What a wonderful way to finish 2025! This term has been filled with creativity and school spirit. I’m proud of our students for their efforts, academic achievements and altruism, and equally proud of our whole school community for the kindness and support shown throughout. Together, we’ve lived our goal to Build Good Work and Good Character, making 2025 very memorable.
SAGE was a highlight of Term 4, growing richer and more inspiring each year. The focus our students bring to their exhibitions of learning never ceases to amaze me. From the Shakespeare Bootcamp and The Rocks Quest to Opera on Kelly Street and Writing the Island in Tasmania, they embraced authentic hands-on learning that stretched their thinking and sparked curiosity. More than a decade on, we know that this project-based middle school learning program changes students’ lives and I’m thrilled that all students from Year 7 to Year 10 get to experience this unique IGS offering each year.
Our senior students shone brilliantly with multiple nominations across NSW HSC Showcases. Congratulations to Simon, Teheke and Lucas for ENCORE nominations in Music, Lucinda for her OnSTAGE Drama nomination, and Elka for being nominated for SHAPE – each an outstanding achievement. We also celebrate Amy, nominated for the HSC Young Writers Showcase for her exceptional English Extension 2 creative nonfiction major work. A special congratulations to Tomas Mimmocchi, selected for ENCORE – a proud moment for our school. We look forward to celebrating the HSC results with the whole School on HSC results release day on 18 December.
Early Learners were really in the moment at the ELC Showcase, showing how curiosity, connection and joy drive learning. Across the School, celebratory assemblies honoured achievement in academic endeavour, music, languages, sport and more – each success adding to the vibrant story of our School.
Participation in the Global Exchange Program hit a record high, with students embarking on six-week immersive learning experiences in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. These journeys broaden perspectives and bring our vision of Unity Through Diversity to life. We are immensely proud of our students and the lasting connections forged through these international experiences.
This term also marked a significant milestone for our School. On Giving Day, we launched The IGS Foundation and our community responded with extraordinary generosity, raising over $170,000 and surpassing our goals. The Foundation unites our philanthropic efforts to support scholarships, create inspiring spaces and prepare every student for world-ready futures. Thank you for believing in what we are building together.
On Monday evening we introduced a new tradition for our Junior School – the Year 6 Graduation Dinner. Thank you to Deputy Principal Junior School Sarah Herbert and Executive Assistant Jenny Khan for their leadership and care in bringing this event together. Our students had a blast and it was such a special way to honour Year 6 before they step into High School. We then gave Year 6 a final send off at their yesterday’s assembly as they graciously thanked all those who helped them along the way.
Celebrations continued into yesterday’s K–2 Speech Day, a luminous showcase of learning for our youngest students. Next, we look forward to Speech Night on Monday, our biggest celebration of the year, where we will honour student efforts and achievements across 2025 and say a final farewell to Year 12 and I look forward to announcing next year’s Musical and the School Leaders for 2026.
As we wrap up, thank you all for making 2025 a wonderful year. I wish you a restful happy holiday and look forward to welcoming you back for an inspiring start to 2026.
Warm regards,
Shauna Colnan
Principal
