Uniform Shop Update
As has been mentioned in previous newsletters, the Uniform Shop will return on-site in July and will be run by our new supplier, Focus Uniforms. The Uniform Shop will be located on the ground level of the Bosanquet Building, with access close to the Western Ave carpark and the Second-Hand Uniform Shop. I sincerely hope that parents find this location to be more convenient than the current arrangements.
The Perm-A-Pleat store in Dapto will continue selling our uniform until Saturday 20 June. Please note that they have advised they will operate during slightly reduced hours from 2 June until 20 June. Please check the OLLE uniform page for exact hours.
While the uniform stocktake and handover are occurring, there will be no uniform sales from Saturday 20 June until Thursday 16 July. Because students will remain in winter uniform in Term III, we hope this will not cause too much inconvenience.
The new on-site store will open in the last week of the winter holidays, with trade commencing on Thursday 16 July. The trading hours will be:
Term Time
- Tuesday: 8.00am – 4.00pm
- Thursday: 8.00am – 4.00pm
- + First day of each term (if outside usual trading hours)
School holiday trading hours will differ and will be advised in the final newsletter of each term, as well as updated on the OLLE uniform page.
Focus will have a booking system – the link will be added to OLLE closer to the opening of the new Uniform Shop. Bookings are preferred and prioritised; however, walk-ins are also welcomed, of course.
New Uniform
Parents may recall that, in 2025 and in response to some concerns from parents, feedback was collected from our school community about the current uniform. I found it very helpful to gather, firsthand, the comments from parents and students about the cost, quality, texture, longevity and appearance of our uniform.
Once our new supplier had been locked into place at the end of last year, senior staff then met with Focus Uniforms to discuss the design of our uniform. This company took on board the feedback and was able to find a fabric that suited our requirements, and this fast-tracked the process.
I am pleased to be able to show the images below of the new uniform, with four important pieces of information:
- The new uniform will be on sale during Term IV for wearing from the start of 2027
- There will be a three-year transition period to minimise uniform expenses for families – that is, students may wear either the current uniform or the new uniform (but no mix and match, please)
- The Uniform Shop (and the Second Hand Uniform Shop) will continue to sell pieces of the current uniform until stocks are depleted
- There will be no summer and winter uniform. Rather, it will be an Illawarra Grammar wardrobe, and students can choose which items they would like to wear on any one day.
We have created this fact sheet which explains the uniform transition process further.
Please note, Pre-K 2027 students will wear the Junior School sports uniform, the design of which is yet to be finalised; it will be available for purchase from Term IV. Pre-Preps transitioning to Pre-K may continue wearing their current Prep uniform next year if they wish.
I hope you like the new uniform as much as we do.
Podium Program
Up until the end of Term I this year, the Podium Program was overseen by Head Coach, Mr Matt Brown. Following Mr Brown’s departure from the School, the School advertised for his replacement. An appointment has been made, and I will be pleased to announce the new Director of Podium at the beginning of Term III; he will begin in the role from the beginning of Term IV.
In the meantime, the Podium Program and Podium students will be cared for by Mr Darren Gardiner. Mr Gardiner is a member of the Health Sciences team at the School, a passionate sportsman, and a popular and well-known teacher. A new Podium Office has been established in the Library, and students are able to find Mr Gardiner there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
TIGS Talk Recording
Thank you to the parents who joined us for our inaugural TIGS Talk on Monday evening. Hosted by the P&F, the session featured Dr Mark Williams on the topic of raising screen-smart children.
We are pleased to make the recording available of his presentation, which you can view here.
Junior School News
Head of Junior School
From 27 May to 3 June, our School community recognised National Reconciliation Week, a time to reflect on Australia’s shared history and consider how we can work together towards a respectful and united future. The Illawarra Grammar School is located on Dharawal Country and we acknowledge them as the original custodians of this land.
Throughout the week, our Year 6 student leaders visited classrooms to talk with students about what Reconciliation Week means. The theme for 2026, “All In,” highlights that reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility. It reminds us that meaningful change happens when we all play a part through our actions and attitudes.
Throughout the year, we will continue to build on this learning, encouraging students to develop understanding, show respect, and take meaningful action as part of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
Senior School News
Head of Senior School
The Senior School Athletics Carnival at the Kerryn McCann Athletics Track, Beaton Park this week was a highly successful and positive event. Participation rates were outstanding, with students across all year groups contributing with enthusiasm, whether competing or supporting their peers from the sidelines.
It was stirring to see so many students representing their Houses with pride. It was particularly pleasing to see all students involved, embracing both competition and participation with energy and sportsmanship.
A highlight of the carnival was the leadership and initiative shown by our senior students, with both Year 10 and Year 12 cohorts raising significant funds for charity. We look forward to announcing the winning House at next week’s Assembly.
Days like this highlight the importance of engaging fully in school life beyond the classroom. It is through participation in shared experiences that students build confidence, develop character and form the connections that underpin a genuine sense of belonging.
Mr Chris Breheny, Head of Academics
This term, students will receive their Half Yearly Reports, which provide a valuable snapshot of their academic progress so far this year. These reports are designed to offer meaningful insights into each student’s current achievements, highlight areas presenting the greatest opportunities for growth, and reflect their broader contribution to the life of the School.
