold these standards and not water them down so that all students are receiving “above average” or “excellent” effort grades. Our review of effort grades resulted in a shared consensus as a teaching staff to be conservative in awarding these grades and upholding the high standards for effort and application that parents at TIGS expect.

I trust that children and their parents will enjoy receiving their reports and discussing the information they contain. I know that after the Three Way Conferences parents and students have already had excellent conversations about the learning that has occurred in Semester 1 and I know that the formal reports will serve as an opportunity to revisit those conversations and build on them.

Judi Nealy Head of Junior School

WEEKLY AWARDS KD KH KP 1T 1W 1Y 2M 2Mc 2S

3R 3S 4Y 5R 6C 6K

Johanna Hernandez, Evelyn Sanzone Arwen Bowman, Gabriel Beebe Noah Ristov, Ashley Parker Rhys Chieng, Saxon Gerovasilis Yananai Chibanda, Jawad Aly, Amaan Vakil Grace Russo, Isaac Turner Saif Jaber, Victoria Di Martino Ting-Ting Cook, Bhargav Jagarlamudi Ryan Molnar, Devesh Rajpal, Ben Harman, Olive Windsor Lille Fellowes, Daniel Radojicic Ella Smith, Kain Corrigan Aditya Kumaresan, Rosemary Zaki Miranda Golding, Enuri Gamage Jayson Cooper Ruby Moore

Sport

MERIT CERTIFICATES Academic

Pia D’Rozario Hugh D’Rozario Bhaavya Gupta Alana Newhouse Olive Windsor Ethan Bywater Victoria Summerill Boston Zeidler Ryan Molnar Rhys Chieng Aston Di Donato Daniel Llewellin Aditya Kumaresan Ethan Morgan Kain Corrigan

Service Yasmin Matar

JUNIOR SCHOOL CIS Cross Country Following on from the outstanding results from NASSA, 27 students went to CIS where they achieved results above expectations.

Congratulations to the following four members of our School who placed in the top 6 and now qualify as members of CIS Team to compete at the State Carnival in July:

9 Year Girls

5th Allegra Fock

9 Year Boys

6th Alexander Vartazarian

10 Year Boys

2nd Cooper Kerridge

11 Year Boys

5th Ben Giason

Athletics Carnival Just a reminder that our annual Junior School Athletics Carnival will be held next Wednesday 24 June at Beaton Park Athletics Track for all Years 3-6 students.

CSSA Gymnastics We had three students from TIGS head up to Sydney yesterday to compete in gymnastics at the Christian Schools Sport Association Carnival. All results will be published in next terms Newsletter.

Sport SENIOR SCHOOL

NASSA Athletics Carnival

Snow Sports

The NASSA Athletics Carnival is Thursday 25 June at Campbelltown Athletics Centre. Students travel via bus as a team to the venue and will leave school at 7:00am returning at 4.30pm. We have a strong team of over 100 students competing for our School across various events throughout the day. Permission notes are available through OLLE and Student Reception. Please ensure that notes are returned or see Mrs Lane if you cannot attend. We wish all competitors all the best on the day and we are looking forward to a fantastic day.

Our team of 16 students will be heading off to the snow over the first week of the holidays to compete in various competitions between Monday 29 June and Monday 6 July.

Please see the information below for competition dates and training dates.

CIS Cross Country Congratulations to our team of 15 students who competed at NSW CIS on Thursday 11 June. All runners represented TIGS with pride and were fine ambassadors on the day. Special mention to Maudie Skyring Year 12 who placed 1st at CIS Cross Country in a time of 25.06 minutes over 6km. I would also like to mention Elizabeth Martin who placed 9th in a time of 16.28 over 4km and James Seal 7th in a time of 14.20 for 4km. These students are going through to NSW All Schools.

Maudie Skyring: “It’s such a rewarding feeling crossing that finish line and knowing all your hard work and training has paid off”.

Co-curricular Sport We have had a fantastic term of co-curricular sport with students participating in a variety of activities ranging from bootcamp, circus and acrobatics, basketball, tennis, athletics, boys and girls fitness, rowing, trampolining and rock climbing. Week 9 is the final week of sport and sport will resume as normal in Week 1 with the exception of Monday morning Bootcamp at URAC. If your child is no longer attending the sport they have selected next term can you please ensure that you notify the teacher and/or Mrs Lane by Friday Week 1 Friday, 24 July so that we can finalise numbers. URAC Indoor Sports will combine with Basketball on Tuesday afternoons and will be at TIGS.

