Hoskins Building
We were all delighted to learn that, at the Australian Timber Design Awards Gala held on 21 October 2026, the Hoskins Building won the Public Building category. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the versality and easy access of the building. Happily, the building was also a finalist in the Sustainable Timber Building category. However, the biggest surprise came at the very end of the evening when the Overall Winner of the Australian Timber Design Award 2026 was announced – and it was the Hoskins Building again.
We were all genuinely surprised and absolutely thrilled with this announcement. The competition was strong, with projects such as the Sydney Fish Market, the Aquatic Centre in Adelaide, and The Cutaway at Barangaroo among the other category winners. Winning this Grand Prix award is a true honour and testament to our architects, builders and Mr Matt Field, our Director of Operations and Facilities.
It is extraordinary to think that our students are being taught in Australia’s best timber building, 2026.
Maths News
We heartedly congratulate Mrs Evelyn Meek, our Head of Mathematics in the Senior School, on her appointment to the position of Deputy Principal at Brindabella Christian College in the ACT. Mrs Meek and her husband will be moving to Canberra in the new year, so we will farewell Mrs Meek appropriately at the end of the year.
The new Head of Maths will be Mrs Charlotte Lucas. Mrs Lucas and her family have moved to Australia from England, where she was the Maths Coordinator at a well-known school. Following a brief sojourn in Victoria, Mrs Lucas will be moving to Wollongong over the Christmas holidays. We look forward to having Mrs Lucas and her family as members of our community next year.
End of the Year
Earlier this week, the Senior School families enjoyed the annual Music Ensembles concert. Many parents contacted me to let me know how much they enjoyed the concert, expressing their gratitude to our ensemble conductors but also to our whole Performing Arts staff team. It was certainly a joy to be in the audience on this occasion.
There are many events that are fast approaching us as we near the end of the year. Please keep an eye on the OLLE calendar, the Dates for Your Diary below, and the newsletter for important dates such as the K-2 Pageant, the Christmas Celebration, Volunteers Thank You Evening, and Presentation Days.
Supplementary Uniform Items Update
Following on from previous newsletters where the new formal and sport uniform images have been shared, we are pleased to share the following supplementary new items.
Bags
School Backpacks
Using a TIGS backpack remains compulsory for all students. The new school backpack will be available in two sizes. The current school backpacks will cease being sold at the end of the year and only the new backpack will be for sale in 2027.
Library Bag
Library bags remain compulsory for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6. The current library bag will cease being sold at the end of the year and only the new library bag will be for sale in 2027.
Sports and Excursion Bag
The sport and excursion bag is used to carry a change of clothes for a PE lesson or sport activity, or on an excursion when a smaller bag is required. This replaces the current sport bag, which will cease being sold at the end of the year and only the new sport and excursion bag will be for sale in 2027.
Bag use during and beyond the transition period:
Both current and new school, library and sports bags may continue to be used throughout the transition period, regardless of what uniform a student is wearing (e.g. the new bag can be worn with the current uniform). Given the longer lifespan on bags, students who already own the current bags (or purchase it this term) may use it beyond 2030 provided it remains in good condition.
Hats
To streamline the uniform and make sharing between siblings easier, there will now be just one affordable unisex hat option, as shown. This hat will remain compulsory for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6. It is optional, but encouraged, for students in Years 7 to 12.
The current range of hats will continue to be sold while stocks last. Both current and new hats may continue to be used throughout the transition period, regardless of what uniform a student is wearing.
House Polos
Current House polos will cease being sold at the end of the year and only the new House polo will be for sale in 2027.
While mixing and matching is not permitted for most uniform items, House polos are worn infrequently and may be worn with either the current or new sports shorts/pants/jumper/jacket during the transition period.
Hair Ribbons
New ribbon styles will be available from January and may be worn with both the current and new uniforms.
Raincoats
Raincoats remain compulsory for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6. The Uniform Shop will stock a yellow raincoat as a convenient option for families. Yellow has been chosen intentionally to prioritise safety and visibility on a rainy day.
Families may continue to source their own plain yellow or navy raincoat if preferred, but many will appreciate an option being available at the Uniform Shop.
Earrings
In line with our Uniform Guidelines, earrings should be plain studs. The Uniform Shop now stocks a range of suitable stud earrings for convenience. Families are not required to purchase earrings through the Uniform Shop, but many have already been appreciating this convenient option.
Swimwear
We will release an expanded selection of swimwear and a rash vest option during 2027. Further information about these items will be provided in the coming months.
New Student News Section
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, the School will prioritise sharing student images in the newsletter rather than social media. As a result, we have introduced a new section further down in the newsletter to share student success and news.
