Volume 15 Semester 2 2011
International Grammar School Magazine
Building for the future p.4 Also Inside‌
From the Principal Spotlight on Primary School projects and leaders International Day well-being Meet the Assistant Principal—High School Historic road trip Record Exchange program Curating cities Club scene V-Fest Film win IGS On STAGE PTF news Former captain and adventurer returns Good causes Good sports Farewell to the Class of 2011 Design and Arts collage
“IBO programm es encourage stud ents across the worl d to become activ e and compassio nate lifelong learners ”.
Contents Contents‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ ii From the Principal‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ ii Shining the spotlight on Primary School‚‚‚ 1 Welcome to IGS's new building‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 4 International Day's well-being‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 6 Profile on Anthony Dennehy‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 8 Being a Primary School student leader‚‚‚‚‚ 9 New composer-in-residence‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 10 Road trip to Ancient History‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 11 Living the language through Exchange‚‚‚‚ 12 Curating Cities project‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 13 Club Scene‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 14 V-Fest Film win‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 14 IGS On STAGE; Thuso in the spotlight ‚‚‚‚ 15 PTF News‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 16 Visiting scholar shares secrets‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 16 Jamie Kenyon visits IGS on return‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 17 High Resolves‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 17 Good causes and good sports‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 18 Farewell to Class of 2011‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 19 Design and Art collage‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚ 21 Cover: Primary School students enjoy learning and creative play in their new library on Level 1 of The Kerrie Murphy Building. The new building was officially opened on 31 August. Inset photo courtesy of AJ+C Architects.
4–8 Kelly Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 Phone: 61 2 9219 6700 Fax: 61 2 9211 2474 www.igssyd.nsw.edu.au ABN 74 002 807 525 CRICOS Provider Code: 02281C Jigsaw is a regular publication produced by International Grammar School. Editor: Rosemary Pryor
From the Principal Recently, I wrote to parents and carers about the possibility of IGS becoming an International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) School.To this end, the school community will be undertaking a comprehensive Consideration Study in 2012. We are specifically interested in two IBO programmes for learners from 5 to 16 years of age: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Kindergarten– Year 6 students and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Years 7–10 students. PYP and MYP are pedagogical paradigms which are completely compatible with existing NSW and indeed emerging national curriculum content mandates. PYP and MYP are relevant and engaging learning frameworks which will offer a common language for learners from Kindergarten to Year 10, and can enhance the school’s culture of teaching and learning. The third IBO programme, the Years 11 and 12 Diploma Programme (DP), is substantially different from the NSW HSC and will therefore not be part of the School’s deliberations at this stage. The IBO’s mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. IBO programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. The IBO’s mission is entirely consistent with the IGS culture: our motto, core values, and emphasis on languages, intercultural understanding and respect.
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Shining the spotlight on our Primary School
Early in 2012, the PTF will run a Thought Forum which will focus on the IBO’s PYP and MYP. Beforethe Forum, there will be advertised opportunities for parents and carers to ask questions which will be answered during the Forum. IGS staff have already been through a similar process.
This edition of Jigsaw provides a snapshot of the breadth of study and activities undertaken by children in the Primary School. IGS children grasp the opportunities provided for them to develop and reflect upon in-depth studies in their chosen areas of interest, to learn about the important link between wellbeing and learning, to collect awards for essay writing and film making and to develop the local and global perspective that we hold so dearly. We are fortunate to be able to work with such ‘switched on’ children.
As an experienced IB Head of School, I look forward to presenting these programmes to the school community during the Forum. In the meantime, you may wish to find out a bit more about the IBO, PYP and MYP by visiting www.ibo.org
Colin Bird Assistant Principal, Junior School
I look forward to working with the school community in 2012 as we explore PYP and MYP at IGS. Michael Maniska Principal
IBO at a glance The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) was founded in 1968. Around the world, IBO involves: ❙ 3 programs: PYP, MYP, DP ❙ 3,284 schools ❙ 141 countries ❙ 958, 000 students ❙ 50, 000 teachers
IGS German class wins the zwei (two) top film awards!
IGS community language students dominate Awards
Ten students from Ms Barbara Trottman’s Year 6 German class have won both first and second prizes in the Goethe Institute’s 2011 Annual School Film Festival.
IGS was proud to see two of only 10 state-wide community language student awards go to our students. Maxim Dus Adams (Year 6 2010) and Freja Andersson (Year 6 2011) won Minister’s Excellence Awards in Community Languages for Ukrainian and Swedish studies, respectively. Maxim also presented an award to another student at the ceremony presided over by the representative of the NSW Minister for Education and Communities.
First prize winning film Spiel und Spass is a TV series a bit like Playschool on the topic contrasts, and second prize winner, Kontraste in Werbung is an ‘ad block’ with a variety of television advertisements or fictional products and a mysterious new product called Contrasts. Films that won each category in each city are entered in the finale— the German School Film Prize in Australia “das Karlchen”. This will take place in 2012. Clockwise from top: Assistant Principal Junior School Colin Bird chats with student leaders; Year 6 German class film winners; Year 4 parents prep and finish courtyard mural; Maxim Adams and Freja Andersson receive Community Langauges awards; IGS students meet Indigenous 'storyteller' at National Indigenous Literacy Day.
A dynamic National Indigenous Literacy Day Learning Centre Head Glynis Martin and Primary School Teacher Librarian Keren Skyring took a group of students to the National Indigenous Literacy Day held in September at St Andrews Cathedral School.
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Like a rainbow… Year 4 teacher Charlotte Koostra led a team of volunteer parents one October weekend to transform the plain walls in part of the external courtyard of the Wright Building into a ‘rainbow’ inspired mural. Thank you Ms Koostra and helpers for making this area so vibrant and inviting for play time.
