30 November 2012 - International Grammar School

2...Continued from page 1concept; that what it looked like was far from certificates and prizes. Survival forsome is a personal achievement – and this is an understanding that comes from“Being a local school with a global perspective”.So at this time of year, I think it’s always good to see personal achievement on acontinuum of visibility and relativity: recognising and celebrating the moreillustrious achievements of self and others while equally taking a moment toreflect on the other faces of personal achievement.My warmest season’s greetings to you and your loved ones.Michael ManiskaPrincipalTop left: Gura House students package up donations for their ONE charity—theSalvation Army.At left: Former student Bronte Ellis (2010) and current Year 12’s Zoia Olubus receivetwo of the four inaugural Co-curricular Honours Board Awards for extensiveparticipation in Co-curricular activities. Year 12’s Caitlin Bickerton and Rowan Learwere also honoured in their absence.Staff farewells and acknowledgementsI would like to thank the following members of staff who leave IGS at the end of the year: Ms Anne Moss retires after eleven years of loyal service to IGS, widely known and recognised as our coordinator ofEnrichment in the primary years Ms Beatriz Ponte, Design and Technology teacher Ms Mala Naidoo leaves us after a very successful year as Assistant Head of English.The following colleagues leave us after completion of their short-term contracts: Ms Stefania Paoletti, primary languages teacher for the last two years. Ms Erin Nicholls, history teacher for 2012. Ms Fiona Ward, Science teacher for 2012. Ms Elizabeth White, French teacher for Semester 2. Mr Dean Mackrell, Mathematics teacher for Term 4.The following colleagues are remaining at IGS in 2013, but complete a period in a leadership role. I would like to thank themand acknowledge their contribution: Mr Stuart Daly, who has been Head of Baado house since 2010. Mr Maky Tsomis, who has been Acting Head of HSIE in 2012 while Mr David Miller has been on leave.Congratulations to the following teachers who have successfully completed their first year of teaching in what is anincreasingly-demanding career: Emily Ross – Primary Luke Naivasha – HSIE Julian Kennard – Drama.Finally, Ms Elspeth Windeyer will be on leave in 2013.Details of new staff in 2013 will appear in the first In Focus for 2013.Michael ManiskaTerm 4, No. 8 - 30 November 2012

3LANGUAGES LINESPolyglot is here! The Polyglot magazine has now been distributed tothe school community. The stylish magazine is the culmination ofseveral monthswork—coordinatedby Holly Howe (Year11) and Harry Baker(Year 10) and withcontributions frommany studentsacross the wholeschool andassistance from staffand parents. Polyglot is also posted on IGS’s website’s homepage in flip bookmode. Bravo everyone! Enjoy!SPORTING NEWSIGS teams in touch with Gala DayIn picture-perfect Sydney sunshine, IGS travelled to Queens park toparticipate in the annual CDSSA Touch Football Gala Day. Doggeddefence and flashy footwork were on show as the IGS senior boyscame out firing with a win first up against the resplendentMcDonald College. Fortunes turned in the next game with a 3-1loss to Moriah College. They needed to bounce back and they didwith Heritage and Emmanuel proving no match for the resurgentregiment as they qualified for the final against new-found foesMoriah. In the showpiece match of the tournament IGS let in anearly touchdown but through well executed play IGS levelled through Year 10’s Oscar Read, bringing the crowd to their feet.With two minutes to go, Moriah created an overlap and scored and IGS, with time the enemy, couldn't force golden pointand went down valiantly. Special mention to CIS touch players NoahArmesto and Callum Hawkins who were outstanding as well as PaytonEllis who proved to be the find of the day and played exceptionally.Liam RoweSenior Boys CoachIn the Senior Girlscompetition, the talentedYear 10 cohort steppedup to the plate, filling allavailable spots in theteam. The girls showedgreat improvementthroughout the day andfinished the afternoonwith three loses and a draw. Particular mention to Matilda Wunsch and ElodieHennessy-Trumphe who displayed a high level of skill and fitness throughoutthe tournament. In the junior girls division, a youthful Year 7 team madeoutstanding progress. After finishing in the top four at the end of the roundgames, the girls narrowly missed out on a grand final berth. They lost theirsemi-final to Moriah 3-4 who scored their final try right on the buzzer. All the Junior Girls are to be commended as they wereoften up against teams two years older than them. They finished a commendable 4 th on the day and will certainly be a forceto be reckoned with next year.The Junior Boys competition saw a tough field of competition. Captain Ringo Taylor rose to the challenge and is commendedfor his leadership and commitment on the day. He not only played magnificently but ensured all players understood their rolein each game. Justin Markovic was another ‘stand out’ with Nicholas Walker also to be congratulated for this enthusiasm,passion and drive.Brian DowntonHead of Sport and Outdoor EducationTerm 4, No. 8 - 30 November 2012Pictured at left: Editorial team, Harry Baker and Holly Howe; above, some of the contributors