Junior School News
Head of Junior School
On Tuesday morning, we welcomed our future Kindergarten parents and carers as they visited to learn more about starting school in 2027. It was a special moment to realise that these children will be the graduating Class of 2039. We had a group of current Kindergarten students share their writing with our incoming Kindergarten families and they were a delight to read. I thought I would share them with you, see below.
Next Wednesday, we are equally excited to welcome our 2027 Pre-Kindergarten students and their families. The launch of our Pre-Kindergarten program is an important step for the Junior School and reflects our commitment to providing children with the very best start to their educational journey. We look forward to partnering with families as our youngest learners begin their time at Illawarra Grammar.
As mentioned above, I shared these work samples from Kindergarten with the incoming Kindergarten 2027 families.
It is with great excitement that we prepare to launch the Junior School Activity Centre in 2027. We are delighted to announce that Mrs Kirby Krleski has been appointed as our Activity Centre Coordinator. Mrs Krleski has been interviewing and building a team of Illawarra Grammar Activity Centre Guides who will lead engaging opportunities designed to extend students’ learning, creativity and interests beyond the school day.
The Activity Centre will operate from Monday to Thursday and will be available to students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Activities will be offered in two age groups, with sessions running from 3.00pm-4.45pm for K-2 students and 3.15pm-5.00pm for students in Years 3-6. View more details on each program here.
During Term I, students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of experiences, including Sport (Soccer), Chess, Art and Mathematical Thinking Challenges. Multiple activities will run each afternoon, giving students the opportunity to choose an area of interest or even do it twice. Programs may vary from term to term as we introduce explore interests.
The cost of participation will be $110 per term per activity, and registrations will open in Week 5. Please keep an eye on OLLE and the newsletter for further details and sign-up information.
PEAK will continue to be available as an option for families. If your child requires care after their Activity Centre session, they will be taken to PEAK, where they can remain until 6.00pm at an additional cost.
We are excited about the opportunities the Activity Centre will provide for students to explore to develop new skills and also this opportunity to support working families. We look forward to sharing more details with families in the coming weeks.
With sadness, we have received the resignation of Mrs Nicki Stanis. Mrs Stanis has been a valued member of the Illawarra Grammar community for sixteen years and we are grateful for the care, kindness and dedication she has shown to our students and families throughout that time.
Mrs Stanis has made a wonderful contribution to the Junior School through her warmth and care for students. She has been a trusted and respected member of our community and will be greatly missed by all.
I know you will join me in thanking Mrs Stanis for all she has given to Illawarra Grammar and in wishing her every happiness and success in the future.
We are excited that our Stage 2 and Stage 3 Camps are just around the corner! These experiences promise to be filled with adventure, learning and personal growth.
Students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities that foster teamwork and resilience while creating lasting memories with their peers. We look forward to a wonderful few days away, and we can’t wait to see the joy and excitement on our students’ faces as they embark on these adventures. Please keep an eye on your OLLE pages to ensure you have all the details.
Thank you for ensuring that students are wearing their full summer uniform, including appropriate haircuts and styles, jewellery and shoes. Our uniform standards promote a strong sense of pride, respect and belonging among our students. Your ongoing support helps reinforce these expectations and ensures consistency across the School.
To help maintain a safe and efficient carline for our community, we would like to remind all parents and carers to follow the guidelines below:
- Please remain in your vehicle while in the carline. Do not exit your car to collect your child, as this disrupts traffic flow and compromises safety of students and staff.
- Parents and carers of students in Years 3 and above must not enter the carpark before 3.10pm. Arriving early causes congestion and affects the safety and movement of younger students.
- On-site parking is extremely limited. There is no parking available on campus for events, so please plan ahead and make use of surrounding street parking.
- Lanes must remain clear at all times. Vehicles should never be parked in areas that block access or impede the movement of other cars.
Thank you for your cooperation and for supporting a safe and respectful environment for all members of our school community.
Thank you to our P&F for recognising and celebrating our teachers on World Teachers’ Day. Your generosity, kindness and support were greatly appreciated by our staff. The thoughtful treats and coffee van were a wonderful reminder of the strong partnership we share with our parent community. We are grateful for all that the P&F does to support our school, our staff and our students.