Shining the spotlight on our Primary School Making room to read
Individual Research Tasks
Room to Read believes that World Change Starts with Educated Children. And yet, in many places in Asia and Africa, kids don't have books to read, libraries to visit, or schools to attend.
Each year, Year 6 students work on individual research projects which include writing, design and artwork on a chosen topic. They always produce interesting original works—and this year is no exception.
IGS Primary School students participated in the international ‘Room to Read’ Day in July with proceeds going towards books for children in Asia and Africa. Students brought in a gold coin and something cosy and comfortable to read in for a period during the day. Some students brought along teddy bears, others brought rugs, scarves, Ugg boots and slippers. We also read Zak the Yak with Books on his Back written by John Wood—the founder of Room to Read. We talked about those children who do not have access to books and libraries like we do. We really are very lucky to have such a great new Primary Library and copies of Zak the Yak are available in the library for students to read, borrow and share with their families. IGS’s role in the day also caught the eye of the organisation’s online newsletter. Room to Read creates libraries, publishes books in local languages, builds schools, teaches reading, trains teachers, tutors and mentors students, helps girls go to school, and works with communities to improve their lives through education. www.roomtoread.org
I believe most of Year 6 thought the writing tasks were the hardest component of the IRT. Although there were only three of them, (factual text, narrative and book review), the writing tasks presented many different yet equally difficult challenges. The two main things they had in common were planning and extensive drafting. Michelle Sullivan, Year 6 teacher
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Although the challenges were hard I found if I just kept going all of them would get easier. The writing tasks really helped me go through the processes of writing and preparing myself for High School. George Vamos, 6 Green
I was the first person to present in my class—this was extremely nerve racking because I had to set the standard for the entire class. As I stood dressed as an Ancient Egyptian Queen my hands were shaking. Around halfway through the presentation, I realised that it wasn’t so bad and that I didn’t have to be so nervous. The IRT experience was great and I took away many skills for High School like how to take proper notes and how to set out your work nicely and creatively. We even went to Broadway for lunch as a reward! Grace Kleppich, 6 Blue
… And there’s always room for cake
My fine arts reflects the trauma and commotion that was on the night of the sinking of the Titanic. My work includes a replica of a Titanic life vest floating in the freezing, cold and dark ocean with the bright stars in the background. Before I painted the canvas blue I prepared it by putting on a white chalk paint called 'gesso'. Then white paint was flicked onto the canvas to represent the bright stars. I then started making the life vest by sewing foam in fabric. I mixed black chalk and tea and put it messily onto the life vest which gave it an old effect. Three pictures of passengers that didn’t survive that night onto the canvas. Lara Di Qual, 6 Green
ll tempted Year 6’s fundraiser cake sta gate the s pas to d trie anyone who in one Wednesday morning October…
Felicity Marsh, Teacher, Kindergarten
I made made a replica body board depicting famous surfers. Erin Doyle, 6 Blue
In my opinion, the most enjoyable part of our Individual Research Tasks (IRT) was making our Fine Arts. Although it was time-consuming, I was very happy with how mine turned out. I made a sculpture out of Styrofoam of a platter of fake exotic delicacies. The project prepared me a great deal for High School because it taught me I could not afford to waste any of the valuable time I was given—to plan, identify who might be able to help me and to collect all of the materials. This all helped me to complete my project within the time frame.
Meet this year’s outgoing primary student leaders on page 9.
Oscar Eastwood, 6 Green
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In September, Year 5’s Claire Thom won the essay writing contest run by the Bankstown Children's Festival Organisation which aims to promote cultural diversity and understanding among children. The following are excerpts: What does multiculturalism mean to me?
Stella Ramage, 6 Gold I decided to design a travel poster for the Pharos lighthouse at Alexandria. I wanted it to look big and solid, so I decided to sketch it, go over the lines with pencil and then paint it with Gouache paint. Gouache is a very solid type of paint and light colours stand out a lot against dark colours.
Claire’s words promote intercultural understanding
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To me multiculturalism means accepting other races and respect for those who practise a religion, language and lifestyle that might be different to mine. Imagine everyone was from one culture we would not have all the fantastic languages, food and enriching experiences that different cultures can bring to our community. Every day I experience multiculturalism in my school, especially since there are people from all over the world in my class—there are people from Bangladesh, China, Croatia, Lebanon, France, Germany, Poland, Israel and Austria. In my opinion it is important to accept different cultures in our schools, neighbourhood and country. Living in Australia, multiculturalism is a big part of my life, all my family members are from different places and Australia is very vibrant and exciting because of all these different people living here. Although we have embraced multiculturalism there are still things we can improve on. For example, our government and some of the Australian people are being racist towards refugees who need our help at the moment. Even though we are not perfect we have come a long way since we first arrived.
Clockwise (from top left): Principal and Head girl Charlotte Kitchin and Head Boy Lewis Evans with the Hon Tanya Plibersek; Baseline Constructions' Nicholas Bettar; AJ+C Architect Michael Heenan and IGS's Patrick Skagerfalt and Dharma Murugiah; Ms Plibersek and Kerrie Murphy; Primary leaders greet Ms Plibersek; parents and students enjoy mini-tour; Principal Michael Maniska and Head of Junior School Languages Vilma Rotellini greet founding principal Reg St Leon on a tour of the building in September; Land benefactors the Biggs family—Victor (far left) and his parents Eugenia and Martin (4th and 5th from left) join other official party members on the day.
