Issue 6TERM II 2014

JUNIOR SCHOOL Cantilena Singing Group Leaders

TI G S�e Illawarra Grammar School

NewsletterAcademic Christian Caring

One of the TIGS Core Values is Academic excellence. Along with Christian beliefs and behaviour and being a Caring community, these three core values form the philosophical basis that underpins a TIGS education.

The risk associated with reducing the School’s values to three simple words – Academic, Christian, Caring – is that the meaning may not be clear and subject to a variety of definitions and interpretations. ‘Academic’, for example can mean anything from ‘an ATAR of 100’ through to ‘doing your best’.

When the TIGS Statement of Mission and Values was adopted by the School Council in 2006 it was intended that the meaning of these core values would be clear to everyone. For each of the core values, six explanatory statements are provided so that we are in no doubt about what is the purpose of a TIGS education.

Academic excellence – it is so easy to claim and yet so difficult to measure. TIGS has an enviable reputation when it comes to the successful completion of Year 12. For example, 90% of our candidates in Year 12, 2013 were offered a place at university in a course that they applied for prior to sitting for the HSC examinations.

While we rightly celebrate the achievements of our outstanding students, we do not define our academic success by the headline results of our top students alone. The School seeks for all its students to achieve excellence which we believe “is neither elitist nor exclusive and is available to all who aspire to be the best

they can be.”

A recurring theme in the Statement is the commitment of the School to wholeness:

“Success in academic learning involves the development of the whole child” and we are committed to “offering a broad curriculum that… includes academic, spiritual, physical, aesthetic, cultural, social and emotional development;”

We focus on the “acquisition of foundational thinking and learning skills” that equip students to fully engage in life and learning by being “creative, reflective, discerning, collaborative and independent learners;”

Learning is organised at TIGS within academic disciplines, using to advantage the rich “knowledge base and framework for understanding” that they provide to make sense of our world. This understanding is more complete when connections are made between the disciplines and then applied to the world in which we live.

The statement also recognises that the needs of each student are different. The School accepts the challenges that are posed by differences between boys and girls, gifted and talented students, students with learning difficulties and students who are blessed with academic and non-academic intelligence. “Student learning is organised so that each child is given the opportunity to identify and develop their gifts and talents to the fullest extent”.

Finally, the statement makes a link between academic excellence and the other core values by recognising the Christian faith as providing the “moral and ethical framework necessary to make decisions for the good of others, society and to the glory of God.”

One of the joys of teaching is to see our students excel in their own way. While the mastery of subtraction in Year 1 Mathematics or the successful framing of joints in Year 12 Industrial Technology may not attract media headlines, they are just two examples of the many successes experienced by TIGS students and their teachers each day as they pursue academic excellence.

The full text of the TIGS Statement of Mission and Values can be found on the TIGS website here.

Stephen KinsellaHeadmaster

Headmaster

I have the Bible on CD. It is a good companion on a long car trip. I had a couple of hours to kill on a recent trip and threw the CD in at the Old Testament Book of Numbers. I was delighted to be reminded of one of my favourite episodes in the whole Old Testament. It involves the prophet Balaam and his faithful donkey.

Out of greed, the prophet Balaam had entered into a partnership with Balak King of Moab to bring down a curse on Israel. On one occasion as Balaam was heading toward a meeting with Balak his donkey started to behave erratically: he veered off the road unexpectedly. On another occasion the donkey pressed close to a wall crushing Balaam’s feet. And then on a third occasion the donkey sat down mid-road and refused to move. Balaam’s response on each occasion was to beat the donkey senseless in his anger.

But he was blind to see something that the donkey could see. The Lord had sent his angel to bring judgement down on Balaam for entering into an agreement with Balak against his people Israel. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord with drawn sword in the middle of the road and was simply seeking to protect his master Balaam from certain doom.

