Senior Boarding Housemaster

Welcome back to Shore and in particular a warm welcome to all our new families joining the Shore boarding community for 2019. The staff across our 4 boarding houses are all very excited about the year ahead and all that it promises.

As Shore’s new Senior Boarding Housemaster, I am looking forward to being the best support for you and your sons in the journey we are about to take together. This is my tenth year as Barry Housemaster, I also spent 6 years as a full-time boarder myself at Joeys so empathise with the parents and boys and want to assure you that I will always have your son’s best interests at heart. No system is perfect, and no person within it is flawless but the boarding staff look forward to your patience, forbearance and understanding as we continue to strive to make Shore the best boarding school it can possibly be. We want you to be proud when you say, “My son goes to boarding school at Shore.”

Last month, all boarding families received a letter, giving a small glimpse into my background and goals as we move forward.  I won’t repeat that here, but I am open to communication on anything that you may wish to discuss or the vision I have for boarding in general, so please feel free to contact me directly. A wise man, Will Hogg once said that, and I don’t think it needs any expansion:

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a nightmare.

2018 HSC

In the 2018 HSC, Max White placed 5th in the State in Drama, Hamish Crafter placed 19th in the State in Mathematics General 2, while Isaac Barron and Max White had their Drama group performance, In the Beginning Program 1, selected for OnSTAGE at the Seymour Centre. Max White also had his Drama individual performance, Bottleneck, nominated for OnSTAGE.

53% of our Boarders achieved an ATAR of 88.00+ (compared with 50% in 2017, 51% in 2016). Archie Hancock deserves special congratulations, scoring a wonderful ATAR result of 99.60. On Monday night in Week 2, he was back at Shore as a boarding academic tutor, inundated with “customers” eager to learn how to repeat the feat themselves. Archie’s friendly disposition and great sense of humour equates to a wonderful personality and brains. No wonder the boys love him.

Seb Shanahan, Sunny Chen, Finn Blake, Henry Li, Josh Brender and Colin Lau all achieved ATARs above 95, while Max Slack-Smith, Hamish Crafter, Jack Cowan, Sam Broadley, Alex Neale, Jack Seabrook, Adrian Liu, Harry Moses and Digby Cooke were all above 90. Overall, it was a tremendous reflection of the hard work the boys poured into their studies and the deserved results that come from this approach. What must also be remembered is that there are many, many boarders not on the list above who also made significant improvements over the course of the year. In many ways they are the unsung achievers who deserve as many accolades as those whose names appear in print. To these boys also, we salute you.

Finally, it is also worthwhile noting that Shore is the highest academically-ranked boys’ boarding school in NSW.

I have also kept in mind the feedback that reached us after the 2018 survey, and those areas of concern that have come to our attention have been, and will continue to be the cornerstone of what we want to improve; they will appear on agendas every time our boarding staff sit down to improve and establish our standards. Perhaps the first is communication, and I hope that, in time, your sons will become more visible when they are not with you, and that we will be (perhaps ironically) more transparent, communicative and accessible. All we want is for your son to be happy, feel safe, and make the most of his opportunities while trying his hardest, in what I believe is a truly great school.

Hodges House and the top floor of School House have now been fully renovated, and most of the rest of School House will be finished this time next year. When you consider adding this to the new SPEC construction (due for completion in 12 months’ time), our facilities at Northbridge, our location in North Sydney, the quality of our teachers and our HSC results, there is plenty to admire about what Shore offers its boys. Of course, a school is not its buildings, it is its people, but I think we have a community of quality that at the very least, matches the confines of the School.

We will be out visiting country areas throughout the year; the itinerary is being finalised as I write this, and we would love to meet you on your home ground, to catch up, chat and hopefully take Shore boarding beyond the walls of North Sydney.

Staffing Changes

Mr Darren Junee has joined Shore this year as School Housemaster. He brings with him a wealth of experience after 17 years at St Joseph’s College, 11 as Boarding Year Co-ordinator. There is an in-depth introduction to Darren elsewhere in this newsletter that will give you a fuller picture. Welcome aboard, Darren.  

Darren is not the only new kid on the block. He is joined this year in School House by two new Assistant Housemasters, Mr Cameron Burke and Mr Josh Chapman. Cameron spent several years as Assistant Housemaster in Robson House, leaving at the end of 2017 to take up a teaching post at The King’s School. He returns this year with a depth of experience having drawn on his boarding experiences at Kings, Trinity, Knox and, of course, Shore. Josh joined the Shore staff in 2018 as a Science teacher, and he currently coaches basketball in the summer season. Josh is an extremely efficient, enthusiastic and effective boarding master who has already settled in comfortably to boarding at Shore.