Did you know? ❙ The building was mostly funded ($3million) from the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) program. ❙ I t took only four weeks to erect the whole building… one floor per week. ❙ A 40,000 litre underground water tank is used to flush the toilets and water the gardens ❙ T he glass is called E-glass, with superior heat and sun properties
IGS’s new building claims its place on the local landscape The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP officially opened IGS’s funky new Kerrie Murphy Building on 31 August. Ms Plibersek spoke at the primary school assembly and was one of the first to hear This Place, a musical piece specially written for the new building’s opening (with music by Daniel Rojas and words by Year 12’s Isabella Del Grande) and performed by the school’s choir and senior orchestra. Ms Plibersek said that like other locals, she had keenly watched the building rise from the ground and considered it a great example of the effective use of BER funding. “What an exceptional building—and not only in terms of its great value for learning and play for the students for decades to come—but its architecture makes it a feature on the Ultimo landscape and for the community,” Ms Plibersek said.
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“With its sustainable features— water re-use and the benefits of e-glass technology—the building is truly a worthy project—one that the school team and the architects can be proud of”. When welcoming Ms Plibersek, School Board Chairman David Baker spoke of his pride in seeing the project realised and acknowledged the contributions made by Architect AJ+C’s Michael Heenan, land benefactors the Biggs family, Project manager Cameron Webb, builders Baseline constructions; and the IGS team of Kerrie Murphy, Colin Bird, Dharma Murugia, Patrick Skagerfalt,Karol Glumac, Rosalba Genua-Petrovic and Keren Skyring. IGS Principal Michael Maniska invited Ms Plibersek to officially unveil the plaque at the new building at 1 Macarthur Street. Our former principal Kerrie Murphy after whom the building of course is named; the
❙ F ounding Principal Professor Reg St Leon and Lord Mayor of Sydney Ms Clover Moore have also toured the building since its official opening.
youngest-enrolled junior school student Eve Moss-Ractliffe and the longest currently-enrolled senior student and Head Boy Lewis Evans joined other student leaders, teachers, previous principal Rita Fin and community representatives at the unveiling ceremony.
Clockwise, above: Youngest enrolled student Eve Moss-Ractilffe meets past principal Rita Finn; building exterior; windows; lad looks out; choir sings 'This Place'; first class in the library; local press photographer meets the students… At right: Principal and Board members host Lord Mayor Clover Moore at the KMB in November; Below: Role plays in the new library
Later on the opening day, many IGS families took the opportunity to take a mini-tour of the building. The Kerrie Murphy Building (KMB) is now home to the Primary library and whole school Languages Faculty offices. The multipurpose area on Level 3 has been already been used for exhibitions and meetings and will be available for a range of school and community events. Meanwhile, the ground floor’s Covered Outdoor Learning Area is a hive of activity during playtimes.
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❙ T he building’s architecture has even made it to New York where in September, head architect Michael Heenan presented to over 400 prominent architects and designers.
To Otis, I am grateful for you because you are one of my best friends. You are funny and you are awesome at everything. Fadi
All is well in the world… This year’s theme for International Day held in late July was Global Well-being.
A true interpretation of International Day Exchange students from Rovereto, Italy joined IGS on International Day, delving into the many activities on offer. They tested the local pastries and gelato… Giovanni (pictured at the food stalls, above) declared all to be “well and great” as he rushed to see the South American dancing in the drama space.
Students from Preschool to Year 12 and teachers, staff, parents and visitors all got into the spirit with activities from musical and drama performance to cooking, mathematical balloon structures and yoga. Guest speaker for the day was Melbourne-based Mr Stefan Romaniw OAM who is the Executive Director of Community Languages Australia and among many other roles he is also the Chairman of the Multicultural Arts Victoria and President of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations. Mr Romaniw spoke to students about
Earlier, his fellow Rovereto exchange students combined with IGS’s Year 11 boys on stage (pictured below) to deliver a rousing rendition of Bella Ciao! Scenes from International Day.
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the importance of maintaining one’s mother tongue or heritage language and how we can all benefit from diversity in languages and community. He particularly congratulated IGS and the students for the balance of natural diversity they lived in their daily lives at the school. When touring the activities after the official opening assembly Mr Romaniw commented that the school really ‘walks the talk’ when it comes to languages, intercultural appreciation and understanding. Bravo!
… on International Day Year 4’s ‘wall of wellbeing’ Happiness can be achieved through the systematic training of our hearts and minds, through reshaping our attitudes and outlook. Dalai Lama IGS parent Angela Mary Thomas and Year 4 Green’s class teacher Jodie Williams worked together to implement ‘positive psychology’ strategies in the classroom as part of their celebration of IGS’s International Day and theme of Well Being.
The lessons were based on Martin Seligman’s research and are designed to help the class to deepen positive relationships and develop tools for optimistic thinking. The activities allow the children to authentically express themselves and relate to each other with kindness and compassion. One activity asked the students to write their personal messages to others on a giant wall poster, the Gratitude Wall. “We've been delighted with 4 Green’s depth of understanding about the virtues of well-being, and their amazing ability to focus, share and relish gratitude,” Ms Thomas said. Clockwise from top: Fifi Levy-Bell, Year 4 writes on the wallof well-being; maths therapy, Zorba, Special guest Stefan Romaniw (left) with part of IGS Leadership team; and many other snaps from the day.
