Mrs Jessica Allard – Director of Teaching and Learning (Junior School)

Our teaching and learning is anchored in a knowledge-rich curriculum, one that prioritises the deliberate and coherent sequencing of essential content across subjects. This ensures students develop deep, lasting understanding rather than surface level familiarity. Our approach is grounded in explicit instruction, where concepts are introduced clearly and systematically, then reinforced through practice and application.

Teachers work collaboratively to analyse student data and shape personalised learning pathways, ensuring each child receives the right level of challenge and support. Because our educators know their students well – academically, socially and emotionally – they can respond with precision and care. The result is a learning environment that is both responsive and innovative, where every student is empowered to thrive.

Last month, I had the privilege of attending the 2025 AIS Curriculum Conference where educators and thought leaders from across the country explored the role of Generative AI in education. A recurring question was: What skills do students need in a world of constantly changing technology?  Dr Greenhalgh’s vision for Illawarra Grammar students is clear: they must be equipped not only with knowledge, but with the resilience, adaptability and integrity to navigate a yet unseen future. We look forward to continuing this important conversation and exploring how emerging technologies can enrich learning experiences while ensuring that human connection, empathy, and purpose remain at the heart of education.

It has also been a joy to work alongside our grade teams to develop programs of learning throughout the Junior School. The focus on explicit instruction remains central to our pedagogy. The introduction of new NESA syllabi has provided valuable opportunities to refine our programs over the year, with updates reflected in our Celebrations of Learning and student reports.

Mrs Tegan Dodge – Prep Coordinator

As we approach the end of another wonderful term, we are thrilled to welcome all the new families joining our community in 2026. With Prep now officially full for next year, it’s fantastic to see so many eager young learners ready to begin their school journey!

The past few months have been full of excitement and growth. Mrs Kylie Cook, Early Stage 1 Coordinator, has begun her visits to the Prep rooms, as an important part of the ‘Kindergarten Readiness Program’, spending time getting to know the children who will be transitioning into Junior School. It’s such a privilege to watch these early connections form,  giving our students the chance to build confidence, familiarity and a sense of belonging well before their big move.

Looking ahead, Term IV will bring even more excitement as we commence our much-anticipated Kindergarten Readiness Days. These special sessions are a highlight for both children and families, helping everyone feel comfortable, connected, and ready for the adventure of school life. 

We can’t wait to share more moments with you as we continue this exciting journey together!

Mrs Kylie Dribbus – Junior School Coordinator of PDHPE and Sport

On Friday, 5 September, 21 Junior students proudly represented The Illawarra Grammar School at the NSWCIS Athletics Championships, held at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre. Competing against athletes from independent schools across NSW, our students demonstrated determination, teamwork, and outstanding school spirit throughout the day.

The track events generated plenty of excitement, with sprint and relay races creating an electric atmosphere, and the middle-distance events showcasing grit, strategy, and endurance. A highlight was the Senior Girls’ relay team (Rayna Chieng, Ava Leung, Kirra Oxman, and Nissi Adu-Amponsah), who combined speed with seamless baton exchanges to secure second place in an impressive 53.82 seconds, qualifying for the State Championships. The Senior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ relay teams also recorded notable improvements on their qualifying times and positions.

In the field events, several athletes achieved personal bests, with Hudson Rayner clearing 1.43m in the high jump to win silver and earn a spot at the NSW PSSA Championships. On the track, Ava Leung and Nissi Adu-Amponsah both took bronze in the 100m and 200m sprints.

What stood out most, however, was how our students supported each other, celebrated every success, and embodied the values of TIGS. Their determination, encouragement, and camaraderie contributed to our best-ever CIS results — an achievement for the entire team.

Congratulations to all our athletes on their incredible efforts and achievements!

Team results:

Nissi Adu-Amponsah – 3^rd 11 Years 100m, 3^rd 200m, Discus, 18^th Discus, 2^nd Senior Relay