When the donkey sat down on that third occasion the Lord gave him voice to state his case to Balaam. A conversation ensued between Balaam and his donkey:

“What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No” he said. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. (Numbers 22.28-31)

I could say many things about this. I could talk about presuppositions and how our deep-seated view of the world will impact how we understand this event. Those who say the world is closed to God’s influence will not accept the event in the terms in which it is presented; those who consider the world open to God’s influence will allow it. It is an important discussion.

I want to make a different observation, however. The universe consists of physical and spiritual realities – things seen and unseen as they are referred to in Colossians 1.16. We see only a little of what is there. Sometimes donkeys see more than us!

This is important for us to acknowledge. Sometimes our ability to accurately map the world in which we live can lead to arrogance. We can think we have it all covered. Balaam’s donkey reminds us that while we see much with the measuring tools available to us – whether they be scientific, historical, mathematical etc. – we can never presume to see it all. Our limitations as human beings demand a degree of humility, especially in our knowing. It’s what the philosophers call epistemic humility. If Balaam had a bit of it he would have certainly saved his donkey a whole lot of pain! Let us learn some wisdom from Balaam’s foolishness and be sure to make room in the universe for the mystery and wonder of the unseen.

Rev James RogersChaplain

Chaplain’s MessageTHE SEEN AND THE UNSEEN

Bookings are now open on the TIGS website for two important events:

The Secret Garden - the Senior School Musical Production for 2014.

It follows recent TIGS performances of block-buster musicals, including Les Miserables Jesus Christ Super Star, West-side Story, The Boy Friend and Cats. It is the perfect way to be introduced to the wonderful talent of our students and the brilliance of staff in The Arts Faculty.

The season runs from Wednesday 18 June through to Saturday 21 June. Book here

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young - Friday 27 June from 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Almost 500 people have already booked for this special event.

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young has a great personal story to tell. The Arrowsmith Program that bears her name gives hope to parents of children with learning difficulties. Using neuroscience based research she has developed targeted exercises for the brain that can correct the cognitive deficits that underpin some learning difficulties.

TIGS is pleased to feature Barbara Arrowsmith-Young at this special event which is also open to the general public. Book here

For the past two weeks - and for several weeks to come - I’ve been talking with Year 6 students and their parents about the journey to the Senior School. All of these really positive and involved students seem well prepared and enthusiastic for the next stage in their life. They seem to understand that their concept of what it will be like might differ from the reality, but they are unfazed and ready for that. Congratulations must go to their teachers and parents for preparing them so well.

I’ve therefore been focusing on all of the great opportunities that there are in the Senior School to extend, challenge and engage them as they develop and experiment with as many different learning experiences as they can. But rather than just extemporize in teacher-speak in these interviews, and wax lyrical about holistic education and child-centred learning, as I am want to do, the conversation often focuses on the practicalities for parents in supporting their children when parents are so time-poor and adolescents are not as biddable or as dependent on their parents as they once were in their Primary Years.

And this is where TIGS Senior School really is outstanding.

In letting you know of all the co-curricular activities, maybe we haven’t stressed enough that all of them are teacher-supervised in addition to there being specialist coaches there to train the students. Students are bussed to school from the venue in the mornings, and from

school to the venue and back to school in the afternoon. Back at school students can catch either of the late buses, one of which goes North and the other South at 5pm. Parents can also pick up their children from the venue or from school, whatever suits best. The late bus is a free service as are all of the co-curricular sports activities.

The library is also open each afternoon Monday – Thursday until 4.50pm. Each afternoon there are teachers who stay behind to provide homework help in either the core subjects, English, Maths, Science and there is also study and research assistance available from the Learning Support teachers and librarians. Any students who have to stay on the premises after 3.15pm, while waiting for parents who arrive after the first school buses have left, must be signed in to the Library for safety and security reasons.

The late bus can be accessed by students who have stayed behind to study or are involved in the Production rehearsals or any other co- or extra-curricular activity, of which there are many. Look on the website.

