Country Trips, Golden Boots, Touch Footy, Farewell Year 12

Dear Shore Boarding Community,

At the end of term already, and one looks back with tremendous respect and admiration for the boys in our boarding community.  It hasn’t been easy for anyone, boys and parents, and yet all have continued on in a term still filled with great joy and happiness together, as one.

The boarding staff have been welcomed in the country on two occasions this term, and we absolutely loved it, catching up with past, current and prospective parents.  Our first trip was to Parkes and Orange, where we held a dinner in Parkes at the Comfort Inn, Bushman’s on Saturday before travelling to Orange for lunch the next day.  Thank you to the Swift Family who generously hosted us at their Printhie Winery.  The next week, The Manchee Family were our great hosts in Moree, which was another well-attended event for dinner.  Thank you, everyone, for welcoming us.  It was so good to catch up again.  We hope we can do so again soon.  Keep an eye out for our next trip at the beginning of Term 4 in Walcha and Spring Ridge.

The annual Golden Boots was held this year in a different setting – the Smith Auditorium.  Each House chooses a representative from Year 11 to speak on a given topic – this year’s was “When it’s dark enough, you can see the stars.” The 2020 representatives were Alex Wong (Hodges), Ewan Jackman (School), Adrian Lai (Barry) and Oli Wilson (Robson).  In some of the best speeches heard in recent years, the quality was amazing, Adrian was judged by Mr Morrison and Mrs Foord as the winner on the night, although all four boys were simply magnificent in their takes on the topic.

It has been so nice hearing the boys compliment the quality of the food this term, and we have continued to try to supply healthy, nutritious and tasty meals.  Our new chef, Franz, has done a great job with his themed nights, from American, to English to Asian, to home-made dough pizzas. 

We have also tried to engage the whole boarding community when we can, and one such recent event was the Inter-House Touch Rugby tournament a couple of Sundays ago.  Each team played one another once in the pool rounds, before the best-performing teams battle it out in the Grand Final.  This year, Barry House won in a tough encounter over School House.  Well done to everyone who made it such an enjoyable day.

On the second-last night of the term, our Year 12 boarders took to Sydney Harbour for a farewell harbour cruise.  Sitting back on a beautiful balmy evening in a 360° glass-walled cruise boat, the boys were treated to a lovely 3-course meal, and fantastic speeches from MC Jonah Edlington, the incomparable Tom Merriman and Headmaster, Dr Petterson.  Later, it was up on deck to take in the city views and enjoy one another’s company before docking three hours after taking off from McMahon’s Point Wharf.  It was a lovely way to see off the term, and thank our great Year 12 boarders for six fabulous years.

Many boys have enjoyed tremendous success in Drama, and this term was no exception.  Elsewhere in this letter, Finn Beachley from Hodges has written a great report on the Middle School play “The Middle Class Aristocrat”.  Congratulations must also go out to our Year 12 boarders whose Individual Monologues were absolutely brilliant.  A big shout-out out to the following Year 12s:

Tom Merriman (School)

Michael Mingay Robson)

Billy Moore (School)

Henry Saunders (Barry)

Oli White (Hodges)

Lastly, don’t forget our voucher offer.  We have some vouchers left to help provide our boarding families with some accommodation support, to help when visiting their sons while in Sydney.  In conjunction with View Sydney we will provide $100 vouchers to help with accommodation costs for Shore boarding families.  Please contact Heather for your voucher in the week leading up to your Sydney visit.  First in-first served.  Safe travels, and have a happy stay!

Have a wonderful Term 3 holiday with your sons.  We hope you get the chance for a well-deserved break at some stage.  Best wishes to our HSC boys next term – the hard work is done so now just the big quiz to go.  Good luck!

Best wishes,

Brendan

Interview with Rishad – Distance Learning

Interview with Rishad Cook-Sabatino Year 10 (Hodges House) as he continues to learn via distance at St Michael’s Primary School, Thursday Island – Cay Camden- Senior School Counsellor

9^th September 2020

Rishad how long have you been learning via Distance in the Torres Strait Islands?

110 days!!!

What does your daily routine look like?

