Stage 2 Camp

ISSUE 4 TERM IV 2014

NewsletterAcademic Christian Caring

In last week’s newsletter it was announced that the School intends to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and is working toward it being offered for the first time to Year 11 in 2017.

Students at TIGS will then have the choice of two pathways as they enter Years 11 and 12 - the HSC or the DP. The School will support students in both programmes with the same teachers being allocated teaching duties to both courses of study.

The benefit of offering two courses of study is that a student can select the pathway that best suits their needs. The following is a simple comparison of the HSC and DP:

Students entering Year 11 at TIGS will be in the unique position of being able to choose between two highly respected courses of study - the HSC or the DP.

Higher School Certificate International Baccalaureate Diploma (DP)

Organised by the NSW Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES)

Organised by The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)

Over 69,346 candidates sat for the HSC in 2014 Over 70,000 candidates sat for the IB Diploma in 2013

HSC examinations are held in October/November and results are released about 1 week before Christmas

DP examinations are held in November (or May in the Northern Hemisphere) and results are released early in the New Year

HSC caters for students of all academic ability levels. Subjects available include the traditional academic disciplines and vocationally focussed subjects

DP is designed specifically for students intending to progress to further study at University. Subjects studied are drawn from the traditional academic disciplines

HSC students normally study subjects at 2 unit level. A few subjects are offered at the Extension level

DP candidates must study 3 subjects at Standard Level (SL) and three subjects at Higher Level (HL). HL subjects are allocated additional tuition time

HSC is awarded to all students that satisfy the BOSTES requirements. There is no pass/fail award in the HSC based on assessment results

DP is awarded to students that achieve the DP course requirements and a minimum standard in their assessment results. Failure to achieve this standard means that the students do not receive the Diploma

HSC assessment covers study in Year 12 only – the HSC year. The HSC is assessed using school assessment and external examinations

DP assessment covers all of Years 11 and 12. It includes school assessment and external examinations

HSC students must study a minimum of 10 units (5 subjects), one subject must be English

DP students must study 6 subjects, 1 from each of 6 subject groups – the DP requires a broad range of subjects to be studied.

HSC students at TIGS are required to participate in service activities and are encouraged to participate in sport and co-curricular programmes

DP students are required to participate in the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme

DP students are prepared for study at university by being required to:*Study Theory of Knowledge (How we know and learn)*Complete and properly reference a 4,000 word research assignment (called the Extended Essay)on a topic of their choice

The HSC results of students are scaled by the University Admission Centre (UAC) to determine an ATAR score which is used to allocate places at university

The results of DP students are not scaled - all subjects and levels are treated equally. There is a conversion table that equates IB result with HSC ATAR scores

HSC students wishing to study internationally must apply directly to the university of their choice and submit their HSC/ATAR results for consideration

DP scores are recognised by universities world-wide. It is usual for international and Australian universities to accept an IB Score as sufficient information when allocating places in courses of study

Note: the School is waiting for the IBO to confirm the 2017 start date at TIGS. Current Year 8 students will be notified once advice is received. Current Year 7 students and younger will be offered the DP as a choice when they commence study in Year 11

Headmaster

Did you know that TIGS has two specialist teachers of Gifted and Talented students with a third teacher commencing work at TIGS in 2015? By coincidence, all three have the same qualification - the widely respected Certificate in Gifted Education (UNSW)

• Ms Kath Walker - Coordinator of Gifted and Talented students in the Junior School• Mrs Margaret Dubowski - Coordinator of Gifted and Talented students in the Senior School.

Please contact these specialist teachers if you have any questions regarding our programmes for Gifted and Talented students.

In 2015 we will welcome Mrs Katrina Toland to the School as a specialist Gifted and Talented teacher in the English Faculty.

Stephen KinsellaHeadmaster

It is said to be as Australian as a day at the beach in summer, as a thin veil of Vegemite on a slice of fresh white bread, as a boisterous backyard barbecue with family and friends. It can be heard at most major sporting events and now apparently even at solemn State Memorial Services. I am talking about the business of booing our elected members of Parliament, especially our Prime Ministers.

You may have seen the news footage of the ignominious reception Prime Minister Tony Abbott received on Wednesday as he ascended the steps of the Sydney Town Hall to pay his final respects to the late Gough Whitlam. Reporters asked commentators whether it was disrespectful. They faulted for a moment and said it was Australian. Apparently that was not only an explanation but also a justification. This is what we do as Australians.

