Beginning of Term 4

I was struck recently by a line from a TV Series called “After Life”.  A mentor, speaking to a man filled with self-doubt, said that “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.” I couldn’t help but think of our Year 12s as they prepare to leave Shore and head out into the world.  Shore is a great school because of, among other things, those at the head of its student body.  Our Year 12.  Sure, some of them have erred, in fact all of them have at some stage, but what mustn’t be forgotten is the outstanding work that they have done for Shore and the legacy they leave behind.  This legacy is the trees that they have planted, the shade under which future generations will sit and enjoy comfort and respite.  Farewell, wonderful Year 12 boarders, and thank you for all you have given, sacrificed and that over which you have toiled.  You will be missed, but not forgotten, and we wish you all the deserved great things that await. 

It was fabulous to get out to meet our current and prospective country families over the weekend of Week 1.  Messrs Morris and Junee hit the road to Walcha and Spring Ridge, enjoying some rain on the way home.  We enjoyed long chats and fabulous hospitality, with many families traveling several hours to be there.  Thank you everyone for joining us, especially our extremely generous hosts, the Greig and Clift families.  Make sure you visit Edwina and Sam Payne’s Café Graze when in Walcha, and stay at the Walcha Guesthouse. 

We extend sincere congratulations to Angus Malcolm (Barry) and Charles Dight (Robson) on their appointments as 1st Batch Sub-Prefects.  They will certainly lead the School with great virtue, compassion and respect.  Go well, young men, and best wishes from all of us.

Thursday nights in Terms 1 and 4 see the boarders enjoy a BBQ dinner.  With the completion of the new Boarders’ Terrace, these have now been taking place against the backdrop of the magnificent Sydney cityscape, with the traditional BBQ fare as well as seafood and chorizo paella.  It is a fabulous way to work towards the end of the week.

Shore Boarding Legend, Mr David Anderson spoke to most of our boarders in Week 2 as guest speaker in the Smith Auditorium.  With 30 years’ experience in boarding, 24 as Senior Boarding Housemaster, Mr Anderson certainly knows his way around boarding.  The topic he presented was “How to be a better man and how boarding can help me get there.” There were many great words of wisdom and advice, with a few memories thrown in as well.  Thank you, Mr Anderson.

The boarders are now enjoying our world-class sporting facilities over the weekend as well.  Our pool, weights room and basketball amenities are open on Sunday afternoons for our boarders to enjoy, and this will soon extend to Friday afternoons as well.  Boarding’s on-site location also allows our boys to wake midweek before roll call and walk next door to hit the gym, train or swim some laps, then it’s a quick shower in the boarding house and breakfast in the boarders’ dining hall before heading up for period 1.  Check out some footage of a recent Sunday water polo session here

Please 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!

Here’s to a great Term 4.  We thank you all for times past and look forward to times ahead.

Brendan

Guess Who In School

My name is Hunter Black and I have recently been given the opportunity to lead School House as Captain for 2020/2021.  I’ve been very fortunate to have witnessed the leadership of Fin Hancock supported by Toby Weston, Harry Litchfield and the rest of the Yr12 cohort throughout 2020.

This year has been a particularly difficult year and I’m sure you can all agree.  I’m genuinely excited to be given the opportunity to add to the fabric of School House, not only as a place of living but as a place of community.  Luckily, I have the incredible support of the School House Vice Captains Ashton Gresham, Alec Manchee and of course the rest of the seniors.

After spending time in other houses, I’ve realised that School House is a really special place, where I feel comfortable talking to anyone in the house.  Be it a year 11 or year 7 boy, everyone has something to say as I always love having a good chat with School House boys.

I hope everyone has a great remainder of the year……..and just a reminder, ANGLICARE: Every year as Term 4 counts down, Shore participates in the Anglicare ‘Pantry Appeal’.  Essentially, all shore boys donate food to the unfortunate who can’t afford any for Christmas.  Don’t forget 😊

Hodges Leadership 2021

The staff and young men of Hodges would like to congratulate our newly elected leaders for 2021, Campbell Duff (Manildra) and John Joseph (Curtin).  Both Campbell and John joined Shore as boarders in Year 7, initially in School and then in Hodges from Year 8.  They are both fine young men and we look forward to working with them and the other seniors in house in the in the coming year.

Barry House Leaders 2021

A huge congratulations to our new leaders for 2021, Captain Banjo Cole (Rouchel) and Vice-Captain Charlie Moses (Inverell). Banjo and Charlie certainly know their way around boarding, and we in Barry House look forward to a new chapter unfolding over the next twelve months.

