Newsletter Academic Christian Caring
ISSUE 3
TERM IV 2016 Year 6 PYP Exhibition
Headmaster • Will the tutor work with the School and support the learning programme provided by our teachers? • Has the tutor completed a Working With Children Check (WWCC)? • Is the tutor currently registered as a teacher with the NSW BOSTES? • Is the tutor qualified to teach in the subject/area? • Has the tutor successfully completed teacher training? • What is the extent of the tutor’s teaching experience?
Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
Parents sometimes seek the advice of the School to identify a private tutor to assist their child outside of school hours. It is our belief that the expertise and experience of our staff and the comprehensive nature of the curriculum at TIGS is sufficient for our students. Parents of students in the Junior School who believe their child requires additional assistance should discuss their concerns with the child’s class teacher or Mrs Wallace. The School recommends that Senior School students should communicate with their teacher in the first instance. Many students are already communicating with their teachers outside of the classroom through email, OLLE or by appointment. Students seeking help in addition to that provided by their teachers could attend the After-School Help available in the Library from 3.30pm, provided by TIGS teachers: English: Tuesday, Thursday Mathematics: Tuesday, Wednesday Science: Tuesday ESL: Tuesday (from 7.30am), Thursday Library research: Thursday Japanese: Tuesday Support: Monday Other subjects: By arrangement with the teacher. We recognise that parents, notwithstanding this advice, will still seek to employ a private tutor to assist their child. The School does not make recommendations to parents about the suitability of private tutors. The following questions are provided to assist parents in determining the suitability of a private tutor.
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What subjects and levels? (Senior School)
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What year group or stage? (Junior School)
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How recent is the experience?
• What is the extent of the tutor’s knowledge of the NSW BOSTES Curriculum or the requirements of the IBO? o Do they have the current curriculum documents? o Have they taught from the current documents?
• What is the extent of the tutor’s knowledge of the NSW BOSTES Assessment processes and requirements (covering HSC in Years 10 to 12) and the International Baccalaureate Organisation (covering MYP and DP in Years 7 to 12)? o
Do they have the current assessment documents?
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Have they taught using the current assessment documents?
• Does the tutor have experience in marking HSC papers for the BOSTES or the IBO? o
How recent is the experience?
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What subjects and levels?
These questions are particularly important for students in Year 11 and Year 12. The School has been in the extraordinary situation where a mark awarded by the School for an assessment task was challenged by a student, on the advice of a tutor. On investigation it was found that the tutor’s claims about their qualifications and experience were false. Unfortunately, situations like this occur too often across all age groups. The confusion and lack of confidence this situation causes for a student should be avoided at all costs. The School recommends that tutors, unable to satisfy parents with their answer to these questions, should not be employed to instruct our children. All families are encouraged to seek assistance from the School in the first instance. Stephen Kinsella Headmaster
Chaplain’s Message CHRISTMAS DAY DAWNS I am starting to have a number of conversations at school about our plans for this year’s Christmas celebrations. Along with our prize presentation events our Christmas celebrations are a highlight of our end-of-year activities. There are two events in particular. The first is the Infants’ Pageant. The date of the Pageant is 3 December. The venue is the IGC. The Infants’ Pageant always presents the Christmas story in a winsome way. The ‘cuteness factor’ goes into overdrive. And our young students shine as they recount in drama and song the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus. This is one of those events where everyone goes away with a big smile on their face. It is so special. I have had a sneak preview of the script of this year’s pageant and without giving too much away it is going to be ‘out of this world’. I commend the Infants’ Pageant to your attention. The second major Christmas event is our whole school Christmas Celebration. The date is 7 December. Again, the venue is the IGC. Our aim with the Christmas Celebration is not unlike the Infants’ Pageant: to recount the marvellous deeds of God. We do this using the immense talents of our students right across the School. It is a cavalcade of creativity. But it is not just a spectator’s event. There are occasions when we all join in the singing of traditional Christmas carols. This year’s Christmas Celebration will feature the staging of a Christmas nativity play written by Laurel Moffatt called ‘Born is the King’. It is a faithful telling of the Christmas narrative with good humour and heartfelt emotion. We are already excited by the special touches we have included to make it uniquely our own. And a reminder as well: the Christmas Celebration begins with a family picnic on the main oval. More on that later. The events of Christmas are extraordinary. What God has done for us in his Son Jesus is so amazing we can never tire of telling the story and participating in its enunciation. Something wonderful takes place when we do. We are bound together more tightly as we sing out our praises
to God. Our Christmas events are true community building occasions. They also give us an opportunity to focus our attention on one of our key distinctions as a School: our Christian convictions. Can I ask you even now to put these two important events in your calendar before it gets filled up with other commitments? Your presence at these events will add an even greater richness to what will undoubtedly be extra special occasions. You will soon be receiving some more formal invitations to all of our end-of-year events. It is a great time of year. I look forward to sharing in the joy of the season with you.