DATE

COMP/TRAINING

DIVISION

Monday 29 June

- Ski Training with Jack Miller

All

Tuesday 30 June

- Knox Pymbol Race

All

Wednesday 1 July

- Inter School Snow Sports - Snowboard GS - Snowboard X - Moguls - Ski Training with Jack Miller - Inter School Snow Sports Alpine - Skiier X - Ski Training with Jack Miller -Inter School Snow Sports - - - Alpine - Skiier X - Inter School Snow Sports - Alpine - Skiier X - Inter School Snow Sports - - Scotts Race

Thursday 2 July Friday 3 July Saturday 4 July Monday 6 July

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

All All 3,2,1 5 4,5 4,2,1 5,3 3 2,1 All

Up Coming Events Week 1 - Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Hike 1 Friday, July 24-Sunday, July 26 2 August Week 2 - TIGS Snow Trip Friday, 31 July – Sunday Parker’s School Holiday Tennis Clinic At Wests Week 3 – NASSA Football Gala Day Monday 3 August

Illawarra, Unanderra

UNANDERRA CLINIC DATE: Mon 29/06/15 to Wed 1/07/15 TIME: 9.00am – 12.00pm COST: $70.00 (Ages 4-14 years)

Bookings are Essential For more information call: Andrew on 0407 029 731 Email: arparker@bigpond.net.au www.facebook.com/parkerstennis

TIGS Foundation

TIGS FOUNDATION ANNUAL APPEAL - END OF FINANCIAL YEAR REMINDER

Thank you to those families who generously donated to TIGS Foundation through the recent 2015 Fee Commitment Form.

Your kind donation contributes to the achievement of our goals and objectives for funding of the Reverend Richard Bosanquet Scholarship, provided for students whose circumstances would otherwise not allow them to access a TIGS education, and to capital works programmes and assets which support teaching and learning at the School. This assists to drive forward the fantastic educational opportunities your children will receive here at TIGS. With the end of the financial year fast approaching, the Foundation is asking that you, if you haven’t already, consider making a fully deductible donation to TIGS Foundation.

You can set up regular giving to the TIGS Foundation Annual Appeal by nominating the amount you would like to contribute. Through the Foundation Annual Appeal you can make a difference for your children and for future children who will attend TIGS, including those who could not normally be able to experience a TIGS education.

On completion of the attached form, it can be returned via email to lwilson@tigs.nsw.edu.au or by post to the Foundation Office at the School. In order for your donation to be processed in this financial year, it is advised that you return the form prior to close of business on Thursday 25 June 2015.

For further enquiries, please feel free to call the Foundation Office directly on 4220 0264.

TIGS COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY Are you interested in advertising your Business within the TIGS Community?

A new fundraising initiative of TIGS Foundation is the creation of an on-line business directory, which will enable TIGS families to promote their business/s by advertising their details on the TIGS Website.

There will be an annual fee of $330 (inclusive of GST) per business each calendar year of advertising in the Directory. Upon approval, immediate applications for 2015 will receive a bonus of several months’ free advertising, expiring 31 December 2016.

The Business Directory will provide an opportunity to strengthen and tighten the bonds between the School, parents and the businesses contained within the School Community.

If you are interested and would like to be involved please phone, Lisa Wilson on 4220 0264 or Joanne Danckwardt 0426 264 771, or email: foundation@tigs.nsw.edu.au

P&F News YEAR 7 MUMS’ DINNER

I am organising a Year 7 Mums’ Dinner, a great opportunity to meet and get to know other mums from Year 7.

Date: Friday 31 July Time: 7.00pm Venue: Murphy’s Bar and Grill Unanderra Cost: The cost is $50pp for a 3 course meal (pay on the night). Drinks to be purchased separately.

I have booked a private room at Murphy’s to allow people to meet and mingle. If you are able to come, please RSVP me directly by Friday 17 July via email jsantos1@optusnet.com.au or text/phone 0422 995 509.

Thank you Renee Santos

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UPCOMING

EVENTS

School Production ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Friday 19 to Saturday 20 June

WEEK 10

Year 10 Parent Teacher Interviews

4.00pm to 7.30pm Monday 22 June in the Goodhew Research Centre

Junior School Athletics Carnival Wednesday 24 June at Beaton Park Athletics Track

Senior School NASSA Athletics Carnival Thursday 25 June at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Lumeah

Year 9 Parent Teacher Interviews

4.00pm to 7.30pm Thursday 25 June in the Goodhew Research Centre

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Test Hike Option 1 25 - 26 June

Last Day of Term II Friday 26 June

HOLIDAYS

Pymble Snow Sports Competition Tuesday 30 June Knox Grammar

NSW Northern Region Interschool Snow Sports Competition Wednesday 1 July – Saturday 4 July

WEEK 1 TERM III

Term III Commences Monday 20 July