Mr Dennehy in action
Meet the Assistant Principal— High School Jigsaw visited Assistant Principal—High School, Anthony Dennehy in his Year 12 Geography class for their final lesson. As they prepared for their HSC study break, the class keenly participated in a ‘mini ‘Olympiad’ quiz on key concepts and it was clear that they would miss their teacher and vice versa. We asked Mr Dennehy some questions of our own… You’ve worked in a wide variety of schools (overseas and here)—what have your experiences brought to IGS? AD: Having experience in different systems and cultures has strengthened my belief that education is important to both individuals and society. It has helped me appreciate how special IGS is and it has allowed me to continue learning how to consider the perceptions and experiences of students, staff and parents. You took up the role as Senior School Head late last year—how do you see the role and what are your aspirations for Senior School? AD: The role ensures that the High School runs effectively and that we deliver on our promises to students and parents. We want students to be challenged and stretched academically while having opportunities to be a part of
a community and be safe in our environment. Our relationships are the cornerstone of the school and I would like to see that all students are achieving to their best on the back of these. You mentioned you have a passion for student wellbeing… could you tell us more about its importance to the Senior school and learning? AD: There is no secret to the fact that students who are connected to their school, community and/or family are students who will more closely achieve to their potential. If we ignore the wellbeing of our students then we are in essence doing them a great injustice. Part of this is building resilience so they can see that problems can be met and overcome. They can also see and experience success and failure in an environment where the focus is on improvement and personal achievement as opposed to just marks and results. This is crucial in senior schooling as the issues and problems that our students face require them to have adults that they can speak to and rely on. This is no longer always able to be provided by the family unit. We are part of a community and our role in the development of these children cannot be ignored or handed over to someone else.
“Sport can teach resilience, discipline and social skills… but being part of any club or group [also] allows for this—I see it in our House structure, musicians and Theatresports teams…” You are also passionate about sport—rugby in particular—and you can draw analogies between team sport and learning? AD: Well, being from New Zealand means that rugby is in my blood. Sport and being part of a team has helped me in my life and it is an extension of the community I grew up in. Sport teaches resilience (24 years is a long time to wait between World Cup wins, especially if you live outside of New Zealand!), discipline and social skills, not to mention leadership qualities. It allows for connections to take place with people of different backgrounds and cultures. The skills I have gained from sport, be it playing, coaching or in administration are applicable to all areas of my life. But being a part of any club or group allows for this. It doesn’t have to be sport. I see it in our House structure here at IGS and I see it in our musicians and in Theatresports teams too.
New Year 12 student leaders announced… Outgoing 2011 student leader Annie Feng wished the new cohort of Year 12 leaders well at their induction assembly in October. In part of her speech she said: “Being leader doesn’t mean being in front or two steps ahead. You’re actually stuck in the thick of it: making sure things happen, building bridges to keep things moving”.
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Mr Dennehy and other staff joined newly-elected 2012 leaders and their families after the induction assembly in October.
What is it like to be a Primary student leader? Some of our 2011 Year 6 student leaders shared their student leader experiences. I’m the female Music Leader. As I’m sure my fellow leaders would agree, being a Primary Leader bears quite a lot of responsibility but has many advantages. I tried out for Music Leader because I have a great passion for music and practise for over nine hours a week! I enjoy discussing music with Mrs Housley and all the other music staff because they specialise in that area and are able to give me advice. Being a leader is also really fun because speaking in assembly and announcing things requires controlled nerves and this is good practice for important presentations! Just a quick message to the Year 5s who would like to try out for a Primary Leader Role: If you love what you do in that area, and you feel you are too scared to go for a Primary Leader role, go for it because it is a wonderful opportunity. Juliet Lochrin I’m Kuyal leader so I have to be a good role model for the younger kids. When I was younger I would always look up to the leaders and they would always help me out. So now that I am a leader I would like to be the same as the leaders when I was young. Being a leader is also very rewarding because you get many privileges that most kids wouldn't have, like having morning tea with Tanya Plibersek in the new Kerrie Murphy building. For anyone in year 5 or under I would definitely recommend be leader it is extremely fun!
If you ever wondered what it was like to be a leader—it’s pretty cool. I am the boy Bamal leader and it is a very fulfilling, tough and interesting experience. You do a whole lot of fun things including going to kindergarten duty, enjoying a nice lunch with the year 12 leaders, going to the opening of the Kerrie Murphy Building and much more. But it’s not only about having fun. You begin to understand
“Year 5s… if you feel too scared to go for a Primary Leader role, [still] go for it because it is a wonderful opportunity”.
that there’s a lot of responsibilities in being a leader like setting an example to younger kids and encouraging kids to show leadership themselves. Being a leader is a great end to your primary life. Jotaro Howard-Shibuya As Gura leader I have to organise our house—this can be exhausting when sports carnivals come about! The privileges of being leader—like going to lunches with the year 12 leaders— make it very worthwhile… Being a leader means being a role model to the younger kids. Overall, being leader is awesome. David Colagiuri
Another opportunity for Year 6 leaders is speaking at assembly. At first, I was rather nervous but doing it multiple times helped me overcome that feeling as I learnt to become more confident. Overall, being a Year 6 leader is a wonderful but challenging opportunity. Eden Riley Responsibility comes with a title. As soon as your name is read by the teacher… and you’re walking across the east roof, you realise everybody has heard your new title—mine is Community Service Leader. Over the first term in Year 6 as a leader you are introduced to Kindy duty, read names in the end-of-term assembly, go to Year 12 lunches—and you also wear a cool badge. Being a leader has taught me new skills and has opened me to rare and exciting opportunities. But even if you don’t have a badge and you’re in Year 6, you’re still a leader and a role model. Frances Howe
Zane Fields Meet the 2012 leaders in the next edition of Jigsaw
Being a Year 6 leader has its ups and downs. It is a privilege, a chance to represent our school and in my case, the School's languages. However, with this privilege comes responsibility such as being a great role model for the younger students, and maybe even sometimes the older ones. When your name is read out a sense of joy rushes through your body and the negative points escape your mind. Kindergarten Duty is an opportunity to play with the kindergarten students during lunch and this has been one of the highlights for all the Year 6 leaders as it is a lot of fun if you survive (just joking).
