Term 3

Term 3 is always the busiest in our calendar, and 2019 was certainly no exception.  With Golden Boots, American Tea, cocktail parties, Year 12 Chapel Service, GPS Athletics Carnival, Cadet Camp, HSC Trials, Year 11 exams among (many) other activities, this is a time of serious negotiation.

Our desire to continue developing Shore as the best possible boarding experience ventured into the Southern Highlands recently.  The Headmaster and I travelled to Bowral, where we presented Shore Boarding as a pathway for young members of that area.  Ms Julie Gillick of Frensham hosted us along with several parents of boys attending Gib Gate, Frensham’s prep school.  It was a highly successful evening, and one we hope will open up the opportunity to make connections with the Southern Highlands community in the future.

We also continue to enjoy a close community spirit amongst the four boarding houses this term, perhaps the highlight being the inter-house touch football gala day on School Oval. In a spirited afternoon full of tribal loyalty and testosterone, the round robin tournament ended with School and Barry House playing in the final for pizzas.  Barry House emerged winners in a close 3-2 result, but boarding was the winner on the day!

We have also hosted several boys from the day school for a five-day boarding experience, and already we have had some commentary on what an enjoyable and worthwhile experience it was. Structured time-frames, routines, availability of extra help and camaraderie, even food (yes), were positives that emerged.  “I would never put in two hours of homework at night at home,” was one comment made to me.  Several boys came away from their time in the houses commenting upon how fortunate the boarders were, and what fun they had.  It was nice to see and hear.

We, in Shore Boarding, wish you the very best for the upcoming holidays.  We pray for better fortunes from above, and hope that you cherish the time you will enjoy with your sons.  They have been absolutely wonderful this term, and we thank them and you for your ongoing support and friendship.

American Tea

A huge thank you to Prue Crookes and Phoebe Clift, and all of our boarding families who made American Tea such a huge success once again this year.  It is no coincidence that the number of stalls is run by such a high percentage of boarding families.  It says so much about the boarding community and the spirit that it injects into the school, whether it be American Tea, musicals and plays, Art, DT, GPS sporting teams… the list goes on.  Thank you all again for the wonderful support you all give to us.  It is deeply appreciated.

Brendan Morris
Senior Boarding Housemaster