International Grammar School

Last night, IGS held its Aboriginal Studies HSC Showcase highlighting student projects that reflect their respect and understanding of Aboriginal cultures. Students worked throughout the semester to create a range of different projects across disciplines and topics, presenting them to the community in the Renaissance centre.

A huge thank you to Jade Carr Head of Indigenous Education for putting it all together and to all those who came and supported the students’ work.👏🌟

In celebration of B Kinder Day, IGS came together in compassion and empathy today, honouring the legacy of Billie Kinder by spreading kindness. Students engaged in heartfelt activities, including writing kind messages on Billie’s B Kinder cards, creating a ripple effect of positivity throughout the School.

🌟 Don’t Miss Out! 🌟 We are thrilled to welcome back our talented 2023 IGS graduate, Jono Riesel for a one night only performance on 26 June. 🎓✨ Jono will dance to Jon Batiste’s Freedom, a stunning contemporary piece. Tickets available at https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=REVOLUTI24

Vive La Révolution!

Our students will soon visit Central Australia with the Red Earth program and are raising funds for community infrastructure projects. A movie night featuring Raiders of the Lost Ark - plus snacks and pizza - will be held in the Bibliothèque on Friday June 21 from 4.30pm until 7pm. See English staff for tickets.

 

Our Aboriginal Studies students at IGS have been working hard, join us this Thursday afternoon as they showcase their incredible projects.

See you there!

Max Wang in Year 2 Green is a finalist in the Young Archie 2024 competition with his painting, My Mum. His artwork is displayed at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until 8 September. Congratulations, Max!

Here, we compare photos of our whole school from 2004 to 2024. Look how much we've grown! Happy Anniversary IGS.

A harmonious day at IGS! Paul Jarman led the whole school in singing our new anthem, teaching important tones and inflections. Hearing everyone sing made him "feel 7 years younger".

Only 13 days until it all comes together at the ICC for Vive La Révolution! Our 40th anniversary concert.

Link for tickets in our bio.

Join the IGS community to hear firsthand from Professor Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at the UNSW AI Institute, as he presents When the Machines Talk: The Future of Artificial Intelligence. This academic lecture, the third in The Ultimo Series, will be held at 6pm on Thursday 29 August 2024 in the IGS Renaissance Centre.

Tickets are available here https://ow.ly/CXxt50ShCsf

Proceeds of all ticket sales will support the IGS Sharing Program including our Indigenous Scholarship Fund and Building Fund.

🎵 What a wonderful morning at the primary school music assembly! 🎶 The Bay Street Band entertained us with "Latin Magic" and "Attack Of The Garden Gnomes," while the Sarasate Strings captivated us with "Kings Of Stone" and "Double Trouble." Bravo to all the talented young musicians on their first performance! 👏🎻🥁

Happy 40th Anniversary IGS!

All IGS students and staff recently came together to form an iconic 40th anniversary heart at Wentworth Park. The heart symbolises our vision of unity through diversity.

Upon one single dream, a thousand beautiful traditions have been built.

Last week, a group of Year 6 students and their teachers travelled to Goodooga for the intercultural On Country program, . They spent a week engaging in cultural activities and learning from local Elders. Students reflected on their daily experiences by writing a journal. One of the students shared “I learnt so many new things about aboriginal tucker and the things that we could find in the wild”.

Thank you to teachers, Elders and the principal of Goodooga School who generously gave their time, space and knowledge to give our students an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience over the week.

A talented Year 9 student Genevieve Egan achieved an extraordinary milestone by competing in the NSW CIS Senior Girls Football Tournament. Despite being one of the youngest participants, Genevieve's exceptional skills and leadership shone through as she started every game. Her remarkable performance played a crucial role in leading her team to a well-deserved 1st place victory. Genevieve's dedication and talent have made her a standout player and a source of immense pride for our school.

Guests were riveted last night as thought leader Professor Katrin Meissner presented a compelling and highly visual academic lecture on Climate Change modelling.

In a night not to be missed, Professor Meissner’s engagement with and deep knowledge of the complex topic of Climate Science modelling was showcased as she took the group through the intricacies of Climate Change modelling.

Secure tickets for our next lecture https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-the-ultimo-series

You are invited to join us this Thursday as Professor Katrin Meissner presents The State of the Climate in the second talk of The Ultimo Series. Expect to emerge enlightened, informed, and better-equipped to understand our fast-changing world.

6 to 7.30pm, Thursday 6 June 2024
Renaissance Centre, Corner Smail and Mountain Streets, Ultimo
Light refreshments will be served.

Secure your tickets here https://lnkd.in/dnMcwZX3

On Friday, eight IGS students attended the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service at Hyde Park. Year 8 students Alex and Chenelle laid the floating wreath in the pool of reflection while Melody, Mayen, Kara, Callum, Mala and Ike acted as ushers for the special guests and laid the wreath on behalf of IGS.
Thank you Jade Carr for working with AIS and the families so that our students and School could be well represented on the day.