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At left: Earlier this year, Primary student leaders and many of their Year 6 classmates visited our local Member the Hon Tanya Plibersek at her other port of call, Parliament House Canberra where she represents the constituency and does some leading of her own—as Minister for Human Services.
Being a Primary student leader continued…
Samuel’s strings bring technology to music IGS was pleased in Term 4 to welcome new composer-inresidence Samuel Wright. Samuel recently completed his Masters in Music Technology. He is accredited with the NSW Institute of Teachers and it is his interest in teaching music, composition and arranging that led to his new role. Samuel told Jigsaw he’s “really looking forward to working with the talent of the IGS students” and introducing options through music technology in composition. Samuel also works as a freelance trainer with Allan's & Billy Hyde's Music and he runs sessions for music teachers in software and ICT integration, maintaining a website wrightstuffmusic.com. He lives in the Southern Highlands where he tutors Guitar and Ukulele.
I’m a Baado leader and so far our House has been really successful in winning two out of three carnivals. When the House leaders aren’t busy trying to help our House win we’re all preparing for the next carnival. It is really a lot of fun making posters for carnivals and other House leaders aren’t your enemy! Another plus is taking part in official occasions like the opening of the Kerrie Murphy Building and being offered some Portuguese tarts and chocolate slice. It’s really fun meeting with the Year 12s to talk about what high school is like. I hope that everyone tries to become a leader and that all the future Baado leaders keep the Baado legacy going. Jessica Miller Being a leader is a privilege, an opportunity to represent your year and your school and for me—to represent sport. There are also hard parts of being a leader such as responsibility and you have to be a good role model. Leadership is challenging but exciting and it is great to prepare you for other opportunities like this one. Ziggy Taylor You have opportunities that you wouldn’t have if you weren't a leader but when you wear the badge you must be a role model for younger students and those your age as well. I’m Gura leader and I’ve learned more about what Gura and being in a House really means. I am very pleased with the results of the carnivals given that Gura placed first overall in the Years 2–6 swimming carnival this year. Being a primary leader is a great opportunity and I would advise to all the students of younger years to give it a shot. Alice Schacher
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“Even if you don’t have a badge and you’re in Year 6, you’re still a leader and a role model”. I’m a Community Services Leader. If you ever wanted to know what it is like to be a leader the answer is simple. It involves diplomacy and you have to come up with speeches to explain data and foundations. There are also tasks that may appear without warning so you need to fit it in with your other tasks such as homework, IRT and maths. However, being a community service leader gives a warm feeling when you give a helping hand. I have enjoyed my time being a leader and I will share my experience with others who weren’t as lucky to have the opportunity that I have been given. Patrick Flood
Road trip takes IGS travellers to milestones of ancient history After a year in the planning, 32 hardy IGS travellers gathered at Sydney Airport in October ready to embark on a trip of a lifetime. A nervous energy filled the air as the reality of our purpose of discovering the rich and vibrant cultures of Greece and Italy started to set in. After a long flight, we finally arrived at Rome airport and so began our journey which would take in some of the world’s most famous sites. Beginning with a visit to Pisa where the Leaning Tower and the influences of the Medici family reign supreme, our whirlwind trip to this part of Italy encompassed Florence, Sorrento, Siena and the Eternal City itself. The Forum and the Colosseum in Rome were breathtaking reminders of the glory of the Roman Empire and The Vatican and Vatican museums were overwhelming for their sheer beauty, intricacy of design and invaluable treasures. Our journey to the southern part of Italy took us to Pompeii and Herculaneum where the wonders of discovery revealed life as it once was in these ancient Roman towns. We lauded the volcanic eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79AD, horrific as it was for the people who perished, for its role in enabling us this unique glimpse of Roman society and culture. From Pompeii we traversed the country to the port of Bari where we set sail for Greece. Greece proved to be all we had hoped for. One of our first stops was at the world famous monasteries of Meteora which, perched on top of their rocky outcrops, offered spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. From there our coach trip took us through seemingly endless picturesque villages and towns, as well as the sites
from antiquity which inspired our imagination and desire to see more. One could envisage the heroic struggles between Greek and Persian at Marathon and Thermopylae, while the Trojan War came to life with our visit to Agamemnon’s Mycenae. The sophisticated society of the Minoans and visions of the Minotaur were captured on the island of Crete while our time at Olympia in the Peloponnese allowed us to run the races of the Gods. The tranquility and solemnity of the sanctuary at Delphi were matched by the stunning landscape of the island of Santorini where the clear blue ocean gave way to cliff faces scattered with white-washed houses. Our return to Athens allowed us to explore the birthplace of democracy. The Parthenon symbolised the Golden Age of Greece and it was with this enduring memory that we began our homeward journey after three weeks of unforgettable experiences. Natasha O’Farrell, Year 11, and the Greek-Italian Tourist Syndicate Clockwise from top: Santorini 1; Meteora; Gladiator School; Santorini 2; when in Rome…; all at the Acropolis
“It’s so rewarding to host overseas students—they teach us more than we can teach them. They keep us up to date with their own language and cultural shifts,” Rosalba GenuaPetrovic, our Director of Languages said.
Living the language How IGS exchange prepares our global citizens This year, a record 119 IGS students participated in the exchange program, both hosted here and away. Terms 3 and 4 witnessed a particularly dynamic time for the program including one week in July when students from no less than four countries—Italy, France, Germany and China—met in the corridors of our school. IGS regularly exchanges with Liceo Antonio Rosmini in Rovereto, Italy; Badenhoff, Germany and Montepellier France. This year IGS also secured exchange relationships with Lycée International de Valbonne, France (visiting in June) and the Guangzhou
Foreign Language School, China with a group of 17 students arriving in July. A Year 5 group travelled in the October holidays to a new exchange school Ecole Eloi Franc in Noumea and their new Noumean friends arriving in reciprocation a few weeks later. The joint dance performed at Junior School Assembly was energising. As the photos show, a warm and memorable exchange was had by all in Semester 2. Late in Term 4, a large contingent of IGS languages students departed for several different schools and a world of experiences in Europe, China and Japan. Bon voyage! Jigsaw will catch up with their travels the next edition.
