Deputy Principal
Deputy Principal
Junior School News
Head of Junior School
We hope you had a restful and joyful winter break, enjoying time with family and friends. It’s been a fabulous start to the term, and we are thrilled to welcome our students back, ready for another term of learning, growth and community connection.
This term, we are delighted to welcome several new staff members to our Junior School team:
- Mrs Christine Gilbett (2J)
- Mrs Lydia Seo (3S)
- Mr Andy Milne, who is teaching Biblical Studies while Mr Jeff Robinson takes Long Service Leave.
We’re also excited to welcome back Ms Karen Bowmaker, returning to our Library team, and to introduce Ms Ivy Luke who joins us in the Library as well. Welcome back also to Ms Claire Hollander (Junior School Music), returning from Long Service Leave.
Congratulations to Mrs Rebecca Grneski, who steps into the role of Director of the Junior School Campus. In this role, Mrs Grneski will oversee the daily operations of the Junior School while continuing her key leadership within our administration team. We are thrilled for her and the valuable contribution she continues to make.
We are so pleased to welcome new families to our community this term. A special welcome to:
- Ocie (1T)
- Flynn (1B)
- Pippa (4L)
- Archie (4G)
- Filipa (4R)
- Ryan (6A)
We look forward to getting to know you and trust that your time at Illawarra Grammar will be filled with friendship, discovery and belonging.
Senior School News
Head of Senior School
It was wonderful to welcome students back to the Senior School campus this week at the start of Term III. The middle of the year has been a particularly busy time in the 2025 school calendar which has seen Illawarra Grammar students travel to:
- The Royal National Park and Sydney (Year 10 City Camp),
- Vietnam (Year 10 Service Learning Tour),
- Kosciuszko National Park (Year 10 Snow Camp),
- Japan (Stage 5 Language students),
- Northern Territory (Year 11 Service Activity)
In addition, there was a range of Year 12 workshops taking place during the holiday, in preparation for the Trial examinations that will be commencing in Week 3.
This term will see works commence on the new Senior School kitchen which is scheduled for completion in early 2026. Students in Year 10 and Year 8 are already selecting, and looking forward to, the delivery of our new Hospitality and Food Technology courses that will be delivered for the first time in 2026.
Week 1 has been a busy week for Year 8 families with Parent Teacher Interviews preceding our Year 9 2026 Subject Selection Evening. A reminder to students and parents/carers that the deadline for students to submit their subject selections is Monday 28 July, 4.00pm. Instructions on how to do this have been sent to students via email.
Some new additions to the cocurricular line up in Term III are basketball, volleyball and rugby training. Years 9 and 10 will also be able to participate in Science week activities during Weeks 2 and 3 of this term.
The Mock Trial Competition, run by the Law Society of NSW, will be continuing into Semester 2 as The Illawarra Grammar School team was placed among the top 32 teams in the state during the first three rounds of competition. An elimination round will take place within the next three weeks before a final elimination round during August. Preparation for Mock Trials takes place on Wednesdays at lunch time.
Drama Club has a new time slot and location on Thursday mornings and interested students are encouraged to attend and try their hand at improv and theatre sports. An opportunity to compete in a theatre sports competition for Years 7 and 8 students may be offered later in the term.
As ever, parents, students and staff are able to find out more about our cocurricular program by visiting the Cocurricular Activities page on OLLE which provides a term calendar and links to information and contact details for individual activities. Students should also keep an eye on Daily Notices for cocurricular information.
Over the coming weeks, students in Years 10 and 11 will be carefully considering their applications for Student Leadership roles for the coming year. I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the hard work and leadership shown by the current Senior School Captains and Prefects who have made so many contributions to school life, so wonderfully personified Illawarra Grammar values, and inspired a generation of younger students.
Saturday Library will remain open throughout term time in Term III to senior students in Years 10, 11 and 12. With Prelims and Trials fast approaching, students in Years 11 and 12 in particular, may wish to take advantage of a quiet, familiar place to study, as well as access to high quality, free tuition in Stage 5 and 6 Mathematics and Science subjects.
The Library will be open between 9.00am until 2.00pm, with tuition available from 11.00am. Students can sign in and out using their school ID card.
The 2025 Illawarra Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Jobs Expo is coming up on Tuesday 12 August, from 2.00pm – 7.00pm at the Illawarra Hockey Centre in Unanderra.
This free event brings together over 30 exhibitors, including training providers, industry professionals and employers, offering a great chance to explore different career pathways and opportunities after school.
Students and parents are welcome to drop in – no registration needed.
General School News