At the end of last term, TIGS community came together to celebrate the hard work and outstanding achievements of our outgoing Year 12 students. Every cohort of students is unique, but the Class of 2020 has done something that no other group of students have achieved in the history of TIGS and their Graduation Ceremony was a wonderful way to recognise the year that these students have faced and the way they have overcome so many challenges.
Whilst the students and teachers on the school campus watched much of the ceremony from their Mentor Groups, the event was also being live-streamed – quite literally – around the globe with parents, friends and family members watching along at home.
The Livestream allowed our four overseas Year 12 students, who have remained in China throughout most of Year 12, to be congratulated and celebrated alongside their peers. In a cohort of students that have achieved so much, the resilience and determination of these four students who have managed to maintain and complete their studies via Zoom, email, Google Docs and the like (to say nothing of an enviable work ethic!) is worthy of special mention. This week they have each travelled from their homes to reside in Beijing in order that they can sit their HSC exams at an international school in the same order and at the same time as their peers here in Australia.
The highlight of this very special event was the moment in which the Year 12 students exited the IGC to be greeted by the spectacle of the entire school community assembled around the perimeter of the Oval. To a rousing chorus of clapping, cheering and celebration, the Year 12 students completed a circuit of the field as they made their way to the Year 12 Common Room for a final farewell. I have no doubt that in a year in which COVID has blighted so many of our plans and the richness of normal school life here at TIGS, this moment of coming together will be a moment that will live long in the memories of all present – not least the Year 12 students themselves. I’m sure as they embark on the final stretch of their HSC year over the coming weeks and undertake their final exams, you will join me in wishing them all the very best for whatever awaits them in life beyond TIGS.
If you would like to see some of the highlights of the Graduation Ceremony you will find a gallery of photos on OLLE at the link below:
2020 Biathlon East Aus Junior Series
The East Coast Junior Biathlon event was held on Sunday 13 September. This event has been running at Perisher since 2017, but unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions this year, the event was held off-snow, at the Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre. TIGS was represented by four students: Marci (Year 7), Michael (Year 8) and James and Matthew (Year 6). All four demonstrated impressive shooting, running and roller skiing skills. The results for our athletes were as follows:
- Marci: 5th Place in Div 3 Female
- Matthew: 4th Place in Div 4 Male
- Michael: 2nd Place in Run
- James: 1st Place in Run