At Illawarra Grammar, we believe that reporting is not merely a record of past performance, but an important part of the learning process. Reports help students develop self-awareness and agency by identifying their strengths and areas for improvement. For families, they serve as a platform for meaningful conversations about learning, study habits, and personal goals. Importantly, they also enable teachers to continue shaping instruction and support based on each student’s evolving learning needs.
Please note that Half Yearly Reports will be accessible at 5.00pm on OLLE on the following dates:
- Year 11 – Friday, 22 May
- Year 10 – Friday, 29 May
- Year 7 – Friday, 5 June
- Year 9 – Friday, 12 June
- Year 8 – Monday, 22 June
To access reports via OLLE, please follow the steps below:
- Log in to OLLE via the TIGS Portal under the Parent tab.
- In the My Students section, click the three dots next to your child’s name and select Academic Reports.
- Alternatively, click on your child’s name and then select the Academic Reports button.
These reports will frame the conversations at Parent Teacher Interviews. Should you have any further questions about your child’s progress after Parent Teacher Interviews, please do not hesitate to follow up through the relevant Dean.
Parent Teacher Interviews
A reminder that Parent Teacher Interviews will be held in the Goodhew Library from 3.30pm – 7.00pm on the following dates:
- Year 7 – Tuesday, 9 June
- Year 9 – Tuesday, 16 June
- Year 8 – Tuesday, 21 July
Parents/guardians of students in Years 7 – 10 will have the option of selecting either 5 minute or 10 minute appointments. Students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parents/guardians and are expected to wear full school uniform.
You will receive an email from the School approximately two weeks prior to your relevant session/s with your unique login details. Once this has been received, you will be required to follow the following steps to login to the booking system:
- Log in to the TIGS Portal https://portal.tigs.nsw.edu.au/
- Click on the Booked Icon
- Click the Senior School Booked Icon
- Enter unique login details from the email
Please note that the system will be accessible from 5pm on the day the email is sent until 10am on the day of the Parent Teacher Interview evening.
You will be guided through the remaining steps after login. Please note the following points:
- Bookings are made for individual parents/guardians, not for couples. If two parents/guardians wish to attend a single timeslot, one parent/guardian should make the booking, and both parents can attend that timeslot.
- Booked prevents double-booking of teachers or parents/guardians. You will only see timeslots that are available.
- Please ensure that you confirm your bookings by clicking on the green plus ( + ) sign to the right of the time selection window.
- Once you have made your bookings, you can print the details.
- You can log in and change bookings any time up to 10am on the day of the interviews.
- If you see this symbol ( ! ) displayed alongside the class name, it means this teacher recommends that you book an interview.
- Other parents may be making bookings while you are using the system. It is possible, though unlikely, that a timeslot is displayed to you as available but is then booked by another parent. If you attempt to book this time slot, it will not be available and a message will be displayed to indicate this.
If you are unable to attend your evening/s or find suitable timeslots, please contact the School to arrange an alternative time to speak with your child’s teacher/s.
Mrs Gillian Hetherington, Director of Cocurricular Programs
Art Club has been a new addition to our cocurricular offerings in 2026. Running on Thursday afternoons, students have the opportunity to develop their artmaking skills alongside other students with similar interests.
During Term I, the focus was on Still Life in a variety of forms using a variety of mediums such as ink, charcoal, pastels and finally paint on canvas. During Term II, students have been using papier mache to make props for the upcoming Wizard of Oz production. Term III will have a focus on clay and pottery.
Information on Art Club for Term III is available on the OLLE Cocurricular page.
Mrs Gillian Hetherington, Director of Cocurricular Programs
The Cocurricular Calendar for Term III will be published and available on the OLLE Cocurricular page in the coming weeks. Students wanting to sign up for any activity in Term III should listen for announcements at Assembly, look out for advice in Daily Notices and look for the Cocurricular Calendar on OLLE.
Mrs Gillian Hetherington, Director of Cocurricular Programs
| Year Group | Venue | Dates |
| 10 | Vietnam | Sunday 21 June – Tuesday 30 June |
| 10 | Back Country Snow Program | Sunday 21 June – Friday 26 June |
| 10 | Mini Adventures Week | Monday 22 June – Friday 26 June |
| 8 | Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre | Wed 29 July – Friday 31 July |
| 9 | Blue Mountains | Tuesday 15 September – Friday 18 September |
Mrs Catherine Bargmann, Careers Advisor
The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) has recently advised that universities will be operating under new government policy and funding arrangements in 2026. As a result, institutions will need to carefully manage allocated student places and enrolment limits, which may influence how offers are made across the admission rounds.
In this context, it is more important than ever for students to take the time to thoroughly research their course options and make informed, considered decisions when setting their UAC preferences.
Parents and students should note the following key dates and considerations:
The main ATAR-based offer round will be released on 23 December, and fewer places are expected to be available in subsequent rounds.
- The Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) main offer round will take place on 12 November, providing an important early opportunity for eligible students
- Students applying for medicine will continue to receive offers in January Round 1 (8 January); however, it is essential that these students also include strong alternative course options in their preferences
- Students must finalise their preferences by 18 December to be considered in the first ATAR-based offer round.
We strongly encourage families to support students in developing a well-balanced preference list, including aspirational, realistic, and backup options.
For a full list of key dates and further guidance, please visit the UAC website: https://www.uac.edu.au/key-dates
General School News