When I am going to learn via distance at the primary school on Thursday island I am up early and do all the usual things but I then walk to the ferry wharf and catch a ferry across from Horn to Thursday Island. It takes about 20 mins. Then I walk up to the school. I follow the SHORE daily routine as best I can, and try to keep up with all the notifications and any Zoom meetings possible.

What has been the most challenging part of distance learning?

Missing my friends, the new gym and Basketball.

What has been ‘a positive’ out of this new experience?

Being more independent, learning how to use new IT-Zoom and being more patient. I am now more organised (but that took a while) and being on time (which I am still mastering). I have much more time with my family and love leading sports with the little kids from the primary school, Basketball, touch footy and AFL. I have loved seeing my whole community come together in this crisis.

How do you feel still being at home, and not back at SHORE yet?

 A bit weird, like I am definitely in a different world. I like being at the school here though as I am getting work done now, which I couldn’t before schooling from home on Horn Island.

How did they react when you first came?

The little kids stared at me. However, I was introduced to everyone, and now they are all happy to see me. There are about 100 students here, so quite a small school.

Tell me what is the most interesting thing we wouldn’t know about your home Horn Island?

That the only way to get to any of the smaller islands of the Torres Strait is through Cairns and then through Horn Island.

And Thursday Island, has all the major infrastructure like businesses, boarder patrol and many more houses.

What would you like to tell your boarding community?

I WILL RETURN.

Robson House – Housemaster Reflections

As we move into the final days for Year 12, it has certainly been an exciting time and obviously strange time for their final year.  Kim and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time with these boys over the past five years, dinners at our place, afternoon teas, pizza nights, watching sport, listening to music and the list goes on.  We have all been blessed with fine boys who will thrive in the times ahead and we certainly look forward to catching up with these men in the future.  Last night was a culmination of celebration as all the Year 12 boys enjoyed the boat cruise on the Harbour with other boarding staff, Dr Petterson, Professor Petterson and Mrs Foord.  So we move to the end of Term 3 and now are ready for the holidays.  I need to tell you a true and funny story that looks at how the welfare of your son is crucial, so enjoy the following.

There was a time when Boardingware did not exist.  One of our Year 12 boys wrote on Kim’s card “Mrs Boardingware”.  Before this came into effect, emails were sent to the boarding Housemaster from the parents to say where their son was staying for the weekend.  Twenty years ago, it would have been a phone call and a fax.

We need to hear funny stories and here is one, which you may have heard in conversations with me.  At St Joseph’s College you maybe aware that each Division Master was responsible for the entire year.  There was a time when all boys were boarding and this story is in the early 1990’s.  A country boarder was out on leave for the weekend, leaving on Friday and returning to school on Monday.  That is what the school thought.  However, the parents thought he was at school.  The school rang the parents on Sunday evening to inform them that something was not quite right.  The parents said that they would contact their son.  As it turned out the boy loved soccer, had purchased a return flight to Liverpool in England to attend Manchester United v Liverpool over the weekend.  So when you are discussing leave with your son at any time it is important that you know who he is staying with.

Barry House Year 12 Farewell Speeches

Barry House Year 12 Farewell Speech Night was once again brilliant this year – always one of the highlights! Beautiful speeches were delivered to the House and families (via Zoom), still in a formal format even in these Covid-19 times.  Boys then signed out on the boards before leaving for the night – Big Smoke (City), Jet Set (International) and Boys from the Bush (Boys from the Bush!) Thank you for a memorable night.  These are the times when this Boarding Housemaster thanks God he works in the best job in the world.

Check out our Year 12 video here to watch the 2020 Year 12 journey, 2016-2020.

The Last Supper

As School House Housemaster, one of the unique opportunities I get each year, is to take Yr 12 out to dinner at a local restaurant.  Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there is a restriction on numbers.  To over come this obstacle, I chose to spit the boys and staff into two groups and conduct this over two nights.  I must admit it was very difficult for me to attend my favourite Thai restaurant two nights in a row but that’s the kind of House Master I am…….  Selfless!

As parents we hope that we get it right most of the times.  As boarding staff, the odds are a bit higher and we hope that we get it right most of the time too….  And if we don’t we blame the boy’s genetics but last Monday & Tuesday night was confirmation we are doing OK.  And what was my gauge, simple, “Conversation”.  Did I gauge it on what we spoke about… no.  Was it the importance of the subjects we spoke about….  no ……..  it was simply the ease at which conversation flowed about nothing!

