Warmest thanks to our PTF

From the Principal

Kelly Street was transformed into a vibrant green oasis on Saturday afternoon, with bobbing red lanterns, crisp white umbrellas, colourful seating and delicious food.

An extravaganza of performances marked the Lunar New Year as we celebrated the start of our academic year together.

We welcomed some 5,000 happy visitors including students, parents, carers, neighbours and newcomers!

A lively outdoor festival scene with people of all ages sitting and standing, chatting and enjoying drinks. Red lanterns hang overhead as sunlight filters through trees. Stalls and vendors are visible in the background—warmest thanks to PTF for making it possible.

All of this was orchestrated by our magnificent PTF under the hardworking and inspiring leadership of Hayley Dean and her team, in collaboration with the City of Sydney.

Full of joy, goodwill, community energy and the excitement of learning about diverse cultures, together, this celebration was everything IGS!

City of Sydney Councillor Robert Kok kindly attended on behalf of Lord Mayor of Sydney Councillor Clover Moore. As he so aptly stated, diversity has provided Sydney with great vibrancy, culture and a renowned food scene, and with such diversity we have remained safe, democratic and largely harmonious.

Four smiling adults in safety vests pose at a lively outdoor street festival with crowds, marquees, and red lanterns behind them. One holds a yellow balloon animal as they share their warmest thanks from the PTF team.

We thank Councillor Kok for his acknowledgement of our inclusive community and the languages we enjoy at IGS every day, including Chinese, Italian, Japanese, French, German and Italian, and for recognising our contributions to the revitalisation of the languages of First Nations people.

We’re so grateful to be in partnership with the City of Sydney as we approach our School’s 40th anniversary, and we look forward to strengthening our shared connections. Our School is at the centre of the evolving Innovation Corridor of Sydney CBD, Pyrmont, Surry Hills and Ultimo.

A group of six people stand on stage at International Grammar School in front of a bright pink wall. Two lion dance costumes are visible, whilst one person at the podium offers warmest thanks to the PTF for their support.

What a thrill and honour it was to be part of the lion blessing ceremony. The ancient eye dotting tradition is said to empower the lions to fulfill their duty of bringing about protection, good luck, health, and prosperity to everyone present.

With me were Head Students Sami Lightfoot and Charlotte Waley and Board Chair Dr Marie Leech, whose connections with the City of Sydney and Lord Mayor are longstanding.

The event was a wonderful opportunity for staff, students and families to mix and mingle, and I was delighted to introduce Dr Leech to our new Director of Languages Luisa Navanteri.

Three women smiling at an outdoor PTF event. The woman on the left wears a red dress, the middle a pink dress, and the right a black dress with white spots and pearls. A school zone sign is visible behind them—our warmest thanks to all who attended.

Above: IGS Principal Shauna Colnan with Director of Languages Luisa Navanteri and Board Chair Dr Marie Leech

My thanks also go to IGS parent Tim Bishop and his colleague Matthew Doyle, both of whom are of Muruwari descent from North Western NSW and shared their culture with us in a joyous acknowledgement of Gadigal Country on which IGS stands.

As we embrace our whole-school goal of “we all flourish” this year, there could not have been a more fitting occasion to celebrate together.

Shauna Colnan
IGS Principal