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Christian
Faith

At the heart of The Illawarra Grammar School lies a commitment to the Christian faith, in line with the Anglican tradition.

A Christian Foundation

Founded in 1959 with little more than a vision for excellent Christian education in the Illawarra, The Illawarra Grammar School began with 28 students gathered in the hall of St Mark’s Anglican Church, West Wollongong.
From humble beginnings much has changed for TIGS. But what remains unchanged is our commitment, not only to academic rigour, but also to the Christian foundations of our teaching environment.
The Sydney Anglican diocese remains keenly involved in the School, with the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney being the President of the School Council and the Synod being responsible for the election of council members, two of whom are ordained Anglican ministers within the diocese of Sydney.

Chapel services

Chapel provides the opportunity for students to engage meaningfully with God in prayer, song and the exploration of biblical themes and passages. It is a formative moment each week for the entire School as we hear how God’s grace shapes our interactions with each other and the world around us.

Christian living

Christian Living is a course designed for Year 11-12 students as an adjunct to and extension of the knowledge, skills and understanding covered in the Biblical Studies program. There is an emphasis on the application of the Christian faith to contemporary life and learning. Students are encouraged to consider the relevance of the faith for themselves and society. Topics include a study of the intellectual virtues, Christian leadership, and the Christian vision of the good life.

Biblical Studies

Biblical Studies is a course designed for students from Kindergarten to Year 10. The Bible is the primary text and students are equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills and understanding to know God as he has revealed himself to us. A focus of the course is a study of the Person and Work of Jesus. Jesus is shown to be the one in whom all God’s promises find their fulfilment. There are also topical units which broaden the students’ understanding and appreciation of the contribution the Christian faith makes to our world. The Biblical Studies course is followed by Christian Living for students in Years 11-12.

Student Christian groups

A number of voluntary, age-specific, lunchtime student groups regularly meet to encourage one another, read the Bible, talk about life and pray together. These groups also provide opportunities for students to hear of local church ministries and to connect with other Christian students from other schools through combined school events. Among other things, the purpose of these voluntary student groups is to foster Christian friendships and to nurture Christian leaders within the school context.

Strong Character and Conviction

The goal of our Christ-centred approach to education is to nurture young women and men who are informed about and deeply appreciative of the Christian faith, to be well-rounded, strong and confident leaders of the future.
TIGS graduates are leaders who hold strongly to convictions, yet embrace those who may be different to them. Their actions are deeply aligned with their values and faith, and they continue to go from strength to strength beyond their time at The Illawarra Grammar School.

Culture of Care

Authentic Christian values and practice lie at the heart of the TIGS community. Our School explores the person of Jesus and the teachings of the Bible whilst promoting respect for those of other faiths and backgrounds.
We warmly welcome boys and girls from all walks of life to The Illawarra Grammar School, regardless of their religious beliefs or cultural heritage.

Rev David Binggeli

BAppSc (USyd) B.Divinity (MTC)

Meet Our Chaplain

Rev Binggeli commenced as the Chaplain of The Illawarra Grammar School in January 2024 having come from ministering at Christ Church Inner West in Sydney.
As the Chaplain, Rev Binggeli is deeply appreciative of the opportunity he has to shape an integrated education; one in which spirituality and faith isn’t left on the margins but interwoven into the academic disciplines. This provides students with the opportunity to discover deep meaning and purpose, which is the essential matrix for a life well lived.
An active member of a local Anglican church, Rev Binggeli loves going for bushwalks with his family, jumping in an ocean pool at the end of a summer’s day and seeking out the Illawarra’s best ramen.

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