The following excerpts are quotes by Principal Michael Maniska in an article published in the Australian Heads of Independent School’s magazine, Independence in October. International Grammar School was literally built on the cornerstone of languages study and cultural exchange… _ Research tells us that bilingual students cognitively outstrip their monolingual counterparts. The benefits of learning a language are therefore as much about enhancing learning as about being able to communicate with others. _ The sheer joy of being able to communicate in another language is matched by all the metalinguistic understanding that students gain about language as a system. Many students comment that their understanding of English is enhanced as a result of having studied another language.
“There is a typical Chinese politeness called- Ke qi”. ‘Ke’ means guest and ‘qi’ is behaviour. That's how they treat guests—they keep asking you to eat more, putting food on your plate, inviting you back, sending gifts,” IGS Chinese languages teacher, Shuyi Wu said as she prepared the next contingent for Guangzhou.
Rovereto students Chiara, Tereze, Giulia and Giovanni at IGS
Chiara and host Lucy
Rovereto case study Exchange to International Grammar School was something Tereze from Italy learned about by ‘word of mouth’ through older students at Rovereto’s Liceo Antonio Rosmini. “It’s so different from our school—we don’t wear a uniform in Italy but we stay in one classroom for our classes. I like the variety at IGS…” Chiara agreed: “We’re learning the language much more from being here”. Chiara spent time in the July holidays learning surfing and meeting some furry friends with her IGS host, Lucy. “Studying the language is the best part,” says Giovanni who accompanied his IGS host Jack for a week’s holiday in Jervis Bay, adding, “and here the winter is like summer”. Jigsaw caught up with Giovanni on International Day and he declared his English was improving daily and he was confident enough to be able talk to anyone in the school corridor.
Curating Cities project IGS’s Year 8 Visual Arts class represent one of only four schools in Sydney chosen to participate in the international Curating Cities project. IGS was chosen alongside Burwood Girls High, Hornsby Girls High and North Sydney Girls High to represent very different urban surrounds. Earlier in Term 4, the art department was asked to participate in the ‘Try This At Home’ exhibition currently running out of Object Gallery as part of our involvement in the wider Curating Cities project.The artwork, a planter box unit which generates enough carbon to offset a small 9V device such as a fan or a desk lamp, looks at our individual and collective carbon emissions. Several units were installed in galleries and people’s homes around Sydney. Instead of an on/off button the plant has a switch with the modes 'off', 'selfless' and 'selfish'. Following this, the class started exploring their street environs in Ultimo to choose sites and ideas for their interactive and sustainable art project, the next step in their Curating Cities pilot.
_ Today’s students will be tomorrow’s global citizens. They will have to know how to negotiate a multitude of perspectives and ways of thinking. Learning a language is the ideal platform for this requirement. Learning a language means living a language: student exchanges are the perfect vehicle to do precisely that!
Chiara tries surfing
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Drawing on case studies from around the world, the Curating Cities project assesses the ongoing and potential contribution of public art to ecosustainable development and the benefits to Sydney and cities in general. IGS Visual Arts teacher Melinda Hodges was also invited to speak at The Curating Cities: Sydney to Copenhagen Conference on 22 November at Customs House, Sydney. Her topic‘Cultivating Urban Ecologies: new art and design strategies for engagement of schools and communities’ engaged the 150-strong audience. Pictured, clockwise from top of this item: Year 8 visual art students William Armstrong and Charlie Morgan demonstrate their Fusion project to Principal Mr Maniska and Deputy Principal Mrs Duma; students inspired by KMB; Melinda Hodges (left) explains the longer term vision; Year 8 girls researching the project.
Club scene
IGS is OnSTAGE…
This term, new clubs cropped up and current ones continued to flourish. When Jigsaw visited a few lunchtime clubs, it was hard to resist the aromas of the pasta and pesto cooked by students in Mr Leicester’s Italian Club and the beef noodle soup in Mr Nguyen’s Vietnamese Language and Culture club. And even though the boys in the latter club were found wolfing down their noodles we discovered they had already learned some language and helped prepare the meal. The origami and knitting clubs meet in the Learning Centre and attract students from a range of age groups.
Congratulations to this year’s HSC Drama students Thuso Lekwape (for performance) and Anouk Berney and Rhiannon Heggie (for Costume design) for their selection to the HSC showcase OnSTAGE at the Seymour Centre in February 2012. Clockwise from left: Origami; Knitting; Commercial Aviation; Vietnamese Language and Culture Club; Italian Cooking
V-Fest film judges had Georgias on their mind Georga Hilliard, a Year 9 member of the 2011 Film Studies class won the junior section of V-Fest 2011, a short film competition hosted by Rose Bay Secondary College. Her film Red Ribbon tells the story of a woman remembering her youth and the film used music composed by another IGS student, Year 10’s Giorgia Pillari.
local filmmaker Maya Newell joined the class for much of the production phase and lent her expertise to the student filmmaking. This collaboration was a big success—eight films entered the inaugural Oasis Student Movie competition and the organisers were very excited to receive such a large body of work from one school.
Year 10’s Sam Brewer also screened as V-Fest finalist. His beautiful documentary-style film called Everyday Quirks tackled the theme of homelessness in a most inventive manner.