In one interview, one father rather mischievously pointed out to his child that he might drop them off at their chosen activity at 7.30am and then not see them again until well after 5.00pm when their offspring would arrive home exhausted but well educated! Mother, child and I knew he was being facetious!

Another parent referred to a “one stop shop.” Though I wouldn’t agree with the views thus expressed, it does give you a different perspective on our commitment to holistic education!

Senior School SUPPORTING OUR PARENTS AS THEY SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN

STUDENT SUCCESSHadley Davidson Hip Hop SuccessRecently Year 9 TIGS student Hadley Davidson acheived a huge accomplishment by winning Gold at the Australian Hip Hop National Championship with his crew ‘Illagroovers’ of Streetbeats. Hadley is now headed to Las Vegas USA in August to represent Australia in the World Hip Hop International Championship!

In order to raise funds to attend these World Championships two events (outside TIGS) are being held- A Dance Party for under 18’s, and a Benefit Night. If you would like to help out, make sure you don’t miss out on purchasing tickets to these events. Hadley and his Crew ‘Illagroovers’ will also be performing! Phone 0401 423 430 for more information and tickets.

Monica WattHead of Senior SchoolDeputy Headmaster

2014 SCHOOL PRODUCTION

18 JUNE - 21 JUNE 2014TICKETS$15 Concession $25 Adult

Tickets available for purchase online visit TIGSwww.tigs.nsw.edu.au

Music by Lucy SimonBook & Lyrics by Marsha NormanBased on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH INC.

TIGS 2014 SCHOOL PRODUCTION Tickets now on sale! Visit TIGS website

Junior SchoolEarlier this week I received some feedback on the Morning Car Line drop-off procedure.

Some of our Junior School Parents who do not have a child in the Piper Centre are parking and walking their child into school rather than using the drop-off system. This results in Piper Centre parents, who need to park and sign their child in, waiting up to 15 minutes at times for a parking spot. The mornings can be a busy time for all. I encourage parents of our older children to use the drop-off system, if possible, to allow more spaces for Piper Centre families in the morning. Thank you everyone for your co-operation in this matter.

Overall, the Car Park system, in the mornings and Car Line procedure in the afternoons have been working well, with improved traffic flow and reduced waiting times especially in the afternoons.

I value feedback from the Junior School community as a means of communicating the various needs, problems and concerns that members of our community may have from time to time.

PERFORMING ARTSCongratulations to our Cantilena singers for achieving first place at the Wollongong Eisteddfod in the Junior Vocal Choir section.

Thank you to Mrs Brown and Ms Hollander for their hard work, guidance and instruction.

JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDSWeekly AwardsKD Luca Baxa, Tom I’OnsKP Calix Langton, Oliver Johnson1T Keiran Reveley, Samuel Robinson2C Samarth Sirohi, Lilli Fellowes2M Ella McIlwraith, Lachlan Neal, Ella Fennell2H Victoria Steward3R Marley Stephenson, Connor Burrows4R Daniel Aghmesheh, Olivia Varmedja4Y Ryan Jinks, Ah-Young Choi

Merit CertificatesAcademicDean BorbilasRuby MooreIsabella AtkinsonFrancis MauJessy HarmanSpencer NewhouseEmma BlackKasim KermaliElla FennellMackenzie PeadEleanor MiddletonSia Gupta

ServiceAva SantosJames Gardner

Dates for your diary:Wednesday 18 June - Saturday 21 June Production Performances – IGC

Mary AlbertEmma BlackZippy Corser-AnuTemira CowieDarcy CrossLucy CrossGeorgia GadsdonSally Gyngell

Jessica HallGrace HobeikaMackayla HutchinsonSarah HutchinsonPaige JenkinsThomas KirbyLina LeePayton Leitch

Alexia LoeserSoraya McCannKiarna McIlwraithAnnie McLearieDaniel MichelmoreBeth MichelmoreMaya MiddletonIsabella Mitic

Nadia NagaratnamAya NaitoAlana NewhouseZaynab PanjuElizabeth RingMarley StephensonEmily SutherlandAlissa Tonkin

