13 September 2024
From the
Principal’s Desk
BSc. BAppSc. DipEd. DipMgt, MEd. EdD
School Production 2025
As most parents know, the annual production is a highlight in the Illawarra Grammar School calendar.
This week, students will be informed that the musical for 2025 will be Little Mermaid Jr. This will be a special musical as its “junior” version allows younger students to be included. In the near future, expressions of interest will be called for, so that students from Year 5 to Year 11 can prepare to audition for the key roles. Please read more in this letter from Mr Brody Toombs, Head of the Performing Arts in the Senior School.
Cambridge University Connection
Last week, the Senior School was visited by a representative from Cambridge University who came to inspect the School as the final step in our application to become a “Cambridge school”.
Her assessment of the School was glowing. She not only commented favourably on the teaching and learning that she witnessed, but also spoke profusely about the positive culture and tone of the School, its beautiful facilities and outlook, and the warm welcome that she received from students and staff alike.
As a result of her visit, a recommendation will be made to the university to accept our application. This means that, once approved, we will be able to offer secondary Cambridge University courses to our students. Planning for the first of these courses is well underway, with the intention of offering the Cambridge Science course to our students in Year 9 next year. Furthermore, Illawarra Grammar will be the recognised centre for Cambridge University in the Illawarra region, meaning that entrance exams to this university will be available through our School.
This development is worthy recognition of the quality of teaching and learning that is available at TIGS. It also opens up even more opportunities for our School to provide exciting options to our students for their tertiary study.
Farewell Year 12
On the Illawarra Grammar School website, there is a page entitled “Mission and Values” which outlines the vision and purpose of our School. The most important part of this section refers to the students. It states:
It is our hope that students at The Illawarra Grammar School grow into people who:
- love learning
- are confident, skilful and articulate leaders
- aspire for excellence
- show resilience and integrity in the face of challenge
- are compassionate and discerning citizens
- are committed to serving their community
- understand and appreciate the Christian faith.
Having been at the School for nearly three terms, I can confirm that every aspect of the School is made with these attributes in mind. From students running Assemblies to selling Legacy badges, from hiking in the snow to mastering new academic concepts, from taking part in Christian Living seminars to selecting from a wide range of subject electives, from taking on leadership positions to wearing their uniform well, every aspect of the School is focussed on producing the type of graduates described above.
As we prepare to farewell another cohort of Year 12 graduates, we rejoice in the confidence that they are ready for whatever lies ahead.
Junior School News
Head of Junior School
Thank you for your support as we enter the final weeks of Term III. Our term has been filled with many exciting events and deep learning. We are thrilled with our students’ engagement and commitment. Their homework completion is reflecting the hard work they are demonstrating. Our recent MAP testing reflects excellent growth and achievement. We look forward to sharing these results with you shortly.
As our primary students increasingly engage with Information and Communication Technology (ICT), it’s important to ensure they use these tools safely and responsibly. Our programs commence in Kindergarten and teach our students about the safe use of technology, in and outside school. As our students become increasingly independent in their use of technology, especially in the upper primary grades, we ask that you carefully monitor their personal devices, including mobile phones, home computers and laptops to ensure that the students are safely and responsibly using them.
Please discuss the following key points with your child:
- Online Safety: Emphasise the importance of protecting personal information and being cautious about sharing details online and their ‘digital footprint’.
- Respectful Communication: Remind students to communicate respectfully and think carefully before posting or sending messages.
- Balanced Use: Encourage a healthy balance between screen time and other activities to support overall wellbeing.
- Cyberbullying Awareness: remind your children about the impact of cyberbullying and the importance of reporting any incidents they encounter.
Your support in reinforcing these guidelines at home is invaluable.
Tournament of Minds (TOM) is a program for teams of students. TOM’s aim is to enhance the potential of students by developing their problem-solving skills, time management, and the ability to work collaboratively within a challenging environment.
This highly-competitive program sees the involvement of many schools across Australia. Our three teams of students from Years 5 and 6, competed with passion and skill. We are thrilled to announce that Team 1 came first in the Social Science category, and Teams 2 and 3 received Honours for their contributions to language literature and STEM. Team 1 will now represent our School at the state level at UNSW.
The Junior School is thrilled to be involved in the School Production in 2025. We are excited to share that the musical will be presented through a hybrid model, combining both Junior and Senior School students. Please see Dr Greenhalgh’s message regarding the important details about this special opportunity and audition details. Stay tuned for more information on how you can participate and support this wonderful event!
Term IV camp details have been emailed to families this week. To ensure everything is in place for a smooth and enjoyable camp experience, please review the information and complete any necessary forms or requirements before the end of term. Your prompt attention to these details is appreciated. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the Junior School.
Please be reminded that the Year 6 Showcase of Learning is set to take place from 4.00pm – 6.00pm on Thursday 26 September starting in the IGC before moving to the Goodhew Research Centre (Library). The invitation to attend is open to all our community.
We are grateful for our families and friends who support our School through various events such as Celebration of Learning, Assemblies, music performances, excursions and incursions. These experiences are enriched by your active involvement. Your dedication ensures our students are well supported and strengthens our school community. Thank you for being an integral part of these special moments and for your constant encouragement throughout the year. Please keep your eye out for Term IV calendar dates.
Senior School News
Head of Senior School
As we approach the final weeks of term, life remains busy in the Senior School. Our Year 10 students return from their Snow Camp today, which always fosters a strong sense of achievement and reflection.
