Welcome to Semester 2. Our students are refreshed and ready for the term ahead which has been wonderful to see. The campus has come alive over the past two weeks with moments of connection, quiet determination and renewed focus.
Term 3 is always special as it’s the term that we say farewell to our much loved Year 12s. We are busy planning and preparing to send them off in style. In the meantime, our thoughts are with them as they undertake their HSC trial examinations. This is a significant moment in their journey, and I am proud of their focus and care for one another. Working very hard, especially between now and the HSC, can yield very strong results. We are here to support Year 12 every step of the way.
Today, we celebrated one of the most joyful and iconic whole-school events in the IGS calendar – International Day. Come rain, hail or shine, this day goes ahead each year and in spite of the rain and the cold, we have had an incredible day. This year’s theme, Stronger Together: Celebrating Our Stories, saw us reflecting on the richness of our shared experiences, our family stories and the power of community. As I told the Primary and High School assemblies, each of us carries a unique family story, and like threads in a rich tapestry, these stories are woven together to form the heart and soul of our beautiful school. That’s one of the things that makes IGS so special and what our vision Unity Through Diversity is all about.
For over 40 years, our School has been a proud multilingual community – a place where cultures, languages and histories come together to create something truly extraordinary. Today, our campus reflected that spirit in every corner. From the vibrant food stalls put on by our amazing parents, friends and families, to the joyful performances and workshops, it was a day of warmth, learning and celebration. The speeches and performances at our assemblies left me in awe of the sheer talent and endless capacity of our students, staff and parents. It’s one of the best and most inspiring things about being Principal of IGS.
A powerful highlight was our International Day Lunch in the Bibliothèque, catered by Ravi Prasad, founder of Parliament on King. Ravi’s social enterprise provides employment and support to refugees and those seeking asylum. Ravi’s presence today brought deeper meaning to our celebration, reminding us of the power of inclusion, altruism and shared purpose. One hundred IGS parents, carers and extended family joined us for a meal, great company and an inspiring talk by Ravi.
I extend my thanks to our Director of Languages Regine Berghofer, whose leadership continues to shape this event with vision and care. To the Languages Department and all staff who contributed their time and creativity, to our President of the P&C Carla Degenhardt and our Parents and Carers Association (the mighty P&C!) as well as the generous parents and carers who helped – thank you. Your efforts, especially in the face of last-minute changes due to the wet weather, helped make the day so special. Special thanks also to our volunteers, students, families and alums who gave so generously of their time.
International Day is also a time to honour our global connections. Over the past couple of months, we’ve been delighted to welcome exchange students from our global network of partner schools in China, Japan, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. This exchange program is a unique and abiding offering of our school and both enriches our students’ educational experiences and reflects our commitment to fostering intercultural understanding and global engagement.
Over the break, middle and senior school students took part in immersive experiences leaving them with lasting memories and newfound perspectives. The Red Earth immersion offered a chance to connect with First Nations communities and deeply reflect on Country and culture. The Creative Arts Tour to Chicago and New York brought students together to experience world-class performances, collaborations and diverse artistic expressions, while Year 12 student Anna S had a life changing experience studying at Oxford University and living in one of the colleges in that beautiful university town as part of our School’s participation in the Oxford Royale Summer Program.
Looking ahead, we have many more events to look forward to this term. Our Family Day at The Retreat in Kangaroo Valley will offer a chance for connection and reflection in nature. If you have a chance please come along with your children and experience our rural campus. It’s a beautiful property just five minutes from the historical township of Kangaroo Valley. Later this month, we welcome the next instalment of The Ultimo Series, continuing our commitment to offering our broader parent and carer community an opportunity to explore thought-provoking subjects with local public intellectuals.
This is a term rich with opportunity and I look forward to the growth, engagement and celebration it will bring. I hope you enjoy reading this special issue of InFocus and sharing in the many moments that continue to shape our vibrant School.
Warm regards,
Shauna Colnan
Principal