Rev James Rogers Chaplain
Rev James Rogers
7.30am - 8.20am Friday 11 November In the TIGS Goodhew Research Centre (Library)
Parents, staff and friends are invited to gather to pray for our School community Breakfast and supervision is available for children
RSVP by Wednesday 9 November Please contact Mrs Natalie Moore Phone 4220 0284 or email nmoore@tigs.nsw.edu.au
Junior School I am writing this newsletter after spending two hours at the Year 6 PYP Exhibition Opening and it is impossible not to feel absolutely thrilled for and proud of our Year 6 students. I learnt so much from our Year 6 students about:
Judi Nealy Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior School
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Homelessness / Poverty
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Women’s Rights / Gender Inequality
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Ocean Pollution
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Mental Health
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Injuries in contact sports
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3D printing
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Animal Welfare
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Diet and Wellbeing
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Bullying
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Racism
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Obesity
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Terrorism
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Genetic Engineering
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Childhood development in underprivileged areas
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Children’s Rights
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Animal Habitats
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Body Image
Two hours was not enough time to fully explore all of the presentations and I am looking forward to spending more time with the groups I missed tomorrow. The Exhibition is the culminating event for our PYP learners and provides the opportunity for our students to showcase all that they have learnt during their time in the Junior School. While it is a Year 6 event, it is also a celebration for every teacher in the Junior School as each one of them has made a contribution to the students presenting their work. The exhibition provides opportunities for: •
Real connections with the issues being investigated
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In depth knowledge of content or subject area – far beyond that of just “googling” information
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High levels of collaboration between students and staff
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Empowered learners who feel equipped to take age appropriate action (we don’t want our students to feel that the world’s big issues are too much for them to tackle)
The PYP Exhibition was a triumph for our School as a learning community. I commend every student for their application and the outstanding results achieved and also the parents and staff for playing their role in supporting such outstanding work.
Lost Property
Co-curricular Club WRITING CLUB Writing Club is a time and space for keen writers to explore their own writing interests. Some writers attend every session and others drop in when they are keen to write. Our writers range in ages from Year 1 to Year 6 with some inspired to write individually and others enjoying the benefits of co-authoring. Some students are working on a novel and use this time to continue drafting their own original ideas. This writing is often approached through Google Docs. Other students prefer to write with the pencil and paper provided, drawing their ideas from using the story building dice, the storytelling cards or the box of writing prompts. Holly helped develop the idea for and interest in our Writing Club. Holly says that our Writing Club, “lets my imagination take place so I can write down all these ideas that I have. It gives me time to express what I think because I would rather write than talk about it.� Writing Club is an opportunity for free writing based purely on each students own creativity and drive.
NSW PSSA ATHLETICS Congratulations to Christian Vujic on representing CIS at the State Primary Schools Carnival this term. He ran in the 10 Years Boys 100m narrowly missing the semi-final and placed 6th in the Junior Boys Long Jump with a personal best jump. Well done Christian.
WEEKLY AWARDS Heathcliff Peacock KH Liam Perrins KH Leo Kalsi KP Addison Keefe KP Tyler Little KD Floyd Stephenson KD Bridie Hughes 1M Roscoe Kambouris 1M Aarnav Prabhu 1S Amelia Vartazarian 1S Arwen Bowman 1Y Daniel Cox 1Y Ashwin Gogulan 2Mc Grace Russo 2Mc Amaan Vakil 2M Jemima Bigirindavyi 2M Alexander Mumford 2T Samuel Williams 2T Cate Giason 3C Saksham Sirohi 3C Odelia Aghmesheh 3S Campbell Boardman 3S Victoria Di Martino 3S Matilda Hughes 3S
Isabella Perri 3R Popi Tsaganas 3R Will Bond 4Y Georgie Lancaster 4Y Ryder Langton 4R Jessica Llewellin 4R Lachlan Boardman 6C Natalie Parsons 6C Isabella Atkinson 6K Elyse Calleja 6K Jack Burrows 6K
MERIT CERTIFICATES Amaan Vakil Isaac Turner Georgie Lancaster Leo Kalsi Ashwin Gogulan Max Clark Arwen Bowman Odelia Aghmesheh
The Piper Centre CHANGES ARE COMING
Changes are planned for the Piper Centre in 2017 including hours and weeks of operation, fee structure and rebates. Families are encouraged to attend our information session next week to understand these changes in more detail.