- Wednesday 4 November: Kindergarten 2027 Readiness Session 2 9.00am-10.30am
- Wednesday 4 November: Pre-Kindergarten 2027 Readiness Session 9.00am-10.30am
- Friday 6 November: Year 3 Celebration of Learning 11.50am-12.40pm
- Thursday 12 November: Kindergarten 2027 Readiness Session 3 9.00am-10.30am
- Thursday 12 November: Years 1-6 Readiness Day 9.00am-2.30pm
- Thursday 12 November: Year 7 2027 Readiness Program Day 1
- Friday 13 November: Year 7 2027 Readiness Program Day 2
- Monday 16 November – Wednesday 18 November: Stage 3 Camp
- Thursday 19 November – Friday 20 November: Stage 2 Camp
- Wednesday 25 November: Sports Presentation Evening 5.30pm-7.00pm
- Monday 30 November: K-2 Christmas Pageant 10.00am-11.30am
- Tuesday 1 December: Year 6 End of Year Celebration 4.00pm-6.00pm
- Thursday 3 December: Whole School Christmas Celebration 5.00pm-7.00pm
- Monday 7 December: Years 3-6 Presentation Day 9.00am-11.30am
- Wednesday 9 December: Term IV concludes
Senior School News
Head of Senior School
As we move into the final weeks of the year, Senior School students find themselves at an interesting point in the calendar. It is a season of both celebration and focus.
The Sports Presentation Evening on 25 November and the Years 7-11 Presentation Day on 9 December will provide opportunities to recognise and celebrate excellence across our School. Each of these occasions invites us to pause with gratitude for achievement, growth and the many ways our students have contributed to school life and, in turn, have been shaped by those experiences throughout the year.
At the same time, students in Years 7-10 are preparing for examinations and final assessments. Yearly examinations are also a culmination point of the year. They are an opportunity for students to finish well, remaining focused and determined as they demonstrate the learning that has taken place throughout the year.
Earlier this week, the Music Ensembles Showcase provided a wonderful opportunity to witness the talent and commitment of our student musicians. It was an outstanding evening, marked by impressive performances and a strong sense of community as our ensembles shared the results of their hard work and dedication. Events such as this night, and the upcoming Dance and Drama Showcase on Friday of Week 6, are wonderful celebrations of the learning that occurs both inside and outside the classroom.
Podium Program Application / Reapplication for 2027
Student applications for 2027 membership of the Podium Program are now open through this form.
All current members of the program are encouraged to apply to continue their membership, while students who have reached National, State or Regional levels of representation in Sport can make an application to join the program through the same form. Applications are due by Friday 20 November.
Podium Program Strength and Conditioning Partnership Available
With the appointment of our new Director of the Podium Program, Mr Keiran Wallace, we have already been able to dedicate significant attention this term to strengthening and further developing Podium Program. We are excited about Mr Wallace’s vision for the program and the opportunities to enhance our provision for talented student athletes in 2027.
One area currently under consideration is the expansion of our strength and conditioning provision. As part of this exploration, we are seeking expressions of interest from members of the Illawarra Grammar community who have expertise in strength and conditioning, sports science, gym management, VALD performance testing, athlete development, biomechanics, biometrics, and periodised training programs for adolescent athletes. If you own a facility and wish to express interest in a business partnership, please contact Mr Keiran Wallace at kwallace@tigs.com.au
Last week, I had the pleasure of taking some of our Year 12 Prefects to the Archbishop’s Commissioning Service at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.
The service was an opportunity for our students to gather alongside student leaders from other Anglican schools across NSW to reflect on the responsibility and privilege of leadership.
I look forward to seeing the ways our new prefects grow in their roles and serve our School in their final year.
To read more, please see Chapel Prefect Zahra Freeman’s report in the Student Voice section of the newsletter below.
Mr Adrian Deck
Head of Sport
Our annual Sports Presentation Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 25 November this year. During the evening, special awards are given to students who excel in a sport that occurs outside the school pathway sports. This award recognises the hard work and dedication required by students to achieve at this elite level. If you believe that your child meets the criteria outlined in the form linked, please complete this form by Monday 2 November.
Ms Gillian Hetherington
Director of Cocurricular Programs
During Weeks 7 and 8, students will have the opportunity to represent their House in the House Debating Competition. Teams from each House in the Years 7-9 and Years 10-12 divisions will compete after school on Friday 27 November, with the Grand Final to be held on Friday 4 December.
Students interested in joining their House debating team should speak with their House Captains as soon as possible.
All students are encouraged to attend the Finals Debate from 3.10pm to 5.00pm on Friday 4 December to support their fellow House members and earn valuable House points.
Mrs Catherine Bargmann
Careers Advisor
Students who applied for the School Recommendation Scheme (SRS) need to finalise their UAC preferences by 11.59 pm, Thursday 5 November. To maximise SRS opportunities, students should only select participating SRS courses, which can be found here, and place your most desired eligible course first. SRS offers will be released on 12 November, after which you can add non-SRS courses.
See Year 12 Careers News on OLLE for further advice.