And a wonderful postscript: Year 10’s Callum Hawkins made the top ten finalists in the junior section of the ATOM Awards (a national film competition run by the Australian Teachers of Media) with his film, James, a Vision.
All students in the film studies course recently collaborated with the Music Workshop Stage 5 Elective class to create films incorporating original music with 18 films completed. Young
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Melissa Silk Head of Design and Technology Left: Georga Hilliard with her trophy
Thuso was selected for his spectacular solo performance piece, He Left Quietly by Yael Farber; Anouk for her beautiful Costume Design for the play Cyrano De Bergerac and Rhiannon Heggie’s innovative depiction of costumes for her Individual Design Project, The Venetian Twins.
Thuso’s bright future—by luck and by design Year 12’s Thuso Lekwape was surprised to find upon his arrival in Australia four years ago to be asked to ‘imagine you come from a poor country’ as part of a standard geography lesson exercise on the topic of global well being. “But I do come from a poor country!” Thuso exclaimed. He had just left Johannesburg and his family to accept a privately-sponsored opportunity to study at International Grammar School in Ultimo. Since that day when he described himself as ‘shy 14-year-old in the school cap with his ears flapping outside’, Thuso has embraced not just the academic but all that IGS has offered—and especially drama and design. It is in the area of drama that he has excelled and he has just been chosen along with a handful of other 2011 HSC students state-wide to perform his solo at OnSTAGE 2012 at the Seymour Centre. Thuso discovered he loved to act after initially 'going to his drama class kicking and screaming' in his Guardian Sharon’s words. Fluent in four African languages but needing work on his written English, he embraced his studies and learned quickly. “Drama to me is the freedom I don’t experience in anything else I do,” Thuso told Jigsaw. His solo performance piece, He Left Quietly by Yael Farber is based on the life of Duma Joshua Khumalo, a South African who survived death row.
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“Being based on a true South African life, the role allowed me to connect to where I came from and express my thoughts about the Apartheid regime through the performance,” Thuso said.
“Drama to me is the freedom I don’t experience in anything else I do”. He injected song and physical theatre to develop a performance which awarded him full marks for his Drama HSC Individual Performance Project. Thuso also studied Design and Technology this year and for his major HSC work he designed a low cost, sustainable house suitable for the climate, materials and culture of poor communities in South Africa. In the meantime, he is keen to pursue a career in theatre or television and at the time of writing, he was finishing work experience with the Channel 7’s Packed to the Rafters. “I owe so much to my Australian ‘parents’ Geoff and Sharon and the friends I’ve made at International Grammar—the teachers, the things I’ve learned here have changed my life, literally,” Thuso said. At the recent Year 12 Farewell Assembly he offered this piece of Zulu wisdom: “go well, family and friends, the time has come for us to shine in a bigger world”. At press time, Thuso was accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) for 2012—an amazing achievement. He also successfully auditioned for the other top drama colleges, VCA and WAPA.
Former IGS student’s adventure rises from a passion for learning
PTF news Forums round off a good year for thought leadership Two Thought Leadership Forums (co-run by the School and PTF) rounded off a popular year for the sessions. In his forum titled Rethinking Homework held at the end of Semester 2, Associate Professor Richard Walker (University of Sydney) considered the role that homework plays in primary and secondary schools, as well as in family contexts. The final forum held in Term 3, Enhancing Learning through Technology raised the issues surrounding the new ways of teaching through technology. Technology in the classroom is now ‘second nature’ to our students at IGS and over 40 parents and staff heard Dr Matthew Kearney, a senior lecturer in education at UTS, draw on recent research to highlight how technology can be used to promote children’s and young people’s learning—for example, the enhancement of using electronic whiteboards and digital narratives.
Coming up Forums planned for the first semester 2012: Becoming an International Baccalaureate school… the IGS Consideration Study (Principal Michael Maniska, 1 March) and Supporting your child’s social and emotional development in preschool years (Child and Adolescent Counsellor Joseph Degeling, 18 May).
Parents drive new traffic safety initiatives The PTF established a traffic subcommittee in Term 4 to support the School with their review of drive-by procedures. The school has been working closely with the RTA, City of Sydney traffic engineers and local police in order to provide a safe environment for children alighting to or from cars, particularly (but not limited to) the afternoon pick-up. This is an ongoing process. The committee, made up of PTF representatives and the Deputy Principal Mary Duma identified the use of ‘sun visor signage’ as an area for improvement. The PTF trialled a low cost, low tech option for K–2 parents and carers.
Visiting scholar digs up secrets from the past 16
Mr Kiss celebrates his 90th—and a decade of traffic safety help One of IGS’s traffic guides Andre Kiss turned 90 this year. He has been with IGS for 10 years and still makes the daily journey on school mornings to IGS to assist students’ safe arrival in Kelly Street. Mr Kiss’s grandchildren attended IGS some years ago and he told Jigsaw that he feels his ongoing role helps to keep him young. “IGS has given much to me,” he said as he cut the birthday cake at staff morning tea in October. Mr Kiss was forced to flee his native Hungary after World War II but relished his new country here, playing sport— particularly tennis and soccer—and working hard in the textiles industry. However, he missed family and spoke of his talented sister who was ranked highly in tennis in their country and in another time—“would have been a world player”.