THE T I GS Academic • Christian • Caring
An International Baccalaureate World School
INFORMATION SESSION
Tuesday 8 November 5.00pm - 5.45pm The Piper Centre Preparatory programme for children aged 3 - 5 is located on The Illawarra Grammar School campus. Come along to our info session and discover how The Piper Centre is the ideal start to your child’s formal education.
Location: TIGS, The Piper Centre | RSVP: Monday 7 November | Book online: www.tigs.nsw.edu.au/events-and-bookings
The Arts
INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT DATES
Upcoming instrumental concert dates: •
P-12 Brass and Woodwind Concert – Tuesday 8 November
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P-12 Guitar and Drums Concert – Tuesday 15 November
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P-12 Singing Concert – Monday 21 November
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P-12 Piano Concert – Wednesday 30 November
All concerts commence at 6.30pm and are located in the Recital Room, in Senior School. The Singing Concert and Piano Concerts will have an additional time for Junior School students commencing at 4.00pm.
A
Info Session
Flying Start 15 Great Ways to help your child prepare for Kindergarten
HELP SPREAD THE WORD! On November 8, TIGS will be hosting ‘A Flying Start’, an information session designed to help ease the transition to ‘big school’. Parents will be provided with information on the development of numeracy, literacy and social skills in preparation for Kindergarten. This information session will be open to all parents, including those enrolled at TIGS, enrolled at another school, or still making a decision about their child’s schooling. So if you know anyone who is worried about the transition or keen to make it ‘A Flying Start’, please encourage them to come along. Places are limited, so bookings are essential.
Come along to our information session and discover how to give your child the best start to Kindergarten. All parents are welcome, no matter which school their child will be attending.
Tuesday 8 November 6.00pm - 6.45pm Location: TIGS Kindergarten class rooms RSVP: Monday 7 November Book online: www.tigs.nsw.edu.au/events-and-bookings
Academic • Christian • Caring
An International Baccalaureate World School
Senior School The role of TIGS students on the day was to assist the Mini Olympics participants so that they were able to successfully participate in a range of sporting events and activities. The events included running races, wheelchair races, long jump, javelin and shot put. For a number of participants it was the first time that they have been able to take part in such activities. In most cases the students worked in pairs as critical friends, joining them for a BBQ lunch and being there as a companion for the entire day. This can be challenging and sometimes confronting, but all students rose to the occasion and really enjoyed themselves in the process. A sample of comments from students reflecting on their experiences:
Greg Lanyon Head of Senior School Last week I wrote about our students’ involvement with community groups and in particular the work of some our students in partnering with the Illawarra Disability Trust to assist with the running of TIGS Sony camp for children with disabilities. Following this, on Thursday 27 October all Year 11 students and their Mentor teachers, participated in the 9th annual “Sky’s the Limit” Mini Olympics at Beaton Park, Wollongong. This is a special programme organised by Essential Employment and Training (EET) for people of all ages with a disability from the Illawarra region, Metropolitan Sydney and beyond, so that they can experience the exhilaration and joy of competition in a variety of sporting events.
“It was great to see all the people involved………and a great chance to volunteer with older clients, with different disabilities”. “I was challenged by working with profoundly disabled people in wheelchairs, with intellectual disabilities. It was good to see the whole Year group having a go at helping on the day”. “Seeing them trying so hard to race – really inspiring – so much enthusiasm. They put effort into everything and threw themselves in the deep end of new challenges”. “It was great to focus on a person’s abilities rather than their disabilities”. It was very encouraging to also receive the following message from a community member working at the event, observing TIGS students interacting with the participants. “On Thursday, I assisted our Participants at the Mini Olympics held at Beaton Park. I just wanted to pass on our
appreciation and thank you for the help from your students who buddied up with our guys. With our group was Harrison, Katie, Lexi, and Remi, as well as a number of other outstanding students. They were just brilliant with our service participants!! They were all very engaging, caring and helpful in so many ways. For our participants, it was one of the highlights of the day to be buddied up with the wonderful students. The Mini Olympics was a great Community Inclusion for all. The students are a real credit to The Illawarra Grammar School.” It is also further evidence that this generation of young people want to be part of their community and make a difference to the lives of others. This is far removed from the stereotypes so often portrayed in the media and provides hope for the future as this generation moves on to become leaders in our community, our nation and our world.