The Tutors and Boarding staff would like to thank the SL Yr 12 of 2020 for their presence and leadership, it was outstanding! ……….  And the duck in plum sauce was pretty good too.

Hodges House Year 12 Speeches

The Hodges House cocktail party is one of the highlights of the calendar and this year, albeit under slightly different conditions, it proved to be a great success.   With the wonders of Zoom, parents and friends of the Hodges community were able to enjoy the Year 12 speeches.  There were moments of intense laughter, but also sadness; as many came to terms with the reality of the ending of such a significant period of their lives.

I would personally like thank Year 12 for all the memories and kind words shared throughout the evening and wish them every success in their life beyond Shore.

Brothers-In-Arms

We have to go back seven years to the Clancy twins to find brothers who have played together in the Rugby 1^st XV, and brothers from different Year groups have us winding back even further. This year, the Murrays – Charlie (Year 12 – fullback) and Henry (Year 10 – wing) from Lovedale have joined one another in our top side.  Charlie’s “Best Memory” from our recent dinner was playing in the 1^st XV with his younger brother.  How good!

Meet our New Assistant Housemaster

I grew up with a love for the water, later becoming a keen swimmer and competing at State and National level throughout my high school years.  During that time, I also began playing Water Polo for school and multiple club competitions and now am excited to be coaching for Shore Water Polo after a few years away from the game.  I have played oz tag with friends for the past 7 years and enjoy the social as well as the competitive nature of this game.

I originally completed a degree in Exercise Science at university followed by a Dip Ed in PDHPE, which lead me to teach PDHPE in primary and high schools for 5 years before I decided on a change and retrained in Mathematics – completing a Masters in Education – and have now been teaching Mathematics for the past 5 years.  I taught PE at Holy Family in Lindfield along with Mathematics at Oakhill College, and then a mix of other schools casually when I was first starting out!

I started at Shore this year and have loved teaching both PDHPE and Maths (the first time I have taught them both at the same time!).

I am recently married (November 2019) to my lovely husband Brendan, and we are both excited to be moving into Robson House!

Year 12 End Of Year Speeches

Looking back on my younger years of school I would always listen to the year 12 regale the house with story’s that involved comradery, mischief during their time as a boarder, in the year 12 farewell speeches.  However, I never really knew the how much these speeches really meant to the year 12’s until I gave mine at the end of this term. 

In the pressure of year 12 there aren’t many times to stop and reflect and this event allows the year 12s to do just that.  The speeches allow the boys to thank their parents which may look that a pretty stock standard thing to do but as I know from experience.  That sometimes your parents work tirelessly for you with no expectation for something in return.  And to give a boy the ability to give something back in the speeches making your parents know how much they mean to you is very special. 

The speeches are also allowing the year 12’s to reflect on the years they have spent in the house with the boys in there year.  Through making my speech I reflected on all the great memorise that I have made in this house from tom Merriman vomiting on the carpet in the year 10 dorm to Tom Gordons recent blitzkrieg tactic on the school house fantasy footy comp, beating everyone by at least 100 points every round earning his name as the ‘Statman’.  These story’s, although they may be dumb are really important as it highlights the bond and memories that the boys have made and reinforces that even though we may be walking out of the gates in a Couple weeks finished with the HSC and moving on with our lives, the boys of the boarding community will still remain close mates well into the future. 

Billy Moore

Reflecting On Robson House From A Current Tutor

When I first came to the Shore boarding community in 2013 in Year 8, I was confused and intimidated by the idea of going to a tutor within the boarding house.  I felt that it was only for the smarter boys who knew what they were doing.  I figured that by going to the tutor, I would not only be wasting their time but the time of other boys waiting to see them.

As I progressed through my time at shore, I would only occasionally see the tutor.  Mainly during exam times, and mainly for the subjects I was more confident in.  It always felt like a chore going to the tutor and I only used it as a last resort.

