On behalf of the School community, I offer heartfelt thanks to IGS parent Tim Bishop, together with First Nations musician Matthew Doyle, who performed a powerful smoking ceremony at Wentworth Park earlier today, to create space to allow for grief at the loss of our beloved former student Jai Wright.
We’ve also been fortunate to call on the skills of Head of Indigenous Education Jade Carr and Mathematics teacher Noah Armesto, whose amazing Colour Runs added a memorable explosion of joy and colour to the end of this semester as we celebrated Jai’s life and the contribution he made to our School. We miss Jai very much.
The day capped a remarkable reawakening and re-expression of our IGS community as COVID numbers continue to decrease and we forge new learning experiences for our students while staying as safe and healthy as possible.
This term we’ve been celebrating our IGS values of Connectedness, Diversity, Personal Achievement, Authenticity and Vibrancy in diverse and creative ways!
I thank our staff for all they have given to our students and to the School this semester.
Our whole school goal this year is to go deep and produce something great, and this is exactly what’s been happening across the campus.
While highlights include our High School ArtsFest, Primary School Disco, the resumption of inter-school events and so many successes such as TheatreSports, Mock Trial, the da Vinci Decathlon, cross country, Chess, swimming and athletics carnivals, we’ve also enjoyed taking part again in assemblies, exhibitions of learning, music concerts and preparations for the IGS Musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, on show in the second week of Term 3. No doubt your child will name their own favourite memories.
I applaud the deep learning of every child, and the support they are offered by parents, carers, teachers and support staff as they grow from strength to strength. Our partnership is instrumental as we work together to provide our children and young people with the best education we can.
A big thanks to Hayley Dean our new President of the PTF, to Patty, Di and the wonderful IGS canteen staff, and to our Parents, Teachers and Friends Association for their tireless work in enhancing the experiences of IGS students, from the Disco to the Foreign Film Festival and everything in between.
Underpinning events on campus this term, we acknowledge the growing maturity of our School and alumni networks, and our expanding curriculum offerings and campus improvements, now and for the future. IGS Alum of the Year is a hotly contested new initiative of our Director of Advancement Paul Galea. I applaud the ways Paul is shining a light on our former students who are out there making an incredible difference in the world.
The Renaissance Centre with its lecture theatre and dance studio in Mountain Street is on track to open for the start of the 2023 school year and, most importantly, our teachers continue to inspire a deep love of learning each and every day.
On this glorious winter’s day, may you and your children enjoy this well deserved break, with good books, long walks and enjoyable family time together.
Stay warm and safe.
Shauna Colnan
IGS Principal