Greg Lanyon Head of Senior School
Sky’s the Limit
Senior School Sport NASSA JUNIOR BASKETBALL DAY The NASSA Junior Basketball Gala Day was held on Thursday 20 October 2016 at Penrith Basketball Stadium. The Year 7 Junior Boys were new to the sport of basketball and made huge improvements across the day. We finished the round games in 4th position and crossed over to play against Wollondilly Anglican College and defeated them convincingly in our finest game to finish the day in 7th position. Daniel Jiang, John Taiwo and Hugo Parrish dominated play on the day. The team consisted of Archee Banks, Xavier Do, Daniel Jiang, Hugo Parrish, Thomas Peden, John Taiwo and James Taylor. Coach: Mrs Kylee Lane. The Year 7 Junior Girls had some close games. They won a game, lost a game and drew a game to finish their pool in 3rd position after a very close count back. They went on to play against Macarthur Anglican, but were unfortunately defeated in their final game to finish in 6th position. Special mention to Aria Bacic-Johnston, Lucy Koder and Carys Jenkins. Team members were: Aria Bacic-Johnston, Esther Bigirindavyi, Carys Jenkins, Tegan King, Lucy Koder, Regan Norris, Nina Segar, Mia Stone and Charlotte Tregonning. Coach: Ella Ryan. The Year 8-9 Intermediate Boys had some tough games in their pool and went through to the cross overs without a win, despite their consistent teamwork across the day. They finished in 8th place against Macarthur Anglican. Special mention to Isaiah Kennedy and Robert McGrath for their fantastic rebounding and attacking across the day. The team were: Samuel Aubin, Joseph Druett, Luca Gibbs, Isaiah Kennedy, Angus Leadbitter, Robert McGrath and Lachlan Mills. Coach: Mr Glen Stutchbury. The Year 8-9 Intermediate Girls had a great day. They won against Broughton Anglican and lost to St Luke’s Grammar School and Thomas Hassle to finish 3rd in their pool. They crossed over to play against Macarthur Anglican and won in a close match to finish in 5th position at the end of the day. Special mention to Cartia Taranto, Anastasia Grozdanov and Keani Anastasovski for their outstanding performance on the day. The team were: Keani Anastasovski, Anastasia Grozdanov, Sia Gupta, Grace Middleton, Maya Middleton, Zanab Panju and Cartia Taranto. Coach: Mr Shane Rodgers.
THE 2016 SPORTS PRESENTATION EVENING Our annual Sports Presentation will take place next Wednesday November 9 in the IGC from 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start. Recipients who have achieved Age Champion or have represented TIGS at an elite level (NSW CIS and above) have been sent invites. Please RSVP your family’s attendance using the online booking system www.tigs.edu.au/events-andbookings ASAP. We are looking forward to a fantastic celebration of sporting success at TIGS across the year.
P&F
TIGS PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
5.00pm to 6.00pm Tuesday 15 November Goodhew Research Centre (Library) RSVP: pandf@tigs.com.au by Friday 11 November 2016 It’s your P&F – so please come along and have your say and hear about plans for the new awning to be built at the Princes Highway pedestrian entrance to TIGS using funds raised from TIGS Great Fete. Melanie Silburn P&F President
TIGS Foundation COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY
* * * APPLICATIONS/RENEWALS CLOSING FOR 2017 * * * Thinking of promoting your business by advertising through our School Community? Applications for 2017 will close on Tuesday 15 November 2016 for inclusion of the business in the directory for the following year. There is an annual fee of $300 per business each calendar year for advertising in the Directory. A TIGS Foundation fundraising initiative, 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 with funds raised from the Business Directory assisting to drive forward the fantastic educational opportunities children will receive here at TIGS. TIGS Foundation would like to acknowledge and thank the businesses from our TIGS community for their support of the Business Directory in 2016 and invite new businesses to the Directory for 2017. For inquiries please contact Lisa Wilson in the Foundation Office on 4220 0264 or email lwilson@tigs.nsw.edu.au TIGS reserves the right to decline any advertisement or request changes before accepting any submissions. To read terms and conditions click here.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
WEEK 5
Year 7 2017 Parent Information Evening 6.00pm Monday 7 November in the IGC
The Piper Centre Infomation Session 5.00pm Tuesday 8 November in The Piper Centre
A Flying Start
6.00pm Tuesday 8 November in the Kindergarten classrooms
Sports Presentation Night
6.30pm for 7.00pm Wednesday 9 November in the IGC
Year 1 - 6 Orientation and Parent Information Session
9.30am Thursday 10 November in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)
Year 7 2017 Orientation 8.40am 10 - 11 November in the IGC
TIGS Prayer Breakfast
7.30am Friday 11 November in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)
WEEK 6
House Quizzes
1.40pm Wednesday 16 November in the IGC
Year 10 Camp Information Night
5.30pm Thursday 17 November in the Goodhew Research Centre (Library)
Year 7 2017 Orientation 8.40am Friday 8 November in the IGC