Thank you to the P&F for providing morning tea for World Teachers’ Day. We are fortunate to have such dedicated and talented staff, whose commitment makes our school a special place.
The OLLE Calendar serves as the best source of current information regarding events. We hope this list provides a useful snapshot of key dates in the Senior School for the upcoming fortnight. We recommend regularly checking the OLLE Calendar for the most up to date listings:
- Monday 2 November – Stage 5 Examinations Begin
- Thursday 5 November – Strings Concerts, 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm
- Thursday 5 November – Guitar, Drums and Bass Concert, 5.30pm–6.30pm
- Monday 9 November – Stage 4 Examinations Begin
- Thursday 12 November – Year 7 2027 Senior School Readiness Program – Day 1
- Thursday 12 November – Brass and Woodwind Concerts, 4.30pm and 5.30pm
- Friday 13 November – Year 7 2027 Senior School Readiness Program – Day 2
General School News
Term IV Music Academy Concerts
Due to overwhelming demand, all the Term IV Music Academy Concerts are now full and we cannot accept any more registrations. Our next concerts will be in Term II 2027, and information regarding registration will again be in the newsletter.
Calling all alumni from the Class of 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986, 1976 and 1966.
We are excited to welcome back the milestone reunion cohorts for the 2026 Back to TIGS Day.
Please feel free to share this event information with your peers to help ensure everyone in your cohort receives it.
Email events@tigs.nsw.edu.au for more information.
Either RSVP via your year group What’s App group or email the P&F: pandf@tigs.com.au
Parents and Carers of Year 4 students are invited to an End of Year Celebration.
Details: 7.00pm Saturday 14 November at Andie’s in Thirroul
Either RSVP via your year group What’s App group or email the P&F: pandf@tigs.com.au
Mrs Catherine Bargmann
Careers Advisor
We are inviting members of our school community to join our Year 10 Careers Summit on Tuesday 17 November, from 12.30pm to 3.00pm.
We are looking for people willing to share their career journey and speak informally with students about their experiences, insights and advice. We are particularly interested in hearing from those working in medicine, physiotherapy, psychology, veterinary science, technology, computer science and digital arts.
If you would like to get involved and help inspire our students as they explore future career pathways, please contact send me an email.
Student Voice
Recent Student News
Basketball News
Congratulations to our students selected for the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup: Indy Bradley, Kalani Chambers, Elijah Deacon, Grace Lane and Owen Olbourne.
Congratulations also to Indy, Kalani, Owen and Grace who were selected into the State Performance Program for 26/27.
NSW PSSA Athletics
Hudson Rayner cleared 1.55m in High Jump, recording the equal second highest jump of the competition and placing 7th overall on countback.
Nissi Adu-Amponsah gave an outstanding performance on the track, running personal best times and breaking the 13 second barrier in the 100m. She finished 9th in 100m and 8th in 200m.
Cara Serfontein finished 19th in Discus, throwing close to her personal best.
Junior CASA Cricket
Our Junior School cricket team enjoyed a day of competitive cricket at the CASA Gala Day under Mr Deck’s guidance. The team recorded one win and two narrow losses to finish second in their pool. They then advanced to the third-place play-off and won convincingly, scoring 2/61 before dismissing the opponent for just 22 runs to secure a well-deserved third place finish.
Regional Todd Woodbridge
All teams competed strongly, with Stage 2A finishing top of their pool and placing 5th overall, while Stage 2B finished 6th. Stage 3 rebounded from a tough opening match against the 2024 State Champions to win all remaining matches, finishing second overall and qualifying for the State Championships.
Wiburd Shield
In the Wiburd Shield, the Years 7-9 boys’ cricket team showed tremendous resilience to secure a 15-run victory and progress to the next round. After an early batting collapse, Max Serfontein (51), Jasper Vickers (26) and Marlow McQuestion (23) guided TIGS to 136. Outstanding bowling from Serfontein (3/12) and Max Taggart (2/13), supported by excellent fielding, restricted the opposition to 121.
Douglas Shield
In the Douglas Shield, for boys from Years 7-12, TIGS posted 122 after winning the toss and electing to bat. Beau Sergeant led the way with an impressive 63, while Harry McCrone (13) and Remy Rayment Shield (12) added valuable runs. Despite a determined effort in the field, the opponent chased down the target, with Harry the standout bowler, claiming 2/21.
U15 Boys’ 7s Rugby
Max Serfontein and Jenson Coughlin represented the Illawarra U15 Boys’ 7s Rugby Team at the NSW State Championships held in Mudgee . After being knocked out in the quarter finals, their team finished in 7th place out of 17 teams taking part. The Illawarra team finished as the top regional team in the competition.