Robson Leadership 2021

As we have entered the new term, the final term of 2020 and Year 11 boys have now become Year 12 seniors, a variety of new leadership roles have been issued throughout the school.  In both the day school and boarding community, new students have begun leading in positions like House Captains and Vice-Captains and School Sub-Prefects, and while it’s a bit daunting at first, it has been great to see a new, enthusiastic set of leaders throughout the school.  In boarding especially, the leadership positions available allow for a wide variety of freedom and autonomy in the running of the house as we are constantly involved outside of school hours and on the weekend. 

Just last weekend, in Robson House, all the boys that were in for the Sunday came together and feasted out on Vietnamese rice paper rolls while watching the Bledisloe.  This allowed for not only the appointed house captains to show initiative in house activities, but also fellow Year 12 seniors to help organise the activity and assist in the fluid running of the House.  As we look forward as a new Year 12 leadership team, we will continue to search for ways to try new things within the boarding house and further participate in functions and activities done in the past.  By doing so, we strive to keep the boarding house a happy, friendly environment which the boys enjoy spending time in. 

Charles Dight

Rishad’s Return

Rishad Cook-Sabatino has been in Shore since Year 7, and a valuable member of the Hodges and the Shore community. Rishad is from the Torres Strait Islands which is a beautiful group of islands off the coast of Cape York Queensland. Due to the impact of the border restrictions in place between NSW and Queensland, Rishad was sadly forced to have an extended break.  

Ryan’s Questions for Rishad

• How did it feel going back home during COVID? 

Honestly, it felt like an extended holiday. It was great to see my family and friends, but overall, it’s great to be back home.  

• Did you do anything while you were back home?

Yes, I helped out at the local primary school. It was fun and I really enjoyed it because I could give back to my community.

• Did you find distance learning to be difficult?

It was hard to manage at first, but after I got the hang of it, it became a lot easier.

• Have you experienced any difficulties regarding school life after quarantine?

Well, it was hard to catch up with the work at school after being away for so long at first, but with the help of the teachers and my friends I’ve been able to manage more easily.

Pictures are from a Year 10 dinner celebrating Rishad’s return to school.

Welcome Will Beggs

In the past three weeks, my boarding experience in Barry House has been enjoyable and a delight, as the boys are legends.  My mentor, Will Hobson has taught me many things, like where the pool table is and where to find my classes. Water polo has settled my time so far as I have made new friends from it. Everyone at Shore has been comforting and the support has been sensational. I have fitted in well to the boarding community and am starting to fit into the day school as well because all the boys are very accepting. I think my past three weeks at Shore have been a great experience and I hope that I can get to know the boys a bit better and be more involved at Shore. GO SHORE!! (Will Beggs)

Editor’s note: Will has been selected straight into the 1sts Water Polo team, an outstanding achievement. Well done, Will.

Robson House Rowing

On Saturday 31^st October, 2020 at 6.00am, I walked around the boarding house to check the roll as I was on duty and had to be at the boatshed at 7.00am to coach the Year 7/8 new rowers with the Deputy Headmaster Mr Morrison and Patrick Bloore, an old boy.  As you all would remember it was raining in Sydney and rather cold, so I had a quick breakfast, cup of tea and walked to the car park.  On the way I noticed Mr Ticehurst’s office light on, we had a brief chat about sport and so then headed to the car; this was all before 6.45am. 

At 7.30am, myself and the other coaches were on the water heading to Hen and Chicken Bay, with 6 crews and 3 speed boats and the clouds opened up.  As you would imagine, there are raincoats, hats, megaphones, two reserve rowers, no umbrellas and it is pelting down and this is all before 9.30am.

You may ask yourself what am I doing? Well, I am coaching a sport that I have enjoyed for over 30 years.  In fact, Mr Morrison and I have a total of over 60 years’ experience so it is not surprising that this is a fair reason why Shore do well at rowing.  In fact, within the Shore boatshed there are many staff who coach.  Mr Jennings is the only teacher coaching in the GPS 1^st Eight (who has been involved with boarding) and Mr Koster coaching the 2^nd Eight as well and the list goes on.  There are so many teachers involved with sport each Saturday at Shore and it is a different way of connecting with teenagers.  It is so nice to walk through the school and boys who you have had no contact with yell “hello Sir”!

In the boarding side, Kim took over from me on duty, walked around the house and checked in on the boys, making sure they were happy with a smile on their face (even though some sport was cancelled).  When I arrived to the boarding house and the rain continued it was my turn to take over, watching the rugby union grand final and then the test, whilst the boys enjoyed the gym, the rugby, pizzas and relaxation.

Like a gentlemen’s “Smoking Room” without the Smoke & crustiness

The Minnett room is the old School House Library. It’s a room currently used each night by tutors and any boy seeking assistance and a meeting place for board games and cards. It’s a small stately room which has been part of School House for many years. A kind of smaller version of a “Smoking Room” without the smoke, crustiness, pompous old men, pipes and smoking jackets.

