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From the
Principal’s Desk

Dr Julie Greenhalgh
BSc. BAppSc. DipEd. DipMgt. MEd. EdD

The HSC Works

One of the joys of Term III is seeing the HSC major works of our Year 12 students. At Illawarra Grammar, our display took place last Thursday evening.

Over the years, I have attended many such evenings, and I think it is true to say that I have never attended a more wonderful HSC Major Works Evening. All the works – from the Society and Culture projects to the timber works, from the music repertoire to the art work – were outstanding. Many staff members and their respective departments were involved in the projects, and I know that the students are very grateful for the expert assistance of their teachers. The marking of these works by the HSC examiners is taking place over the next few weeks.

Respectful Behaviour

I know that the need for more respectful behaviour in our community has been a feature of the NSW media over the past week or so. Consequently, I thought I would inform parents of the measures that we take at the School to teach, and enforce, respectful behaviour at school.

Respectful Behaviour is a topic that is addressed in our curriculum across the primary and secondary years. Age-appropriate behaviours and topics are discussed, ranging from the importance of good manners for our youngest students right through to consent for our older students.

Importantly, these lessons are often reinforced with guest speakers or additional resources. For example, Year 9 recently held a day-long and well-received workshop addressing the issue of Respectful Relationships with the assistance of two widely-regarded presenters. Similarly, I spoke in Assembly this week to the Senior School about the influence of friends, highlighting the impact that they can have on one’s choice of appropriate and respectful behaviour. This is an important (and timely) topic as any behaviour that denegrades women, or any members of our school community, is unacceptable at this school.

Educators know that the most powerful behaviours are the ones that are modelled. For this reason, at Illawarra Grammar we:

– Insist on high standards of behaviour
– Practise taking turns
– Refer to adults by their full names
– Employ capable women into senior roles
– Encourage a culturally-diverse community
– Personalise and value individual academic pathways

amongst many other equally-powerful strategies.

Of course, the teaching of respectful relationships at school is much more effective if reinforced at home. My sincere thanks to the parents who ensure that sisters are treated equally, that women are respected, that strong filters are placed on home devices to restrict pornographic images, and that language at home is devoid of innuendo or slur.

Together, we can produce upright and respectful citizens.

The Use of Student Images

Thank you to the parents who attended the recent P&F meeting and who contributed to the discussion about the use of student images.

From 2027, the School will be using an active, yearly opt-in system for the use of student images in external publications such as marketing and social media. Thank you to the parents who acknowledged the increase in the workload that an opt-in approach entails; nonetheless, we think that this is an important precaution for the School to adopt. Internal publications such as the Year Book will maintain its current opt-out approach.

This opt-in permission change was previously communicated in a newsletter as taking place in Term IV. It will now be implemented in Term I 2027. If you have any concerns in the meantime or would like to update your child’s photo permissions, please email enrolments@tigs.nsw.edu.au for assistance.

Mrs Deacon, our Director of Marketing, and I are also looking at other strategies to help ensure the safety of our students. I will keep parents informed of these strategies as they are finalised.

Father’s Day

Thank you to the P&F for organising special Father’s Day events across the School this week, and thank you to all the fathers and children who supported these events. I wish all fathers and father-figures a Happy Father’s Day for Sunday.

Deputy Principal

Rev James Rogers
Deputy Principal
Year 12 Exit Survey

Junior School News

Mrs Jessica Ford
Head of Junior School
Strengths of a P-12 School
P&F Thanks
Book Week
Junior School Music Showcase
School Production
Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee

Senior School News

Mr Paul Vickers
Head of Senior School

Senior School students have recently voted on their student leaders for 2027. 

Earlier in the term, more than 30% of Year 11 students applied for Prefect positions for 2027, while nearly 40% of Year 10 students nominated for the various Captain roles available in Year 11 next year. These numbers reflect a positive school culture. They demonstrate a student body that is invested in its community and passionate about school life.  

This weekend, we celebrate Father’s Day and the important role fathers and positive male role models play in the lives of children and young people. Long before students apply for leadership positions, they learn about character, compassion and service from the adults who guide and encourage them each day. 

In assembly this week, Head Prefect Robbie Lavelle quoted leadership author John Maxwell: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Our students first encounter these lessons at home. On Father’s Day, we give thanks for the many dads and male role models in our community who care deeply about their children and their education. Your encouragement, guidance and example help shape the young people we are privileged to teach. 

CASA Athletics Carnival
Year 12 Careers News

General School News

TIGS Talk Next Week
Second-Hand Uniform Shop Donations
Parent Volunteers
2027 Production Announcement
Term IV Music Academy Concerts

Dates For Your Diary

7 September

TIGS Talk: AI Boom or Doom?
The Illawarra Grammar School
6.00pm – 7.30pm
View Event

14 September

Dance Showcase
IGC
5.00pm – 6.30pm

23 September

Year 12 Graduation Day Assembly
IGC
9:00am – 11:00am

25 September

Term III Concludes


Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25

Last Thursday evening, The Works showcased the remarkable creativity of our Year 12 students as they prepare for the HSC. Across design, drama, woodwork, visual arts and music, there was not only skill, but conceptual depth and beauty. It left me reflecting on a question we explored in Senior Chapel: what makes a life beautiful? Beauty is more than what is polished or impressive. The deepest beauty can hold the weight of truth, deep brokenness and love. Jesus describes such a life in striking terms: “Whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25). A beautiful life is not one protected from every cost, but one learning to give itself away in love, following the One who first gave himself for us.

Rev Dave Binggeli
Chaplain

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