Zoe TurnerXia Lian WilsonSunday WindsorRebecca WinnNicola WrightAlexia ZafiriouRosmary Zaki

Narelle McRaeActing Head of Junior School

Week 8’s Activities:Monday 16 June:Organised Sports-PlaylawnSoccer on the Oval Crazy Craft

Tuesday 17 JuneOrganised Sports-PlaylawnSoccer on the Oval Crazy Craft

Wednesday 18 June:Organised Sports-PlaylawnFutsal in Rees HallCrazy Craft

Thursday 19 June:“Our Kitchen Rules!”Baking Brownies

Friday 20 June:Play Kitchen & ShopMovie (G) and Popcorn

ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.auCALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437

Extend at TIGSMonday 30 June to Friday 18 July 2014Winter School Holiday Programme bookings NOW OPEN at your School!NEW – Don’t pay Full Fees!

We have heaps of jam-packed activities and incursions ranging from Arts and Crafts, Cooking, plenty of games and sports and lots of winter activities! We are also now offering excursions! Visit the Extend website at extend.com.au for your programme timetables, booking forms, and activity descriptions.

Bookings close Friday 13 June – book now to avoid disappointment.

UNIFORM SHOP The Uniform Shop will be open during the school holidays on the following days;

Thursday 17 July 2014 9.00am - 2.00pmFriday 18 July 2014 9.00am - 2.00pmSaturday 19 July 2014 9.00am - 2.00pm

HOLIDAY STUDY BLITZStudy courses are being held at the School during the school holidays for any student from Years 7 - 12.

The courses being run are:Study Skills and Strategies - Years 7 - 9Senior Study Skills and Strategies - Years 10 - 12Essay Skills - Years 10 - 12Advanced Reading Skills - Years 10 - 12

Please click here for more information and to download your enrolment form.

The Woman Who Changed Her BrainAs the creator of one of the first practical treatment applications in using the principles of neuroplasticity, Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is recognised as a pioneer. Her experiences not only led to the groundbreaking Arrowsmith Program, but the genesis of her international bestseller, The Woman Who Changed Her Brain.

Arrowsmith-Young holds a B.A.Sc in Child Studies from the University of Guelph and a Master’s degree in School Psychology from the University of Toronto.

In her presentation entitled “The Arrowsmith Program: Addressing Learning Difficulties—A Cognitive Approach,” Barbara Arrowsmith-Young will talk about her journey of discovery, the lines of research she combined, and the outcomes achieved over her 35 years as an educator and researcher.

She will describe a number of learning difficulties, from those that impact the learner in school to those that affect us in life. The focus will be on learning difficulties that impact academic performance such as reading and writing, and some of the outcome studies demonstrating cognitive and academic performance change in these areas as a result of students engaging in the Arrowsmith Program’s cognitive exercises. There will be a book signing after the event and the opportunity to register your interest in the establishment of the Arrowsmith Program at TIGS.

Friday 27 June 7.00pm to 8.30pm

FREE Presentation The Arrowsmith Program

Venue: TIGS The Illawarra Grammar Centre (IGC)

For more information or to book your ticket please visit www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

An International Baccalaureate (IB) World School

Hosting

BARBARA ARROWSMITH

YOUNG

LIMITED NUMBERS LEFT

WEEK 8School Production ‘The Secret Garden’

18 - 21 June 2014 in the IGC

WEEK 9HSC Dance Evening

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Senior School Athletics CarnivalWednesday 25 June 2014

Last day of Term IIFriday 27 June 2014

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young7.00pm Friday 27 June 2014 in the IGC

WEEK 1 TERM IIITerm III Commences (Winter Uniforms)

Monday 21 July 2014

WEEK 2Year 7 Parent Teacher Interveiws

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Junior School Athletics CarnivalThursday 24 July 2014

WEEK Year 9 2015 Information Evening

Tuesday 29 July 2014

UPCOMING EVENTS