That all changed in Year 11 with a tutor by the name Harry Azzopardi.  Harry was also an Old Boy of Shore Boarding, hailing from Hodges House.  I came to him with just one particularly difficult 3 Unit Maths question, but ended up staying for the rest of prep.  Although I cannot truthfully say that all that time was spent doing maths, it was a defining day in my HSC preparation.  After getting to know Harry, I felt an obligation to go down and see him whenever he was on.  So, every Tuesday, I would go down to him and go through that week’s backlog of unsolved maths questions.  Luckily for me, he also tutored in Physics and Chemistry and so some nights I would be down there for the full two hours.

During Year 12, more days than not, I was at a tutor.  At the beginning of the year, I got the tutoring roster and planned my studying around what tutors were on that night.  Not only did it break up the monotony of sitting at a desk all night but help me gain a deeper understanding of the topics and how they were going to be examined.  The most useful thing that I learned from going to the tutors was the general structure of HSC questions and how to go about answering them in the clearest and time efficient way.   

Now sitting here on the other side of a table, I feel the obligation to give back all that the tutors gave me.  Nowadays, there is a much larger range of year groups that come for help.  Everywhere from a Year 7 just starting to learn about algebra, all the way to Year 12 bringing me my years HSC papers.  Even though at times it can be overwhelming with 3 or 4 people all vying for your attention and the expectation of being the fountain of all knowledge, it is ultimately extremely rewarding when you can see the light switch, and they can grasp that concept a little bit easier. 

Kind Regards

Nicholas Hespe

Year 12 Dinner At The Morris Residence

Barry House Year 12 popped down for a beautiful home-cooked dinner in Week 9 as part of the year’s wind-down.  It is always a special occasion, and this year was no exception.  Thanks to Soph for a fabulous meal – slow-cooked lamb shoulder with roasted rosemary and sea-salt crushed potatoes and steamed greens, and then it was chocolate brownie, honeycomb and vanilla bean gelato to finish off.  Great company as well; The Best Teacher and Best/Worst Memories discussion is always a highlight as well! Thank you, Fabulous Year 12, for a great night!

Hodges Year 12 Dinner

Last Friday evening Hodges Year 12 were treated to a Brazilian BBQ in Darling Harbour for their farewell dinner.  They were joined by Mr Fitch for an incredible “all you could eat” Brazilian BBQ where 24 different meats just kept coming.  Parents would be happy to know there were also a couple of the token salads (only eaten by Mr Fitch) to enjoy with the BBQ meat.  It was a great evening to share memories and stories from their time at Shore.  A fitting way to reminisce on this amazing chapter of their lives. 

What Is It About Those Boarders?

When I was a student at Shore in the day school from 2010-2015, I was always fascinated by the boarders. There was just something about them. They carried themselves a little differently to us day boys. In general, they were more self-assured, more prepared to look you in the eye during a conversation, less buffeted by the everyday stressors of life and schooling.

Being a slightly anxious kid myself, I was particularly drawn to these unflappable personalities. I couldn’t explain why, but I had a particular fondness for the boarders. I valued their presence in the classroom, in the playground and on the sporting field. I tried to spend as much time with them as I could. I suppose I hoped some of their calm confidence would rub off on me.

Since becoming an Assistant Boarding Housemaster in May, I have done some reading and thinking about the benefits of life in the boarding house for the moral development of Shore boys. Throughout this (ongoing) process, I have come to understand more clearly why our boarders – both now and during my own time at school – carry themselves with the self-assuredness that they do. Allow me to explain.

Lawrence Kohlberg was an American developmental psychologist who built upon the work of Jean Piaget in his contribution to our understanding of the stages of moral development in children and young adults. His work was complex and layered but at its core his theory was this: young people learn how to use moral reasoning by exploring how to function competently in social interactions.

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development works best when young people are provided with an environment that prioritises and exemplifies mutual care and respect. I believe that the boarding house is the perfect place for this.

In the boarding community at Shore, boys are immersed fully in the rhythms of life alongside each other. They share the successes and disappointments of life together. They experience the mundane and the extraordinary moments together. They play touch footy, share meals, study and miss the comforts of home together.

But all the while, they are encouraged to live lives of selflessness and brotherly love by the Boarding Masters. We aim to facilitate this environment in such a way that each and every boy experiences the full benefits of boarding for his own development. When our boarders need pastoral support, behavioural correction or anything in between, we won’t hesitate to give it.

