We bring the term to an end today with a sense of excitement and gratitude for everything we’ve experienced and achieved over the past 11 weeks. Students and staff have embraced this year’s whole school goal to Build Good Work and Good Character Every Day. Our collective efforts have enriched students’ academic journeys and fostered community and personal growth through so many wonderful activities and events.
We began with Foundation Day which was a special tribute to our School’s history, and today ArtsFest has brought the term to a spectacular close, showcasing raw talent, school spirit and so much energy.
The launch of Learning Journeys 2.0 was a proud moment, celebrating our past and looking to the future. Capturing the history of the school in this way is just so important and we were thrilled to interview and film Isabell and Carl St Leon as they shared their memories about those early days. We now have their interviews as part of the school’s archival record.
With so many notable IGS trailblazers at the launch of Learning Journeys 2.0, it was a powerful reminder that our community is strong—driven by passion, learning and innovation. Special thanks go to school author Alexandra Peters, Alison Handmer and IGS parents Tracy James and Allison Lee, and so many others, for all of their wonderful work in bringing our vision for this special book to fruition.
Our students have had such rich experiences this term. Language camp, global exchanges, the outdoor education program and day trips to Kangaroo Valley immersed students in diverse cultural traditions and learning opportunities. Wellness workshops sparked creativity and critical thinking across all year levels. Most recently we were honoured to welcome a group of 21 students and five teachers from St Mary’s Ukrainian School in London for a tour of our School and an inspiring Aboriginal Art Workshop led by proud Wiradjuri woman Aunty B.
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Isabell St Leon, Annabel Crabb and Prof Sabrina Casu highlighted the strengths and achievements of women in our community and the journey that is still underway as we push further into this complex and dynamic century.
With the much-anticipated opening of our new Kindergarten Centre in Term 2, we have been busy implementing a range of upgrades across the School. It has been wonderful to see our teams settling in so well to the new premises on Mountain Street, across the cul-de-sac from the main campus. This move has freed up many new teaching and learning spaces in the Reg St Leon Building for our students.
Our reception area has enjoyed a vibrant refresh and it’s been a joy to see students and visitors alike appreciating the updates – especially the bright Honour Boards and Student Gallery.
Remediation works are ongoing on the exterior of the Kerrie Murphy Building at the corner of Bay and Macarthur Streets. A pedestrian hoarding is in place around the site, and we are working to complete these upgrades as expeditiously as possible. We will keep you informed of progress.
Deputy Principal Academic Thom Marchbank kicked off The Ultimo Series for 2025 with a dynamic look at how young people engage with technology – Professor Amanda Third shared surprising insights and sparked big conversations about supporting young people’s digital lives and wellbeing.
Sports carnivals were filled with energy and enthusiasm, with many of our students excelling in various sporting events at CIS and ASSISA levels. It was also great to see so many students simply having a go and trying their hardest.
The cast and creative team of our 2025 musical, Mamma Mia! was announced early in the term and Director of Music Darren Kuilenburg and the Music team have rehearsals well underway. The show’s season in June is set to be an inspirational highlight of the school year.
Best of all, the campus has been calm, happy and productive and the new deeper learning timetable is working really well.
I wish everyone a wonderful break. May your children return refreshed and ready for another term filled with rich learning opportunities and exciting events.
Warm regards
Shauna Colnan
Principal