The Year 10 Camp is the culmination of the Outdoor Education program at Illawarra Grammar and provides opportunities for students to put into action all the skills they have developed during their previous camps. For students who choose to pursue the Duke of Edinburgh Award, these skills will continue to serve them well as they work through their Silver and Gold Award programs and expeditions over the coming years.
On the sports field, our rugby teams faced off against Shellharbour Anglican College in two spirited and hard-fought matches last Friday in which our Under-18 Boys took home the victory. We look forward to the next match, taking place next Friday. This week, Years 9 and 10 students were involved in the sale of Legacy badges at Wollongong Mall, helping to raise funds for families of veterans.
Year 10 and Year 11 parents and carers are reminded that you are warmly invited to attend the Senior School’s 2025 Student Leadership Induction Ceremony. The event will take place in the IGC and is scheduled for Term IV, Week 2 – Tuesday 22 October, commencing at 11.10am.
Students will be informed of their leadership positions during our Senior School Assembly on Tuesday 24 September.
The second half of Term III is an exciting time for Year 12 students as courses are completed and early entry offers from university begin to confirm the reality of the transition that lies ahead.
The final week of Term III will allow the whole Senior School community to celebrate, farewell and encourage these students as they face their final HSC examinations. On Tuesday 24 September, the Year 12 students will enjoy a wonderful harbour cruise, taking in the sights and sounds of Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River together.
The following day (Wednesday 25 September), our Graduation event will commence at 9am and will include musical items, speeches and presentation of prizes and awards to the graduating students. Later on, commencing at 6.30pm, the formal Valete Dinner will take place in The Grand Ballroom at the Novotel in North Wollongong. This event will conclude at 10:30pm. Parents and carers are encouraged to attend and asked to please complete the RSVP as soon as possible.
All are welcome to attend the Year 9 and 11 Drama Showcase, which will take place on Thursday 19 September from 5.30pm – 6.30pm in the Begbie Performance Space.
General School News
The Illawarra Grammar School is embarking on a building project that will provide world-class facilities for the current and next generations of learners.
TIGS Foundation invites you to an evening of canapes, drinks and live music to discover more about the Hoskins Building project.
At the end of 2024, the current H-Block will be demolished, making way for a modern, sustainable learning centre.
We invite you to be part of this legacy.
RSVP here by Friday 13 September.
We invite all students from Prep to Year 12 who learn an instrument, either externally or at School, to participate in our Term IV Instrumental Concerts.
The concerts provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to hone their performance skills and share their talents with the school community. Parents and carers are welcome to attend these concerts to support our students.
To register your child for a concert, please complete the correct form linked below for the relevant concert. For the String and Piano concerts, there are three time slots of choice, so families can nominate their preferred time. The closing dates for registration will be strictly followed. A Consent2Go will then be sent out once each concert is finalised.
Monday 28 October – PIANO
Closing date for registration: Tuesday 15 October
Concert A: 3.30pm – 4.30pm | Register Here
Concert B: 4.45pm – 5.45pm | Register Here
Concert C: 6.00pm – 7.00pm | Register Here
Wednesday 30 October – GUITAR/DRUMS/BASS GUITAR
Closing date for registration: Thursday 17 October
6.00pm – 7.00pm | Register Here
Wednesday 13 November – BRASS/WOODWIND
Closing date for registration: Friday 25 October
6.00pm – 7.00pm | Register Here
Monday 25 November – STRINGS
Closing date for registration: Wednesday 6 November
Concert A: 3.30pm – 4.30pm | Register Here
Concert B: 4.45pm – 5.45pm | Register Here
Concert C: 6.00pm – 7.00pm | Register Here
Wednesday 27 November – VOCAL
Closing date for registration: Friday 8 November
6.00pm – 7.00pm | Register Here
Please see below for trading hours for our Uniform Shop and Second-Hand Uniform shop during the October school holidays.
Uniform Shop:
Tuesday, 8 October 2024, 8.30am to 4.00 pm
Wednesday, 9 October 2024, 8.30am to 4.00 pm
Thursday, 10 October 2024, 7.30am to 4.00 pm
Saturday, 12 October 2024, 8.30am to 1.00 pm
Second-Hand Uniform Shop:
Thursday, 10 October 2024, 9.00am -10.00am
Saturday, 12 October 2024, 9.00am -10.00am
Dates For Your Diary
20 September
M Block, Top Level
5.30pm – 7.00pm
25 September
IGC
9.00am
26 September
IGC
4.00pm-6.00pm
22 October
IGC
11.10am
‘Life is fleeting, like a passing mist. It is like trying to catch hold of a breath. All vanishes like a vapour…There is nothing better than to eat and drink and to see the good in their hard work. These beautiful gifts, I realised, too, come from God’s hand’
Ecclesiastes 1:2
The Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes fits into the genre of ‘wisdom literature’; that is, its message is meant to help us live well in the world. And probably the most prominent insight within its pages is that all of life has a transient or fleeting quality to it. We can’t capture the joyous times, we can’t ‘bottle’ young age or priceless family moments. They come and go like mist and vapour. So, how do we live in the midst of a world like this? The wise person doesn’t try to grasp hold of these good things, or spend their life chasing after them but missing them when they come. But instead, wisdom – attentive to the moment – receives them as gifts from God to enjoy whilst we have them. In other words, wisdom is to assume a posture of gratitude, which is a theme we are regularly returning to in Chapel and Assemblies this year.
Chaplain