I believe it is this combination that gives our boarders the calm confidence and strength of character which once mystified me. In the boarding house, they work out how to live alongside others and to cooperate with patience and respect. As Boarding Masters, it is our privilege to walk with them in this journey of moral development and character formation. I thank God for the opportunity to do it.

Mark Lovell – Assistant Housemaster, School House

Orange Mums Get Together

Recently our Shore Mums from Orange arranged a lunch together to catch up.

All Year groups now have a Whatsapp Group so that boarding families can communicate with each other, if you haven’t had a message please contact your boarding reps Lisa Broadley or Lil Wilson so they can put you in contact with the Year Co-ordinator.

Mr Kriedemann

Mr Brett Kriedemann, who is leaving Shore to take up a position at Abbotsleigh next term, has been a Tutor in Barry House for over 15 years.  He is one of the most loved and respected members on the Shore staff, and for good reason.  The empathy and genuine care he shows the boys is remarkable; he knows everything about every boy in his Tutor Group and beyond, and he truly loves and admires Barry House.  Mr Kriedemann always goes above and beyond in his Barry House duties, and boys in his classes, teams and pastoral groups all look on him with the fondest of memories.  We wish Mr Kriedemann the very best in his next journey in life.  May God look down on you, your beautiful wife, Tracey and equally beautiful daughter, Olivia with the care and love you have always shown here at Shore and in Barry.  Go well.

Campbell Brown Memorial Award for Citizenship

On Tuesday 8^th September relatives and family friends of Campbell (’94) joined Hodges House via Zoom to present the Campbell Brown Memorial award. The award is named after former Hodges boarder, Campbell Brown, originally from Wee Waa NSW, who died tragically in an ultra-light plane accident in the Northern Territory in 2008.

It is also with great sadness we note that this year Campbell’s mother passed away after a long battle with cancer. We are sure she would have loved to have joined the presentation if she was still with us. Mrs Brown was a strong supporter of the SHORE school, and was proud to have her son attend as a boarder. It was her initiative and feeling of connection to SHORE, and in particular Hodges House which brought about the award named after her son.

The Campbell Brown Memorial award is presented annually to a boy in Year 11 who demonstrates good character and behaviour, is involved in a variety of activities inside and outside the boarding community, and who demonstrates moral courage. The award is made possible through the generosity of Campbell’s parents, Janet and Geoffrey, in memory of their son.

Congratulations to Campbell Duff (11HS1) who was the worthy recipient of the award for 2020.

Ms J Tierney/Mr R Fitch

Middle School Play Report – Robson House

Last week, a group of Year 9 and 10 drama students performed The Middle-Class Aristocrat by Moliere.  The play is a satirical take upon those who attempt to be a part of the ‘upper-class’ by adopting the supposed trademarks and imagery of the elite.  The piece was pulled off masterfully and hilariously by the boys, and their director, Mrs Bell.  Alex Mingay from Robson House played Lucile, the protagonist’s daughter, who desires a husband, whose blessing her father will not give.  Alex’s total commitment to the role and outstanding performance received laughs and praise from everyone.  The entire cast was outstanding and hilarious in their particular roles, well done to all those involved. 

A Story To Tell – Ashton Gresham

Golden Boots – I didn’t win, nor did I represent SL, but let me tell you a little story, a story of a great man who shined out from a life of darkness. 

Jack, as he was known by his closest friends and family, was born in Belfast, Ireland in November 1898.  As a young boy, Jack was enraptured with mythical animals and stories of gallantry.

This led him and his brother Warren to create fantastical lands of their own, however not fantastical enough to escape the jaws of reality.  When Jack was ten his mother sadly passed away.

Despite having already gone through more than many of us boys have in our lives, Jack didn’t let it slow him down.  At the age of 16, World War One broke out, and as soon as he could he started active service.  At the age of sixteen, for me, the most nerve racking thing I did was trying to get my L-plates.

After reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant in one of the most respected divisions in the British Army, Jack was wounded by shrapnel and was honourably discharged towards the end of the war at the ripe old age of… twenty.  Only three years older than me.

