What happens when you untether education from the classroom and let it roam? At IGS you get SAGE Week, a dynamic blend of creativity, collaboration and real-world learning. For Years 7 to 10, SAGE provides a chance to move beyond textbooks and into the area of practical, interdisciplinary discovery.
SAGE Week features diverse activities such as Shakespeare performances at breakneck speed, history tangled with archaeological mystery, Opera born in the minds of 14 year olds, and a creative journey through the landscapes of Tasmania.
Principal Shauna Colnan, who conceptualised and brought it to life, expresses it best “Through SAGE, we are building students’ critical and creative thinking skills, the depth of their understanding and engagement, their ability to work with others and their love of learning.”’
To Be or Not to Be
(a Shakespearean Star)
Year 7 students got to explore Shakespeare through Sport for Jove Theatre Company’s Shakespeare Bootcamp, where they grappled with iambic pentameter while embodying iconic characters like Lady Macbeth and Puck. Led by Artistic Director Damien Ryan, the week was spent dissecting Shakespeare’s themes of humanity, ambition and love, while learning how to bring the rhythms and poetry of his words to life through dramatic movement.
By the end of the week, students performed sections from Macbeth, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. The experience was about performing, adapting, collaborating and embracing the theatrical world. This hands-on approach helped students grasp Shakespeare’s relevance and instilled a valuable learn-on-the-go mindset. e
The Rocks Come Alive
History is complex, and no one knows that better than Year 8 students who spent SAGE Week piecing together shards of Sydney’s past on The Rocks Quest. The week kicked off with an immersive archaeological experience, Cesspits and Old Rubbish, at the Big Dig, where students unearthed physical traces of Sydney’s colonial past. They took a walking tour of The Rocks, exploring its layered histories from convict stories to early settlers’ lives.
Midweek, the students boarded the Tribal Warrior, an Aboriginal-owned and operated vessel, for a cruise around Sydney Harbour. While gliding over the water, they heard the Gadigal people’s stories and gained an understanding of the harbour’s profound cultural and historical significance. The cruise concluded on Clark Island, a place rich in Indigenous heritage.
On Clark Island, students deepened their connection to the landscape through storytelling, painting and dancing. They explored traditional art techniques and movements, gaining insight into how First Nations peoples have expressed their connection to Country for tens of thousands of years. The experience brought history to life, fostering an appreciation for the land’s enduring cultural narrative.
Images in bottom row captured by Year 8 Student Jakov
The week culminated in a Night at the Museum showcase, where students presented their discoveries through detailed dioramas, architectural analysis and model versions of Cadman’s Cottage. Families were invited to explore these creative displays and engage with the students’ learning journey.
From Script to Spotlight
Year 9 students took on a challenge to create original operas from scratch as part of the Opera on Kelly project. With guidance from Opera Express and professional composers, students developed everything from plot lines and librettos to musical scores. Their involvement didn’t stop at writing—the students also assumed the roles of directors, set designers, painters and performers to bring their operas to life.
The project fostered creativity, teamwork and resilience. Genevieve noted the difficulty,
“The hardest part of creating my opera was making the songs. A lot of us had no experience writing songs or scenes, and we really struggled. We tackled it by assigning each character a specific type of music—the protagonist was jazz, the antagonist was blues, and the love interest was rap. Separating them into categories made it easier to write melodies that fit their roles.”
The operas explored a variety of themes, ranging from Kuyal’s story of poisonous tea to Baado’s Christmas at the White House and Gura’s reflection on the mafia. Each opera was unique in both tone and storytelling, making for unforgettable performances.
The process had a lasting impact on the students. “The biggest impact SAGE Week had was the support of my peers,” Genevieve shared. “By helping each other out, we created something to be proud of.” Through this collaborative experience, students learned the power of teamwork in creativity.
Writing the Island
Set against the backdrop of Tasmania’s stunning landscapes, SAGE Week provided Year 10 with a rich experience that intertwined learning, reflection and artistic expression. The journey allowed students to engage meaningfully with Australia’s past, drawing inspiration from its landscapes and history to create original works across Music, Drama and Visual Arts. Year 10 students split across Tasmania, with some exploring rugged trails like the Wukalina Walk and Three Capes Track, while others immersed themselves in creative pursuits including writing, music, art and drama.
Hiking and Historical Immersion
Year 10 students began their journey with two transformative hikes. The Wukalina Walk, an Indigenous trail rich with over 40,000 years of history, allowed students to connect with the land’s cultural roots. The Three Capes Track, with its stunning coastal vistas and rugged terrain, provided space for reflection and personal growth. These hikes deepened their understanding of Tasmania’s natural beauty and its ancient stories.
The exploration continued with visits to historical landmarks, such as Port Arthur, where students examined Australia’s convict past, and Richmond, home to the country’s oldest European-style bridge. These encounters bridged the gap between history and personal experience, adding layers of meaning to their creative work.
Creative Writing in New Town
In contrast to the rugged hikes, the Creative Writing group found inspiration in Tasmania’s serene settings. Based in New Town, they channelled the peaceful surroundings into reflective pieces, drawing further ideas from visits to MONA and Richmond Village. Walking across Australia’s oldest bridge and navigating a charming maze, students immersed themselves in both natural and cultural history.
Their week was enriched with shared experiences like a ghost tour in New Norfolk, which blended mystery with camaraderie. These varied encounters encouraged students to hone their observational skills and translate their insights into compelling narratives.
Visual Arts and Creative Workshops
At Rathmore, students in the Visual Arts group had the opportunity to channel their experiences into creative projects. Using the landscapes and history they encountered as inspiration, they crafted concertina sketchbooks, incorporating watercolours and graphite. This hands-on approach allowed students to translate their reflections into visual art, providing a personal record of their journey.
Music and Drama
The Music group found inspiration in Tasmania’s natural environment and historical significance. Students composed original pieces that reflected the landscapes and emotions evoked during their walks. The music echoed the raw beauty of the island’s coastlines and tranquil rural settings, with performances presented at the Thursday evening showcase.
Drama students explored their surroundings through the lens of performance. With guidance from their teachers, they developed scenes that expressed the emotional and historical impact of the places they visited. Their performances will be showcased on Tuesday 26 November.
Thank you to the Heads of Year for organising these enriching SAGE Week experiences and to the staff who ensured students had fun and fully engaged with the opportunities.
At its core, SAGE Week is a celebration of our connections to history, culture and one another. It emphasises that locations such as Sydney’s Rocks and Tasmania’s trails are not merely places, but narratives waiting to be discovered and shared.
SAGE Week serves as a reminder that education extends beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. Often, the most profound lessons are learned on a windswept Tasmanian trail, within the resonant walls of an opera hall, or through the unearthing of history.
As the final presentations conclude and parents gather for the showcases, one thing becomes evident: SAGE Week transcends the conventional curriculum. It is an experience that leaves a lasting impact on the students who participate.