With the departure of Mrs Eliza Bell at the end of 2018, Mr Werner Pienaar has taken over the role of Year 7 Boarding Co-ordinator. He, and Director of Inclusion, Mrs Cate Fryda, have made the transition of our boarders as smooth as it could possibly be. In just one week the Year 7s under Mr Pienaar’s guidance have acquainted themselves with the North Sydney area, walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, swum at Balmoral Beach and North Sydney Pool, taken a harbour cruise and learnt the ropes of life in boarding at Shore. The Year 7s are in great hands.

Barry, Hodges and Robson Houses have had no staffing changes from last year.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank former Director of Boarding, Mr Anthony Benn, for the outstanding service he has given to Shore boarding over the last four years. He has left a tremendously positive legacy, but it is the unseen things done behind the scenes, many of which people know very little about, that have been the most significant. Thank you, Mr Benn, for all you have given.

It has already been a busy start to the year, across the board, and we have really hit the ground running. Boys and staff have been very active, and we have all fallen very quickly into routine. On February 5 the Year 9 Study Skills evening took place, an opportunity to receive guidance on study skills, organisation and academic help. Year 7 will have the same evening on February 11. The Boarders’ Cocktail Party will also take place on the Graythwaite Lawn on February 22^nd and the Ice Breaker at the same venue on March 1^st.

2^nd Batch Sub-Prefects

I would like to acknowledge the appointment of the following boarders to role of sub-prefect. We know that they will serve the Shore Boarding and Wider Community with dignity, responsibility and loyalty. Well done:

Wyatt Bellotti, Deuchar Dight, Tom Nicholl

I have listed below some important dates in Term I:

• Friday 22^nd February: Boarders’ Parents Cocktail Party 7pm on the Graythwaite Lawn
• Friday 1^st March: lcebreaker
• Saturday 23^rd March: GPS Head of the River Regatta
• Thursday 11^th April: Term I ends at 1.50pm
• Tuesday 30^th April: Term 2 begins (boarders return by 8.30pm on Monday, 29^th April)

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the weeks and months ahead, and hope that life treats you well in 2019. If there is anything that I can do to help make things easier or clearer, please let me or my wonderful EA, Heather Foord know, and we will do all we can to help.

Kind regards and best wishes

Brendan Morris

Senior Boarding Housemaster

Shore Welcomes New School Housemaster

Stepping into the role of Housemaster for School House this year, is Mr Darren Junee, who joins Shore from St Joseph’s College. An experienced teacher and boarding Housemaster, Darren spent the past 17 at Joeys, the last 11 of which he served as a Boarding Year Coordinator.

Sharing his thoughts on the role, Darren commented: “I enjoy the pastoral care at this level, you really get to know the boys and their parents. The opportunity came up and I’ve never worked in a vertical house system. I think it is great, it gives boys a greater opportunity to show leadership and model to the younger boys and also teaches the younger boys key values such as respect.”

The Year 7 boarders are settling well into their new surrounds with the support of Mr Werner Pienaar, Assistant School Housemaster, whose role is to focus solely on the care of the Year 7 boys. Darren commented: “He does a fantastic job with the boys, he gets them out and about and helps them with any concerns they have. This also enables me to support the Year 8-12 boys in School House.”

Looking to the year ahead, Darren shared: “I can see a lot of great work has already being done in School House, so my brief to see that all the students in my care are healthy, happy and safe – if we can achieve that then the boys will develop. My focus is on respect, awareness for others and showing care for the facilities. I think if you look after your environment it’s a reflection of you as a person.” He went on to say: “I also see communication is really important, especially for our country and overseas parents, it is my intention to be contactable and approachable – the best way to reach me is by email djunee@shore.nsw.edu.au.”

Joining Darren in School House are his wife Jo and 3 children, Georgie (21) who is in her 3^rd year at UTS studying Forensics, son Ben (19) embarking on his 2^nd year cadetship in tennis coaching, and daughter Charli (15) who is in Year 10 at Loreto Kirribilli. The boys’ of School House also warmly welcome the family’s black Labrador – Vader!

New to Hodges

I would like to welcome the following boys and their families to the Hodges community. We look forward to making you feel welcome.

Year 8                   

Ben Alexander
Max Entwistle
Tom Hebblewhite
Will Kowalski
Jack Robson

Year 9     

Finn Beachley
Jackson Boon
Bill Nicholl
Ryan Wong

Year 11

Jacob Allen
Alexander Cowan
Thomas Scott

First Day Of The Year

The first day of 2019 saw the Barry House Family return after a long Christmas break, giving them the opportunity to re-acquaint with old friends and meet our new members who start the journey afresh.

