James McCreery on City and Country Life

The days every boarder spends before Shore are the days that build their sense of place in the world, their perspective.  Open country and broad planes speckled with the few people who have ventured from urbanisation are all most boys know.  Sure, travelling to the city once a month and maybe even going overseas may break this pattern but for the whole, a boarder rarely experiences “city living” before Shore.  Those who have not truly lived in both worlds cannot determine the differences.  Let me give you just one that has changed my perspective; the sky.  This difference is somewhat staggering, who knew that driving a few hours from home could conceal the vividness of the night sky and throw a murkiness over the day.  Moving to the city there are no swirling patterns of red giants and burning stars adoring the sky, no peaceful blue cloudless days.  The boarding life has changed so much for every boarder but in truth we all understand that it is a necessity.  The opportunities and education that our school provides us with are worth so much more than retaining our childhoods and for this we are all grateful.