“We wanted to learn about other cultures first hand… to really see the world,” former International Grammar School (IGS) student and adventurer Jamie Kenyon told an appreciative IGS senior school assembly audience, following his return to Sydney in October. Alongside friend Kristopher ‘Teddy’ Davant, Jamie has just travelled the world on quad bikes with funds raised going to Oxfam. “And what we learned most was to never give up, and that humanity has a great heart”. Jamie and Teddy completed the 14-month expedition in memory of their friend and Jamie’s fellow IGS graduate Valerio de Simoni who tragically lost his life in an accident in March in Malawi, Africa during the journey. After crossing 38 countries to break the World Record for the longest journey on a Quad bike (four wheel motorcycle), covering 58,000 kilometres and raising over $55,000, the young men were accompanied
back on the last leg of their journey— from Newcastle to Sydney—by a 500-strong bike convoy. They have much to be proud of. Still, they mainly spoke about the skirmishes on the way, the kindness and generosity of the people they met, the immense sadness they felt in ‘losing Val’ and the importance of following your dream. Jamie, who graduated from IGS as school captain in 2003, said that he gained more than academic achievement at IGS: “More importantly I came away with a curiosity about the world—it is this passion for learning that made my journey a success”. “We achieved what we set out to do,” Teddy added, “everyone should dream big—you have a responsibility to realise your own dream!” If you would like to learn more about the journey or make a donation towards the Oxfam Southern African Livelihoods Program go to www.quadsquad.org
top:L–R: Technology is second nature to our students; PTF helpers and Deputy Mary Duma put finishing touches on the new Drive By vehicle signs; Mr Kiss shares cake with the Principal and other staff in October—not one to rush celebrations, his birthday was in May; volunteer parents at Thank You Breakfast
A number of Year 10 students were privileged in August to hear Cincinatti University’s Professor of Greek Archeology Jack L. Davis deliver a lecture on the difficulties and rewards of a career in archeology. He gave particular examples of Nestors Place near Pylos where he and his wife have worked extensively.
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High Resolves The High Resolves program fosters leadership skills and encourages ethics and civic responsibility. Through the Initiative at IGS's senior students continued to develop the skills needed to take action within the School and in the wider community. Jigsaw sat in on a Year 9 High Resolves session in October. Mixed groups formed ideas and presented their case to their group in a very short time. It was a dynamic experience! Some more good causes, next page…
Farewell to the Class of 2011 Good causes…
Good sports…
This semester, IGS students pitched in once again to support good causes. The Senior School raised an impressive $12,140 from the Forty-Hour Famine, a BBQ was held to raise funds for the Pink Day for Breast Cancer and the whole school raised $750 towards the One-Dollar Day for those in hardship. In Term 4, Houses gathered and presented the contributions made by each of their ONE projects: Salvation Army’s OASIS, RSPCA, the World Wildlife Fund and The Wall of Hands (Literacy and Numeracy Foundation). ONE was devised by Year 12’s Jessica Guida to allow each House to concentrate on one charity of their choice for the year.
Year 12 celebrated the last week of their IGS school life with a mixture of glee and emotion. As in previous years, the week was traditionally packed with activities ranging from the Zoo Trip with Kindergarten, white water rafting, the Farewell assembly and the evening cocktail party. Continued next page
There were some standout achievements in the sporting arena this semester. Laura Whitehead became State NSW All Schools snowboarding champion and Gabriel Wahl is now the NSW Schools champion for 13 years pole vaulting. The senior boys 100m relay team also competed at State level and finished third. And, of course there was the best achievement of all—keen participation. IGS students participated in an array of sports from cricket and athletics to AFL and horse riding. Clockwise from top: Almost there; One Dollar Day—happy coin collectors; still running; sport heavy-handed; Snowboard champ Laura Whitehead; Primary swim; Year 6 Gala cricket; strange athletics; One Dollar counters; gathering the Houses' ONE initiative's Salvation Army and RSPCA collections
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Louis Williams
This year’s HSC visual arts and design and technology students created a vibrant body of work. This is just a snapshot of their works in progress or when on display at the annual Showcase. Axel Chemke-Dreyfus's (A) and Anouk Berney's (B & C) works were nominated for ArtEXPRESS and Axel's work was subsequently selected for the HSC exhibition.
Farewell to the Class of 2011
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At the Year 12 farewell assembly, Principal Michael Maniska wished the 2011 cohort well, noting the importance of this milestone: “I feel proud that the school has produced such a fine group of young people who are so clearly the expression of all that our school values”… and he quoted from Thoreau: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the lives you’ve imagined. “We believe that your years at IGS have equipped you to do precisely that”. The departing Year 12 traditionally exchange a letter of wisdom with Kindergarten and this year, Student Leader Louis Williams delivered a rousing speech in his letter to Kindy, as follows.
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Dear Kindergarten, Class of 2023. (Excerpts) As today is the last day of our schooling life, the memory of my first day in Kindergarten springs to mind. I distinctly remember my mother wishing me well and goodbye, only to watch her turn and walk away from the classroom. I have the same poignant feeling given that today, as we walk away from the classroom, IGS is saying its farewells.
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2011 has been a year of challenges for everyone, including us year 12s. Just as the world confronts a complex future, you Kindy, have your very own mountain to climb. Though the world may seem a scary and frightening place, I urge you only one thing, seize your opportunities with both hands. By taking the opportunities that are so generously given here at IGS, I can assure you, as I have found, that our world is an amazingly interesting and inspiring place. Quoting Bobby Kennedy, a hero of mine, “You are happiest when you are contributing the greatest”. Some of the happiest moments of my short life, Kindy, have come from my involvement and contribution to this school. Being involved and leading a House that stands to applaud a rival’s victory is something that has filled me with pride and will remain with me for a very long time to come. As we have now moved through the end of our beginning, you little guys have taken your first steps on your journey. Yes, it is a long and daunting one, filled with walking up and down many flights of stairs, Mr Galea’s shouts to ‘get to class’ and Mr Dennehy’s long and winding stories. Though, the most important thing to remember is that you’re experiencing it together, developing together, with lessons learnt, and memories that will last a lifetime. Louis Williams, Year 12
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