During the second stage of the School House renovation last Christmas, the Minnett room received a very timely and tasteful facelift. The historical charm was retained and one could say added too. Two large book shelves once flanked either side of a low standing cupboard. Now these have been skilfully crafted into two display cabinets and in lies some terrific School House history.

Items include:

• Bow Flag – 1^st IV 1945 “Made up out of hat bands for the crew by Mrs Lengren, seamstress in School House during the war years” Names on Flag: P.Libers, P Tutin, E.Thorton, D Freeman & J Ronald.
• Playing Chess Minnett Room 1940 – L to R: Russell Stinson, George Edwards, Peter Bateman, E John Merewether & Ian Ronald Osbourne.
• Slate & Slate roofing nails from the original SL roof – This was my contribution during the replacement of the roof last Christmas. I “Borrowed” a couple from the builder’s bins.

 I would like to thank Tanya Hill, the Shore Archives Assistant, who has done a fantastic job in locating and displaying relevant items of School House history.

It took about two weeks before any boys noticed. Boys being boys I thought two weeks was pretty good …. 😊

Darren Junee

The Rugby League Grand Final Evening

There is just nothing better than sitting back and watching the footy with your mates, a few meat pies, sausage rolls and pizzas.  On NRL grand final night this was a reality in Robson House.  Archer Nugan, Max Suttor and Alex Robinson were in charge of purchasing the food and didn’t they do a terrific job, coming back with over 100 meat pies and sausage rolls and 36 mini pizzas.  However, there was a problem when they arrived back, where were we going to cook all this food.  Thanks to Mrs Camden and Mrs and Mr Walker we loaded up their ovens with food and it was all done just in time for the start of the game.  It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and with a nice feed while urging on the Panthers.  All the food was finished off and by the end of the game and no one was left hungry.  However, the boys who bought the food had a surprise for the boys which was dessert which consisted of chocolates which the boys made room for.  It was a great night and thank you to Mr Walker for allowing us to do this it was greatly appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed. 

Oprah Update

Below is an excerpt from a letter sent to Mr and Mrs Fitch providing an update on Oprah.

Just wanted to touch base & give you an update on how Oprah is going in the Guide Dog Training Program.

Over the past 3 weeks the team has been learning to stop at different types of curbs, walk in straight lines & directional cues such as left, right & forward. We’ve been out and about in the residential streets of Richmond putting everything together in preparation for our review point.

We’re now at the end of week 6 and Oprah has passed her 6 week review.

Oprah is a pleasure to have in the team. Her training is coming along nicely and she is having lots of fun playing with the rest of the training group. She sometimes gets distracted by birds & dogs but is generally very good at refocusing on her work. We’re excited to see how she progresses in the training program.

Over the next 4 weeks the team will be learning to avoid obstacles, walk on travellators, locate things like seats, poles and counters as well as how navigate around pedestrians. The dogs are reviewed regularly throughout the training program however the next formal review point will be at week 10. This formal review requires the dogs to guide their trainer who is blindfolded around a local shopping centre area.

We will touch base with you again following the 10 week review point and will upload some more photos over the coming weeks.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,

Guide Dog Trainer
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

For more information on Guide Dogs NSW/ACT or to donate please visit:  https://www.guidedogs.com.au

Cooking Classes

Cooking classes have recommenced this term, and Week 2 was Indian Night, with the AFL Grand Final on TV and a full house.  Home-made butter chicken with basmati rice, naan bread and fresh coriander were on the menu.  Year 10 were magnificent in the cooking department, as usual – they are turning into our specialist chefs.  The following evening it was simpler fare – spring rolls, pies and sausage rolls to accompany the NRL Grand Final on the tele.  Thanks boys – delicious!

Then, on a cold, wet Bledisloe Cup evening at the end of Week 3, the boys helped put together a slow-cooked beef stew with crusty bread and Anzac cookies for dessert.  It went down a treat, and Nero the ever-hungry dog shared some off-cuts with Ben Howarth, so everyone was happy. 

The Aboriginal Incursion

On Monday, most of the Aboriginal students in ‘Koori Club’ went on an incursion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait study. This incursion taught us a lot of things about culture. From learning a dance about throwing spears left, right and centre, the incursion, I can say at least, was a success at educating us, and giving us a fun time.

Whilst we learnt about throwing spears and looking at weapons, we also learnt how to make clay body paints (That wash off in water), learnt our origins and received didgeridoos. The person guiding the incursion, Chris, also told us a more in depth story of the history of the original owners of the land, akin to the year 7 curriculum. About how Aborigines were treating the British with hospitality, about a man defending the land and getting shot, but still standing.

