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From the
Principal’s Desk

Dr Julie Greenhalgh
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

Ms Geneva Clayton
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.

Responsible Use of ICT – Online Safety Basics
Tournament of Minds
School Production – Junior School Involvement
Years 3-4 and Years 5-6 Camps
Year 6 Showcase of Learning
Community Connections

Senior School News

Mr Nick Hackett
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.

Years 10 and 11 Leadership Induction Ceremony
Year 12 Graduation and Valete Dinner Invitation
Year 9 and 11 Drama Showcase

General School News

Building Project Launch Event
Instrumental Concerts
School Holiday Uniform Shop Hours

Dates For Your Diary

20 September

Hoskins Building Launch Event
M Block, Top Level
5.30pm – 7.00pm

25 September

Year 12 Graduation
IGC
9.00am

26 September

Year 6 Showcase of Learning
IGC
4.00pm-6.00pm

22 October

Leadership Induction Ceremony
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.

Rev Dave Binggeli
Chaplain

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