I love the little quirks that set us apart from other nations of the world. I remember once being in New York and hearing an Australian accent cut through the crowd like nothing else on this planet. It was music to my ears. I love being Australian, but I cannot stomach such insolence toward those who represent us in Parliament. If this is what it means to be Australian then I am in the midst of a huge identity crisis.

The Bible is clear about the status of governing authorities. They have been established by God as a part of his good order for the common good. The governing authorities are God’s servants (whether they acknowledge this or not) who give their full time to governing and as such deserve our full respect and honour. This is the teaching of the Bible. I have quoted almost word for word from Romans 13.1-7. To boo an elected member of Parliament is effectively to boo what God has instituted and established. It is the ultimate form of disrespect to God.

This is not to say we will always agree with our elected members. Of course

we will not. But there are appropriate expressions of disagreement. Booing in a public forum is not one of them, especially on such a sensitive and delicate occasion as a State Memorial Service.

We train our students at TIGS to be rigorous thinkers. As they form strong opinions and learn to contend and even argue for their points of view we need to ensure we teach them how to disagree with other people in agreeable ways. We need to remind our students that those they might disagree with always remain God’s image-bearers, deeply loved and valued by him. We must see and treat others as God does.

In Romans 12.1-3 we are warned against conforming to the pattern of a world in rebellion to God and his ways. Instead we are to be transformed in our thinking as our minds are instructed and shaped by God’s word. Passages like Romans 13 on our duties toward the governing authorities must always trump the norms of our culture. We must be prepared when the occasion demands to be counter-cultural. It is one of the ways we acknowledge that ultimately our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3.20). My hope and prayer is that this will be what characterizes a TIGS student as they live out their lives in the public domain.

Rev James RogersChaplain

Chaplain’s MessageCULTURAL CRINGE

Term IV is well underway and Exams and Assessments are looming. But this Term also marks the beginning of Year 12’s HSC journey.

At a recent Parents’ Evening I passed on some of Michael Carr-Greg’s advice for ‘Surviving the HSC’ but some of it might be useful for students in other years who are approaching their exams.

So here are some of his pieces of advice for parents to share:

1. Get a good night’s sleep. Final year students need 8.25 to 9.25 hours of sleep a night but rarely get this. “Young people are the most sleep deprived people on the planet,” he reveals, saying that without the required amount of sleep their brains won’t work properly.

2. Eat well – especially at breakfast. Ensure you have glucose as it’s food for the brain. Eggs are the most powerful brain food – as long as they’re not fried. Yoghurt, anchovies, sardines and blueberries are all great as well.

3. Chew gum while you study at home as it helps improve your memory. (But don’t chew gum at school.)

4. Study for 50 minutes at a time then have a 15 minute break. If you study for less time but with more breaks the brain remembers more.

5. Drink lots of water – make sure you have a sip at least every 20 minutes to keep the brain hydrated.

6. Exercise – do at least three sessions of mild aerobic exercise each week

7. Do not study late at night

8. Study at the same time and same place each day when possible.

9. Take responsibility for your study by working out a timetable of when to work and when to socialise.

10. Find the best way you remember things. Maybe you read and write things down or just listen intently. Do you work better in groups or alone?

11. Some students will go on to develop depression. Signs are feeling sad and miserable, not sleeping or eating properly and feeling worthless. DO NOT LEAVE IT – GET HELP. (Talk to your mentor, your Dean or any staff member.)

12. As a rule, do not listen to music with lyrics while studying. Low volume instrumental music is ok.

13. Try not to let personal relationships interfere with your study.

14. Limit social networking considerably.

Senior School

TIGS P&FRECYCLED UNIFORM SERVICEThe TIGS P&F Recycled Uniform Shop will be closing its doors at the end of Term IV but don’t worry there will still be opportunities to purchase recycled uniforms. We will be holding two events per year to give everyone an opportunity to purchase good condition recycle uniforms and help our environment.

As always we will be holding our very popular stall at the 2015 TIGS Great Fete and another event late in Term IV so you can re stock for the following year. We would like to thank our very hardworking Recycled Uniform Shop Coordinator, Adele Hamilton, and all the lovely ladies in the Uniform Shop for supporting us.

Monica WattHead of Senior SchoolDeputy Headmaster

Junior SchoolSTUDENT LEADERSHIP MORE THAN JUST A POPULARITY VOTEIn days gone by Student Leadership was decided by popularity. Children campaigned with posters, speeches, promises and incentive (usually lollies) to be elected into the position of their choice.