4SNAPSHOT Some scenes from this weekSCIENCE SPOTClockwise from bottom left:Tuesday– Stage 5 D&T’s lunchtimedisplay Q&A; Wednesday—guestteacher Dick Smith takes 6Green onan adventure inhis Energy doco(to be screenednext year);Thursday– Year 6graduation;Friday (today)—Early Learning’send-of-yearconcertBest place under the sun for a total eclipseOn a cloudy November morning in Cairns, about 60,000 tourists, locals, amateur star gazers and professional astronomers cametogether to witness an event that captures the imagination of people of all cultures and walks of life. The event was a total solareclipse, the last of which was seen in the vicinity of Cairns in 710AD. The reason a total eclipse draws such attention around the worldis all to do with the distance of the moon from the earth as it passes in front of the sun. As the moon orbits the earth its distancevaries by about 13%. Sometimes the moon will block the sun without totally covering it giving an annular eclipse. A total eclipse isspecial because, in a case of perfect celestial billiards, the moon will be at a distance so that its area is big enough that it completelycovers the Sun. What’s more, the moon is small enough that it reveals the sun’s corona, the 2 million degree bolts of plasmastreaming out from its surface.Photo by Katherine BarnaIt was with this in mind that our small but determined party set out at 5am on 14November to vie for a place by the water’s edge along the esplanade of Cairns citycentre. Once seated, we surveyed our view and overcame the first obstacle of anyamateur eclipse chaser–finding the sun. Eventually we did find the sun as it extendedits warming rays around the edges of the clouds in its way. After this goal had beenachieved we relaxed in for the common but none-the-less beautiful sight ofwatching the sun rise. Now whilst picturesque, the rather large cloud blocking thesun showed no sign of clearing from our view. As the time counted down towardsthe hour of totality when the sun would be completely covered at 6:38am, thehopes of thousands could almost be heard, wishing the intrusive cloud to move on,giving us a clear view of the sky. When the last few minutes elapsed and it becameclear that the clouds would not miraculously part, we resigned ourselves to a lessthan spectacular view.What we didn’t expect as darkness blanketed the city was the silence that settled over the thousands of people viewing the eclipse –as well as all the birds, fruit bats and dogs in the local area! The connection each spectator had to what they were experiencing wasmagical – they understood that they were part of something greater than themselves. Although we couldn’t see the sun, we couldfeel what a significant and profound effect this event had on us all, that something as powerful as the sun could be overcome for twoeerie minutes. Walking away with a melancholy mixture of disappointment and excitement we discussed what we had seen over acoffee at a local café and counselled each other about the value of the experience versus the price of our air tickets. It was here that awaitress casually revealed that she had a perfect view through the clouds just 10 minutes’ walk away. Well, we live and learn.Sometimes life’s little ironies are an experience all on their own.Toby BoothHigh School Science DepartmentTerm 4, No. 8 - 30 November 2012

5PTF NEWSPTF thanks the 2012 IGS Class Parent Reps!Our PTF President Diana Hasche, the school community and I thank the parent reps (see thetable below) for all the wonderful events you have organised this year – family picnics, moviescreenings, cocktail evenings, dinners, morning teas, a super Year 6 farewell and a fabulousYear 10 formal.Thanks also for volunteering at International Day, Primary Disco, Years 7 & 8 Disco, SecondHand Sales, Lost Property, Traffic Safety, Learning Journeys Book and the many other timeswe ask for your help!Sandy WilkinsClass parent representative co-ordinator, PTFPreschool - Andrea, Emma, Blanca, Walt, Maria, Louise, Stefan and MelanieTransition - Lois, Heike, Deborah, Belinda, Emma, Rebecca, Kara, Philippe, Bec and IoanaKindy - Tracy, Aleta, Karen, Catherine, Sarah- Jane, Andrea, Ian and KarinaYear 1 - Gina, Susanne, Bec, Ioana, Michael, Emma, Sophia and LeeYear 2 - Sally, Helen, Catharine, Sasha, Cristina, Bec, Cressida and ChristineYear 3 - Gill, Carmel, Donna, Helene, Karen, Sam, Lynn-Maree and ThomasYear 4 - Rosemary, Petra, Suzy, Gina, Jennifer and IanYear 5 - Cheryl, Michael, Soraya, Larissa and CatherineYear 6 - Eliana, Tania, Pam, Wendy, Kristin, Helena and PaolaYear 7- Debbie, Avril and WendyYear 8 - Zoe, Melissa and KateYear 9 - KathyYear 10 - Cameron and SuzyYear 11- Jan, Karen, Alexis, Kathy and KateYear 12- RachelThe School also thanked the volunteers in our school community with a special breakfast last Friday.A summary of the PTFPresident’s Report for 2012appears on the next pageTerm 4, No. 8 - 30 November 2012