Welcome to Robson House

It has been a very exciting start to the year in Robson House. We have welcomed five new Year 8 boys into the house and two new boys into Year 9 and 10.  In Year 8 we have welcomed, Atip Natbean from Summer Hill. He enjoys the air conditioning in the common room and is excited to be in the same house as his brother. Zac Warden is from Walcha. He is enjoying the recently refurbished house and can’t wait to start racing in the Year Eight quads. Bill Retallack from a property near Orange. He is enjoying getting to know the older boys and is looking forward to starting his sustainable house tech project. James McCreery from Scone. He loves house cricket on a Thursday night and is already working toward his plant project. Finally Alex Mingay from Newcastle. He loves the view from the house and watching the SPEC construction come along, and is looking to get a major role in the upcoming Year 8 play.

In Year 9, Andrew Ding has joined us from Hong Kong.  He has found it very easy to settle in, loves the change in becoming more independent and has found everyone very welcoming in assisting his transition into boarding. He has chosen basketball as a summer sport and we can’t wait to see him on the court.

In Year 10, Alex Robinson has joined us from Griffith.  He has settled into boarding really well and is enjoying the benefits of boarding such as the access to tutors, being around mates every day and is excited for what’s to come.

Robson has a wonderful addition with these new boys and we know they can’t wait to start their journey.  We have also had some great news with Deuchar Dight and Tom Nicholl both being appointed as 2^nd batch prefects.  This is a great achievement and thoroughly deserved by these two who are great leaders.  Robson has a great feel to it this year and the boys are in a focused mindset ready to get straight into school activities and work and kickoff Term 1 with a bang.

New Boys In Barry

A huge welcome to our new boarders in Barry House for 2019. (from left) Simon Van Weelde (Year 11 – Mosman), Sam Hill (Year 8 – Crow’s Nest, Caringbah), Hugo Pearce (Year 9 – Orange), Will Feely (Year 8 – Seaforth), Callum Simson (Year 8 – Moree), Angus Mackie (Year 8), Tommy North (Year 11 – Roseville), Will Hobson (Year 9 – Albury), Charlie Weller (Year 11 – Kenthurst) and Will Horsburgh (Year 10 – Tottenham). 

Balmoral Beach on Sunday

After Sunday lunch back at Shore at the end of Week 1, Barry House and the Year 7 boarders hit the beach at Balmoral for some sand and salt water. After managing to find a park for the minibus halfway up the hill, (it was a magnificent day after all), about 30 boys took over the beach for a swim, some footy and other ball games. It was a great way to relax after a hectic start to the year…

My First Week of Boarding – Hodges House

Coming into Boarding I did not know what to expect or how I was going to fit in to the house and its routines.  However, these nerves weren’t long lasting as the boys and teachers welcomed me and assisted me with everything. The routines and overall functioning of the House are thanks to the leadership of the year 12 Seniors, our Housemaster and Assistant Housemasters.

The boys in my dorm have particularly helped me out with where I need to be and when.  It’s comforting knowing that I’ve already got good friendships that will only get stronger in the future. The thing I have found most helpful so far has been the organisation of the House which has benefited me with my work efficiency, giving me spare time to hang out and get to know the boys in my year and other year groups.

Tom Scott (11HS)

Quad Rowing Success

Congratulations to Jackson Bowers (1st Quad) and Charlie Black (3rd Quad) for fantastic wins in the St Joseph’s College regatta. Rowing is certainly “a thing” in Barry House at the moment, with others including Captain of Boats, Max Pearce joined in the Fours by Charlie Murray, Oscar Crookes, Nick Halliday and Charlie Clift.  

Hodges House Renovations

Hodges House renovation is finally finished and looks amazing. The renovation will provide a great opportunity to live and work in a new state of the art environment. Please see pics below.

Hanging in the House Report – Week 1

After beds were made and clothes stored away, it was great to see so many boys catch up and swap holiday stories on the first evening of term. It really felt like a home-away-from-home for everyone as they reminisced about their wonderful holidays and the fun times they had. We, on staff, wish it was straight to sleep at Lights Out, but some dorms were certainly harder to settle down than others (not such a bad thing, to be honest).

Our First Week – Year 7 Boarding

Shore Boarding Experience

When I first knew I was going to board at Shore I was a little nervous and wasn’t so sure about it.  In the last couple of days it has been a great experience and I don’t know why I was so nervous.  It has been great making new friends and going on little excursions with Mrs Fryda and Mr Pienaar with all my mates.  It has sometimes been quite challenging making it on time for classes.  I am getting used to settling in and I am excited for the road ahead.  Alex Bishop (Year 7)

My Year 7 Boarding Experience so far

My boarding experience so far has been amazing.  All the teachers are really nice and will always help whenever they can.  Year 7 Boarders get let out early which is actually really helpful because then you can find your class on time and climb all those stairs.  For the first few days you do all sorts of fun activities.  Probably the worst part of Shore is the stairs.  Some of the buildings have 5 levels!!!