At TIGS the leadership model for students is based on servant-hood and community. Children in Year 5 are currently considering their interest and enthusiasm for positions of leadership in the following areas:

Junior School Captains - one boy and one girl

Vice Captains - one boy and one girl

House Captains - one boy and one girl for each house, total 8

Year 6 Captains - environment focus, creativity focus, community focus, communication and technology focus, two students

All of our Year 6 Students are regarded as Junior School leaders in their final year of Primary School and the Year 6 captains will lead teams of other Year 6 students to make a positive impact on their area of responsibility.

Our Year 5 candidates have all participated in panel interviews with Mrs Nealy, Mrs Herramann and Mr Cross and very soon they will present a speech to children from Years 3 – 6. Years 4 – 6 will vote for children to be considered for leadership positions.

It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm for service in our current Year 5 and I look forward to observing the great work they will do as student leaders in 2015.

DIARY DATES

• JS Prize Giving Assembly Thursday 27 November• Year 6 Progression Dinner Thursday 27 November• Infants Pageant Saturday 29 November 10.00am - 12.00pm in the IGC• P&F Meeting Tuesday 2 December 6.00pm - 7.00pm in the Library• Year 3 – 6 Presentation Evening Monday 8 December • A Christmas Celebration Wednesday 10 December

WEEKLY AWARDSKP Elizabeth Hoskins, Andrew NealKM Isaac Turner, Grace Russo1WJ Natasha Karakousis2C Samarth Sirohi3R Marley Stephenson, Thomas Kirby4C Samuel Murrie4R Joshua Cheng4Y Jade Hyde, Ah-Young Choi5Y Emma Black, Ryan Osadczuk

MERIT CERTIFICATESAcademicCharlotte PalmisanoElla McIlwraithAustin KeefeAlana NewhouseJade HydeEmily ChoiJocelyn AyersGrace RussoAston Di DonatoPalakh GargElizabeth HoskinsLola StephensonSamarth Sirohi

Personal PresentationKalan TaylorAlexandra Birch

ServiceRuby D’RozarioAlex VarmedjaScarlett Ford

Judi NealyHead of Junior School

Junior School SportINDOOR HOCKEYCongratulations to Rory Hanrahan who was selected to represent NSW in the U13’s Indoor Hockey State Championships, which were held at Tamworth over the weekend. He will now go to compete against other states early next year in January at Canberra. This is such a great accomplishment and we wish Rory luck in the coming few months.

BALLET Such a fantastic achievement from Temira Cowie who, back in June, came first in her age group for Restricted Ballet. In September Temira also travelled to Canberra where she competed in the Brindabella Dance Eisteddfod where she placed an outstanding First in the U10 restricted Classical Ballet, First in U10 Demi Character, First place in Restricted Lyrical and Third place in Restricted Contemporary. Temira also competed for the first time in the improvisation sections and received First place in Ballet Impro and First place in Lyrical Impro. Temira has been asked to dance with the TIGS dancers at Kidzwish again this year and is very proud and excited to be a part of the show.

IMD

0001

Plenty ofgigglesin mallPAGE 6 SPORT

Thurstonscare forMaroons

Dogs lovecentrestage PAGE 3

SINCE 1855 $1.40 (incl GST)Monday, July 7, 2014

TODAY Mostly sunny TOMORROW Mostly sunny WEDNESDAY Sunny TV - P34 illawarramercury.com.au4 il17˚ 19˚17˚

Winning smile: Temira Cowie, from Woonona, proudly shows off her trophy for winning the Restricted Classical Ballet Solo 9 years and under section in the competitive and stronglysupported Wollongong Eisteddfod at the IPAC that attracted dozens of dancers from Illawarra and interstate. STORY AND MORE PICTURES – PAGE 5. Picture: ROBERT PEET

Temira’sjust tutu

good

Gleniffer Brae use not value for money, says Bradbery

NOTE OFDISCORD ■ REPORT PAGE 4

CASH-STRAPPED Wollongong City Councilis missing out on vital income because of a‘‘ridiculous’’ long-term agreement allowingthe Conservatorium of Music to controlmost of Gleniffer Brae, Lord Mayor GordonBradbery says.

Cr Bradbery reignited debate over thecontroversial manor house on Sunday,saying he was not happy with the conservat-orium’s lease over about 60 per cent of thesite.