6PTF NEWS continuedA summary of a busy yearTo begin 2012, the PTF hosted the annual Welcome to IGS Cocktail Party in February, a social event, which enjoyed by bothnew and continuing IGS parents and staff.Other regular forums and initiatives throughout a busy year for our parent and teacher community included:School Community meetings, held once a term and with guest presentations by staff members and IGS Boardmembers.Social events such as family picnics, film screenings, dinners and cocktail evenings.Continuing the 2011 initiative to work with the School to improve drive by safety and efficiency.The trial of visor ID cards has contributed to the improved efficiency of the drive-by service.Another successful program of PTF Thought Leadership Forums (see page 8 for the 2013 program).Teams of volunteer parents regularly sorting and returning lost property items.Regular Recycled Uniform Sales and recycled text book sale (today!).The Second-hand musical instrument online market through IGS DailyThe PTF Learning Journeys Book Project.Production of ‘year portrait tea towels’ for Preschool/Transition and Primaryclasses.The ‘that’s mine’ name label fund raising initiative.The Primary Disco in March and the Year 7/8 Disco in August.The IGS parent portal continued this year to provide contact lists and the IGS Dailyemail service facilitates effective communication toenable the PTF and the Class/Year reps to organise events and activities.MUSIC NOTES2013 Concert ScheduleYears 7 and 8 DiscoThe PTF Committee would like to acknowledge the support of Michael Maniska, Mary Dumaand all of the staff of IGS. The relationship between PTF and school leadership team isrespectful, communicative and focused on maintaining a strong school community to achievethe best outcomes of the students of IGS.As president of the PTF Committee I would like thank all of the PTF Committee members whohave generously volunteered their time and skills throughout the year. PTF project and activitiescoordinators serving on the PTF Committee are Karen Roberts, Sandy Wilkins, Joanna Brandel,Rebekah Jenkin, Kimberley Pressick Kilborne, Lisa Anthony, Alex Peters, Sophie Cooke and IanTulloch. I would also like to acknowledge the support of PTF vice president Helene Fogerty,treasurer Michael Street and secretary Aleta Keating and thank them for their valuedcontribution to the school community. Finally, thank you IGS families for participating in PTFand Class/Year organised functions and activities throughout 2012.Diana HaschePTF PresidentJan 30May 30June 13Aug 22Oct 17Nov 14Massive Musical Mingles 9.30 – 11.00am, all students in Years 3 – 12 who play a band or orchestralinstrument meet for a combined rehearsal. 1.30 – 3.15pm, all students in Years 3 – 12 who sing in a choiror would like to join meet for a combined rehearsalEnsemble Concert 1, 5.00 – 5.45 and 6.00 – 7.00pm Primary EnsemblesEnsemble Concert 2, 6.00pm High School Ensembles and Kelly Street BandEnsemble Concert 3, 6.00pm Primary String groups, All IGS choirs, Xylophone, Recorder and GuitarEnsemblesEnsemble Concert 4, 6.00pm All IGS Bands and Jazz BandsShowcase Concert 5, 6.00pmAlison HousleyDirector of MusicTerm 4, No. 8 - 30 November 2012

8EVENTSUniform shopnews, nextpageParking options for Speech Night Monday 3 December*Wilson Parking Corner of Sussex, Kent and Market Streets, Sydney. (after 5pm $12flat rate)* QVB Parking (after 5pm) $12 flat rateThought Leadership Forums for 2013IGS will continue the successful Thought Leadership Forum series on topical educational issues in 2013. Organised bythe School’s PTF and the leadership team, the forums are open to parents, teachers and interested communitymembers. Please note the following topics and dates:Wednesday 27 March, 6– 7pm Bilingualism at IGS Presented by Rosalba Genua-Petrovic, IGS Director ofLanguages and Michael Maniska, IGS PrincipalFriday 24 May 9:30 – 10:30am Daily dilemmas in raising pre-schoolers Presented by Joseph Degeling,IGS Director of Child and Adolescent DevelopmentThursday 5 September 6pm – 7pm Living and learning in an online world Presented by Dr Kirsty Young, UTSThursday 7 November 6pm – 7pm Supporting your child during school transition points Presented byTamara Kezelman, IGS School Counsellor, Mary Duma, IGS Deputy Principal, and Anthony Dennehy, IGS AssistantPrincipal – High SchoolTerm 4, No. 8 - 30 November 2012

9UNIFORM SHOP NEWSUniform RevitalisationThroughout the course of 2012, IGS hasundertaken a process of uniform revitalisation,with input from students, staff and the PTF.The main aim of the process has been tomake sure our school uniform is comfortableand easy to wear for students, and easy forparents and carers to maintain. We have alsosought to establish greater clarity around howthe uniform is to be worn across year levelsand the combinations of uniform items. Basedon the feedback we have received, a smallnumber of existing uniform items will bephased out, some will be redesigned and acouple of new items will be phased in.There will be no changes, however, for the2013 school year. Parents and carers shouldcontinue to purchase existing uniform itemsfor their children for next year.Early in 2013, I will be writing to you withdetails of the uniform revitalisation processand an implementation timeline for the newitems.Michael ManiskaPrincipalTerm 4, No. 8 - 30 November 2012