Apparently, for the first 10 years of a boy’s life in Australia, they grew up in a woman’s camp, where they learnt the taboo’s, the good food from the poisonous ones and how to cook. Then, they would spend 10 years in a man’s camp, where they would learn how to hunt and how to defend themselves. All while seeing their family, then, after they graduate from the man’s camp, they would get their first axe, made of a soft bark, string made of the bark and kangaroo poo mixed with other ingredients for glue. After that everything else was made by themselves. If that doesn’t show capability, then there just isn’t capability in this world.

The quirky side of the culture is its beliefs. Apparently, a tree has two spirits residing inside it, and they still live inside it even if the tree itself is killed. The natural way to bury someone in the times of the 1700’s for Aboriginal people was cremating, and then they would bury them. Well, when the British settled in the country and found aborigines, the Aborigines thought that the British were ghosts, so when they came they would put their defence up, but then ignore them. A common way of dealing with the ghosts back then was just ignoring them. Now that’s something to take home.

Overall, from the collective of Koori Club, we can say, from learning about Aboriginal culture, we had an excellent time! Thank you Chris, Ms. Camden and everyone else who was involved. And thank you for reading!

DJ Nagle

Oscar’s Piano Performance

Oscar Kanaley (Y9) recently delivered a sensational piano performance to fellow Hodges boys during tutor period, presenting a few pieces he was preparing for his upcoming Grade 7 exam.  We wish him the best of luck in his examination and are looking forward to another performance.

1st XI Cricket Representation

Almost a third of the Shore 1^st XI Cricket team is presently made up Barry House boys. Congratulations to Charlie Moses, Henry Murray and Banjo Cole. Best wishes for the season, boys.

Year 12 Nearly Finished

As we head into the final stages of the HSC, Robson House has already removed Redmond O’Connor and Alex Au from Boardingware.  Redmond finished on Friday, came in to say goodbye to Kim and I, attempted to give us a hug and said ‘goodbye Kim, goodbye Sir’.  I told him that it is not Sir anymore, it is Sam!  Perhaps he liked this but I must say it is difficult after referring to a teacher for 6 years as Sir!!

Yesterday we also said goodbye to Alex Au who has been boarding with Robson for a few weeks.  We are all going to miss Alex very much in Robson.  With Geography on Thursday 5^th November, there will be many Robson Year 12 boys leaving, including Ben Broadley, Jonah Edlington, Oli Bishop and Nick Spencer.  Also, we miss Josh Brice as he has been working from home during this time.  Word on the street is that Mikey Mingay elected to do Drama so that he could spend more time in Robson. 

School House & HSC you later

Having now spent almost a year boarding at Shore, I’m convinced it is the best decision I’ve ever made.  Throughout the year I have loved being part of a community where everyone works hard but also looks out for each other.  It has made exams that little less stressful and been a heap of fun along the way.  In particular over the HSC period it has been incredibly helpful to have access to tutors and the Boarding House Masters to help study.  Even when they aren’t around, I’ve been able to knock on mate’s doors and ask them for a hand.  Staying in the school has also meant I’ve been able to access the library for help from teachers and more space and it’s been great to have access to the new gym for study breaks.  While it feels good to be finishing up the HSC, it’s been a once in a lifetime experience boarding at Shore and I don’t want it to be over.  It has only been a year, but I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime and memories I’ll never forget.

Tom Gordon

Tommy North Music Success

Tommy’s recent performance on the Bassoon woodwind instrument for the Higher School Certificate Practical Music examination has been nominated for possible inclusion in ENCORE. ENCORE is an annual presentation of HSC performances and compositions from across the state. Congratulations, Tommy!

Tommy: I would like to thank my tutor, Melissa Woodroffe who taught me through my final year following Long Nguyen who was my tutor for 7 years. I would also like to thank the school music staff and my parents for their ongoing support and encouragement through these years of study.

Hitting The Books

One of the great cultural contexts at Shore is its academic mindset.   It is expected that our students, boarders included, work hard to aim for academic success, and the boarding houses are wonderful places where individual and collaborative study takes place.   The boarders are supervised closely, structures and routines are clear, fellow boarders act as academic support and tutoring from specialist boarding tutors takes place during the week.   Add to that the fact that all boarding staff are academic staff who live on-site, and there is a plethora of academic frameworks to bring out the best in our boys.   With Year 9-10 exams starting in Week 4, and then Year 8 in Week 5, Barry House will be implementing a second prep each night during the exam period, with a second study session added each night before Lights Out.   Check out the Barry House boys hitting the books hard in preparation.