‘‘Personally, I think the conservatoriumshouldn’t be in the manor house and itshould be separated out as a functioncentre, which is returning funds to thecouncil,’’ he said.

‘‘At the moment, the conservatorium has

got that place for cheap rent, it’s an asset wehave poured a lot of money in to maintain,it’s a treasure of the city and all we’ve gotout of it is the front two rooms.’’

The future of the historic house has beenin limbo for the past 18 months, aftercouncillors voted to reject a land rezoningproposal to allow the University of Wollon-gong to build a $40 million creative artsprecinct at the site.

Council staff are currently working withcommunity groups and other stakeholdersto work out what to do with the historichome, with a report due to come beforecouncillors in August.

NASSA CRICKETOn the 30 October Year 4 and 5 students travelled to Onslow Oval in Camden to compete in the Super 8 NASSA Cricket Gala Day. The boys played seven games from 9.00am to 2.30pm. All of our students played well and showed great sportsmanship when they won and lost.

We won two and lost five of the games played where only 2 games were lost by less than 10 runs. Everyone gave their best effort and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

A GIFTED & TALENTEDSCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMCONNECT: LITTLE LEARNINGLABS & EARLY LEARNING LABS

Both Little Learning Labs and Early Learning Labs are designed for academically gifted and talented primary school students.All workshops are held over two days and cover a range of disciplines, presented by teachers with specialist training or a specific interest in gifted education.

For more information about individual workshops, sponsored places and how to apply, please visit www.uow.edu.au/in2uni/learninglabs or contact Sarah Smith at sarsmith@uow.edu.au

A note for schools: Places for this program fill up quickly. Please distribute this information to students whom you think would benefit from the program as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

LITTLE LEARNING LABSFor students in Year 1 and in Year 2 during the 2014 school year.When: 12 – 13 January, 2015Fee: $110Where: UOW Main Campus

EARLY LEARNING LABSFor students in Year 3 to Year 6 during the 2014 school year.When: 15 – 16 January, 2015Fee: $135Where: UOW Main Campus

AUSTRALIAN BALLET SUCCESS!Maya Soligo (Year 6) has recently been accepted to continue into Level 3 of the Australian Ballet School Interstate Programme for 2015. The Interstate Programme is a sector of The Australian Ballet School which provides training opportunities for gifted Classical Ballet students. Inclusion is of great benefit to Maya who will work in a class of high aptitude peers and with teachers of high renown in the Professional Ballet Community. We look forward to following Maya’s progress in both her training visits to Melbourne as well as her involvement in the Dance programme here at TIGS. Congratulations, Maya!

Parents, staff and friends are invited to gather to pray for our School community

Thursday 13 November 20147.30am - 8.20am

TIGS Goodhew Research Centre (Library)

Breakfast and supervision is available for childrenPlease contact Mrs Moore for more information on 4220 0284

or email nmoore@tigs.nsw.edu.au

RSVP: Friday 7 November 2014

Vist www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

TIGS Prayer Breakfast

Week 6’s Activities:Monday 10 November:Organised Sports with Prep & KinderSoccer on the Oval Crazy Craft

Tuesday 11 November:Extend@LibraryPlaylawn/Sandpit

Wednesday 12 November:Futsal in Rees HallPrep and Kinder Craft

Thursday 13 November:The Voice@Extend-Karaoke

Friday 15 November:Crazy Craft Movie (G) and Popcornid

Extend at TIGSNEWSFLASH!!!!SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME - BOOKINGS ARE OPENBooking deadlines apply and excursions fill fast. Book now to avoid disappointment at extend.com.au . All holiday programmes are open to primary school aged children.

ONLINE BOOKINGS: extend.com.au CALL OUR OFFICE: 1300 366 437

WEEK 6TIGS Prayer Breakfast

7.30am Thursday 13 November 2014 in the Library

Brass, Woodwind and Guitar Concert 6.30pm Thursday 13 November 2014 in the Recital Room

WEEK 7P-12 Singing Concert

6.30pm Monday 17 November 2014 in the Recital Room

WEEK 8House Quizzes

Monday 24 November 2014

P-12 Piano Concert6.30pm Wednesday 26 November 2014 in the IGC

Junior School Prize Giving Assembly10.50am Thursday 27 November 2014 in Rees Hall

Year 6 Progression Dinner5.30pm Thursday 27 November 2014 in the IGC

Year 10 FormalFriday 27 November 2014

UPCOMING EVENTS