Marc Bechara – 7^th Senior Relay

Eleanor Buttfield – Junior Relay

Rayna Chieng – 19^th 12 years 100m, 21^st Shot Put, 2^nd Senior Relay

Ryan Connolly – 19^th 12 years 800m

Marc Bechara – 7^th Senior Relay

Leo Gao- 15^th 12 Years Long Jump, 7^th Senior Relay

Jonty Greenhalgh 4^th 11 years 800m, 11^th 200m 7^th Senior Relay

Holly Horky – 25^th 10 years 100m, Junior Relay

Isaac Hyland – 21^st 8 years 100m

Ava Leung – 3^rd 12 Years 100m, 3^rd 200m, 2^nd Senior Relay

Iris Nicolaides – 7^th 9 Years 100m, Junior Relay

Kirra Oxman – 9^th 12 years 100m, 9^th Shot Put ,2^nd Senior Relay

Raphel Phelan – 13^th 10 years High Jump

Hudson Rayner – 2^nd 11 Years High Jump, 24^th Shot Put

Yuxuan Ren – Junior Relay

Annabelle Roser – 20^th 10 years Discus, 16^th High Jump

Thomas Silins – 17^th 12 Years 100m, 14^th Shot Put, 12^th Discus, 7^th Senior Relay

Bronte Vermey – 20^th 12 years 800m

As we approach the end of term, we kindly ask families to remind their children to check the lost property for any missing items. A growing number of uniform pieces are accumulating, many without labels, which makes it difficult to return them to their owners.

With Term IV and the transition to Summer uniform just around the corner, please ensure your child’s belongings are clearly labelled and that they take responsibility for their items each day.

Please note: Unlabelled and unclaimed items will be donated to the Second Hand Uniform Shop at the end of term.

Your child’s OLLE year group page will be updated during the holidays in readiness for Term IV  Important details and dates will be noted.  Please be sure to view this prior to the commencement of the term. 

Rena Hamut and Charlee Ducat (Year 11)

Soon, the Class of 2025 will graduate and prepare for the exams they have been building up to – the HSC. As they prepare for their final examinations and life beyond school, some of our teachers have shared some reflections and encouragements to inspire and guide the Year 12 cohort toward their final stretch. 

Dr McKenzie

The Year 12 Trivia Night was a very special event that epitomised the spirit, teamwork and cohesion of our group. It was a fantastic night of fun, laughter and dress-ups in our “Western” gear. It was fantastic to see everyone getting involved from catering, decorations, selling tickets, serving tables and hosting the evening. We worked together as a team and supported each other, which has been the spirit of the group throughout their time together. It is with this fun, enthusiasm and gusto that I encourage them to embrace their new ‘after-school life’.

Mr Toombs

To quote Simon Sinek: “Most of us live our lives by accident, we live it as it happens, fulfilment comes when we live our lives on purpose.” My message to the Year 12 cohort is to always remember to live your life with purpose. 

Mr Wilson

Choose (not “find”) a passion and commit fully to it for a period, be it weeks, months, years or even longer. Whatever the outcome, the process of investing in a career, cause, hobby or other interest is how you will continue to learn and grow, and feel enriched and empowered, throughout your adult life.

Mr Southcombe

I’m proud of how you’ve grown and what you’ve achieved together. Life will keep sending ants and bluebottles your way, but you already know how to endure them. Step forward with courage, lead with compassion, and never forget the strength you’ve found in yourselves and each other.

Mr Unwin

To quote Conan O’Brien: “If you work really hard, and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”

Mr Davis

The Class of 2025 are a wonderful year group. They are considerate, kind and hardworking. In just a few months time, you will see the fruits of all of your hard work.

Mrs Woolnough

I want my Year 12 class to remember: Don’t be sorry, just be better 🙂 Don’t worry about the process – you are peaking at just the right time. 

Mr Gardiner

This year’s Year 12s are a really lovely group of students who are cohesive. They are laidback but are aware when to get serious. 

As the Class of 2025 prepares their farewells, remember to carry your teachers’ wisdom and advice, and remember we are all right behind you. You’ve got this!

Grace Russo (Year 11)

On Saturday 16 August, I had the privilege of attending the ‘Pass the Baton: Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of WWII’ event at the NSW Teachers Federation Auditorium in Surry Hills, representing both Illawarra Grammar and the New South Wales School of Languages in my role as Language Ambassador.

Hosted by the Japan Club of Sydney, the event brought together historians, educators and peace advocates to reflect on one of the most defining and tragic moments in modern history: the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This year holds particular significance as it marks eighty years since Japan’s surrender and the end of the Second World War.

A particularly moving part of the event was the live testimony of Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) from Hiroshima. Being only 8 years old when the bomb was dropped on her city on 6 August 1945, she described the devastation and suffering that followed, claiming an estimated 140,000 lives by the end 1945 and thousands more in the years after due to the effects of radiation.

