Situated in Wollongong with a view of the Illawarra escarpment, TIGS is a renowned educational centre with excellent physical resources and a well-established pastoral care program. TIGS aim is to encourage its students as self-confident individuals and to provide them with educational opportunities of the highest order. The school’s mission is the achievement of academic excellence in a caring environment that is founded on Christian belief and behaviour, so that students are equipped to act with wisdom, compassion and justice as faithful stewards of the world.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Commerce, Computing Studies, Drama, French, Japanese, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Sports Science, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts, Wood Technics. Religious education is compulsory from Preparatory to Year 10.
Electives Years 11 and 12: English (Advanced, Standard and Extension 1 and 2), Mathematics (General, Advanced and Extension 1 and 2), Biology, Information Processes and Technology, Legal Studies, Photography, Sport Leisure and Recreation, Business Studies, Chemistry, Geography, Music (1, 2 and Extension), Drama, French (Beginners, Continuers and Extension), Industrial Technology, Japanese (and Extension), Physics, Visual Arts, Ancient and Modern History (and Extension), PD/Health/PE, Economics, Senior Science, Design and Technology, Textiles and Design, Software Design and Development. VET courses include Hospitality, Information Technology Business Services, Construction, Airbrushing, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy (other options are available).
Sport: AFL, athletics, basketball, board riding, cricket, cross-country, dance, equestrian, gymnastics, hockey, mountain biking, netball, rowing, rugby, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, touch football, triathlon/fitness, volleyball, beach volleyball, ski club, surfing.
Co-curricular activities include: Australian Photography Competition, chess, Christian Fellowship, concert band, Constitution Conventions, debating, drama, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Enviro Workshop, Future Problem Solving, honours program, jazz band, mock trial, model United Nations forum, peer support, public speaking, orchestra, stock market game, Streamwatch, SRC, Tournament of Minds, vocal group, Young Achievers, and school production.
Welfare and personal development: The welfare and discipline system is based on relationship building, obligation and mutual respect within a Christian context. In the senior school, students are grouped in houses, with both academic and pastoral care monitoring at each Year level. A Peer Support scheme operates to assist all new students. A pastoral care team is in place, consisting of House mentors, counsellors, careers adviser and deans. Students have input into the welfare program via the SRC and senior leadership positions. An important part of the personal development and welfare system is an integrated outdoor education program in the Senior School.
Special features: Scholarships and financially assisted enrolments are offered for Years 5–11. Applicants are judged on an examination and interview.