After his impressive achievements in the army, Jack returned to complete his university education at the highly esteemed Oxford University.  After graduating with a focus on literature and philosophy, he was invited back to teach.  Whilst there, he joined a group of writers known as ‘The Inklings’, who counted among their members Jack’s brother, Warren, and J.R.R.  Tolkien.

And this is where his story really kicks off.  Jack found himself, after years of disillusionment, re-embracing Christianity.  This prompted him to use his skills to begin writing books, many of which are now well-known works. 

Much later on, when Jack was in his early forties, World War Two broke out and, despite his previous injuries, he attempted to re-enlist but the war office felt that his time was better spent putting his writings and intellect towards community morale and the war effort at home.

During the six years of war, Jack became famous for his radio broadcasts about faith.  His speeches to a war-ravaged Britain were then compiled into one of the period’s most influential books, Mere Christianity.

Five years after the Second World War, Jack published his most famous book which remains a classic to this day – The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe.  It was then, in 1956, that Jack (known to you as C.S Lewis) was “Surprised by Joy”, who, as fate would have it, happens to be my own great grandmother. 

They were married that year.  Those years of marriage were the happiest of his life, albeit short-lived.  After only four years of marriage, Joy died of cancer. 

Three years later, Jack resigned and on November the 22nd 1963, Clive Staples Lewis, as bright a star as any, passed away.

At the end of the day, C.S.  Lewis died a sad but fulfilled man.  Despite all the darkness around him, despite all the pain and suffering.  In fact, it was only because of his trials that he could see the stars.  And it is because of them that he became a star for millions.  As the man himself said, “pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”.

So lads, let C.S.  Lewis be an example to you.  Rejoice in your suffering, for your suffering is the darkness that reveals your blessings.  And count your blessings for your blessings are the stars.

Henry Saunders and Hunter Lawson

In preparation for the HSC Drama Practical Exams, the Drama Department held lunchtime performances for the HSC students.  Henry Saunders’ performance of “Chat Room” was outstanding, and earned him the opportunity to trial for On Stage HSC Drama.  Henry has trodden the boards his whole Shore life, and this honour is so well-deserved, given the thousands of hours he has dedicated to his craft.

Hunter Lawson will be Shore’s first Yalari HSC alumnus when he finishes at the end of this year.  He has been a boarder at Shore since Year 7, and over the years has grown into a young man of tremendous virtue and dignity.  Hunter has been an outstanding leader for his fellow Yalari and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys at Shore, taking great initiative and oversight of those under his care.  Shore’s Yalari programme is all the stronger thanks to Hunter’s stewardship over the years, and he will leave a lasting legacy on the School.  He will be truly missed.

The Middle Class Aristocrat

This week I had the amazing opportunity to play the lead role in the Middle School Play “The Middle Class Aristocrat”. The role that I played was Monsieur Jourdain, who is a foolish middle class man who dreams of nobility. This hilarious Comedy is set in Monsieur Jourdain’s home in Paris. He is a middle class man who has every desire in the world to be a gentleman. In his attempts he hires masters of Music, Dancing, Fencing, Philosophy and a Tailor to assist him in his aspirations. Jourdain also goes to such measures as to ask for the help of a Count to speak and bring expensive gifts to the widowing Countess Dorimene, although the Count portrays these gifts as his own. 

It was fantastic to see so many boys from the boarding community participating in the play and be able to dedicate hours upon hours of hard work and effort learning lines and dances that were performed flawlessly, with a couple mishaps along the way. The boys that are boarders in the play are:

(Hodges) Finn Beachley: Monsieur Jourdain

(Hodges) Gus Allen-Burton: Dorimene

(Hodges) Tom Hebblewhite: Lackey

(Robson) Alex Mingay: Lucille

(School) Marlon Caley: Musician’s Apprentice

(School) Justin Gao: Ensemble

(School) Roo Taylor: Ensemble

All of these boys spent countless amounts of time rehearsing and deserve praise and all those involved should be proud of what we had achieved as a cast. However, none of this would be possible without the help we got from our spectacular director Ms Bell. She is the one who pulled this whole production together. We also could not have had a play without Ms Horsley the Co-Director, Ms Brosnan the Stage Director and Ms Wolseley our dedicated Makeup Artist. All of these staff members, along with all of the boys brought this piece together and I don’t think it could have turned out any better. On behalf of all the cast we heavily appreciate the time everyone took to come out and support and I am really grateful that all of Hodges came to support.

