Welcome Back
A very warm welcome is extended to our new families who have joined us this term. It is our sincere wish that you soon feel part of this wonderful school community.
We also welcome back the following teachers who have had various amounts of long service leave over the past term – Mr Unwin, Mr Parsons and Mr Murray.
We also extend a warm welcome to:
- Ms Pye who is covering Mr Carroll’s class while he is on long-service leave this term
- Mrs Serfontein who is covering Mrs Toland’s classes while she is on long-service leave at the start of this term
- Mrs Cooper who will be covering Mrs Gallina’s class when she commences her maternity leave later this term.
End of Term II
Term II finished with an enthusiastic walkathon for our Junior School students. It was a day of colour and fun, with the funds – over $23,000 – going towards the new Year 6 playground on the southern side of the Hoskins Building. Many thanks to all the parents who donated for this cause, and who participated in the excitement of the day. Sincere thanks to the P &F for supporting the School in this important way.
And, of course, we cannot refer to the end of Term II without mentioning the Production, The Wizard of Oz. It was a magnificent performance, much enjoyed by each of the four capacity audiences. All aspects of the show – the acting, the sets, the costumes, the choreography, the live music and much more – were wonderful. Our Production is an annual highlight of our school calendar, so huge thanks are extended to all the parents who supported the rehearsals and who attended the performances. Photos can be viewed on OLLE.
Activities Over the Holidays
As is always the case, there were several school-based activities that took place for our students over the holiday break. Our Year 10 students returned safely from their service trip to Vietnam with many wonderful stories to tell; our Year 11 students also made a wonderful contribution of service to our friends in the Nganambala community in the Northern Territory. Many revision lessons were held for our Year 12 students, and many senior students availed themselves of the space and quietness of the Goodhew Library for private study.
Our Property staff were also busy over the holidays. The Activity Centre has been painted and continues to be prepared in readiness for use from the beginning of 2027. The Pergola adjoining the Hoskins Building and the Year 12 Centre has also been constructed, along with the paved path leading into the Hoskins Building.
The staff from Focus Uniforms have also been at the School over the holidays setting up the new Uniform Shop. It was a relief to be able to open this new Shop for the convenience of our families at the end of the holidays, and to hear parents’ appreciation of the new location on the ground floor of the Bosanquet Building.
New Director of the Podium Program
I am pleased to announce that our new Director of the Podium Program is Mr Keiran Wallace; he will be commencing at Illawarra Grammar in Term IV.
Mr Wallace joins us from Nowra Anglican College where he has served as the Head of Sport and Sports Academy. His career in independent school leadership spans both athletic and academic domains, including roles as Head of Geography at St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill, Assistant Master in Charge of Rugby at SHORE, and Acting Director of Studies and Head of Social Sciences. This rich background reflects Mr Wallace’s deep commitment to holistic student development, ensuring that athletic pursuit and academic excellence go hand in hand.
An exceptionally-accomplished coach, Mr Wallace’s achievements on the national stage are testament to his leadership and strategic vision. Most recently, he has served as the Head Coach of the NSW 1st XV Schoolboys team, guiding them to victory at the Australian Schoolboys Championship held in July 2026, marking his second national title in three years. (A photo of Mr Wallace is below). In 2024, Mr Wallace coached the NSW 2nd XV to a historic national championship, a remarkable feat achieved only four times in the 52-year history of the tournament, before leading them to a runner-up finish in 2025. Keiran’s extensive coaching resume also includes work with the GPS Presidents XV, the Australian Maccabi Rugby team at the 2017 Maccabiah Games in Israel, and his current role with Southern Districts in the Shute Shield, as well as many other representative sides. He also holds a Level 3 coaching qualification.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr Wallace and his wife are raising their two young sons in beautiful Gerringong. When he is away from school and the rugby field, Mr Wallace enjoys spending his time on the golf course or in the ocean.
We warmly welcome Mr Wallace to this important role at our School.
Junior School News
Head of Junior School
I trust you have enjoyed a change of pace over the past few weeks and that your children have appreciated a break from school. One of the holiday activities I enjoyed with my family was a trip to the movies to see Toy Story 5. The storyline explored a very contemporary challenge: technology competing with childhood. In the film, an iPad becomes the focus of a child’s attention, drawing them away from play and friendships. It prompted me to reflect on the challenges of parenting in today’s world. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, has written extensively about the impact of technology on children’s development and wellbeing. More recently, he has discussed the important role schools can play in supporting families to navigate an increasingly digital world.
As a school, we are committed to engaging with current research and expert voices in this area. Last term, we welcomed Dr Mark Williams to speak with our parent community about technology, the brain and developing healthy digital habits. As a Junior School, we are constantly refining and thinking about our use of technology and its purpose. As part of this ongoing commitment, we have slightly shifted our approach to homework, as explained below.
Senior School News
Head of Senior School
The beginning of Semester 2 offers students something valuable: a chance to reset, refocus, and recommit to their goals.
With one semester behind them, students now have a clearer understanding of their strengths, challenges and aspirations. This makes the start of a new term an ideal time to set meaningful goals for the remainder of the year and, importantly, to develop practical plans to achieve them.
Success rarely happens by accident. Whether the goal is academic improvement, greater involvement in school life, stronger friendships, fitness improvements or sporting achievement, progress is built through consistent habits and purposeful action. Small steps, taken regularly, often lead to significant outcomes.
Parents can play an important role by encouraging conversations about goals and helping students identify the actions they can take each day and each week to move closer to them.
At Illawarra Grammar, we want every student to flourish through a strong sense of belonging, the development of character, and the pursuit of personal excellence. As Semester 2 begins, I encourage all students to approach the months ahead with clarity of purpose, determination and optimism. The end of the year will arrive sooner than we think, and the choices made now can make all the difference.
General School News