Despite the unimaginable tragedy she endured, Keiko has dedicated her life to sharing her experience. Her story revealed the devastating cost of war, yet it also carried a powerful message of hope, resilience and reconciliation.

The event reinforced the vital role of young people in passing on the lessons of history, ensuring that the experiences of conflict continue to guide them toward a more peaceful future.

A big thank you to Mr Unwin for his assistance in making my attendance at this event possible.

Caitlin Mitchell (Year 8)

In the first week of September, Year 8 set off on a two-and-a-half-hour bus trip to Colo River for Year Camp. Our year group was divided into the four mentor houses. Over the three days, each group was given challenges to complete, including:

• Keeping a raw egg alive for the whole camp
• Creating and performing a house song to present at the end of camp

Not every house succeeded in every challenge. Coligan triumphed in the Egg Challenge with a clever strategy and a designated egg handler. Other houses were not so fortunate. Wolgals’ egg was accidentally smashed on the second day, while Aranda’s egg was sabotaged by a rival house. Kogara, however, managed to keep theirs intact until the end.

The House Song Competition was another highlight. Kogara won through strong teamwork and collaboration. Wolgal’s song impressed with teacher-written lyrics, Coligan’s attempt remained only half-finished, and Aranda brought plenty of energy with a humorous Chewbacca-inspired chant around their camp leader.

Throughout the activities, all groups demonstrated perseverance, teamwork and courage. The program included canoeing, abseiling, initiatives, archery, bushwalking, disc golf and the mud run.

In canoeing, students paddled an exhausting 6–7 km stretch of river, which tested their endurance and teamwork. Sore arms and the risk of capsizing pushed everyone to their limits. Groups raced each other for prizes, with the most valued being exemption from dishwashing duty that night.

Abseiling allowed many students to confront real fears. Descending the cliff face pushed them out of their comfort zones, but support from peers created a safe space for achievement and personal growth.

The initiatives encouraged problem-solving and creativity. Tasks included transporting water to fill a pipe and unlock a padlock for a sweet prize. These challenges allowed each person’s unique strengths and personality to shine.

Archery introduced students to a new skill. After learning the basics, groups competed for the title of best archer, and the winner earned a well-deserved reward.

The bushwalk was by far one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of camp. Each group hiked approximately 4 km through beautiful bushland to reach the site. The breathtaking view from the top of the cliff, with the Colo River stretching below, stood out as an unforgettable highlight.

Overall, the camp was filled with challenge, growth and fun, reminding us of the importance of teamwork and resilience.

A big thank you went to Mrs Egan, Mr Lichi and our Mentors for making this unforgettable experience possible.

Joanna Miller (Year 7)

On Monday 25 August, Year 7 had the incredible opportunity to experience a day not soon to be forgotten. Filled with creative problem-solving challenges designed to push us to the limits of our mathematical abilities, the Inquisitive Minds incursion was a fantastic way for our year group to be challenged and discover that maths can be far more fun than we might have expected.

As someone who already enjoys maths, I thoroughly appreciated the questions that required me to think outside the box and develop creative solutions. The day was divided into three sessions: morning, midday and afternoon. Working in groups of two or three, we competed for sweet prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement.

The morning session focused on interactive teaching, during which the Inquisitive Minds staff introduced us to problem-solving strategies different from those we had encountered before. It set the stage for the more challenging activities to come.

The second session was competitive, featuring problems of varying difficulty, each worth a certain number of points. The harder the problem, the more points you earned, increasing your chances of winning. Teachers also introduced a chocolate game, where answering specific questions could earn your team Freddos.

The final session was the most creative and my favourite part of the day. Using Jenga-like wooden blocks, our groups faced a series of tasks, including building the tallest towers, designing the best characters, creating the most innovative and complex structures, and constructing the longest bridges. My group of three were fortunate to win the ‘best character’ competition with our version of Albert Einstein, complete with E=MC² on the base. We also thoroughly enjoyed making bridges, holding the winning score for much of the allotted time before being narrowly surpassed.

At the end of the day, the winners from each group were announced, with champions receiving large bars of chocolate, a well-deserved prize.

Thank you to the amazing staff from Inquisitive Minds and Illawarra Grammar. Everyone went home having learned more about problem-solving, pushing themselves, or simply how fun maths can be!

For any Year 6 students moving into Year 7 at Illawarra Grammar next year, be prepared to challenge yourself and discover just how enjoyable maths can be!

Special thanks to Mr Tome, Dr Greenhalgh and Mr Hackett for making this experience possible.