In the latest episode of Kaleidoscope Kids, we'll discuss Reconciliation Week. The theme, Now More Than Ever, underscores our unwavering commitment to championing the justice and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Discover Indigenous culture as the IGS Koori students share their heritage. Engage with the heartfelt dialogue from Mindy Gibbs and Todd Philips. Experience the creative spirit in the Year 3 Art Project led by IGS Artist in Residence, Aunty Bianca, and listen to the students’ reflections on their artwork.

Tune in to deepen your appreciation for Australia’s Indigenous heritage, as we unite for reconciliation.

Listen now https://www.buzzsprout.com/2277798/15166828

This year’s Primary School Disco Party had a birthday party theme to tie into the School’s 40th Anniversary. The children got into the spirit of it, dressing up in a myriad of bright colours and some amazing disco outfits. We had over 500 attendees which are more than 95% of Primary School!

Thank you to over 100 parents and more than 30 High School students involved as volunteers in staging one of the best disco parties of all time!

Today, a dedicated group of Year 9 students has successfully raised over $500 for their upcoming trip to Central Australia with the Red Earth program. The money will be used to fund community initiatives and projects the students will be taking part in. This initial effort marks the beginning of their fundraising journey, with more events planned in the near future.

Keep an ear out for opportunities to support our students as they prepare for an unforgettable experience.

32 primary IGS students attended the second round of the Hello Mandarin Recitation Competition Australia 2024, a competition held throughout schools in NSW. Congratulations to all the contestants and good luck in the grand final on 23 June at Sydney Olympic Park.

We could not be more proud of the fabulous ensemble cast that performed in A Midsummer Night's Dream last week. Students from Years 9 to 12 worked tirelessly to create this beautifully rich production, crafted so skillfully by Damien Ryan from Sport for Jove and IGS Drama Alum Isabella Milkovitsch. This collaboration with IGS Drama ensured that students were exposed to a beautiful professional theatrical experience. The artistic vision for the play, the set, and the costumes created a visual tapestry of colour that brought inanimate objects to life and transported us to different worlds through portals and pure magic. Audrey Storer, a Year 12 student, created the stunning poster too. Enjoy our photo gallery highlights! More to come in our next Infocus issue.

Last Wednesday, Students in Years 1 and 4 listened to Bowerbird Blues story together and did some activities in celebration of National Simultaneous Storytime, a fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

As we begin Reconciliation Week, we honour and reflect on our shared journey towards understanding and unity. This year’s theme, 'Now More Than Ever,' emphasises the urgent need to recognise and address the historical injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, fostering respect and equality.

Our students are dedicating their time to crafting thoughtful pledges and creating inspiring artworks that embody this spirit, with more activities throughout the week.

In Episode 16 of Kaleidoscope Kids, we continue on the Literary Festival and include interviews with two remarkable authors, Deborah Abela and Sarah Street. First, we sit down with the beloved Deborah Abela, whose latest work, The Kindness Project, has captured hearts with its poignant message. Then, we dive into the mystical realms with IGS alum Sarah Street, discussing her captivating debut, A Curse of Salt. Sarah unveils the thrills and challenges of creating her novel and what it means to weave a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Listen here https://kaleidoscopekids.buzzsprout.com/2277798/15128066-episode-16-authors-deborah-abela-sarah-street

Recently, ELC Chinese Language Educators, Caili Yao and Yvone Yau, provided a hands-on cooking experience for our youngest learners during Chinese language group time. The children engaged in preparing food while promoting healthy eating habits, fostering creative expression, and enhancing their Chinese language learning. They were offered a variety of fresh fruit and made their own fruit tarts!

Due to popular demand, we have opened a new show at 2 pm on Saturday 25 May.

Tickets available here https://events.humanitix.com/a-midsummer-night-s-dream-wjnlxhp3

ABOUT THE PLAY
Beyond A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s magnificent poetry and supernatural force, the play’s perfection lies in its simple humanity. It is a wildly exuberant tale of young love, fickle passion, cruel jealousy, and rigorously tested loyalty. It is written by a man with a clear memory of his teenage years – the clumsy helplessness of desire, the humiliation of devotion, and the violent unwillingness of parents and children to see into each other’s worlds.

The exceptional 2023-2024 IGS Global Exchange Program is underway with fifty students on language exchange around the world! As part of the program, Twenty-two IGS students are currently travelling, immersing in the rich cultures of France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. These invaluable experiences foster personal growth, intercultural understanding, and language proficiency. What a wonderful way to spend the holidays. You can read more here https://www.igssyd.nsw.edu.au/blog/igs-global-exchange-program-thrives/

At the beginning of the month, Year 6 students went on an Outdoor Education Camp to Attunga at Canyonleigh, in the Southern Highlands. They enjoyed a range of activities, including pool activities, canoeing, team activities, bushwalking, mountain biking and the power fan. They experienced the outdoors together and had lots of fun!