In Boarding you make lots of new friends, if you don’t know someone in the same dorm (or the other dorm) you eventually get to know them and sometimes they end up being your best friend.

That pretty much sums up my boarding experience so far, the teachers are all nice and you make new friends pretty fast which are the best things about Boarding so far for me.
Will Nugent (Year 7) 

Saturday Night Pizza and Movie Night

After a big first week, it was nice to relax on a Saturday night with the air-con on, enjoying a pizza and movie night. It’s always a favourite with the boys – food and entertainment; the perfect mix and you don’t have to think too much.

Sports Captains

Barry House has had two outstanding achievers as the new year began. Max Pearce, who only took up rowing relatively late in his school career, was elected as 2019 Captain of Boats. He is also the fastest sculler at Shore. Oliver Spanton was crowned Opens Swimming Champion for 2019 and is also Captain of the Shore Swim team. On Sunday, February 3, Oliver came an amazing 4^th place in the Open 5km swim in Manly’s Cole Classic.

From The Leaders

From the Senior Prefect, House Captain, and Vice-Captain

Hodges is a house that seeks to promote community, and engagement. Hence, the beginning of the year is an exciting time for Hodges with the introduction of a number of new boys into the house. With a new year ahead of us, and a plethora of activities planned, we are once again given the opportunity to strengthen the community, and the friendships within the house.

The house leaders have introduced a new Student Representative Council (SRC) program in which concerns of the house can be brought up and discussed in a student forum. This allows boys in even the youngest years a chance to display leadership. The SRC also provides a voice to the younger years; which was previously lacking. The year 12 leadership team, along with the help of the SRC, have been closely working with Mr. Fitch to refine routines within the house. We hope to further develop the sense of community within Hodges House through these routines.

We are looking forward to working with all of the boys in Hodges during what will be an excellent year for the house.

Each of us, in our final year, are going to strive to help the house and its members in any way we can, as we seek to pass on the torch. 

Ben Henchman (12HS)
Lochy Caldwell (12HS)
James Overton (12HS)

Year 9 Study Skills Evening

The Year 9 Study Skills evening in the War Memorial Hall was another tremendous success this year. Hosted by Miss Doran, it was a packed house, with Charlie Murray appearing as a special guest offering study tips from a student’s perspective. It was once again a fantastic night and so beneficial for our boys. Charlie did a brilliant job at explaining best study methods and tricks-of-the-trade from a student’s point of view.

Sony Camp 2018

Barry House had three boys attend the Sony Camp during the Christmas holidays. Their Children’s Holiday Camp Program is a unique respite program that sees high school and university students take on the responsibility for the care of children with special needs, allowing their families to have a valuable weekend off.

Nick Halliday was a relief companion.  The staff were very impressed with his maturity and he showed initiative throughout the camp and was helpful with many of the other campers. Nick proved to be a great relief companion.

Max Hartmann was also impressive.  His camper was a boy named Nathan, who is 13 and has a mild intellectual disability.  Max did a great job with looking after Nathan the whole week, getting him involved with many of the activities and having a blast. Max and Nathan formed a really nice relationship and it was so nice to see them all having such a good time.

Lachlan Lawson was one of the stars of the camp on the Media Team.  He was proactive and worked well in a team.  He came early and stayed late whenever he could.  It is so wonderful to see Lachie excelling at his passion and using it for such a good cause.

Please see below video (which Lachie was a huge part of creating!)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KzH_LysSVPwpApDxjFV38U1B1Knvu3yT/view

SPEC Update For January

The progress continues on the new Shore Physical Education Centre (SPEC).

Current Status

• Works to the ground floor structure and in ground services for the pool hall and sports hall have been completed.
• Concrete pours, precast concrete and steel installation for the upper levels of the pool hall and sports hall are now commencing.
• On 30 January 2019, one of the largest concrete pours for the project was undertaken for the ground floor of the sports hall, including approximately 400 cubic metres of concrete.
• Three of the five 50m pool base slabs including the balance tank have been completed to date. The five remaining pool wall and gutter slabs will be constructed following the erection of the precast concrete and steel structure of the pool hall.
• Extensive waterproofing and testing will be undertaken during the pool construction which allows for a sixty (60) day concrete curing period at the completion of the pool shell prior to the application of the pool finishes and tiles.
• The erection of structural steel members between the pre-cast columns for the pool hall commenced on 30 January 2019 to form the support structure for the classrooms and landscaped terracing.

Next Steps

• Structural steel member erection for the pool hall will continue.
• Works to extend the Bishopsgate car park will commence on 4 February 2019.
• Concrete pours will continue until approximately July 2019, scheduled to avoid sensitive school periods.