Finn Beachley (10HS)

Barry House Concert

Every year, usually on the evening of the School Athletics Carnival, the Barry House corridors are filled with the dulcet tones of its new members singing solo in the Barry House Concert.  Every new member of the House, boys and staff, step up to the plate and sing a solo, unaccompanied song of their choice.  This year it took place a little later than usual, but it was perhaps the best showcase of talent ever.  Everything from Ms Dowdell’s rapping, Mr Separovich’s (pretty ordinary) Mandarin number, “Knick-knack Paddy Whack” or songs from “The Lorax”, it was a great night.  Congratulations to winners, Ms Dowdell, Tom Gordon, Hugo Pearce and Year 10 for their skit!

Year 11 Leadership Day

On the 18th of August Year 11 undertook in Shores special leadership day where we learned many of the important skills and qualities of good leadership and prepared ourselves for our future roles of leadership within the school. 

Leadership day kicked off with seminars on leadership conducted by various house masters.  For Hodges, this was Mr.  Fitch, who did an excellent job in creating inciting and thoughtful discussions on leadership.  We started by looking at and discussing numerous examples of good leadership such as John Howard and Jacinda Ardern.  We observed leaders what traits made them good leaders such as compassion and honesty.  Conversely, we looked at examples of bad leaders where we examined bad traits of leadership such as selfishness or dishonesty.  The comparison between good and bad leadership let us identify key attributes required for us to provide good leadership and further prepared us for our future leadership positions.

When we the sessions started again, all of Year 11 connected with Mr.  Petterson and Reverent Dudley via Zoom in order to further our discussions on leadership.  They talked about the responsibilities of leadership within the school, as-well as citing examples of good leadership and the values which they bring forward to the community.  By the end of their insightful discussion, we had learnt the implications of leadership, its responsibilities and the important qualities and motives which create good leaders. 

After leadership day had ended, Hodges continued with our discussions on leadership with a recap on the day and what we had learned.  We also discussed some of the changes we would like to see implemented into the boarding house to improve the Hodges culture and foster a good environment for the boys.  Many initiatives were proposed such as in-house sports and academic competitions as-well as in-house events.  The initiatives as-well as other ideas discussed aimed to create a positive atmosphere within the boarding house and make the most positive use of our leadership roles within the house and school.

Overall the leadership day was beneficial for all of the Year 11 boys, teaching us what the best qualities and attributes of student leadership are as-well as what is expected of us as the leaders of the school.

Alex Englund (11HS)

Cooking Still

Awesome cooking experiences have made weekends a special time in Barry House. The boys love coming back after footy and looking on the noticeboard to see what’s happening.  We have loved our special spag bol., gourmet burgers, nachos with Matty Davis’ brilliant guacamole and lamb cutlets!

Open Air Cinema

The cold nights of winter are finally coming to an end, and boys at Hodges and School house have taken full advantage of this, spending the last few Saturday nights watching movies under the stars. Everyone brought a blanket out and enjoyed watching Black Panther and The Avengers over the projector. Although the breeze knocked the screen over a few times, the nights were a huge success and a great way to finish off the term.

Oscar Kanaley (9HS)

Hodges House Trivia

On Saturday the 22^nd of August, Hodges boys who were in over the weekend, competed in house trivia. The boys were organised into teams three teams with four players in each team. The teams were formed with students across different year groups, so as not to end up with a Year 12 v Year 8 scenario!

There was extra motivation for the boys with Mars Bar and Starburst prizes on the night. However, the real sweetener was that each member of the winning team would receive a pizza voucher that could be claimed between 5pm – 9pm on any of Mr Philips’ weekday shifts (even during the middle of Prep!) Thus, the stakes were high!

There were four rounds of trivia with the categories being:

Round 1 – History

Round 2 – Sports & Games

Round 3 – Science & Nature

Round 4 – Entertainment

At the end of the night, the winners on 27 points, a clear 6 points ahead of second place, were Lachlan Powell, Gus Allen-Burton, Ryan Wong and Nicholas Donoghue. Pizza will be coming their way!!